Kishkindhaa Kaand - The Unseen Merciful Hand of the Supreme
SANT TULSIDAAS RAAMAAYAN
THE UNSEEN MERCIFUL HAND OF THE SUPREME
KISHKINDHAA KAAND
Page 749 CHOWPAAEE #3
कठिन भूमि कोमल पदगामी .......
Kathin Bhoomi komal pad-gaamee ........
Translation
Shree Hanumaan speaks to Shree Raam:
You tread upon the rough and rugged earth with your tender feet.
Interpretation
Shree Hanumaan addresses Shree Raam and voices his concerns. He observes that the feet of the Lord are tender, yet he walks barefooted on the rough earth. The touch of those divine feet is a sanctuary after which the sages and saints hanker. However, Mother Earth got that opportunity for approximately 14 years.
It was this Mother Earth who first complained that Raavan, through his hideous acts, had become a burden. After engaging the Gods, and unable to solve the problem, the Devtas trekked to the abode of Bhagwaan Shiva. As deliberations continued in that assembly, Lord Shiva advised that they all devoutly appeal to the Supreme. Shiv Bhagwaan assured everyone that Prabhu will definitely respond. Acknowledging their concern, an Aerial Voice promised that He would descend upon Earth as Shree Raam. In that incarnation, He promised to destroy Raavan.
When Shree Raam volunteered Himself into exile, He quickly accomodated the plan to give Bharat his kharaa-ou(n) (wooden slippers). As a consequence, Shree Ram gave the touch of His feet to Mother Earth so that she would be comforted until the demise of Raavan.
This is an illustration of how the Master operates. When we find ourselves in challenging situations, our prayers usually become more intense. Many times the results we expect seem long in coming. That does not mean that our Mantras were not potent. If we examine these impediments carefully, then we are likely to see the compassionate hand of the Lord at work. Due to the working of Karma, solutions may be a work in progress but if we stabilise the mind, we shall see the caring, loving hands of the Supreme hard at work in the interim.