“An intelligent person has respect for the body which brings them attachment to Shri Rama. That is why Hanuman gave up his form of Rudra in order to be a Vanara.” (Dohavali, 142)

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जेहि सरीर रति राम सों सोइ आदरहिं सुजान।
रुद्रदेह तजि नेहबस बानर भे हनुमान ॥

jēhi sarīra rati rāma sōṁ sō’i ādarahiṁ sujāna.
rudradēha taji nēhabasa bānara bhē hanumāna..

1. My city

“Yeah, the weather is lousy. The allergies during the spring season are the worst, if you ask me. It is miserable, whether I take medication or not. That only follows the lengthy period of cold, or the season of ice, as I like to call it.

“You may ask why I live here, but I have a certain attachment. It is in this city that I am able to follow devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Rama. No, this is not one of the areas visited by that avatara. I am far away from any places famously connected with Rama-lila.

“My city is the one in which my devotion has thrived. I don’t know if I am making meaningful progress, but I know that I would rather not be doing anything else. Why should I travel thousands of miles to a tirtha when I feel like I am already in a sacred place?”

2. My car

“Yes, the car is old. I have put so many miles on it. Everyone says I should get a new one, but I have my reasons. There is attachment because of the sound system, in particular. I have a CD loaded that loops through different discussions on devotional service, bhakti-yoga. I feel invigorated from the sound. I feel alive. I am learning new things every day, all while driving from here to there.”

3. My home

“This is where I learned so much. It was not while living anywhere else. It was in this place that my eyes were finally opened. It took too long, if you want to know the truth. I regret the many years I spent in ignorance, but it is within this home that I was able to always remember the Supreme Lord and His dedicated servants.”

4. My book

“Yes, there are pages missing. I know that we are advancing in technology, that nobody really reads books anymore. I am old-fashioned. This one book changed my life. I remember the first time I opened it. I couldn’t put it down. I now ration my indulgence, because I am afraid of reaching the end. Nothing warms the heart more than the charita of Shri Rama.”

5. My parents

“You say they are flawed. You say they did a bad job in raising me. You say they caused so much trouble, and needlessly at that. I respond by reminding you that they showed me a culture of devotion. They were not perfect, but how can you accurately measure the benefit of introducing the culture of allegiance to the husband of Sita? I never want any other set of parents. For as many lifetimes as there will be in the future, let the same mother and father protect me.”

…

Goswami Tulsidas explains that the clever person, who is intelligent, the sujana, prefers the form in which they can practice devotion. It does not have to be the standard environment, like within a temple. It does not necessarily have to be in the body of a respected scholar, a brahmana of high repute, a wealthy landowner, or a king of widespread influence.

Tulsidas gives the example of Shri Hanuman, who is in the body of a monkey. What wise person would actually choose that specific form? Monkeys are known for stealing. They cause trouble. They disrupt other people’s enjoyment. They hurl feces as a way to antagonize.

Hanuman prefers that form over any other, due to the ability to practice devotion to Rama. It is said that so many Divine beings appeared on earth to coincide with the avatara of Rama, who is Vishnu in the spiritual world.

As God is all-pervading, so is devotion to Him. That attachment, rati, is not limited by time or circumstance. Hanuman can be devoted as a Vanara leaping over an ocean. Arjuna can be devoted as a warrior firing arrows on a battlefield. And despite the troubles I currently face, I can turn everything around with a life of devotion under the guidance of the sujana personalities.

In Closing:

The sujana personalities guiding,
An ideal example providing.

That not the circumstances to count,
For proper service to mount.

Available here and anywhere,
Seeing Rama standing there.

Preferred that form and place,
No need in future to replace.

Categories: dohavali 121-160, the five

Tags: dohavali, god, hanuman, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, religion