Rama Reveals the Invisible Chariot That Conquers Samsara
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 80
Doha 81क · Movement 1 of 2
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Vibhishana sees Ravana armored upon a chariot and Rama standing on the ground without chariot, bodily armor, or protection for his feet. Love makes him anxious. He bows and asks how the Lord can conquer so powerful a warrior. Rama calls him friend and turns the battlefield into a place of instruction. The vehicle that wins true victory, he says, is of another order.
Valor and patience are its wheels. Truth and noble conduct are its firm flag and banner. Strength, discernment, self-control, and care for others are the horses, joined by the reins of forgiveness, compassion, and equanimity. Worship of the Lord is the wise charioteer. Detachment is the shield, contentment the sword, charity the axe, intelligence the fierce power, and highest knowledge the strong bow.
A pure, unwavering mind is the quiver. Inner quiet, restraint, and disciplined observance are its many arrows. Reverence for the wise and the guru forms armor that cannot be pierced. Whoever possesses this chariot made of dharma has no enemy anywhere who can defeat him. Rama stands barefoot before the armed king, yet Vibhishana is shown that the decisive equipment of victory cannot be seen from outside.
The chariot of freedom is assembled within, and devotion to the Lord holds every virtue upon its course.
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रावनु रथी बिरथ रघुबीरा। देखि बिभीषन भयउ अधीरा।। अधिक प्रीति मन भा संदेहा। बंदि चरन कह सहित सनेहा।। नाथ न रथ नहिं तन पद त्राना। केहि बिधि जितब बीर बलवाना।। सुनहु सखा कह कृपानिधाना। जेहिं जय होइ सो स्यंदन आना।। सौरज धीरज तेहि रथ चाका। सत्य सील दृढ़ ध्वजा पताका।। बल बिबेक दम परहित घोरे। छमा कृपा समता रजु जोरे।। ईस भजनु सारथी सुजाना। बिरति चर्म संतोष कृपाना।। दान परसु बुधि सक्ति प्रचंड़ा। बर बिग्यान कठिन कोदंडा।। अमल अचल मन त्रोन समाना। सम जम नियम सिलीमुख नाना।। कवच अभेद बिप्र गुर पूजा। एहि सम बिजय उपाय न दूजा।। सखा धर्ममय अस रथ जाकें। जीतन कहँ न कतहुँ रिपु ताकें।।
Ravana rode a chariot, while Raghuvira stood on foot. Seeing this, Vibhishana grew anxious. Out of deep love, doubt arose in his heart. Bowing at Rama's feet, he spoke with tender affection. O Lord, you have no chariot, no armour for your body or feet. How will you conquer this mighty warrior? Listen, dear friend, said Kripanidhana (the Treasury of Compassion). The chariot that wins true victory is of another kind. Sauraja (valour) and dhairya (patience) are the wheels of that chariot. Satya (truth) and sheela (good conduct) are its firm banner and flag. Bala (strength), viveka (discernment), dama (self-control) and parahita (benevolence) are its horses. Kshama (forgiveness), kripa (compassion) and samata (equanimity) are its strong reins. Isha-bhajana (devotion to God) is the skilled charioteer. Virati (detachment) is the shield, and santosha (contentment) the sword. Dana (charity) is the axe, and buddhi (intelligence) the mighty shakti. Supreme vijnana (knowledge) is the excellent, powerful bow. A pure and steady mind is like the quiver. Sama (equanimity), yama (self-restraint) and niyama (moral disciplines) are the many arrows. The impenetrable armour is worship of the wise and the guru. There is no other means of victory equal to this. Friend, one who possesses such a dharma-maya ratha (chariot made of righteousness) has no enemy anywhere who can defeat him.