43.19: Bhanudas vindicated

196. As they were about to lift him up on to it to impale him Bhanudas thus supplicated God, ‘Let the very heavens fall crashing upon me, yet will I remember Thee.

197. Though the seven oceans should unite and overwhelm me, still I will not leave Thee, O God, my King. I wave as an offering before Thee this destructible body of mine.

198. Though the whole earth should go to destruction, and the five elements be dissolved, yet aside from Thee, O Husband of Rukmini, I need no one at my side.

199. When the submarine fire shall devour the three worlds, Thou wilt be my beloved still.’ The Life of the world seeing the determination of Bhanudas came to his rescue.

200. A most wonderful, a most strange marvel, now took place. Listen ye bhaktas, with reverence, to what now happened. The impaling stake, fastened in the ground, suddenly burst into leaf.

201. It blossomed into flower and fruit. The officers of the king went and told him what had taken place, adding, ‘He is a Vaishnava bhakta. Pandharinath has come to his rescue.

202. The impaling stake has turned into a green tree.’ The king listened to the story told by his servants of what had taken place, and expressed his great astonishment.

203. He hastened to the scene and saw the tree with his own eyes, Remorse now seized his heart and he cried out, ‘I have committed a great wrong.’

204. The king then made Bhanudas an obeisance in love and reverence and said. ‘Prom lack of thought I have done you this wrong.’

205. Without any delay the king took Bhanudas to the temple, and as he saw the image of Pandurang [Panduranga] he became choked with emotion.

206. As Bhanudas embraced His feet the Life of the world raised him up and embraced him.