Is Ram the Prince or the Unborn Brahman?
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 108
Doha 108 · Movement 1 of 2
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Parvati asks Shiva to regard her as his servant and remove ignorance through the many forms of Raghunath's story. One who lives beneath a wish tree should not remain afflicted by poverty; seated beside the moon adorned Lord, she should not remain poor in understanding.
Sages of the highest truth declare Ram to be beginningless Brahman. Shesha, Saraswati, Vedas, and Puranas sing Raghupati's virtues, and Shiva himself repeats Ram's Name with reverence day and night.
Yet the world also knows Ram as the son of Ayodhya's king. Is the forest prince that very Brahman, or is another unborn, attributeless, incomprehensible Reality concealed behind the Name? The ancient question returns, now purified by humility.
Between Dasharatha's son and the unborn Absolute, Parvati places one searching question.
Read the passage from the Manas
जौं मो पर प्रसन्न सुखरासी। जानिअ सत्य मोहि निज दासी।। तौं प्रभु हरहु मोर अग्याना। कहि रघुनाथ कथा बिधि नाना।। जासु भवनु सुरतरु तर होई। सहि कि दरिद्र जनित दुखु सोई।। ससिभूषन अस हृदयँ बिचारी। हरहु नाथ मम मति भ्रम भारी।। प्रभु जे मुनि परमारथबादी। कहहिं राम कहुँ ब्रह्म अनादी।। सेस सारदा बेद पुराना। सकल करहिं रघुपति गुन गाना।। तुम्ह पुनि राम राम दिन राती। सादर जपहु अनँग आराती।। रामु सो अवध नृपति सुत सोई। की अज अगुन अलखगति कोई।।
If you are pleased with me, O treasury of bliss, and if you truly know me as your own servant, then remove my ignorance, dear Lord. Tell me the story of Raghunath in all its many ways.