Prakarana 9

Verse 168 (चौपाई)

मूदेउँ नयन त्रसित जब भयउँ। पुनि चितवत कोसलपुर गयऊँ।। मोहि बिलोकि राम मुसुकाहीं। बिहँसत तुरत गयउँ मुख माहीं।। उदर माझ सुनु अंडज राया। देखेउँ बहु ब्रह्मांड निकाया।। अति बिचित्र तहँ लोक अनेका। रचना अधिक एक ते एका।। कोटिन्ह चतुरानन गौरीसा। अगनित उडगन रबि रजनीसा।। अगनित लोकपाल जम काला। अगनित भूधर भूमि बिसाला।। सागर सरि सर बिपिन अपारा। नाना भाँति सृष्टि बिस्तारा।। सुर मुनि सिद्ध नाग नर किंनर। चारि प्रकार जीव सचराचर।।

mūdeuṁ nayan trasit jab bhayauṁ, puni citavat kosalapura gayauṁ. mohi biloki rāma musukāhīṁ, bihaṁsat turata gayauṁ mukha māhīṁ. udara mājha sunu aṇḍaja rāyā, dekheuṁ bahu brahmāṇḍa nikāyā. ati bicitra tahaṁ loka anekā, racanā adhika eka te ekā. koṭinhiṁ caturānana gaurīsā, aganita uḍagana rabi rajanīsā. aganita lokapāla jama kālā, aganita bhūdhara bhūmi bisālā. sāgara sari sara bipina apārā, nānā bhāँti sṛṣṭi bistārā. sura muni siddha nāga nara kiṁnara, cāri prakāra jīva sacarācara.

When I grew afraid, I shut my eyes; then, looking again, I found myself in Ayodhya. Rama glanced at me and smiled; and, as He laughed, I was instantly within His mouth. Inside His belly—listen, O king of birds—I beheld hosts upon hosts of universes. There were countless worlds, exceedingly wondrous, each creation more vast than the last: millions of four-faced Brahmās and Shivas, innumerable stars, suns and moons; innumerable guardians of the quarters, Yamas and times; innumerable mountains and broad earths; boundless oceans, rivers, lakes and forests; creation spread out in endless varieties—gods, sages, perfected beings, serpents, men and Kinnaras, and the fourfold life, moving and unmoving.

Verse 169 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जो नहिं देखा नहिं सुना जो मनहूँ न समाइ। सो सब अद्भुत देखेउँ बरनि कवनि बिधि जाइ।।80(क)।। एक एक ब्रह्मांड महुँ रहउँ बरष सत एक। एहि बिधि देखत फिरउँ मैं अंड कटाह अनेक।।80(ख)।।

jo nahiṁ dekhā nahiṁ sunā jo manahūṁ na samāi, so saba adbhuta dekheuṁ barani kavan bidhi jāi. 80(ka) eka eka brahmāṇḍa mahuṁ rahauṁ baraṣa sata eka, ehi bidhi dekhat phirauṁ maiṁ aṇḍa kaṭāha aneka. 80(kha)

What was never seen, never heard, what cannot even be contained by the mind—I saw all that wonder; how can it be described? In each single universe I stayed a full hundred years; thus I wandered on, beholding countless cosmic ‘egg-shells’ one after another.

Verse 170 (चौपाई)

लोक लोक प्रति भिन्न बिधाता। भिन्न बिष्नु सिव मनु दिसित्राता।। नर गंधर्ब भूत बेताला। किंनर निसिचर पसु खग ब्याला।। देव दनुज गन नाना जाती। सकल जीव तहँ आनहि भाँती।। महि सरि सागर सर गिरि नाना। सब प्रपंच तहँ आनइ आना।। अंडकोस प्रति प्रति निज रुपा। देखेउँ जिनस अनेक अनूपा।। अवधपुरी प्रति भुवन निनारी। सरजू भिन्न भिन्न नर नारी।। दसरथ कौसल्या सुनु ताता। बिबिध रूप भरतादिक भ्राता।। प्रति ब्रह्मांड राम अवतारा। देखउँ बालबिनोद अपारा।।

loka loka prati bhinna bidhātā, bhinna biṣṇu siva manu disitrātā. nara gandharba bhūta betālā, kiṁnara nisicara pasu khaga byālā. deva danuja gana nānā jātī, sakala jīva tahaṁ ānahi bhāँtī. mahi sari sāgara sara giri nānā, saba prapañca tahaṁ ānai ānā. aṇḍakosa prati prati nija rūpā, dekheuṁ jinasa aneka anūpā. avadhapurī prati bhuvana ninārī, sarajū bhinna bhinna nara nārī. dasaratha kausalya sunu tātā, bibidha rūpa bharatādika bhrātā. prati brahmāṇḍa rāma avatārā, dekhauṁ bāla-binoda apārā.

In world after world the creator was different; different were Vishnu, Shiva, Manu, and the guardians of the quarters. There were men, Gandharvas, ghosts and Vetālas; Kinnaras, demons, beasts, birds and serpents; gods and demons of many kinds—every sort of living being, in countless forms. There were earths, rivers, oceans, lakes and mountains—every apparatus of existence, each in its own way. In each cosmic egg I saw distinct and peerless varieties. In each universe I recognized an Ayodhya; the Sarayu too was different, with different men and women. Dasaratha and Kausalya—listen, O dear one—and the brothers beginning with Bharata appeared in varied forms. In every universe I saw Rama’s descent, and His boundless childlike play.

Verse 171 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भिन्न भिन्न मै दीख सबु अति बिचित्र हरिजान। अगनित भुवन फिरेउँ प्रभु राम न देखेउँ आन।।81(क)।। सोइ सिसुपन सोइ सोभा सोइ कृपाल रघुबीर। भुवन भुवन देखत फिरउँ प्रेरित मोह समीर।।81(ख)

bhinna bhinna maiṁ dīkha sabu ati bicitra harijān, aganita bhuvana phireuṁ prabhu rāma na dekheuṁ ān. 81(ka) soi sisupan soi sobhā soi kṛpāla raghubīra, bhuvana bhuvana dekhat phirauṁ prerita moha samīra. 81(kha)

All was different—each thing wondrous in its own way, O servant of Hari. I roamed through numberless worlds, yet I saw none but Lord Rama. The same childhood, the same beauty, the same compassionate hero of Raghu: driven by the wind of delusion, I wandered from world to world, still looking.

Verse 172 (चौपाई)

भ्रमत मोहि ब्रह्मांड अनेका। बीते मनहुँ कल्प सत एका।। फिरत फिरत निज आश्रम आयउँ। तहँ पुनि रहि कछु काल गवाँयउँ।। निज प्रभु जन्म अवध सुनि पायउँ। निर्भर प्रेम हरषि उठि धायउँ।। देखउँ जन्म महोत्सव जाई। जेहि बिधि प्रथम कहा मैं गाई।। राम उदर देखेउँ जग नाना। देखत बनइ न जाइ बखाना।। तहँ पुनि देखेउँ राम सुजाना। माया पति कृपाल भगवाना।। करउँ बिचार बहोरि बहोरी। मोह कलिल ब्यापित मति मोरी।। उभय घरी महँ मैं सब देखा। भयउँ भ्रमित मन मोह बिसेषा।।

bhramat mohi brahmāṇḍa anekā, bīte manahuṁ kalpa sata ekā. phirat phirat nija āśrama āyauṁ, tahaṁ puni rahi kachu kāla gavāँyauṁ. nija prabhu janma avadha suni pāyauṁ, nirbhara prema haraṣi uṭhi dhāyauṁ. dekhauṁ janma mahotsava jāī, jehi bidhi prathama kahā maiṁ gāī. rāma udara dekheuṁ jaga nānā, dekhat banai na jāi bakhānā. tahaṁ puni dekheuṁ rāma sujānā, māyā pati kṛpāla bhagavānā. karauṁ bicāra bahori bahorī, moha kalila byāpita mati morī. ubhau ghari mahaँ maiṁ saba dekhā, bhayauṁ bhramita mana moha biseṣā.

As I wandered through countless universes, it seemed that a hundred aeons passed. Roaming on and on, I returned to my hermitage and stayed there some time. Then I heard of my Lord’s birth in Ayodhya; with unbounded love I rose in joy and ran to behold the festival of His birth, just as I first related it in my tale. Again I saw within Rama’s belly the many worlds—so much that, though I looked, it cannot be described. And there again I beheld Rama the all-wise, the compassionate Lord, master of māyā. I reflect again and again, yet my understanding is clouded by delusion’s mire. In both conditions I saw everything, and my mind grew especially bewildered.

Verse 173 (दोहा/सोरठा)

देखि कृपाल बिकल मोहि बिहँसे तब रघुबीर। बिहँसतहीं मुख बाहेर आयउँ सुनु मतिधीर।।82(क)।।

dekhi kṛpāla bikala mohi bihaṁse taba raghubīra | bihaṁsatahiṁ mukha bāhera āyuṁ sunu matidhīra ||82(ka)||

Seeing me overwhelmed, the Compassionate Hero of Raghu’s line smiled. The very moment He smiled, I came forth from His mouth—listen, O steady-minded one.

Verse 174 (चौपाई)

सोइ लरिकाई मो सन करन लगे पुनि राम। कोटि भाँति समुझावउँ मनु न लहइ बिश्राम।।82(ख)।।

soi larikāī mo sana karana lage puni rāma | koṭi bhāṁti samujhāvuṁ manu na lahai biśrāma ||82(kha)||

Then Rama began again to sport with me in that childlike way. I try to comprehend it in countless ways, yet my mind finds no repose.

Verse 175 (दोहा/सोरठा)

देखि चरित यह सो प्रभुताई। समुझत देह दसा बिसराई।। धरनि परेउँ मुख आव न बाता। त्राहि त्राहि आरत जन त्राता।। प्रेमाकुल प्रभु मोहि बिलोकी। निज माया प्रभुता तब रोकी।। कर सरोज प्रभु मम सिर धरेऊ। दीनदयाल सकल दुख हरेऊ।। कीन्ह राम मोहि बिगत बिमोहा। सेवक सुखद कृपा संदोहा।। प्रभुता प्रथम बिचारि बिचारी। मन महँ होइ हरष अति भारी।। भगत बछलता प्रभु कै देखी। उपजी मम उर प्रीति बिसेषी।। सजल नयन पुलकित कर जोरी। कीन्हिउँ बहु बिधि बिनय बहोरी।।

dekhi carita yaha so prabhutāī | samujhata deha dasā bisarāī || dharani pareuṁ mukha āva na bātā | trāhi trāhi ārata jana trātā || premākula prabhu mohi bilokī | nija māyā prabhutā taba rokī || kara saroja prabhu mama sira dhareū | dīnadayāla sakala dukha hareū || kīnha rāma mohi bigata bimoha | sevaka sukhada kṛpā saṁdoha || prabhutā prathama bicāri bicārī | mana mahaṁ hoi haraṣa ati bhārī || bhagata bachalatā prabhu kai dekhī | upajī mama ura prīti biseṣī || sajala nayana pulakita kara jorī | kīnhiuṁ bahu bidhi binaya bahorī ||

Beholding that act—such sovereign majesty—I understood, and forgot the body’s condition. I fell upon the earth; no words came to my mouth: “Save me, save me, O rescuer of the afflicted!” The Lord, stirred with love, looked upon me; then He checked His own majesty by His māyā. Placing His lotus-hand upon my head, the Merciful to the lowly removed all my sorrow. Rama freed me from delusion—He, a heap of grace, who gives joy to His servant. When I first reflected on His lordship, my heart swelled with immense gladness; but seeing the Lord’s tenderness for devotees, a special love arose within me. With tears in my eyes, my hands joined and my body thrilled, I again and again offered supplication in many ways.

Verse 176 (चौपाई)

सुनि सप्रेम मम बानी देखि दीन निज दास। बचन सुखद गंभीर मृदु बोले रमानिवास।।83(क)।।

suni saprema mama bānī dekhi dīna nija dāsa | bacana sukhada gambhīra mṛdu bole ramānivāsa ||83(ka)||

Hearing my loving words, and seeing His own servant so helpless, the Abode of Lakshmi spoke—gentle, profound, and soothing words.

Verse 177 (दोहा/सोरठा)

काकभसुंडि मागु बर अति प्रसन्न मोहि जानि। अनिमादिक सिधि अपर रिधि मोच्छ सकल सुख खानि।।83(ख)।।

kāka-bhasuṇḍi māgu bara ati prasanna mohi jāni | aṇimādika sidhi apara ridhi moccha sakala sukha khāni ||83(kha)||

“Kakbhushundi, ask a boon,” He said, knowing me to be greatly pleased—“the perfections beginning with aṇimā, other riches, liberation, a treasury of every joy.”

Verse 178 (चौपाई)

एवमस्तु कहि रघुकुलनायक। बोले बचन परम सुखदायक।। सुनु बायस तैं सहज सयाना। काहे न मागसि अस बरदाना।। सब सुख खानि भगति तैं मागी। नहिं जग कोउ तोहि सम बड़भागी।। जो मुनि कोटि जतन नहिं लहहीं। जे जप जोग अनल तन दहहीं।। रीझेउँ देखि तोरि चतुराई। मागेहु भगति मोहि अति भाई।। सुनु बिहंग प्रसाद अब मोरें। सब सुभ गुन बसिहहिं उर तोरें।। भगति ग्यान बिग्यान बिरागा। जोग चरित्र रहस्य बिभागा।। जानब तैं सबही कर भेदा। मम प्रसाद नहिं साधन खेदा।।

evamastu kahi raghukulanāyaka | बोले bacana parama sukhadāyaka || sunu bāyasa taiṁ sahaja sayānā | kāhe na māgasi asa baradānā || saba sukha khāni bhagati taiṁ māgī | nahiṁ jaga kou tohi sama baṛabhāgī || jo muni koṭi jatana nahiṁ lahahīṁ | je japa joga anala tana dahahīṁ || rīझeuँ dekhi tori caturāī | māgehu bhagati mohi ati bhāī || sunu bihaṅga prasāda aba moreṁ | saba subha guna basihahiṁ ura toreṁ || bhagati gyāna bigyāna birāgā | joga caritra rahasya bibhāgā || jānaba taiṁ sabahī kara bhedā | mama prasāda nahiṁ sādhana kheḍā ||

Saying, “So be it,” the Lord of Raghu’s line spoke words that bestow supreme delight: “Listen, O crow—wise by nature—why would you not ask for such a boon? Devotion is the very mine of all happiness; none in the world is as fortunate as you. What countless sages do not obtain despite immense striving—burning their bodies with austerity, repetition, and yoga— I have granted, pleased by your discernment: you asked for devotion, which is exceedingly dear to Me. Hear, O bird: by My grace, all noble virtues shall dwell within your heart— devotion, knowledge, realized discernment, detachment, yoga, holy conduct, and the divisions of inner mysteries. You shall know the distinctions of all; by My grace there will be no weariness of spiritual effort for you.”

Verse 179 (दोहा/सोरठा)

माया संभव भ्रम सब अब न ब्यापिहहिं तोहि। जानेसु ब्रह्म अनादि अज अगुन गुनाकर मोहि।।85(क)।। मोहि भगत प्रिय संतत अस बिचारि सुनु काग। कायँ बचन मन मम पद करेसु अचल अनुराग।।85(ख)।।

māyā saṁbhava bhrama saba aba na byāpihahiṁ tohi | jānesu brahma anādi aja aguna guṇākara mohi ||85(ka)|| mohi bhagata priya saṁtata asa bicāri sunu kāga | kāyaṁ bacana mana mama pada karesu acala anurāga ||85(kha)||

All delusions born of māyā shall no longer trouble you, for you shall know Me as Brahman—beginningless, unborn—beyond qualities, yet the very treasury of qualities. My devotees are ever dear to Me—hold this thought always, O crow: with body, speech, and mind, fix an unmoving love upon My feet.

Verse 180 (चौपाई)

अब सुनु परम बिमल मम बानी। सत्य सुगम निगमादि बखानी।। निज सिद्धांत सुनावउँ तोही। सुनु मन धरु सब तजि भजु मोही।। मम माया संभव संसारा। जीव चराचर बिबिधि प्रकारा।। सब मम प्रिय सब मम उपजाए। सब ते अधिक मनुज मोहि भाए।। तिन्ह महँ द्विज द्विज महँ श्रुतिधारी। तिन्ह महुँ निगम धरम अनुसारी।। तिन्ह महँ प्रिय बिरक्त पुनि ग्यानी। ग्यानिहु ते अति प्रिय बिग्यानी।। तिन्ह ते पुनि मोहि प्रिय निज दासा। जेहि गति मोरि न दूसरि आसा।। पुनि पुनि सत्य कहउँ तोहि पाहीं। मोहि सेवक सम प्रिय कोउ नाहीं।। भगति हीन बिरंचि किन होई। सब जीवहु सम प्रिय मोहि सोई।। भगतिवंत अति नीचउ प्रानी। मोहि प्रानप्रिय असि मम बानी।।

aba sunu parama bimala mama bānī | satya sugama nigamādi bakhānī || nija siddhānta sunāvaüṁ tohī | sunu mana dharu saba taji bhaju mohī || mama māyā saṁbhava saṁsārā | jīva carācara bibidhi prakārā || saba mama priya saba mama upajāe | saba te adhika manuja mohi bhāe || tinha maṁha dvija dvija maṁha śrutidhārī | tinha mahuṁ nigama dharama anusārī || tinha maṁha priya birakta puni gyānī | gyānihu te ati priya bigyānī || tinha te puni mohi priya nija dāsā | jehi gati mori na dūsari āsā || puni puni satya kahauṁ tohi pāhīṁ | mohi sevaka sama priya kou nāhīṁ || bhagati hīna birañci kina hoī | saba jīvahu sama priya mohi soī || bhagativanta ati nīcau prānī | mohi prānapriya asi mama bānī ||

Now listen to My supremely pure speech—true, easy to grasp, and proclaimed by the Vedas and the rest. I shall tell you My settled doctrine: hold it in your heart—renouncing all else, worship Me. This world arises from My māyā, with beings moving and unmoving in many kinds. All are dear to Me, for all are born of Me; yet among all, the human pleases Me most. Among humans, the twice-born; among them, the bearers of śruti; among them, those who follow Vedic dharma. Among them, the detached and the knowers; and dearer than mere knowers are those with realized discernment. Yet dearer still to Me is My own servant, whose only hope is My path. Again and again I tell you the truth: none is as dear to Me as My servant. Even if one were Brahmā, without devotion what is he? Such a one is dear to Me only as any other creature. But a devotee—even if of the lowest station—is dear to Me as My very life: such is My word.

Verse 181 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुचि सुसील सेवक सुमति प्रिय कहु काहि न लाग। श्रुति पुरान कह नीति असि सावधान सुनु काग।।86।।

suci susīla sevaka sumati priya kahu kāhi na lāga | śruti purāna kaha nīti asi sāvadhāna sunu kāga ||86||

Who would not love a servant who is pure, gentle in conduct, and of sound judgment? Śruti and Purāṇa proclaim this as the rule of right conduct—be attentive, O crow.

Verse 182 (चौपाई)

एक पिता के बिपुल कुमारा। होहिं पृथक गुन सील अचारा।। कोउ पंडिंत कोउ तापस ग्याता। कोउ धनवंत सूर कोउ दाता।। कोउ सर्बग्य धर्मरत कोई। सब पर पितहि प्रीति सम होई।। कोउ पितु भगत बचन मन कर्मा। सपनेहुँ जान न दूसर धर्मा।। सो सुत प्रिय पितु प्रान समाना। जद्यपि सो सब भाँति अयाना।। एहि बिधि जीव चराचर जेते। त्रिजग देव नर असुर समेते।। अखिल बिस्व यह मोर उपाया। सब पर मोहि बराबरि दाया।। तिन्ह महँ जो परिहरि मद माया। भजै मोहि मन बच अरू काया।।

eka pitā ke bipula kumārā | hohiṁ pṛthaka guna sīla acārā || kou paṇḍiṁta kou tāpasa gyātā | kou dhanavanta sūra kou dātā || kou sarbagya dharmarata koī | saba para pitahi prīti sama hoī || kou pitu bhagata bacana mana karmā | sapanehuँ jāna na dūsara dharmā || so suta priya pitu prāna samānā | jadyapi so saba bhāँti ayānā || ehi bidhi jīva carācara jete | trijaga deva nara asura samete || akhila bisva yaha mora upāyā | saba para mohi barābari dāyā || tinha maṁha jo parihari mada māyā | bhajai mohi mana baca arū kāyā ||

From one father may come many sons, each different in qualities, temperament, and conduct: one a scholar, one an ascetic knower; one wealthy, one heroic, one a giver; one widely wise, another devoted to righteousness—yet the father’s affection is equal toward all. But if one child is devoted to the father in word, mind, and deed, knowing no other duty even in dream, that son becomes dear to the father as his very life—though he may be ignorant in every other way. So it is with all beings, moving and unmoving, throughout the three worlds—gods, humans, and demons alike: this whole universe is My creation, and My compassion is equal toward all. Yet among them, whoever abandons pride and delusion and worships Me with mind, speech, and body—(is especially dear).

Verse 183 (दोहा/सोरठा)

पुरूष नपुंसक नारि वा जीव चराचर कोइ। सर्ब भाव भज कपट तजि मोहि परम प्रिय सोइ।।87(क)।। सत्य कहउँ खग तोहि सुचि सेवक मम प्रानप्रिय। अस बिचारि भजु मोहि परिहरि आस भरोस सब।।87(ख)।।

puruṣa napuṃsaka nāri vā jīva carācara koi | sarba bhāva bhaja kapaṭa taji mohi parama priya soi ||87(k)|| satya kahauṁ khaga tohi suci sevaka mama prāṇa-priya | asa bicāri bhaju mohi parihari āsa bharosa saba ||87(kh)||

Be one a man, a woman, or of neutral sex—any creature, moving or unmoving—whoever worships Me with the whole heart, casting off all deceit, is supremely dear to Me. I tell you the truth, O Bird-king: the pure and sincere servant is dear to Me as life itself. Therefore, reflect thus and adore Me, abandoning every other hope and reliance.

Verse 184 (चौपाई)

कबहूँ काल न ब्यापिहि तोही। सुमिरेसु भजेसु निरंतर मोही।। प्रभु बचनामृत सुनि न अघाऊँ। तनु पुलकित मन अति हरषाऊँ।। सो सुख जानइ मन अरु काना। नहिं रसना पहिं जाइ बखाना।। प्रभु सोभा सुख जानहिं नयना। कहि किमि सकहिं तिन्हहि नहिं बयना।। बहु बिधि मोहि प्रबोधि सुख देई। लगे करन सिसु कौतुक तेई।। सजल नयन कछु मुख करि रूखा। चितइ मातु लागी अति भूखा।। देखि मातु आतुर उठि धाई। कहि मृदु बचन लिए उर लाई।। गोद राखि कराव पय पाना। रघुपति चरित ललित कर गाना।।

kabhū̃ kāla na byāpihi tohī | sumiresu bhajesu niraṃtara mohī || prabhu bacanāmṛta suni na aghāū̃ | tanu pulakita mana ati haraṣāū̃ || so sukha jānai mana aru kānā | nahiṁ rasanā pahiṁ jāi bakhānā || prabhu sobhā sukha jānahim̐ nayanā | kahi kimi sakahim̐ tinhahi nahiṁ bayanā || bahu bidhi mohi prabodhi sukha deī | lage karana sisu kautuka teī || sajala nayana kachu mukha kari rūkhā | citai mātu lāgī ati bhūkhā || dekhi mātu ātura uṭhi dhāī | kahi mṛdu bacana liye ura lāī || goda rākhi karāva paya pānā | raghupati carita lalita kari gānā ||

Never shall Time afflict you, if you remember and worship Me unceasingly. Hearing the Lord’s nectar-speech, I am not sated; my body thrills and my mind overflows with joy. That bliss is known to the mind and the ear; the tongue cannot reach it to describe. The eyes know the Lord’s beauty and delight; how can they tell it, having no words? In many ways He awakened me and bestowed joy—like a child absorbed in play. With tear-filled eyes, and at times a feigned stern face, He glanced—like one very hungry watching his mother. Seeing him, the mother, distressed, runs up; speaking gentle words she takes him to her breast. Setting him on her lap, she makes him drink milk, and sings the graceful deeds of Raghu’s Lord.

Verse 185 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जेहि सुख लागि पुरारि असुभ बेष कृत सिव सुखद। अवधपुरी नर नारि तेहि सुख महुँ संतत मगन।।88(क)।। सोइ सुख लवलेस जिन्ह बारक सपनेहुँ लहेउ। ते नहिं गनहिं खगेस ब्रह्मसुखहि सज्जन सुमति।।88(ख)।।

jehi sukha lāgi purāri asubha beṣa kṛta siva sukhada | avadhapurī nara nāri tehi sukha mahuṁ saṃtata magana ||88(k)|| soi sukha lava-lesa jinha bāraka sapanehū̃ laheu | te nahiṁ ganahiṁ khagesa brahmasukhahi sajjana sumati ||88(kh)||

For the sake of that bliss, even Shiva—foe of Tripura—assumes rough ascetic guise; yet the men and women of Ayodhya remain ever immersed in that same joy. Those who have obtained but the slightest trace of it—even as children, even in a dream—O Lord of birds, the wise and good do not count as anything the so-called bliss of Brahman.

Verse 186 (चौपाई)

मैं पुनि अवध रहेउँ कछु काला। देखेउँ बालबिनोद रसाला।। राम प्रसाद भगति बर पायउँ। प्रभु पद बंदि निजाश्रम आयउँ।। तब ते मोहि न ब्यापी माया। जब ते रघुनायक अपनाया।। यह सब गुप्त चरित मैं गावा। हरि मायाँ जिमि मोहि नचावा।। निज अनुभव अब कहउँ खगेसा। बिनु हरि भजन न जाहि कलेसा।। राम कृपा बिनु सुनु खगराई। जानि न जाइ राम प्रभुताई।। जानें बिनु न होइ परतीती। बिनु परतीति होइ नहिं प्रीती।। प्रीति बिना नहिं भगति दिढ़ाई। जिमि खगपति जल कै चिकनाई।।

maiṁ puni avadha raheuṁ kachu kālā | dekheuṁ bāla-binoda rasālā || rāma prasāda bhagati bara pāyauṁ | prabhu pada bandi nijāśrama āyauṁ || taba te mohi na byāpī māyā | jaba te raghunāyaka apanāyā || yaha saba gupta carita maiṁ gāvā | hari māyāṁ jimi mohi nacāvā || nija anubhava aba kahauṁ khagesā | binu hari bhajana na jāhi kalesā || rāma kṛpā binu sunu khagarāī | jāni na jāi rāma prabhutāī || jāneṁ binu na hoi paratītī | binu paratīti hoi nahiṁ prītī || prīti binā nahiṁ bhagati diṛhāī | jimi khagapati jala kai cikanāī ||

I too remained in Ayodhya for some time and witnessed the Lord’s childlike, rasa-filled sports. By Rama’s grace I obtained the boon of devotion; bowing to the Lord’s feet I returned to my own hermitage. From that time Māyā did not overpower me—since the moment the Lord of Raghu took me as His own. All these hidden dealings I have sung—how Hari’s Māyā made me dance. Now I speak from my own experience, O Bird-king: without worship of Hari, affliction does not depart. Without Rama’s grace—listen, O king of birds—Rama’s lordship cannot be known. Without knowing, conviction does not arise; without conviction, love does not arise. Without love, devotion has no firmness—like, O lord of birds, the slickness of water.

Verse 187 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बिनु गुर होइ कि ग्यान ग्यान कि होइ बिराग बिनु। गावहिं बेद पुरान सुख कि लहिअ हरि भगति बिनु।।89(क)।। कोउ बिश्राम कि पाव तात सहज संतोष बिनु। चलै कि जल बिनु नाव कोटि जतन पचि पचि मरिअ।।89(ख)।।

binu guru hoi ki gyāna gyāna ki hoi birāga binu | gāvahiṁ beda purāna sukha ki lahi-a hari bhagati binu ||89(k)|| kou bisrāma ki pāva tāta sahaja saṃtoṣa binu | calai ki jala binu nāva koṭi jatana paci paci mari-a ||89(kh)||

Without a Guru, can there be knowledge? And what is knowledge without dispassion? Though one may sing the Vedas and Purāṇas, can happiness be attained without devotion to Hari? Can anyone find repose, dear friend, without natural contentment? Can a boat move without water?—one may make a million efforts, yet one only wastes away and dies.