Maya Shrinks before the Jewel of Rama-Bhakti
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 111
Doha 117 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Bhushundi carefully clears the ground of misunderstanding. He speaks from the Vedas, Puranas, and saints, without partiality. Maya is not woman, and woman is not maya. The comparison belongs to a spiritual principle, not to the bodies moving through the visible world.
Then the inner court of Raghunatha appears. Bhakti stands near the Lord, beloved and welcome. Maya, powerful across the worlds, is pictured as a dancer subject to His command. When she sees devotion dwelling unobstructed within a heart, she draws back in hesitation.
No weapon is raised. No contest shakes the heavens. Rama's favor resting upon bhakti is enough. Maya cannot display her mastery where incomparable, unconditional devotion has made its home. The wise sages understand this hidden order and ask for the mine of every joy. Garuda sees why devotion is more than a feeling added to knowledge. It is nearness to Raghuraya, and that nearness changes what every cosmic power is permitted to do.
Where Rama's beloved devotion keeps vigil, even maya lowers her eyes and withdraws.
Read the passage from the Manas
इहाँ न पच्छपात कछु राखउँ। बेद पुरान संत मत भाषउँ।। मोह न नारि नारि कें रूपा। पन्नगारि यह रीति अनूपा।। माया भगति सुनहु तुम्ह दोऊ। नारि बर्ग जानइ सब कोऊ।। पुनि रघुबीरहि भगति पिआरी। माया खलु नर्तकी बिचारी।। भगतिहि सानुकूल रघुराया। ताते तेहि डरपति अति माया।। राम भगति निरुपम निरुपाधी। बसइ जासु उर सदा अबाधी।। तेहि बिलोकि माया सकुचाई। करि न सकइ कछु निज प्रभुताई।। अस बिचारि जे मुनि बिग्यानी। जाचहीं भगति सकल सुख खानी।।
I keep no partiality here; I speak according to the Vedas, Puranas, and the teaching of the saints. Maya is not woman, nor is woman Maya, O Garuda; this is a unique and peerless principle. Listen: both Maya and Bhakti are known to all as belonging to the feminine aspect. Furthermore, devotion is dear to Raghuvira, while Maya is but a poor dancer. Raghuraya is favorable to devotion; therefore Maya greatly fears devotion. Rama's devotion is incomparable and unconditional, dwelling eternally, unobstructed, in the devotee's heart. Seeing such devotion, Maya shrinks back and cannot exercise any of her power. Understanding this, even the wisest sages seek devotion, which is the mine of all happiness.