Uttar Kaanda
215 - Delineation of Gnosis and Devotion; a description of the Lamp of wisdom and the surpassing glory of Devotion
Chaupais
Description
The path of wisdom is like the edge of a sword : one is apt to fall from it very soon, O king of the birds. He alone who successfully treads it attains to the supreme state of final emancipation. But this supreme state of final beatitude is most difficult to attain, so declare the saints as well as the Puranas, Vedas and agamas (Tantras). By worshipping Sri Rama, my lord, the same beatitude comes unsolicited even against our will. Water cannot stay except on land notwithstanding our best efforts; even so, mark you, O king of the birds, the joy of final beatitude cannot stay apart from Devotion to Sri Hari. Realizing this, the wise devotees of Sri Hari spurn final emancipation and remain enamoured of Devotion. By practising Devotion ignorance, which is the root of metempsychosis, is eradicated without any effort or exertion, in the same way as we eat for our own gratification but the gastric fire digests the food so eaten (without any effort on our part). What fool is there who does not welcome such Devotion to Sri Hari, which is so easy and delightful at the same time?