Among a Father's Many Gifted Children, One Lives Only to Love Him
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 85
Doha 88 · Movement 1 of 2
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One father has many sons, each different in character, virtue, and conduct. One is learned, another ascetic, another wealthy or brave, another generous. One knows many things, and another is devoted to dharma. The father's care rests equally upon them all.
Yet one child is devoted to the father in body, speech, and mind, knowing no other duty even in dreams. Though lacking the accomplishments his brothers display, that son becomes dear to the father as his very life.
Rama places the entire creation within this household image. Devas, humans, asuras, and all moving and still beings of the three worlds are his offspring, and equal compassion rests upon them. Among them, one abandons pride and maya and worships with mind, word, and body. The Lord's special nearness does not deny universal love. It is the natural flowering of a love that has been consciously returned.
The father loves every child, yet his heart rushes toward the one whose whole life has become a return of that love.
Read the passage from the Manas
एक पिता के बिपुल कुमारा। होहिं पृथक गुन सील अचारा।। कोउ पंडिंत कोउ तापस ग्याता। कोउ धनवंत सूर कोउ दाता।। कोउ सर्बग्य धर्मरत कोई। सब पर पितहि प्रीति सम होई।। कोउ पितु भगत बचन मन कर्मा। सपनेहुँ जान न दूसर धर्मा।। सो सुत प्रिय पितु प्रान समाना। जद्यपि सो सब भाँति अयाना।। एहि बिधि जीव चराचर जेते। त्रिजग देव नर असुर समेते।। अखिल बिस्व यह मोर उपाया। सब पर मोहि बराबरि दाया।। तिन्ह महँ जो परिहरि मद माया। भजै मोहि मन बच अरू काया।।
One father may have many sons, yet they differ in virtues, character, and conduct. One may be learned, another an ascetic knower of truth; one wealthy and brave, another charitable. One may be all-knowing, another devoted to dharma; yet the father's love remains equal for all. But the son who is devoted to his father in word, mind, and deed knows no other duty even in dreams. That son is dear to the father as his very life, even though he may be lacking in every other way. In this manner, all living beings, moving and still, including gods, humans, and asuras of the three worlds. This entire universe is My creation, and My compassion rests equally upon all. Among them, those who abandon pride and delusion and worship Me with mind, speech, and body,