Uttar Kaanda
218 - Greatness of the Ramayana; Tulasidasa's prayer and reward of reciting this poem
Shlokas
Description
The same mysterious "Manasa-Ramayana" (the story of Sri Rama figuratively spoken of as a Manasa lake) which was composed of yore by the blessed Lord Sambhu, the best of all poets, with the object of developing unceasing devotion to the lotus-feet of the all-beautiful Sri Rama, has been likewise rendered into the vulgar tongue by Tulasidasa for dispersing the gloom of his heart, cognizing the fact that it is devoted to the Name of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus). This glorious, holy, purifying, blessed and most limpid Manasa lake of Sri Rama's exploits ever begets happiness; nay, it bestows both wisdom and Devotion, wipes out delusion, infatuation and impurity and is brimful with the water of love. Men who devoutly take a plunge into it are never scorched with the burning rays of the sun of worldly illusion.