Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Uththara Kanda – The significance of the practice of devotion/Phalashruthi

 

Chapter - 126- Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj –The significance of the practice of devotion/Phalashruthi

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Girija, Garuda repeatedly prostrated at the feet of Sage Kakabhusundi, took permission from the sage, and flew to Sri Vaikundam/the abode of Lord Vishnu, contemplating upon the lotus feet of Lord Sri Hari. Oh! Devi, there is no piety superior to the association with the Santh, Mahathma, and noble souls, the Veda and Puranas declare that it is impossible to achieve the association with the noble souls/Mahathmas without the grace of Lord Sri Hari. Oh! Devi, I have described the various sacred legends of Rama who is Kalpatharu/wish-fulfilling creeper, that would enhance devotion at the heart of listeners, and by listening to it would remove the sufferings and grief of worldly existence instantly. Whoever reads and listens to it with utmost devotion and faith would get rid of accumulated sins committed by word, mind, and deed in several births. Oh! Devil, listen to me carefully, the Vedas and scriptures emphasize the following for augmenting the devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Ramachandra,  1) The visit to sacred shrines, and ponds for the self-purification, 2) the practice of Yoga for control of mind and body, for being dispassionate, achieve good control over senses, 3)  Swadhyaya/wisdom for achieving knowledge in Agamanigamashasthras, Puranas, 4) the performance of religious and spiritual practices are part of self-purification and the surroundings 5) Japa/recitation of sacred verses, chants, etc. for concentration and enhance devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Hari 6) The practice of Ahimsa, Shama, Dhama, Sathyam, Dhaya, Dhanam, Shuchi, Astheyam, Bhramacharya, vows, etc. for the serenity of mind 7) The worship of preceptor, Bhramanas, Santh, Mahathma, noble souls are to enhance the virtues, nobility.  Oh! Bhavani, the practice of devotion and pure love at the lotus feet of Lord Rama would bring the piousness of  the above-mentioned deeds and it can be achieved only with the grace of Lord Sri Ramachandra.”

 

Thasu Charana  Siru Nayi Kari Prema  Sahitha Mathidheera | Gayau Garuda  Baikunda  Thab Hridhaya Rakhi Raghubeera || Girija  Santha Samagama Sama  Na Labha Kachu Aana | Binu Hari  Kripa Na Hoyi So Gavahi Bedha Purana ||

Kaheau Parama Puneetha Ithihasa | Sunatha Shravana  Chootahi Bhavapasa || Pranatha Kalpatharu Karuna Punja | Upajayi Preethi Ramapadha Kanja || Mana Krama Bachana  Janitha  Agha Jayi | Sunahi Je Katha Shravana Mana Layi || Theerthatana Sadhana  Samudhayi | Joga Biraga Gyana  Nipunayi || Nana Karma  Dharma Bratha Dhana | Samjama Dhama Japa Thapa Makha Nana|| Bhootha Dhaya Dhvija Guru Sevakayi | Bidhya Binaya  Bibeka  Badayi || Jaha Lagi Sadhana Bedha Bakhani | Sab Kara Phala Haribhagathi Bhavani || So Raghunatha Bhagathi Shruthi Gayi | Ramakripa  Kahau Yek Payi ||