The Mind Finds No Rest Until Desire Is Left for Rama
Sundara Kanda, Doha 46
Doha 46 · Movement 2 of 2
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A being may inhabit a palace, a forest camp, or the open sky between two worlds and still remain without welfare. The unrest follows inwardly, so close that even dreams cannot provide the mind a place to lie down.
Desire appears to promise relief, yet it is itself the dwelling place of sorrow. Each fulfillment gives birth to another reaching, each possession casts the shadow of loss, and sleep continues beneath the movement of an unfinished hunger.
Rest begins when that house is left and the heart turns toward Rama in worship. Vibhishana has just made the passage visible. He leaves the golden city that could not give peace, abandons the object Ravana refuses to release, and comes empty handed to the Lord. Beside Rama, the exile can say for the first time: now I am well.
The mind reaches home when its endless reaching is laid at the feet of Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
तब लगि कुसल न जीव कहुँ सपनेहुँ मन बिश्राम। जब लगि भजत न राम कहुँ सोक धाम तजि काम।।46।।
Until then no being finds peace, not even in dreams does the mind find rest, until one worships Rama, forsaking desire, that dwelling place of sorrow.