Lanka Kaanda
194 - The gods sing the Lordís praises; Indra rains down nectar on the dead
Chaupais
Description
Then, with the permission of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus); Matali (Indra's charioteer) left (for his abode in heaven) after bowing his head at the Lord's feet. Now came the gods, ever alive to their own selfish interests, and spoke words as though they were seekers of the highest truth : "Friend of the meek, gracious, and divine Lord of the Raghus, you have shown mercy to the gods. This sensual wretch, who took delight in doing mischief to the whole world and trod the evil way, has perished through his own sins. You are alike to all, the imperishable Brahma, ever unchangeable, impartial by nature, integral, devoid of material properties, unborn, sinless, immutable, invincible, unfailing in power, and full of compassion. It was You who assumed the form of a fish, a tortoise; a boar, a man-lion and a dwarf as well as that of Parasurama. Whenever, O Lord, the gods have been in trouble, You have put an end to it by appearing in one form or other. This impure wretch, a perpetual enemy of the gods, was given up to lust, greed and vanity, and very passionate too. That even this vilest creature attained Your state is a marvel to us. We gods are supremely qualified (for the highest state): yet, devoted as we are to our own selfish ends, we have forgotten the worship of our lord and are ever involved in the flood of birth and death. Now redeem us, O Lord, since we have sought shelter in You."