The Four Ages Move through the Heart, but Love for Rama Stands beyond Time
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 100
Doha 105 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama's maya moves the dharma of the ages through every heart. Pure sattva, equanimity, and realized knowledge characterize Krita. Treta holds abundant sattva with some rajas and delight in sacred action. Dvapara carries much rajas, little sattva, and some tamas, mixing joy with fear.
In Kali, tamas dominates and conflict appears on every side. The wise recognize these climates without surrendering moral choice. They leave adharma and cultivate dharma even when the surrounding age moves otherwise.
Time and its qualities do not bind one whose love for Raghupati's feet is intense. Bhushundi compares maya to an actor's terrifying performance. The role may fill the stage with danger, but the actor's servant, knowing the source of the display, need not mistake painted terror for ultimate reality. Devotion does not remove the devotee from history. It creates an inward freedom from history's claim to define the heart.
The ages change their costumes across the stage, while love for Rama remains seated beside the actor who wears them all.
Read the passage from the Manas
नित जुग धर्म होहिं सब केरे। हृदयँ राम माया के प्रेरे।। सुद्ध सत्व समता बिग्याना। कृत प्रभाव प्रसन्न मन जाना।। सत्व बहुत रज कछु रति कर्मा। सब बिधि सुख त्रेता कर धर्मा।। बहु रज स्वल्प सत्व कछु तामस। द्वापर धर्म हरष भय मानस।। तामस बहुत रजोगुन थोरा। कलि प्रभाव बिरोध चहुँ ओरा।। बुध जुग धर्म जानि मन माहीं। तजि अधर्म रति धर्म कराहीं।। काल धर्म नहिं ब्यापहिं ताही। रघुपति चरन प्रीति अति जाही।। नट कृत बिकट कपट खगराया। नट सेवकहि न ब्यापइ माया।।
In each age, all beings follow their respective dharma, their hearts moved by Rama's divine maya. Pure sattva, equanimity, and wisdom prevail in Krita Yuga, with minds serene by the Lord's grace. In Treta Yuga, sattva predominates with some rajas and love of action, bringing happiness in every way. In Dwapara, rajas abounds with little sattva and some tamas, filling hearts with both joy and fear. In Kali Yuga, tamas is abundant with little rajas, causing conflict on every side. Wise souls, understanding the dharma of each age in their hearts, abandon unrighteousness and cultivate devotion to dharma. Time and its dharma cannot touch those who have intense love for Lord Raghupati's feet. O Garuda, just as an actor's terrible performance does not affect the actor himself, so maya does not touch the Lord's devotee.