Liberation Comes Uninvited to the One Who Loves Rama
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 114
Doha 120 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bhushundi draws a sword and a river into the teaching. The path of knowledge is the sharpened edge of a blade, and a fall can happen in an instant. Whoever crosses it without obstruction reaches the rare summit of kaivalya praised by saints and scriptures.
Then the scene turns. A devotee sits absorbed in Rama, asking only for the sweetness of His feet. Liberation, so difficult to capture by effort, comes of its own accord and stands near like water seeking the lowest ground. It cannot remain apart from Hari-bhakti, however little the devotee desires it.
Wise lovers of Hari scarcely turn to acknowledge the visitor. They are enchanted by devotion itself. In their hearts, avidya is digested without strain, as the body's fire naturally transforms food taken for nourishment. Bhakti is easy, sustaining, and filled with joy because the Lord carries its hidden work. The blade still gleams on the distant ridge, but beside Rama flows a path where the highest freedom arrives without being summoned.
The devotee asks only for Rama, and liberation quietly comes to wait at the door.
Read the passage from the Manas
ग्यान पंथ कृपान कै धारा। परत खगेस होइ नहिं बारा।। जो निर्बिघ्न पंथ निर्बहई। सो कैवल्य परम पद लहई।। अति दुर्लभ कैवल्य परम पद। संत पुरान निगम आगम बद।। राम भजत सोइ मुकुति गोसाई। अनइच्छित आवइ बरिआई।। जिमि थल बिनु जल रहि न सकाई। कोटि भाँति कोउ करै उपाई।। तथा मोच्छ सुख सुनु खगराई। रहि न सकइ हरि भगति बिहाई।। अस बिचारि हरि भगत सयाने। मुक्ति निरादर भगति लुभाने।। भगति करत बिनु जतन प्रयासा। संसृति मूल अबिद्या नासा।। भोजन करिअ तृपिति हित लागी। जिमि सो असन पचवै जठरागी।। असि हरिभगति सुगम सुखदाई। को अस मूढ़ न जाहि सोहाई।।
The path of jnana is like the edge of a sword, O Garuda; one falls from it in no time at all. One who traverses this path without obstacles attains the supreme state of kaivalya (liberation). That supreme state of kaivalya is extremely rare and difficult, as saints, Puranas, Vedas, and scriptures declare. Yet, O master, that same liberation comes uninvited to those who worship Rama, without their even seeking it. Just as water cannot remain on high ground, no matter what efforts one makes, so too, O king of birds, the bliss of liberation cannot stay away from one who has devotion to Hari. Understanding this, wise devotees of Hari disregard liberation itself, drawn only to the sweetness of devotion. Through devotion, without any effort, the root of worldly existence, avidya, is destroyed. One should eat food for the purpose of nourishment, and the digestive fire naturally processes it. Such is devotion to Hari: easy and blissful. What fool would not be drawn to it?