Baal Kaanda
12 - The excellences of Sri Rama and the greatness of His story
Chaupais
Description
My presumption and error are indeed very great and, hearing the tale of my sins, even hell has turned up its nose at them. I shudder to think of it due to my assumed fears; while Sri Rama took no notice of them even in a dream. The Lord, on the other hand, applauded my devotion and spirit on hearing of, perceiving and scanning them with the mind's eye. If there is anything good in one's heart, it is marred by the telling; for Sri Rama is pleased to note what is there in the devotee's mind. The Lord never cherishes in His mind the lapse, if any, on part of a devotee; while He remembers the latter's spirit a hundred times. For instance, the very crime of which He had killed Vali (the monkey- king of Kiskindha) even as a huntsman was repeated in the misdemeanour perpetrated by Sugriva* Vibhisana too was guilty of the same offence; but Sri Rama took no cognizance of it even in a dream. The Hero of Raghu's clan, on the other hand, honoured them both at His meeting with Bharata (on His return from Lanka) and commended them in open court.(1-4)