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Uttara_Kanda
1,022
"Japa (muttering of prayers), austere penance, religious observances, Yogic practices, the performance of one's allotted duties, the various pious acts recommended by the Vedas, the cultivation of spiritual enlightenment, compassion, self-control, bathing in sacred waters and whatever other sacred practices have been a...
Uttara_Kanda
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the benign Lord then went outside the city and ordered elephants, chariots and horses to be immediately brought before Him. Regarding them with kindness He praised them all and distributed them among the people giving each what one deserved and what one wished to have. The Lord, who is the reliever of all fatigue, Hims...
Uttara_Kanda
1,024
killed the demons Khara, Dusana and Viradha. Hail, all-blissful Slayer of Ravana, noblest of kings, a moon to the lily-like line of King Dasaratha. Your fair renown is familiar to the Puranas, Vedas and Tantras and is sung in the congregations of gods, sages and saints. Crushing false pride in Your mercy You are clever...
Uttara_Kanda
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you next." Uma was glad to have heard the blessed story and replied in exceedingly polite and soft accents: "I am highly blessed, O Slayer of the demon Tripura, to have heard Śrī Rāma's praises, that take away the fear of birth and death." (1-5) "By Your grace, O Abode of mercy, I have now attained the object of my lif...
Uttara_Kanda
1,026
whom the narrative of Sri Rama does not attract." While You sang what You have chosen to call, "the Manasa Lake of Sri Hari's exploits" I listened, my lord, with boundless joy. You have just told me that this charming story was recited by Kakabhusundi to Garuda. (1-4) "Bhushundi is staunch in his dispassion and steadf...
Uttara_Kanda
1,027
"Also tell me, my lord, how did Bhusundi obtain the form of a crow even though devoted to Sri Rama, steeped in wisdom, a home of virtues and resolute of mind?" (54) "Further tell me, O merciful lord, wherefrom did the crow get this sacred and delightful story? And also let me know how could You hear it, O Destroyer of...
Uttara_Kanda
1,028
The king of the birds too went and put quite similar questions to the crow. I will reverently tell you all that: listen, Uma with an attentive mind. Listen, O charming and bright-eyed lady, to the circumstances in which I heard this story, that delivers one from the cycle of births and deaths. You first took birth in t...
Uttara_Kanda
1,029
Its water was cool, limpid and sweet; its lotuses abundant and many coloured. Flocks of swans murmured their sweet notes and the bees made a delightful buzzing. On that splendid mountain dwells the same bird (Kakabhusundi), that outlives even the end of the world. The various good and evil phenomena created by Maya (t...
Uttara_Kanda
1,030
Girija, I have thus narrated the whole episode as to when I visited the bird (Kakabhusundi). Now hear the circumstances under which Garuda (the glory of the feathered kingdom) called on the crow. When the Lord of the Raghus enacted the sport of a combat (with Meghanada, Ravana's son)-the very thought of which fills me ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,031
Garuda did all he could to reassure himself; but the light of wisdom did not dawn on him; on the other hand, error overshadowed his soul all the more. Torn by torments and full of mental questionings, he fell a prey to delusion just like yourself. In his perplexity he approached the celestial sage (Narada) and apprized...
Uttara_Kanda
1,032
The lord of the feathered creation then went to the Creator and told him his doubt. On hearing his story Brahma bowed his head to Sri Rama and, realizing His might, was overwhelmed with love. The Creator mused within himself: "The seers and sages as well as the learned are all dominated by Maya. Unbounded is the power ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,033
there to the delightful story of Sri Hari, that has been sung by the sages in diverse ways and the sole theme of which-at the beginning, in the middle as well as at the end-is the divine Lord Sri Rama. I shall accordingly send you to a place where, O brother, the story of Sri Hari is recited everyday; you go there and ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,034
departed with joy. Uma, I did not instruct him myself, because by the grace of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus) I had come to know the secret (of Garuda's infatuation). He must have given vent to his pride on some ocassion and the All-merciful evidently wished to cure him of it. Partly there was another reason why I d...
Uttara_Kanda
1,035
possessing uninterrupted devotion to Sri Hari. At the sight of the mountain his heart rejoiced and he was rid of all Maya (delusion), infatuation and anxiety. After bathing in the tarn and drinking of its water he betook himself under the banyan tree, delighted at heart. Aged birds of all kinds flocked there to hear Sr...
Uttara_Kanda
1,036
"Listen, dear one: the object for which I came has already been fully accomplished and I have also had the privilege of seeing you. At the very sight of your most holy hermitage my infatuation, doubt and many misconceptions have been removed. Now, dear one, narrate to me with due reverence the most sacred story of Sri ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,037
capital, the King's demise, Bharata's coming back (from his maternal grandfather's) as well as his abundant love (for Sri Rama). He further related how after performing the King's obsequies Bharata with all the citizens betook himself to where the All-blissful Lord was, and how when the Lord of the Raghus consoled him ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,038
After repeating the Lord's talk with the sage Narada as well as the episode of His meeting with the son of the wind-good, Bhusundi told of Sri Rama's alliance with Sugriva and of Vali's death at His hands. He further related how after installing Sugriva (on the throne of Kiskindha) the Lord took up His abode on Mount P...
Uttara_Kanda
1,039
Bhuśundi then narrated how after building a bridge across the ocean the monkey host crossed over to the other side and how the most heroic son of Vali went as an envoy to Ravana. He further described the conflict between the demons and the monkeys in all its phases, and in course of it the might and valour, and eventua...
Uttara_Kanda
1,040
"My doubts have gone, now that I have heard the whole of Sri Rama's narrative. And by your grace, O best of crows, I have developed devotion to Sri Rama's feet. A mighty bewilderment possessed me when I saw the Lord bound in battle: Sri Rama is Knowledge and Bliss personified; for what reason can he be perturbed?" (68 ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,041
On hearing Garuda's speech, so modest and affectionate, the crow was greatly rejoiced at heart; every hair on his body stood erect and tears rushed to his eyes. Uma, (continues Lord Siva,) saints reveal their profoundest secrets when they find a listener who is not only intelligent, virtuous and pious, but fond of Sri ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,042
Is there any sage, ascetic, hero, seer, man of learning or man of virtue in this world, whom greed has not betrayed? Again, whom has the pride of pelf not perverted? Who has not been deafened by power? And is there anyone who has not been smitten by the shaft-like glances of a fawn-eyed woman? (70 A-B) Who is not throw...
Uttara_Kanda
1,043
desire of fame? All these constitute the retinue of Maya, formidable and infinite in number, more than any can tell. Even Lord Siva and the four-faced Brahma (the Creator) are ever afraid of these; of what account, then, are other creatures? (1-4) Maya's formidable army is spread over the whole universe. Concupiscence ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,044
eternal and untainted by Maya, beyond the realm of Prakrti (Matter), bliss personified, the Lord indwelling the heart of all, the actionless Brahma, free from passion and imperishable. In Him error finds no ground to stand upon; can the shades of darkness ever approach the sun? For the sake of His devotees, the divine...
Uttara_Kanda
1,045
as to the point of the compass, O Garuda, he affirms that the sun has risen in the west. A man who is sailing on a boat finds the world moving and deludes himself with the idea that he himself is standing still. Children whirl round in play, but not the surrounding buildings etc., yet they dub one another a liar (when ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,046
"Hear, O lord of the feathered kingdom, of the greatness of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus). I recite to you according to the best of my lights a delightful story in this connection. I shall also narrate to you the whole story as to how I fell a prey to delusion, my lord. You, dear Garuda, are a favourite of Sri Rama...
Uttara_Kanda
1,047
numberless sports for the sake of His devotees I betake myself to the city of Ayodhya and delight to watch His childish exploits. I go and witness the grand festival of His birth and, fascinated (by the charm of His childish sports), stay on there for full five years. The child Rāma is my beloved deity, who sums up in ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,048
frolicked about in this yard carrying on childish pastimes that were the delight of His mother. His tender frame was dark of hue with a greenish tinge resembling that of the emerald; every limb of it had the loveliness of numberless Cupids compressed into it. His feet were soft and ruddy like a young lotus, with bright...
Uttara_Kanda
1,049
lotuses, undid the bonds of worldly existence; while His forehead gleamed with a sacred mark made with yellow pigment. He had arched eyebrows, pretty well-matched ears and curly darkblue hair that scattered their charm all round. A thin yellow garment set off His swarthy person, and His shrill gleeful cry and glance ca...
Uttara_Kanda
1,050
into the whirlpool of birth and death as it does in the case of other creatures. This, my lord, was attributable to some extraordinary reason. Hear it attentively, O mount of Sri Hari, Sita's Spouse alone is absolute intelligence; every creature, whether animate or inanimate, is subject to Maya. If all had the same per...
Uttara_Kanda
1,051
Vidya (knowledge of Brahma in Its relative aspect) that holds away over him as directed by the Lord. That is why a servant of the Lord never falls; on the other hand, O best of birds, his devotion to the Lord as apart from himself grows. Sri Rama smiled to see me bewildered with error: now hear further particulars in t...
Uttara_Kanda
1,052
instantly driven into His mouth (throat). Listen, king of the birds: inside His belly I beheld multitudinous universes with many strange spheres each more wonderful than the rest, with myriads of Brahmas and Sivas, countless stars, suns and moons, numberless Lokapalas (guardians of spheres), Yamas (gods of punishment) ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,053
Gandharvas (celestial musicians), spectres and goblins, Kimnaras (another class of heavenly musicians having a human figure with the head of a horse), Raksasas (giants), quadrupeds, birds, serpents, gods and demons of all classes, all the creatures having a shape peculiar to that universe. The earth with its multitudin...
Uttara_Kanda
1,054
It seemed as if a hundred cycles had been spent in my wanderings through the many universes. At last after all my travels I came to my own hermitage and stayed there for sometime. Meanwhile as I happened to hear of my lord's birth at Ayodhya I started up and ran in an overwhelming ecstasy of love and went and witnessed...
Uttara_Kanda
1,055
Seeing this childish play and recalling that glory (which I had seen inside the Lord's belly) I lost consciousness of my body, and crying: "Save me, save me, O Protector of the devotees in distress!" dropped to the ground. No other word came to my mouth. When the Lord saw me overpowered with love, He immediately checke...
Uttara_Kanda
1,056
-Or spiritual wisdom, critical judgment, dispassion, realization and numerous other virtues which cannot be easily attained in this world even by the sages-today I am prepared to give you all thise is no roore tavanly in undoubtedly; therefore, ask whatever pleases your mind. On hearing the words of the Lord I was over...
Uttara_Kanda
1,057
"So be it!" said the Chief of Raghu's line, and continued in these most pleasing terms: "Listen, Kakabhusundi : you are sagacious by nature; no wonder, therefore, that you ask this boon. No one in this world is so highly blessed as you, since you have sought the gift of Devotion, which is the fountain of all blessings ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,058
"Now listen to My most sacred teaching, which is not only true and easily intelligible but has also been echoed by the Vedas and other scriptures. I give you to hear My own conclusion; listen to it and imprint it on your mind; and forswearing everything else, worship Me. This world with all its varieties of life, both ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,059
"A father has a number of sons, each differing from the others in character, temper and conduct. One is learned, another given to austerities, a third spiritually enlightened, a fourth rich, a fifth possessed of valour, a sixth charitably disposed, a seventh all-wise and an eighth intent on piety; but the father equall...
Uttara_Kanda
1,060
"Time shall have no power over you. Remember and adore Me unceasingly." I did not feel sated with hearing the nectar-like words of the Lord; the hair on my body stood erect and I felt extremely delighted at heart. The joy I felt on the occasion was shared only by the mind and the ears (the auditory sense); the tongue h...
Uttara_Kanda
1,061
After this I stayed a while at Ayodhya and enjoyed the Lord's delightful childish sports. Having by Sri Rama's grace obtained the boon of Devotion I adored my Lord's feet and returned to my own hermitage. Ever since the Lord accepted me as his own I have never fallen a victim to delusion. I have told you at length all ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,062
Without content ment desire cannot cease; and so long as desire continues you can never dream of happiness. Again, can desire be got rid of without adoring Sri Rama? Can a tree ever take root without soil? Can even-mindedness be acquired without spiritual enlightenment? Can anyone get moving space without ether? There ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,063
Thus, my master, have I sung according to my own light the greatness of my lord's glory, O king of the birds. I have not had recourse to any inventive skill; I have seen all this with my own eyes. Sri Rama's greatness, His Name, beauty and the song of His praises, they are all boundless and endless; and the Lord of the...
Uttara_Kanda
1,064
The Lord is unfathomable as a myriad Patalas and dreadful as a myriad Yamas. He is as sanctifying as countless millions of sacred places; nay, His very name obliterates all one's accumulated sins. The Hero of Raghu's line is as immovable as a myriad Himalayas and as deep as a myriad seas. The Lord is as liberal in best...
Uttara_Kanda
1,065
The lord of the winged creatures was rejoiced to hear the agreeable words of Bhusundi and fluffed up his feathers. Tears rushed to his eyes and his soul was flooded with joy as he meditated on the glory of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus). Recalling his former delusion he was filled with remorse at the thought that He...
Uttara_Kanda
1,066
"You are an omniscient knower of Truth, having reached beyond the darkness (of ignorance), intelligent, amiable, straight in your dealings and a storehouse of wisdom, dispasion and Realization. Above all you are a beloved servant of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus). Yet wherefore did you get this form (of a crow)? Dea...
Uttara_Kanda
1,067
Uma, (continues Lord Siva,) the crow (Kakabhusundi) rejoiced to hear Garuda's words and replied with utmost affection: "Blessed, blessed indeed is your intellect, O enemy of serpents. Your question is very pleasing to me. On hearing your loving and agreeable question I have been reminded of many previous births. I shal...
Uttara_Kanda
1,068
The real self-interest of every living creature lies in cultivating devotion to Sri Rama's feet in thought, word and deed. That body alone is sacred and that alone blessed, in which one is able to worship the Hero of Raghu's line. The wise and the learned never extol him who is hostile to Sri Rama, even though he may a...
Uttara_Kanda
1,069
Listen, O lord of the feathered kingdom: I now proceed to narrate the story of my very first birth (within my memory), which is sure to engender in the heart of the listener love for the Lord's feet, which is the remedy for all afflictions. In a former Kalpa (round of creation), my lord, the world was passing through a...
Uttara_Kanda
1,070
Every virtue had been engulfed by the sins of Kali; all good books had disappeared; impostors had promulgated a number of creeds which they had invented out of their own wit. The people had all fallen a prey to delusion and all pious acts had been swallowed by greed. Now listen, all-wise mount of Sri Hari, while I desc...
Uttara_Kanda
1,071
They alone who put on an unsightly garb and ornaments, eat anything and everything, no matter whether it is worth eating or not, are ascetics; they alone are perfect men and they are worth adoring in the Kali age. They who are of maleficent conduct are held in great esteem and they alone are worthy of honour. Even so t...
Uttara_Kanda
1,072
Men and women talk of nothing else than the Knowledge of Brahma; while in their greed they would kill a Brahmana or, for the matter of that, even their own spiritual guide for the sake of a single shell. Sudras argue with the twice-born: "Are we in anyway inferior to you? A good Brahmana is he who knows the truth of Br...
Uttara_Kanda
1,073
austere penance, undertake sacred vows of various kinds and expound the Puranas from an exalted seat. All men follow a course of conduct of their own imagination; the endless variety of wrongdoing cannot be described in words. In the age of Kali there ensues a confusion of castes (due to promiscuous intermarriages) and...
Uttara_Kanda
1,074
The so-called recluses build themselves houses and furnish them at considerable expense; dispassion is no more to be seen in them, the same having been wiped out by their sensuality. The so-called ascetics grow wealthy and householders go penniless: the freaks of the Kali age, dear Garuda, are beyond all telling. Men d...
Uttara_Kanda
1,075
Women have no ornament except their tresses and have an enormous appetite. Though miserable for want of money, they are rich in attachment of various kinds. Though hankering after happiness they love not piety, stupid as they are. Though they are poor in wits, their mind is hardened and knows no tenderness. As for men,...
Uttara_Kanda
1,076
In the Satyayuga everyone is possessed of mystic powers and wise too. Hence in that age men cross the ocean of mundane existence by meditating on Sri Hari. In the Treta age men perform sacrifices of various kinds and cross the ocean of metempsychosis by dedicating their actions to the Lord. In the Dvapara age men cross...
Uttara_Kanda
1,077
Prompted by Sri Rama's delusive potency, the characteristics of all the four Yugas manifest themselves in everyone's heart everyday. The presence of pure Sattva (harmony), evenness of mind, spiritual insight and the feeling of vivacity in the heart are the effects of Satyayuga. Abundance of Sattva with a slight admixtu...
Uttara_Kanda
1,078
creatures, I lived in Ayodhya for many years till a famine occurred, when, stricken by adversity, I had to move to another place. Listen, O enemy of serpents: I went to Ujjain-miserable, downcast, penniless and afflicted. When sometime had elapsed, I acquired some wealth and after that I began worshipping Lord Sambhu a...
Uttara_Kanda
1,079
One day my preceptor called me and taught me wisdom in every possible way; "The sole reward, my son, of worshipping Lord Siva is uninterrupted devotion to Sri Rama's feet. Siva Himself as well as Brahma (the Creator), dear son, adore Sri Rama; of what account, then, is a vile human being! Do you hope to attain happines...
Uttara_Kanda
1,080
Śrī Hari, my heart, O lord of the feathered kingdom, was all on fire. Vile of descent as I was, the little learning that I had acquired turned my head even as a serpent becomes all the more poisonous when fed on milk. Proud, perverse, wretched and low-born, I playes mischief to my Guru day and night. My Guru, however, ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,081
An ethereal voice proceeded from the temple itself: "you wretched and conceited fool, even though your preceptor has no anger in him and he is very tender-hearted and possessed of true and perfect wisdom, yet, O fool, I must pronounce a curse on you; for any transgression of propriety is loathsome to Me. If I do not pu...
Uttara_Kanda
1,082
"I adore You, the guardian of the south-east quarter and Ruler of the whole universe, eternal bliss personified, the omnipresent and all-pervading Brahma manifest in the form of the Vedas. I worship Lord Siva, shining in His own glory, devoid of material attributes, undifferentiated, desireless, all-pervading conscious...
Uttara_Kanda
1,083
I know not Yoga (concentration), nor Japa (the muttering of prayers) nor ritual. I simply bow to you at all times and at every moment, O Sambhu! Pray, protect me, my lord, miserable and afflicted by sufferings attendant on old age and birth (and death) as I am, O Lord Sambhu!" This hymn of eight verses was uttered by t...
Uttara_Kanda
1,084
"Now do that which may bring him supreme blessedness, O fountain of mercy!" On hearing the Brahmana's words, steeped as they were in charity, the heavenly voice replied: "So be it! Although he has committed a grievous sin and I in My wrath have pronounced a curse on him, yet, realizing your goodness, I shall do him a s...
Uttara_Kanda
1,085
you set your heart on My worship. Due to the miraculous power of the holy city and by My grace, devotion to Sri Rama shall spring up in your bosom. Now, brother, hear My solemn declaration: a vow to serve the Brahmanas is the surest means of propitiating Sri Hari. Insult the Brahmanas no more and reckon a saint to be o...
Uttara_Kanda
1,086
Whatever form I assumed, whether of an irrational being, god or man, I continued to adore Sri Rama even in that form. Yet one thing ever stung my conscience: my Guru's mild and amiable disposition I could never forget. The last body I got was that of a Brahmana, which the Vedas and Puranas declare as difficult even for...
Uttara_Kanda
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and listened with delight to what they told me. O lord of the winged creatures! In this way I went about listening to the recital of Sri Hari's praises. By Sambhu's grace my movements were unchecked everywhere. The three types of ardent seeking (viz., those for progeny, wealth and fame) left me and one solitary longing...
Uttara_Kanda
1,088
Thereupon the great sage recounted with reverence a few virtues of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus), O lord of the feathered creation. But himself devoted to the knowledge of Brahma (the Absolute), and knowing me to be the fittest person (to be initiated into such knowledge), the enlightened sage began a sermon on Bra...
Uttara_Kanda
1,089
can it exist without it, O wise lord of the sages? Be gracious, therefore, to teach me the method whereby I may be able to behold the Lord of the Raghus with my own eyes. Having feasted my eyes on the King of Ayodhya I will then listen to your discourse on the attributeless Brahma." The sage once more recited the incom...
Uttara_Kanda
1,090
"Can suffering ensue from solicitude for others' well-being? Can anyone possessing the philosopher's stone suffer from want any longer? Can the malevolent be free from anxiety? Can the lesful escape obloquy? Can one's posterity survive even though one has persecuted the Brahmanas? Can one continue to perform actions (w...
Uttara_Kanda
1,091
I was immediately transformed into a crow. Thereupon I bowed my head at the sage's feet again and, fixing my thoughts on Sri Rama, the Jewel of Raghu's line, joyfully took flight. Uma, (continues Lord Sankara,) they who are devoted to Sri Rama's feet and are free from lust, vanity and anger look upon the whole word as ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,092
Listen, O lord of the winged creatures: the sage was in no way at fault; it is Sri Rama (the Ornament of Raghu's race) who prompts all hearts. The All-merciful put my devotion to the test by clouding the sage's reason. When He came to know that I was His devoted servant in thought, word and deed, the Lord disabused the...
Uttara_Kanda
1,093
"No suffering occasioned by time, fate, merit, demerit or disposition shall ever torment you. The manifold charming mysteries of Sri Rama, that are found mentioned in the chronicles and Puranas either explicitly or implicitly, you will come to know without any difficulty; and the flame of your devotion to Sri Rama's fe...
Uttara_Kanda
1,094
me with the form of a crow, and have also replied to all your queries. The glory of devotion to Sri Rama is superb indeed. I love this body only because it was in this body that devotion to Sri Rama's feet sprang up in my heart, I was blessed with the sight of my lord and all my doubts vanished. [PAUSE 29 FOR A THIRTY-...
Uttara_Kanda
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They who knowingly cast aside such Devotion and take pains to acquire mere wisdom are fools who would leave alone the cow of plenty at their own house and knock about in search of the Aka plant (the milk-weed) to get milk out of it. Listen. O lord of the winged creatures; the fools who ignore Bhakti and seek happiness ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,096
to the charms of a pretty woman at the very sight of her moon-like face. It is God Visnu's own Maya (deluding potency) that manifests itself in the form of a woman! Here I do not speak in a partisan spirit, but merely state the view of the Vedas and Puranas as well as of the saints. A woman is never enamoured of anoth...
Uttara_Kanda
1,097
Listen, dear Garuda, to this unutterable nasatav, which can only be comprehended by the mind but is incapable of expression. The soul is a particle of the Divinity, immortal, conscious, untainted by Maya and blissful by nature. Such a soul, my lord, has allowed itself to be dominated by Maya and has been caught in its ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,098
is difficult to untie. Since then the soul has become worldly: it can have no happiness unless this knot is untied. The Vedas and Puranas have suggested a number of devices for untying the knot; but the knot, far from being resolved, becomes harder and harder. The interior of the soul being utterly clouded with the dar...
Uttara_Kanda
1,099
After kindling the fire of Yoga (concentration of mind) one's past Karma, both good and evil, should be consigned to it as fuel, and the butter placed on it. When the scum in the form of worldly attachment is burnt, the ghee (clarified butter) that is left in the form of Gnosis should be cooled down by Buddhi (Reason)....
Uttara_Kanda
1,100
The constant awareness that "I am the same (Brahma)" represents the most dazzling flame of the lamp. In this way when the bliss of Self-Realization sheds its bright lustre, the error of duality, the root of worldly existence, is dispersed and the infinite darkness of infatuation etc.- which forms the family of Avidya (...
Uttara_Kanda
1,101
The path of wisdom is like the edge of a sword: one is apt to fall from it very soon, O king of the birds. He alone who successfully treads it attains to the supreme state of final emancipation. But this supreme state of final beatitude is most difficult to attain, so declare the saints as well as the Puranas, Vedas an...
Uttara_Kanda
1,102
The ocean of transmigration, O enemy of serpents, cannot be crossed without cultivating the same feeling of Sri Rama as a servant cherishes towards his master. Knowing this to be the established doctrine, adore the lotus feet of Sri Rama. The Lord of the Raghus can make the sentient inert and the inert sentient: the so...
Uttara_Kanda
1,103
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 Sri Rama is an embodiment of supreme effulgence, which sheds its radiance day and night, requiring neither a vessel nor clarified but...
Uttara_Kanda
1,104
(for self-defence) and slaying with the sword of wisdom enemies in the form of vanity, greed and infatuation, it is Devotion to Sri Hari that triumphs; ponder and realize this, O king of the birds.
Uttara_Kanda
1,105
Garuda (the king of the birds) further submitted in loving tones: "If you cherish fondness for me, my gracious master, kindly recognize me as your servant, and answer me the following seven questions. Tell me, first of all, my most wise master; which form of all is the most difficult to obtain? Next consider and tell m...
Uttara_Kanda
1,106
most terrible sin. Further tell me in unambiguous terms the diseases of the mind, omniscient as you are and richly endowed with compassion." "Listen, dear Garuda, with reverence and rapt attention while I tell you briefly my views on these questions. There is no other form as good as the human body: every living creatu...
Uttara_Kanda
1,107
People die even of one disease; while I have spoken of many incurable diseases which constantly torment the soul. How, then, can it find peace? There are sacred vows and religious observances and practices, austere penance, spiritual wisdom, sacrifices, Japa (muttering of prayers), charity and myriads of other remedies...
Uttara_Kanda
1,108
Thus every creature in this world is ailing and is further afflicted with grief and joy, fear, love and desolation. I have mentioned only a few diseases of the mind; although everyone is suffering from them, few are able to detect them. These wretches, the plague of mankind, diminish to a certain extent on being detect...
Uttara_Kanda
1,109
Sooner shall butter be churned out of water or oil be extracted from sand than the ocean of worldly existence be crossed without adoring Sri Hari: this is a conclusion which cannot be set aside. The Lord can exalt a mosquito to the position of Brahma (the Creator) and degrade Brahma to a position lower than that of a m...
Uttara_Kanda
1,110
you have done me a unique favour, my lord, in that you asked me to repeat the most sacred story of Sri Rama, which delights the soul of sages like Suka, Sanaka and others, as well as of Lord Sambhu. The fellowship of saints is difficult to get in this world, be it for the twinkling of an eye or for half an hour even fo...
Uttara_Kanda
1,111
majesty and glory are unequalled and whose feet are worthy of adoration even to Lord Siva and Brahma (the Unborn, Creator)-betrays His supreme tenderness of heart. Nowhere have I heard of, much less seen, such a kind disposition: to whom shall I compare the Lord of the Raghus, O chief of the birds? Strivers and perfect...
Uttara_Kanda
1,112
"I have attained the object of my life now that I have listened to your discourse, imbued with the nectar of Devotion to Sri Rama's feet. My love for Sri Rama's feet has been renewed and the trouble created by Maya (the Lord's deluding potency) has all ended. You have been a vessel to me, drifting as I was in the ocean...
Uttara_Kanda
1,113
I have thus repeated the most sacred narrative, by hearing which one is freed from the bonds of worldly existence and comes to have devotion to the lotus-feet of the All-merciful Sri Rama, who is a wish-yielding tree to the suppliant. Again, they who listen to this narrative attentively are absolved of sins committed w...
Uttara_Kanda
1,114
He alone is omniscient and accomplished, he alone is wise, he alone is an ornament of the globe, learned and munificent, he alone is pious and he the saviour of his race, whose mind is devoted to the feet of Sri Rama. He alone is perfect in correct behaviour and most sagacious, he alone has thoroughly grasped the concl...
Uttara_Kanda
1,115
I have told you this narrative according to my own lights, although at first I kept it secret. I saw excessive fondness for the same in your heart and then I narrated to you the story of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus). This story, however, should not be repeated to a perverse knave, who does not listen attentively t...
Uttara_Kanda
1,116
of a cow's hoof. Girija (Daughter of the mountain-king) was greatly delighted at heart to hear the whole narrative and replied in pleasing tones: "By the grace of my lord (Yourself) my doubts have disappeared and my devotion to Sri Rama's feet has been renovated. (1-4) "By your blessing, O Lord of the universe, I have ...
Uttara_Kanda
1,117
Listen, my stupid soul: who has not been saved by adoring Sri Rama, the purifier of the fallen? The harlot (Pingala), Ajamila, the hunter (Valmiki), the vulture (Jatayu), the elephant and many other wretches have been delivered by Him. Even Abhiras (a hilly tribe inhabiting the south-west coast in the ancient times), Y...
Uttara_Kanda
1,118
cures the perversities, caused by the fivefold* ignorance, of those men who treasure up in their heart even a few Caupais (small four-footed verses) of this narrative that appeal to them as most charming. If there is anyone who is all-beautiful, all-wise and all-merciful and who is fond of the forlorn, it is Rama and R...
Uttara_Kanda
1,119
The same mysterious "Manasa-Ramayana” (the story of Sri Rama figuratively spoken of as a Manasa lake) which was composed of yore by the blessed Lord Sambhu, the best of all poets, with the object of developing unceasing devotion to the lotus-feet of the all-beautiful Sri Rama, has been likewise rendered into the langua...