Prakarana 6

Verse 108 (चौपाई)

जौं परलोक इहाँ सुख चहहू। सुनि मम बचन ह्रृदयँ दृढ़ गहहू।। सुलभ सुखद मारग यह भाई। भगति मोरि पुरान श्रुति गाई।। ग्यान अगम प्रत्यूह अनेका। साधन कठिन न मन कहुँ टेका।। करत कष्ट बहु पावइ कोऊ। भक्ति हीन मोहि प्रिय नहिं सोऊ।। भक्ति सुतंत्र सकल सुख खानी। बिनु सतसंग न पावहिं प्रानी।। पुन्य पुंज बिनु मिलहिं न संता। सतसंगति संसृति कर अंता।। पुन्य एक जग महुँ नहिं दूजा। मन क्रम बचन बिप्र पद पूजा।। सानुकूल तेहि पर मुनि देवा। जो तजि कपटु करइ द्विज सेवा।।

jauṁ paraloka ihāṁ sukha chahahū | suni mama bacana hṛdayaṁ dṛṛha gahahū || sulabha sukhada māraga yaha bhāī | bhagati mori purāna śruti gāī || gyāna agama pratyūha anekā | sādhana kaṭhina na mana kahuṁ ṭekā || karata kaṣṭa bahu pāvai koū | bhakti-hīna mohi priya nahiṁ soū || bhakti sutaṁtra sakala sukha khānī | binu satsaṅga na pāvahiṁ prānī || punya puñja binu milahiṁ na saṁtā | satsaṅgati saṁsṛti kara aṁtā || punya eka jaga mahuṁ nahiṁ dūjā | mana krama bacana bipra pada pūjā || sānukūla tehi para muni devā | jo taji kapaṭu karai dvija sevā ||

If you desire happiness here and blessedness in the world beyond, then listen to my words and hold them fast within your heart. This path is easy and joy-bestowing, brother: my bhakti is praised by the Purāṇas and the Veda. The path of mere knowledge is hard to reach, beset with many obstacles; its disciplines are difficult, and the mind finds no resting-place. Some may attain after great hardship; yet one without devotion is not dear to me. Devotion is sovereign, a mine of every joy; but without the company of the good, a creature cannot obtain it. Without stored merit saints are not met; holy company brings the cycle of becoming to an end. In this world there is no merit equal to one: to worship the Brāhmaṇa’s feet with mind, deed, and speech. To such a one sages and gods are favorable—who, abandoning deceit, serves the twice-born.

Verse 109 (दोहा/सोरठा)

औरउ एक गुपुत मत सबहि कहउँ कर जोरि। संकर भजन बिना नर भगति न पावइ मोरि।।45।।

aurau eka guputa mata sabahi kahauṁ kara jori | śaṅkara bhajana binā nara bhagati na pāvai mori ||45||

One more secret counsel I tell to all, with folded hands: Without the worship of Śaṅkara, a man does not obtain devotion to me. (45)

Verse 110 (चौपाई)

कहहु भगति पथ कवन प्रयासा। जोग न मख जप तप उपवासा।। सरल सुभाव न मन कुटिलाई। जथा लाभ संतोष सदाई।। मोर दास कहाइ नर आसा। करइ तौ कहहु कहा बिस्वासा।। बहुत कहउँ का कथा बढ़ाई। एहि आचरन बस्य मैं भाई।। बैर न बिग्रह आस न त्रासा। सुखमय ताहि सदा सब आसा।। अनारंभ अनिकेत अमानी। अनघ अरोष दच्छ बिग्यानी।। प्रीति सदा सज्जन संसर्गा। तृन सम बिषय स्वर्ग अपबर्गा।। भगति पच्छ हठ नहिं सठताई। दुष्ट तर्क सब दूरि बहाई।।

kahahu bhagati patha kavana prayāsā | joga na makha japa tapa upavāsā || sarala subhāva na mana kuṭilāī | jathā lābha saṁtoṣa sadāī || mora dāsa kahāi nara āsā | karai tau kahahu kahā bisvāsā || bahuta kahauṁ kā kathā baṛhāī | ehi ācarana basya maiṁ bhāī || baira na bigraha āsa na trāsā | sukhamaya tāhi sadā saba āsā || anāraṁbha aniketa amānī | anagha aroṣa daccha bigyānī || prīti sadā sajjana saṁsargā | tṛna sama biṣaya svarga apabargā || bhagati paccha haṭha nahiṁ saṭhatāī | duṣṭa tarka saba dūri bahāī ||

Tell me—what great exertion is there on the path of devotion? It is not yoga, nor sacrifice, nor japa, nor austerity, nor fasting. It is a simple nature, a mind without crookedness, and constant contentment with whatever rightful gain comes. If a man, while calling himself my servant, still trades in hopes—then tell me, where is trust? Why lengthen the tale with many words? By this conduct alone I am won over, brother. No enmity, no quarrel, no craving, no fear—such a one is happiness itself, and all hopes are fulfilled for him. Without needless enterprise, without possessive ‘mine’ of home, without self-importance; sinless, angerless, capable, and discerning. Ever loving the company of the good; counting sense-objects, heaven, and even liberation as straw. No stubborn partisanship in devotion, no knavery; all wicked disputation he lets be swept far away.

Verse 111 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मम गुन ग्राम नाम रत गत ममता मद मोह। ता कर सुख सोइ जानइ परानंद संदोह।।46।।

mama guna grāma nāma rata gata mamatā mada moha | tā kara sukha soi jānai parānanda saṁdoha ||46||

He who is absorbed in my Name and in the clustered praise of my qualities— his possessiveness, pride, and delusion have departed. Only he knows that happiness: a treasury of supreme bliss. (46)

Verse 112 (चौपाई)

सुनत सुधासम बचन राम के। गहे सबनि पद कृपाधाम के।। जननि जनक गुर बंधु हमारे। कृपा निधान प्रान ते प्यारे।। तनु धनु धाम राम हितकारी। सब बिधि तुम्ह प्रनतारति हारी।। असि सिख तुम्ह बिनु देइ न कोऊ। मातु पिता स्वारथ रत ओऊ।। हेतु रहित जग जुग उपकारी। तुम्ह तुम्हार सेवक असुरारी।। स्वारथ मीत सकल जग माहीं। सपनेहुँ प्रभु परमारथ नाहीं।। सबके बचन प्रेम रस साने। सुनि रघुनाथ हृदयँ हरषाने।। निज निज गृह गए आयसु पाई। बरनत प्रभु बतकही सुहाई।।

sunata sudhā-sama bacana rāma ke | gahe sabani pada kṛpādhāma ke || janani janaka guru baṁdhu hamāre | kṛpā-nidhāna prāna te pyāre || tanu dhanu dhāma rāma hitakārī | saba bidhi tumha pranaṭārati hārī || asi sikha tumha binu dei na koū | mātu pitā svāratha rata oū || hetu rahita jaga juga upakārī | tumha tumhāra sevaka asurārī || svāratha mīta sakala jaga māhīṁ | sapanehuṁ prabhu paramāratha nāhīṁ || sabake bacana prema rasa sāne | suni raghunātha hṛdayaṁ haraṣāne || nija nija gṛha gae āyasu pāī | baranata prabhu batakahī suhāī ||

Hearing Rāma’s nectar-like words, all clasped the feet of the Abode of grace. “For us you are mother, father, teacher, and kinsman—treasure of compassion, dearer than life. Body, wealth, and home are for Rāma’s service; in every way you are the remover of the sorrow of those who bow. Such instruction none gives but you; even parents are bound by self-interest. Through the ages you benefit the world without motive—O foe of demons, we are your servants. In this world self-interest is everyone’s friend; even in dreams, Lord, there is no concern for the highest good.” Their words, steeped in the savor of love, delighted Raghunātha’s heart. Receiving his leave, each returned home, recounting the Lord’s fair discourse.

Verse 113 (दोहा/सोरठा)

उमा अवधबासी नर नारि कृतारथ रूप। ब्रह्म सच्चिदानंद घन रघुनायक जहँ भूप।।47।।

umā avadhabāsī nara nāri kṛtāratha rūpa | brahma saccidānanda ghana raghunāyaka jahã bhūpa ||47||

O Umā, the men and women of Ayodhyā became the very embodiment of fulfilled destiny; for Brahman—solid Being-Consciousness-Bliss—reigned there as king in the person of Raghu’s Lord.

Verse 114 (चौपाई)

एक बार बसिष्ट मुनि आए। जहाँ राम सुखधाम सुहाए।। अति आदर रघुनायक कीन्हा। पद पखारि पादोदक लीन्हा।। राम सुनहु मुनि कह कर जोरी। कृपासिंधु बिनती कछु मोरी।। देखि देखि आचरन तुम्हारा। होत मोह मम हृदयँ अपारा।। महिमा अमित बेद नहिं जाना। मैं केहि भाँति कहउँ भगवाना।। उपरोहित्य कर्म अति मंदा। बेद पुरान सुमृति कर निंदा।। जब न लेउँ मैं तब बिधि मोही। कहा लाभ आगें सुत तोही।। परमातमा ब्रह्म नर रूपा। होइहि रघुकुल भूषन भूपा।।

eka bāra basiṣṭha muni āe | jahā̃ rāma sukhadhāma suhāe || ati ādara raghunāyaka kīnhā | pada pakhāri pādodaka līnhā || rāma sunahu muni kaha kara jorī | kṛpāsindhu binatī kachu morī || dekhi dekhi ācarana tumhārā | hota moha mama hṛdayã apārā || mahimā amita beda nahĩ jānā | maĩ kehi bhā̃ti kahaũ bhagavānā || uporohitya karma ati mandā | beda purāna sumṛti kara nĩdā || jaba na leũ maĩ taba bidhi mohī | kahā lābha āgẽ suta tohī || paramātmā brahma nara rūpā | hoihi raghukula bhūṣana bhūpā ||

Once the sage Vashishtha came to where Rama, the fair abode of bliss, sat in glory. Raghu’s Lord honored him greatly—washing his feet and taking the sanctified water. With joined palms the sage said, “Rama, hear a little prayer of mine, O ocean of mercy. Watching your conduct again and again, my heart is overwhelmed. Your boundless greatness the Vedas do not fully fathom—how can I speak it, O Lord? My priestly duty feels feeble; it risks the reproach of Veda, Purana, and Smriti. Unless I receive this from you, fate will blame me—what profit then will my son gain hereafter? You, the Supreme Self, Brahman in human form—will be the ornamented king of Raghu’s line.”

Verse 115 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तब मैं हृदयँ बिचारा जोग जग्य ब्रत दान। जा कहुँ करिअ सो पैहउँ धर्म न एहि सम आन।।48।।

taba maĩ hṛdayã bicārā joga jagya brata dāna | jā kahũ kari-a so paihaũ dharma na ehi sama āna ||48||

Then I reflected within my heart: yoga, sacrifice, vows, and charity—whatever one may practice—no dharma equals this in worth.

Verse 116 (चौपाई)

जप तप नियम जोग निज धर्मा। श्रुति संभव नाना सुभ कर्मा।। ग्यान दया दम तीरथ मज्जन। जहँ लगि धर्म कहत श्रुति सज्जन।। आगम निगम पुरान अनेका। पढ़े सुने कर फल प्रभु एका।। तब पद पंकज प्रीति निरंतर। सब साधन कर यह फल सुंदर।। छूटइ मल कि मलहि के धोएँ। घृत कि पाव कोइ बारि बिलोएँ।। प्रेम भगति जल बिनु रघुराई। अभिअंतर मल कबहुँ न जाई।। सोइ सर्बग्य तग्य सोइ पंडित। सोइ गुन गृह बिग्यान अखंडित।। दच्छ सकल लच्छन जुत सोई। जाकें पद सरोज रति होई।।

japa tapa niyama joga nija dharmā | śruti saṁbhava nānā subha karmā || gyāna dayā dama tīratha majjana | jahã lagi dharma kahata śruti sajjana || āgama nigama purāna anekā | paṛhe sune kara phala prabhu ekā || taba pada paṅkaja prīti nirantara | saba sādhana kara yaha phala sundara || chūṭai mala ki malahi ke dhoẽ | ghṛta ki pāva koi bāri biloẽ || prema bhagati jala binu raghurāī | abhiantara mala kabahũ na jāī || soi sarbagya tagya soi paṇḍita | soi guna gṛha bigyāna akhaṇḍita || daccha sakala lacchana juta soī | jākẽ pada saroja rati hoī ||

Repetition, austerity, observances, yoga, one’s own duties—many auspicious works grounded in Shruti; knowledge, compassion, self-restraint, bathing at holy fords—so far as Shruti and the righteous speak of dharma. The many Agamas, Nigamas, and Puranas—read or heard—yield but one fruit: the Lord alone. Therefore, unbroken love for the lotus feet is the fair fruit of every discipline. Can dirt be removed by washing dirt? Can ghee be obtained by churning water? Without the water of loving devotion to Raghu’s Lord, the inner stain never goes. He alone is truly all-knowing, truly sacrifice-skilled, truly learned—the house of virtues, with unbroken insight; capable, endowed with every mark—whose heart delights in the lotus feet.

Verse 117 (दोहा/सोरठा)

नाथ एक बर मागउँ राम कृपा करि देहु। जन्म जन्म प्रभु पद कमल कबहुँ घटै जनि नेहु।।49।।

nātha eka bara māgaũ rāma kṛpā kari dehu | janma janma prabhu pada kamala kabahũ ghaṭai jani nehu ||49||

O Lord, I ask one boon—Rāma, grant it in Your mercy: through birth after birth, may my love for Your lotus feet never, ever diminish.

Verse 118 (चौपाई)

यह प्रभु चरित पवित्र सुहावा। कहहु कृपाल काग कहँ पावा।। तुम्ह केहि भाँति सुना मदनारी। कहहु मोहि अति कौतुक भारी।। गरुड़ महाग्यानी गुन रासी। हरि सेवक अति निकट निवासी।। तेहिं केहि हेतु काग सन जाई। सुनी कथा मुनि निकर बिहाई।। कहहु कवन बिधि भा संबादा। दोउ हरिभगत काग उरगादा।। गौरि गिरा सुनि सरल सुहाई। बोले सिव सादर सुख पाई।। धन्य सती पावन मति तोरी। रघुपति चरन प्रीति नहिं थोरी।। सुनहु परम पुनीत इतिहासा। जो सुनि सकल लोक भ्रम नासा।। उपजइ राम चरन बिस्वासा। भव निधि तर नर बिनहिं प्रयासा।।

yaha prabhu carita pavitra suhāvā | kahahu kṛpāla kāga kahã pāvā || tumha kehi bhā̃ti sunā madanārī | kahahu mohi ati kautuka bhārī || garuṛa mahā-jñānī guna rāsī | hari sevaka ati nikaṭa nivāsī || tehĩ kehi hetu kāga sana jāī | sunī kathā muni nikara bihāī || kahahu kavan bidhi bhā sãbādā | dou hari-bhagata kāga urag-ādā || gauri girā suni sarala suhāī | bole siva sādara sukha pāī || dhanya satī pāvana mati torī | raghupati carana prīti nahĩ thorī || sunahu parama punīta itihāsā | jo suni sakala loka bhrama nāsā || upajai rāma carana bisvāsā | bhava nidhi tara nara binahĩ prayāsā ||

This Lord’s story is pure and most charming. Tell me, compassionate one—how did the crow obtain it? How did you hear it, O foe of Cupid? Tell me; my wonder is very great. Garuda is supremely wise, a treasury of virtues, and a servant of Hari who dwells very near Him. For what reason did he go to the crow, leaving the company of sages, to hear the tale? Tell me: how did this conversation occur between the two devotees of Hari—the crow and Garuda? Hearing Parvati’s simple, lovely words, Shiva replied with respectful joy: “Blessed are you, Sati; your understanding is pure. Your love for Raghupati’s feet is not slight. Hear a most holy account; by hearing it, the delusions of the world are destroyed. Faith in Rama’s feet arises, and a man crosses the ocean of existence without strain.”

Verse 119 (दोहा/सोरठा)

ऐसिअ प्रस्न बिहंगपति कीन्ह काग सन जाइ। सो सब सादर कहिहउँ सुनहु उमा मन लाइ।।55।।

aisiya prasan bihaṅgapati kīnha kāga sana jāi | so saba sādara kahihaũ sunahu umā mana lāi ||55||

Such were the questions the lord of birds asked when he went to the crow. I shall relate all of it with reverence; listen, Umā, with your mind intent. (55)

Verse 120 (चौपाई)

मैं जिमि कथा सुनी भव मोचनि। सो प्रसंग सुनु सुमुखि सुलोचनि।। प्रथम दच्छ गृह तव अवतारा। सती नाम तब रहा तुम्हारा।। दच्छ जग्य तब भा अपमाना। तुम्ह अति क्रोध तजे तब प्राना।। मम अनुचरन्ह कीन्ह मख भंगा। जानहु तुम्ह सो सकल प्रसंगा।। तब अति सोच भयउ मन मोरें। दुखी भयउँ बियोग प्रिय तोरें।। सुंदर बन गिरि सरित तड़ागा। कौतुक देखत फिरउँ बेरागा।। गिरि सुमेर उत्तर दिसि दूरी। नील सैल एक सुन्दर भूरी।। तासु कनकमय सिखर सुहाए। चारि चारु मोरे मन भाए।। तिन्ह पर एक एक बिटप बिसाला। बट पीपर पाकरी रसाला।। सैलोपरि सर सुंदर सोहा। मनि सोपान देखि मन मोहा।।

maĩ jimi kathā sunī bhava mocani | so prasaṅga sunu sumukhi sulocani || prathama daccha gṛha tava avatārā | satī nāma taba rahā tumhārā || daccha jagya taba bhā apamānā | tumha ati krodha taje taba prānā || mama anucaranha kīnha makha bhaṅgā | jānahu tumha so sakala prasaṅgā || taba ati soca bhayau mana morẽ | dukhī bhayaũ biyoga priya torẽ || suṃdara bana giri sarita taṛāgā | kautuka dekhata phiraũ berāgā || giri sumeru uttara disi dūrī | nīla saila eka suṃdara bhūrī || tāsu kanakamaya sikhara suhāe | cāri cāru more mana bhāe || tinha para eka-eka biṭapa bisālā | baṭ pīpara pākarī rasālā || sailopari sara suṃdara sohā | maṇi sopāna dekhi mana mohā ||

As I heard the tale that frees from worldly bondage, so I relate that episode—listen, fair-faced, bright-eyed one. First you took birth in Daksha’s house; then your name was Sati. At Daksha’s sacrifice there was insult; in great wrath you then abandoned your life. My attendants shattered the rite—you already know the whole occurrence. Then my mind was seized by deep grief; I was afflicted by separation from you, my beloved. I wandered, detached, gazing at wondrous forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes. Far to the north of Mount Sumeru stood a dark-blue, beautiful mountain. Its golden peaks shone; four of them especially delighted my heart. On each stood a vast tree—banyan, pipal, pakari, and mango. Upon the mountain lay a lovely lake; seeing its jeweled steps, my mind was enchanted.

Verse 121 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सीतल अमल मधुर जल जलज बिपुल बहुरंग। कूजत कल रव हंस गन गुंजत मजुंल भृंग।।56।।

sītala amala madhura jala jalaja bipula bahuraṅga | kūjata kala rava haṃsa gana guñjata mañjula bhṛṅga ||56||

Its waters were cool, pure, and sweet; lotuses were abundant and many-hued. Swans called out in gentle tones, and graceful bees hummed. (56)

Verse 122 (चौपाई)

तेहिं गिरि रुचिर बसइ खग सोई। तासु नास कल्पांत न होई।। माया कृत गुन दोष अनेका। मोह मनोज आदि अबिबेका। रहे ब्यापि समस्त जग माहीं। तेहि गिरि निकट कबहुँ नहिं जाहीं।। तहँ बसि हरिहि भजइ जिमि कागा। सो सुनु उमा सहित अनुरागा।। पीपर तरु तर ध्यान सो धरई। जाप जग्य पाकरि तर करई।। आँब छाहँ कर मानस पूजा। तजि हरि भजनु काजु नहिं दूजा।। बर तर कह हरि कथा प्रसंगा। आवहिं सुनहिं अनेक बिहंगा।। राम चरित बिचीत्र बिधि नाना। प्रेम सहित कर सादर गाना।। सुनहिं सकल मति बिमल मराला। बसहिं निरंतर जे तेहिं ताला।। जब मैं जाइ सो कौतुक देखा। उर उपजा आनंद बिसेषा।।

tehĩ giri rucira basai khaga soī | tāsu nāsa kalpānta na hoī || māyā kṛta guna doṣa anekā | moha manoja ādi abibekā || rahe byāpi samasta jaga māhī̃ | tehi giri nikaṭa kabahũ nahĩ jāhī̃ || tahã basi harihi bhajai jimi kāgā | so sunu umā sahita anurāgā || pīpara taru tara dhyāna so dharaī | jāpa jagya pākarī tara karaī || ā̃ba chāhã kara mānasa pūjā | taji hari bhajanu kāju nahĩ dūjā || bara tara kaha hari kathā prasaṅgā | āvahĩ sunahĩ aneka bihaṅgā || rāma carita bicītra bidhi nānā | prema sahita kara sādara gānā || sunahĩ sakala mati bimala marālā | basahĩ nirantara je tehĩ tālā || jaba maĩ jāi so kautuka dekhā | ura upajā ānanda biseṣā ||

On that lovely mountain dwelt that bird-sage; his place is not destroyed even at the end of an age. The many qualities and faults fashioned by Maya—delusion, desire, and the rest, and lack of discernment— pervade the whole world, yet they never come near that mountain. There, dwelling, the crow worships Hari—listen, Uma, with love. Beneath the pipal tree he holds to meditation; beneath the pakari he performs japa and rites. In the mango’s shade he offers worship within the mind; apart from Hari’s devotion he has no other task. Beneath the banyan he speaks the occasions of Hari’s story; many birds come and listen. In diverse wondrous ways they sing Rama’s deeds, with love and reverence. All the swan-like pure-minded ones listen and dwell continually by that lake. When I went there and saw this marvel, a special joy arose within my heart.

Verse 123 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तब कछु काल मराल तनु धरि तहँ कीन्ह निवास। सादर सुनि रघुपति गुन पुनि आयउँ कैलास।।57।।

taba kachu kāla marāla tanu dhari tahã kīnha nivāsa | sādara suni raghupati guna puni āyũ kailāsa ||57||

Then, for some time, I assumed the form of a swan and dwelt there. Having reverently heard the virtues of the Lord of Raghu, I returned again to Kailāsa.

Verse 124 (चौपाई)

गिरिजा कहेउँ सो सब इतिहासा। मैं जेहि समय गयउँ खग पासा।। अब सो कथा सुनहु जेही हेतू। गयउ काग पहिं खग कुल केतू।। जब रघुनाथ कीन्हि रन क्रीड़ा। समुझत चरित होति मोहि ब्रीड़ा।। इंद्रजीत कर आपु बँधायो। तब नारद मुनि गरुड़ पठायो।। बंधन काटि गयो उरगादा। उपजा हृदयँ प्रचंड बिषादा।। प्रभु बंधन समुझत बहु भाँती। करत बिचार उरग आराती।। ब्यापक ब्रह्म बिरज बागीसा। माया मोह पार परमीसा।। सो अवतार सुनेउँ जग माहीं। देखेउँ सो प्रभाव कछु नाहीं।।

girijā kaheũ so saba itihāsā | maĩ jehi samaya gayũ khaga pāsā || aba so kathā sunahu jehī hetū | gayu ḵāga pahĩ khaga-kula ketū || jaba raghunātha kīnhi rana krīḍā | samujhata carita hoti mohi brīḍā || indra-jīta kara āpu bãdhāyo | taba nārada muni garuṛa paṭhāyo || bãdhana kāṭi gayo uragādā | upajā hṛdayã pracaṇḍa biṣādā || prabhu bãdhana samujhata bahu bhā̃tī | karata bicāra uraga-ārātī || byāpaka brahma biraja bāgīsā | māyā-moha pāra paramīsā || so avatāra suneũ jaga māhī̃ | dekheũ so prabhāva kachu nāhī̃ ||

“O Girijā, I have already related to you that entire holy history. Now hear the cause why the standard of the bird‑race passed to the crow. When Raghunātha enacted His sportive battle—ah, even to recall that deed fills me with shame. Indrajit bound Him; then the sage Nārada sent Garuḍa. Having cut the bonds, the foe of serpents departed, and a fierce sorrow rose within his heart. He turned the Lord’s bondage over and over in many ways, the enemy of serpents pondering: ‘He is the all‑pervading Brahman, the Lord beyond Māyā and delusion, the Supreme Master. I have heard in the world of such an Incarnation—yet I behold no such majesty here.’”

Verse 125 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भव बंधन ते छूटहिं नर जपि जा कर नाम। खर्च निसाचर बाँधेउ नागपास सोइ राम।।58।।

bhava bãdhana te chūṭahĩ nara japi jā kara nāma | kharca nisācara bā̃dheu nāgapāsa soi rāma ||58||

Men are released from the bondage of worldly existence by repeating His Name—yet that very Rāma was bound by the serpent‑noose of a vile demon.

Verse 126 (चौपाई)

नाना भाँति मनहि समुझावा। प्रगट न ग्यान हृदयँ भ्रम छावा।। खेद खिन्न मन तर्क बढ़ाई। भयउ मोहबस तुम्हरिहिं नाई।। ब्याकुल गयउ देवरिषि पाहीं। कहेसि जो संसय निज मन माहीं।। सुनि नारदहि लागि अति दाया। सुनु खग प्रबल राम कै माया।। जो ग्यानिन्ह कर चित अपहरई। बरिआई बिमोह मन करई।। जेहिं बहु बार नचावा मोही। सोइ ब्यापी बिहंगपति तोही।। महामोह उपजा उर तोरें। मिटिहि न बेगि कहें खग मोरें।। चतुरानन पहिं जाहु खगेसा। सोइ करेहु जेहि होइ निदेसा।।

nānā bhā̃ti manahi samujhāvā | pragaṭa na gyāna hṛdayã bhrama chāvā || kheda khinna mana tarka baṛhāī | bhayau mohavasa tumharihĩ nāī || byākula gayau devar̥ṣi pāhī̃ | kahesi jo sãsaya nija mana māhī̃ || suni nāradahi lāgi ati dāyā | sunu khaga prabala rāma kai māyā || jo gyāninh kara cita apaharāī | bariyāī bimohi mana karaī || jehĩ bahu bāra nacāvā mohī | soi byāpī bihaṅgapati tohī || mahāmoha upajā ura torẽ | miṭihi na begi kahẽ khaga morẽ || catūrānana pahĩ jāhu khagesā | soi karehu jehi hoi nidesā ||

In many ways he reasoned with his mind, yet true knowledge did not arise; delusion spread across his heart. Troubled and cast down, he multiplied arguments and became—like you—subject to bewilderment. Restless, he went to the divine sage and spoke the doubt that lay within his mind. Hearing him, compassion awakened in Nārada: “Listen, O bird—Rāma’s Māyā is exceedingly mighty; she steals even the minds of the wise and forcibly bewilders the heart. She who has made even me dance many times has now pervaded you too, O lord of birds. A great delusion has arisen in your heart; it will not quickly subside merely by my words. Go to the Four‑faced Lord; do as he directs.”

Verse 127 (दोहा/सोरठा)

अस कहि चले देवरिषि करत राम गुन गान। हरि माया बल बरनत पुनि पुनि परम सुजान।।59।।

asa kahi cale devar̥ṣi karata rāma guna gāna | hari māyā bala baranata puni puni parama sujāna ||59||

So saying, the divine sage departed, singing Rāma’s virtues—again and again describing the power of the Lord’s Māyā, that supremely wise one.