Baal Kaanda
12 - The excellences of Sri Rama and the greatness of His story
Chaupais
Description
The charming story which Yajnavalkya related to the good sage Bharadvaja, I shall repeat the same dialogue at length; let all good souls hear it with a feeling of delight. This ravishing tale was conceived by Sambhu (Lord Siva), who graciously communicated it to His Consort Uma (Parvati). Siva imparted it once more to Kakabhusundi (a sage in the form of crow), knowing him to be a devotee of Sri Rama and one qualified to hear it. And it was Yajnavalkya who received it from the latter (Kakabhusundi) and narrated it to Bharadvaja. Both these, the listener (Bharadvaja) and the reciter (Yajnavalkya), are equally virtuous; they view all alike and are acquainted with the pastimes of Sri Hari. Like a emblic myrobalan fruit placed on one's palm, they hold the past, present and future within their knowledge. Besides these, other enlightened devotees of Sri Hari too recite, hear and understand this story in diverse ways.(1-4)