The Senses Awaken to Ram Katha
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 113
Doha 113 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Shiva accepts Parvati's question because its telling and hearing will benefit everyone. Then his words pass through the senses like a summons. Ears that never receive Hari's story are dark serpent holes. Eyes that never behold saints are only painted circles upon a peacock feather. A head that will not bow before Hari and Guru hangs like a bitter gourd upon its stem.
The imagery grows more searching. A living body without devotion is carried like a corpse. A tongue that never sings Ram's virtues croaks without meaning like a frog in mud. A chest that cannot rejoice when Hari's deeds are heard has hardened beyond thunderbolt and diamond. Each organ becomes fully alive only when it turns toward the sacred.
Beneath the Kailash banyan, Shiva now invites Girija to listen. Ram's Leela brings refuge to the gods and bewilderment to the demons. The long preparation is over. The listener has bowed, the speaker has entered meditation, and the story begins to flow for the welfare of all worlds.
At Shiva's invitation, every sense turns toward the approaching footsteps of Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
तदपि असंका कीन्हिहु सोई। कहत सुनत सब कर हित होई।। जिन्ह हरि कथा सुनी नहिं काना। श्रवन रंध्र अहिभवन समाना।। नयनन्हि संत दरस नहिं देखा। लोचन मोरपंख कर लेखा।। ते सिर कटु तुंबरि समतूला। जे न नमत हरि गुर पद मूला।। जिन्ह हरिभगति हृदयँ नहिं आनी। जीवत सव समान तेइ प्रानी।। जो नहिं करइ राम गुन गाना। जीह सो दादुर जीह समाना।। कुलिस कठोर निठुर सोइ छाती। सुनि हरिचरित न जो हरषाती।। गिरिजा सुनहु राम कै लीला। सुर हित दनुज बिमोहनसीला।।
Yet you have raised this very question, and in its telling and hearing lies the welfare of all. Those whose ears have never received Hari's katha, their ear-holes are no better than the dwelling-places of serpents.