Page:The Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás.djvu/474

410 So saying he prostrated himself; but at the sight the Lord arose in haste with much delight, being pleased to hear his humble address, and took him in his mighty arms and clasped him to his breast; then with his brother seated him by his side, and to calm his votary's fears spake thus: "Tell me, prince of Lanká, is it all well with you and your family. Your home is in an ill place. How, my friend, can one practise the duties of religion, when encompassed day and night by wicked men? I know all your circumstances, your proficiency in virtue, your aversion to evil. God keep us from evil communications: 'twere better, my son, to live in hell." "Now that I have seen your feet, O Ráma, it is all well with me, since you have recognized me as one of your worshippers and have shown mercy upon me.

No creature can be happy, or even dream of rest to his soul, till he worship Ráma, after forswearing lust, that fountain of remorse.

"So long as the heart is peopled by that villainous crew, avarice, sensuality, selfishness, arrogance and pride, there is no room there for Raghunáth, with his bow and arrows and quiver by his side. The intensely dark night of selfishness, so agreeable to the owl-like passions of love and hate, abides in the soul only until the rising of the sun-like lord. Now I am well, and all my fears are over, in that I have beheld your lotus feet. None of the threefold torments of life has any effect upon him, to whom you in your mercy show favour. I am a demon, utterly vile of nature, who have never observed any pious practices, and yet the lord, to whose vision even the saints have not attained, for all their profound meditation, has been pleased to take me to his heart.

"Surely I am blessed beyond measure, and Ráma's grace is most beneficent, in that I behold with my eyes those lotus feet, which even Brahma and Siva adore."

"Hearken, friend; I will declare to you my characteristics, as known by Bhusundi, Sambhu and Umá. If a man who has been the curse of the whole world comes trembling and looks to me for protection, if he abjures all his pride and sensuality without guile or subterfuge, I make him at once like one of the saints. Father and mother; kinsfolk, children and wife; life and