An offender forgiven

A crow flew down, and hit on Mother Sita’s face

Mother Sita waved a stick, at the crow, to chase

The stick She waved, it quickly dodged

Its beak into Her chest, it cruelly lodged

Though it pained, to cry, She did not raise Her voice

Disturbing Her husband’s sleep, on Her lap, was not a choice

The crow hit on Her, again and again

Mother Sita suffered abominable pain

She did not cry or shout, though She was incensed

Something bad happening to Her, Lord Rama sensed

He opened His eyes, and saw the unlawful crow

With tremendous fury and pain, He knit His brow

As He did not have with Him, His arrows and bow

He looked around for something heavy, to throw

Seeing nothing that could hurt, He plucked a grass

He held it like a weapon that was made of iron and brass

Into it the destructive Brahma mantra, He efficiently chanted

To come back with the crow’s life, His permission, He granted

The Brahmaastra- grass flew like a missile, spitting fire

Seeing danger at stake and fearing for life, the crow flew higher

The crow was actually Jayanthan, Indra’s son

Taking his true form, He started to run

He ran to heaven, and fell at his father’s feet

Not as a son, but even as a guest, Indra refused to treat

Again, becoming a crow, to Kailash he went

Shiva refused to help, wanting him to repent

From there, to surrender, to the creator Brahma he went

Only to realise, even on Brahma he could not depend

Realising no one would protect him from Lord Rama’s anger

He kept his head at The Lord’s Feet without delaying longer

The merciful Lord wanted to give Him complete protection

But it was too late for any such consideration or reflection

“Brahmaastra’s power cannot be nullified but can be reduced

The folly in torturing others, I hope you have deduced

Your left eye to the Brahmaastra, you must give

Giving up anarchic ways and misdeeds, you must live”

Jayanthan fell once again at The Lord’s Feet and apologized for his madness

Standing up once again to his height, he started singing The Lord’s Greatness

Along with his tears, his gratitude profusely flowed

Though his left eye was damaged by the grass that glowed

“Rama! Rama! Rama! Greatest Lord!

Though in human garb, I realise, You are God

Being the source of riches, like a mendicant, how could You be?

My fortune, not misfortune, has brought me to Thee!

Giving up my ego and shame, I beg Your love

Unlimited devotion unto Your feet, please bestow

I fall at Your Feet, wanting to be completely cleansed

For, from a devotee of Thy Feet, temptation is fenced

Never again must I err in my life

Never again must I look another’s wife

Though, the love of Your life, Mother Sita, I have offended

Me, from Your anger, You Yourself have defended

Both to Your might, and to Your mercy, I have been a witness

By which I have regained my mental sanity, and moral fitness

The loss I suffered is only a small fee

As from all future sins, I am free

Oh, Handsome One! The One with a heart, beautiful like a blossom

For every creature on this earth, there is a place in Your bosom

Only the lucky ones encounter You, with a good or bad intention

As they are released from all sins, once they get Your attention

You are unlimited love! You are all that is good!

For wisdom to grow, Your thought is food

You are the One, who has all the might!

You are the One, who is always right!

Forgive me, Lord, for all my sins, and accept me

Last in the queue of all Your devotees, let me be!”

Saying thus, Jayanthan fell at the Feet of Ram

Gratefully and truthfully saying, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”