Prakarana 12

Verse 230 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तुरत भयउँ मैं काग तब पुनि मुनि पद सिरु नाइ। सुमिरि राम रघुबंस मनि हरषित चलेउँ उड़ाइ।।112(क)।। उमा जे राम चरन रत बिगत काम मद क्रोध।। निज प्रभुमय देखहिं जगत केहि सन करहिं बिरोध।।112(ख)।।

turata bhayuṁ maiṁ kāga taba puni muni pada siru nāi | sumiri rāma raghubaṃsa mani haraṣita caleuṁ uṛāi ||112(ka)|| umā je rāma carana rata bigata kāma mada krodha | nija prabhumaya dekhahiṁ jagata kehi sana karahiṁ birodha ||112(kha)||

At once I became a crow; then again I bowed my head at the sage’s feet. Remembering Rama, the jewel of Raghu’s race, I flew away in gladness. O Uma! Those who are devoted to Rama’s feet—freed from lust, pride, and anger—behold the whole world as filled with their own Lord; with whom could they have any quarrel?

Verse 231 (चौपाई)

सुनु खगेस नहिं कछु रिषि दूषन। उर प्रेरक रघुबंस बिभूषन।। कृपासिंधु मुनि मति करि भोरी। लीन्हि प्रेम परिच्छा मोरी। मन बच क्रम मोहि निज जन जाना। मुनि मति पुनि फेरी भगवाना। रिषि मम महत सीलता देखी। राम चरन बिस्वास बिसेषी। अति बिसमय पुनि पुनि पछिताई। सादर मुनि मोहि लीन्ह बोलाई। मम परितोष बिबिध बिधि कीन्हा। हरषित राममंत्र तब दीन्हा। बालकरूप राम कर ध्याना। कहेउ मोहि मुनि कृपानिधाना। सुंदर सुखद मिहि अति भावा। सो प्रथमहिं मैं तुम्हहि सुनावा। मुनि मोहि कछुक काल तहँ राखा। रामचरितमानस तब भाषा। सादर मोहि यह कथा सुनाई। पुनि बोले मुनि गिरा सुहाई। रामचरित सर गुप्त सुहावा। संभु प्रसाद तात मैं पावा। तोहि निज भगत राम कर जानी। ताते मैं सब कहेउँ बखानी। राम भगति जिन्ह कें उर नाहीं। कबहुँ न तात कहिअ तिन्ह पाहीं। मुनि मोहि बिबिध भाँति समुझावा। मैं सप्रेम मुनि पद सिरु नावा। निज कर कमल परसि मम सीसा। हरषित आसिष दीन्ह मुनीसा। राम भगति अबिरल उर तोरें। बसिहि सदा प्रसाद अब मोरें।।

sunu khagesa nahiṁ kachu ṛṣi dūṣana | ura preraka raghubaṃsa bibhūṣana || kṛpāsiṃdhu muni mati kari bhorī | līnhi prema parichchhā morī || mana baca krama mohi nija jana jānā | muni mati puni pherī bhagavānā || ṛṣi mama mahata sīlatā dekhī | rāma carana bisvāsa biseṣī || ati bisamaya puni puni pachitāī | sādara muni mohi līnha bolāī || mama paritoṣa bibidha bidhi kīnhā | haraṣita rāma-mantra taba dīnhā || bālaka-rūpa rāma kara dhyānā | kaheu mohi muni kṛpānidhānā || suṃdara sukhada mihi ati bhāvā | so prathamahĩ maiṁ tumhahi sunāvā || muni mohi kachuka kāla tahaṁ rākhā | rāmacaritamānasa taba bhāṣā || sādara mohi yaha kathā sunāī | puni bole muni girā suhāī || rāmacarita sara gupta suhāvā | saṃbhu prasāda tāta maiṁ pāvā || tohi nija bhagata rāma kara jānī | tāte maiṁ saba kaheuṁ bakhānī || rāma bhagati jinha keṁ ura nāhīṁ | kabahuṁ na tāta kahi-a tinh pāhīṁ || muni mohi bibidha bhāṁti samujhāvā | maiṁ saprema muni pada siru nāvā || nija kara kamala parasi mama sīsā | haraṣita āsiṣ dīnh munīsā || rāma bhagati abirala ura torẽ | basihi sadā prasāda aba morẽ ||

Hear me, lord of birds: there was no fault in the sage; the inner mover was Rama, the ornament of Raghu’s line. The ocean of compassion, the sage—making his mind seem stern—took a test of my love. In thought, word, and deed he knew me as his own; then the Lord turned the sage’s mind again. The rishi saw my great docility and my special trust in Rama’s feet. In wonder he repented again and again; respectfully he called me near. In many ways he satisfied me, and joyfully then gave me the Rama-mantra. He taught me meditation on Rama in His child-form—did that treasure of compassion. It was beautiful and blissful to me; that is what I first tell you. For some time the sage kept me there; then he uttered the Ramcharitmanas. With reverence he recited this story to me; then the sage spoke sweet words: ‘This lovely hidden lake of Rama’s deeds I received, dear one, by Shiva’s grace. Knowing you to be Rama’s own devotee, therefore I have narrated all. To those in whose heart Rama-bhakti is not, never, dear one, should it be told.’ In many ways the sage instructed me; with love I bowed at his feet. Touching my head with his lotus hand, the sage gladly bestowed blessings: ‘May unbroken devotion to Rama dwell in your heart; and may my grace abide with you always.’

Verse 232 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-सदा राम प्रिय होहु तुम्ह सुभ गुन भवन अमान। कामरूप इच्धामरन ग्यान बिराग निधान।।113(क)।। जेंहिं आश्रम तुम्ह बसब पुनि सुमिरत श्रीभगवंत। ब्यापिहि तहँ न अबिद्या जोजन एक प्रजंत।।113(ख)।।

sadā rāma priya hohu tumha subha guna bhavana amāna | kāmarūpa icchā-marana gyāna birāga nidhāna ||113(ka)|| jẽhi āśrama tumha basaba puni sumirata śrībhagavaṃta | byāpihi tahaṁ na abidyā jojana eka prajaṃta ||113(kha)||

‘Be ever dear to Rama—an abode of auspicious virtues, free from pride; a treasury of knowledge and dispassion, endowed with powers such as assuming forms at will and dying at will. In whatever hermitage you dwell, remembering the Blessed Lord, ignorance shall not spread there—even for a yojana’s distance around.’

Verse 233 (चौपाई)

काल कर्म गुन दोष सुभाऊ। कछु दुख तुम्हहि न ब्यापिहि काऊ।। राम रहस्य ललित बिधि नाना। गुप्त प्रगट इतिहास पुराना।। बिनु श्रम तुम्ह जानब सब सोऊ। नित नव नेह राम पद होऊ।। जो इच्छा करिहहु मन माहीं। हरि प्रसाद कछु दुर्लभ नाहीं।। सुनि मुनि आसिष सुनु मतिधीरा। ब्रह्मगिरा भइ गगन गँभीरा।। एवमस्तु तव बच मुनि ग्यानी। यह मम भगत कर्म मन बानी।। सुनि नभगिरा हरष मोहि भयऊ। प्रेम मगन सब संसय गयऊ।। करि बिनती मुनि आयसु पाई। पद सरोज पुनि पुनि सिरु नाई।। हरष सहित एहिं आश्रम आयउँ। प्रभु प्रसाद दुर्लभ बर पायउँ।। इहाँ बसत मोहि सुनु खग ईसा। बीते कलप सात अरु बीसा।। करउँ सदा रघुपति गुन गाना। सादर सुनहिं बिहंग सुजाना।। जब जब अवधपुरीं रघुबीरा। धरहिं भगत हित मनुज सरीरा।। तब तब जाइ राम पुर रहऊँ। सिसुलीला बिलोकि सुख लहऊँ।। पुनि उर राखि राम सिसुरूपा। निज आश्रम आवउँ खगभूपा।। कथा सकल मैं तुम्हहि सुनाई। काग देह जेहिं कारन पाई।। कहिउँ तात सब प्रस्न तुम्हारी। राम भगति महिमा अति भारी।।

kāla karma guna doṣa subhāū | kachu dukha tumhahi na byāpihi kāū || rāma rahasya lalita bidhi nānā | gupta pragaṭa itihāsa purānā || binu śrama tumha jānaba saba soū | nita nava neha rāma pada hoū || jo icchā karihahu mana māhīṁ | hari prasāda kachu durlabha nāhīṁ || suni muni āsiṣa sunu mati-dhīrā | brahma-girā bhai gagana gaṁbhīrā || evam-astu tava baca muni gyānī | yaha mama bhagata karma mana bānī || suni nabha-girā haraṣa mohi bhayū | prema magana saba saṁsaya gayū || kari binatī muni āyasu pāī | pada saroja puni puni siru nāī || haraṣa sahita ehiṁ āśrama āyuṁ | prabhu prasāda durlabha bara pāyuṁ || ihāṁ basata mohi sunu khaga īsā | bīte kalapa sāta aru bīsā || karauṁ sadā raghupati guna gānā | sādara sunahiṁ bihaṅga sujānā || jaba jaba avadhapurīṁ raghubīrā | dharahiṁ bhagata hita manuja sarīrā || taba taba jāi rāma pura rahauṁ | śisu-līlā biloki sukha lahauṁ || puni ura rākhi rāma śisu-rūpā | nija āśrama āvauṁ khaga-bhūpā || kathā sakala maiṁ tumhahi sunāī | kāga deha jehiṁ kārana pāī || kahiūṁ tāta saba prasna tumhārī | rāma bhagati mahimā ati bhārī ||

Time, karma, the guṇas, faults, and one’s native disposition—none of these can inflict any sorrow upon you. The mystery of Rama is exquisite and manifold: an ancient chronicle, at once hidden and revealed. Without toil you shall know it all; and may your love for Rama’s feet be ever new. Whatever desire arises within your heart—by Hari’s grace nothing is hard to obtain. Hearing the sage’s blessing, O steadfast in mind, a deep sky-resounding voice of Brahman spoke: “So be it—your word, O wise sage. This one is My devotee in deed, in mind, and in speech.” Hearing that heavenly utterance, I rejoiced; drenched in love, all doubt fell away. Having petitioned and received the sage’s command, I again and again bowed my head to the lotus-feet. With joy I returned to this hermitage; by the Lord’s grace I obtained a rare boon. Here I have dwelt—hear, O lord of birds—for seven and twenty kalpas. I ever sing the virtues of Raghu’s Lord; the wise birds listen with reverence. Whenever the hero of Raghu, for His devotees’ sake, assumes a human body in Ayodhya, then I go and stay in Rama’s city, and by beholding His childhood sports I gain delight. Then, holding Rama’s child-form within my heart, I return to my own hermitage, O king of birds. I have told you the whole tale—how I came to have a crow’s body. Thus, dear one, have I answered all your questions: exceedingly weighty is the glory of devotion to Rama.

Verse 234 (दोहा/सोरठा)

ताते यह तन मोहि प्रिय भयउ राम पद नेह। निज प्रभु दरसन पायउँ गए सकल संदेह।।114(क)।। भगति पच्छ हठ करि रहेउँ दीन्हि महारिषि साप। मुनि दुर्लभ बर पायउँ देखहु भजन प्रताप।।114(ख)।।

tāte yaha tana mohi priya bhayau rāma pada neha | nija prabhu darasana pāyuṁ gaye sakala saṁdeha ||114(ka)|| bhagati paccha haṭha kari raheūṁ dīnhī mahāriṣi sāpa | muni durlabha bara pāyuṁ dekhahu bhajana pratāpa ||114(kha)||

Therefore this body became dear to me—for in it arose love for Rama’s feet. I obtained the दर्शन of my own Lord, and all doubts departed. (114a) Clinging stubbornly to the side of devotion, I endured the great rishi’s curse; yet I gained a boon that even sages find rare—behold the might of bhajan. (114b)

Verse 235 (चौपाई)

जे असि भगति जानि परिहरहीं। केवल ग्यान हेतु श्रम करहीं।। ते जड़ कामधेनु गृहँ त्यागी। खोजत आकु फिरहिं पय लागी।। सुनु खगेस हरि भगति बिहाई। जे सुख चाहहिं आन उपाई।। ते सठ महासिंधु बिनु तरनी। पैरि पार चाहहिं जड़ करनी।। सुनि भसुंडि के बचन भवानी। बोलेउ गरुड़ हरषि मृदु बानी।। तव प्रसाद प्रभु मम उर माहीं। संसय सोक मोह भ्रम नाहीं।। सुनेउँ पुनीत राम गुन ग्रामा। तुम्हरी कृपाँ लहेउँ बिश्रामा।। एक बात प्रभु पूँछउँ तोही। कहहु बुझाइ कृपानिधि मोही।। कहहिं संत मुनि बेद पुराना। नहिं कछु दुर्लभ ग्यान समाना।। सोइ मुनि तुम्ह सन कहेउ गोसाईं। नहिं आदरेहु भगति की नाईं।। ग्यानहि भगतिहि अंतर केता। सकल कहहु प्रभु कृपा निकेता।। सुनि उरगारि बचन सुख माना। सादर बोलेउ काग सुजाना।। भगतिहि ग्यानहि नहिं कछु भेदा। उभय हरहिं भव संभव खेदा।। नाथ मुनीस कहहिं कछु अंतर। सावधान सोउ सुनु बिहंगबर।। ग्यान बिराग जोग बिग्याना। ए सब पुरुष सुनहु हरिजाना।। पुरुष प्रताप प्रबल सब भाँती। अबला अबल सहज जड़ जाती।।

je asi bhagati jāni pariharahīṁ | kevala gyāna hetu śrama karahīṁ || te jaṛa kāmadhenu gṛhaṁ tyāgī | khojata āku phirahīṁ paya lāgī || sunu khagesa hari bhagati bihāī | je sukha cāhahīṁ āna upāī || te saṭha mahāsiṁdhu binu taranī | pairi pāra cāhahīṁ jaṛa karanī || suni bhasuṁḍi ke bacana bhavānī | boleu garuṛa haraṣi mṛdu bānī || tava prasāda prabhu mama ura māhīṁ | saṁsaya soka moha bhrama nāhīṁ || suneuṁ punīta rāma guna grāmā | tumharī kṛpāँ laheuṁ biśrāmā || eka bāta prabhu pūँchauṁ tohī | kahahu bujhāi kṛpānidhi mohī || kahahiṁ santa muni beda purānā | nahiṁ kachu durlabha gyāna samānā || soi muni tumha sana kaheu gosāīṁ | nahiṁ ādarehu bhagati kī nāīṁ || gyānahi bhagatihi antara ketā | sakala kahahu prabhu kṛpā niketā || suni uragāri bacana sukha mānā | sādara boleu kāga sujānā || bhagatihi gyānahi nahiṁ kachu bhedā | ubhaya harahiṁ bhava saṁbhava khedā || nātha munīsa kahahiṁ kachu antara | sāvadhāna soū sunu bihaṅgabara || gyāna birāga joga bigyānā | e saba puruṣa sunahu harijanā || puruṣa pratāpa prabala saba bhāṁtī | abalā abala sahaja jaṛa jātī ||

Those who, knowing such devotion, abandon it and toil only for the sake of bare knowledge— those dull ones leave the cow of plenty at home and wander seeking bitter weeds, their mouths set for milk. Hear, O king of birds: forsaking Hari’s devotion, those who seek happiness by other means— those fools wish to cross the great ocean without a boat, trying to wade across by sheer stupidity. Hearing Bhushundi’s words, Garuda spoke in gladness, in gentle speech: “By your grace, Lord, within my heart there is no doubt, no grief, no delusion, no confusion. I have heard the pure garland of Rama’s virtues; by your kindness I have found repose. One matter, Lord, I ask of you—explain it to me, O treasury of compassion. Saints, sages, Veda and Purana say: nothing is as hard to obtain as knowledge. Yet that same sage told you, sir, and you did not honor knowledge as you honor devotion. How great is the difference between knowledge and devotion? Tell me all, O abode of grace.” Hearing the serpent-foe’s words, the wise crow replied with reverence: “Between devotion and knowledge there is no real difference; both remove the weariness born of worldly becoming. Yet, O master, the sages speak of a certain distinction—attend to it, O best of birds. Knowledge, dispassion, yoga, and realized insight—these are all ‘male’ powers, hear me, O servant of Hari. The power of the masculine is strong in every way; the feminine is naturally weaker, simple, and inert by kind.”

Verse 236 (दोहा/सोरठा)

पुरुष त्यागि सक नारिहि जो बिरक्त मति धीर।। न तु कामी बिषयाबस बिमुख जो पद रघुबीर।।115(क)।। सोउ मुनि ग्याननिधान मृगनयनी बिधु मुख निरखि। बिबस होइ हरिजान नारि बिष्नु माया प्रगट।।115(ख)।।

puruṣa tyāgi saka nārihi jo birakta mati dhīra | na tu kāmī biṣayābasa bimukha jo pada raghubīra ||115(ka)|| soū muni gyāna-nidhāna mṛga-nayanī bidhu-mukha nirakhi | bibasa hoi harijān nāri biṣṇu māyā pragaṭa ||115(kha)||

A steady man of detached mind may renounce even women; but not so the lustful—enslaved to objects of sense, turned away from Raghu’s heroic Lord. (115a) Even that sage, a very treasury of knowledge, on beholding a doe-eyed, moon-faced beauty, becomes helpless—know this, O servant of Hari: in woman, Vishnu’s māyā stands manifest. (115b)

Verse 237 (चौपाई)

इहाँ न पच्छपात कछु राखउँ। बेद पुरान संत मत भाषउँ।। मोह न नारि नारि कें रूपा। पन्नगारि यह रीति अनूपा।। माया भगति सुनहु तुम्ह दोऊ। नारि बर्ग जानइ सब कोऊ।। पुनि रघुबीरहि भगति पिआरी। माया खलु नर्तकी बिचारी।। भगतिहि सानुकूल रघुराया। ताते तेहि डरपति अति माया।। राम भगति निरुपम निरुपाधी। बसइ जासु उर सदा अबाधी।। तेहि बिलोकि माया सकुचाई। करि न सकइ कछु निज प्रभुताई।। अस बिचारि जे मुनि बिग्यानी। जाचहीं भगति सकल सुख खानी।।

ihāṁ na pacchapāta kachu rākhaūँ | beda purāna santa mata bhāṣaūँ || moha na nāri nāri keṁ rūpā | pannagāri yaha rīti anūpā || māyā bhagati sunahu tumha doū | nāri barga jānai saba koū || puni raghubīrahi bhagati piārī | māyā khalu nartakī bicārī || bhagatihi sānakūla raghurāyā | tāte tehi ḍarapati ati māyā || rāma bhagati nirupama nirupādhī | basai jāsu ura sadā abādhī || tehi biloki māyā sakucāī | kari na sakai kachu nija prabhutāī || asa bicāri je muni bigyānī | jācahīṁ bhagati sakala sukha khānī ||

Here I keep no bias; I speak the judgment of Veda, Purana, and the saints. It is not that I am deluded by woman, nor by a woman’s beauty—O serpent-foe, this way is singular. Listen, both of you: māyā and bhakti—everyone knows—are reckoned in the category of ‘woman.’ And devotion to Raghu’s Hero is dear; māyā, in truth, is but a poor dancing-girl. Raghu’s King is favorable to devotion; therefore māyā greatly fears it. Rama-bhakti is incomparable, without adjuncts; it dwells in whose heart, ever unobstructed. Seeing that, māyā grows shy and cannot exercise her own dominion. Considering thus, the discerning sages beg for devotion, the mine of all happiness.

Verse 238 (दोहा/सोरठा)

यह रहस्य रघुनाथ कर बेगि न जानइ कोइ। जो जानइ रघुपति कृपाँ सपनेहुँ मोह न होइ।।116(क)।। औरउ ग्यान भगति कर भेद सुनहु सुप्रबीन। जो सुनि होइ राम पद प्रीति सदा अबिछीन।।116(ख)।।

yaha rahasya raghunātha kara begi na jānai koi | jo jānai raghupati kṛpā̃ sapanehũ moha na hoi ||116(ka)|| auru gyāna bhagati kara bheda sunahu suprabīna | jo suni hoi rāma pada prīti sadā abichīna ||116(kha)||

None can swiftly grasp this hidden secret of the Lord of the Raghus. But one who knows it by Raghupati’s grace has no delusion—even in dream. Further, hear (O most discerning) the distinction between knowledge and devotion: whoever hears it and is filled with love for Rama’s feet, his love remains forever unbroken.

Verse 239 (चौपाई)

सुनहु तात यह अकथ कहानी। समुझत बनइ न जाइ बखानी।। ईस्वर अंस जीव अबिनासी। चेतन अमल सहज सुख रासी।। सो मायाबस भयउ गोसाईं। बँध्यो कीर मरकट की नाई।। जड़ चेतनहि ग्रंथि परि गई। जदपि मृषा छूटत कठिनई।। तब ते जीव भयउ संसारी। छूट न ग्रंथि न होइ सुखारी।। श्रुति पुरान बहु कहेउ उपाई। छूट न अधिक अधिक अरुझाई।। जीव हृदयँ तम मोह बिसेषी। ग्रंथि छूट किमि परइ न देखी।। अस संजोग ईस जब करई। तबहुँ कदाचित सो निरुअरई।। सात्त्विक श्रद्धा धेनु सुहाई। जौं हरि कृपाँ हृदयँ बस आई।। जप तप ब्रत जम नियम अपारा। जे श्रुति कह सुभ धर्म अचारा।। तेइ तृन हरित चरै जब गाई। भाव बच्छ सिसु पाइ पेन्हाई।। नोइ निबृत्ति पात्र बिस्वासा। निर्मल मन अहीर निज दासा।। परम धर्ममय पय दुहि भाई। अवटै अनल अकाम बनाई।। तोष मरुत तब छमाँ जुड़ावै। धृति सम जावनु देइ जमावै।। मुदिताँ मथैं बिचार मथानी। दम अधार रजु सत्य सुबानी।। तब मथि काढ़ि लेइ नवनीता। बिमल बिराग सुभग सुपुनीता।।

sunahu tāta yaha akatha kahānī | samujhata banai na jāi bakhānī || īśvara aṁsa jīva abināsī | cetana amala sahaja sukha rāsī || so māyābasa bhayu gosāī | bãdhyo kīra marakaṭa kī nāī || jaṛa cetanahi graṁthi pari gaī | jadapi mṛṣā chūṭata kaṭhinaī || taba te jīva bhayu saṁsārī | chūṭa na graṁthi na hoi sukhārī || śruti purāna bahu kaheu upāī | chūṭa na adhika adhika arujhāī || jīva hṛdayã tama moha biseṣī | graṁthi chūṭa kimi parai na dekhī || asa saṁjoga īsa jaba karaī | tabahũ kadācita so niruarāī || sāttvika śraddhā dhenu suhāī | jau hari kṛpā̃ hṛdayã basa āī || japa tapa brata jama niyama apārā | je śruti kaha subha dharma acārā || tei tṛna harita carai jaba gāī | bhāva baccha sisu pāi penhāī || noi nibṛtti pātra bisvāsā | nirmala mana ahīra nija dāsā || parama dharmamaya pay duhi bhāī | avaṭai anala akāma banāī || toṣa maruta taba chamā juṛāvai | dhṛti sama jāvanु dei jamāvai || muditā̃ mathaĩ bicāra mathānī | dama adhāra raju satya subānī || taba mathi kāṛhi lei navanītā | bimala birāga subhaga supunītā ||

Listen, dear one, to this untellable tale—though one may understand it, it cannot be fully narrated. The soul is an imperishable portion of the Lord—conscious, stainless, and by nature a store of innate bliss. Yet, coming under Māyā’s sway, it is bound like a trained parrot or a monkey. A knot forms between the inert and the conscious; though false, it is hard to loosen. From then on the soul becomes worldly; the knot does not slip, and it finds no happiness. The Vedas and Purāṇas prescribe many remedies, yet the knot does not easily break—rather, one may become more entangled. In the heart of the being, darkness and delusion are strong; how can the knot fall away when it is not even seen? Only when the Lord brings about such a conjunction does it sometimes get undone. If, by Hari’s grace, sāttvic faith—the beautiful cow—comes to dwell in the heart, then japa, tapas, vows, restraints, and the auspicious conduct taught by scripture become its green fodder. When the cow grazes, the calf of bhāva is put to her, and the milk of supreme dharma is drawn. Trust becomes the vessel, withdrawal the bending down; the pure mind, His own servant, is the milkman. The milk is set upon the fire of desirelessness; contentment is the breeze, forgiveness cools it, and steadfastness provides the rennet of equanimity. With joy one churns it using reflection as the churning-staff, self-control as the base, and truth as the rope of speech—until the butter is obtained: pure, auspicious, and supremely holy dispassion.

Verse 240 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जोग अगिनि करि प्रगट तब कर्म सुभासुभ लाइ। बुद्धि सिरावैं ग्यान घृत ममता मल जरि जाइ।।117(क)।। तब बिग्यानरूपिनि बुद्धि बिसद घृत पाइ। चित्त दिआ भरि धरै दृढ़ समता दिअटि बनाइ।।117(ख)।। तीनि अवस्था तीनि गुन तेहि कपास तें काढ़ि। तूल तुरीय सँवारि पुनि बाती करै सुगाढ़ि।।117(ग)।। एहि बिधि लेसै दीप तेज रासि बिग्यानमय।। जातहिं जासु समीप जरहिं मदादिक सलभ सब।।117(घ)।।

joga agini kari pragaṭa taba karma subhāsubha lāi | buddhi sirāvaĩ gyāna ghṛta mamatā mala jari jāi ||117(ka)|| taba bigyānarūpinī buddhi bisada ghṛta pāi | citta diā bhari dharai dṛṛha samatā di'aṭi banāi ||117(kha)|| tīni avasthā tīni guna tehi kapāsa tẽ kāṛhi | tūla turīya sãvāri puni bātī karai sugāṛhi ||117(ga)|| ehi bidhi lesai dīpa teja rāsī bigyānamaya | jātahĩ jāsu samīpa jarahĩ madādika salabha saba ||117(gha)||

When the fire of yoga is kindled, it draws in the residues of good and evil deeds; the intellect is refined, and with the ghee of knowledge the filth of possessiveness is burned away. Then the intellect, now in the form of realized discernment, receives clear ghee; filling the lamp of the mind, it sets it firm upon the stand of steadfast equanimity. From the cotton of the three states and the three guṇas it draws out the fiber; fashioning it into the ‘fourth’ purity, it twists a strong wick. Thus the lamp is lit—an amassed brilliance of vijñāna; and as one nears it, all moth-like vices such as pride are scorched away.

Verse 241 (चौपाई)

सोहमस्मि इति बृत्ति अखंडा। दीप सिखा सोइ परम प्रचंडा।। आतम अनुभव सुख सुप्रकासा। तब भव मूल भेद भ्रम नासा।। प्रबल अबिद्या कर परिवारा। मोह आदि तम मिटइ अपारा।। तब सोइ बुद्धि पाइ उँजिआरा। उर गृहँ बैठि ग्रंथि निरुआरा।। छोरन ग्रंथि पाव जौं सोई। तब यह जीव कृतारथ होई।। छोरत ग्रंथि जानि खगराया। बिघ्न अनेक करइ तब माया।। रिद्धि सिद्धि प्रेरइ बहु भाई। बुद्धहि लोभ दिखावहिं आई।। कल बल छल करि जाहिं समीपा। अंचल बात बुझावहिं दीपा।। होइ बुद्धि जौं परम सयानी। तिन्ह तन चितव न अनहित जानी।। जौं तेहि बिघ्न बुद्धि नहिं बाधी। तौ बहोरि सुर करहिं उपाधी।। इंद्रीं द्वार झरोखा नाना। तहँ तहँ सुर बैठे करि थाना।। आवत देखहिं बिषय बयारी। ते हठि देही कपाट उघारी।। जब सो प्रभंजन उर गृहँ जाई। तबहिं दीप बिग्यान बुझाई।। ग्रंथि न छूटि मिटा सो प्रकासा। बुद्धि बिकल भइ बिषय बतासा।। इंद्रिन्ह सुरन्ह न ग्यान सोहाई। बिषय भोग पर प्रीति सदाई।। बिषय समीर बुद्धि कृत भोरी। तेहि बिधि दीप को बार बहोरी।।

so'hamasmi iti bṛtti akhaṇḍā | dīpa sikhā soi parama pracaṇḍā || ātama anubhava sukha suprakāsā | taba bhava mūla bheda bhrama nāsā || prabala abidyā kara parivārā | moha ādi tama miṭai apārā || taba soi buddhi pāi ũjiyārā | ura gṛhã baiṭhi graṁthi niruarā || chorana graṁthi pāva jaũ soī | taba yaha jīva kṛtāratha hoī || chorata graṁthi jāni khagarāyā | bighna aneka karaī taba māyā || aṛddhi siddhi prerai bahu bhāī | buddhahi lobha dikhāvahĩ āī || kal bala chala kari jāhĩ samīpā | ãcala bāta bujhāvahĩ dīpā || hoi buddhi jaũ parama sayānī | tinh tana citava na anhita jānī || yaũ tehi bighna buddhi nahĩ bādhī | tau bahori sur karahĩ upādhī || iṁdrī̃ dvāra jharokhā nānā | tahã-tahã sur baiṭhe kari thānā || āvata dekhahĩ biṣaya bayārī | te haṭhi dehī kapāṭa ughārī || jaba so prabhañjana ura gṛhã jāī | tabahĩ dīpa bigyāna bujhāī || graṁthi na chūṭi miṭā so prakāsā | buddhi bikal bhai biṣaya batāsā || iṁdrinh suranh na gyāna sohāī | biṣaya bhoga para prīti sadāī || biṣaya samīra buddhi kṛta bhorī | tehi bidhi dīpa ko bāra bahorī ||

The uninterrupted thought, ‘So’ham asmi—I am He,’ becomes the flame of the lamp, intensely powerful. The bliss of direct Self-experience shines forth; then the root of worldly becoming—division and delusive error—is destroyed. The mighty household of ignorance, and the darkness of delusion and the rest, vanish. That very intellect, gaining light, sits within the heart-house and begins to loosen the knot. If it attains the power to cut the knot, then this soul is fulfilled. But when Māyā knows the knot is being cut, O King of Birds, she creates many obstacles. She sends prosperity and occult powers to entice; they come showing greed to the intellect. With craft, force, and deceit they draw near, and with the mere breeze of their garment they try to extinguish the lamp. If the intellect is supremely wise, it does not look upon them as beneficial. If even then the intellect is not obstructed, the ‘gods’ again impose limiting adjuncts. At the many windows of the senses they take their stations; seeing the wind of sense-objects arriving, they forcibly open the body’s doors. When that storm enters the heart-house, it extinguishes the lamp of realized knowledge. The knot does not loosen and the light is lost; the intellect becomes unsteady—mere gusts of sense-delight. The sense-powers and their ‘deities’ do not like knowledge; their love is ever in enjoyment. The wind of objects makes the intellect wander—thus the lamp is again and again put out.

Verse 242 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तब फिरि जीव बिबिध बिधि पावइ संसृति क्लेस। हरि माया अति दुस्तर तरि न जाइ बिहगेस।।118(क)।। कहत कठिन समुझत कठिन साधन कठिन बिबेक। होइ घुनाच्छर न्याय जौं पुनि प्रत्यूह अनेक।।118(ख)।।

taba phiri jīva bibidha bidhi pāvai saṁsṛti klesa | hari māyā ati dustara tari na jāi bihagesa ||118(ka)|| kahata kaṭhina samujhata kaṭhina sādhana kaṭhina bibeka | hoi ghunācchara nyāya jaũ puni pratyūha aneka ||118(kha)||

Then again the soul meets the pains of transmigratory life in many ways; the Lord’s Māyā is exceedingly hard to cross—one cannot pass beyond it, O Lord of Birds. Hard to state, hard to understand, hard are the disciplines, and hard the discernment; and even if, by the ‘worm-eaten letters’ chance, something seems to succeed—still, obstacles arise in multitude.

Verse 243 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एक ब्याधि बस नर मरहिं ए असाधि बहु ब्याधि। पीड़हिं संतत जीव कहुँ सो किमि लहै समाधि।।121(क)।। नेम धर्म आचार तप ग्यान जग्य जप दान। भेषज पुनि कोटिन्ह नहिं रोग जाहिं हरिजान।।121(ख)।।

eka byādhi basa nara marahiṁ e asādhi bahu byādhi | pīṛahiṁ santata jīva kahuṁ so kimi lahai samādhi ||121(ka)|| nema dharma ācāra tapa gyāna jagya japa dāna | bheṣaja puni koṭiniha nahiṁ roga jāhiṁ harijān ||121(kha)||

Men die even when mastered by a single disease; but this is an incurable malady that multiplies into many. The soul is afflicted incessantly—how then can it attain true collected peace (samādhi)? Vows, dharma, good conduct, austerity, knowledge, sacrifice, repetition of sacred formulae, and charity—though countless as medicines—still cannot drive away the disease unless one comes to the knowing of Hari.

Verse 244 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि सकल जीव जग रोगी। सोक हरष भय प्रीति बियोगी।। मानक रोग कछुक मैं गाए। हहिं सब कें लखि बिरलेन्ह पाए।। जाने ते छीजहिं कछु पापी। नास न पावहिं जन परितापी।। बिषय कुपथ्य पाइ अंकुरे। मुनिहु हृदयँ का नर बापुरे।। राम कृपाँ नासहि सब रोगा। जौं एहि भाँति बनै संयोगा।। सदगुर बैद बचन बिस्वासा। संजम यह न बिषय कै आसा।। रघुपति भगति सजीवन मूरी। अनूपान श्रद्धा मति पूरी।। एहि बिधि भलेहिं सो रोग नसाहीं। नाहिं त जतन कोटि नहिं जाहीं।। जानिअ तब मन बिरुज गोसाँई। जब उर बल बिराग अधिकाई।। सुमति छुधा बाढ़इ नित नई। बिषय आस दुर्बलता गई।। बिमल ग्यान जल जब सो नहाई। तब रह राम भगति उर छाई।। सिव अज सुक सनकादिक नारद। जे मुनि ब्रह्म बिचार बिसारद।। सब कर मत खगनायक एहा। करिअ राम पद पंकज नेहा।। श्रुति पुरान सब ग्रंथ कहाहीं। रघुपति भगति बिना सुख नाहीं।। कमठ पीठ जामहिं बरु बारा। बंध्या सुत बरु काहुहि मारा।। फूलहिं नभ बरु बहुबिधि फूला। जीव न लह सुख हरि प्रतिकूला।। तृषा जाइ बरु मृगजल पाना। बरु जामहिं सस सीस बिषाना।। अंधकारु बरु रबिहि नसावै। राम बिमुख न जीव सुख पावै।। हिम ते अनल प्रगट बरु होई। बिमुख राम सुख पाव न कोई।।

ehi bidhi sakala jīva jaga rogī | soka haraṣa bhaya prīti biyogī || mānaka roga kachuka maiṁ gāe | hahiṁ saba keṁ lakhi biralenha pāe || jāne te chījahiṁ kachu pāpī | nāsa na pāvahiṁ jana paritāpī || biṣaya kupathya pāi aṅkure | munihu hṛdayaँ kā nara bāpure || rāma kṛpāँ nāsahi saba rogā | jauṁ ehi bhāँti banai saṁyogā || sadaguru baida bacana bisvāsā | saṁjama yaha na biṣaya kai āsā || raghupati bhagati sajīvana mūrī | anūpāna śraddhā mati pūrī || ehi bidhi bhalēhi so roga nasāhīṁ | nāhiṁ ta jatana koṭi nahiṁ jāhīṁ || jāni-a taba mana biruja gosāṁī | jaba ura-bala birāga adhikāī || sumati chudhā bāṛhai nita naī | biṣaya āsa durbalatā gaī || bimala gyāna jala jaba so nahāī | taba raha rāma bhagati ura chāī || śiva aja suka sanakādika nārada | je muni brahma bicāra bisārada || saba kara mata khaganāyaka ehā | kari-a rāma pada paṅkaja nehā || śruti purāna saba graṁtha kahāhīṁ | raghupati bhagati binā sukha nāhīṁ || kamaṭha pīṭha jāmahiṁ baru bārā | baṁdhyā suta baru kāhuhi mārā || phūlahiṁ nabha baru bahubidhi phūlā | jīva na laha sukha hari pratikūlā || tṛṣā jāi baru mṛgajala pānā | baru jāmahiṁ sasa sīsa biṣānā || aṁdhakāru baru rabihi nasāvai | rāma bimukha na jīva sukha pāvai || hima te anala pragaṭa baru hoī | bimukha rāma sukha pāva na koī ||

In this way all creatures in the world are sick—tossed between grief and delight, fear and attachment, and the anguish of separation. I have named only a few leading maladies; all suffer them, though only a rare one recognizes the diagnosis. Some sins are worn away once they are understood, yet the tormenting afflictions do not cease. When the unwholesome ‘diet’ of sense-objects is taken in, the seeds of disease sprout—even in a sage’s heart; what then of a poor ordinary man? By Rama’s grace all diseases are destroyed—if this kind of conjunction is formed: faith in the words of the true Guru-physician, and the restraint of not craving sense-pleasures. Devotion to Raghupati is the life-giving root; full faith and a steady mind are its adjuvant. In this manner the disease is surely cured; otherwise, even a crore of efforts will not remove it. Know then, O Lord, that the mind is truly ill when inner strength and dispassion increase; good counsel becomes a fresh hunger day by day, and the weakness of worldly craving departs. When one bathes in the clear water of knowledge, Rama’s devotion remains spread within the heart. Śiva, Brahmā, Śuka, Sanaka and the rest, and Nārada—sages skilled in Brahman-inquiry—all agree on this, O king of birds: set your love upon Rama’s lotus-feet. The Vedas, Purāṇas, and all scriptures declare: without devotion to Raghupati there is no happiness. Let a tortoise climb a mountain, let a barren woman bear a son, let the sky bloom with many flowers—yet a soul opposed to Hari will not find joy. Let thirst be quenched by a mirage, let a hare grow horns; let darkness be destroyed without the sun; let fire arise from ice—still, one turned away from Rama finds no happiness.

Verse 245 (दोहा/सोरठा)

उबारि मथें घृत होइ बरु सिकता ते बरु तेल। बिनु हरि भजन न भव तरिअ यह सिद्धांत अपेल।।122(क)।। मसकहि करइ बिंरंचि प्रभु अजहि मसक ते हीन। अस बिचारि तजि संसय रामहि भजहिं प्रबीन।।122(ख)।।

ubāri matheṁ ghṛta hoi baru sikatā te baru tela | binu hari bhajana na bhava tari-a yaha siddhānta apela ||122(ka)|| masakahi karai biṁrañci prabhu ajahi masaka te hīna | asa bicāri taji saṁsaya rāmahi bhajahiṁ prabīna ||122(kha)||

One might sooner churn watery dregs and obtain ghee, or press oil out of sand; but without Hari’s worship one cannot cross the ocean of becoming—this doctrine stands beyond appeal. The Lord can make even a mosquito into Brahmā, and can reduce Brahmā to less than a mosquito. Reflecting thus, the wise abandon doubt and adore Rama.

Verse 246 (श्लोक)

विनिच्श्रितं वदामि ते न अन्यथा वचांसि मे। हरिं नरा भजन्ति येऽतिदुस्तरं तरन्ति ते।।122(ग)।।

viniścchritaṁ vadāmi te na anyathā vacāṁsi me | hariṁ narā bhajanti ye'tidustaraṁ taranti te ||122(ga)||

With settled certainty I declare to you—my words are not otherwise: those men who worship Hari, they cross the exceedingly difficult passage.

Verse 247 (चौपाई)

कहेउँ नाथ हरि चरित अनूपा। ब्यास समास स्वमति अनुरुपा।। श्रुति सिद्धांत इहइ उरगारी। राम भजिअ सब काज बिसारी।। प्रभु रघुपति तजि सेइअ काही। मोहि से सठ पर ममता जाही।। तुम्ह बिग्यानरूप नहिं मोहा। नाथ कीन्हि मो पर अति छोहा।। पूछिहुँ राम कथा अति पावनि। सुक सनकादि संभु मन भावनि।। सत संगति दुर्लभ संसारा। निमिष दंड भरि एकउ बारा।। देखु गरुड़ निज हृदयँ बिचारी। मैं रघुबीर भजन अधिकारी।। सकुनाधम सब भाँति अपावन। प्रभु मोहि कीन्ह बिदित जग पावन।।

kaheuṁ nātha hari carita anūpā | byāsa samāsa svamati anurūpā || śruti siddhānta ihai uragārī | rāma bhaji-a saba kāja bisārī || prabhu raghupati taji sei-a kāhī | mohi se saṭha para mamatā jāhī || tumha bigyānarūpa nahiṁ mohā | nātha kīnhi mo para ati chohā || pūchihuṁ rāma kathā ati pāvani | suka sanakādi saṁbhu mana bhāvani || sata saṅgati durlabha saṁsārā | nimiṣa daṁḍa bhari eka-u bārā || dekhu garuṛa nija hṛdayaँ bicārī | maiṁ raghubīra bhajana adhikārī || sakunādhama saba bhāँti apāvana | prabhu mohi kīnha bidita jaga pāvana ||

‘Lord, I have related Hari’s incomparable deeds—briefly, in a Vyasa-like compendium, according to my own understanding. This is the Veda-established conclusion, O foe of serpents: worship Rama, forgetting all other concerns. Leaving Lord Raghupati, whom else should one serve? Yet even toward a fool like me, clinging to petty attachments, there arises affection. You are the very form of discernment and are not deluded; master, you have shown me great kindness. I shall ask the supremely purifying story of Rama—dear to Śuka, Sanaka and the rest, and to Śiva. Holy company is rare in the world—even for the span of a moment. Look, Garuda, and consider in your own heart: I am qualified for the worship of Raghubir. Though I am the lowest of birds and impure in every way, the Lord has made me known as a purifier of the world.’

Verse 248 (दोहा/सोरठा)

आजु धन्य मैं धन्य अति जद्यपि सब बिधि हीन। निज जन जानि राम मोहि संत समागम दीन।।123(क)।। नाथ जथामति भाषेउँ राखेउँ नहिं कछु गोइ। चरित सिंधु रघुनायक थाह कि पावइ कोइ।।123।।

āju dhanya maiṁ dhanya ati jadyapi saba bidhi hīna | nija jana jāni rāma mohi santa samāgama dīna ||123(ka)|| nātha jathāmati bhāṣeuṁ rākhēuṁ nahiṁ kachu goi | carita siṁdhu raghunāyaka thāha ki pāvai koi ||123||

Today I am blessed—blessed beyond measure—though I lack merit in every way. Rama, taking me as His own, has granted me the fellowship of saints. O Master, I have spoken only as my poor mind could; I have hidden nothing. Who can ever fathom the depth of the ocean of deeds of Lord Raghunāyaka?

Verse 249 (चौपाई)

सुमिरि राम के गुन गन नाना। पुनि पुनि हरष भुसुंडि सुजाना।। महिमा निगम नेति करि गाई। अतुलित बल प्रताप प्रभुताई।। सिव अज पूज्य चरन रघुराई। मो पर कृपा परम मृदुलाई।। अस सुभाउ कहुँ सुनउँ न देखउँ। केहि खगेस रघुपति सम लेखउँ।। साधक सिद्ध बिमुक्त उदासी। कबि कोबिद कृतग्य संन्यासी।। जोगी सूर सुतापस ग्यानी। धर्म निरत पंडित बिग्यानी।। तरहिं न बिनु सेएँ मम स्वामी। राम नमामि नमामि नमामी।। सरन गएँ मो से अघ रासी। होहिं सुद्ध नमामि अबिनासी।।

sumiri rāma ke guna gana nānā | puni puni haraṣa bhusuṇḍi sujānā || mahimā nigama neti kari gāī | atulita bala pratāpa prabhutāī || śiva aja pūjya carana raghurāī | mo para kṛpā parama mṛdulāī || asa subhāu kahuṁ sunauṁ na dekhauṁ | kehi khagesa raghupati sama lekhauṁ || sādhaka siddha bimukta udāsī | kabi kobida kṛtajña saṁnyāsī || jogī sūra su-tāpasa gyānī | dharma nirata paṇḍita bigyānī || tarahiṁ na binu seẽ mama svāmī | rāma namāmi namāmi namāmī || śarana gaẽ mo se agha rāsī | hohiṁ suddha namāmi abināsī ||

Remembering Rama’s countless virtues, wise Bhushundi again and again thrilled with joy. The Vedas sing His greatness by the way of ‘neti, neti’; His strength, glory, and sovereignty are incomparable. Even Shiva and Brahma worship the feet of Raghurāi—yet He is supremely gentle and has shown mercy to me. Such a nature I have neither heard of nor seen; with whom, O Garuda, can I compare Raghupati? Ascetics, adepts, the liberated and detached—poets, the discerning, the grateful, renouncers; yogis, heroes, great tapasvins, knowers; scholars devoted to dharma and the learned—none can cross over without serving my Master. Rama, I bow—again I bow, I bow. Even heaps of sin like me, once they take refuge, become purified; I bow to the Imperishable.