The Tale That Becomes a River
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 31
Doha 31 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
The Guru tells the story again and again until a little meaning dawns according to the disciple's small capacity. Years later, Tulsidas binds that remembered current into the people's language. He writes not to display mastery, but to awaken his own mind, trusting whatever discernment he possesses to the prompting of Hari within the heart.
As the story begins to flow, its forms multiply. It becomes a boat across the river of existence, rest for the wise, delight for all, and a serpent that devours the serpents of Kali. It is fuel for the fire of discrimination, a wish fulfilling cow, and the life restoring herb carried toward the fallen. Nectar waves rise upon its earthly Ganga, washing fear away while the serpent of delusion flees the bank.
Against the armies of hell it comes like a goddess of power. Among saints it shines like Lakshmi rising from their ocean. It bears the world's burden with the patience of earth, darkens the faces of Yama's messengers, and opens liberation like Kashi. Tulsi grows upon its shore, Narmada moves through its stone, and Aditi gathers the virtues as her radiant children. All these images circle one truth: Ram Katha gives birth to love for Sita and Ram, and carries that love wherever a listening heart can receive it.
What the child once heard dimly now pours through the world as a river of awakening.
Read the passage from the Manas
तदपि कही गुर बारहिं बारा। समुझि परी कछु मति अनुसारा।। भाषाबद्ध करबि मैं सोई। मोरें मन प्रबोध जेहिं होई।। जस कछु बुधि बिबेक बल मेरें। तस कहिहउँ हियँ हरि के प्रेरें।। निज संदेह मोह भ्रम हरनी। करउँ कथा भव सरिता तरनी।। बुध बिश्राम सकल जन रंजनि। रामकथा कलि कलुष बिभंजनि।। रामकथा कलि पंनग भरनी। पुनि बिबेक पावक कहुँ अरनी।। रामकथा कलि कामद गाई। सुजन सजीवनि मूरि सुहाई।। सोइ बसुधातल सुधा तरंगिनि। भय भंजनि भ्रम भेक भुअंगिनि।। असुर सेन सम नरक निकंदिनि। साधु बिबुध कुल हित गिरिनंदिनि।। संत समाज पयोधि रमा सी। बिस्व भार भर अचल छमा सी।। जम गन मुहँ मसि जग जमुना सी। जीवन मुकुति हेतु जनु कासी।। रामहि प्रिय पावनि तुलसी सी। तुलसिदास हित हियँ हुलसी सी।। सिवप्रय मेकल सैल सुता सी। सकल सिद्धि सुख संपति रासी।। सदगुन सुरगन अंब अदिति सी। रघुबर भगति प्रेम परमिति सी।।
Yet my Guru told it again and again. Gradually, according to my small understanding, something began to dawn. That very story I shall now compose in the common tongue (bhasha). May my own mind find awakening through it.