Rama Gives His Citizens Permission to Correct Their King
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 41
Doha 43 · Movement 1 of 2
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Raghunath summons Guru, sages, learned ones, and all the people of Ayodhya. When the assembly is seated, the destroyer of devotees' worldly bondage speaks publicly, without concealing royal authority behind ceremony.
Listen and do what seems right to you, he says. I speak without selfish attachment and claim no license for injustice. If I say anything unrighteous, stop me without fear. Obedience is dear to Rama, yet he explicitly opens the throne to correction.
Then the king becomes Guru. Human embodiment is attained through immense good fortune and is rare even for gods. It is the dwelling of sadhana and the doorway to liberation. To receive such a body and fail to prepare for the highest good is to waste a provision the scriptures call precious. Rama joins accountable rule to spiritual urgency within one assembly.
The king who asks to be corrected without fear then asks every citizen not to waste the rare kingdom of human birth.
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एक बार रघुनाथ बोलाए। गुर द्विज पुरबासी सब आए।। बैठे गुर मुनि अरु द्विज सज्जन। बोले बचन भगत भव भंजन।। सनहु सकल पुरजन मम बानी। कहउँ न कछु ममता उर आनी।। नहिं अनीति नहिं कछु प्रभुताई। सुनहु करहु जो तुम्हहि सोहाई।। सोइ सेवक प्रियतम मम सोई। मम अनुसासन मानै जोई।। जौं अनीति कछु भाषौं भाई। तौं मोहि बरजहु भय बिसराई।। बड़ें भाग मानुष तनु पावा। सुर दुर्लभ सब ग्रंथिन्ह गावा।। साधन धाम मोच्छ कर द्वारा। पाइ न जेहिं परलोक सँवारा।।
Once Raghunatha called an assembly. Guru, brahmins, and all the citizens of the city came. The guru, sages, brahmins and noble souls were seated. The destroyer of devotees' worldly sorrows spoke these words. Listen, all you citizens, to my words. I speak nothing from selfish attachment in my heart. There is no injustice here, no display of lordship. Listen and do what seems proper to you. That servant is most dear to me, and that one my most beloved, who follows my instruction. If I speak anything unjust, O brothers, then forbid me, casting aside all fear. By great fortune one obtains a human body, which all scriptures declare is rare even for the gods. It is the abode of spiritual practice and the gateway to moksha. Woe to the one who does not use it to prepare for what lies beyond.