Prakarana 1

Verse 1 (श्लोक)

वर्णानामर्थसंघानां रसानां छन्दसामपि। मङ्गलानां च कर्त्तारौ वन्दे वाणीविनायकौ।।1।। भवानीशङ्करौ वन्दे श्रद्धाविश्वासरूपिणौ। याभ्यां विना न पश्यन्ति सिद्धाःस्वान्तःस्थमीश्वरम्।।2।। वन्दे बोधमयं नित्यं गुरुं शङ्कररूपिणम्। यमाश्रितो हि वक्रोऽपि चन्द्रः सर्वत्र वन्द्यते।।3।। सीतारामगुणग्रामपुण्यारण्यविहारिणौ। वन्दे विशुद्धविज्ञानौ कबीश्वरकपीश्वरौ।।4।। उद्भवस्थितिसंहारकारिणीं क्लेशहारिणीम्। सर्वश्रेयस्करीं सीतां नतोऽहं रामवल्लभाम्।।5।। यन्मायावशवर्तिं विश्वमखिलं ब्रह्मादिदेवासुरा यत्सत्वादमृषैव भाति सकलं रज्जौ यथाहेर्भ्रमः। यत्पादप्लवमेकमेव हि भवाम्भोधेस्तितीर्षावतां वन्देऽहं तमशेषकारणपरं रामाख्यमीशं हरिम्।।6।। नानापुराणनिगमागमसम्मतं यद् रामायणे निगदितं क्वचिदन्यतोऽपि। स्वान्तःसुखाय तुलसी रघुनाथगाथा- भाषानिबन्धमतिमञ्जुलमातनोति।।7।।

varṇānām arthasaṅghānāṁ rasānāṁ chandasām api | maṅgalānāṁ ca karttārau vande vāṇī-vināyakau ||1|| bhavānī-śaṅkarau vande śraddhā-viśvāsa-rūpiṇau | yābhyāṁ vinā na paśyanti siddhāḥ svāntaḥstham īśvaram ||2|| vande bodhamayaṁ nityaṁ guruṁ śaṅkara-rūpiṇam | yam āśrito hi vakro 'pi candraḥ sarvatra vandyate ||3|| sītā-rāma-guṇa-grāma puṇyāraṇya-vihāriṇau | vande viśuddha-vijñānau kabīśvara-kapīśvarau ||4|| udbhava-sthiti-saṁhāra-kāriṇīṁ kleśa-hāriṇīm | sarva-śreyas-karīṁ sītāṁ nato 'haṁ rāma-vallabhām ||5|| yan-māyā-vaśavartiṁ viśvam akhilaṁ brahmādi-deva-asurā yat-sattvād amṛṣaiva bhāti sakalaṁ rajjau yathāher-bhramaḥ | yat-pāda-plavam ekam eva hi bhavāmbhodhes titīrṣāvatāṁ vande 'haṁ tam aśeṣa-kāraṇa-paraṁ rāmākhyam īśaṁ harim ||6|| nānā-purāṇa-nigamāgama-sammataṁ yad rāmāyaṇe nigaditaṁ kvacid anyato 'pi | svāntaḥ-sukhāya tulasī raghunātha-gāthā- bhāṣā-nibandham ati-mañjulam ātanoti ||7||

1) I bow to Vāṇī (Sarasvatī) and Vināyaka (Gaṇeśa), the authors of letters and their clustered meanings, of aesthetic relish and meters, and the very makers of auspicious beginnings. 2) I bow to Bhavānī and Śaṅkara, embodied as Faith and Trust; without these two, even the perfected do not behold the Lord abiding within the heart. 3) I bow ever to the Guru, made of awakening itself, in the form of Śaṅkara; for even the crooked moon, taking refuge in him, becomes worshipful everywhere. 4) I bow to the two pure intelligences who roam the holy forest of Sītā and Rāma’s gathered virtues—Vālmīki, lord of poets, and Hanumān, lord of monkeys. 5) I bow to Sītā, beloved of Rāma—she who causes creation, sustenance, and dissolution, who removes affliction, and who grants every highest good. 6) I bow to Hari, the Lord named Rāma, supreme beyond all causes: by whose Māyā the entire universe—gods and demons beginning with Brahmā—is held; by whose being all appears as though true, like mistaking a rope for a serpent; and whose feet alone are the boat for those who would cross the ocean of becoming. 7) That which is affirmed by many Purāṇas, Vedas, and Āgamas, and is spoken in the Rāmāyaṇa and elsewhere too—Tulasī fashions it into a most charming composition in the language, for the gladness and purification of his own heart.

Verse 2 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जो सुमिरत सिधि होइ गन नायक करिबर बदन॥ करउ अनुग्रह सोइ बुद्धि रासि सुभ गुन सदन॥1॥ मूक होइ बाचाल पंगु चढइ गिरिबर गहन॥ जासु कृपाँ सो दयाल द्रवउ सकल कलि मल दहन॥2॥ नील सरोरुह स्याम तरुन अरुन बारिज नयन॥ करउ सो मम उर धाम सदा छीरसागर सयन॥3॥ कुंद इंदु सम देह उमा रमन करुना अयन॥ जाहि दीन पर नेह करउ कृपा मर्दन मयन॥4॥ बंदउ गुरु पद कंज कृपा सिंधु नररूप हरि॥ महामोह तम पुंज जासु बचन रबि कर निकर॥5॥

jo sumirata sidhi hoi gaṇa-nāyaka karibara badana | karau anugraha soi buddhi-rāsi subha guna sadana ||1|| mūka hoi bācāla paṅgu caṛhai giribara gahana | jāsu kṛpā̃ so dayāla dravau sakala kali-mala dahana ||2|| nīla saroruh(a) syāma taruna aruna bārīja nayana | karau so mama ura dhāma sadā chīra-sāgara sayana ||3|| kuṁda iṁdu sama deha umā-ramana karuṇā ayana | jāhi dīna para neha karau kṛpā mardana mayana ||4|| baṁdau guru pada kaṁja kṛpā-siṁdhu nara-rūpa hari | mahā-moha tama puṁja jāsu bacana rabi kara nikara ||5||

He by whose remembrance success is won—Gaṇeśa, leader of the hosts, elephant-faced—may that treasury of intellect, that abode of auspicious virtues, show me grace. (1) By whose compassion the mute become eloquent and the lame scale the most rugged mountains—O compassionate one, melt toward me, O burner of the stains of Kali. (2) Dark as the blue lotus, youthful, with eyes like ruddy lotuses—may He who reclines upon the Ocean of Milk dwell ever within my heart. (3) Fair as jasmine and the moon in body—Śiva, delight of Umā, whose eyes are compassion—who bears love for the lowly, show me mercy, O slayer of Love (Madana). (4) I bow to the lotus-feet of the Guru, an ocean of grace, Hari in human form; whose words, like a multitude of sunbeams, scatter the dense darkness of great delusion. (5)

Verse 3 (चौपाई)

बंदउ गुरु पद पदुम परागा। सुरुचि सुबास सरस अनुरागा।। अमिय मूरिमय चूरन चारू। समन सकल भव रुज परिवारू।। सुकृति संभु तन बिमल बिभूती। मंजुल मंगल मोद प्रसूती।। जन मन मंजु मुकुर मल हरनी। किएँ तिलक गुन गन बस करनी।। श्रीगुर पद नख मनि गन जोती। सुमिरत दिब्य द्रृष्टि हियँ होती।। दलन मोह तम सो सप्रकासू। बड़े भाग उर आवइ जासू।। उघरहिं बिमल बिलोचन ही के। मिटहिं दोष दुख भव रजनी के।। सूझहिं राम चरित मनि मानिक। गुपुत प्रगट जहँ जो जेहि खानिक।।

bandau guru pada paduma parāgā | suruci subāsa sarasa anurāgā || amiya mūrimaya cūrana cārū | samana sakala bhava ruja parivārū || sukṛti saṁbhu tana bimala bibhūtī | maṁjula maṁgala moda prasūtī || jana mana maṁju mukura mala haranī | kieṁ tilaka guna gana basa karanī || śrīgura pada nakha mani gana jotī | sumirata dibya dṛṣṭi hiyaṁ hotī || dalana moha tama so saprakāsū | baṛe bhāga ura āvai jāsū || ugharahiṁ bimala bilocana hī ke | miṭahiṁ doṣa dukha bhava rajanī ke || sūjhahiṁ rāma carita mani mānika | guputa pragata jahaṁ jo jehi khānika ||

I bow to the pollen-dust of the Guru’s lotus feet—fragrant with pure taste, rich with sweetness, and steeped in love. That lovely dust, like nectar and like pearls ground fine, soothes the entire household of worldly maladies. It is the stainless holy ash upon Śambhu’s body—born of merit—producing gentle auspiciousness and joy. It cleanses the grime from the fair mirror of devotees’ minds; it is a tilak that brings the host of virtues under one’s control. The radiance of the gems upon the nails of the revered Guru’s feet: remembering it, a divine sight awakens within the heart. It shatters the darkness of delusion and shines with its own light; only by great fortune does it come to dwell in the breast. Then the pure eyes open, and the faults and griefs of the night of becoming are dispelled. And the jewel-pearls of Rāma’s deeds become visible—hidden or manifest—according to the miner who knows where to seek.

Verse 4 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जथा सुअंजन अंजि दृग साधक सिद्ध सुजान॥ कौतुक देखत सैल बन भूतल भूरि निधान॥1॥

jathā su-añjana añji dṛga sādhaka siddha sujāna | kautuka dekhata saila bana bhūtala bhūri nidhāna ||1||

As a discerning seeker, anointed with fine collyrium, gains clear vision and attains his aim; so too, gazing in wonder upon the mountains and forests of the earth, one discovers abundant treasure—hidden riches revealed to the awakened eye.

Verse 5 (चौपाई)

गुरु पद रज मृदु मंजुल अंजन। नयन अमिअ दृग दोष बिभंजन।। तेहिं करि बिमल बिबेक बिलोचन। बरनउँ राम चरित भव मोचन।। बंदउँ प्रथम महीसुर चरना। मोह जनित संसय सब हरना।। सुजन समाज सकल गुन खानी। करउँ प्रनाम सप्रेम सुबानी।। साधु चरित सुभ चरित कपासू। निरस बिसद गुनमय फल जासू।। जो सहि दुख परछिद्र दुरावा। बंदनीय जेहिं जग जस पावा।। मुद मंगलमय संत समाजू। जो जग जंगम तीरथराजू।। राम भक्ति जहँ सुरसरि धारा। सरसइ ब्रह्म बिचार प्रचारा।। बिधि निषेधमय कलि मल हरनी। करम कथा रबिनंदनि बरनी।। हरि हर कथा बिराजति बेनी। सुनत सकल मुद मंगल देनी।। बटु बिस्वास अचल निज धरमा। तीरथराज समाज सुकरमा।। सबहिं सुलभ सब दिन सब देसा। सेवत सादर समन कलेसा।। अकथ अलौकिक तीरथराऊ। देइ सद्य फल प्रगट प्रभाऊ।।

guru pada raja mṛdu mañjula añjana | nayana amia dṛga doṣa bibhañjana || tēhiṁ kari bimala bibēka bilōcana | baranauṁ rāma carita bhava mōcana || bandauṁ prathama mahīsura caranā | mōha janita saṁsaya saba haranā || sujana samāja sakala guna khānī | karauṁ pranāma saprēma subānī || sādhu carita subha carita kapāsū | nirasa bisada gunamaya phala jāsū || jō sahi dukha parachidra durāvā | bandanīya jēhiṁ jaga jasa pāvā || muda maṅgalamaya santa samājū | jō jaga jaṅgama tīratharājū || rāma bhakti jahaṁ surasari dhārā | sarasai brahma bicāra pracārā || bidhi niṣēdhamaya kali mala haranī | karama kathā rabinandani baranī || hari hara kathā birājati bēnī | sunata sakala muda maṅgala dēnī || baṭu bisvāsa acala nija dharamā | tīratharāja samāja sukaramā || sabahiṁ sulabha saba dina saba dēsā | sēvata sādara samana kalēsā || akatha alaukika tīratharāū | dēi sadya phala pragaṭa prabhāū ||

With the soft and lovely collyrium of the dust of the Guru’s feet I anoint my eyes—an ambrosia that destroys the blemish of sight. Thus endowed with the clear eye of stainless discernment, I set forth to sing the deeds of Rāma, the Liberator from the round of becoming. First I bow to the feet of the Brāhmaṇas and holy teachers, who dispel every doubt born of delusion. With words of loving reverence I salute the fellowship of the good—an inexhaustible mine of every virtue. The conduct of saints is like cotton: outwardly plain and without taste, yet inwardly pure, bearing fruit filled with excellence. They alone are worthy of homage who endure hardship and conceal another’s faults, and thus win fair renown in the world. Auspicious and joy-bestowing is the company of saints—the moving ‘King of Pilgrimages’ upon the earth. Where Rāma-bhakti flows like the stream of the Gaṅgā, there the teaching of Brahma-jñāna is made sweet and widely spread. Bound by scriptural rule and self-restraint, it washes away the grime of Kali—this sacred tale of righteous conduct, sung of Raghu’s Lord. There Hari’s story and Hara’s story meet like a holy confluence; hearing it grants all joy and good fortune. Firm as a banyan is their faith, steady in their own dharma—their very community is a meritorious ‘Tīrtha-rāja’. Easy for all, at all times and in every land, and served with reverence, it brings distress to an end. Ineffable and otherworldly is this sovereign pilgrimage; its manifest power bestows immediate fruit.

Verse 6 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनि समुझहिं जन मुदित मन मज्जहिं अति अनुराग। लहहिं चारि फल अछत तनु साधु समाज प्रयाग।।2।।

suni samujhahiṁ jana mudita mana majjahiṁ ati anurāga | lahahiṁ cāri phala achata tanu sādhu samāja prayāga ||2||

Hearing and rightly understanding, people rejoice at heart and, with overflowing love, become wholly absorbed. They attain the fourfold fruit, their state remaining unbroken even while the body endures—such is the Prayāga of the saints’ assembly, the holy fellowship of the good.

Verse 7 (चौपाई)

मज्जन फल पेखिअ ततकाला। काक होहिं पिक बकउ मराला।। सुनि आचरज करै जनि कोई। सतसंगति महिमा नहिं गोई।। बालमीक नारद घटजोनी। निज निज मुखनि कही निज होनी।। जलचर थलचर नभचर नाना। जे जड़ चेतन जीव जहाना।। मति कीरति गति भूति भलाई। जब जेहिं जतन जहाँ जेहिं पाई।। सो जानब सतसंग प्रभाऊ। लोकहुँ बेद न आन उपाऊ।। बिनु सतसंग बिबेक न होई। राम कृपा बिनु सुलभ न सोई।। सतसंगत मुद मंगल मूला। सोइ फल सिधि सब साधन फूला।। सठ सुधरहिं सतसंगति पाई। पारस परस कुधात सुहाई।। बिधि बस सुजन कुसंगत परहीं। फनि मनि सम निज गुन अनुसरहीं।। बिधि हरि हर कबि कोबिद बानी। कहत साधु महिमा सकुचानी।। सो मो सन कहि जात न कैसें। साक बनिक मनि गुन गन जैसें।।

majjan phala pekhi-a tatakālā | kāka hohiṃ pika bakau marālā || suni ācaraja karai jani koī | sat-saṅgati mahimā nahiṃ goī || bālmīka nārada ghaṭ-jonī | nija-nija mukhani kahī nija honī || jalacara thalacara nabhacara nānā | je jaṛa cetana jīva jahānā || mati kīrati gati bhūti bhalāī | jaba jehiṃ jatana jahāṃ jehiṃ pāī || so jānanba sat-saṅga prabhāū | lokahuṃ beda na āna upāū || binu sat-saṅga bibeka na hoī | rāma kṛpā binu sulabha na soī || sat-saṅgata muda maṅgala mūlā | soi phala sidhi saba sādhana phūlā || saṭha sudharahiṃ sat-saṅgati pāī | pāras parasa kudhāta suhāī || bidhi-basa sujana kusaṅgata parahīṃ | phani-mani sama nija guna anusarhīṃ || bidhi hari hara kabi kobida bānī | kahata sādhu mahimā sakucānī || so mo-sana kahi jāta na kaisēṃ | sāka-banik mani guna-gana jaisēṃ ||

The fruit of holy bathing is seen at once: a crow becomes a cuckoo, a heron a swan. Let none be astonished on hearing this; the glory of saintly company is not hidden. Valmiki, Narada, and the pot-born sage—each has told, from his own lips, his own tale. Creatures of water, land, and sky—every being, inert or conscious, in the world— wisdom, fame, right course, prosperity, and welfare: each gains these by the effort and place appointed to him. Know this to be the power of holy fellowship; in folk-ways and in the Vedas there is no other remedy. Without saintly company discernment does not arise; and even that is not easily won without Rama’s grace. Satsang is the root of joy and auspiciousness; from it the fruit of success comes, and all disciplines blossom. Even the perverse are reformed by saintly company, as base metal is beautified by the touch of the philosopher’s stone. By destiny even the good may fall into evil company, yet—like the jewel on a serpent’s hood—they still follow their native virtue. Brahma, Hari, Hara, poets and the wise, their speech grows shy when it would tell the greatness of the saints. How then can one like me declare it—like a greenseller trying to count the virtues of a gem?

Verse 8 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बंदउँ संत समान चित हित अनहित नहिं कोइ। अंजलि गत सुभ सुमन जिमि सम सुगंध कर दोइ।।3(क)।। संत सरल चित जगत हित जानि सुभाउ सनेहु। बालबिनय सुनि करि कृपा राम चरन रति देहु।।3(ख)।।

bandaũ santa samāna citta hita anhita nahĩ koi | añjali-gata subha sumana jimi sama sugandha kara doi ||3(ka)|| santa sarala citta jagata hita jāni subhāu sanehu | bāla-binaya suni kari kṛpā rāma carana rati dehu ||3(kha)||

(3a) I bow to the saints, whose minds are even—none is to them friend or foe. As when fair flowers are held in joined palms, both hands alike are filled with the same fragrance. (3b) O saints—simple of heart, and by your very nature and affection fashioned for the world’s good— hearing a child’s humble plea, show mercy and grant me love for Rāma’s lotus-feet.

Verse 9 (चौपाई)

बहुरि बंदि खल गन सतिभाएँ। जे बिनु काज दाहिनेहु बाएँ।। पर हित हानि लाभ जिन्ह केरें। उजरें हरष बिषाद बसेरें।। हरि हर जस राकेस राहु से। पर अकाज भट सहसबाहु से।। जे पर दोष लखहिं सहसाखी। पर हित घृत जिन्ह के मन माखी।। तेज कृसानु रोष महिषेसा। अघ अवगुन धन धनी धनेसा।। उदय केत सम हित सबही के। कुंभकरन सम सोवत नीके।। पर अकाजु लगि तनु परिहरहीं। जिमि हिम उपल कृषी दलि गरहीं।। बंदउँ खल जस सेष सरोषा। सहस बदन बरनइ पर दोषा।। पुनि प्रनवउँ पृथुराज समाना। पर अघ सुनइ सहस दस काना।। बहुरि सक्र सम बिनवउँ तेही। संतत सुरानीक हित जेही।। बचन बज्र जेहि सदा पिआरा। सहस नयन पर दोष निहारा।।

bahuri bandi khala gana satibhāẽ. je binu kāja dāhinehu bāẽ.. para hita hāni lābha jinha kerẽ. ujarẽ haraṣa biṣāda baserẽ.. hari hara jasa rākeśa rāhu se. para akāja bhaṭa sahasa-bāhu se.. je para doṣa lakhahiṁ sahasākhī. para hita ghṛta jinha ke mana mākhī.. teja kṛsānu roṣa mahiṣesā. agha avaguna dhana dhanī dhanesā.. udaya keta sama hita sabahī ke. kuṁbhakarana sama sovat nīke.. para akāju lagi tanu pariharahīṁ. jimi hima upala kṛṣī dali garahīṁ.. bandauṁ khala jasa śeṣa sa-roṣā. sahasa badana baranai para doṣā.. puni pranavauṁ pṛthu-rāja samānā. para agha sunai sahasa dasa kānā.. bahuri sakra sama binavauṁ tehī. santata sura-anīka hita jehī.. bacana bajra jehi sadā piārā. sahasa nayana para doṣa nihārā..

Again I bow, with a candid heart, to the tribe of the wicked—those who, without any cause, turn to the right or left to meddle. To them, another’s welfare is loss and another’s loss is gain; their dwelling is in perverse joy and grief. To the praise of Hari and Hara they are as Rāhu to the moon; for the work of harming others they are warriors like Sahasrabāhu. They spy another’s faults with a thousand eyes, yet on another’s good they sit like a fly upon clarified butter. Their brilliance is fire, their wrath is Mahādeva’s; they hoard sin and defect as Kubera hoards wealth. For the common good they are like the banner of dawn (only in appearance), but in sleep they are like Kumbhakarṇa. For another’s ruin they will abandon even their own body—like hailstones that flatten and destroy the standing crop. I salute such wicked fame: like angry Śeṣa with a thousand mouths, ever describing others’ faults. Again I make obeisance—like King Pṛthu—who hears others’ sins with ten thousand ears. Yet again I entreat that one like Indra, ever intent on the welfare of the host of gods: whose beloved pastime is speech like thunderbolts, and whose thousand eyes are fixed on the faults of others.

Verse 10 (दोहा/सोरठा)

उदासीन अरि मीत हित सुनत जरहिं खल रीति। जानि पानि जुग जोरि जन बिनती करइ सप्रीति।।4।।

udāsīna ari mīta hita sunata jarahiṁ khala rīti | jāni pāni juga jori jana binatī karai sa-prīti ||4||

Such is the vile nature of the wicked: hearing of another’s good—whether he be indifferent, enemy, friend, or well-wisher—they burn within. Knowing this, the good man, joining both hands, offers his petition with loving humility.

Verse 11 (चौपाई)

मैं अपनी दिसि कीन्ह निहोरा। तिन्ह निज ओर न लाउब भोरा।। बायस पलिअहिं अति अनुरागा। होहिं निरामिष कबहुँ कि कागा।। बंदउँ संत असज्जन चरना। दुखप्रद उभय बीच कछु बरना।। बिछुरत एक प्रान हरि लेहीं। मिलत एक दुख दारुन देहीं।। उपजहिं एक संग जग माहीं। जलज जोंक जिमि गुन बिलगाहीं।। सुधा सुरा सम साधू असाधू। जनक एक जग जलधि अगाधू।। भल अनभल निज निज करतूती। लहत सुजस अपलोक बिभूती।। सुधा सुधाकर सुरसरि साधू। गरल अनल कलिमल सरि ब्याधू।। गुन अवगुन जानत सब कोई। जो जेहि भाव नीक तेहि सोई।।

maiṁ āpanī disi kīnh nihorā | tinh nija or na lāuba bhorā || bāyasa pali-ahiṁ ati anurāgā | hohiṁ nirāmiṣ kabahuṁ ki kāgā || bandaũ santa asajjana caranā | dukha-prada ubhaya bīca kachu baranā || bichurata eka prāna hari lehīṁ | milata eka dukha dāruna dehīṁ || upajahiṁ eka saṅga jaga māhīṁ | jalaja joṅka jimi guna bilagāhīṁ || sudhā surā sama sādhū asādhū | janaka eka jaga jaladhi agādhū || bhala anabhala nija nija karatūtī | lahata sujasa apaloka bibhūtī || sudhā sudhākara surasari sādhū | garala anala kalimala sari byādhū || guna avaguna jānata saba koī | jo jehi bhāva nīka tehi soī ||

I made my humble appeal from my side; yet they did not turn even a little toward their own duty. Though one rear a crow with exceeding affection, will it ever become free of flesh-eating—will a crow ever cease to be a crow? I bow to the feet of the saint and the wicked alike—both are pain-giving; between them there is something to be said. From one, separation steals away life; from the other, meeting brings a dreadful sorrow. They are born together in the world, yet their qualities are apart—like the lotus and the leech. Nectar and wine, the holy and the unholy: their begetter is one—this world, an unfathomable ocean. Each by his own deeds, good or ill, attains fair fame and the fruits of the world beyond. Nectar, the moon, the Ganga, the saint; poison, fire, the filth of the age, the hunter— Everyone knows virtue and fault; each appears good according to the bent of his own heart.

Verse 12 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भलो भलाइहि पै लहइ लहइ निचाइहि नीचु। सुधा सराहिअ अमरताँ गरल सराहिअ मीचु।।5।।

bhalo bhalāihi pai lahai lahai nicāihi nīcu | sudhā sarāhi'a amaratā̃ garala sarāhi'a mīcu ||5||

By goodness the good attain the good; by baseness the vile reap only vileness. Nectar is lauded as the giver of immortality; poison is praised only as the bringer of death.

Verse 13 (चौपाई)

खल अघ अगुन साधू गुन गाहा। उभय अपार उदधि अवगाहा।। तेहि तें कछु गुन दोष बखाने। संग्रह त्याग न बिनु पहिचाने।। भलेउ पोच सब बिधि उपजाए। गनि गुन दोष बेद बिलगाए।। कहहिं बेद इतिहास पुराना। बिधि प्रपंचु गुन अवगुन साना।। दुख सुख पाप पुन्य दिन राती। साधु असाधु सुजाति कुजाती।। दानव देव ऊँच अरु नीचू। अमिअ सुजीवनु माहुरु मीचू।। माया ब्रह्म जीव जगदीसा। लच्छि अलच्छि रंक अवनीसा।। कासी मग सुरसरि क्रमनासा। मरु मारव महिदेव गवासा।। सरग नरक अनुराग बिरागा। निगमागम गुन दोष बिभागा।।

khala agha aguṇa sādhū guṇa gāhā | ubhaya apāra udadhi avagāhā || tēhi tēṁ kachu guṇa dōṣa bakhānē | saṅgraha tyāga na binu pahicānē || bhalēu pōca saba bidhi upajāē | gani guṇa dōṣa bēda bilagāē || kahahiṁ bēda itihāsa purānā | bidhi prapañcu guṇa avaguṇa sānā || dukha sukha pāpa punya dina rātī | sādhu asādhu sujāti kujātī || dānava dēva ū̃ca aru nīcū | amia sujīvanu māhuru mīcū || māyā brahma jīva jagadīsā | lacchi alacchi raṅka avanīsā || kāsī maga surasari kramanāsā | maru mārava mahidēva gavāsā || saraga naraka anurāga birāgā | nigamāgama guṇa dōṣa bibhāgā ||

The wicked sing of sin and fault; the holy sing of virtue—both plunge into an unfathomable ocean. Therefore one should speak of some merits and some defects: without discernment, neither acceptance nor renunciation is possible. The Creator has brought forth in every manner both the good and the base; the Vedas themselves distinguish and count virtue and vice. So declare the Vedas, the histories, and the Purāṇas: the manifold order of the world is filled with qualities and with their opposites. Pain and pleasure, sin and merit, day and night; the saintly and the unholy, high-born and low-born; demons and gods, the lofty and the low; nectar that gives life, and poison that brings death; Māyā and Brahman, the individual soul and the Lord of the world; fortune and misfortune, pauper and king; Kāśī’s path, Gaṅgā, and Karmanāśā; the desert wastes and the abode of Mahādeva; Heaven and hell, attachment and dispassion—scripture and tradition mark out the divisions of merit and fault.

Verse 14 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जड़ चेतन गुन दोषमय बिस्व कीन्ह करतार। संत हंस गुन गहहिं पय परिहरि बारि बिकार।।6।।

jaṛa cetana guna doṣamaya bisva kīnha karatāra | santa haṃsa guna gahahiṃ paya parihari bāri bikāra ||6||

The Creator has wrought the whole universe as a mingling of the inert and the sentient, of virtues and of faults. Yet saints, like swans, take up the virtue—the milk—and cast away the tainted water of corruption.

Verse 15 (चौपाई)

अस बिबेक जब देइ बिधाता। तब तजि दोष गुनहिं मनु राता।। काल सुभाउ करम बरिआई। भलेउ प्रकृति बस चुकइ भलाई।। सो सुधारि हरिजन जिमि लेहीं। दलि दुख दोष बिमल जसु देहीं।। खलउ करहिं भल पाइ सुसंगू। मिटइ न मलिन सुभाउ अभंगू।। लखि सुबेष जग बंचक जेऊ। बेष प्रताप पूजिअहिं तेऊ।। उधरहिं अंत न होइ निबाहू। कालनेमि जिमि रावन राहू।। किएहुँ कुबेष साधु सनमानू। जिमि जग जामवंत हनुमानू।। हानि कुसंग सुसंगति लाहू। लोकहुँ बेद बिदित सब काहू।। गगन चढ़इ रज पवन प्रसंगा। कीचहिं मिलइ नीच जल संगा।। साधु असाधु सदन सुक सारीं। सुमिरहिं राम देहिं गनि गारी।। धूम कुसंगति कारिख होई। लिखिअ पुरान मंजु मसि सोई।। सोइ जल अनल अनिल संघाता। होइ जलद जग जीवन दाता।।

asa bibeka jaba dei bidhātā | taba taji doṣa gunahiṃ manu rātā || kāla subhāu karama bariāī | bhaleu prakṛti basa cukai bhalāī || so sudhāri harijana jimi lehīṃ | dali dukha doṣa bimala jasu dehīṃ || khalau karahiṃ bhala pāi susaṅgū | miṭai na malina subhāu abhaṅgū || lakhi subeṣa jaga baṃcaka jeū | beṣa pratāpa pūji’ahiṃ teū || udharahiṃ anta na hoi nibāhū | kālanemi jimi rāvan rāhū || kiehuṃ kubeṣa sādhu sanamānū | jimi jaga jāmavaṃta hanumānū || hāni kusaṅga susaṅgati lāhū | lokahuṃ beda bidita saba kāhū || gagana caṛhai raja pavana prasaṅgā | kīcahiṃ milai nīca jala saṅgā || sādhu asādhu sadana suka sārīṃ | sumirahiṃ rāma dehiṃ gani gārī || dhūma kusaṅgati kārikha hoī | likhia purāna maṃju masi soī || soi jala anala anila saṅghātā | hoi jalada jaga jīvana dātā ||

When the Creator bestows such discernment, then casting off faults the mind grows enamoured of virtues. Yet time, temperament, karma, and their prevailing force—under Nature’s sway—even a good man may slip from goodness. That failing the Lord’s devotees set right: they crush sorrow and दोष, and bestow stainless repute. A wicked man too may do good on finding holy company; yet his ingrained tainted nature is not easily broken. Seeing a fine disguise, the world honours even a deceiver; such is the might of outward garb. But in the end there is no true deliverance, no lasting steadfastness—like Kālanemi, like Rāvaṇa, like Rāhu. Even in vile attire one may receive a saint’s respect, as the world did Jāmbavān and Hanumān. The harm of bad company and the gain of good company—known to the world and to the Veda alike. Dust rises to the sky by the wind’s occasion; and foul water becomes mud by joining mire. In the houses of the holy or the unholy, even parrots and mynas: some remember Rāma, some utter counted abuses. Smoke, by ill company, turns to black soot; yet that same soot becomes fair ink in which the Purāṇas are written. That very water, fire, and wind in combination become the cloud—the giver of life to the world.

Verse 16 (दोहा/सोरठा)

ग्रह भेषज जल पवन पट पाइ कुजोग सुजोग। होहि कुबस्तु सुबस्तु जग लखहिं सुलच्छन लोग।।7(क)।। सम प्रकास तम पाख दुहुँ नाम भेद बिधि कीन्ह। ससि सोषक पोषक समुझि जग जस अपजस दीन्ह।।7(ख)।। जड़ चेतन जग जीव जत सकल राममय जानि। बंदउँ सब के पद कमल सदा जोरि जुग पानि।।7(ग)।। देव दनुज नर नाग खग प्रेत पितर गंधर्ब। बंदउँ किंनर रजनिचर कृपा करहु अब सर्ब।।7(घ)।।

graha bheṣaja jala pavana paṭa pāi kujoga sujoga | hohi kubastu subastu jaga lakhahi sulacchana loga ||7(ka)|| sama prakāsa tama pākha duhũ nāma bheda bidhi kīnh | sasi soṣaka पोṣaka samujhi jaga jasa apajasa dīnh ||7(kha)|| jaṛa cetana jaga jīva jata sakala rāma-maya jāni | bandaũ saba ke pada kamala sadā jori juga pāni ||7(ga)|| deva danuja nara nāga khaga preta pitara gandharba | bandaũ kĩnara rajanicara kṛpā karahu aba sarba ||7(gha)||

Planets, herbs, water, wind, and cloth—when joined with inauspicious or auspicious influences—become in the world either harmful or wholesome; the discerning know the difference. Light and darkness are, in themselves, alike; Providence has set apart their two sides by name. So too, calling the moon now a witherer, now a nourisher, the world bestows fame or infamy. Knowing that all—insentient and sentient, and every creature in the world—are wholly pervaded by Rama, I ever bow with joined palms to the lotus-feet of all. Gods, demons, men, serpents, birds, spirits, ancestors, Gandharvas—I bow to Kinnaras and the night-wandering hosts as well: be gracious now, all of you.

Verse 17 (चौपाई)

आकर चारि लाख चौरासी। जाति जीव जल थल नभ बासी।। सीय राममय सब जग जानी। करउँ प्रनाम जोरि जुग पानी।। जानि कृपाकर किंकर मोहू। सब मिलि करहु छाड़ि छल छोहू।। निज बुधि बल भरोस मोहि नाहीं। तातें बिनय करउँ सब पाही।। करन चहउँ रघुपति गुन गाहा। लघु मति मोरि चरित अवगाहा।। सूझ न एकउ अंग उपाऊ। मन मति रंक मनोरथ राऊ।। मति अति नीच ऊँचि रुचि आछी। चहिअ अमिअ जग जुरइ न छाछी।। छमिहहिं सज्जन मोरि ढिठाई। सुनिहहिं बालबचन मन लाई।। जौ बालक कह तोतरि बाता। सुनहिं मुदित मन पितु अरु माता।। हँसिहहि कूर कुटिल कुबिचारी। जे पर दूषन भूषनधारी।। निज कवित केहि लाग न नीका। सरस होउ अथवा अति फीका।। जे पर भनिति सुनत हरषाही। ते बर पुरुष बहुत जग नाहीं।। जग बहु नर सर सरि सम भाई। जे निज बाढ़ि बढ़हिं जल पाई।। सज्जन सकृत सिंधु सम कोई। देखि पूर बिधु बाढ़इ जोई।।

ākara cāri lākh caurāsī | jāti jīva jala thala nabha bāsī || sīya rāma-maya saba jaga jānī | karauṁ pranāma jori juga pānī || jāni kṛpākara kiṅkara mohū | saba mili karahu chāḍi chala chohū || nija budhi bala bharosa mohi nāhīṁ | tāteṁ binaya karauṁ saba pāhīṁ || karana cahauṁ raghupati guna gāhā | laghu mati mori carita avagāhā || sūjha na ekau aṅga upāū | mana-mati raṅka manoratha rāū || mati ati nīca ūṁci ruci āchī | cahi-a amia jaga jurai na chāchī || chamihahiṁ sajjana mori ḍhiṭhāī | sunihahiṁ bāla-bacana mana lāī || jau bālaka kaha totari bātā | sunahiṁ mudita mana pitu aru mātā || haṁsihahi kura kuṭila kubicārī | je para dūṣana bhūṣana-dhārī || nija kavita kehi lāga na nīkā | sarasa hou athavā ati phīkā || je para bhaniti sunata haraṣāhī | te bara puruṣa bahuta jaga nāhīṁ || jaga bahu nara sara sari sama bhāī | je nija bāṛhi baṛhahiṁ jala pāī || sajjana sakṛta siṅdhu sama koī | dekhi pūra bidhu bāṛhai joī ||

Passing through the womb of the four-and-eighty lakhs of forms—creatures that dwell in water, on land, and in the vault of air— I know the whole world to be filled with Sita and Rama; therefore with joined hands I bow in reverence. Knowing me to be Thy servant, O fount of mercy, do you all together cast away deceit and malice. In my own wit and strength I have no confidence; hence I make my humble petition to all. I desire to sing the virtues of the Lord of the Raghus, yet my little mind cannot plunge into the depth of His story. Not one limb of a fitting means appears to me: my mind is poor, but my wishes are kingly. My understanding is very low, while my taste reaches high: I long for nectar, yet the world is not cooled with buttermilk. Let the good forgive my forwardness, and listen with their hearts to these childlike words. For if a child speaks in stammering phrases, father and mother hear with delighted minds. The harsh, crooked, ill-minded will laugh—those who wear another’s fault-finding as an ornament. To whom does his own poetry not seem fair—whether it be sweet or exceedingly insipid? But those who, hearing another’s utterance, rejoice—such noble men are not many in the world. The world has many who are like ponds and streams, O brother—who swell only when their own waters rise. Rare indeed is the good man who is like the ocean, who increases on beholding the flood, as the moon swells with the tide.

Verse 18 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भाग छोट अभिलाषु बड़ करउँ एक बिस्वास। पैहहिं सुख सुनि सुजन सब खल करहहिं उपहास।।8।।

bhāga choṭa abhilāṣu baṛa karauṁ eka bisvāsa | païhahiṁ sukha suni sujana saba khala karahahiṁ upahāsa ||8||

My portion is small, yet my longing is vast; still I cling to a single faith: hearing it, the good will rejoice with gladness—while the wicked will only jest and mock.

Verse 19 (चौपाई)

खल परिहास होइ हित मोरा। काक कहहिं कलकंठ कठोरा।। हंसहि बक दादुर चातकही। हँसहिं मलिन खल बिमल बतकही।। कबित रसिक न राम पद नेहू। तिन्ह कहँ सुखद हास रस एहू।। भाषा भनिति भोरि मति मोरी। हँसिबे जोग हँसें नहिं खोरी।। प्रभु पद प्रीति न सामुझि नीकी। तिन्हहि कथा सुनि लागहि फीकी।। हरि हर पद रति मति न कुतरकी। तिन्ह कहुँ मधुर कथा रघुवर की।। राम भगति भूषित जियँ जानी। सुनिहहिं सुजन सराहि सुबानी।। कबि न होउँ नहिं बचन प्रबीनू। सकल कला सब बिद्या हीनू।। आखर अरथ अलंकृति नाना। छंद प्रबंध अनेक बिधाना।। भाव भेद रस भेद अपारा। कबित दोष गुन बिबिध प्रकारा।। कबित बिबेक एक नहिं मोरें। सत्य कहउँ लिखि कागद कोरे।।

khala parihāsa hoi hita morā | kāka kahahiṁ kalakaṇṭha kaṭhorā || haṁsahi baka dādura cātaka-hī | haṁsahiṁ malina khala bimala bataka-hī || kabita rasika na rāma-pada nehū | tinh kahaṁ sukhada hāsa-rasa ehū || bhāṣā bhaṇiti bhori mati morī | haṁsibe joga haṁseṁ nahiṁ khorī || prabhu-pada prīti na sāmuji nīkī | tinhahi kathā suni lāgahi phīkī || hari-hara pada rati mati na kutarakī | tinh kahuṁ madhura kathā raghuvara kī || rāma bhagati bhūṣita jiyaṁ jānī | sunihahiṁ sujana sarāhi subānī || kabi na houṁ nahiṁ bacana prabīnū | sakala kalā saba bidyā hīnū || ākhara aratha alaṅkṛti nānā | chaṁda prabaṁdha aneka bidhānā || bhāva-bheda rasa-bheda apārā | kabita doṣa guna bibidha prakārā || kabita bibeka eka nahiṁ moreṁ | satya kahauṁ likhi kāgada kore ||

If the wicked make sport of me, even that turns to my good: the crow will ever call the cuckoo harsh. The crane laughs at the swan, the frog at the rain-bird; so do the sullied and base deride the spotless duck. Those who relish poetry but have no love for Rama’s feet—such folk find this very taste of laughter pleasing. My speech is in the common tongue and my wit is simple; if I deserve to be laughed at, let them laugh—take no offence. They do not rightly understand love for the Lord’s feet; hearing the sacred tale, it seems insipid to them. But minds not given to cavilling, that hold affection for Hari and Hara— to them the story of Raghuvir is sweet. Knowing in my heart that Rama-bhakti is its true adornment, the noble will listen and commend these words. I am no poet, nor skilled in expression; I am bereft of arts and learning. Letters and meanings, manifold ornaments of style; many metres and varied compositions; Endless distinctions of emotion and flavour; diverse kinds of poetic faults and merits— Of poetic discernment I have not even a single share: I speak the plain truth, writing on a blank sheet.

Verse 20 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भनिति मोरि सब गुन रहित बिस्व बिदित गुन एक। सो बिचारि सुनिहहिं सुमति जिन्ह कें बिमल बिवेक।।9।।

bhaniti mori saba guna rahita bisva bidita guna eka | so bicāri sunihahiṁ sumati jinha keṁ bimala biveka ||9||

My speech is bereft of every excellence—save one virtue, known throughout the world. Let the wise, whose discernment is pure, weigh it well, and then grant it their hearing. (9)