Frogs Chant like Students while the Moonlit Earth Becomes a Kingdom of Signs
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 15
Doha 16क · Movement 1 of 2
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Frogs sound from every direction like companies of young students reciting the Vedas. New leaves appear upon countless trees like discernment arriving in a seeker's mind. The ark and jabas plants stand leafless like the schemes of the wicked failing under good rule. Dust has vanished as dharma vanishes before anger, and moonlight enriches the earth like wealth shining in the hands of one who helps others.
Fireflies gather in the dense night like an assembly of the ostentatious. Heavy rain breaks the garden beds, and the verse sets that breached restraint beside its own image of women deteriorating when made independent. Wise farmers remove weeds as the discerning abandon delusion, intoxication, and pride. Chakravaka birds disappear as dharma retreats on meeting the age of Kali.
No grass grows upon barren land however much it rains, as desire does not arise in the heart of Hari's servant. Creatures multiply across the shining earth like a people flourishing under good government. Weary travelers settle wherever they can, as the senses come to rest when knowledge is born. The rain-washed world speaks through frog, leaf, field, moon, bird, and road.
The monsoon makes every creature and field a visible comparison for the movements of inner life.
Read the passage from the Manas
दादुर धुनि चहु दिसा सुहाई। बेद पढ़हिं जनु बटु समुदाई।। नव पल्लव भए बिटप अनेका। साधक मन जस मिलें बिबेका।। अर्क जबास पात बिनु भयऊ। जस सुराज खल उद्यम गयऊ।। खोजत कतहुँ मिलइ नहिं धूरी। करइ क्रोध जिमि धरमहि दूरी।। ससि संपन्न सोह महि कैसी। उपकारी कै संपति जैसी।। निसि तम घन खद्योत बिराजा। जनु दंभिन्ह कर मिला समाजा।। महाबृष्टि चलि फूटि किआरीं । जिमि सुतंत्र भएँ बिगरहिं नारीं।। कृषी निरावहिं चतुर किसाना। जिमि बुध तजहिं मोह मद माना।। देखिअत चक्रबाक खग नाहीं। कलिहि पाइ जिमि धर्म पराहीं।। ऊषर बरषइ तृन नहिं जामा। जिमि हरिजन हियँ उपज न कामा।। बिबिध जंतु संकुल महि भ्राजा। प्रजा बाढ़ जिमि पाइ सुराजा।। जहँ तहँ रहे पथिक थकि नाना। जिमि इंद्रिय गन उपजें ग्याना।।
The sweet song of frogs (daadur) echoes in every direction, as though groups of young students are chanting the Vedas. Countless trees have put forth fresh new leaves, just as viveka (discrimination) dawns in the heart of a sincere seeker. The ark and jabaas plants have shed all their leaves, just as the schemes of the wicked come to nothing under good governance (suraaj). Dust cannot be found anywhere on earth, just as anger drives dharma far away. The earth shines beautifully in the moonlight, like the wealth of one who lives to serve others. Fireflies glitter in the thick darkness of the night, like a gathering of hypocrites (dambhi) who flourish only in the dark. Heavy rains have broken through the garden beds (kiaari), just as a lack of wholesome guidance leads to ruin. Skillful farmers weed their fields with care, just as the wise (budh) uproot delusion, pride, and ego. The chakravaka birds have vanished from sight, just as dharma retreats when the age of Kali arrives. Rain pours upon barren ground, yet no grass grows there, just as desire cannot take root in the heart of a devotee of Hari. The earth teems and shines with creatures of every kind, just as the people prosper under righteous rule. Weary travelers rest here and there, just as the restless senses grow still when true knowledge (gyaana) arises.