The Guru's Plea to Shiva, the Blessing in the Curse, and Kakbhushundi's Story
The guru prays to Shiva for forgiveness on behalf of his disciple, and the curse is ultimately transformed into grace. Kakbhushundi then continues the story of his spiritual journey.
Uttar Kand · Episode 16 / 21
Episode Text
रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये। ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति॥ ९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rudrāṣṭakamidaṃ proktaṃ vipreṇa haratoṣaye। ye paṭhanti narā bhaktyā teṣāṃ śambhuḥ prasīdati॥ 9 ॥
Meaning:
This Rudrāṣṭakam was spoken by the brahmin for the delight of Hara. Those who recite it with devotion are graced by Śambhu.
सुनि बिनती सर्बग्य सिव देखि बिप्र अनुरागु। पुनि मंदिर नभबानी भइ द्विजबर बर मागु॥ १०८ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni binatī sarbagya siva dekhi bipra anurāgu। puni maṃdira nabhabānī bhai dvijabara bara māgu॥ 108 (a) ॥
Meaning:
When the all-knowing Shiva heard the prayer and saw the brahmin's devotion, a voice from the sky within the temple declared: 'O best of twice-born ones, ask for a boon.'
जौं प्रसन्न प्रभु मो पर नाथ दीन पर नेहु। निज पद भगति देइ प्रभु पुनि दूसर बर देहु॥ १०८ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jauṃ prasanna prabhu mo para nātha dīna para nehu। nija pada bhagati dei prabhu puni dūsara bara dehu॥ 108 (b) ॥
Meaning:
[The brahmin said:] O Lord, if you are pleased with me, and O Master, if you have love for this poor one, then first grant devotion to your feet, and only then give me another boon.
तव माया बस जीव जड़ संतत फिरइ भुलान। तेहि पर क्रोध न करिअ प्रभु कृपासिंधु भगवान॥ १०८ (ग) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tava māyā basa jīva jaḍa saṃtata phirai bhulāna। tehi para krodha na kariya prabhu kṛpāsiṃdhu bhagavāna॥ 108 (c) ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, under the sway of your māyā, this dull-minded being keeps wandering in forgetfulness. O ocean of compassion, O Bhagavān, do not be angry with him.
संकर दीनदयाल अब एहि पर होहु कृपाल। साप अनुग्रह होइ जेहिं नाथ थोरेहीं काल॥ १०८ (घ) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saṃkara dīnadayāla aba ehi para hohu kṛpāla। sāpa anugraha hoi jehiṃ nātha thaoraehī kāla॥ 108 (d) ॥
Meaning:
O Shankar, merciful to the poor, now be gracious to him, so that, O Lord, after a short time, the curse may turn into grace and liberation.
एहि कर होइ परम कल्याना। सोइ करहु अब कृपानिधाना॥ बिप्र गिरा सुनि परहित सानी। एवमस्तु इति भइ नभबानी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi kara hoi parama kalyānā। soi karahu aba kṛpānidhānā॥ bipra girā suni parahita sānī। evamastu iti bhaī nabhabānī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O treasure of compassion, now do that which will bring him supreme welfare. Hearing the brahmin's words, filled with concern for another's good, a voice from the sky again said, 'Evam astu'—'So be it.'
जदपि कीन्ह एहिं दारुन पापा। मैं पुनि दीन्हि कोप करि सापा॥ तदपि तुम्हारि साधुता देखी। करिहउँ एहि पर कृपा बिसेषी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jadapi kīnh ehi dāruna pāpā। maiṃ puni dīnhī kopa kari sāpā॥ tadapi tumhāri sādhutā dekhī। karihauṃ ehi para kṛpā biśeṣī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Although he has committed a terrible sin, and I too have cursed him in anger, seeing your saintliness I shall show him special mercy.
छमासील जे पर उपकारी। ते द्विज मोहि प्रिय जथा खरारी॥ मोर श्राप द्विज ब्यर्थ न जाइहि। जन्म सहस अवस्य यह पाइहि॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
chamāsīla je para upakārī। te dvija mohi priya jathā kharārī॥ mora śrāpa dvija byartha na jāihi। janma sahasa avasya yaha pāihi॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
O brahmin, those who are forgiving and beneficent are dear to me, just as Kharārī Śrī Rāmachandra is. O brahmin, my curse will not prove futile; he must surely take a thousand births.
जनमत मरत दुसह दुख होई। एहि स्वल्पउ नहिं ब्यापिहि सोई॥ कवनेउँ जन्म मिटिहि नहिं ग्याना। सुनहि सूद्र मम बचन प्रवाना॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
janamata marata dusaha dukha hoī। ehi svalpau nahiṃ byāpihi soī॥ kavaneuṃ janma miṭihi nahiṃ gyānā। sunahi sūdra mama bacana pramānā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Yet the agonies of birth and death shall not trouble him even a little, and in no birth shall his knowledge be lost. Listen, O śūdra, to my true and authoritative word.
रघुपति पुरीं जन्म तव भयऊ। पुनि तैं मम सेवाँ मन दयऊ॥ पुरी प्रभाव अनुग्रह मोरें। राम भगति उपजिहि उर तोरें॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
raghupati pūrīṃ janma tava bhayau। puni taiṃ mama sevāṃ mana dayau॥ purī prabhāva anugraha moren̄। rāma bhagati upajihi ura toren̄॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
First, you were born in the city of Raghupati. Then you turned your mind to my service. By the power of that city and by my grace, devotion to Rama will arise in your heart.
सुनु मम बचन सत्य अब भाई। हरितोषन ब्रत द्विज सेवकाई॥ अब जनि करहि बिप्र अपमाना। जानेसु संत अनंत समाना॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunu mama bacana satya aba bhāī। haritoṣana brata dvija sevakāī॥ aba jani karahi bipra apamānā। jānesu saṃta anaṃta samānā॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
Listen, brother, to my true word: service to brahmins is the vow that pleases Hari. Never again insult a brahmin. Regard the saints as equal to the Infinite Lord Himself.
इंद्र कुलिस मम सूल बिसाला। कालदंड हरि चक्र कराला॥ जो इन्ह कर मारा नहिं मरई। बिप्र द्रोह पावक सो जरई॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
iṃdra kulisa mama śūla bisālā। kāladaṃḍa hari caka karālā॥ jo inha kara mārā nahiṃ maraiī। bipra droha pāvaka so jaraiī॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
Even if he is not slain by Indra's thunderbolt, my great trident, the rod of Time, or Hari's terrible discus, he is still consumed by the fire of offending a brahmin.
सुनि सिव बचन हरषि गुर एवमस्तु इति भाषि। मोहि प्रबोधि गयउ गृह संभु चरन उर राखि॥ १०९ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni siva bacana harṣi guru evamastu iti bhāṣi। mohi prabodhi gayau gṛha saṃbhu caraṇa ura rāakhi॥ 109 (a) ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Shiva's words, the guru rejoiced and said, 'So be it.' After instructing me, he went home, keeping Śambhu's feet in his heart.
प्रेरित काल बिंधि गिरि जाइ भयउँ मैं ब्याल। पुनि प्रयास बिनु सो तनु तजेउँ गएँ कछु काल॥ १०९ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prerita kāla biṃdhi giri jāi bhayauṃ maiṃ byāla। puni prayāsa binu so tanu tajeuṃ gaeṃ kachu kāla॥ 109 (b) ॥
Meaning:
Impelled by Time, I went to the Vindhya mountain and became a serpent. After some time, without effort, I gave up that body.
जोइ तनु धरउँ तजउँ पुनि अनायास हरिजान। जिमि नूतन पट पहिरइ नर परिहरइ पुरान॥ १०९ (ग) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
joi tanu dharauṃ tajauṃ puni anāyāsa harijāna। jimi nūtana paṭa pahirai nara pariharai purāna॥ 109 (c) ॥
Meaning:
Whatever body I assumed, I would effortlessly cast it off again, just as a person puts on new clothes and discards the old.
सिवँ राखी श्रुति नीति अरु मैं नहिं पावा क्लेस। एहि बिधि धरेउँ बिबिधि तनु ग्यान न गयउ खगेस॥ १०९ (घ) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sivaṃ rākhī śruti nīti aru maiṃ nahiṃ pāvā kleśa। ehi bidhi dhareuṃ bibidhi tanu gyāna na gayau khagesa॥ 109 (d) ॥
Meaning:
Shiva upheld the order of the Vedas, and I suffered no distress. In this way, O lord of birds, I took many forms, yet my knowledge was not lost.
त्रिजग देव नर जोइ तनु धरऊँ। तहँ तहँ राम भजन अनुसरऊँ॥ एक सूल मोहि बिसर न काऊ। गुर कर कोमल सील सुभाऊ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
trijaga deva nara joi tanu dharauṃ। tahaṃ tahaṃ rāma bhajana anusarauṃ॥ eka sūla mohi bisara na kāū। gura kara komala sīla subhāū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Whatever body I took—whether in the three worlds, among gods or humans—I continued the worship of Rama there as well. Yet one thorn remained in me: I could never forget my Guru's gentle, virtuous nature.
चरम देह द्विज कै मैं पाई। सुर दुर्लभ पुरान श्रुति गाई॥ खेलउँ तहूँ बालकन्ह मीला। करउँ सकल रघुनायक लीला॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
carama deha dvija kai maiṃ pāī। sura durlabha purāna śruti gāī॥ khelauṃ tahūṃ bālakanhaṃ mīlā। karauṃ sakala raghunāyaka līlā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
I obtained the final body of a brahmin, which the Puranas and the Vedas declare to be difficult even for the gods to attain. Even there, mingling with the boys, I would play and perform only the deeds of Raghunatha.
प्रौढ़ भएँ मोहि पिता पढ़ावा। समझउँ सुनउँ गुनउँ नहिं भावा॥ मन ते सकल बासना भागी। केवल राम चरन लय लागी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prauṛha bhaeṃ mohi pitā paṛhāvā। samajhauṃ sunauṃ gunauṃ nahiṃ bhāvā॥ mana te sakala bāsanā bhāgī। kevala rāma carana laya lāgī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
When I grew up, my father had me educated. I would try to understand, listen, and reflect, but study did not please me. All desires fled from my mind. Only attachment to Rama's feet remained.
कहु खगेस अस कवन अभागी। खरी सेव सुरधेनुहि त्यागी॥ प्रेम मगन मोहि कछु न सोहाई। हारेउ पिता पढ़ाइ पढ़ाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahu khagesa asa kavana abhāgī। kharī seva suradhenuhi tyāgī॥ prema magana mohi kachu na sohāī। hāreu pitā paṛhāi paṛhāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O Garuda, tell me: what unlucky soul would abandon the wish-fulfilling Suradhenu and take to lowly service? Absorbed in love, nothing pleased me. My father was worn out teaching me again and again.
भए कालबस जब पितु माता। मैं बन गयउँ भजन जनत्राता॥ जहँ जहँ बिपिन मुनीस्वर पावउँ। आश्रम जाइ जाइ सिरु नावउँ॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhae kālabasa jaba pitu mātā। maiṃ bana gayauṃ bhajana janatrātā॥ jahaṃ jahaṃ bipina munīsvara pāvauṃ। āśrama jāi jāi siru nāvauṃ॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
When my father and mother fell under Time, I went to the forest to worship the Protector of devotees. Wherever I found the hermitages of the sages, I would go from ashram to ashram and bow my head.
बूझउँ तिन्हहि राम गुन गाहा। कहहिं सुनउँ हरषित खगनाहा॥ सुनत फिरउँ हरि गुन अनुबादा। अब्याहत गति संभु प्रसादा॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
būjhauṃ tinhahi rāma guna gāhā। kahahiṃ sunauṃ haraṣita khaganāhā॥ sunata phirauṃ hari guna anubādā। abyāhata gati sambhu prasādā॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
O Garuda, I would ask them for tales of Rama's virtues; they would speak, and I would listen with delight. Thus I kept wandering, always hearing the praises of Hari. By Shiva's grace, my movement was unhindered everywhere.
छूटी त्रिबिधि ईषना गाढ़ी। एक लालसा उर अति बाढ़ी॥ राम चरन बारिज जब देखौं। तब निज जन्म सफल करि लेखौं॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
chūṭī tribidhi īṣanā gāṛhī। eka lālasā ura ati bāṛhī॥ rāma carana bārija jaba dekhauṃ। taba nija janma saphala kari lekhauṃ॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
The three deep desires had left me, and in my heart one longing grew greatly: when I behold Rama's lotus feet, I shall consider my birth fulfilled.
जेहि पूँछउँ सोइ मुनि अस कहई। ईस्वर सर्ब भूतमय अहई॥ निर्गुन मत नहिं मोहि सोहाई। सगुन ब्रह्म रति उर अधिकाई॥ ८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehi pūṃchauṃ soi muni asa kahai। īśvara sarba bhūtamaya ahai॥ nirguna mata nahiṃ mohi sohāī। saguna brahma rati ura adhikāī॥ 8 ॥
Meaning:
Whichever sage I asked would say that the Lord is present in all beings. The doctrine of the attributeless Absolute did not please me. My heart's devotion to the with-attributes Brahman kept growing.