The Rope, the Snake, and the Child in Dasharatha's Courtyard
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 112
Doha 112 · Movement 1 of 2
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Without knowing truth, the false appears real, as a rope in poor light becomes a serpent and fills the body with fear. When reality is recognized, the imagined snake does not need to be killed. It vanishes through seeing.
So the world of delusion disappears upon knowledge as a dream dissolves at waking. Shiva bows to that very Truth in the child form of Ram, whose Name makes every spiritual attainment accessible.
The auspicious abode who destroys inauspiciousness plays in Dasharatha's courtyard. After bowing, Tripurari speaks words sweet as nectar and blesses Parvati. By asking for the Ganga of Ram Katha, she has acted for the welfare and purification of every world.
The snake disappears, and in the cleared light the child Ram plays in Ayodhya.
Read the passage from the Manas
झूठेउ सत्य जाहि बिनु जानें। जिमि भुजंग बिनु रजु पहिचानें।। जेहि जानें जग जाइ हेराई। जागें जथा सपन भ्रम जाई।। बंदउँ बालरूप सोई रामू। सब सिधि सुलभ जपत जिसु नामू।। मंगल भवन अमंगल हारी। द्रवउ सो दसरथ अजिर बिहारी।। करि प्रनाम रामहि त्रिपुरारी। हरषि सुधा सम गिरा उचारी।। धन्य धन्य गिरिराजकुमारी। तुम्ह समान नहिं कोउ उपकारी।। पूँछेहु रघुपति कथा प्रसंगा। सकल लोक जग पावनि गंगा।। तुम्ह रघुबीर चरन अनुरागी। कीन्हहु प्रस्न जगत हित लागी।।
Without knowing that Truth, even the false appears real, just as without recognizing the rope, the snake seems genuine. When that Truth is known, the world vanishes from sight, just as the illusion of a dream dissolves the moment one awakens.