Doha - 1
I reverence Bhagavan Sankara, the progeny of Brahma, the very root of the tree of piety, the beloved, devotee of King Sri Rama, the full moon that brings joy to the ocean of wisdom, the sun that opens the lotus of dispassion, the wind that disperses the clouds of ignorance, who dispels the thick darkness of sin and eradicates the threefold agony and who wipes off obloquv.
Doha - 2
I worship Sri Rama, the delighter of all, whose graceful form is an embodiment of joy and is dark as rainy cloud, in a charming yellow bark and carries in His hands a bow and an arrow who has a beautiful, shining and well-equipped quiver fastenced to His waist and has a pair of large lotus eyes, who is adorned with a tuft of matted locks on His head and who is seen journeying wiht Sita and Laksmana.
Sri Rama's virtues, Uma (Parvati), are mysterious. The sages as well as learned men develop dispassion (When they appreciate them); the deluded fools who are hostile to Sri Hari and have no love for piety get bewildered to hear of them.
Chaupala
I have portrayed to the best of my ability the incomparable and charming affeftion (for Sri Rama) of the citizens (of Ayodhya) as well of Bharata. Now hear of the all-holy exploits of the Lord. that He wrought in the forest to the delight of gods, men and sages. On one occasion Sri Rama culled lovely flowers and made with His own hands a number of ornaments, with which He fondly descked Sita and sat with Her on a beautiful rock of crystal. The foolish son of Indra (the lord of celestials) took the form of a crow and wanted to test the might of Sri Rama(the Lord of Raghus) even as the most dull-witted ant would sound the depths on ocean. The stupid fool, who had disguised himself as a crow with a sinister motive, bit Sita in the foot with his beak and flew away, The Lord of Raghus came to know it only when blood ran from Her foot, and fitted a shaft of reed to His bow.
Doha - 1
The Lord of Raghus is extremely compassionate and is always fond of the meek. But the mischievous fool came and played a trick even with Him.
Chupala
Winged with a spell, the shaft presided over by Brahma sped forth and the crow in terror took to flight. Indra's son now assumed his own form and approached his father. But the latter refused to give him shelter knowing him to be an enemy of Sri Rama. Having lost hope (of protection) he felt as alarmed at heart as the sage Durvasa was afraied of the Lord's Discus. Weary and strickedn with fear and grief, he traversed the abode of Brahma, the realm of Lord Siva and all other regions. But no one even asked him to sit down. Who can dare afford shelter to an enemy of Sri Rama? Listen, Garuda(mount of Sri Hari), a mother becomes as terrible as death and a father assumes the role of Yama (the god of death), ambrosia turns into venom and a friend becomes as hostile as a hundred enemies, the celestial river (Ganga) is converted into the Vaitarani nay the whole world becomes hotter than fire to him who is inimical to Sri Rama. The sage Narada saw Jayanta (Indra's son)in distress and was moved with pity; for saints are always tender of heart. The sage sent him immediately to Sri Ramd and he cried out, "Save me, O friend of the suppliant!" Bewildered and terrified he went and clasped His feet and said, "Mercy! mercy! O gracious Lord of Raghus. I could not perceive Your incomparable might and matchless glory, dull-witted as I am. I have reaped the fruit born by my own actions and have now sought refuge in You. Protect me, my Lord!" When the all-merciful Lord heard his most piteous appeal, He let him go with the loss of one eye, O Parvati.
Doha - 2
Even though in his infatuation Jayanta had antagnized the Lord and therefore deserved death, the latter took compassion on him and let him to. Who is there so merciful as the Herro of Raghu's line?
Chupala
Staying at Citrakuta the Lord of Raghus performed exploits of many kinds, which are sweet to the ear as nectar. Sri Rama then thought to Himself, "People will throng here now that everyone has come to know me. "Taking leave of all the hermits,therefore, the brothers (Sri Rama and Laksmana) left the place with Sita. When the Lord repaired to Atri's hermitage, the great sage was rejoiced at the news. Thrilling all over (with joy) Atri sprang up and ran to meet Him: and seeing him come Sri Rama too advanced hurriedly towards him. Even as the two brothers prostrated themselves the sage lifted them, and clasping them to his bosom bathed them with tears of love. His eyes gladdened by the sight of Sri Rama's beauty and then he reverently escorted them to his hermitage. Paying his homage. to the Lord he spoke kind words to Him and offered Him roots and fruits, which He relished much.
Doha -3
As the Lord took His seat Atri (the chief of sages) supremely wise as he was, feasted his eyes on His loveliness, and joining his palms proceeded to extol Him:-
Chupala
"I reverence You, who are so fond of Your devotees, compassionate and gentle of desposition. I adore Your lotus feet, which vouchsafe to Your selfless loversa a quarter in Your own abode. You are possessed of an exquisitely beautiful swarthy form; You are Mount Mandara as it were to churn the ocean of mundane existence; You have eyes like the full-blown lotus and rid Your votaries of pride and other vices. Immense is the might of Your logs arms and immeasurable You glory. You carry on Your person a quiver, a bow and an arrow, O Lord of the three worlds! The ornament of the solar race. You broke the bow of the great Lord Siva. Delighting the greatest sages and saints, You crush the host of demons (the enemies of gods). You are an object of revernce to Lord Siva, and are adored by Brahma and other divinities. An embodiment of pure consciousness, You destory all evils, I bow to Laksmi's lord, the fountain of joy and the salvation of saints. I adore You with Your Spouse (Sita)and younger brother (Laksmana), Yourself a beloved younger Brother of Indra (Sachi'slord). Men who worship the sole of Your feet and are free from jealousy sink not inot the ocean of metempsychosis, trubulent with the billows of wrangling. the who, living in seclusion, constantly worship You with their senses and mind etc. fully subduced for the sake of attaining liberation are able to realize their own self. I adore Him, the mysterious Lord, who is on (without a second), desireless, all-powerful and omnipresent, the teacher of the world. eternal, transcending the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) and absolute (self-existent). I adore Him who is fond of devotion, who is most difficult of access to sensually-minded strivers but who is a wish-yielding tree to His own devotees, nay, who is impartial and so easy to worship from day to day. I bow to Sita's lord, King Rama lotus feet. Men who recite this hymn with reverence undoubtedly attain Your abode, acquiring devotion to Your feet at the same time."
Doha - 4
Having prayed thus the sage bowed his head, and joining his palms spoke again: "My mind, O Lord may never abandon Your lotus feet."
Chupala
Then Sita, who was so good natured and modest, met Anasuya (Atri's wife) and clasped her feet. The sage's wife felt extremely pleased at heart; she blessed Her and seating Her by her side arrayed Her in heavenly robes and ornaments that remained ever new, clean and charming. In affectionate and mild tones the holy woman then proceeded to discourse on some wifely virtues, making Her an occasion for such discourse: "Listen, O Princess: a mother, father and brother are all kind to us; but they bestow only limited joy. A husband, however, bestows unlimited joy (in the shape of blessedness), O Videha's daughter; vile is the woman who refuses to serve him. Fortitude, piety a friend and a wife--these four are put to the test only in times of adversity. A woman who treats her husband with disrespect--even though he is old, sick, dull-headed, indigent, blind, deaf, wrathful or most wretched--shall suffer various torments in hell (the abode of Yama).Devotion of body, speech and mind to her lord's feet is the only duty, sacred vow and penance of woman. There are four types of faithful wives in this world:so declare the Vedas, the Puranas and all the saints. A woman of the best type is convinced in her heart of hearts that she cannot even dream in this world of a man other than her lord. The midding regards another's husband as her own brother, father or son (according to his age). Shae who is restrained by considerations of virtue or by the thought of her race is declared by the Vedas as a low woman. And know her to be the lowest woman in this world, who is restrained only by fear and want of opportunity. The woman who deceives her husband and loves a paramour is cast for a hundred cycles into worst form of hell knwon by the name of Raurava. Who is so depraved as the woman who form of hell known by the name of Raurava. Who is so depraved as the woman who deceives her husband and loves a paramour is cast for a hundred cycles into the worst form of hell known by the name of Raurava. Who is so depraved as the woman who for the sake of a moment's pleasure reckons not the torment that shall endure for a thousand million births? The woman who sincerely takes a vow of fidelity to her husband easily attains the highest state; while she who is disloyal to her lord widowed as soon as she attains her youth wherever she may be reborn.
Doha - 5A-B
A woman is impure by her birth; but she attains a happy state (hereafter) by serving her lord. (It is due to her loyalty to her husband that) Tulasi is loved by Sri Hari even to this day and her glory is sung by all the four Vedas. Listen, Sita: women will maintain their vow of fidelity to their husband by invokings your very name, Sri Rama being dear to you as your own life. It is for good of the world that I have spoken to you on the subject."
Chupala
Janaka's Daughter(Sita) was overjoyed to hear this discourse and reverently bowed Her head at the feet of Anasuya. The merciful then said to the sage, "With your permission I would go to some other forest. Continiue to shower your grace on me; and knowing me to be your servant never cease loving me. " Hearing these words of the lord, who was a champion of virtue the enlightened sage livingly replied, "You are the same Rama (the supreme Deity), the beloved of the desireless and the friend of the meek, whose favour is sought by Brahma(the Unborn), Lord Siva, the sage sanaka and all other preachers (Knowers) of the highest Reality; and yet you are addressing such polite words to me. I now understand the wisdom of Sri (Goddess Laksmi), who chose you (as Her Lord) to the exclusion of all other gods. How can He who is unequalled and unsurpassed by anyone else be less amiable than He is? How can I say, "You may go now, my lord? Tell me, my master knowing as You do the hearts of all." Having spoken thus the sage kept gazing on the Lord, thrilling all over with emotion and his eyes flowing with tears.
Thrilling all over with excess love, the sage rivetted his eyes on the Lord's lotus face. He thought to himself, "What prayers did I mutter what austerity did I perform that I was enabled to behold with my own eyes the Lord who is beyond all knowledge and transcends the three Gunas as well as the senses and mind. It is through Japa (muttering of prayers). Yoga (concentration of mind) and a host of religious observances than man acquires devotion, which is incomparable (as a means of God-Realization). So does Tulasidasa sing the all-holly exploits of Sri Rama (the Hero of Raghu's line) day and night.
Doha - 6A-B
The praises of Sri Rama destroya the impurities of the Kali age, subdue the mind and are a source of delight. Sri Rama remains ever propitious to those who listen to them with reverence. This terrible age (of Kali) is a repertory of sins; piety, spiritual wisdom. yoga or Japa are out of place in this age. They alone, are wise, who worship Sri Rama giving up all othr hopes.
Chupala
Bowing His head at lotus feet of the sage, Sri, Rama, the Lord of celestials, human beings and sages, proceeded to the woods.Sri Rama walked foremost, while Laksmana followed Him in the rear, both appearing most lovely in the garb of hermits. Between the two Sita (who was the same as Sri, the Goddess of Prosperity) shone forth like Maya, which stands between Brahma (the Absolute) and the Jiva (the individual soul). Rivers and thickets, hills and rugged valleys recognized their Lord and gave Him a smooth passage. Wherever the divine Lord of Raghus passed the clounds made a canopy in the heavens, Even as the trio wented their way the demon Viradhya met them; and the Hero of Raghus's line overthrew him as soon as he made his appearance. (Meeting his death at the hands, of the Lord), he immediately attained a beauteous (divine)form; finding him lead a miserable existence the Lord sent him to His own abode, Accompanied by His lovely younger brother (Laksmana) and Janaka's Daughter (Sita) the Lord then visited the sage Sarabhanga.
Doha - 7
Gazing on Sri Rama's lotus face the eyes of great sage reverently drank in its beauty like bees. Bleassed indeed was the birth of Sarabhanga!
Chupala
Said the sage, "Listen, gracious Rama (the Hero Raghu's line), the swan disporting in the Mansa lake of Lord Siva's heart; I was about to leave for Brahma's abode when the report reached my ears that Sri Rama (Yourself) was coming to the forest. I have ever since watched the road day and night.My heart is now soothed at the sight of my lord. I have accomplished nothing, (to deserve Your grace); yet You have shown Your grace to me knowing me to be Your humble servant. Really speaking, however, You have done me no favour, my lor; You have only redeemed Your vow, O Stealer of Your devotees' hearts! For the sake of this humble servant nemain here (before my eyes) till I have quitted this body and meet you (in Your own abode)." So saying the sage offered to the Lord whatever practive of Yoga, sacrifices, Japa (muttering of prayers), penance and fasting he had done, and received in return the boon of Devotion. Having thus acquired the rare gift of Devotion the sage Sarabhanga prepared a funeral pile and discarding all attachment from his heart ascended it.
Doha - 8
"Constantly abide in my heart,O Lord, with Sita and Your younger brother (Laksmana) in Your qualified and embodied form swarthy as a dark cloud, O graceful Rama!"
Chupala
Having said so he burnt his body with the of Yoga and by the grace of Sri Rama rose to Vaikuntha. The sage was not absorbed into the person of Sri Hari so this simple reason that he had already received the boon of personal devotion. The multitude of sages(assmbled on the occasion)who saw the high state to which the great sage had now been translated were greatly delighted at heart. All the hosts of sages now extolled the Lord of Raghus went on further into the forest and many a host of great sage followed Him. Seeing a heap of bones the Lord of Raghus was moved with great compassion and enquired the hermits about the same. "Though knowing everthing, how is that You ask us, our master? We know You are all-seeing and can read the innermost feelings of all. Hosts of demons have devoured all the sages." The eyes of Sri Rama (the Hero of Raghu's race) filled with tears when He heard this.
Doha - 9
With uplifted arms He took a vow to rid the earth of demons. Then He gladdened all the hermits by visiting their hermitages one by one.
Chupala
The sage Agastya had a learned disciple, Sutiksna by name, who was a great lover of the Lord. He was devoted to Sri Rama's feet in thought, word and deed and had no faith in any other deity even in dream. As soon as the news of the Lord's approach reached his ears he rushed out hurriedly, indulging in his own fancy: "Will the Lord of Raghus, the befriender of the meek, O good heavens, ever show His grace to a wretch like me? Will Lord Sri rama and His younger brother receive me as their own servant? I have no unswerving faith in my heart nor is my mind illumined by the light of devotion, despassion or wisdom. I have no association with saints and practise neither Yoga(concentration of mind) nor Japa (muttering of prayers), nor the ritual. Nor do I claim any steadfast devotion to the Lord's lotus feet. I bank on one characteristic of the all-merciful Lord: He holds the devotee dear who depends exclusively on Him This inspires me with the hope that my eyes will be rewarded today by the sight of the Lord's lotus face, that delivers one from the bondage of worldly existence." The wise sage was drowned in a flood of love; his condition. O Parvati, cannot be described in words. He had no idea of the four quarters, much lewss of the intermediate points of the compass; nor could he make out the track. He did not know who he was or whither bound. He would now turn back and then resume his journey in the same direction; and now he would dance and sing songs of praise. The sage had been gifted with devotion of the nature of intense love and Lord watched him hiding behind a tree. When the Hero of Raghu's line, who dispels the fear of transmigration, saw the sage's excessive love, He revealed Himself in his heart. The sage sat motionless in the middle of the road, his body bristling like a jack-fruit with its hair standing on end. The Lord of Raghus threupon drew near and was delighted at heart to see the state of His devotee. Sri rama tried many ways to rouse the sage; but he would not wake, lost as he was in the ecstasy of his vision, Sri Rama then withdrew His kingly guise and manifested His four-armed form in the sage's heart. The sage thereupon started up in great agony, growing as restless as a noble serpent that has lost the gem on its head. But seeing before him the blissful Rama in His swarthy form with Sita and His younger brother (Laksmana), the great and blessed sage was oveewhelmed with affection and dropped like a long at His feet. Taking him in His long arms the Lord lifted him and with utmost affection pressed him to His bosom. While embracing the sage the gracious Lord shone forth like a Tamala tree meeting a tree of gold. The sage gazed on Sri Rama's face standing motionless like a fugure drawn in a picture.
Doha - 10
Summoning courage in his heart and clasping His feet again and again the sage then conducted the Lord to his hermitage and offered Him homagein many ways.
Chupala
Said the sage, "Listen, O Lord, to my prayer, how am I to hymn Your Praises? For immeasurable is Your glory and scant my wit, which is as insignificant as the flash of a fire-fly before the sun. I constantly glorify Sri Rama(the Chief of Raghus), with a body dark as a string of blue lotuses, wearing a crown of matted locks on His head and clad in a hermit's sobes, and carrying bow and arrow in His hands with a quiver fastened to His waist. The fire which consumes the thick forest of delusion, the sun that brings delight to the lotus-like saints, the lion who kills the herd of elephants in the form of demons, the hawk that kills the bird of metempsychosis, may He never protect us. I extol Sri Rama, whose eyes resemble the red lotus, who is elgantly dressed, who is a full moon to Sita's Cakora like eyes, who is a cygnet disporting in the Manasa lake of Lord Siva's heart and who has a broad chest and long arms. A Garuda to devour the serpent of doubt, the queller of despair induced by heated controversy, the serpent of doubt, the queller of despair induced by heated controversy, the uprooter of transmigration, the delighter of gods, the embodiment of compassion, may He ever protect us, I sing the praise of Sri Rama, the reliever of earth's burden, who is both with and without attributes, who is partial as well as impartial, who transcends knowledge speech and the senses and has no compeer, nay, who is all-pure, all-comprehensive, faultless and unlimited. A veritable gardern of wish-yielding trees of His devotees, who keeps away wrath, greed, pride and lust, who is most urbane in manners and the bridge to cross the ocean of mundane existence, may that champion of the solar race ever protect me. Matchless in power of arm, the home of strength, the armour for the protection of righteousness, endowed with a host of delightful virtues, may that Rama whose very Name wipes out the greatest sins of the Kali age, be ever propitious to me. Even though He is passionless, all-pervading, imperishable and evcer dwelling in the heart of all, let Him abide in my thoughts as the Slayer of Khara roaming about in the woods with His abide in my thoughts as the Slayer of Khara roaming about in woods with His abide in my thoughts as the Slayer of Khara roaming about in woods with His younger brother(Laksmana) and Sita. Let alone, my lord, those who know You to be both with and without attributes and the witness of all heart. Let not this exalled feeling disappear from my mind even in an unguarded moment that I am His servant and the Lord of Raghus my master." Sri Rama was delighted at heart to hear the sage's words, and in His delight He pressed the great sage to His bosom again. "Know Me to be supremely pleased, O sage; I am prepared to grant you any boon you may choose to ask. " The sage replied, "I have never asked any boon and know not what is real and what unreal (what to choose and what to reject) Therefore, O Delighter of Your devotees, grant me that which pleases You, O Lord of Raghus." "May you become a repository of worldly wisdom and goodness as well as intense devotion, dispassion and spiritual wisdom." "I have received the boon that my Lord has been pleased to grant. Now vouchsafe to me that which is cherished by me."