Grief of Rama

Sri Valmiki

1. Consoled by what Sri Viswamitra said, Rama spoke thus in beautiful, meaningful words.

Sri Rama

2. O Bhagawan, as you wanted, I am telling everything. Who can disobey the words of great people?

3. -6. Born in this house of my father, I got educated and have grown up. O sage, having grown up with traditions and practising them, I have toured the entire world, surrounded by oceans. Since that time,till today, my mind has lost interest in this world.This is the reason for my grief.Disinterested in pleasures, I have started enquiring thus within myself with my intelligence.

7. " What happiness is there in this world? We are born to die and die to be born.

8. -10. All human and non-human activity is driven by things that are unstable.They lead to calamities. They are the grounds for sins, pleasures and becomings.Resembling iron bars, they do not relate to each other. They are connected only in the imagination of our minds.Bound by mind,this world looks enjoyable.But mind (itself) seems unreal.Why should be enamoured (of the world)?

11. -13. Foolishly, we are after these non-existing things like the deer which run after the waters of a mirage.Knowing that all this is illusion (and jugglery), foolishly, we live as if bound and sold (to this illusion) even though not bound and sold.Why are we then bound and enchanted by these fortunes and misfortunes called pleasures?

14. -15. I have realised now,after a long time, that we are uselessly in enchantment and infatuation the way the animals are with the chasms in a forest.What am I? What is the pleasure in a kingdom? Why have I come here? Let this be an illusion. What for and why have I come into this? "

16. O Brahman,debating thus, I became disinterested in everything the way a traveller dislikes a desert.

17. -19. O Bhagawan, tell me, why does this (world or body) get destroyed? Why is it born? Why does it grow?Old age, death, misfortunes, calamities, birth, wealth - they come and go again and again.We are wearing out, verily, like the peaks of a mountain by winds, indulging in pleasures again and again.

20. -21. Though the life-giving "Prana" is flowing through them, people are lying unconscious.It is like the wind blowing throught the splits in a bamboo, making useless sounds.I am burning with these thoughts.How can I be pacified and tranquiled? I am like an aged tree burning due to the fire inside.

22. -23. My heart is like the dense stone of world-sorrow.Even so, I do not cry fearing that I will upset my people.My face is pale and worn out due to silent grief.Only my intelligence is able to see and understand my state of loneliness.

24. -25. I am very much hurt and am suffering from the constantly rising thoughts and moods and result in mental state.It is like a rich man becoming poor (suddenly). The mental states are bewildering. They are breaking my (natura) qualities.Like one who is drawn in by deceit, they are provoking sorrows.

26. -27. I cannot derive pleasure from grief-filled wealth.It is like a calamity in your house with a wife in the (natal) state.I am not relieved from the mind which is full of guiltful and blemishful thoughts.Thinking of the causes for the transient states, I am like a wild elephant bound (to a pole).

28. -29. Many thieves, called senses, will be roaming around in the night of ignorance Powere by dense fog of infatuations and attachments to steal the diamond of "Viveka". Whoever is capable than you to battle with these warriors.