Rama Completes the Ninefold Path and Reveals Shabari's Natural Self
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 34
Doha 36 · Movement 1 of 3
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The fifth devotion is repetition of the mantra with firm faith in Rama, as the Vedas reveal. The sixth gathers self-control, good conduct, detachment from excessive activity, and constancy in the dharma of the good. The seventh sees the whole world equally pervaded by Rama and regards the saints as greater than the Lord himself. The eighth remains content with whatever comes and refuses, even in a dream, to search for another's fault. The ninth is simple and guileless with everyone, trusting Rama without being thrown into elation or dejection.
Anyone, woman or man, moving creature or unmoving life, who possesses even one of these nine is exceedingly dear to Rama. In Shabari, he says, every form of bhakti stands firm. The destiny difficult even for companies of yogis has become easy for her today. The incomparable fruit of Rama's sight is that the living being attains its own natural and original form.
Rama then asks whether she knows anything of Janaka's daughter. Shabari directs him toward Lake Pampa, where friendship with Sugriva will arise and the vanara king will tell him all. She knows that the wise Lord already knows, yet she answers the question with love. Again and again she bows at his feet and recounts the whole path before him.
Rama counts nine doors of devotion, then tells Shabari that all nine already stand open within her.
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मंत्र जाप मम दृढ़ बिस्वासा। पंचम भजन सो बेद प्रकासा।। छठ दम सील बिरति बहु करमा। निरत निरंतर सज्जन धरमा।। सातवँ सम मोहि मय जग देखा। मोतें संत अधिक करि लेखा।। आठवँ जथालाभ संतोषा। सपनेहुँ नहिं देखइ परदोषा।। नवम सरल सब सन छलहीना। मम भरोस हियँ हरष न दीना।। नव महुँ एकउ जिन्ह के होई। नारि पुरुष सचराचर कोई।। सोइ अतिसय प्रिय भामिनि मोरे। सकल प्रकार भगति दृढ़ तोरें।। जोगि बृंद दुरलभ गति जोई। तो कहुँ आजु सुलभ भइ सोई।। मम दरसन फल परम अनूपा। जीव पाव निज सहज सरूपा।। जनकसुता कइ सुधि भामिनी। जानहि कहु करिबरगामिनी।। पंपा सरहि जाहु रघुराई। तहँ होइहि सुग्रीव मिताई।। सो सब कहिहि देव रघुबीरा। जानतहूँ पूछहु मतिधीरा।। बार बार प्रभु पद सिरु नाई। प्रेम सहित सब कथा सुनाई।।
The fifth is mantra jaapa with dridha vishvaasa, firm faith in me, as the Vedas reveal. The sixth is dama (self-control), sheela (good conduct), virati (detachment) from many karmas, and constant devotion to the dharma of the good. The seventh is to see the whole jagat as pervaded by me equally, and to regard the saints as greater than myself. The eighth is santosha, contentment with whatever comes, never seeing another's dosha even in dreams. The ninth is saraltaa, simplicity, being without chhal toward all, carrying trust in me in the heart, with neither elation nor despair. Anyone among all beings, naari or purusha, moving or still, who possesses even one of these nine; that soul is atisaya priya, supremely dear to me, O gentle one. And in you, every form of bhagati stands firm. The gati that great yogis find durlabha, difficult to attain, has today become sulabha, easy, for you. The supreme, incomparable fruit of my darshana is this: the jeeva attains its own sahaja svaroopa, its true and natural form. 'O beautiful one, gajer like a graceful elephant in her walk, do you know any news of Janaki, Janaka's daughter?' 'Go to Pampa Sarovara, O Raghuraai. There you will find the friendship of Sugriva.' 'He will tell you everything, O Raghubeera.' Though you know all, you ask with steady wisdom, O Lord. Again and again she bowed her head at Prabhu's feet, and with prema she told him the whole kathaa.