Nectar, Poison, and the Nature Within
Bala Kanda, Doha 5ख
Doha 5ख · Movement 2 of 2
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Two vessels stand after the churning of the ocean. One holds nectar, honoured because it confers deathlessness. The other holds poison, terrible and renowned because death travels within it.
Neither is mistaken for the other. Each is known by the power it carries and the result it gives. In the same way, the noble heart finds and enlarges goodness, while the base nature bends toward what is low.
The verse leaves no ornament around this discernment. Fruit reveals the tree. Consequence reveals the substance. What a heart repeatedly seeks through the world discloses the world it has built within itself.
Nectar and poison gleam beneath the same light, each faithful to its nature.
Read the passage from the Manas
भलो भलाइहि पै लहइ लहइ निचाइहि नीचु। सुधा सराहिअ अमरताँ गरल सराहिअ मीचु।।5।।
The good finds only goodness; the low finds only lowness. Nectar is praised because it grants immortality. Poison is praised because it brings death. Each is known by its own nature.