The Mind Seeks Happiness while Forgetting the Lord Who Liberated Shabari
Aranya Kanda, Doha 36
Doha 36 · Movement 3 of 3
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Tulsidas looks back upon the woman he describes in the severe language of low caste and as a ground of sin. Such a woman has been liberated by Rama. The remembered scene of her meeting with the Lord stands immediately before the poet's rebuke to his own mind.
Then the verse turns directly toward the mind. Utterly foolish, it continues to seek happiness while forgetting such a Lord. It searches among conditions, distinctions, and objects even after witnessing compassion enter Shabari's hermitage and open the way beyond return.
The rebuke is sharp because the evidence is close. Rama has eaten her offering, taught her devotion, declared her dear, revealed the natural self, and received her at his feet. To forget him after this is to leave the spring of happiness and wander out again carrying thirst.
Shabari has reached freedom, yet the foolish mind still searches for happiness away from her Lord.
Read the passage from the Manas
जाति हीन अघ जन्म महि मुक्त कीन्हि असि नारि। महामंद मन सुख चहसि ऐसे प्रभुहि बिसारि।।36।।
Such a Lord has liberated a woman born without standing, born upon this sinful earth. O mahaamanda mana, O utterly foolish mind, you seek sukha while forgetting such a Prabhu!