When he heard of the Lord’s arrival, he rushed out hurriedly, indulging in his own fancy: ‘O God,’ he cried, ‘will Raghunatha, the befriender of the humble, ever have mercy on a wretch like me?

Will Rama, my master, and his younger brother receive me as their servant? Of this I have no assured confidence, for there is no devotion or dispassion or wisdom in my soul.

I have never sought the company of saints or practised yoga, prayer, or sacrifice; nor do I claim any steadfast devotion to the Lord’s lotus feet. I bank on one characteristic of the all-merciful Lord: he is his friend who goes to none other.

This inspires me with the hope that my eyes shall today be blessed with the sight of the Lord’s lotus face, that delivers one from the bondage of worldly existence.’ The wise sage, Bhavani, was so utterly overwhelmed with love that his condition was beyond all description.

He could not see his way either in this direction or in that; he knew not who he was or where he was going; at one time he would turn and go back and then again resume his journey; at another he would dance and sing of Rama’s virtues.

Yet more vehement grew the sage’s love and devotion, while the Lord watched him, hiding behind a tree. Seeing his exceeding love, Raghunatha, who dispels the fear of transmigration, revealed himself in his heart.

The sage sat motionless in the middle of the road, his body bristling like a jackfruit with every hair on end. Then Raghunatha drew near, rejoicing to see the state of his devotee.