Uttar Kaanda
213 - Guru's appeal to Lord siva for forgiving the wrong; mollification of the curse; continuation of Kakabhusundi's narrative
Chaupais
Description
"Now do that which may bring him supreme blessedness, O fountain of mercy !" On hearing the Brahmana's words, steeped as they were in charity, the heavenly voice replied : "So be it ! Although he has committed a grievous sin and I in My wrath have pronounced a curse on him, yet, realizing your goodness, I shall do him a special favour. O holy Brahmana, they who are of a forgiving disposition and beneficent are as dear to Me as Sri Rama (the Slayer of the demon Khara) Himself. Nonetheless, O Brahmana, My curse shall not go in vain : this fellow shall surely pass through a thousand incarnations. But the terrible agony involved in each successive birth and death shall not affect him in the least. (Turning to me, the voice continued :) Hear, O Sμudra, my authentic word : in none of your births shall your awareness (of previous existences) leave you. (In the first place) You were born in the capital of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus), and besides that you set your heart on My worship. Due to the miraculous power of the holy city and by My grace, devotion to Sri Rama shall spring up in your bosom. Now, brother, hear My solemn declaration: a vow to serve the Brahmanas is the surest means of propitiating Sri Hari. Insult the Brahmanas no more and reckon a saint to be on a par with the infinite Lord Himself. Even he who does not succumb to the stroke of Indra's thunderbolt, My own mighty trident, the rod of Death and the terrible discus of Sri Hari, is consumed by the fire of hostility with the Brahmanas. Treasure up this counsel in your heart, and there will be nothing in this world which may be too difficult for you to attain. I bestow one more blessing on you: you shall have unobstructed access everywhere."