The Oarsman’s trick!

Lord Rama woke up opening His beautiful eyes

Resembling lotuses blossoming on seeing sunrise

His eyelids while opening were like, shells of the sea

Revealing black coloured pearls gleaming with glee

Mother Sita had already woken before Him

The jungle had raised Her wit and vim

She always wanted, by Her Husband, to be seen

Beautiful, brisk and decorated serene

Lakshman had made all arrangements for his Lord

To perform worship to the sun as per Vedic record

He became a mother in caring for His Brother’s needs

Not as a service, but worship, he performed his deeds

Guha by this time had arranged, vegetarian food

Fruits, roots and green leaves, tasty and good

He had seen in Shri Rama, the meaning of noble

He was inspired by Lakshman to be selfless and able

Sumanthra was the one who was now sad at heart

Knowing Rama would order him to soon depart

He gazed at Rama as if to capture Rama’s image

It looked as if he was trying to gauge

If he could take Rama captive in his virtual mind

In order to prevent Rama from staying behind

He realised the futility of what his helpless mind wished

He could not stop the tear that profusely gushed

Lord Rama worshipped the sun giving water as oblations

This gave Him clarity in seeing, amidst problems, solutions

Rama then accepted the food, Guha offered with care

Sita and Lakshman also accepted their humble share

Lord Rama then approached Sumanthra, the earnest

Folded His palms in reverence and spoke words, honest

“Venerable Sir, Thou to me have been more like a father

I seek your permission, in my journey, to continue further

Though being a minister, you took up the rein

And served me as a driver, not expecting gain

I know how much your heart would pain

In seeing my image, as I go, become wane

Yet I have to say, it is time for us to part

With gratitude I appreciate you, for your part

Go back home and be with my dad

You are the best friend, he always had

Tell him we are happy and help him lighten

Let his face that is dark with sorrow, brighten

Tell our mothers, we send our regards with respect

On noble Bharatha’s character, let them not suspect

Serve my brother, like you served my father

The subjects support for him, you must gather

When you meet my brother next, you must tell

I will always be praying for him to be well

Tell him to accept the Kingdom without any guilt

I know it was his mother, not him, for me being jilt

Tell him when I return, I will not dispute over right

I will lay my life for him, rather than starting a fight”

Saying thus Lord Rama ended His message

To Sumanthra’s heart it was a heavy luggage

Anyway he nodded realising its worthy weightage

He decided to carry it without demanding freightage

To keep Rama with him for ever, Guha desperately desired

Even to surrender his kingdom, he was truly inspired

He spoke words, through which his devotion transpired

Hoping to succeed in achieving for what he aspired

“Shri Rama! To thy holy feet, I surrender my all

May Your rule on this kingdom from now befall

You father’s words don’t fail as this is already jungle

I want you to be with us, as our King, and mingle”

“Dear Guha! What merit have I done to be your friend!?

One’s own kingdom for his friend, who could extend!?

Goose bumps through me, your loving words send

As a fifth brother in my heart you have tightly blend

Wishing to make the exile term useful, I have taken

Some vows as per the Vedas that cannot be shaken

In staying with you, Father’s promise does not flaw

But I cannot do my penance abiding ascetic law

Thank you so much for making this noble offer

One who has friends like you is never a pauper

Enjoying comfort and pleasure I must not stay

Please forgive me and allow me to go my way”

Guha, though not happy, realised Rama’s position

He could appreciate the genuinity in Rama’s decision

He fell at Lord Rama’s feet seeking Rama’s blessing

Rama blessed Guha, with an embrace that was pressing

Rama’s action proves that in His eyes all are same

Though one may belong, by caste, to any frame

It also brings to light that He is simple by mind

To the fact that He was royal, He was always blind

Lord Rama then discussed with Guha about His route

And decided, crossing Ganges on a boat, would best suit

Guha ordered his men to summon his personal oarsman

And wait at the place where the river’s course ran

The oarsman was not a very educated man

To Lord Rama he had already become a fan

He was also among the crowd that spent the dark

In awe and amazement hearing Lakshman talk

When Guha told him, to take Rama across

He straight away refused to obey his boss

Embarrassed before Rama, Guha asked for a reason

To which the oarsman replied without any confusion

“Dear King, for not obeying your words I am sorry

Only yesterday we heard your divine friend’s story

Though I love to serve Him, I am afraid to

Thinking of what His Holy Feet’s dust can do

In case my boat becomes a girl, like the stone

My wife will fight with me and break my bone

Even her anger I can manage, if I try to sob

But I will end up with two wives and no job”

The divine three and Guha laughed at this

Guha tried to tell him, nothing would go amiss

But the oarsman was not convinced enough

To make him see the truth was very tough

Lord Rama said He was going to wash His feet

The oarsman could check for himself if it was neat

And then he could allow Lord Rama to board

The beautifully decorated boat that is shored

Though the oarsman did appreciate the thought

It could not untie completely his doubtful knot

He personally wanted to do the cleaning

Guha now realised the oarsman’s meaning

“So intentionally you put up all this Drama

Seeking a chance to worship the feet of Shri Rama!?”

He looked to Lord Rama for opinion with a smile

Lord Rama agreed to accede, to the oarsman’s guile

The oarsman made Lord Rama sit

On a rock that was flat and fit

For Lord Rama’s Feet, he placed a wooden slate

He worshipped The Feet, singing a song innate

“Even great sages wait for years, in numbers, vast

For the moment their Lord blesses them, at last

But this fortunate one is here, before his Lord, now

Could anyone understand this and tell me how?

How blessed am I to be here now!

And see the Feet that blessings bestow!

To the feet that carry The Noblest, I bow

At the sight of which my heart seeps love

These feet, that kicked King Dasaratha on the face

And filled him with joy like he was in a heavenly place

These feet that walked on Queen Kausalya’s breast

Filling her with pride like she was honoured in a fest

These feet, that rode on mighty elephants

Which were overjoyed, like carrying their own infants

These feet, that hopped onto energetic horses

Making them want to run for ever, without pauses

These feet, those carry that mighty hero

Who reduced miscreant numbers to zero

And helped Vishwamitra complete his work

Not expecting anything in return as perk

These feet, that entered the Mithila city

And wiped off King Janaka’s longtime pity

These feet, that Mother Sita daily wakes upon

And touches them in worship at dusk and dawn

I am blessed as I pour water on it

I am blessed as I am cleansing it

The feet that cleansed Ahalya’s sins

Cleanses my soul as I rinse

To apply on it, I do not have sandal paste

Yet my worship to it will not go waste

For the one these feet carry is the most merciful

In protecting the surrendered ones He is ever dutiful

Won’t this precious moment, last for ever?

Can I not always be with the most gracious giver?

Anyway, I have already captured Him in my heart

Why should I worry, if He wants to depart?

The Lord who has a duty towards all other creatures

Has spend this moment for me, to admire His features

Expecting anything more than this would be greedy

Let Him go to devotees who are, for his presence, needy

Remembering this moment I can spend my life

For this moment in my memory is filled, rife

Thank you my Lord for giving me a chance

Thank you my Lord for casting a glance

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”

Singing thus the oarsman finished his worship

Guha felt proud of having the man under his kingship

Thus the oarsman rejoiced in worshipping Ram

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!