The Devotee's Whole Body Becomes Worship
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 129
Doha 129 · Movement 1 of 2
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Valmiki continues building the inward dwelling through every sense and limb. The nose reverently receives the fragrance of sacred offering. Food is first given to Ram, and garments and ornaments are worn only as grace returned from him.
The head bows before deity, teacher, and learned ones. Hands worship Ram's feet, the heart trusts no other refuge, and feet travel toward the holy places marked by him. The sovereign mantra of his name moves daily through the devotee's speech while the whole divine family is honored together.
Libations, sacred fire, hospitality, and generous giving complete the rhythm. Yet the teacher is cherished even more dearly than the visible Lord and served through every attitude. Nothing remains merely physical. Smell, taste, clothing, gesture, movement, ritual, and relationship become rooms in one living temple.
When every sense and limb turns toward Ram, the human body quietly becomes the architecture of his home.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्रभु प्रसाद सुचि सुभग सुबासा। सादर जासु लहइ नित नासा।। तुम्हहि निबेदित भोजन करहीं। प्रभु प्रसाद पट भूषन धरहीं।। सीस नवहिं सुर गुरु द्विज देखी। प्रीति सहित करि बिनय बिसेषी।। कर नित करहिं राम पद पूजा। राम भरोस हृदयँ नहि दूजा।। चरन राम तीरथ चलि जाहीं। राम बसहु तिन्ह के मन माहीं।। मंत्रराजु नित जपहिं तुम्हारा। पूजहिं तुम्हहि सहित परिवारा।। तरपन होम करहिं बिधि नाना। बिप्र जेवाँइ देहिं बहु दाना।। तुम्ह तें अधिक गुरहि जियँ जानी। सकल भायँ सेवहिं सनमानी।।
Those whose nostrils daily receive, with reverence, the pure and fragrant prasaada of the Lord. Those who eat only food offered first to You, and wear garments and ornaments blessed by Your grace. Those who bow their heads with special tenderness and love on seeing the gods, the guru, and the learned. Those whose hands daily worship Rama's feet, whose hearts hold no trust other than Rama. Those whose own feet walk only to the tirthas hallowed by Rama: O Rama, dwell within their minds. Those who chant Your Name daily as the Mantra-raaja, the sovereign of all mantras, and worship You together with Your whole family. Those who perform tarpana and homa in many prescribed ways, who feed the learned and give abundant daana. Those who hold the guru even dearer than You, and serve that guru in every way with honour and devotion.