DHARMA RATH- धर्म रथ- RAMCHARIT MANAS

 SUBHASHITHANI:606

Tulsi das Goswami describes a 'Dharma rath' in lanka kanda in Ram charit manas. Dharma is described as a chariot and characteristics of dharma are attributed to various elements of the chariot.

DHARMA RATH- धर्म रथ

रावनु रथी बिरथ रघुबीरा। देखि बिभीषन भयउ अधीरा॥
अधिक प्रीति मन भा संदेहा। बंदि चरन कह सहित सनेहा॥1॥

Vibhishana was disconcerted when he saw Ravana mounted on a chariot and the Hero of Raghu's line without any. His great fondness for the Lord filled his mind with diffidence; and bowing to His feet he spoke with a tender heart

नाथ न रथ नहि तन पद त्राना। केहि बिधि जितब बीर बलवाना॥
सुनहु सखा कह कृपानिधाना। जेहिं जय होइ सो स्यंदन आना॥2॥

 "My lord You have no chariot nor any protection either for Your body (in the shape of armour) or for Your feet (in the shape of shoes). How, then, can You expect to conquer this mighty Hero? Listen, friend" replied the All-merciful, "the chariot which leads one to victory is quite another

सौरज धीरज तेहि रथ चाका। सत्य सील दृढ़ ध्वजा पताका॥
बल बिबेक दम परहित घोरे। छमा कृपा समता रजु जोरे॥3॥

Valour and fortitude are the wheels of that chariot, while truthfulness and good conduct are its enduring banner and standard., Even so strength discretion, self-control and benevolence are its four horses, that have been joined to the chariot with the cords of forgiveness, compassion and evenness of mind,

ईस भजनु सारथी सुजाना। बिरति चर्म संतोष कृपाना॥
दान परसु बुधि सक्ति प्रचंडा। बर बिग्यान कठिन कोदंडा॥4॥

Adoration of god is the expert driver; dispassion, the shield and contentment, the sword. Again, charity is the axe; reason, the fierce lance and the highest wisdom, the relentless bow

अमल अचल मन त्रोन समाना। सम जम नियम सिलीमुख नाना॥
कवच अभेद बिप्र गुर पूजा। एहि सम बिजय उपाय न दूजा॥5॥

A pure and steady mind is like a quiver; while quietude and the various forms of abstinence (Yamas) and religious observances(Niyamas) are a sheaf of arrows. Homage to the Brahmanas and to one's own preceptor is an impenetrable coat of armour.

सखा धर्ममय अस रथ जाकें। जीतन कहँ न कतहुँ रिपु ताकें॥6॥

there is no other equipment for victory as efficacious as this. My friend, he who owns such a chariot of piety shall have no enemy to conquer anywhere.

Chariot of piety

1-2- Valour and  fortitude - Wheels of that chariot
3-4. Truthfulness and good conduct - Banner and standard
5-6-7-8 -  strength, discretion, .self-control and  Benevolence- Four horses
9-10-11-  forgiveness,  compassion and evenness of mind- Cords of the chariot
12. Adoration of God- Expert driver-
13. Dispassion- Shield-
14. Contentment- Sword-
15. Charity- Axe-
16. Reason- Fierce lance-
17. highest wisdom- Relentless bow -
18. pure and steady mind - Quiver-
19. Yamas - quietude and the various forms of abstinence - Sheaf of arrows
20. Niyamas- religious observances- Sheaf of arrows
21. Homage to the Brahmanas and to one's own preceptor- Coat of arms

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH

Ps- translations are based on RCM-Gita press