Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Sri Ramayan Aarathi – Initial Prayers

 

Chapter – 1 – Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Ramayan Aarathi – Initial Prayers

 

I shall offer humble salutations to the glorious legend Sri Ramayan, which was sung in praise of Lord Sri Seetha Ramachandra, in elegant and nectar-like verses. It was eulogized by Lord Bhrama, Sanakadhi, Maharishi Narada, Balmiki, intellectuals, Shuka, Sanakadhis, Adhi Shesha, and Devi Sarada, and highly praised the fame of Pavanasutha/Sri Hanuman. The Veda, Purana, Shasthra, Munigana, Santh, Mahathma, highly rejoiced and praised listening to it. It is frequently eulogized by Lord Shambhu and Goddess Bhavani, the Ghatasambhava Sage Agasthya, Byasa/Maharishi Vyasa, Sage Kakabhusundi and Garuda. It is superior among all the scriptures which removes the impurities and sins of the Kali era and provides Mukthi to the Jeeva whoever sings in praise of it. Moreover, it removes the Thapathrya/Adhidheivik, Adhibhauthik, Adhyathmik, grief, and sufferings of worldly existence and vicious cycles of rebirth as well.

Initial Prayers –

I shall reverentially prostrate before the supreme ascetic/Shuchivratha Saint Tulsidas Maharaj, kindly take your seat on the South-west, and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before the ascetic Balmiki who is highly auspicious, kindly take your seat on the north-east, and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before Lord of Gauri/Gauripathi, Oh! Maheshwara, kindly take your seat on the southeast and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before Lakshman, kindly take your seat along with Devi Urmila, on the southern quarter of the alter, and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before Shathrughna, kindly take your seat along with Devi Shruthikeerthi, on the western quarter of the alter, and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before Bharatha, kindly take your seat along with Devi Mandavi, on the northern quarter, and accept our oblations.  I shall reverentially prostrate before Lord Hanuman, Oh! Kripanidhe, kindly take your seat on the eastern quarter and accept our oblations.

 

The principal veneration of Lord Seetha Rama conducted with the flowers along with the recitation of the following verses “ I shall reverentially prostrate before the supreme Lord Sri Ramachandra along with Devi Seetha. He has beautiful eyes that resemble red lotus flower petals, attired in majestic yellow silk garment, he has lovely limbs of rain cloud complexion, he has attractive long hands, a pleasing smile on his face. He is Karunasamudra/ocean of mercy, he is beloved of Bharatha, Lakshman, and Shathrughna, worshiped by Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and deities, and fulfills all the desires of the worshiper. Oh! Janakinatha, Oh! Raghava, kindly take a seat with Devi Seetha on the center of the altar and accept our oblations along with the Vayuputhra. Oh! Rama, kindly take a seat on the marvelous throne decorated with the gold and gem.”

 

The glorious verses of Sri Ramacharitha Manas is known as ‘Manasa Ramayana’, the Rishis are Lord Shiva, Sage Kakabhusundi, and Sri Goswami Tulsidas, the Principal deity is Lord Sri Ramachandra along with Devi Seetha, the Beeja is ‘Rama’, devotion is the Shakthi that cures the Thrividhathapa, and the purpose of the recitation of this sacred scripture to get rid of Thapathraya and achieve an abundance of devoutness at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Seetharama. The Shodasha Upacharas are conducted to the principle deity, such as 1)Padhya, 2)Arghyam 3)Achamaniya 4)Snaniya 5)Vasthra 6)Abhushana 7)Gandha 8) Pushpa, 9)Dhupa 10) Deepa 11)Naivedhya 12) Achamaniya 13)Thambula 14)Sthavapatha 15) Tharpana 16) Namaskara.

 

Sri  Ramayan Aarathi

 

Aarathi Sri Ramayanji Ki | Keerathi Kalith Lalitha Siya Pi Ki || Gavath Bhramadhika Muni Naradh | Balmika Bigyan Bisaradh || Suka Sanakadhi Sesha Aru Saradh | Barani Pavanasuth Keerathi  Neeki || Gavath Bedh Puran Ashtadhas | Cchau Sasthra Sab Granthan Ko Rasa || Munijan Dhan Santhan Sarbas | Sar  Amsa Samath Sabahi Ki || Gavath  Santhath Sambhu Bhavani | Aru  Ghat Sambhava Muni Bigyani || Byas Aadhi Kabibarj Bakhani | Kagabhusundi Garuda Ke  Hi Ki || Kalimala Harani Bishaya Rasa Pheeki | Subhaga Singar Mukthi Jubathi Ki || Dhalan Roga Bhava Bhoori Ami Ki | Thatha Matha Sab Bidhi Tulasi Ki ||

Initial Prayers –

||Om Tulasidasaya Nama: ||

Tulasika Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Shuchivratha | Nairuthya Upavishyedham Poojanam Prathigrihyatham ||

||Om Valmikaya Nama: ||

Sri Valmika Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Shubhapradha | Uththara Poorvayormadhye Thishta Griheeshva Me Archanam ||

||Om Gauripathaye Nama: ||

Gauripathe Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Maheshwara | Poorva Dhakshinayor Madhye  Thishta Poojam Grihaname||

 

||Om Srisapathnikaya Lakshmanaya Nama: ||

Sri Lakshmana Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Sahapriya: | Yamyabhage Samathishta Poojanam Sagrihanam Me ||

|| Om Srisapathnikaya Shathrughnaya Nama: ||

Sri Shathrughna Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Sahapriya: | Peedasya Pashchimebhage Poojanam  Sveekurushvame ||

 

||Om Srisapathnikaya Bharathaya Nama: ||

Sri Bharatha Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Sahapriya: | Peedakasthyoththare Bhage Thishta Poojam Grihaname ||

 

|| Om Hanumathe Nama: ||

Sri Hanuman Namasthubhyamihagaccha Kripanidhe | Poorvabhagam Samathishta Poojanam Sweekuru Prabho ||

 

Atha Pradhanapooja Cha  Karthavya Vidhipoorvakam | Pushpanjjalim Griheethva Thu Dhyanam Kuryathparasya Cha ||

Rakthambhojadhalabhirama Nayanam Peethambaralankritham Shyamangam Dhvibhujam Prasannavadhanam Sriseethaya Shobhitham |Karunyamrithasagaram Priyaganair Mathradhibhirbhavitham Vandhe VishnuShivadhisevyam Anisham Bhaktheshta Sidhdhipradham ||Aagaccha  Janakinatha Janakya Saha Raghava | Grihanam Mama Poojam Cha  Vayuputhradhibhiryutha: ||Suvarnnarachitham Rama Dhivyastharana Shobhitham| Asanam Hi Maya Dhaththam Grihana Manichithritham ||

Om Asya Sriman Manasa Ramayana Sreeramacharithasya |Sri Shivakakabhushundi Yajjavalkya Goswami Tulasidasa Rishaya:| Sri Seetharamo Dhevatha| Sriramanama Beejam |Bhavarogahari Bhakthi: Shakthi: Mama Niyanthrithasheshavighnathaya Sri Seetharama Preethipoorvakam Sakalamanoratha Sidhdhyarththam Pade Viniyoga: ||

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -27 - Uththarakandam

Phalashruthi :

 

Sri Goswami Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ Oh! Mortals, The auspicious conversation/Shubhasamvadha between Lord Shambhu and Devi Uma would provide happiness and remove the grief and sorrows of the listeners and readers. It removes repeated birth and death; it provides immense bliss to the ascetics and noble souls, especially to the people who are sincerely engaged in the worship of Lord Rama. I have sung in praise of the glorious Sri Ramacharitha as it is known to my intellect with the grace of Prabhu Sri Ramachandra. In this Kali era, the worship of Rama, singing in praise of him, and contemplating and meditating upon him would provide an abundance of piousness, which is equivalent to the performance of Yoga, Yaga, Tapas, Japa, Vratham, and worship. Oh! Mortals, leave all your deceitfulness and contemplate upon that Prabhu Sri Rama, and get purified. Oh! Mind, contemplate upon that supreme Lord who is eulogized by deities, Veda, Shastra, Puranas, intellectuals, Sages, and Rishis.  Oh! Mind, who did not achieve the Sadhgathi after contemplating that Prabhu? The prostitute Pingala, the twice-born Ajamila, the hunter Valmiki, Pakshiraja/Garuda, the elephant /Gajendra, and there are endless people who have attained Moksha with their devotion to the supreme Lord. The chandalas, Yavana, Kiratha, Khasa, Abheera, were got purified themselves with the recitation of sacred names of Prabhu. Oh! Rama, I shall repeatedly prostrate before you. Whoever recites or listens to this glorious Sri Ramacharitha would get rid of all the impurities and eventually attain the Paramdhama. The Supreme Lord Rama is Sarvajja, and Kripanidhi, he is the protector of the people who are surrendered at his lotus feet. Oh! Mortals, even the dull-minded Tulsidas attained the grace of that supreme Lord and achieved the serenity of mind, therefore worship at the lotus feet of compassionate Lord Rama. Oh! Raghuveera, I am a Dheena and you are a Dheenabhandu, Oh! Raghuvamsharathna, kindly remove the vicious cycles of Bhavabhaya.”

 

Sri Goswami Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ The glorious Sri Ramacharitha Manas was written by Lord Shambhu, which removed the darkness of ignorance of Tulsidas, therefore it was written in the simple language of Awadhi, the glorious legends of Rama is unblemished, it purifies the souls,  it is highly auspicious provides eternal welfare, the serenity of mind, Gnanam and Bhakti, it removes the powerful Maya of the Lord, it removes lust, desire and impurities of the mind.  Whoever takes a dip in the beautiful Manasaras/pond of Sri Ramacharitha, would not get burned by the scorching heat of the Samsara.”

 

||Ithi Sri Ramacharitha Manase Sakala Kalikalusha Vidhwamsvane Sapthama: Sopana: Samaptha: ||

||  Sarvam Krishnarppanam ||

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -26 - Uththarakandam

The conversation between Lord Mahadeva and Goddess Parvathi/The significance of the recitation of Sri Ramacharitha Manas

Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Girija, there is no piousness superior to the association with the ascetics, Rishis and sages, but it is difficult to achieve. The Veda and Scriptures say that without the grace of Lord Sri Hari it is impossible to attain the association of the Sadhus. Oh! Bhavani, I have narrated the glorious Sri Ramacharitha, it would release the Jeeva from the knot of Samsara. It would enhance the devotion of the reader and listener at the lotus feet of Lord Rama who is Kalpavruksha to the people who are surrendered to him. Whoever listens or reads to it would get relieved from all the sins by words, deeds, and mind. Oh! Bhavani,  the performance of righteous deeds, visit sacred places, Yoga, Vairagya, Gnana, the performance of rites, Dharmacharana, Vratha, Japa, Dhanakarma, Samyamam, self-control, Tapas, Yaga, veneration of Pithrus, preceptors, twice-born, ascetics, Rishis and Sages, Vidhya, Vinaya, Viveka, and all those spiritual and religious rites prescribed in the scriptures and Veda provides the same results and piousness of the devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Hari. The devotion at the lotus feet of supreme Lord Raghunatha who is eulogized by Veda, can be achieved only with the grace of him, it is difficult to attain even for the Rishis, the people who engages in the constant recitation of the Sri Ramacharitha, and listening to it would attain Bhakti very easily.  1) Whoever has sincere devotion at the lotus feet of Sri Ramachandra, would be considered as Gnani, Sarvajja, Sarvasidhdha, as the jewel in the Universe, Panditha, noble-soul, Dharmaparayana, and protector of the clan. 2) Whoever worships that Lord Raghu sincerely would be considered as an expert in Neethishashthra, sharp-minded, renowned in Veda and its highest philosophies, he is the knower of Sidhdhantha, Sidhdhapurusha, skilled, and extremely valorous. 3) The Devanadhi Ganga who is the purifier of the Earth and lands that bears her water-courses/several tributaries are fortunate, 4) The women who follow strict chastity is fortunate 5) The The king who follows the Neethishasthra and wisely rules the Kingdom are fortunate 6) The Brahmin who sincerely follows the Dharmacharana is fortunate. 7) The wealth used for charities and the performance of rites is fortunate/ wealth kept unused by a miser, wealth utilized for immoral deeds, wealth used for fulfilling one’s own desires are inauspicious, 8) The money and grains used for the performance of pious deeds are fortunate 9) People who spend their lives in the association of virtuous, noble, learned, ascetics are fortunate 10) People who spend their lives in the service of Bhramin is extremely fortunate.”

Lord Mahadeva continues “Oh! Bhavani, The family is fortunate to have the person with intense devotion at the lotus feet of supreme Lord Raghupathi, he is considered as honorable, and commendable as well. I was keeping this Sri Ramacharitha highly confidential in my heart, after seeing your devotion to Rama, I have narrated the legend of Raghupathi to you. It should not be recited a person who is Lobhi, soaked in material welfare and worldly matters, the person who has no interest in listening to the glorious legends of Raghupathi, a disbeliever in Veda and Scriptures, Krodhi, and morally wrong, it should not be recited to a Bhramanadhrohi/who work against the twice-born, even if he is rich and powerful like Indra. It should be recited to the people, who are fond of association with ascetics, Rishis, Sages, and noble, people who have respect to twice-born and preceptors, people who have belief in rites, devoted, honest, respect to the twice-born, preceptor, and Go. Whoever sincerely devoted to Raghunatha would love to read or recite it as dear as their lives. The nectar-like Kathamrutha of Sri Ramacharitha should be consumed with extreme fondness, with the bowl-like ears. Oh! Girija, I have narrated the legend of Rama which removes the Kalimala, impurities, and sins of the Jeeva. The Veda and scriptures, intellectuals recommend that the Sriramakatha is the supreme cure for the Samsararoga. It enhances the devotion in the Jeeva. Whoever has the grace of that Supreme Lord Sri Hari would achieve that Bhakti, whoever recites or listen to it with devotion and faith would get all their desires fulfilled. Whoever praises the recitation of the glorious Ramacharitha would cross the ocean of worldly existence effortlessly, like the waterlogged in the footprint of the cow.” Devi Gauri was highly pleased listening to it, spoke in a melodious voice “ Oh! Natha, I have got rid of all my misconceptions with your grace, and I have attained Ananyabhakthi at the lotus feet of Lord Rama. Oh! Vishweshwara, I am extremely contented with your grace, I have attained the fruit of intense devotion at the feet of Raghupathi, and all my afflictions have ended.”

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -25 - Uththarakandam

Sage Kakabhushundi concludes the nectar-like speeches/ Garuda returns to Sri Vaikundam

Garuda speaks “Oh! Kripalu, kindly consider me as your sincere servant and enlighten me with the answers to the queries Oh! Natha 1) which is the exceptional creation of Lord/ which is superior in his creation? 2) Which is the extreme grief? 3) Which is called the superior coziness? 4) Kindly describe the characteristics of Sajjana and Durjjana 5) which is the righteous deed highly praised in the Veda? 6) Which is the grave sin mentioned in Veda and scriptures? 7) You are Sarvajja and most compassionate one, kindly describe the mental afflictions in detail.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Garuda, I shall narrate the answer for your queries, in brief, listen to me carefully 1) The body of a human is considered as superior among the creation of Lord, all the Characharas pleads to attain the human body, because it has the capabilities to propel the Jeeva to Heaven or Hell, or to the state of Jeevanmuktha. It has the ability to achieve Gnana, Bhakti, and Vairagya. The people, who are soaked in sensual pleasures, worldly matters, and bondage, leaving the devotion to Lord Srihari, are leaving the Parasmani and chasing after the worthless glass pieces. 2) The sufferings of poverty are the extreme grief 3) The supreme bliss is the association of saintly men, noble souls, ascetics, intellectuals, Rishis and Sages who constantly engages in the contemplation and devotion at the Supreme Lord, abandon the worldly desires and bondage like grass, speaks only about the Paramarththa Thaththva 4) Oh! Pakshiraja, the Sajjanas are compassionate and kind with words, mind, and deeds, it is their natural way of living; they are most willing to help others in troubles, these Sajjanas put themselves into hardships to protect the deserving people. Dhurjjanas are wicked and deceitful nature; take all the chances to humiliate others by words, action, and mind.  The Sajjanas are like the Bhojavruksha/ which has the most promising skin, they happily undergo troubles for the welfare of the needy people.  The Dhurjjanas are like a kind of plant called creepers mostly survive on other's wealth, constantly engages in conflicts and abuses, ruin themselves others too. The Sajjanas are like brilliant rays of Sun, removes the afflictions and most promising to others and the wealthiest Dhurjjanas are a threat to the whole world. 5) The Veda pronounces the supreme form of righteousness is non-violence 6) there is no sin greater than spreading ill fame. Whoever disrespect Lord Shiva and preceptor would take birth as frogs, and continue to live like that for thousands of years. Whoever disrespects the Bhramin would undergo torture in various hells and will be born as the crow. Whoever disrespects the Veda, Scriptures, and deities would throw to hell Raurava. Whoever disrespects the Sadhus and takes pleasure in humiliating them would take birth as an owl, which loves the night represents the darkness of ignorance, does not like the wisdom of sunlight. Whoever disrespects twice-born, Veda, scriptures, deities, and Sadhus will be born as a bat. 7) Oh! Garuda, I shall narrate the hellish mental afflictions which are very common in all, desire is the cause for all the afflictions, it causes various illnesses, the lust/Kama causes air related diseases/Vatha, Lobha causes Kapha related illness, and  Krodha causes Piththa related issues. The irregularities in the three causes several infectious diseases,  and several mental illnesses, Mamatha causes the trouble of worms, jealousy causes skin diseases/itching,  happiness and sorrows causes throat infections, wickedness causes leprosy, pride causes joint pains, Dhambham, deceitfulness, Madham causes troubles of the worm, etc.  Oh! Vishnuvahana, illnesses can be cured with Niyama, Achara, Dharmam, Tapas, Gnanam, Yagam, Yoga, Japam, Dhanam.  I have explained the few of the illnesses, there are endless, in this way all the Jeeva is under the constant influence of Bhayam/fear, Dhukham/grief, Shokam/depression, Sneham/love, Viyogam/pain of separation, etc. even the noble souls are affected by these, therefore nothing to speak about the ordinary people. All those desires can be cured with the grace of that Supreme Lord Sri Rama, all you need to have faith in the physician like preceptor, there is only one cure that is abandon the practice of feeding the senses and the practice of Bhakti at the lotus feet of Raghupathi as the medicine. In this way, we can try to control the diseases; otherwise, that will put off the efforts of Sadhakas to go in vain. Oh! Prabho, the serenity of the mind can be achieved with the strength like Vairagya and increased thirst for learning more and more Sadhvishayas to overpower the crave for sensual pleasure, in this process the mind brimming with the pure wisdom of Srirama Bhakti would remove all the mental afflictions. Oh! Pakshiraja,  Lord Bhrama, Shiva, Sanakadhis, Maharishi Narada and illustrious Rishis and Sages, Veda, and scriptures strongly recommend that it is impossible to attain serenity of mind without the sincere devotion at the lotus feet of Prabhu Sri Ramachandra. Oh! Pakshiraja, my words never go untrue, the people who constantly contemplate and meditate upon that supreme Lord Rama would easily cross the ocean of worldly existence.  But it is impossible for the people who have no devotion for Lord Ramachandra to achieve peace and serenity, without contemplating upon him, it is impossible to cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence. Oh! Prabho, I have narrated the Sri Ramacharitha all that I have restored in my mind, Oh! Sarppashathro, Veda recommends leave all the Karma and constantly contemplate supreme Lord Rama. Oh! Garuda you are the essence of supreme wisdom, and you are free from impurities, you have given me an opportunity to describe the glorious Ramacharitha which highly please the hearts of Shambhu, Shuka, Sanakadhis, and illustrious Rishis and Sages. It is difficult to achieve the association of saintly and ascetics, even for a few minutes. Oh! Garuda, I am a lowly creature, and impure by birth, that compassionate Prabhu praised me as the one to purify the world, even though I was born impure, I am fortunate. The compassionate Prabhu has accepted me as his sincere servant and, showered his compassionate grace upon me, and has given the association of you.  Oh! Prabho, I have narrated all that I know, the Sri Ramacharitha is like the vast ocean, did anyone has the knowledge of its depth?  ”

 

The highly intelligent Kakabhushundi remembered the splendor of Prabhu and immersed in a state of ecstasy and spoke “ The compassionate Lord Rama is eulogized by Veda as ‘Nethi Nethi”, his prowess, courage, and virtues are incomparable, his lotus feet are worshiped by Lord Bhrama, Lord Shiva, and the deities and Rishis, Oh! Garuda, I have not seen or heard anyone as kind as that Prabhu, how did I compare him? So I shall affirm that without the contemplation and meditation upon the feet of Lord Ram, it is impossible to even for the Siddhas, renounced-souls, intellectuals, learned, Karmakandis, Mukthas, Vairagins, Sanyasis, Yogis, Thapasa, Gnani, Dharmaniratha, Panditha, Athmagnani, etc. to cross the ocean of the worldly existence. I shall repeatedly prostrate before that supreme Lord Rama who is Avinashi/eternal/ purifies the souls who are surrendered at his lotus feet. I shall earnestly pray to that supreme Lord whose sacred names are the supreme cure for the Bhavaroga and Thapathraya, to shower his perpetual grace upon us.”

 

 

Garuda stunned watching the sincere devotion of the Sage Kakabhushundi and listening to the marvelous speeches, all the misconceptions and worries disappeared,  and affectionately spoke “Oh!Thatha,  I have attained the fruitfulness of my life after listening to the nectar-like speeches on Ramabhakthi, I am fortunate and my devotion has multiplied to the lotus feet of Prabhu, and I got relieved from the afflictions of Maya. Oh! Prabho, I was sinking in the ocean of Moha, and you have protected me, with the ferry of Ramabhakthi, and provided immense bliss. I shall repeatedly prostrate before you, Oh! Prabho, you are contented in your life, there is no one fortunate than you in this Universe. The Sadhus, Rishis and Sages are life-giving as rivers, mountains, forests, Earth, ocean, etc. The poet describes the heart of Sadhus’s as butter; they are soft like butter, merely witnessing the troubles of others would make them soften. Oh! Prabho, my birth, and life have become fruitful, and I have received the highest of the piousness, all my doubts have disappeared, kindly consider me as your sincere servant.” The sharp-minded Garuda prostrated at the feet of Sage Kakabhushundi several times, and contemplated upon Lord Rama, took a flight to SriVaikundam.

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -24 - Uththarakandam

Sage Kakabhushundi describes the Gnana/wisdom and Bhakti/devotion in detail

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Pakshiraja, while unfastening the Maya from the Chethana/intellect, it would cause various impediments, it would use Ridhdhi and Siddhi as its weapons to persuade the intellect, it would make all efforts to put off the flame of supreme knowledge. The five Indhriyas ruled by the deities are five windows in the human body, the interest in worldly matters like the whirlwind enters through the five Indhriyas, deities won’t take any effort to stop them, and eventually, this whirlwind causes to put off the flame in the Diya. In this way, the Athmajyanam disappears from the unfortunate Jeeva, ends up without making an effort to untie the knot of Maya from the Chethana. These interest in worldly matters causes to ruin the intellect, deities like Indhriyas do not entertain the wisdom, they prefer to have sensual pleasure, once the intellect gets polluted with the interest in worldly matters, eventually, the flame of supreme knowledge of Diya/Gnanam goes off. Once, again the Jeeva hurls into the cycles of worldly existence and undergoes miseries and sorrows. Oh! Pakshiraja, it is difficult to conquer the powerful Maya of Lord Sri Hari. Viveka is difficult to explain experience and practice as well, if it is understood with the grace of that Lord, there will be too many obstacles to put off the same. Gnana is like a powerful sword, Oh! Pakshiraja, whoever achieves it would attain the Paramapadham. The Veda, Purana, and Rishis and Sages say that Kaivalya is extremely difficult to achieve. Prabho, without asking for it, with the constant contemplation and meditation upon that Lord Sri Hari, we could achieve that Kaivalyapadham, the water cannot stop its flow downwards, Oh! Pakshiraja, the intellectuals refuse Moksha and asks for intense devotion as a boon. The devotion /Bhakti at the lotus feet of Prabhu would destroy the root cause of Avidhya effortlessly, like the meals consumed get digested with the help of Jadaragni. Therefore the people who do not follow the easiest and most blissful way of Bhakthimarga are ignorant. Oh! Sarppashathro, worship of Lord Sri Ramachandra, with intense devotion and faith, perform all the deeds as his sincere servant is the easiest way to cross the ocean of worldly existence. Oh! Garuda, take shelter at the lotus feet of Prabhu Sri Ramachandra, he could transform the Chethana into Achethana and vice versa. Those who have sincere devotion at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Sri Ramachandra are fortunate. I have elaborately narrated the essence of Gnana, I shall describe the precious gem-like Bhakti to you.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “I shall narrate the Bhakti/Ramabhakthi which is like a Chinthamani, it spread the brilliance day and night. Oh! Garuda, whoever keeps that Chinthamani in their hearts will not face the desire like poverty of darkness, and the Lobha like the wind does not put off the brilliance of it. The Bhakti removes the powerful darkness of ignorance/Avidhya, the impurities like ego, pride, lust, like butterflies cannot reach in there, the person who keeps the Bhakti like Chinthamani in their hearts does not pollute with the Kamavasana, for them, the poison becomes the nectar, enemies become the relatives. This will not let the worshiper down with critical mental afflictions, without the Bhakti like Chinthamani, no one will have happiness or peace in their lives.  The intellectuals keep the Chinthamani close to their hearts, so they won’t get afflicted with grief not even in their dreams. This Chinthamani is very open in the public and it is available only with the grace of Prabhu Sri Ramachandra. The unfortunate Jeeva strives hard and conducts difficult methods of worship and austerities and practices to search for this precious Mani. The Veda and scriptures are the beautiful mountains and the legends of Sri Ramachandra are the precious gems in it, the Sajjanas are experts in locating these gems, their powerful intellects as weapons, with Gnana and Vairagya as their eyes. Oh! Garuda, whoever conducts a rigorous search of this gem would attain the precious Gems which is the storehouse of happiness and peace. Lord Rama resembles the ocean and the Sajjanas are the dark rain clouds that cause downpour, Srihari is the tree of sandalwood, and the Sajjanas are the wind that spread the rich fragrance of it. The blissful intense devotion and faith upon Lord Hari is the fruit of Adhyathmika Sadhana.  All those knowledge we have earned from the Sadhus and ascetics, therefore whoever attains the association of those Sajjanas, would easily attain the Chinthamani like Bhakti, this is how they work, Veda represents the Ksheerasamudra/milky Ocean, Mandaraparvatha represents Gnana, and the deities like Sadhus churn out the nectar-like Pavanacharithra of Rama, Devi Bhakti represents the sweetness of the nectar. The intellectuals/ Jeeva wielded in Virakthi, chop off the Madham, Lobha, Moham, Mathshcharya, Krodha, Lobha like the enemies with the powerful sword of Gnana and achieve the Ananyabhakthi/Sri Hari Bhakti.”

 

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -23 - Uththarakandam

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks about ‘Bhakti & Maya’/describes the practice of Bhakti to get rid of sufferings of worldly existence and vicious cycles of repeated births

 

Garuda speaks “Oh! Prabho, all my misapprehensions have disappeared with your grace, I have got rid of my fears, sorrows, grief, and hallucinations, and I have achieved the serenity of the mind listening to the glorious myths of Lord Sri Ramachandra. Oh! Kripasindho, can I ask you one more question? Kindly make me understand it. The Veda, scriptures, illustrious Sages and Rishis states that it is very difficult to achieve Gnana, why didn’t you appreciate it, even after repeatedly heard from Sage Lomasha?. Oh! Kripanidhe, kindly describe the difference between Gnana and Bhakti in detail.”

 

The Mahajjyani, Sage Kakabhushundi was pleased with the question and began to speak with humility “Oh! Garuda, Oh! Pakshishreshta, there is not much difference between Gnana and Bhakti, both are capable to remove the sorrows and grief of worldly existence. Oh! Prabho, the illustrious Rishis and Sages points out some differences, listen to me carefully. The nature of Purusha is Gnana, Vairagya, Yoga, and Athmagnanam. Oh! Vishnuvahana, Sthree is considered as Abala and impure by birth. The Vishayaviraktha who has no interest in worldly matters, and Purusha with firm intellect can only abandon a Sthree, the person who is soaked in worldly matters and chasing sensual pleasures, away from the devotion at the lotus feet of Prabhu cannot abandon a Sthree. Oh! Pakshivahana, it is unfortunate that illustrious Rishis and Sages falls into the trap of the beautiful woman who has a lustrous face like the moon and attractive physical features. Sthree is nothing other than the ‘Vishnumaya’ of that supreme Lord. I am not impartial to Sthree or Purusha, I have quoted all that from the Veda and Puranas and the sayings of the illustrious Rishis and Sages. Oh! Sarppashathro, women do not fall for the beauty of the other; it is a rare thing to happen. Maya and Bhakti are described as females, Bhakti is the dearest darling of Raghuveera, and Maya is a dancer before him. Bhakti is promising to Raghunatha, therefore Maya is extremely scared of Bhakti. Whoever possesses the intense and pure devotion/ Ananyabhakthi, Maya gets scared to approach them, because she cannot play a trick on them. Therefore, the Thththvajjyanis who has a thorough knowledge of Bhramam, always yearn for ‘Bhakti’ which is the treasure house of happiness and welfare. Oh! Garuda, it is difficult to understand, highly confidential, but whoever understands this fact, would not fall in the trap of Maya, not even in their dreams. Oh! Mahajjyani Garuda, I shall describe the difference between Gnana and Bhakti, listen to me carefully.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi continues “Oh! Garuda, Jeeva is Avinashi/has no birth or death, Chethana/intellect is pure, blissful, and free from Maya. This Jeevathma gets persuaded by the Maya, and eventually get trapped on the net of Maya, like the birds stuck in the hunter’s trap. Once, it’s caught in the hands of Maya, it acts like a monkey in the hands of magicians. Usually, the villagers keep trap for the monkeys, they put hands on the narrow-necked pot half-filled with the grains, and take a handful of it, and get troubled to take out the hand from it, without the knowledge that if it leaves the handful of grains, can come out easily. Thus, Jada/pot of grain and Chethana/monkey get wedged to each other, even though it is temporary, but difficult to get unfasten it. This is how the Jeeva gets fastened with the Maya, until and unless it gets unfasten from the worldly matters and bondage if the Jeeva does not make an effort to abandon it, Jeeva cannot get freed from miseries and sorrows of worldly existence. The Vedas and scriptures cited various methods to get rid of the Maya and unfasten the knot of interest in worldly matters and bondage.  The Jeeva while attempt to unfasten the Maya ends up in more complications, due to the darkness of ignorance, remain in the mystery without the knowledge of the origin of it, therefore it is difficult  to unfasten the Maya without the rigorous practices and discipline. It is doubtful that even the Eshwarasamyoga would remove the Maya completely or not.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “ Oh! Garuda, I shall narrate them elaborately, 1)  the grace of Lord Srihari works in the form of fortune on the Jeeva,  2) the Sathvik nature like the cow in the Jeeva appears in the form of Yoga, Yaga, Tapas, austerities, Yama, Niyama, Japa, the performance of various religious and spiritual rites which resemble lush green grass to graze that cow of Sathvik nature, 3)  the love in the Jeeva for the performance of those austerities would bring an abundance of milk, 4)  the milking of the cow can be done by fastening its back feet with the rope of Mounam, and 5)  collect the milk in the vessel of belief, 6) the person who patiently waits with a pure heart for the milk is deserved to milk the cow, the collected milk  represents Paramadharma, 7) The collected milk boiled in the Agni of Nishkama,  8) Gets cooled down with the Samthripthi and Kshama,  9) later it is added with the curd resembles endurance and self-control, 10)  that curd is transferred to a vessel of happiness and 11) churned with the self-control as the rod,  12) tied with the rope of  truthfulness and humility, and 13) the butter formed out of it would be pure, supreme, and highly promising Vairagya.  14)The practice of Yoga brings out the serenity of the mind like the fire 15) it destroys the wood of  Shubha Ashubha Karma, causes to melt the butter, 16)  finally the tainted portions like the interest in the worldly matters remains, 17) after this process  the pure form of Viveka like Ghee is available. 18) This Ghee/Gnanashakthi is used to lighten the earthen lamp/Vivechanashakthi, and 19) place it on the dais of ‘Oneness-in-all’/impartiality, 20) the three states of sleep, awaken, and dream, and the three Guans of Rajasik, Tamasik and Sathvik use them as the cotton ball to lighten the Diya of  Thejas and Vignana, soon  21) the fireflies like the Madham would fall on the flame and get burned. The mouth of the fire represents ‘Aham Bhramasmi’/Aham Ithi Bhramasmi, this supreme knowledge would remove the Dhvandhvabhava in the Jeeva which causes repeated births. The desires and lust like the families of Avidhya causes the darkness of ignorance, would get destroyed in the supreme brilliance, this would remove the knot of Jada/Maya and Chethana/intellect, this is how it would relieve the Jeeva from the repeated cycles of birth and death.”

||Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram||

 

Chapter -22 - Uththarakandam

 

Sage Kakabhushundi recommends the Haribhakthi and Namasmaran as the supreme method to cross the ocean of worldly existence

 

Lord Mahadeva speaks “ Oh! Uma, whoever devoted at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Ramachandra, and free from Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Madha, Moha and Mathshcharya, and realizes the all-pervasive nature of the Supreme Lord would achieve admiration.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi speaks “Oh! Garuda, Sage Lomasha cannot be blamed for the curse on me, the Maya of Raghupathi persuaded the Sage. That supreme Lord Kripasindhu was testing my devotion by covering the intellect of Sage Lomasha with his Maya. Prabhu understood that I am a sincere servant of him with words, mind, and deeds, soon Sage Lomasha regained his serenity and Sage highly praised my devotion at the feet of Prabhu, he regretted about the sudden rush of anger, once again called me, he pacified me and showered an abundance of affection, and whispered the sacred ‘Ramamanthra’ on my ears. The compassionate Sage advised me to contemplate upon the childhood form of that supreme Lord. Sage described the marvelous form of that divine child, I have already narrated to you. Sage Lomasha advised me to stay in his hermitage for some time, he advised the entire legend of ‘Sri Ramcharitha Manas’ and spoke to me affectionately “Oh! Puthra, I have come to know the highly confidential and beautiful pond of Ramacharitha, from Lord Mahadeva. I have narrated everything about this mesmerizing Ramcharitha Manas, to you; I know that you are a passionate devotee of Supreme Lord Rama. It should not be recited in front of the people who have no devotion to that Lord Rama,” Maharishi Lomasa advised several confidential philosophies of supreme Lord, before leaving him, I reverentially prostrated before him, he affectionately patted on my body and blessed “You will have sincere devotion at the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Rama. You would become beloved of Rama, you are the storehouse of virtues, wisdom, knowledge, Virakthi and you are free from impurities, you are capable to change your form according to your wish, you will be free from Janana and Marana.  The place and its surroundings of one Yojana of your stay would be sanctified, and remain free from ignorance. You will not get affected by the grief of Kala, Karma, Guna, Dhosha, and Swabhava.  All those glorious legends of Rama narrated in the Ithihasa, Purana, and all those confidential philosophies in the sacred texts would remain in your intellect forever. The flame of devotion at the feet of Lord Rama would brighten always, whatever you desire would be fulfilled with the grace of that Prabhu.”

 

Sage Kakabhushundi continues “Oh! Garuda, listen to me, at that moment there was a divine voice heard in the sky, that affirmed the predictions of the Mahajjyani Sage Lomasha, I have got relieved from the misconceptions, and I repeatedly prostrated before the Sage Lomasha and returned to this hermitage. I am living in this hermitage for the past twenty-seven Kalpa, singing in praise of the splendor of Raghupathi and all those wise birds would come and listen to it. Whenever that supreme Lord incarnate as Raghuram in the sacred city of Ayodhya, I would go and live in that city and take great pleasure in watching the various amusements of that divine child, and I fix my heart in the Balaram and return to my hermitage. I have narrated how did I attain the form of a crow, I think I have answered all your queries; the splendor of Sri Rama is beyond description. This is also one of the reasons I would love to appear as a crow, I have achieved intense devotion at the lotus feet of Rama with the body of a crow, I have attained the Dharshan of that divine child in Ayodhya and all my misperceptions got disappeared with the same form. I have strongly recommended the Bhakti marga and I got a curse from Sage Lomasha, later it provided the highest of the spiritual achievements which are difficult to achieve even for the Rishis and Sages. I strongly believe that Namasmaran is the greatest way to get rid of miseries and sorrows of the worldly existence. The people who are engaged in search of Gnanamarga are dull-minded, leaving the Kamadhenu like Bhakthimarga, considered as an unfruitful effort, as same as leaving the Kamadhenu and chasing an animal with tail for milking. Oh! Pakshiraja, listen to me, whoever adopt various practices, leaving the practice of devotion/HariBhakthi, are dull-minded, it is like an effort to cross the ocean without the help of a ferry.” Lord Mahadeva speaks “Oh! Bhavani, Garuda was highly pleased with the advice of the Sage Bhushundi”.