Rama's Darshan Makes Even Sages Question Renunciation
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 274
Doha 274 · Movement 1 of 2
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The citizens speak with such love that yogis, renunciants, and sages find themselves questioning detachment. This is not attachment to possession, pleasure, or power. It is the irresistible sweetness of belonging to Rama.
After their morning duties, people of every station approach him with bodies thrilled. Each receives darshan according to the capacity of the heart. Rama remains attentive to all, honoring high, low, and middle without neglect. The treasury of compassion seems to look upon each person as if no other stood nearby.
They remember that since childhood his words have protected both moral order and the truth of love. His face, eyes, humility, gentleness, and guileless nature become the subject of every conversation. At last the citizens praise their own fortune: few can possess merit like those whom Rama recognizes and claims as his own.
Before Rama's attentive gaze, social rank falls quiet and even renunciation wonders whether any treasure exceeds being known as his own.
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सुनि सनेहमय पुरजन बानी। निंदहिं जोग बिरति मुनि ग्यानी।। एहि बिधि नित्यकरम करि पुरजन। रामहि करहिं प्रनाम पुलकि तन।। ऊँच नीच मध्यम नर नारी। लहहिं दरसु निज निज अनुहारी।। सावधान सबही सनमानहिं। सकल सराहत कृपानिधानहिं।। लरिकाइहि ते रघुबर बानी। पालत नीति प्रीति पहिचानी।। सील सकोच सिंधु रघुराऊ। सुमुख सुलोचन सरल सुभाऊ।। कहत राम गुन गन अनुरागे। सब निज भाग सराहन लागे।। हम सम पुन्य पुंज जग थोरे। जिन्हहि रामु जानत करि मोरे।।
Hearing the citizens' loving words, even yogis, ascetics, and sages began to question renunciation and detachment. Thus, having completed their daily rituals, the citizens bowed before Rama, their bodies thrilling with joy. Men and women of every station received His darshan, each according to their own devotion. With attentive care they honored Him, and all praised the treasury of compassion. Since childhood, the words of Raghubara upheld righteousness, always recognizing love. Raghurao is an ocean of gentleness and humility, with a beautiful face, lovely eyes, and a guileless nature. Speaking of Rama's virtues with deep affection, all began to praise their own good fortune. "Few in this world have gathered such merit as we, whom Rama knows and claims as His own."