राम
Contemplative Interlude

Rama Rejects Every Devotion Built Upon Hatred Between Him and Shiva

Lanka Kanda, Doha 2

Doha 2 · Movement 2 of 2

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Two forms of divided devotion stand before Rama's declaration. One claims love for Shankara while carrying hatred toward Rama. The other names itself Rama's servant while turning in hostility from Shiva.

Both attempt to make worship from separation. Each takes the beloved Lord as an argument against the one that Lord himself adores. Beneath such devotion, reverence has hardened into identity and love has become a weapon.

Rama offers no gentle approval to the contradiction. Those who persist in either hatred dwell in terrible darkness for the measure of a cosmic age. The severity protects an indivisible sacred friendship. Upon the shore at Rameshwaram, true bhakti bows with Rama before Shiva and receives Shiva's heart turning forever toward Rama.

No one reaches Rama by hating the one before whom Rama himself has bowed.

Read the passage from the Manas

संकर प्रिय मम द्रोही सिव द्रोही मम दास। ते नर करहि कलप भरि धोर नरक महुँ बास।।2।।

Those who love Shankara but hate me, and those who hate Shiva but claim to be my servants: such people dwell in terrible hell for an entire kalpa.