Chapter Six — Obstacles to the Soul’s True Nature

To attain Sri Rama according to one’s own sacred contemplation and remain established in overwhelming supreme bliss is the fruit of attainment. (49, completed)

Anātmany ātma-buddhis tu svātma-śeṣatva-bhāvanā,
Bhagavad-dāsa-vaimukhyaṃ tad-ājñollaṅghanaṃ tathā. (50)

Obstacles begin with mistaking the non-self, the perishable body, for the self; treating bodily offspring and relations as those to whom one ultimately belongs; turning away from Bhagavan’s servants; and transgressing their command.

The body made of five elements is not the self, for the elements themselves do not eat. Through the body, however, the conscious soul experiences hunger, thirst, pleasure, and pain. The conscious power that receives through the gods the fruits of its own action is a portion of the Lord. Everyone knows the five elements, but not everyone knows the soul.

Through the stream of sacred knowledge received from the guru—the embodied grace of Bhagavan—the soul can recognize its natural form. It then ceases to regard the body as its identity and endures bodily pleasure and pain for the sake of the Supreme Self. As the undiscerning worldly person serves the body, the discerning surrendered soul serves Bhagavan:

Lakshmana served Sita and Raghubira just as an undiscerning person serves the body.

Raghunatha, in turn, protects Sita and Lakshmana as the eyelids serve the eyeball:

The Lord guarded them as eyelids guard the pupils of the eyes. Such is Raghubara’s love for you—as pleasure, life, honour, and home are dear to the worldly person.

Brahma-Śakrādi-devānām arcanaṃ vandanādikam,
Asac-chāstrābhilāṣaś ca sac-chāstrasyāvamānanam. (51, continues)

Other obstacles are materially motivated worship and salutation of Brahma, Indra, and other gods; desire for false teachings; and contempt for true scripture.