There are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading to the same place, so it doesn't matter which path you take. The only one wasting time is the one who runs around the mountain, telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.-- ( Hindu Proverb).
Continuing the leanings from some of the prominent saints and philosophers of the Bhakti Era, we shall now pick up messages on Dharma & Ethical living from another great Hindu Poet" Sant Surdas". A late 15th century ( circa 1478-1584 ) sightless Saint, poet & musician, generally known for his devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna, Sant Surdas was a disciple of Guru Vallabhacharya of Shuddha Ad-vita school of Vaishnavism (also known as Push-ti Marg).
Devoted to the theme of unconditional love and devotion, he portrayed the life of Lord Krishna in his songs in vivid details. Many of his songs like मैया मोरी, मैं नहीं माखन खायो---, हरि हरि हरि हरि सिमरन करौ, हरि चरनारबिंद उर धरौ।, हमारे प्रभु औगुन चित ना धरौ, समदरसी है नाम तुम्हारौ, सोई पार करौ। have been sung by great singers and musicians & transformed into melodious meaningful compositions. thus spreading his messages of love for God & spirituality in general for the masses.
Quoting only few lines from some of his songs, stressing on Ethical Messages, extracted from one of his best known composition " SUR SAGAR";
Devoted to the theme of unconditional love and devotion, he portrayed the life of Lord Krishna in his songs in vivid details. Many of his songs like मैया मोरी, मैं नहीं माखन खायो---, हरि हरि हरि हरि सिमरन करौ, हरि चरनारबिंद उर धरौ।, हमारे प्रभु औगुन चित ना धरौ, समदरसी है नाम तुम्हारौ, सोई पार करौ। have been sung by great singers and musicians & transformed into melodious meaningful compositions. thus spreading his messages of love for God & spirituality in general for the masses.
Quoting only few lines from some of his songs, stressing on Ethical Messages, extracted from one of his best known composition " SUR SAGAR";
मो सम कौन कुटिल खल कामी।
जेहि तन दियो ताहि बिसरायो, ऐसौ नोन हरामी।
भरि भरि उदर विषय को धावौ, जैसे सूकर गामी।
हरिजन छाडि हरि विमुखन की, निसिदिन करत गुलामी।।
The central message in the above lines is self introspection and soul searching of one's internal state in order to discover the inherent weaknesses and making efforts for its removal. The Saint-Poet focuses on one's weaknesses like preoccupation with materialistic desires, the company of guilty people as well as addiction to vices in life.
As per Sant Surdas, Ethical living also calls for periodic introspection of self to flush out undesirable elements and vices. Quoting another one;
As per Sant Surdas, Ethical living also calls for periodic introspection of self to flush out undesirable elements and vices. Quoting another one;
अब हों नाच्यौ बहुत गोपाल।
काम क्रोध को पहिरि चोलना, कंठ विषय की माल।
महामोह के नूपुर बाजत, निंन्दा शब्द् रसाल।।
भरम भरयो मन भयौ पखावज, चलत कुसंगति चाल।
तृस्ना नाद करत घट अंतर, नानाविधि दै ताल।।
माया को कटि फेंटा बांध्यो, लोभ तिलक दियो भाल।
सूरदास की सबै अविद्या, दूरि करौ नंदलाल।।
In the above lines, Sant Surdas prays to Lord Krishna to help him getting rid of all unethical traits like Anger, Attachment, Greed, Hatred & Criticism of others, Superstitions, Company of unwanted elements leading to poor Karma in life and many more. Again the Saint- Poet focuses on his self for cleansing and purifying it, as an ethical example to society.
Sant Surdas also composed SUR-SARAVALI and SAHITYA-LAHIRI. Quoting English translation of one of his poem The Lord is His Devotee's Slave, Sant Surdas conveyed that Lord Rama's love for a devotee is same, irrespective of his caste, clan, family or name. Beggar and king are one to the Lord. He, further added that Rama will never abide in the egoistic man's heart and therefore His slave Surdas has abandoned Pride. As per him, " The Lord is the slave of His devotees, age after age." What a wonderful message on Ethical Living and Dharma in general, conveyed by this great saint!.
Sant Surdas also scripted " Surdas Ramayana" or Ram Charitawali, a story of glorious deeds of Lord Rama in the form of devotional songs. In one of the chapter, Sant Surdas beautifully describe the meaning of Rajadharma as conveyed by Lord Rama to his brother Bharata on his duties as a king;
Sant Surdas also composed SUR-SARAVALI and SAHITYA-LAHIRI. Quoting English translation of one of his poem The Lord is His Devotee's Slave, Sant Surdas conveyed that Lord Rama's love for a devotee is same, irrespective of his caste, clan, family or name. Beggar and king are one to the Lord. He, further added that Rama will never abide in the egoistic man's heart and therefore His slave Surdas has abandoned Pride. As per him, " The Lord is the slave of His devotees, age after age." What a wonderful message on Ethical Living and Dharma in general, conveyed by this great saint!.
Sant Surdas also scripted " Surdas Ramayana" or Ram Charitawali, a story of glorious deeds of Lord Rama in the form of devotional songs. In one of the chapter, Sant Surdas beautifully describe the meaning of Rajadharma as conveyed by Lord Rama to his brother Bharata on his duties as a king;
" Bandhu, Kari-yo, Raj Sambhare,
Rajniti aru Guru ki Seva, Gai, Bipra Pratiparan."
In the above verse, Lord Rama advises his brother Bharata on Rajadharma which is to take great care of the work of kingdom, follow all rules and principles of justice in the behavior & interactions with people of kingdom, serve Guru and take good care of cows & Brahmins ( educated advisers). In another song in the same scripture, Sant Surdas shares Ethical Traits and Values of Lord Rama, so that the masses take a cue from the same to improve their living.
अंतरजामी हौ रघुबीर।
करुणा- सिंधु, अकाल, कल्प-तरु, जानत जन की पीर।।
In the above verse, Sant Surdas conveys that Lord Rama is omniscient and all knowing, meaning thereby that He knows the internal thoughts of everybody. He is an ocean of mercy & compassion. He knows the pains, sorrows, anguish, troubles & torments of His people and thereby the famous all wish fulfilling " Kalpa Tree". Such a message indirectly communicates that people in general should be generous in life, helping people in need, compassionate and work towards cleansing of their internal self. Another one on the expected traits of a Guru or a Saint, conveys what ethical living calls for;
कर मन ऐसे संतन की सेवा।
शील संतोख सदा उर जिनके, राम नाम को लेवा।।
In the above verse, Sant Surdas conveys some of the qualities of a Saintly person, who are considered by masses as Role Models in Ethical Living. Such persons should be satisfied in life, should not be greedy and should respect the societal laws and rules which guide them to purity and spirituality in life.
Well, Sant Surdas has conveyed extensively on Dharma in general, Ethical living and human values through his simple but deeply touching poetic scriptures. Many of his poetic songs focused on Self purification and cleansing of his own internal self. The best of words can not describe original emotions and sentiments of this great Saint-Poet in a small blog like the above. I shall like to end the blog by a quote from Bhagwat Gita.
" The soul who meditates on the self is content to serve the self and rests satisfied within the self; there remains nothing more for him to accomplish."
