||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 21 – Dhoha – 20

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “There are three kinds of listeners, they are 1) liberated souls, 2)Sadhakas who are striving hard to attain Moksha, and 3) people who are completely soaked in worldly matters and bondage, they represent the cities and villages on the river banks. The saintly people and ascetics are the source of all the auspiciousness as incomparable to the city of Ayodhya.  The sacred river Sarayu represents the endless virtues of Rama, it confluences with the Suranadhi/Ganga who represents Bhakti. Later it merges with the Mahanadhi/Sona, which represents Lakshmana who is valorous, dearest younger brother of Rama. The Devanadhi/Ganga who represents Bhakti shines between the sacred rivers Surya and Sona that represent Virakathi/sense of abandonment/contentment and intelligence respectively. These three sacred rivers/Sarayu, Ganga, and Sona, eradicates the Thrividhapapa/Adhibaudhika, Adhideivika, and Adhyathmika, of the Jeeva, finally it confluences with the ocean that resembles Lord Rama.  The sacred river Ganga descends from the Devaloka confluences with the Sarayu which represents the virtues of Rama, therefore it purifies the mind and intellect of the Jeeva.  The various legends depicted are the pleasure gardens and greens on the river banks. The best men of the grand wedding of Uma Maheshwara were several aquatic animals. The various amusements of these four divine brothers resemble attractive lotus flowers of different colors. King Dasaratha, his queens, and relatives represent honey bees and water birds. The celestial wedding of this divine couple Rama and Sita is the beautiful pond and its marvelous surroundings. The questions related to these legends are ferries on the water on this pond, and the intelligent answers to the questions are the ferrymen.  The passengers on the ferry take pleasure in the recollection of various legends of supreme Lord Rama.  The fury of Lord Parashurama is the powerful water currents, the strong stone steps are the compassionate words of Lord Rama.  The celestial wedding of these four brothers is the brimming water that gives pleasure to all. The noble soul who listens to this glorious legend and takes great pleasure in it resembles the fortunate souls who are taking a dip in this holy water. The elaborate arrangements made for the coronation ceremony of Lord Rama resembles the noble souls who assembled on the shore to take a dip in the river during the auspicious days in a year.  The algae that spread on the stone steps resemble the decisive plan and sharp criticisms of Devi Kaikeyi.  The legend of Bharatha that removes all the afflictions of Jeeva, it resembles the Japa and Yajja conducted on the river bank.  The evil-mindedness of the people of the Kali era, and their atrocities represent the impurities in the water, crows, and pelican residing on the river bank.  The glorious legend of Rama provides happiness in six Rithu, which is attractive and purifies the souls. The celestial wedding of Lord Mahadeva and Goddess Bhavani represents the Hemantha Rithu/winter season.  The grand festival on the birth day of Lord Rama represents marvelous Shishira Rithu/cold season.  The grand celestial wedding of Lord Rama and its preparations represent the auspicious Vasantha Rithu/spring season who is the king of the seasons. The journey of Rama to the dense wood represents scorching Greeshma Rithu/summer season. His exploration through the dense would and the unbearable heat represents the blazing sun and burning heat waves. Rama’s encounter with the numerous demons represents the Varsha Rithu/rainy season, which is highly auspicious for the crops and provides an abundance of grains. The flourished land of the city of Ayodhya, and the endless glories and generosity of Lord Rama, represents the Sharath Rithu/autumn which is gorgeous and pleasure-giving and free of clouds.  The chastity of Devi Sita and her endless virtues represents the serene water.  The indescribable virtues and devotion of Bharatha represent coolness.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 20 – Dhoha – 19

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ The legend of Rama like this marvelous pond provides immense bliss to the birds that take great pleasure in exploring beautiful garden which is full of rich fragrant flowers, numerous flowering plants and creepers, and various fruit-bearing trees. The noble souls who take a great interest with their eyes and ears on this pond represent the gardener watering all those beautiful plants and trees in the garden. Those who sing the legend of Rama with devotion and faith are the protectors of this pond surrounded by a garden.  Those women and men who sincerely listen to it are qualified to approach the Manasarovar like the legend of Rama. People who are soaked in worldly matters and bondage, unfortunate ones and wicked are not deserved, like pelican and crow to go near this sacred pond. In this place, there is no space for poisonous shell creatures, frogs or algae-like sensual pleasures, therefore people who are like pelican and crows, people swelled with pride and lust are not allowed to stay close to it. It is not easy to approach this sacred pond, and it is impossible to come closer to this pond without the grace of Lord Rama.  The evil companions always heave the people into difficult pathways, and their words are like ferocious tigers, lions, and venomous serpents. The troubles, arguments, and deeds in the household are harsh mountain peaks, Moha/desire, Madha/haughtiness, Abhiman/pride are dense forests, differences of opinions are various watercourses. Therefore concentration and devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Raghunatha, and association with the saintly people and ascetics, only could provide the serenity of the mind. If a person achieved the devotion and association with the noble souls, immediately gets infected with the fever like sleep, eventually, they will get afflicted with ignorance like chillness. In this way, that unfortunate soul could not take a dip in the sacred pond like the legend of Rama.   These kinds of people even though not successful to take a dip in the sacred pond or consume a handful of water, will leave the place with great pride. If anyone inquires about the significance of it would be discouraged with sarcastic comments. If a person is a fortunate one, he will not get tormented by ignorance, he faithfully takes a dip in that sacred pond and gets rid of all the sins.  Whoever sincerely devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Rama will not discard that glorious pond.  The intellectuals envision that beautiful Manasarovar, takes a dip in it and purifies their intellect, thus they remain in the state of enthusiasm and supreme bliss always, they spread that divine knowledge like streams that flow in different directions.  The sacred river Sarayu symbolizes auspiciousness, originated from Manasarovar has two beautiful shores, explains the legends and greatest philosophies as well, the powerful watercourse of this river would uproot the shrubs and trees like evilness of the worshiper.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 19 – Dhoha – 18

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ The greatest work of Lord Shambhu inspired the heart of Tulsi to create the Ramacharitha Manas. I have taken all effort to beautify the work according to my intelligence, Oh! Mahathma, kindly listen to it with generosity and purify it. A Sathvik mind is the reservoir of water, the heart is deep with diversified thoughts, Veda and scriptures are ocean-like, pious, and ascetics symbolize the sweetened virtues and fame of Rama, which are beautiful, and auspicious, which is the source of the rainy clouds. The ascetics and pious describes the endless virtues and various pastimes of Rama, it purifies the heart of listeners. It removes all the impurities in the mind; it has indescribable devotion that spread coolness and sweetness as well.  This glorious scripture is the source of good fortune; it nourishes the grains like the fate of the worshiper with an abundance of water, it is highly promising, it is life-giving to the devotees of Lord Rama, this glorious water drench the mud like the intellect of Jeeva, it flows through the ears and settles in the heart, further it resides in the heart of the Jeeva for a long period of time and spread coolness, happiness, purity, and contentment as well.”

There are four interesting conversations in this legend, 1) Kakabhushundi and Garuda, 2) Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi 3) Yajjavalkhyan and Bharadhwaja, 4) Tulsidas and ascetics, it represents a beautiful four stone walls around the most purifying pond of crystal color water. The seven cantos are marvelous steps leading to the pond; it helps the wisdom like eyes of the Jeeva take great pleasure in the boundless virtues and independent nature of that Supreme Lord Rama. I shall narrate the same; it describes the bottomless sacred water like virtues of Rama. The glories and fame of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita are nectar-like water, the waves in this sacred water describe the various amusements that provides happiness to Jeeva. The four lines of verses/ Chaupai describe the cluster of lotus flower plants in that pond.  The poetic skills in these verses are like shells of precious pearls, the Chandass, Sorada, and Dhoha are a cluster of various colors of lotus flowers.  The incomparable meanings, excellent assumptions, meticulous descriptions represent the pollen of flowers, honey, and fragrances respectively.  The glorious deeds described in that legend is the pack of beautiful honey bees. The Gnana/wisdom, Vairagya/sense of abandonment, and contemplation represents the swans that take great pleasure in the pond. The notations, complex words, various captivating effects, and methods of expression represent fishes of different natures. It describes the four Purusharththa known as Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, wisdom about Nirgunabhramam, Vijyana about the Saguna Bhramam, Navarasa/nine emotions, Japa, Tapas, Yoga, Vairagya, are the various attractive aquatic animals on this pond.  The saintly people, noble souls, liberated souls and sacred names of Lord are often described with the attractive aquatic birds.  The assembly point of these ascetics and nobles’ souls are mentioned as the marvelous mango wood around this beautiful pond. The dedication is compared with the Vasantharithu/autumn season, the various virtues of Bhakti described in it as patience, kindness, and control over senses are creeper homes in the wood. The qualities like self-control, non-violence, truthfulness, control over senses, performance of austerities, and vows, causes internal and external cleansing, it brings purity and serenity of the mind with the learning and reciting the scriptures, reciting the sacred names of Lord, and complete surrender to supreme Lord.  The fruits and flowers of the creeper represent wisdom, and intense devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Hari, there are sub-stories on the legend represents parrots, cuckoos and various attractive colorful birds.  The happiness derived after listening to this legend represents pleasure gardens, flowering plants, mangroves, and the numerous birds taking great pleasure in it.  The noble souls collect the sacred water from this pond through their eyes and watering it to the entire garden.

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 18 – Dhoha – 17

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “I shall reverentially prostrate before my preceptor who removed my qualms, and I request all my readers with folded hands not to criticize or overlook the composition. I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Mahadeva and I shall narrate the endless virtues of Lord Rama. I have started writing the glorious legends of Rama in the year 1584 AD, on Tuesday 9^th in the month of Chaithra, it was published in Ayodhya, on the birth date of Lord Rama where all the Theerthas confluence in Ayodhya, Veda affirms the presence of all the sacred Theerthas in this glorious city of Ayodhya on the birthday of Lord Rama.  On this auspicious day, animals, birds, demons, humans, deities, serpents, Sages and Rishis assemble and worship Lord Rama and take a holy dip in this sacred Sarayu. The intellectuals celebrate the birth of supreme Lord Rama widely, and sing in praise of him, on this occasion several thousands of pious people will take a dip in the holy river Sarayu, and they contemplate upon the most attractive form of supreme Lord Rama and conduct meditation. The Vedas and scriptures repeatedly pronounced that holy dip in the river Sarayu, or mere witnessing this sacred river, or touching its waters or consuming it would destroy all the sins of the worshiper.  The piousness of this sacred river Sarayu is indescribable even to Goddess Sharada.  The beautiful city of Ayodhya is the abode of Rama on the Earth; it is one of the sacred lands on the Earth.  The creation on the Earth has expanded in four methods 1)Born out of womb/human 2) Born out of Egg/birds, serpents  3) Sweat/fungus and 4) sprouted from Earth/trees and vegetables, if any creature leaves its mortal coil on this sacred land of Ayodhya will not have rebirth. This is one of the beautiful city, provides various supernatural powers to the ascetics, it is the storehouse of all the auspiciousness, hence I have started writing this glorious legend of Rama, whoever listens to it with intense devotion and faith would get rid of all the impurities in their hearts/ Kamam/desire and lust, Dhabham/pride and Madham/haughtiness, listening to the marvelous name of ‘ Sri Ramacharitha Manas’ itself would provide serenity to the mind.  The untamed elephant-like mind locked in the wildfire of the material matters and bondage would feel great comfort in the Ramacharitha Manas like water pool. The intellectuals and ascetics would take great pleasure in the sacred and marvelous ‘Ramacharitha Manas which was composed by Lord Shambhu. It would remove Thrividhapapa, sins that are committed by the mind, words, and deeds, it removes Jananam/birth, aging, and death as well, it removes all the impurities of mind and intellect, and it eradicates sufferings of poverty and miseries. It was composed by Lord Mahadeva and safely locked in his heart, later it was narrated to Goddess Parvathi in an appropriate time, it was named as ‘Ramacharitha Manas’  by Lord Shambhu. Oh! Noble souls, I shall repeat that marvelous and most interesting legend of Rama, kindly listen to it with devotion and faith. I shall repeatedly contemplate upon Goddess Uma and Lord Shiva, and I shall describe the nature of ‘Ramacharitha Manas’, and how did it begin?  And why it has got wide popularity among the ascetics and pious souls?”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 17 – Dhoha – 16

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ Rama Charitha is precious as Chinthamani,  it represents the pure wisdom, has virtues of Lord Rama which is auspicious to the Universe, and it provides Mukthi, Wealth, Dharma and ultimately liberation from repeated births. It speaks about Gnana, Vairagya, and Yoga, it removes the afflictions of worldly existence, like the deities Ashwini Kumaras who are the physicians in the deity, it enhances the devotion to supreme Lord Rama and Devi Sita, it is the seed of all kinds of austerities, vows, Dharma,  it removes the sorrows and miseries, sins, etc. it protects the Jeeva in this world and afterlife on Earth as well.  The legend of Rama works as the warriors of the King of intellect, it works as Sage Agasthya and swallows up the ocean like Lobha, it works like the fierce lions that kill the untamed elephants like Kama, Krodha, Kalimala in the hearts of devotees, it transforms the Jeeva as the guests and most beloved of supreme Lord Thripurari, it works as rainy clouds that remove the sufferings of poverty like a forest fire. It works as a scared chant that removes the poison of worldly matters; it is the precious gem that removes the ill fortune of the worshiper.  It works like the brilliant rays of Lord Surya, which removes the darkness of excessive lust and desires  and  it enhances devotion, it  enhances Bhakti and Vairagya and works like the brilliant sunlight that nourishes the grains in the paddy field, it is like a Kalpavriksha that fulfills all the desires of the worshiper, it transforms the Jeeva to do selfless service like Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, it provides happiness, it adorns the heart of the poet like the stars in the night of autumn, it is the greatest wealth of the devotees of Lord Rama, it is the source of all kinds of fortune, it is like the ascetic who selflessly assisted the Jeeva to elevate their souls, it is like a swan that takes great pleasure in the hearts of intellectuals and devotees of Lord Rama, it is pure as the water currents of sacred river Ganga.”

Tulsidas Maharaj continues “The legend of Rama would destroy the immorality, misapprehensions, and inappropriate ways of living, wickedness, swollen pride, disbelief, etc..  it works like colossal fire in the Kali era. The various amusements of Lord Rama are most promising and it would spread happiness like cool rays of the full moon, especially to the lotus-like hearts of ascetics, saintly men and pious, it is happiest as the full moon to the Chakora birds. I shall narrate this glorious legend which was described by Lord Mahadeva to Goddess Parvathi, as an answer to her qualms, the intellectuals will not get surprised after listening to it because of its nature of Alaukika Katha/supernatural. The legend of Rama is indescribable, it was composed in hundred crores of verses, it has no end, it was sung by various illustrious Rishis and Sages, therefore it should not create any disbelief in the reader, it should listen with intense faith and devotion.  The supreme Lord Rama is beyond description, he has neither end nor beginning, he is eternal, hence his virtues also endless. The intellectuals never get surprised by reading the virtues of Lord Rama.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 16 – Dhoha – 15

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ I shall narrate the conversation between Maharishi Yajjavalkya and Sage Bharadhwaja, let the pious people listen to it with great pleasure.  This beautiful legend was described by Lord Shambhu to Goddess Uma, further it was retold to Kakabhushundi/sage who has the appearance of a crow, was a fervent devotee of supreme Lord Rama, therefore Lord Shambhu decided to narrate it to him, later it was received by Maharishi Yajjavalkya from Kakabhushundi, and it was retold to Sage Bharadhwaja.  The Maharishi Yajjavalkya and Sage Bharadhwaja are Vaktha/speaker and Shrotha/listener respectively, they are highly learned, righteous, have the highest knowledge of supreme Lord as a soul in living beings, they had a thorough knowledge of the numerous incarnations of LordHari. These two Sages had divine powers, are aware of past, present, and future, like the lemon on the palm. Later, this glorious legend came to know to illustrious Rishis and Sages and they took great pleasure in it.  I had the great fortune to listen to this legend from my preceptor in the Sookarakshethra/Soron, U.P. I was too young those days, so I could not understand the real meaning of it, due to my poor intellect. I am a dull person with a poor intellect, soaked in the impurities of the Kali era, how could I understand the highest philosophy in it?”

Tulsidas Maharaj continues “My preceptor repeatedly narrated this legend to me, hence I could understand some of it, I shall try to exemplify the same in my own language/Awadh so that I can get satisfaction out of it. I shall try to incorporate all those information according to my knowledge with the blessings of Lord Hari. The legend of Lord Rama would remove all my misconceptions, desires, hallucinations, and it would work as the ferry to cross the ocean of worldly existence.  It would provide bliss to the intellectuals and pious souls and make them delightful; it removes the impurities of the Kali era. The legend of Rama is like a peacock that crushes the pride of the serpent-like Kali era.  It represents ‘Arani’/wood that ignite fire with the constant friction, it is the divine cow Kamadhenu in the Kali era, it is nectar of immortality/Sanjeevani for the ascetics, it is the nectar-like watercourse on the Earth, it removes the fears and anxieties of worldly existence, and it works as serpent swallows the trepidations like the frog.  Goddess Parvathi who was incarnated to provide welfare for the deities, like the legend of Rama is promising to ascetics and noble souls. Goddess Parvathi destroyed the demons and reinstated righteousness; like that the legend of Rama removes all the impurities like demons in the Jeeva. The legend of Lord Rama initiated as Goddess Rama who was emerged out of the milky ocean, it keeps flowing like watercourse to the hearts of pious souls, it bears all the weight of the Universe like the Mother Earth, it is like sacred river Yamuna that waves off all those emissaries of Lord Yama, it is like sacred Kashi that provides Mukthi to the Jeeva, it is like most beloved shrub Tulsi to Rama, and it is like Hulsi who is my foster mother equivalent to my own mother. The legend of Rama is like the famous river Narmada that originated from the hills of Meghala, which is beloved of Lord Shiva, it is the treasure house of all kinds of Siddhis, happiness, wealth, prosperity, etc. it symbolizes virtues like Devi Adhithi who is the mother of deities, and it is the pinnacle of devotion to the Supreme Lord Rama.  The legend of Rama represents sacred river Mandakini, Chithrakoota represents an innocent heart, and the purest love represents Lord Rama and Sita exploring in the beautiful woods. ”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 15 – Dhoha – 14

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ The recitation of sacred names of Lord with a good intention or evil intention,  angry mood or while yawning, definitely it would spread auspiciousness in ten directions, I shall bow down my head before the lotus feet of Lord Raghunatha and I shall make a humble effort to describe his endless virtues. I am confident that the supreme Lord would remove all the errors in it.  Lord Rama is supreme Lord who is Dhayanidhi, I am an undeserved servant, and he had showered endless mercy upon me. The Veda and scriptures praise the endless glories of the supreme Lord. The wealthiest and penniless, villager and city-dweller, intellectual and dull, people of fame and ill fame, the poet of fame or an ordinary one, male and female make their own effort to praise their rulers according to their intellect.  The Supreme Lord who is incarnated as Lord Rama symbolizes piousness, intelligence, kindness, and compassion amiably listens to those praises of the people, is the perfect mode of the conduct of a ruler.  Lord Rama who is the ruler of Kosala Kingdom is the Shiromani/jewel adorned on the head of the intellectuals, he gets pleased with the innocent devotion of his subjects, unfortunately, I am a dull and unfair person on the Earth, hence you may find fault in it, even the hell gets ashamed of my sins, I am scared to recollect all those sins, Alas! That supreme Lord is least bothered to take into account of those sins, even in his dreams. Instead, that compassionate Lord gets pleased with my devotion and enthusiasm.   It is very normal, even the slightest virtues are praised would get lost, therefore the supreme Lord Rama gets pleased in his hearts. The Supreme Lord will not consider the inabilities of his devotees, but he remembers hundreds of times the enthusiasm in his devotees. ”

Tulsidas Maharaj continues “ Lord Rama punished Vali for his misdemeanor to his brother’s wife, even though Sugreevah and Vibheeshana committed the same deed, with the permission of the women, Rama did not consider them as greatest sins.  Further when Rama returned to the Kingdom of Ayodhya after living in the woods for fourteen years introduced Sugreevah and Vibheeshana to Bharatha and highly praised them in the assembly.  Rama while sitting under the shade of trees, the Vanaras took their seats on the upper branches of the same tree; he did compassionately treat the Vanaras and elevated them to his status.  Oh! Tulsidas, there is no deity compassionate as Lord Rama, Oh! Rama, you are compassionate and promising to all the Jeevas, definitely, this Tulsidas will also get your compassionate grace. I shall disclose all the sins before you, I shall bow before all those Jeevas in this world, and I shall make a humble effort in sing in praise of Lord Rama which destroys all the evil effects of the Kali era.”