Page:The Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás.djvu/29

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He had great love for his wife: without asking his leave she went home to her father's; he forgot all about himself and hastened there too. She was greatly ashamed, and went away in anger, saying:—"Have you no love for Ráma? My body is but a framework of skin and bone." When he heard these words it was, as it were, the daybreak; he felt compunction and left her and sped to the city of Kási. There he made his abode, worshipping the lord publicly, making a rigid vow, and thirsting exceedingly for a vision.

A certain ghost, who had secured the remainder of the water he had used in washing, was grateful and told him of Hanumán. "A recitation of the Rámáyana has a special charm for his ears; he will be disguised in mean attire, but is always the first to come and the last to leave." Thus recognizing him as he left, he went with him in full confidence, and in the wood, knowing him to be in truth the god, ran and embraced his feet, erying with a shout of joy:—"You shall not escape me." Perceiving his intense devotion, he assumed the form in which he is famous and said:—"Ask of me what you will." "I am ever craving to behold with my very eyes the incomparable beauty of King Ráma." He told him the place for meeting. From that day forth he was longing till the time came, thinking: 'When shall I behold his beauty?' Raghunáth came, and with him Lakshman, both mounted on horseback, in green raiment (like huntsmen). Why should he notice them? Afterwards came Hanumán and said:—"Have you seen your dear lord?" "I did not give them even a glance; turn now and speak to them again."

A Bráhman, who had committed a murder, came on a pilgrimage, crying "For the love of Ráma give an alms even to me, a murderer." On hearing the delightful name, he called him into his own house, and gave him of the offerings to the god, and purified him and sang the praises of his Beloved. The Bráhmans met in conclave and summoned him before them, saying—"How has his guilt been remitted that you could thus take and eat with him apart?" "Read your books; their real meaning has not penetrated your heart; therefore your faith is dull and your blindness has not been removed." "We have read and examined our books; the virtue of the Name is truly as you have said; but can a murderer be absolved? Please explain that." "Tell me how I may convince you." They said:—"If Siva's bull will eat from his hand, then will we receive him into our company." He gave him of the temple offerings in a dish and they returned to the place where he had made the vow. There he cried: "Saturate their souls with the glory of thy name; thou knowest how the matter stands, what can I say?" On hearing those words he gracionsly accepted the offering: there was a joyous shout of Victory, Victory.

Some thieves came by night to thieve and plunder his goods: but beheld a cloud-dark form with bow and arrows in his hand. Whenever he approached with ready shaft, they were afraid; and though they went round and round they could not get rid of this watehman. At daybreak they came and asked him:—"Sir, who is this dark-complexioned lad of yours?" On hearing this question, he remained silent and wept; then gave away all that he had, knowing that Ráma himself had been the watchman. They were initiated and received instruction, and became pure of heart.

A Bráhman had died; his wife was following him to the pyre. She saw him at a distance and made him obeisance. He addressed her as a happy wife. She replied,—"My husband is dead, and I am about to perish with him." "The word has passed my lips; I will restore him to life; worship thou Ráma." Then he called her kinsfolk and said, " But you nust adopt a religious life." They