The Path Requires No Spectacle, Only a Simple and Contented Heart
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 44
Doha 46 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
What strenuous display does bhakti require? Rama names what is not necessary: no mastery of yoga, no sacrifice, repetition, austerity, or fasting. The essential preparation is a simple nature, a mind without crookedness, and contentment with whatever comes.
One who calls himself Rama's servant while depending upon worldly expectation has not yet placed full trust in the Lord. Rama says this conduct alone wins him: no enmity or conflict, no anxious hope or fear, no pride, anger, deceit, or restless undertaking.
The devotee loves the company of the good and regards pleasure, heaven, and liberation as blades of grass. Steadfastness in bhakti is kept free from obstinacy and foolish argument. The path is simple not because it asks little, but because it removes complication. The heart ceases bargaining with life and stands before Rama without a second agenda.
Bhakti begins when the heart stops performing for God and becomes simple enough to trust him.
Read the passage from the Manas
कहहु भगति पथ कवन प्रयासा। जोग न मख जप तप उपवासा।। सरल सुभाव न मन कुटिलाई। जथा लाभ संतोष सदाई।। मोर दास कहाइ नर आसा। करइ तौ कहहु कहा बिस्वासा।। बहुत कहउँ का कथा बढ़ाई। एहि आचरन बस्य मैं भाई।। बैर न बिग्रह आस न त्रासा। सुखमय ताहि सदा सब आसा।। अनारंभ अनिकेत अमानी। अनघ अरोष दच्छ बिग्यानी।। प्रीति सदा सज्जन संसर्गा। तृन सम बिषय स्वर्ग अपबर्गा।। भगति पच्छ हठ नहिं सठताई। दुष्ट तर्क सब दूरि बहाई।।
Tell me, what effort is needed on the path of bhakti? It requires no yoga, no yajna, no japa, no tapas, no fasting. One needs only a simple, pure nature without crookedness of mind, and contentment with whatever comes. If one who calls himself My devotee still harbors worldly desires, tell me, what faith does he truly have? Why should I elaborate further and lengthen the katha? I am won over by this conduct alone, O brother. Without enmity or conflict, without hope or fear, such a soul finds all directions filled with bliss. Without worldly enterprises, without fixed abode, without pride. Sinless, without anger, capable and wise. Always loving the company of good souls. Considering worldly pleasures, svarga, and moksha as mere blades of grass. Steadfast on the path of bhakti without stubbornness or foolishness, having cast away all wicked arguments far from the heart.