The Form of the Manas and Its Greatness
The Manas is explained through the image of a sacred lake, with its structure, beauty, and inner meanings. Its recitation, hearing, and contemplation are described as deeply transformative.
Bal Kand · Episode 14 / 59
Episode Text
एहि बिधि सब संसय करि दूरी। सिर धरि गुर पद पंकज धूरी॥ पुनि सबही बिनवउँ कर जोरी। करत कथा जेहिं लाग न खोरी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi bidhi saba saṃsaya kari dūrī। sira dhari guru pada paṃkaja dhūrī॥ puni sabahī binavauṃ kara jorī। karata kathā jehiṃ lāga na khorī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Thus, removing all doubts and placing the dust of the guru’s lotus feet upon my head, I again plead with folded hands that no fault may touch this narration.
सादर सिवहि नाइ अब माथा। बरनउँ बिसद राम गुन गाथा॥ संबत सोरह सै एकतीसा। करउँ कथा हरि पद धरि सीसा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sādara sivahi nāi aba māthā। baranauṃ bisada rāma guna gāthā॥ saṃbata soraha sai ekatīsā। karauṃ kathā hari pada dhari sīsā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Now, bowing my head respectfully to Shiva, I narrate the pure story of Rama’s virtues. Placing my head at Hari’s feet, I begin this narration in the year 1631.
नौमी भौम बार मधुमासा। अवधपुरीं यह चरित प्रकासा॥ जेहि दिन राम जनम श्रुति गावहिं। तीरथ सकल तहाँ चलि आवहिं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
naumī bhauma bāra madhumāsā। avadhapurīṃ yaha carita prakāsā॥ jehi dina rāma janama śruti gāvahiṃ। tīratha sakala tahāṃ cali āvahiṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
On the ninth day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra, a Tuesday, this sacred account appeared in Ayodhya. The scriptures say that on the day Rama is born, all the holy places come there.
असुर नाग खग नर मुनि देवा। आइ करहिं रघुनायक सेवा॥ जन्म महोत्सव रचहिं सुजाना। करहिं राम कल कीरति गाना॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asura nāga khaga nara muni devā। āi karahiṃ raghunāyaka sevā॥ janma mahotsava racahiṃ sujānā। karahiṃ rāma kala kīrati gānā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Demons, serpents, birds, humans, sages, and gods all come and serve the Lord of the Raghu line. The wise celebrate His birth festival and sing the beautiful glory of Rama.
मज्जहिं सज्जन बृंद बहु पावन सरजू नीर। जपहिं राम धरि ध्यान उर सुंदर स्याम सरीर॥ ३४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
majjhahiṃ sajjana bṛnda bahu pāvana sarajū nīra। japahiṃ rāma dhari dhyāna ura sundara syāma sarīra॥ 34 ॥
Meaning:
On that day, many groups of saints bathe in the sacred waters of the Sarayu and, holding the beautiful dark-hued form of Rama in their hearts, chant His name.
दरस परस मज्जन अरु पाना। हरइ पाप कह बेद पुराना॥ नदी पुनीत अमित महिमा अति। कहि न सकइ सारदा बिमल मति॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
darasa parasa majjana aru pānā। harai pāpa kaha beda purānā॥ nadī punīta amita mahimā ati। kahi na sakai sāradā bimal mati॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The Vedas and Puranas declare that the sight, touch, bathing, and drinking of the sacred Sarayu River remove sins. This river is exceedingly pure; its glory is limitless, and even Saraswati, with her stainless wisdom, cannot fully describe it.
राम धामदा पुरी सुहावनि। लोक समस्त बिदित अति पावनि॥ चारि खानि जग जीव अपारा। अवध तजें तनु नहिं संसारा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma dhāmadā purī suhāvani। loka samasta bidita ati pāvani॥ cāri khāni jaga jīva apārā। avadha tajeṃ tanu nahiṃ sansaara॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
This lovely city of Ayodhya is the giver of Rama's supreme abode; it is renowned throughout the world and is exceedingly sacred. In the world there are countless living beings of the four classes [egg-born, sweat-born, sprout-born, and womb-born]; whoever leaves the body in Ayodhya does not return to the world again, but dwells in the Lord's supreme abode.
सब बिधि पुरी मनोहर जानी। सकल सिद्धिप्रद मंगल खानी॥ बिमल कथा कर कीन्ह अरंभा। सुनत नसाहिं काम मद दंभा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saba bidhi purī manohara jānī। sakala siddhiprada maṅgala khānī॥ bimala kathā kara kīna arambhā। sunata nasāhin kāma mada dambhā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Considering this city of Ayodhya beautiful in every way, a giver of all accomplishments and a mine of auspiciousness, I began this pure narration; hearing it destroys lust, pride, and arrogance.
रामचरितमानस एहि नामा। सुनत श्रवन पाइअ बिश्रामा॥ मन करि बिषय अनल बन जरई। होइ सुखी जौं एहिं सर परई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmacaritamānasa ehi nāmā। sunata shravana pāiya bishrāmā॥ mana kari biṣaya anala bana jarī। hoi sukhī jauṃ ehiṃ sara paraī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Its name is Ramcharitmanas; merely hearing it brings rest to the ears. The mind, like an elephant, is burning in the forest fire of worldly pleasures; if it falls into this lake called Ramcharitmanas, it becomes happy.
रामचरितमानस मुनि भावन। बिरचेउ संभु सुहावन पावन॥ त्रिबिध दोष दुख दारिद दावन। कलि कुचालि कुलि कलुष नसावन॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmacaritamānasa muni bhāvana। biraceu sambhu suhāvana pāvana॥ tribidha doṣa dukha dārida dāvana। kali kuchāli kuli kaluṣa nasāvana॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
This Ramcharitmanas is dear to the sages; Shiva composed this lovely and sacred lake. It destroys the three kinds of faults, sorrows, and poverty, and is a destroyer of the crooked ways of Kali Yuga and of all impurities.
रचि महेस निज मानस राखा। पाइ सुसमउ सिवा सन भाषा॥ तातें रामचरितमानस बर। धरेउ नाम हियँ हेरि हरषि हर॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rachi mahesa nija mānasa rākhā। pāi susamau sivā sana bhāṣā॥ tātẽ rāmacaritamānasa bara। dhareu nāma hiyaṃ heri haraṣi hara॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
Shri Mahadev created it and kept it within his own mind, and, finding a favorable moment, spoke of it to Parvati. Therefore, seeing it in his heart and rejoicing, Shiva gave it the beautiful name 'Ramcharitmanas.'
जस मानस जेहि बिधि भयउ जग प्रचार जेहि हेतु। अब सोइ कहउँ प्रसंग सब सुमिरि उमा बृषकेतु॥ ३५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jasa mānasa jehi bidhi bhayau jaga pracāra jehi hetu। aba soi kahauṃ prasaṅga saba sumiri umā vṛṣaketu॥ 35 ॥
Meaning:
What this Ramcharitmanas is, in what manner it came to be, and for what purpose it spread through the world—now I shall tell all that, remembering Uma and Vrishaketu.
संभु प्रसाद सुमति हियँ हुलसी। रामचरितमानस कबि तुलसी॥ करइ मनोहर मति अनुहारी। सुजन सुचित सुनि लेहु सुधारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sambhu prasāda sumati hiyaṃ hulasī। rāmacaritamānasa kabi tulasī॥ karai manohara mati anuhārī। sujana sucita suni lehu sudhārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
By Shiva's grace, good understanding blossomed in the heart, and thus Tulsidas became the poet of Ramcharitmanas. He shapes it according to his own understanding. Still, O good people, listen with a pure mind and kindly refine it.
सुमति भूमि थल हृदय अगाधू। बेद पुरान उदधि घन साधू॥ बरषहिं राम सुजस बर बारी। मधुर मनोहर मंगलकारी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sumati bhūmi thala hṛdaya agādhū। beda purāna udadhi ghana sādhū॥ baraṣahiṃ rāma sujasa bara bārī। madhura manohara maṅgalakārī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Good and pure understanding is the ground, the heart its deep place; the Vedas and Puranas are the ocean, and the saints are the clouds. Those saintly clouds rain down the beautiful, sweet, delightful, and auspicious waters of Rama's fame.
लीला सगुन जो कहहिं बखानी। सोइ स्वच्छता करइ मल हानी॥ प्रेम भगति जो बरनि न जाई। सोइ मधुरता सुसीतलताई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
līlā saguna jo kahahiṃ bakhānī। soi svacchatā karai mala hānī॥ prema bhagati jo barani na jāī। soi madhuratā susītalatāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The narration of Rama's divine play in the manifest form is the purity of the water of Rama's fame, which removes all impurity; and that love-devotion which cannot be described is the sweetness and gentle coolness of that water.
सो जल सुकृत सालि हित होई। राम भगत जन जीवन सोई॥ मेधा महि गत सो जल पावन। सकिलि श्रवन मग चलेउ सुहावन॥ भरेउ सुमानस सुथल थिराना। सुखद सीत रुचि चारु चिराना॥ ४-५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so jala sukṛta sāli hita hoi। rāma bhagata jana jīvana soī॥ medhā mahi gata so jala pāvana। sakili shravana maga caleu suhāvana॥ bhareu sumānasa suthala thirānā। sukhada sīta ruci cāru cirānā॥ 4-5 ॥
Meaning:
That water is beneficial for the rice field of virtue, and for Rama's devotees it is life itself. That sacred water fell upon the earth of understanding, gathered itself, and flowed along the lovely path of the ear, then filled the noble lake of the mind and settled there. There it matured, becoming beautiful, pleasing, cool, and delightful.
सुठि सुंदर संबाद बर बिरचे बुद्धि बिचारि। तेइ एहि पावन सुभग सर घाट मनोहर चारि॥ ३६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suṭhi sundara sambandā bara birace buddhi bicāri। tei ehi pāvana subhaga sara ghāṭa manohara cāri॥ 36 ॥
Meaning:
In this story, the four extremely beautiful and excellent dialogues, composed after thoughtful reflection, are the four lovely ghats of this sacred and beautiful lake.
सप्त प्रबंध सुभग सोपाना। ग्यान नयन निरखत मन माना॥ रघुपति महिमा अगुन अबाधा। बरनब सोइ बर बारि अगाधा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sapta prabandha subhaga sopānā। jñāna nayana nirakhata mana mānā॥ raghupati mahimā aguna abādhā। baranaba soi bara bāri agādhā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The seven cantos are the beautiful stairways of this Manas-lake; beholding them with the eye of knowledge, the mind is delighted. Whatever can be said of Lord Raghunath's attributeless and unobstructed glory—that alone is the boundless depth of this lovely water.
राम सीय जस सलिल सुधासम। उपमा बीचि बिलास मनोरम॥ पुरइनि सघन चारु चौपाई। जुगुति मंजु मनि सीप सुहाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma sīya jasa salila sudhāsama। upamā bīci bilāsa manorama॥ puraini saghana cāru caupāī। juguti mañju mani sīpa suhāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The fame of Rama and Sita is water like nectar. The similes in it are the delightful play of waves. The beautiful चौपाइयाँ are the dense water-lilies spread throughout it, and the poetic devices are the lovely shells that produce jewels.
छंद सोरठा सुंदर दोहा। सोइ बहुरंग कमल कुल सोहा॥ अरथ अनूप सुभाव सुभासा। सोइ पराग मकरंद सुबासा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
chaṃda soraṭhā sundara dohā। soi bahuraṅga kamala kula sohā॥ aratha anūpa subhāva subhāsā। soi parāga makaranda subāsā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The beautiful chhands, sorathas, and dohas are the multicolored clusters of lotuses that adorn it. Its incomparable meanings, lofty भाव, and lovely language are the pollen, nectar, and fragrance.
सुकृत पुंज मंजुल अलि माला। ग्यान बिराग बिचार मराला॥ धुनि अवरेब कबित गुन जाती। मीन मनोहर ते बहुभाँती॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sukṛta puñja mañjula ali mālā। jñāna birāga bicāra marālā॥ dhuni avareba kabita guna jātī। mīna manohara te bahubhāṃtī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Piles of merit are the lovely rows of bees; knowledge, detachment, and reflection are swans. The sounds of poetry, its turns, qualities, and kinds are the many kinds of charming fish.
अरथ धरम कामादिक चारी। कहब ग्यान बिग्यान बिचारी॥ नव रस जप तप जोग बिरागा। ते सब जलचर चारु तड़ागा॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aratha dharama kāmādika cārī। kahaba jñāna bigyāna bicārī॥ nava rasa japa tapa joga birāgā। te saba jalacara cāru taḍāgā॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
Artha, dharma, kama, and the rest of the four aims of life; speaking after thoughtful consideration of knowledge and wisdom; the nine रस, japa, austerity, yoga, and detachment—these are all the graceful aquatic creatures of this lake.
सुकृती साधु नाम गुन गाना। ते बिचित्र जलबिहग समाना॥ संतसभा चहुँ दिसि अवँराई। श्रद्धा रितु बसंत सम गाई॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sukṛtī sādhu nāma guna gānā। te bicitra jalabihaga samānā॥ saṃtasabhā cahuṃ disi avaṃrāī। śraddhā ritu basanta sama gāī॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
The songs of the virtuous, the saints, and the qualities of Rama's Name are like wondrous water-birds. The assembly of saints is the mango grove surrounding this lake on all sides, and faith is said to be like the spring season.
भगति निरूपन बिबिध बिधाना। छमा दया दम लता बिताना॥ सम जम नियम फूल फल ग्याना। हरि पद रति रस बेद बखाना॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhagati nirūpana bibidha bidhānā। chamā dayā dama latā bitānā॥ sama jama niyama phūla phala gyānā। hari pada rati rasa beda bakhānā॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
The exposition of devotion in many forms, and forgiveness, compassion, and self-control, are the vine-covered arbors. Evenness of mind, yama, and niyama are their flowers; knowledge is the fruit, and love for Hari's feet is the रस of that fruit, as the Vedas declare.
पुलक बाटिका बाग बन सुख सुबिहंग बिहारु। माली सुमन सनेह जल सींचत लोचन चारु॥ ३७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pulaka bāṭikā bāga bana sukha সুবihanga bihāru। mālī sumana saneha jala sīñcata locana cāru॥ 37 ॥
Meaning:
The thrill that arises in the कथा is itself the garden, orchard, and forest; and the joy that comes is the delightful play of beautiful birds. The pure mind is the gardener, who waters them with the water of love through his lovely eyes.
जे गावहिं यह चरित सँभारे। तेइ एहि ताल चतुर रखवारे॥ सदा सुनहिं सादर नर नारी। तेइ सुरबर मानस अधिकारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
je gāvahiṃ yaha carita saṃbhāre। tei ehi tāla catura rakhavāre॥ sadā sunahiṃ sādar nara nārī। tei surabara mānasa adhikārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Those who sing this tale with care are the clever guardians of this lake; and men and women who always listen to it reverently are the worthy noble beings of this beautiful Mānas.
अति खल जे बिषई बग कागा। एहि सर निकट न जाहिं अभागा॥ संबुक भेक सेवार समाना। इहाँ न बिषय कथा रस नाना॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ati khal je biṣaī baga kāgā। ehi sara nikaṭa na jāhiṃ abhāgā॥ saṃbuka bheka sevāra samānā। ihāṃ na biṣaya kathā rasa nānā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Those who are utterly wicked and sensual are like unlucky herons and crows; they do not come near this lake. For here, in this Mānas-lake, there are no many stories flavored with sensual delight, like snails, frogs, or algae.
तेहि कारन आवत हियँ हारे। कामी काक बलाक बिचारे॥ आवत एहिं सर अति कठिनाई। राम कृपा बिनु आइ न जाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tehi kārana āvata hiyaṃ hāre। kāmī kāka balāka bicāre॥ āvata ehiṃ sara ati kaṭhināī। rāma kṛpā binu āi na jāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
For this reason, the poor sensual crows and herons lose heart as they come here. Reaching this lake is very difficult; without Rama's grace, one cannot come here.
कठिन कुसंग कुपंथ कराला। तिन्ह के बचन बाघ हरि ब्याला॥ गृह कारज नाना जंजाला। ते अति दुर्गम सैल बिसाला॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kaṭhina kusanga kupantha karālā। tinh ke bacana bāgha hari byālā॥ gṛha kāraja nānā jañjālā। te ati durgama saila bisālā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Evil company is a frightful and dangerous path; the words of such companions are like tigers, lions, and serpents. The many duties and entanglements of household life are like immense, inaccessible mountains.
जे श्रद्धा संबल रहित नहिं संतन्ह कर साथ। तिन्ह कहुँ मानस अगम अति जिन्हहि न प्रिय रघुनाथ॥ ३८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
je śraddhā sambaḻa rahita nahiṃ santuṃha kara sātha। tinha kahuṃ mānasa agama ati jinhahi na priya raghunātha॥ 38 ॥
Meaning:
For those who lack the support of faith, who have no company of saints, and to whom Lord Raghunath is not dear, this Mānas is exceedingly inaccessible. In other words, without faith, holy association, and love for God, no one can attain it.
जौं करि कष्ट जाइ पुनि कोई। जातहिं नीद जुड़ाई होई॥ जड़ता जाड़ बिषम उर लागा। गएहुँ न मज्जन पाव अभागा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jauṃ kari kaṣṭa jāi puni koī। jātahiṃ nīda juṛāī hoī॥ jaṛatā jāṛa biṣama ura lāgā। gaehuṃ na majjana pāva abhāgā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
If someone reaches there only after great hardship, sleep-like drowsiness overtakes him at once. The harsh cold of stupidity settles in the heart, so that even after arriving there the unlucky one cannot bathe.
करि न जाइ सर मज्जन पाना। फिरि आवइ समेत अभिमाना॥ जौं बहोरि कोउ पूछन आवा। सर निंदा करि ताहि बुझावा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kari na jāi sara majjana pānā। phiri āvai sameta abhimānā॥ jauṃ bahori kou pūṃchan āvā। sara niṃdā kari tāhi bujhāvā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
There he is unable to bathe in the lake or drink its water, and returns full of pride. Then if someone comes asking him about it, he does not speak of his own failure; instead, he denounces the lake and talks the matter away.
सकल बिघ्न ब्यापहिं नहिं तेही। राम सुकृपाँ बिलोकहिं जेही॥ सोइ सादर सर मज्जनु करई। महा घोर त्रयताप न जरई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sakala bighna byāpahiṃ nahiṃ tehī। rāma sukṛpāṃ bilokahiṃ jehī॥ soi sādara sara majjanu karaī। mahā ghora trayatāpa na jaraī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
All these obstacles do not trouble the one whom Rama regards with gracious favor. Such a person bathes in this lake with reverence and is not scorched by the dreadful threefold suffering.
ते नर यह सर तजहिं न काऊ। जिन्ह कें राम चरन भल भाऊ॥ जो नहाइ चह एहिं सर भाई। सो सतसंग करउ मन लाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
te nara yaha sara tajahiṃ na kāū। jinha keṃ rāma carana bhala bhāū॥ jo nahāi caha ehiṃ sara bhāī। so satasaṅga karau mana lāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Those whose hearts hold deep love for Lord Rama's feet never forsake this lake. O brother, whoever wishes to bathe in this lake should apply his mind and keep holy company.
अस मानस मानस चख चाही। भइ कबि बुद्धि बिमल अवगाही॥ भयउ हृदयँ आनंद उछाहू। उमगेउ प्रेम प्रमोद प्रबाहू॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asa mānasa mānasa cakha cāhī। bhai kabi buddhi bimala avagāhī॥ bhayau hṛdayaṃ ānanda uchāhū। umageu prema pramoda pravāhū॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
By beholding such a Mānas-lake with the eyes of the heart and plunging into it, the poet's intellect became pure; joy and enthusiasm filled the heart, and a flood of love and delight surged forth.
चली सुभग कबिता सरिता सो। राम बिमल जस जल भरिता सो॥ सरजू नाम सुमंगल मूला। लोक बेद मत मंजुल कूला॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
calī subhaga kabitā saritā so। rāma bimala jasa jala bharitā so॥ sarajū nāma sumaṅgala mūlā। loka beda mata mañjula kūlā॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
From it flowed the lovely river of poetry, filled with the pure water of Rama's fame. Its name is Sarju, the root of all auspiciousness; the teachings of the world and of the Veda are its two lovely banks.
श्रोता त्रिबिध समाज पुर ग्राम नगर दुहुँ कूल। संतसभा अनुपम अवध सकल सुमंगल मूल॥ ३९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
śrotā tribidha samāja pura grāma nagara duhuṃ kūla। santasabhā anupama avadha sakala sumaṅgala mūla॥ 39 ॥
Meaning:
The community of the three kinds of listeners is like the hamlets, villages, and towns spread along the two banks of this river; and the assembly of saints is the incomparable Ayodhya, the root of all auspiciousness.
रामभगति सुरसरितहि जाई। मिली सुकीरति सरजु सुहाई॥ सानुज राम समर जसु पावन। मिलेउ महानदु सोन सुहावन॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmabhagati surasaritahi jāī। mili sukīriti saraju suhāī॥ sānuja rāma samara jasu pāvana। mileu mahānadu sona suhāvana॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The lovely Sarju, whose glory is beautiful, went and merged into the heavenly Ganga of Rama-bhakti. There, the pure fame of Rama's battle, together with Lakshmana, merged as the delightful great river Son.
जुग बिच भगति देवधुनि धारा। सोहति सहित सुबिरति बिचारा॥ त्रिबिध ताप त्रासक तिमुहानी। राम सरूप सिंधु समुहानी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
juga bica bhagati devadhuni dhārā। sohati sahita subirati bicārā॥ tribidha tāpa trāsaka timuhānī। rāma sarūpa sindhu samuhānī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Between them flows the stream of devotion, like the Ganga of the gods, shining together with contemplation and detachment. This river, frightening to the threefold afflictions, flows toward the ocean that is the very form of Rama.
मानस मूल मिली सुरसरिही। सुनत सुजन मन पावन करिही॥ बिच बिच कथा बिचित्र बिभागा। जनु सरि तीर तीर बन बागा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mānasa mūla milī surasarihī। sunata sujana mana pāvana karihī॥ bica bica kathā bicitra bibhāgā। janu sari tīra tīra bana bāgā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Its source is the Mānas, that is, the story of Rama, and it has merged into the heavenly Ganga; therefore it will purify the minds of noble listeners. The various and wondrous episodes in between are like the forests and gardens along the riverbanks.
उमा महेस बिबाह बराती। ते जलचर अगनित बहुभाँती॥ रघुबर जनम अनंद बधाई। भवँर तरंग मनोहरताई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
umā mahesa bibāha barātī। te jalacara aganita bahubhāṃtī॥ raghubara janama ananda badhāī। bhavaṃra taraṃga manoharatāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The bridal procession of Uma and Mahesha appears as the countless aquatic beings of many kinds in this river. The joyful congratulations of Rama's birth are the charm of its whirlpools and waves.
बालचरित चहु बंधु के बनज बिपुल बहुरंग। नृप रानी परिजन सुकृत मधुकर बारि बिहंग॥ ४० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bālacarita cahu bandhu ke banaja bipula bahuraṃga। nṛpa rānī parijana sukṛta madhukara bāri bihaṃga॥ 40 ॥
Meaning:
The childhood deeds of the four brothers are the many blossoming lotuses of varied colors in it. King Dasharatha, his queens, and his relatives, through their righteous deeds, are the bees and water-birds there.
सीय स्वयंबर कथा सुहाई। सरित सुहावनि सो छबि छाई॥ नदी नाव पटु प्रस्न अनेका। केवट कुसल उतर सबिबेका॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sīya svayaṃbara kathā suhāī। sarita suhāvani so chabi chhāī॥ nadī nāva paṭu prasna anekā। kevaṭa kusala utara sabibekā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The beautiful story of Sita's svayamvara is the lovely splendor shining in this river. The many fine, thoughtful questions are its boats, and the wise answers are the skillful boatmen.
सुनि अनुकथन परस्पर होई। पथिक समाज सोह सरि सोई॥ घोर धार भृगुनाथ रिसानी। घाट सुबद्ध राम बर बानी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni anukathana paraspara hoī। pathika samāja soha sari soī॥ ghora dhāra bhṛgunātha risānī। ghāṭa subaddha rāma bara bānī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The conversation that follows after hearing this story is the very charm of the travelers moving along this river. Parashurama's wrath is its terrible current, and Rama's noble words are the well-built, beautiful ghats.
सानुज राम बिबाह उछाहू। सो सुभ उमग सुखद सब काहू॥ कहत सुनत हरषहिं पुलकाहीं। ते सुकृती मन मुदित नहाहीं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sānuja rāma bibāha uchāhū। so subha umaga sukhada saba kāhū॥ kahata sunata haraṣahiṃ pulakāhīṃ। te sukṛtī mana mudita nahāhīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The wedding joy of Rama together with his brothers is the auspicious flood of this river-story, bringing happiness to all. Those who rejoice and thrill while speaking and hearing it are the truly meritorious ones, bathing in this river with joyful hearts.
राम तिलक हित मंगल साजा। परब जोग जनु जुरे समाजा॥ काई कुमति केकई केरी। परी जासु फल बिपति घनेरी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma tilaka hita maṅgala sājā। paraba joga janu jure samājā॥ kāī kumati kekai kerī। parī jāsu phala bipati ghanerī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The auspicious decoration made for Rama's coronation is like a gathering of travelers assembled upon this river at festival time. Kekai's wicked thought is the algae in the river, from which a great calamity has resulted.
समन अमित उतपात सब भरतचरित जपजाग। कलि अघ खल अवगुन कथन ते जलमल बग काग॥ ४१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
samana amita utapāta saba bharatacarita japajāga। kali agha khala avaguna kathana te jalamala baga kāga॥ 41 ॥
Meaning:
The story of Bharata is the japa-sacrifice performed on the riverbank, one that शांतens countless disturbances. The descriptions of the sins of Kali and the vices of the wicked are the mud in this river's water, and its herons and crows.
कीरति सरित छहूँ रितु रूरी। समय सुहावनि पावनि भूरी॥ हिम हिमसैलसुता सिव ब्याहू। सिसिर सुखद प्रभु जनम उछाहू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kīrati sarita chahūṃ ritu rūrī। samaya suhāvani pāvani bhūrī॥ hima himasailasutā siva byāhū। sisira sukhada prabhu janama uchāhū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
This river of fame is beautiful in all six seasons. At all times it is lovely and exceedingly pure. The wedding of Shiva and Parvati is like the winter season, and the joyous celebration of Lord Rama’s birth is like the pleasant season of winter.
बरनब राम बिबाह समाजू। सो मुद मंगलमय रितुराजू॥ ग्रीषम दुसह राम बनगवनू। पंथकथा खर आतप पवनू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
baranaba rāma bibāha samājū। so muda maṃgalamaya riturājū॥ grīṣama dusaha rāma banagavanū। paṃthakathā khara ātapa pavanū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The narration of Lord Rama’s wedding procession is the springtime, full of joy and auspiciousness. Lord Rama’s going to the forest is the unbearable summer, and the tale of the road is the scorching sun and hot wind.
बरषा घोर निसाचर रारी। सुरकुल सालि सुमंगलकारी॥ राम राज सुख बिनय बड़ाई। बिसद सुखद सोइ सरद सुहाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
baraṣā ghora nisācara rārī। surakula sāli sumaṃgalakārī॥ rāma rāja sukha binaya baṛāī। bisada sukhada soi sarada suhāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The fierce battle with the night-demons is the monsoon season, which is auspicious and nourishing like rain for the divine rice-fields. The happiness, humility, and greatness of Lord Rama’s reign are the clear and soothing autumn season.
सती सिरोमनि सिय गुन गाथा। सोइ गुन अमल अनूपम पाथा॥ भरत सुभाउ सुसीतलताई। सदा एकरस बरनि न जाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
satī siromani siya guna gāthā। soi guna amala anūpama pāthā॥ bharata subhāu susītalatāī। sadā ekarasa barani na jāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The account of the virtues of Sita, the jewel among chaste women, is the pure and incomparable quality of this water. Bharata’s nature is the lovely coolness of this river, always the same and beyond description.
अवलोकनि बोलनि मिलनि प्रीति परसपर हास। भायप भलि चहु बंधु की जल माधुरी सुबास॥ ४२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
avalokani bolani milani prīti paraspara hāsa। bhāyapa bhali cahu bandhu kī jala mādhurī subāsa॥ 42 ॥
Meaning:
The four brothers’ mutual glances, speech, meetings, affection for one another, laughter, and lovely brotherly bond are the sweetness and fragrance of this water.
आरति बिनय दीनता मोरी। लघुता ललित सुबारि न थोरी॥ अदभुत सलिल सुनत गुनकारी। आस पिआस मनोमल हारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ārati binaya dīnatā morī। laghutā lalita subāri na thorī॥ adabhuta salila sunata gunakārī। āsa piāsa manomala hārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
My distress, humility, and lowliness are no less a part of this lovely, pure water. This wondrous stream is so effective that even hearing of it brings merit, and it removes the thirst of hope and the dirt of the mind.
राम सुप्रेमहि पोषत पानी। हरत सकल कलि कलुष गलानी॥ भव श्रम सोषक तोषक तोषा। समन दुरित दुख दारिद दोषा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma suprēmahi poṣata pānī। harata sakala kali kaluṣa galānī॥ bhava śrama soṣaka toṣaka toṣā। samana durita dukha dārida doṣā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
This water nourishes Lord Rama’s pure love, removes all the impurities and weariness of Kali Yuga, soothes the toil of worldly existence, satisfies contentment, and destroys sins, suffering, poverty, and faults.
काम कोह मद मोह नसावन। बिमल बिबेक बिराग बढ़ावन॥ सादर मज्जन पान किए तें। मिटहिं पाप परिताप हिए तें॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kāma koha mada moha nasāvana। bimala bibeka birāga baṛhāvana॥ sādara majjana pāna kie teṃ। miṭahiṃ pāpa paritāpa hie teṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
This water destroys lust, anger, pride, and delusion, and increases pure discernment and dispassion. By bathing in it with reverence and drinking it, all sins and inner suffering vanish from the heart.
जिन्ह एहिं बारि न मानस धोए। ते कायर कलिकाल बिगोए॥ तृषित निरखि रबि कर भव बारी। फिरिहहिं मृग जिमि जीव दुखारी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jinha ehiṃ bāri na mānasa dhoe। te kāyara kalikāla bigoe॥ tṛṣita nirakhi rabi kara bhava bārī। phirihahiṃ mṛga jimi jīva dukhārī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Those who have not washed their minds in this water of Rama’s glorious fame are ruined by the cowardly Kali age. Like a thirsty deer that mistakes a mirage created by the sun’s rays for real water and runs toward it, only to suffer when it finds none, so too do such sorrowful beings wander and suffer.
मति अनुहारि सुबारि गुन गन गनि मन अन्हवाइ। सुमिरि भवानी संकरहि कह कबि कथा सुहाइ॥ ४३ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mati anuhāri subāri guna gana gani mana anhavāi। sumiri bhavānī saṃkarahi kaha kabi kathā suhāi॥ 43 (a) ॥
Meaning:
According to his own understanding, the poet counts the virtues of this lovely water, bathes his mind in it, remembers Bhavani and Shankara, and then tells this beautiful tale.
अब रघुपति पद पंकरुह हियँ धरि पाइ प्रसाद। कहउँ जुगल मुनिबर्य कर मिलन सुभग संबाद॥ ४३ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aba raghupati pada paṃkaruha hiyaṃ dhari pāi prasāda। kahauṃ jugala munibarya kara milana subhaga saṃbāda॥ 43 (b) ॥
Meaning:
Now, holding the lotus feet of Lord Raghupati in my heart and receiving His grace, I relate the lovely account of the meeting of the two foremost sages.