Kabandha's Deliverance
The fearsome Kabandha blocks the path of Rama and Lakshmana in the forest. By the Lord's intervention he is freed from his curse and regains his celestial form.
Aranya Kand · Episode 15 / 18
Episode Text
कोमल चित अति दीनदयाला। कारन बिनु रघुनाथ कृपाला॥ गीध अधम खग आमिष भोगी। गति दीन्ही जो जाचत जोगी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
komala cita ati dīnadayālā। kārana binu raghunātha kṛpālā॥ gīdha adhama khaga āmiṣa bhogī। gati dīnhī jo jācata jogī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Raghunath is exceedingly tender of heart, compassionate to the poor, and gracious without cause. Even to the vulture, the lowest of birds and a carrion-eater, He granted that rare state which yogis continually seek.
सुनहु उमा ते लोग अभागी। हरि तजि होहिं बिषय अनुरागी॥ पुनि सीतहि खोजत द्वौ भाई। चले बिलोकत बन बहुताई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunahu umā te log abhāgī। hari taji hohiṃ biṣaya anurāgī॥ puni sītahi khojata dvau bhāī। cale bilokata bana bahutāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Listen, Uma: those people are unfortunate who, abandoning Hari, become attached to worldly objects. Then both brothers went on searching for Sita, looking over the forest as they moved ahead.
संकुल लता बिटप घन कानन। बहु खग मृग तहँ गज पंचानन॥ आवत पंथ कबंध निपाता। तेहिं सब कही साप कै बाता॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saṃkula latā biṭapa ghana kānana। bahu khaga mṛga tahaṃ gaja pañcānana॥ āvata pantha kabaṃdha nipātā। tehiṃ saba kahī sāpa kai bātā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The dense forest was filled with creepers and trees. Many birds, deer, elephants, and lions dwelt there. As they came along the path, Kabandha was struck down. He told the whole story of his curse.
दुरबासा मोहि दीन्ही सापा। प्रभु पद पेखि मिटा सो पापा॥ सुनु गंधर्ब कहउँ मैं तोही। मोहि न सोहाइ ब्रह्मकुल द्रोही॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
durabāsā mohi dīnhi sāpā। prabhu pada pekhi miṭā so pāpā॥ sunu gaṃdharba kahauṃ main tohī। mohi na sohāi brahmakula drohī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
He said, "Durbasa cursed me. Seeing the Lord's feet, that sin has now been erased. Listen, Gandharva, I tell you: one who betrays the brahmin line is not pleasing to me."
मन क्रम बचन कपट तजि जो कर भूसुर सेव। मोहि समेत बिरंचि सिव बस ताकें सब देव॥ ३३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mana krama bacana kapaṭa taji jo kara bhūsura seva। mohi sameta biraṃci siva basa tākeṃ saba deva॥ 33 ॥
Meaning:
Whoever, renouncing deceit in mind, speech, and deed, serves the Brahmins, all the gods—including Brahma and Shiva—come under his control along with Me.
सापत ताड़त परुष कहंता। बिप्र पूज्य अस गावहिं संता॥ पूजिअ बिप्र सील गुन हीना। सूद्र न गुन गन ग्यान प्रबीना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sāpata tāṛata paruṣa kahaṃtā। bipra pūjya asa gāvahiṃ saṃtā॥ pūjia bipra sīla guna hīnā। sūdra na guna gana gyāna prabīnā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The saints sing that a Brahmin is worthy of worship even if he curses, strikes, or speaks harshly. A Brahmin is to be honored even if devoid of conduct and virtues. But a Shudra, even if endowed with many qualities and skilled in knowledge, is not to be worshipped.
कहि निज धर्म ताहि समुझावा। निज पद प्रीति देखि मन भावा॥ रघुपति चरन कमल सिरु नाई। गयउ गगन आपनि गति पाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahi nija dharma tāhi samujhāvā। nija pada prīti dekhi mana bhāvā॥ raghupati carana kamala siru nāī। gayau gagana āpani gati pāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Rama explained to him his own dharma. Seeing devotion at Rama's feet, he was pleased in heart. Then, bowing his head at Raghupati's lotus feet, he attained his own state and went up into the heavens.