Which Ram Does Shiva Remember?
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 46
Doha 46 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bharadvaja names his confusion without disguise. Saints, Puranas, and Upanishads proclaim the immeasurable power of Ram's Name. Shiva, imperishable ocean of knowledge and virtue, repeats it constantly. In Kashi, he gives its glory to dying beings of every mode of birth, and through his compassionate instruction they attain the supreme state.
The sage then places the question before Yajnavalkya. Who is this Ram? One Ram is known everywhere as the prince of Ayodhya, son of Dasharatha. He walked the human earth, suffered immeasurably in separation from his wife, burned with resolve, and killed Ravana in battle.
How does that visible life meet the boundless Name upon Shiva's lips? Bharadvaja is not dismissing the prince, nor dividing the Divine. He has reached the threshold where saguna Leela and supreme Reality must be seen together, and he asks the treasure of mercy to make the identity clear.
Between the forest prince and Shiva's eternal mantra, Bharadvaja waits for the veil to lift.
Read the passage from the Manas
अस बिचारि प्रगटउँ निज मोहू। हरहु नाथ करि जन पर छोहू।। राम नाम कर अमित प्रभावा। संत पुरान उपनिषद गावा।। संतत जपत संभु अबिनासी। सिव भगवान ग्यान गुन रासी।। आकर चारि जीव जग अहहीं। कासीं मरत परम पद लहहीं।। सोपि राम महिमा मुनिराया। सिव उपदेसु करत करि दाया।। रामु कवन प्रभु पूछउँ तोही। कहिअ बुझाइ कृपानिधि मोही।। एक राम अवधेस कुमारा। तिन्ह कर चरित बिदित संसारा।। नारि बिरहँ दुखु लहेउ अपारा। भयहु रोषु रन रावनु मारा।।
Thinking thus, I reveal my own delusion. Remove it, O Lord, and show compassion to your servant. I hear the saints constantly speaking of the infinite power of Ram's Name, and it sounds ever sweet.