The Name Sounds Beside the Fires of Kashi
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 119
Doha 119 · Movement 1 of 2
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Shiva remembers Kashi, where the final breath leaves bodies beside the sacred river and funeral fires lift their glow into the night. By the power of Ram's Name, he frees the dying from sorrow. The Lord whose syllables open that passage is Shiva's own Master, ruler of all that moves and does not move, dwelling as the inner witness in every heart.
Even helpless utterance burns sins gathered through countless births. Deliberate remembrance carries the devotee across the ocean of existence as easily as one steps over the small pool held in a cow's hoofprint. Shiva therefore tells Bhavani that Ram is the Supreme Self and that her former words sprang from excessive confusion.
Doubt of this truth consumes knowledge, detachment, and noble qualities. As Shiva's teaching enters her, the constructions of false reasoning collapse. Love and trust rise toward Raghupati's feet, and the terrible shadow of disbelief withdraws from Parvati's heart.
Across the fires of Kashi, one Name carries the departing soul beyond sorrow.
Read the passage from the Manas
कासीं मरत जंतु अवलोकी। जासु नाम बल करउँ बिसोकी।। सोइ प्रभु मोर चराचर स्वामी। रघुबर सब उर अंतरजामी।। बिबसहुँ जासु नाम नर कहहीं। जनम अनेक रचित अघ दहहीं।। सादर सुमिरन जे नर करहीं। भव बारिधि गोपद इव तरहीं।। राम सो परमातमा भवानी। तहँ भ्रम अति अबिहित तव बानी।। अस संसय आनत उर माहीं। ग्यान बिराग सकल गुन जाहीं।। सुनि सिव के भ्रम भंजन बचना। मिटि गै सब कुतरक कै रचना।। भइ रघुपति पद प्रीति प्रतीती। दारुन असंभावना बीती।।
Seeing creatures die in Kashi, by the power of whose Name I free them from all sorrow, that very Lord is my master, the sovereign of all that moves and all that is still. Raghuvar, the knower dwelling in every heart. He is my Lord, the one I serve. Ram, who sees into the depths of every soul. No other refuge do I seek, no other name do I hold so dear.