Sri Rama Charita Manasa - Shri Sita Ram Foundation, USA

* UTTARA-KÅ°NœA *
1085
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påvana parbata beda purånå, råma kathå ruciråkara nånå.
marm∂ sajjana sumati kudår∂, gyåna biråga nayana uragår∂. 7 .
bhåva sahita khojai jo prån∂, påva bhagati mani saba sukha khån∂.
more° mana prabhu asa bisvåså, råma te adhika råma kara dåså. 8 .
råma si≈dhu ghana sajjana dh∂rå, ca≈dana taru hari sa≈ta sam∂rå.
saba kara phala hari bhagati suhå∂, so binu sa≈ta na kåhµu° på∂. 9 .
asa bicåri joi kara satasa≈gå, råma bhagati tehi sulabha biha≈gå.10.
I have expounded at length the established doctrine relating to Gnosis; hear now the
virtue of Devotion, which has been likened to a jewel. The beautiful wish-yielding gem of
Devotion to ›r∂ Råma is an embodiment of supreme effulgence, which sheds its radiance
day and night, requiring neither a vessel nor clarified butter nor a wick (to light it). He in
whose heart, O GaruŒa, such a jewel abides is not haunted by poverty in the shade of
infatuation. No blast of greed can ever extinguish this light, which dispels the overpowering
gloom of ignorance and the swarms of moths (in the shape of vanity etc.,) keep away from
it in a mood of frustration. Nay, vicious propensities like lust dare not approach him in
whose heart the gem of Devotion abides. For him venom is transformed into ambrosia and
enemies turn into friends; nobody can attain happiness without this jewel. Again, he is
never attacked by the terrible mental diseases from which all living beings are grievously
suffering. He in whose heart the gem of Devotion to ›r∂ Råma abides cannot have the least
woe even in a dream. They alone are paragons of wisdom in this world; who spare no pains
to secure this gem. Although this jewel is manifest in the world, none can find it without the
grace of ›r∂ Råma. There are easy devices for finding it, but luckless souls attempt harder
methods. The Vedas and Puråƒas represent holy mountains; and the stories of ›r∂ Råma,
the many glorious mines located in their midst. The saints are the expert minerologists and
their penetrating intellect, the pickaxe; while spiritual wisdom and dispassion, GaruŒa, are
the two eyes (surveying the mines). Any creature who looks for it with faith succeeds in
discovering the gem of Devotion, a mine of all blessings. I have this conviction in my heart,
my lord, that a servant of ›r∂ Råma is greater than ›r∂ Råma Himself. While ›r∂ Råma is
the ocean, the wise saints are like the rain-clouds; or (to use another metaphor) while ›r∂
Hari is the sandal-tree, the saints represent the winds (that diffuse its perfume). Devotion
to ›r∂ Hari, which is so delightful, is the reward of all spiritual endeavours; none has ever
secured it except through a saint. Realizing this whoever cultivates the fellowship of saints
finds Devotion to ›r∂ Råma easy of attainment, O king of the birds. (1ó10)
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Do.: brahma payonidhi ma≈dara gyåna sa≈ta sura åhiÚ,
kathå sudhå mathi kåRhahiÚ bhagati madhuratå jåhiÚ.120(A).
birati carma asi gyåna mada lobha moha ripu måri,
jaya påia so hari bhagati dekhu khagesa bicåri.120(B).
The Vedas are compared to the ocean (of milk); spiritual wisdom plays the role
of Mount Mandara; while saints are the gods who churn out nectar in the form of the
sacred legends; and Devotion represents its sweetness. Using Dispassion as a shield