Baal Kaanda
2 - Salutations to the Guru
Chaupais
Description
The dust of the Guru's feet is a soft and agreeable, salve, which is ambrosia as it were for the eyes and remedies the defects of vision. Having brightened my eyes of discernment thereby I proceed to relate the story of Sri Rama, which secures freedom from the bondage of mundane existence. First I reverence the feet of Brahmanas, the very gods on earth, who are able to dispel all doubts born of ignorance. Then I make loving obeisance, in a polite language, to the whole body of pious souls, the mines of all virtues. The conduct of holy men is noble as the career of the cotton plant, the fruit whereof is tasteless, white and fibrous (even as the doings of saints yield results which are free from attachment, stainless and full of goodness).* Even by suffering hardships ( in the form of ginning, spinning and weaving) the cotton plant covers others' faults and has thereby earned in the world a renown which is worthy of adoration. The assemblage of saints, which is all joy and felicity, is a moving Prayaga (the king of all holy places) as it were. Devotion to Sri Rama represents, in this moving Prayaga, the stream of the holy Ganga, the river of the celestials; while the proceeding of an enquiry into the nature of Brahma (the Absolute) constitutes the Sarasvati (a subterranean stream which is traditionally believed to join the Ganga and the Yamuna at Prayaga, thus accounting for the name 'Triveni', which signifies a meeting-place of three rivers). Discourses on Karma or Action, consisting of injunctions and interdictions, have been spoken of as the sacred Yamuna-a daughter of the sun-god in her angelic form-washing the impurities of the Kali age; while the anecdotes of Visnu and Siva stand out as the triple stream known as Triveni, bringing joy and blessings to those who listen to them. Unwavering faith in their own creed constitutes the immortal banyan tree and noble actions represent the royal court of that king of holy places. Easy of access to all on anyday and at every place, this moving Prayaga assuages the afflictions of those who resort to it with reverence. This king of holy places is beyond all description and supra-mundane in character; it bestows the reward immediately and its glory is manifest.(1-7)