No Being Can Cross the River of Love
Ayodhya Kanda, Chhand 11
Doha 276 · Movement 2 of 3
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Men and women plunge into an ocean of grief. Their cries rise against cruel fate: what has destiny done, taking a loving king and scattering his house through death, exile, and remorse?
The anguish is not confined to those bound by ordinary attachment. Gods, perfected beings, ascetics, yogis, and sages behold the condition of Janaka's people and stand helpless. Their powers offer no bridge over this water.
Tulsidas names the flood more deeply. It is not merely a river of sorrow, but a river of love. No one in creation possesses the strength to cross it, because crossing would mean leaving the beloved behind. Wisdom may see the opposite shore, yet love chooses to remain in the current where Sita, Rama, and their grieving families are remembered.
Before the river of love, mortal grief and spiritual attainment alike surrender every claim to stand safely on the shore.
Read the passage from the Manas
अवगाहि सोक समुद्र सोचहिं नारि नर ब्याकुल महा। दै दोष सकल सरोष बोलहिं बाम बिधि कीन्हो कहा।। सुर सिद्ध तापस जोगिजन मुनि देखि दसा बिदेह की। तुलसी न समरथु कोउ जो तरि सकै सरित सनेह की।।
Plunging into the samudra of shok, men and women grieved in boundless distress. Full of anger, they blamed fate, crying, 'What has this cruel Vidhi done to us?' Seeing the condition of Videha's people, even the surs, siddhas, taapas, yogis, and munis stood helpless. Tulsidas says: no one in all creation possesses the strength to cross this river of sneh.