Baal Kaanda
12 - The excellences of Sri Rama and the greatness of His story
Chaupais
Description
I shall now relate at some length the seed of the story-viz., how Goddess Bhavani (Parvati) questioned Lord Sankara and how the latter answered Her questions- weaving a strange narrative round this episode. Let no one who should happen not to have heard this anecdote before be surprised to hear it. Wise men who hear this uncommon, legend marvel not; for they know there is no limit to the stories of Sri Rama in this world. They are convinced in their heart that Sri Rama has bodied Himself forth in diverse ways and that the Ramayana, though consisting of a thousand million verses, is yet infinite. Great sages have diversely sung the charming stories of Sri Hari, relating as they do to different Kalpas or cycles. Bearing this in mind the reader should not entertain any doubt and should hear this narrative reverently and with devotion. (1-4)