Shabari Enters the Fire of Yoga with Rama's Lotus Feet in Her Heart
Aranya Kanda, Chhand 8
Doha 36 · Movement 2 of 3
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When Shabari has told the whole account, she looks upon Hari's face. The arrival promised by her guru has ripened into service, offering, instruction, and final direction. She places Rama's lotus feet within her heart and holds them there as the hermitage falls quiet around her.
Through the fire of yoga she relinquishes the body and becomes absorbed at Hari's feet. Her journey reaches the place from which there is no return. The woman who could find no language high enough to praise Rama leaves by fixing the whole inward life upon the feet she washed and clasped.
Tulsidas turns from Shabari to the human heart. Many actions, forbidden actions, and competing doctrines bring sorrow. Abandon their bewildering multiplicity, he counsels. Place faith in the path revealed here and let love fasten itself to Rama's feet.
The hermitage keeps the ash of yoga while Shabari rests where Rama's feet never disappear.
Read the passage from the Manas
कहि कथा सकल बिलोकि हरि मुख हृदयँ पद पंकज धरे। तजि जोग पावक देह हरि पद लीन भइ जहँ नहिं फिरे।। नर बिबिध कर्म अधर्म बहु मत सोकप्रद सब त्यागहू। बिस्वास करि कह दास तुलसी राम पद अनुरागहू।।
Having told the entire kathaa and beholding Hari's face, she placed his pad pankaja, his lotus feet, within her hridaya. Abandoning her body in the fire of yoga, she became leen, absorbed, in Hari's feet, reaching that place from which none returns. O men, you pursue so many karmas and adharmas, so many doctrines that only bring shoka, sorrow. Abandon them all. With vishvaasa, with faith, says daas Tulsi: fall in love with Rama's feet alone.