The Seven Kandas Rise as Steps toward Raghupati's Devotion
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 124
Doha 129 · Movement 1 of 2
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Shiva beholds the completed Rama-katha. It destroys the stain of Kali Yuga, cleanses the mind, and rises as sanjeevani for the disease of samsara. Vedas and sages surround it with praise.
Within the sacred lake appear seven beautiful steps. Bala, Ayodhya, Aranya, Kishkindha, Sundara, Lanka, and Uttara Kanda ascend as approaches to Raghupati-bhakti. Hari's great grace gives the seeker a foothold. Those who sing without deceit, those who speak, listen, and rejoice in the story, cross the ocean of becoming as easily as stepping over the water held in a cow's hoof-print.
At the summit of the seven steps sits the first great listener. Parvati has received the entire narration into her heart. Joy moves through her, and she answers Shiva in a sweet voice. By his grace, her doubts are gone. Fresh love for Rama's feet has arisen. The Manas closes its vast circle not upon conquest, coronation, or cosmic teaching, but upon the transformation of the one who listened.
Seven radiant steps rise from the lake of story, and at their summit Parvati discovers new love at Rama's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम कथा गिरिजा मैं बरनी। कलि मल समनि मनोमल हरनी।। संसृति रोग सजीवन मूरी। राम कथा गावहिं श्रुति सूरी।। एहि महँ रुचिर सप्त सोपाना। रघुपति भगति केर पंथाना।। अति हरि कृपा जाहि पर होई। पाउँ देइ एहिं मारग सोई।। मन कामना सिद्धि नर पावा। जे यह कथा कपट तजि गावा।। कहहिं सुनहिं अनुमोदन करहीं। ते गोपद इव भवनिधि तरहीं।। सुनि सब कथा हृदयँ अति भाई। गिरिजा बोली गिरा सुहाई।। नाथ कृपाँ मम गत संदेहा। राम चरन उपजेउ नव नेहा।।
O Girija, I have narrated the story of Rama, which destroys the impurities of the Kali age and removes the stain of the mind. It is the life-giving herb (sanjeevani) for the disease of samsara. The Vedas and sages sing this story of Rama. Within it are seven beautiful steps (sopanas), which form the pathways of devotion to Lord Raghupati. Upon whomever the supreme grace of Hari falls, that soul is given a foothold upon this path. Those who sing this story, abandoning all deceit, attain the fulfillment of their heart's desires. Those who speak it, hear it, and rejoice in it cross the ocean of existence as easily as stepping over a cow's hoof-print. Having heard the entire story with great joy in her heart, Girija spoke in sweet, gentle words: O Lord, by your grace my doubts have vanished, and fresh love for Rama's feet has awakened in me.