Rama Tells His Companions That None Are Dearer than They
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 14
Doha 16 · Movement 1 of 2
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The companions have forgotten their homes even in dreams, as completely as malice toward another is absent from a saint's mind. Rama calls them near. They enter reverently, bow, and sit close within the warmth of his supreme affection.
How can I praise the service you have given me, Rama asks, especially before your own faces? For my sake you abandoned the happiness of your homes. His gentle words bring joy to those whose bodies crossed ocean, battlefield, and fire for him.
Rama names everything held dear: his younger brothers, kingdom, wealth, Vaidehi, his own body, house, family, and loved ones. All are precious, he says, but none equals these friends. This is no courtesy and no exaggeration. It is his very nature. A master commonly loves a servant, but Rama declares that his love for those who serve him runs deeper still. The Lord repays sacrifice by revealing the place it has always occupied in his heart.
The companions surrendered the comforts of home, and Rama gives them a home among the dearest chambers of his heart.
Read the passage from the Manas
बिसरे गृह सपनेहुँ सुधि नाहीं। जिमि परद्रोह संत मन माही।। तब रघुपति सब सखा बोलाए। आइ सबन्हि सादर सिरु नाए।। परम प्रीति समीप बैठारे। भगत सुखद मृदु बचन उचारे।। तुम्ह अति कीन्ह मोरि सेवकाई। मुख पर केहि बिधि करौं बड़ाई।। ताते मोहि तुम्ह अति प्रिय लागे। मम हित लागि भवन सुख त्यागे।। अनुज राज संपति बैदेही। देह गेह परिवार सनेही।। सब मम प्रिय नहिं तुम्हहि समाना। मृषा न कहउँ मोर यह बाना।। सब के प्रिय सेवक यह नीती। मोरें अधिक दास पर प्रीती।।
They forgot their homes entirely, not a trace of memory even in dreams, just as malice toward others never enters the mind of a saint. Then Raghupati called all his friends. They came and bowed their heads to him with reverence. With deepest affection he seated them near and spoke gentle words that bring joy to all devotees. 'You have served me beyond measure. How can I, to your faces, praise you enough?' 'For this you have become exceedingly dear to me. For my sake you gave up the comforts of home.' 'My younger brothers, the kingdom, all prosperity, Vaidehi, my body, my home, my family, my loved ones:' 'All these are dear to me, but none compare to you. I do not speak falsely. This is my nature.' 'It is the way of things that a master is fond of his servants, but my love for my devotees runs deeper still.'