Garuda Asks the Difference between Knowledge and Devotion
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 110
Doha 116 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bhushundi warns of a strange poverty: someone leaves the wish-fulfilling cow at home and wanders among poisonous plants searching for milk. Another steps into the immeasurable ocean without a boat and expects to reach the farther shore. Such is the seeker who abandons Hari-bhakti while hunting happiness elsewhere.
Garuda's face brightens with relief. Sorrow, delusion, confusion, and doubt have dissolved while Rama's virtues flowed through the banyan assembly. Yet one question remains. Saints, sages, Vedas, and Puranas praise knowledge as exceedingly rare. Why, then, did Bhushundi cling to devotion when Lomasa offered the teaching of knowledge?
The ancient crow receives the question with joy. Knowledge and devotion both remove the anguish of becoming, he says. Their destination does not divide them. Still, the sages discern a subtle difference in the ways they move through the world. The birds grow quiet as Bhushundi begins the difficult comparison, preparing Garuda to see why realization may be mighty and yet still need the shelter of love.
Beneath the banyan, wisdom asks its finest question, and devotion opens its wings to answer.
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जे असि भगति जानि परिहरहीं। केवल ग्यान हेतु श्रम करहीं।। ते जड़ कामधेनु गृहँ त्यागी। खोजत आकु फिरहिं पय लागी।। सुनु खगेस हरि भगति बिहाई। जे सुख चाहहिं आन उपाई।। ते सठ महासिंधु बिनु तरनी। पैरि पार चाहहिं जड़ करनी।। सुनि भसुंडि के बचन भवानी। बोलेउ गरुड़ हरषि मृदु बानी।। तव प्रसाद प्रभु मम उर माहीं। संसय सोक मोह भ्रम नाहीं।। सुनेउँ पुनीत राम गुन ग्रामा। तुम्हरी कृपाँ लहेउँ बिश्रामा।। एक बात प्रभु पूँछउँ तोही। कहहु बुझाइ कृपानिधि मोही।। कहहिं संत मुनि बेद पुराना। नहिं कछु दुर्लभ ग्यान समाना।। सोइ मुनि तुम्ह सन कहेउ गोसाईं। नहिं आदरेहु भगति की नाईं।। ग्यानहि भगतिहि अंतर केता। सकल कहहु प्रभु कृपा निकेता।। सुनि उरगारि बचन सुख माना। सादर बोलेउ काग सुजाना।। भगतिहि ग्यानहि नहिं कछु भेदा। उभय हरहिं भव संभव खेदा।। नाथ मुनीस कहहिं कछु अंतर। सावधान सोउ सुनु बिहंगबर।। ग्यान बिराग जोग बिग्याना। ए सब पुरुष सुनहु हरिजाना।। पुरुष प्रताप प्रबल सब भाँती। अबला अबल सहज जड़ जाती।।
Those who abandon such devotion after knowing it, and strive only for dry knowledge, are foolish, like one who abandons the wish-fulfilling cow at home and wanders seeking milk from the poisonous akk plant. Listen, O king of birds: those who leave devotion to Hari and seek happiness through other means, those fools wish to cross the great ocean without a boat. Such is their senseless action. Hearing Bhushundi's words, O Bhavani, Garuda spoke with joy in gentle tones: By your grace, O Lord, neither doubt, sorrow, delusion, nor confusion remains in my heart. I have heard the sacred abundance of Rama's virtues, and by your kindness have found rest. One thing, O Lord, I ask of you: please explain it to me, O treasure of compassion. Saints, sages, Vedas, and Puranas say that nothing is as rare as knowledge. That very sage told you this, O master, yet you did not honor it as you honor devotion. What is the difference between knowledge and devotion? Tell me all, O abode of grace. Hearing these words, the wise crow felt joy and spoke respectfully: There is truly no difference between devotion and knowledge; both remove the suffering of worldly existence. Yet, O lord, the great sages speak of some distinction. Listen carefully to that, O best of birds. Knowledge, dispassion, yoga, and vijnana are all of the masculine principle, O devotee of Hari. The masculine is powerful in every way, while the feminine is naturally gentle and mild.