The Servant Sees Ram Everywhere with Bow in Hand
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 131
Doha 131 · Movement 1 of 2
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The worthy heart releases faults and gathers virtues wherever they appear. It accepts hardship for the gentle and learned, understands righteous conduct, recognizes Ram's qualities, and remains honest about its own shortcomings. Trust rests wholly in the Lord, and his devotees are received with love.
Caste, lineage, wealth, religious prestige, renown, family attachment, and domestic ease are loosened from the center. What remains is Ram held close within. Heaven, hell, and liberation become equal because the beloved form, bow and arrows in hand, is seen everywhere.
Such a person belongs to Ram through deed, word, and mind. Renunciation is not measured by visible poverty but by the ending of every rival claim upon identity. The servant carries no private territory that refuses the Master, and therefore every place becomes the place where Ram is already encountered.
When every status and destination falls level, the servant looks in all directions and sees only Ram standing ready with his bow.
Read the passage from the Manas
अवगुन तजि सब के गुन गहहीं। बिप्र धेनु हित संकट सहहीं।। नीति निपुन जिन्ह कइ जग लीका। घर तुम्हार तिन्ह कर मनु नीका।। गुन तुम्हार समुझइ निज दोसा। जेहि सब भाँति तुम्हार भरोसा।। राम भगत प्रिय लागहिं जेही। तेहि उर बसहु सहित बैदेही।। जाति पाँति धनु धरम बड़ाई। प्रिय परिवार सदन सुखदाई।। सब तजि तुम्हहि रहइ उर लाई। तेहि के हृदयँ रहहु रघुराई।। सरगु नरकु अपबरगु समाना। जहँ तहँ देख धरें धनु बाना।। करम बचन मन राउर चेरा। राम करहु तेहि कें उर डेरा।।
Those who overlook faults and cherish the virtues of all, who endure hardship for the sake of the learned and the gentle. Those skilled in righteousness whose conduct the world follows. May their pure hearts become Your home. One who understands Your virtues and recognises his own faults, who trusts You completely in every way. One to whom Rama's devotees are dear. In that heart, O Lord, dwell together with Vaidehi. Caste, lineage, wealth, religious merit, renown, beloved family, and a comfortable home. One who renounces all these and holds only You in his heart. In that heart, O Raghurai, make Your abode. To whom heaven, hell, and liberation are all the same, for wherever he looks he sees You with bow and arrow in hand. One who is Your servant in deed, word, and mind. O Rama, make Your dwelling in that faithful heart.