Uttar Kaanda
207 - Dialogue between Sri Rama and the sage Vasistha; Sri Rama's excursion to a mango grove in the company of His brothers
Chaupais
Description
One day the sage Vasistha called at the palace where the charming and all-blissful Sri Rama was. The Lord of the Raghus received him with great reverence, laved his feet and sipped the water into which they had been washed. "Listen, Rama :" said the sage with joined palms, "I make my humble submission, O Ocean of mercy. Even as I watch Your doings infinite bewilderment possesses my soul. Your immeasurable greatness is beyond the knowledge of the Vedas; how can I describe it, O Almighty Lord? The vocation of a familypriest is very low : the Vedas, Puranas and the Smrti texts equally denounce it. When I would not accept it, Brahma (my father) said to me, "It will redound to your benefit hereafter, my son : Brahma Itself, the Supreme Spirit, will appear in human semblance as a king, the ornament of Raghu's race".