Rama Reveals Why the Infinite Lord Takes a Body Among the Saints
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 48
Doha 48 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama calls Vibhishana friend and reveals his own nature, known to Bhushundi, Shiva, and Girija. Even one hostile to all creation, if he comes frightened into refuge and abandons pride, delusion, deceit, and every disguise, is transformed at once and made equal to a saint.
The Lord gathers the whole human world into a single image. Mother, father, brother, child, spouse, body, wealth, home, companions, and family each hold a thread of attachment. Draw every thread together, Rama says, and make one strong cord. With it, bind the mind firmly to my feet.
The one who sees equally, desires nothing, and carries neither elation, sorrow, nor fear dwells within Rama's heart as wealth lives in the heart of a miser. Saints like Vibhishana are dear to him. For their sake alone, the formless Lord declares, he assumes a visible body and walks among the worlds.
Gather every thread of love into one cord and bind the wandering mind to Rama's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनहु सखा निज कहउँ सुभाऊ। जान भुसुंडि संभु गिरिजाऊ।। जौं नर होइ चराचर द्रोही। आवे सभय सरन तकि मोही।। तजि मद मोह कपट छल नाना। करउँ सद्य तेहि साधु समाना।। जननी जनक बंधु सुत दारा। तनु धनु भवन सुह्रद परिवारा।। सब कै ममता ताग बटोरी। मम पद मनहि बाँध बरि डोरी।। समदरसी इच्छा कछु नाहीं। हरष सोक भय नहिं मन माहीं।। अस सज्जन मम उर बस कैसें। लोभी हृदयँ बसइ धनु जैसें।। तुम्ह सारिखे संत प्रिय मोरें। धरउँ देह नहिं आन निहोरें।।
"Listen, friend, I shall tell you My own true nature, which Bhushundi, Shiva, and Parvati know well." "If any person, even one hostile to all creation, comes fearfully seeking My refuge," "Abandoning pride, delusion, deceit, and every kind of trickery, I make him at once the equal of the saints." "Mother, father, brother, son, wife, body, wealth, home, dear friends, and family," "Gathering all the threads of attachment to these, bind your mind to My feet like a strong, firm cord." "One who sees all things equally, who harbors no desire, who feels neither elation, nor sorrow, nor fear in the heart," "Such a saint dwells in My heart in the same way that wealth resides in the heart of the greedy." "Saints like you are dear to Me. For no other purpose do I assume a bodily form."