Uttar Kaanda

216 - Seven questions of Garuda and Kakabhusundi's replies to them

Chaupais

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Description

Thus every creature in this world is ailing and is further afflicted with grief and joy, fear, love and desolation. I have mentioned only a few diseases of the mind; although everyone is suffering from them, few are able to detect them. These wretches, the plague of mankind, diminish to a certain extent on being detected, but are not completely destroyed. Fed by the unwholesome diet of sensuality they sprout even in the mind of sages, to say nothing of poor mortals. All these ailments can no doubt be eradicated if by Sri Rama's grace the following factors combine. There must be faith in the words of the physician in the form of a true preceptor; and the regimen is indifference to the pleasures of sense. Devotion to the Lord of the Raghus is the life-giving herb (to be used as a recipe); while a devout mind serves as the vehicle in which it is taken. By this process the ailments can certainly be eradicated; otherwise all our efforts will fail to get rid of them. The mind should be accounted as cured, my lord, only when the heart gathers strength in the form of dispassion, appetite in the shape of good resolutions grows stronger and stronger everyday and weakness in the form of sensual appetite goes. (Being thus rid of all diseases) when the soul bathes in the pure water of wisdom, the heart is saturated with Devotion to Sri Rama. Lord Siva, Brahma (the Unborn), Sanaka and his three brothers, Narada and other sages who are adept in the investigation of Brahma, all are of this opinion, O lord of the winged creatures, that one should cultivate devotion to the lotus-feet of Sri Rama. The Vedas and Puranas and all other scriptures declare that there can be no happiness without practising devotion to the Lord of the Raghus. It would be easier for the hair to grow on the shell of a tortoise, or for the progeny of a barren woman to slay anyone or for flowers of every description to appear in the air than for any creature to be happy even though hostile to Sri Hari. Sooner shall thirst be slaked by drinking of a mirage or horns sprout on a hare's head or darkness efface the sun than a creature who has turned his face against Sri Rama find happiness. Sooner shall fire appear out of ice than an enemy of Sri Rama enjoy happiness.