||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 14 – Dhoha – 13

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “The sacred name 'Ra Ma' is superior to Bhramam and Lord Rama himself, hence Lord Shiva picked up the two-letter ‘Ra Ma’ for him from the hundred crores of Ramayan, and the remaining hundred crores of Ramacharitha were equally distributed to deities, demons, and humans. The glory of the sacred name of Lord Ram is countless, it protected Lord Mahadeva from the toxic Halahal poison, and it worked as the nectar of immortality to him. Hence, Lord Hari is beloved to Universe, Lord Shiva is beloved to Lord Hari, Maharishi Narada is beloved of Lord Hari and Lord Hara as well.  The constant recitation and contemplation upon the sacred names of supreme Lord Hari transformed the demon child Prahladha one of the ardent devotees of Lord Hari. The five-year child Dhruva who was humiliated by his own stepmother, underwent extreme penance in the woods, with the constant recitation of the sacred names of Lord, he has attained one of the incomparable statuses of the pole star. The Lord Hanuman, son of Lord Vayu, with his constant meditation upon the sacred names of Lord Rama, envisioned the Lord in his heart and became one of the fervent devotees of Lord Rama.  The wicked Ajamila, haughty Gajendhra, and the prostitute Pingala attained Moksha with the constant recitation of the sacred names of supreme Lord Rama. I am incompetent to describe the splendor of the sacred name of Lord, even Lord Rama could not sing in praise of it.”

Tulsidas Maharaj continues “ Ram Nama is Kalpavriksha that is capable to fulfill all the desires of the worshiper, it is the storehouse of all the auspiciousness, with the constant contemplation upon that supreme Lord and the recitation of his sacred names transformed dull and impure Tulsidas to a highly propitious shrub of Tulsi.  I shall affirm that in the four Yugas and in the past, present, and future, it is the only cure to get rid of the miseries and sorrows of the worldly existence. It is strongly recommended by Veda and scriptures, illustrious Rishis and sages, as well.  The love for the recitation of Rama Nama is the highest fortune among all the pious deeds. In the Krita Yuga, worship of deities was conducted with Tapa, in the Thretha Yuga, it was carried out with Yaga, in the Dwapara Yuga, was conducted with the worship of idols, in this way the Jeeva got rid of all the impurities.  The Kali Yuga is an evil era that causes the human mind and intellect to dwell in Papakarma/deceitful deeds, like a fish in the ocean.  The recitation of the sacred names of Lord is like Kalpavriksha, which could protect the Jeeva from the darkness of ignorance and illusion, it provides all that desired by the worshiper, offers welfare/Kshema even after the death, and it protects like parents while living on the Earth.  In this Kali era, Karma, Gnana, and Bhakti cannot protect a person completely, therefore the constant meditation of Rama Nama works as a cure for all the incurables.  The Kali era represents all the wickedness of Kalanemi, the sacred names of Lord Rama is a savior like Hanuman, it protects the Jeeva from all the evil effects of the Kali era. In other words, Rama Nama symbolizes Lord Narasimha and the Kali era is demon-like Hiranyakashipu, therefore the recitation of Rama Nama like Lord Narasimha would protect the Jeeva from the clutches of the evilness of Kali like Hiranyakashipu.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 13 – Dhoha – 12

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “The renounced souls, Yogis, get themselves detached from the Prapancha/Prakrithi, relentlessly chant the sacred names of supreme Lord, attains the highest state of spirituality, eventually they remain in a supreme state where there is no miseries and sorrows of worldly existence, which is beyond description,  in this way they take extreme pleasure in the supreme Bhramam.  The intellectuals contemplate upon the supreme Lord by contemplating upon the various sacred names, Sadhakas follows this practice and get relieved from the impurities of the mind, ultimately attain various Siddhis as well.  The distressed people keep reciting and contemplating the various sacred names of the supreme Lord and prepare them to face even the worst of the worst situation effortlessly.  There are four types of devotees of Lord Rama, and all of them are fortunate, sinless, and selfless.   They have deep faith in the recitation of sacred names of the Supreme Lord.  In these four kinds of devotees, the intellectuals who are aware of the knowledge of Prakrithi and Purusha, are most beloved to Lord Rama.  They are detached from the worldly matters and bondage, take immense joy in the most beautiful pond of sacred names of Lord, like a fish.  There are two types of worship of supreme Lord, Saguna and Nirguna Upasana, both are beyond description, deep, endless, and incomparable as well. I have got attracted to the recitation of ‘Nama’/sacred names of Lord and I felt it has good control over the Saguna and Nirguna Upasana of supreme Lord, Oh! Dear ones, do not take it as an offense, all I am doing is expressing my genuine feelings, what’s most delightful and beloved of mine. Nirguna Upasana is the worship of fire that is hiding in the wooden piece, Saguna Upasana is the worship of fire in the wooden log, and both are approachable with the recitation of sacred names of supreme Lord.  Therefore the sacred names are superior to Bhramam and Lord Rama.  The supreme Bhramam is all-pervasive and has no duality, and eternal, the supreme Lord is the essence of Sacchidhanandha.  Whoever constantly contemplates this supreme Lord who symbolizes supreme bliss, through the knowledge of ‘self’ would remain free from miseries and sorrows of worldly existence, like the study of diamonds helps to realize the preciousness of it. Therefore I believe the recitation of ‘Nama’/his sacred names is superior to Rama, I could prove the same.  The Supreme Lord Rama incarnated on the Earth, followed several hardships, and provided bliss to the saintly people and ascetics.  People who constantly recite his names would make their homes auspicious and delightful; Lord Rama relieved the curse of Devi Ahalya at the touch of the finger of the feet. His sacred names removed the impurities of the Jeeva, he killed the female demon Thadaka who is the daughter of Sukethu and Subhahu and numerous demons and reinstated peace among the Rishis and Sages.  His sacred names are like Lord Surya who put an end to the night, it removes the wickedness, sins, and distress of the devotees. Lord Rama tied the Shivadhanuss of Lord Bhava caused to break into two like his sacred names remove the fear and anxieties of worldly existence. Lord Rama restored the beauty of the Dhandakavanam, his sacred names removes the impurities of the Jeeva. Raghunandan destroyed the clan of demons, his sacred names uproot the evil effects of the Kali era. Raghunatha provided liberation to Shabari and Jatayu who was his sincere servant, his sacred Nama liberated several devotees, and Veda eulogizes the virtues of the endless sacred names of Lord.  Lord Rama provided shelter to two ardent devotees Vibheeshana and Sugreevah, his sacred names provided shelter to endless devotees of him, and hence the supremacy of the sacred name of Lord is visible all over, and they have mentioned in Veda as well. Lord Rama constructed a grand bridge over the vast ocean with the help of Vanaras and Jambavan like bears, the recitation of his sacred names are capable to dries up the ocean of worldly existence, it is understandable to the intellectuals.  Rama after destroying the demon Ravan and his entire clan returns with Devi Sita to the Kingdom of Ayodhya. Later, he was crowned as the King of Ayodhya, deities, and Rishis eulogized his glories and virtues, his sincere servants recited his name with intense love and faith, therefore they effortlessly won over the worldly matters like unconquerable warriors, and attained the state of supreme bliss, hence they do not sense grief even in their dreams.  Therefore I shall affirm that the sacred names of Lord are superior to Bhramam and Lord Rama.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 12 – Dhoha – 11

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ I shall prostrate before supreme Lord  Rama, whose name represents Agni, Surya, and Chandra respectively(R.A.M), it represents Bhrama, Vishnu, and Shiva, which is the essence of Veda.  The supreme Lord represents void of virtues, absent of duality, and storehouse of virtues. It is the most propitious chant ‘Ram’, is relentlessly recited by Lord Maheshwara.  In the city of Kashi, Lord Maheshwara recites the name of Lord Rama in the ears of the Jeeva, thereby the soul attains liberation from repeated births, Lord Ganesha knows the glory of it, therefore he receives initial oblations before any other deities. The Adikavi Maharishi Valmiki recited this glorious name as ‘Ma Ra’ and achieved various Sidhdhis, it is equivalent to the thousands of sacred names of Lord Vishnu, therefore Bhavani and Lord Maheshwara consumes meal  after reciting this Manthra, further seeing the devotion and love of Goddess Parvathi to that sacred name, Lord Shiva assumed Goddess Bhavani who is a gem among female deities, as his equal part, Lord Shiva thoroughly aware of the significance of the name ‘Ra Ma’, hence the toxic poison consumed was remained nectar on his throat.  The immense devotion and faith upon supreme Lord Raghupathi represents Varsharithu, ardent devotees of Lord Rama represent grains, and the name ‘Ra Ma’ represents the auspicious month of  Shravana and Bhadrapada.  These two words ‘Ra and Ma’ are eyes that capture the colors, and it is the supreme soul in Jeeva. These two words are easy to remember and recite, provides Bhukthi as well as Mukthi to the people who relentlessly chant this. These two words are like Rama and Lakshmana, most beloved of Tulsidas, whenever these two words are recited separately loses its real meaning and result as well, these two words as inseparable like Paramathma and Jeevathma, like Nara and Narayana. It is the protector of the Universe and its living beings and a protective shield of the devotees. These two words are magnificent ear ornament of the attractive woman Bhakti, these two are promising like Surya and Chandra, it provides nectar-like Sadgathi to the devotees, it bears the earth as Kurma and Adishesha, it is honey bee to the lotus-like hearts of Yogis and devotees, it is Krishna and Balarama to Yasodha like the tongue.  These two auspicious words are the Makutamani/jewel that adorned on the head, of all the compositions.  The name and the supreme Lord are like Master and servant respectively, the moment the devotees call his names, he sincerely appear before them, therefore name and appearance of Lord are two Upasanamoorthi/mode of worship, these two are beyond description, has no beginning, can be experienced with the intellect, therefore it is impossible to make comparison or differentiate it as inferior or superior.  The ascetics and illustrious Rishis and sages found that the supreme Lord is beyond Nama and Roopa, hence it is for the purpose of Saguna worship.  If the Roopa is difficult to perceive, the Nama helps to achieve the results, without the Nama it is impossible to perceive a Roopa, therefore the Nama and Roopa are highly significant.  The Nirguna Worship is impossible for a beginner to start with, therefore the Nama and Roopa/Sagunaroopa works as a mediator to achieve the formless one/ Nirguna worship. Oh! Tulsidas, if you want supreme radiance in and out of you, install that marvelous gem-like ‘Rama’ Nama on the tongue like entrance.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 11 – Dhoha – 10

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “ I shall prostrate before the sacred Kingdom of Ayodhya and the river Sarayu, I shall prostrate before the male and females of the city of Ayodhya who has experienced the boundless love of the Supreme Lord Rama, and the people who were humiliated Devi Sita, are the cursed ones, later attained liberation with the grace of supreme Lord. I shall prostrate before the divine mother Devi Kaushalya, who gave birth to a divine child Raghupathi who is supreme bliss, he is the destroyer of wicked people like the fog that creates an obstacle in blossoming lotus flower, and the full moon like Rama who is the source of happiness to that lotus flowers.  I shall prostrate before King Dhasharatha and his three wives who symbolize auspiciousness and good fortune. I shall earnestly request them to shower their grace upon the sincere servant of their son. I shall prostrate before the supreme Lord Bhrama who is the creator of parents of Lord Raghupathi. I shall repeatedly prostrate before King Dhasharatha who left his mortal coil like a Trina/grass, at the grief of separation from his dearest son Rama who is extremely compassionate, reveals his intense faith and love to his elder son Rama.  I shall prostrate before the King of Vidheha/ Rajarishi and all the members of the family, who had intense love and faith upon Rama. I shall prostrate before Bharatha who is an ardent devotee and younger brother to Rama, whose austerities and vows are beyond description, his heart is like a honey bee that takes immense pleasure at the lotus-like feet of Rama, he is serene and attractive to his devotee, who marvelously sings in praise of Lord Rama. I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Lakshmana who is the source of Universe, Adhishesha who has thousands of hoods, removes the fear of Goddess Earth, and shines like the flag of fame of Lord Raghupathi. He is Kripasindhu/ocean of mercy and storehouse of virtues, I shall earnestly pray to Saumithri/son of Devi Sumithra, to shower grace upon me. I shall prostrate before Shathrughna who symbolizes prowess and courage, humble and sincerely follows Bharatha.  I shall reverentially prostrate before Lord Hanuman who is extremely valorous, has endless fame, highly praised by Lord Rama. I shall prostrate before that son of Pavana/Lord Vayu, whose heart is soaked in the devotion of Lord Rama, envisions Lord Rama wielded in powerful bow and arrow in his heart and set fire to the city of Lanka which is the dwelling place of wicked.  I shall prostrate at the feet of Sugreevah who is King of Vanara, was born in the outclass, the elderly bear Jambavan, chief of demon King Vibheeshana and Angada, and numerous army of Varnaras.  I shall repeatedly prostrate before birds, animals, deities, humans, demons, which worshiped the lotus feet of Rama and served him relentlessly. I shall place my head bow down on the Earth and prostrate before the illustrious Rishis, Sages, Shukha and Shaunakadhis, Narada and Sanakadhis, and all the intellectuals and saintly people. Oh! Muneeshwara, kindly shower your grace upon me to remain your sincere servant always.  I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of  Vishwamatha/Mother of the Universe Goddess Janaki who is the daughter of King Janaka, dearest consort of compassionate Lord Rama, Oh! Mother kindly showers your merciful grace on me to enhance my devotion and intelligence.  I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of supreme Lord Raghunayaka who is most venerable, eyes have the resemblance of lotus flower petals, wielded in powerful bow and arrow, destroys the miseries and sorrows of distressed people.  I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita who is beloved of the distressed people, this divine couple is inseparable like words and its meanings, water, and waves.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 10 – Dhoha – 9

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “The saintly and ascetic people respect any poems that have virtue, and simplicity in it, even the evil-minded take pleasure in that.  I am not efficient to describe all that virtue completely in my poem, therefore kindly bless me and make possible to write those endless glories of supreme Lord Hari. I shall repeatedly request those illustrious poets, and intellectuals, saintly people/Hamsa whose lotus-like hearts takes immense pleasure in the glorious legends of Lord Raghuvara, kindly heed to my prayers, and understand my love for that supreme Lord, and shower your blessings upon me. I shall reverentially prostrate before Maharishi Valmiki who composed the marvelous scripture Ramayan which is unblemished, unlike the Khara/hard and Dhooshana/spoilt who are the relatives of Ravana.  I shall prostrate before the four branches of Veda which is the safest ferry to cross the ocean of worldly existence. It describes the splendor of Raghuvara and therefore reciting them would keep untiring as well. I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Lord Bhrama who created nectar, Chandra, and Kamadhenu like promising ones, and on the other hand created poison, intoxicating drinks, and wicked demons.  I shall prostrate at the lotus feet of all the deities, twice-born, intellectuals, and nine planets. I shall earnestly pray to them to make my dream come true. I shall prostrate before supreme Goddess Saraswathi, and Suranadhi Ganga purifies the souls and provides welfare to the Universe.  The sacred river Ganga purifies the souls with a holy dip and consumption of her water, Goddess Saraswathi removes the darkness of ignorance of Jeeva with the recitation of sacred names and worship of her. I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Maheshwara and Goddess Bhavani, I shall prostrate before my preceptors, parents, people who serve the distressed, people who perform charities, people who love to hear the glories of Seethapathi and his companions, servants, and masters, and all those who are promising to Tulsidas. Once, Lord Hara and Goddess Girija pronounced a few words of an indistinguishable and impossible to tell apart, at the beginning of the Kali era, those where extremely propitious hymns that describe the glories of Lord Mahadeva.  Therefore that supreme Lord Umeshwara would make my poem as an essence of supreme bliss and auspiciousness. I shall repeatedly contemplate upon the supreme Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, and with their eternal grace, I shall enthusiastically begin to describe the glorious Ramacharitha. It would shine like the night in the presence of full moon and stars that spread light, with the grace of supreme Lord Mahadeva.  Whoever listens or reads to it with intense devotion and faith would attain firm devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Rama, and would get relieved from all the impurities of evil effects of the Kali era and achieve all the auspiciousness. If I have possessed the blessings of the supreme Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri, even in my dreams, the poem I have created in simple Awadh language described the splendor of supreme Lord Rama would become true. ”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 9 – Dhoha – 8

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “The intellectuals who are aware of the highest philosophy, have described that supreme Lord as beyond description and incomparable as well.  The Veda describes the supreme Lord who has no specific form or names,  he has no birth or death and has no duality, he is absolute bliss, has supreme brilliance, and all-pervasive.  He has personified on the Earth to perform various amusements, for the welfare of his devotees, he is most beloved of his sincere devotees, showers abundance of compassion on them.  The supreme Lord is Paramakripalu/ocean of mercy and Anuragi/dearest to his devotees, never get angry on them. He is Dheenabandhu/companion of the distressed people, restore all those lost to his devotees, he is Prabhu, he is Raghurama who has pleasing nature, and has endless prowess.  The saints and ascetics sing in praise of the splendor of Lord Hari and keep their mind and intellect purified, in this way they make their lives fruitful. I am thoroughly aware of his presence in my mind and intellect that gives me the strength to describe his glories.  I shall reverentially prostrate before the supreme Lord Rama, keeping my head at his lotus feet I shall describe his countless virtues.  There are several intellectuals and ascetics sung in praise of supreme Lord Rama, therefore I shall sincerely follow that pathway to make my journey comfortable, like the illustrious Kings and rulers constructs bridge over the rivers, so that even the ants find it easy to cross the river.  In this way, I can comfortably begin describing the splendor of Lord Raghupathi.  I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of all those illustrious Rishis and Sages, and Maharishi Vedavyasa who composed marvelous scriptures praising the splendor of Lord Hari. I shall earnestly pray to them to make my dream real, I shall prostrate before all the illustrious poets of the Kali era who described the glories of Lord Raghupathi.  I shall prostrate before the intellectuals who live in the Kali era and the upcoming noble souls who might pen down the splendor of Lord Hari.  I shall earnestly pray to all those noble souls to bless my work, that should satisfy the ascetics and saintly people, if it did not serve the purpose to give pleasure to their hearts or it did not provide Keerthi, and prosperity like the sacred river Ganga, it would become a futile effort.  The splendor of Lord Rama is most attractive, but my language is rough, therefore it remains an irony always, like the silk thread woven on the cotton cloth, I hope this difference will disappear with your grace.”

||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter – 8 – Dhoha – 7

Tulsidas Maharaj speaks “Tulsi Katha describing the splendor of Lord Raghunatha symbolize auspiciousness; it removes the evil effects of Kali era. My poetry has a powerful current of the waters of sacred river Ganga, it is sung in praise of the Supreme Lord hence it would be highly propitious, attracts the heart of virtuous and noble souls.  The sacred ashes from the funeral pyre enhances the beauty of Lord Mahadeva, remembrance of the same itself would purifies the souls, like any plant or shrub in the Malaya Mount makes highly propitious and admiring, with its  nearness to this mountain, my poetry describes the glories of Lord Rama, therefore it would be highly promising for all.  The black skin-toned cow has a white colored tail, provides milk of high nutrients would be received with great admiration, even though  my poetry is not in Sanskrit, was written in Awadh, highly praises the splendor of Rama and Sita, hence the saintly and virtuous would love to read it.  As long the precious Gem, Ruby, pearl are hidden in the head of the serpent, on the forehead of elephant, and mountain peaks won’t easily be noticed, If it was decorated on the magnificent crown of the King, or adorned on the body of the women would get caught the attention easily, in this way, even though this poem was written from one zone would get praised in another zone, like the water currents.  Goddess Saraswathi leaves the abode of Lord Bhrama and immediately arrives in the homes of the intellectuals and poets, she relieves her tiredness by taking a dip in the ocean like Ramcharitha.  Therefore the intellectuals and poets keep singing in praise of supreme Lord Hari which removes all the impurities of mind and intellect.  The supreme Goddess Saraswathi get annoyed and feels ashamed, by watching the poets who are singing in praise of ordinary humans.  Therefore the saintly and intellectuals compare the heart of the poet as an ocean, his/her intellect as a precious seashell, and the supreme Goddess Saraswathi as the source of precious pearl/star Swathi, the poets pour out poems like pearls which was formed out of his/her imagination. Further, he intelligently ties the pearls in a threadlike Sri Ramacharitham, whoever adores that in their unblemished hearts would attain intense devotion and faith, attains perpetual grace of supreme Lord.  The Jeeva taken birth in the Kali era performs all the actions of a Crow; with the recitation of this glorious poetry, the Jeeva would get transformed the qualities of a Swan. The people in the Kali era does not follow Vedic way of living, follows all the immoral way of living and deceitful, would be reservoir of all the impurities, remains slaves of wealth, desire and lust, pretends to be the devotees of Lord Rama, are wicked natured, follows immoral ways of living and full of misconceptions, treacherous as well, I took stand first among these people. I have endless impurities to describe about myself; therefore I have described few of them. The intellectuals understand whole concept out of a single word, therefore kindly do not blame me after reading this poetry, if anyone raises voice against it and condemns my thoughts, I would consider them as dull and ignorant than me. I am not a poet or intellectual, I am singing in praise of the splendor of supreme Lord Rama as of my knowledge. I am pretty sure that I am not competent to describe the whole splendor of supreme Lord Rama, I am an ordinary soul taking pleasure in the material living like the powerful wind has the strength to thrash the Mount Meru, and I am just a cotton ball in front of that powerful wind.  Therefore I feel weak of myself to describe those glorious legends of supreme Lord Rama.  Goddess Saraswathi,  Lord Adhishesha, Lord Shiva, Lord Bhrama, Agamashathras, and Vedas are incompetent to describe the glories of the Supreme Lord  and describes as ‘Nethi Nethi’/Na Ithi and sung in praise of him.”