Ayodhya Kaanda
76 - The boatman's love and the passage across the Ganga
Chaupais
Description
The all-compassionate Lord smilingly said, "Do that which may prevent the loss of your boat. Bring water at once and lave my feet; we are getting late, take us across." The same gracious Lord, by uttering whose Name only once men cross the boundless ocean of mundane existence, and for whose three strides the universe proved too small*, thus importuned an ordinary boatman. Though bewildered by the Lord's words, the celestial river (Ganga) rejoiced on beholding the nails of His toes. On receiving Sri Rama's command the ferryman brought a wood basin full of water. In great joy and with a heart overflowing with love he proceeded to bathe the Lord's lotus-feet. Raining flowers on him all the gods envied his lot and said there was none so meritorious as he