There are many great devotees of Sri Rama – Hanuman, Vibhishan, Shabari, Guhan, Kabir and others. One of the bright names which shines in this list is that of Kaka Bhusundi. The glory of bhakti, the greatness of Ram Nam and divine wisdom are all given in the story of Kaka Bhusundi in the Uttarkand of Sri Ramacharitmanas.
The life of Kaka Bhusundi is given in the last part, sloka 106, of Sri Ramacharitamanas. Kaka Bhusundi was an enlightened Sage in the body of a crow. Kaka Bhusundi answers the questions and doubts of Garuda, the celestial eagle, who is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Kaka Bhusundi is a great bhakta of Sri Rama and teaches all the birds the story of Sri Rama and about bhakti yoga. Through the eyes of Kaka Bhusundi we have a vision of God – Sri Rama, who lived as the ideal man – Mariyadapurushottam. Hearing the highest levels of wisdom and the enchanting and uplifting story of Sri Rama from a crow, the celestial Garuda asked Kaka Bhusundi about himself. Then Bhusundi narrated his life story:
Bhusundi was born in Ayodhya but had no bhakti or love for Sri Rama. He used to soundly abuse servants or devotees of Sri Rama. He was a devotee of Lord Shiva and thought of himself as better and superior to others. He met a saintly Guru who gave him the Shiva Mantra and also the teachings and wisdom of the path. Because of his arrogance, he did not get up and prostate to his Guru when his Guru entered the temple where Bhusundi was doing japa. So Lord Shiva cursed him to become a python as he was lazy and stupid. His Guru pleased Lord Shiva with a beautiful hymn - ‘Namami shamishana nirvanaroopam’, and sought to mitigate the curse. The Guru never curses the disciple. Lord Shiva Himself punishes those who disrespect the Guru. Lord Shiva said that Bhusundi had to suffer the curse and live one thousand subhuman births and live in lower life forms but he would have awareness of his past births and would be born in Ayodhya as a great Rama Bhakta. The words of Lord Shiva came true and Bhusundi lived through all the lower life forms and was finally born as a Brahmin in Ayodhya. He had deep love for Sri Rama and moved from hermitage to hermitage in the forests hearing the Rishis speak of the greatness of Sri Rama and Rama bhakti.
Finally he met Sage Lomasa who was a great scholar and sought guidance on how to behold the Lotus Feet of Sri Rama. The great Sage recounted some of the virtues of Sri Rama and gave a long lecture on the Formless God. The Formless did not appeal to Bhusundi who wanted to behold the enchanting form of Sri Rama with his own eyes. So he asked him again to teach him about the One with Form. The Sage spoke of the story of Sri Rama again but emphasized the worship of Formless. Bhusundi could not accept the discourse of the Formless and argued with the Sage. The Sage again repeated about the Formless and Bhusundi argued. Finally the Sage got angry with Bhusundi and cursed him to become a crow as he was self opinionated like a crow and did not trust the words of the Sage. Bhusundi took the curse joyfully and fixing his thoughts on Sri Rama flew away. When the Lord saw his devotee had received another curse he confronted the Sage and explained to him the greatness of Bhusundi and his bhakti and asked him to rectify the curse. The Sage then called Bhusundi and gave him the mantra of Sri Rama and meditation on Sri Rama as a child – a form which was beloved to Bhusundi. He recited the Sri Ramacharitamanas to Bhusundi and blessed him with a depth of devotion by which Sri Rama would ever reside in his heart. The celestial voice of the Lord endorsed the blessings.
Bhusundi came back to his own ashram and continued in the form of a crow for twenty seven cycles of creation. He remained there always singing the praises of Sri Rama and the Rishis and others took the form of birds to join him in his devotion. Each time the Lord takes the Avatar of Sri Rama in Ayodhya, Bhusundi goes there to enjoy the spectacle of his childish sports. Again enshrining the image of the child Rama in his heart, he returns to his hermitage. Bhusundi told Garuda that he loved the form of the crow as he got the mantra and knowledge of Sri Rama in that form and enjoyed endless devotion of the Lord in that form. By the power of his bhakti he attained the Lord.
