Beginning Invocation
SANT TULSEEDAAS RAAMAAYAN
BEGINNING INVOCATION
सोरठा
बन्दौं गुरुपदकंज, कृपासिंधु नररूप हरि ।
महामोह तमपुंज, जासु वचन रविकर निकर ॥
Bandow Gurupada-kanja, Kripaa-sindhu Nararoopa Hari /
Mahaamoha tamapunja, jaasu vachan Ravikara nikara //
Sant Tulseedaas declares:
I seek permission to bow at the dust of the lotus-like feet of my Guru who is an ocean of mercy and God (Narsimha) incarnate. His words are like the rays of the Sun which dispel the darkness of ignorance.
Sant Tulseedaas, the writer of the Raamaayan, begins this undertaking by paying reverence to the feet of His Guru, Nrisimha. This humility stems from the fact that the poet is awed by the teachings of his Guru. These teachings are filled with life lessons.
The Guru s input also addresses our inward daily battles which are fuelled by the six major diseases of the mind. Among these diseases, the most lethal is Moha (ignorance). If one is able to surmount Moha, it spares that individual so many embarrassing blushes. For instance, when God incarnated as Shree Raam, He manifested with 12 of His 16 kalaas (कला - Supernatural Powers). As Shree Krishna, He descended with all 16 kalaas. From these facts, one ought not to deduce that the incarnation as Bhagwaan Krishna was greater. It s simply that His descent as Shree Krishna required a display of all of His Supernatural Powers. Oblivious to the fact that They are both incarnations of the Supreme, one may allow ignorance a play at arriving at a conclusion.
In acknowledging Guru s prowess, the poet looks upon Guru as his rock to whom he can resort for finding ways to overcome ignorance. Thus, he likens Guru s advice to the potent rays of the Sun which remove the darkness of night. With Guru s grace, the disciple in turn is afforded an opportunity to brighten the life of the distressed who may have allowed ignorance to dictate their decisions. The disciple is taught not to merely help but moreso to inspire and uplift.
Sunlight does not only destroy darkness. Rather, it brings recognition to objects/ people/ creatures, upon which its rays are cast. Guru impacts on the disciple to adopt this mission, destroying ignorance but equally refining the victims.