Knowledge without Rama's Love Is Left to Burn
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 291
Doha 291 · Movement 1 of 2
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Vasishtha lets happiness, action, and even dharma burn if love for Rama's lotus feet is absent from them. Yoga and its opposite, knowledge and ignorance, become secondary distinctions wherever Rama's love does not stand foremost.
Without Rama, all are sorrowful; through Rama, they know happiness. He already sees what each heart seeks, and his command rests upon every head. The sage asks him to return to his hermitage, for the council must now move through the human instruments gathered around him.
Rama bows and departs. Vasishtha steadies his own love and goes to Janaka, recounting Rama's modest, affectionate appeal. Then he asks the king to choose the action in which duty and the welfare of everyone remain joined. Wisdom is summoned not away from devotion, but from within its fire.
Vasishtha dismisses every loveless attainment, then carries Rama's appeal to Janaka so wisdom may serve devotion without abandoning dharma.
Read the passage from the Manas
सो सुखु करमु धरमु जरि जाऊ। जहँ न राम पद पंकज भाऊ।। जोगु कुजोगु ग्यानु अग्यानू। जहँ नहिं राम पेम परधानू।। तुम्ह बिनु दुखी सुखी तुम्ह तेहीं। तुम्ह जानहु जिय जो जेहि केहीं।। राउर आयसु सिर सबही कें। बिदित कृपालहि गति सब नीकें।। आपु आश्रमहि धारिअ पाऊ। भयउ सनेह सिथिल मुनिराऊ।। करि प्रनाम तब रामु सिधाए। रिषि धरि धीर जनक पहिं आए।। राम बचन गुरु नृपहि सुनाए। सील सनेह सुभायँ सुहाए।। महाराज अब कीजिअ सोई। सब कर धरम सहित हित होई।।
Rama lovingly counted Bharata's virtues, and for the couple the night slipped by like the blink of an eye. At dawn the royal assembly stirred awake. After bathing, all began their worship of the gods. Raghurai bathed and went to his guru. He bowed at Vasishtha's feet and, receiving permission, spoke. "O master, Bharata, the citizens, and my mothers are all stricken with grief, broken by the sorrow of my forest exile. The king of Mithila and his entire household have borne great distress for many days now. Whatever is right, please do that, O master. The welfare of all rests in your hands." Saying this, Raghurau fell into deep modesty. The sage trembled with joy, beholding such grace of character. "Without you, Rama, every comfort in both kingdoms feels no better than a life in hell."