Rama Promises to Guard the Surrendered Soul as His Own Life
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 44
Doha 44 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama carries his vow beyond every imaginable stain. Even one burdened with the guilt of killing millions of Brahmins will not be abandoned after coming for refuge. The instant a soul turns toward him, the sins of millions of births are destroyed.
A sinful heart naturally feels no love for Rama's worship. If one were wholly wicked, Rama asks, how would he truly come before him? The pure heart reaches the Lord, for deceit, trickery, and the search for faults find no pleasure there. Surrender itself bears witness to an inward turning.
Even if Ravana has sent Vibhishana to steal secrets, there is no loss to fear. Lakshmana can destroy every demon in the world within a moment. But if the newcomer has arrived frightened and seeking shelter, Rama will protect him as his own life. Power stands behind the vow, freeing compassion to open both arms.
No past can close the refuge whose guardian is strong enough to fear nothing.
Read the passage from the Manas
कोटि बिप्र बध लागहिं जाहू। आएँ सरन तजउँ नहिं ताहू।। सनमुख होइ जीव मोहि जबहीं। जन्म कोटि अघ नासहिं तबहीं।। पापवंत कर सहज सुभाऊ। भजनु मोर तेहि भाव न काऊ।। जौं पै दुष्टहदय सोइ होई। मोरें सनमुख आव कि सोई।। निर्मल मन जन सो मोहि पावा। मोहि कपट छल छिद्र न भावा।। भेद लेन पठवा दससीसा। तबहुँ न कछु भय हानि कपीसा।। जग महुँ सखा निसाचर जेते। लछिमनु हनइ निमिष महुँ तेते।। जौं सभीत आवा सरनाई। रखिहउँ ताहि प्रान की नाई।।
"Even one upon whom falls the guilt of slaying millions of Brahmins, I do not forsake if he comes seeking My refuge." "The moment a soul turns toward Me, the sins of millions of births are instantly destroyed." "It is the natural bent of the sinful that devotion to Me never appeals to them." "But if even such an evil-hearted one were truly devoted, would he ever fail to come before Me?" "Only the pure-hearted devotee truly attains Me. Deceit, cunning, and faultfinding do not please Me." "Even if Ravana has sent him to gather intelligence, O monkey king, there is nothing to fear or to lose." "However many demons exist in this world, Lakshmana can slay them all in the blink of an eye." "But if he has come in fear, seeking shelter, I shall protect him as I protect My own life."