The Self-Luminous Chintamani of Rama-Bhakti
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 115
Doha 121 · Movement 1 of 2
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After showing the fragile lamp of knowledge, Bhushundi unveils another radiance. Rama-bhakti is a beautiful chintamani resting in the heart, luminous through day and night. It asks for no oil, no wick, no vessel, and no hand to relight it.
Delusion cannot bring its poverty near. Greed blows without effect. Ignorance loses its darkness, desires retreat, poison tastes like nectar, and enemies become friends. The mind's grave diseases cannot enter the chamber where the jewel shines, and sorrow leaves no trace even in dream.
The gem lies manifest in the sacred mountains of Veda and Purana, within the many mines of Rama-katha. Noble understanding is the pickaxe, knowledge and detachment the miner's keen eyes, sincere feeling the strength that searches. Still, Rama's grace alone places the jewel in one's hand, and satsanga reveals the place to dig. Rama is the ocean and saints the rain-bearing clouds. Rama is sandalwood and saints the wind carrying its fragrance everywhere. Bhushundi's conviction rings through the assembly: the servant of Rama is greater even than Rama, for through the servant the hidden sweetness of the Lord reaches the world.
The lamp may fail in a gust, but Rama's jewel makes the heart itself an unfading sun.
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कहेउँ ग्यान सिद्धांत बुझाई। सुनहु भगति मनि कै प्रभुताई।। राम भगति चिंतामनि सुंदर। बसइ गरुड़ जाके उर अंतर।। परम प्रकास रूप दिन राती। नहिं कछु चहिअ दिआ घृत बाती।। मोह दरिद्र निकट नहिं आवा। लोभ बात नहिं ताहि बुझावा।। प्रबल अबिद्या तम मिटि जाई। हारहिं सकल सलभ समुदाई।। खल कामादि निकट नहिं जाहीं। बसइ भगति जाके उर माहीं।। गरल सुधासम अरि हित होई। तेहि मनि बिनु सुख पाव न कोई।। ब्यापहिं मानस रोग न भारी। जिन्ह के बस सब जीव दुखारी।। राम भगति मनि उर बस जाकें। दुख लवलेस न सपनेहुँ ताकें।। चतुर सिरोमनि तेइ जग माहीं। जे मनि लागि सुजतन कराहीं।। सो मनि जदपि प्रगट जग अहई। राम कृपा बिनु नहिं कोउ लहई।। सुगम उपाय पाइबे केरे। नर हतभाग्य देहिं भटमेरे।। पावन पर्बत बेद पुराना। राम कथा रुचिराकर नाना।। मर्मी सज्जन सुमति कुदारी। ग्यान बिराग नयन उरगारी।। भाव सहित खोजइ जो प्रानी। पाव भगति मनि सब सुख खानी।। मोरें मन प्रभु अस बिस्वासा। राम ते अधिक राम कर दासा।। राम सिंधु घन सज्जन धीरा। चंदन तरु हरि संत समीरा।। सब कर फल हरि भगति सुहाई। सो बिनु संत न काहूँ पाई।। अस बिचारि जोइ कर सतसंगा। राम भगति तेहि सुलभ बिहंगा।।
I have explained the principles of jnana to you. Now hear the glory of the jewel of devotion. The wish-fulfilling gem of Rama-bhakti is beautiful; it dwells within the heart, O Garuda. It gives supreme light day and night, requiring no lamp, oil, or wick. The poverty of delusion cannot come near; the wind of greed cannot extinguish it. The powerful darkness of avidya vanishes; all the swarms of moths are defeated. Wicked desires like lust dare not approach one in whose heart devotion resides. Poison becomes nectar, enemies become friends. Without this gem, no one finds happiness. The great diseases of the mind do not afflict such a one; the ailments that keep all beings in misery. For those who hold the gem of Rama-bhakti in their hearts, not even the slightest sorrow touches them, not even in dreams. The most intelligent in this world are those who strive earnestly to obtain this gem. Though this gem is manifest everywhere in the world, without Rama's grace none can obtain it. The means of obtaining it are simple, yet the unfortunate wander aimlessly, missing the way. The sacred mountains are the Vedas and Puranas, with their many beautiful quarries of Rama-katha. Wise and virtuous souls are the good pickaxes; knowledge and detachment are the keen-eyed miners, O Garuda. The one who searches with sincere devotion finds the gem, the mine of all happiness. In my heart, O Lord, lives this firm conviction: Rama's devotee is greater than Rama Himself. Rama is the ocean; noble, steadfast saints are the clouds. Rama is the sandalwood tree; Hari's saints are the breeze. The fruit of all endeavors is beautiful devotion to Hari, and no one obtains it without the company of saints. Reflecting thus, O bird, whoever keeps satsanga easily attains devotion to Rama.