“The one who was without a caste, who took birth from a ground of sins – even that woman was liberated. O you of greatly foolish mind, how can you desire happiness while forgetting such a Lord?” (Dohavali, 156)

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जाति हीन अघ जन्म महि मुक्त कीन्हि असि नारि
महामंद मन सुख चहसि ऐसे प्रभुहि बिसारि

jāti hīna agha janma mahi mukta kīnhi asi nāri
mahāmaṃda mana sukha cahasi aise prabhuhi bisāri

1. Opening temples

“Prabhu, are you going to the program this weekend? That spiritual leader is making a stop. It is part of her world tour. Oh, you have never heard of her? She has opened so many temples. The devotion is wonderful to see. So many people attend on a regular basis. It all started as an idea in her mind, but it must be that she is satya-sankalpa.”

2. Writing beautiful songs

“Prabhu, have you heard any of her music? It is enchanting. You will feel immediately transported to the spiritual world. Her skill and artistry are unique in this part of the world. She must carry a message from a higher realm. She is here to bring us back home.”

3. Countless disciples

“Prabhu, you have not heard of this leader? She has so many followers throughout the world. They swear by her teachings. They say that your life will be changed, permanently and for the better. Come, let us go and have her association.”

4. Continuing a family tradition

“Prabhu, this woman is the latest in a long line of respected personalities. Tracing the lineage, the ancestry goes back hundreds of years. Everyone stayed in the same region, up until now. She is so merciful that she will travel around the world, bestowing the blessings of her vamsha to the people fortunate enough to take the time to see her.”

5. Raising money

“Prabhu, this woman has a gift. She can rally people together for a cause. Through her efforts alone so much money gets raised for noble causes. She is like a modern-day saint. What more can we say? May she live a long life to continue giving hope to the fallen and the downtrodden.”

…

We have the case of an important person who is travelling about. They are considered important in the sense of demand for their time. Others want to meet them. If only briefly, to catch a few glimpses, it would mean the world to them. Admirers are placed on a waiting list any time there is a public event. The seating capacity quickly fills up.

For this hypothetical situation, we will say that the person of prominence is kind-hearted. They are liberal and generous. They genuinely wish they could satisfy the desires of every person they meet. They want to associate in a meaningful way, for more than a passing glance or a fleeting smile. They appreciate so much the support that they receive.

In this case, it would be natural for the important person to ration their time. They would likely prioritize meeting other important people. After all, Bhagavad-gita describes how the leader sets the example. They are like the acharya who guides others through visible action.

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते

yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate

“Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.21)

From the Ramayana history, we have several interesting exchanges involving someone we would consider to be the most important person, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, taking the impetus to travel to those who would otherwise remain anonymous. As if forever relegated to obscurity, they are not well-known to society, but since Rama is antaryami, He is already the greatest well-wishing friend. He is aware of anything and everything which takes place.

Goswami Tulsidas marvels at this kindness. He reminds himself to always be devoted to Rama. Trying to find happiness while forgetting such a benevolent and kind-hearted leader is a foolish proposition. The example to hold up for all to see, for evidence of the claim, is the meeting with the female ascetic named Shabari.

She would not fall into any of the above described situations. If we were attempting to persuade others to have her association, we could not point to visible accomplishments or strength tied to numbers. Rather, she was the embodiment of renunciation, and she could not claim a high status based on anything except her deeds and her heart.

These were enough to impress Shri Rama. He visited Shabari in the forest. Shabari welcomed Rama with berries. That was essentially all there was to give. There were not enough resources to invite a culinary artist. An elaborate spread was not possible, but neither was it permissible based on the self-imposed restrictions Rama was following at the time.

Tulsidas says that Shabari entered this world through something like a ground of sins. Her family did not have a high name or reputation. They were something like tribal people; not civilized enough to live in the cities. They had to remain outside of the general population, but that makes no impact on the outlook of the one who automatically views with an equal vision.

समो ऽहं सर्व-भूतेषु
न मे द्वेष्यो ऽस्ति न प्रियः
ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या
मयि ते तेषु चाप्य् अहम्

samo ‘haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu
na me dveṣyo ‘sti na priyaḥ
ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā
mayi te teṣu cāpy aham

“I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.29)

The devoted souls are a friend to Him. He is friendly towards them. This should be sufficient justification for following worship in devotion as a way of life. That devotion, in yoga, can transcend any and all so-called impediments or hindrances that the material existence may present before us. There is the potential to ascend as far as offering directly to Rama, for His pleasure alone.

In Closing:

Not particularly known,
Living in forest alone.

Not to large institution tied,
But blessed by spiritual guide.

That if in renunciation to stay,
Shri Rama to find that way.

And so glorious that eventual meeting,
Shabari with berries greeting.

Categories: dohavali 121-160, the five

Tags: god, hare krishna, hinduism, poem, poems, poetry, ramayana, religion