Tulsidas' If

Today is the birthday of Rama, so I recall a bunch of Chaupais from Tulsi’s Ramcharita Manas that I read in class X, and have stayed with me since. The source is religious, but the message is secular. It is like the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling. Ever a contemporary weapon in the battle called Life. Have attempted a translation below despite the handicap of limited Hindi vocabulary. Here it goes:

रावनु रथि बिरथि  रघुवीरा, देखि विभीषण भयहु अधीरा।
अधिक प्रीति मन भा संदेहा, बंदि चरण कह सखा सनेहा।।

Ravana has arrived at the battlefront, decked up in full glory atop his well endowed chariot. Rama is standing on the ground, barefoot, only his bow in hand. Vibhishan knows Ravana’s might. He gets disturbed at this unequal battle and cannot stop himself from asking Rama, which he does with folded hands.

नाथ न रथ नहि तन पद त्राना, केहि बिधि जितब बीर बलवाना।
सुनहु सखा कह कृपा निधाना, जेहि जई होई सो स्यंदन आना।।

Lord, you have no chariot, no body armour. How then would you win this mighty hero? Understanding Vibhishan’s discomfiture, Rama responds: Dear friend, the chariot that leads to victory is quite another.

सौरज धीरज तेहि रथ चाका, सत्य सील दृढ़ ध्वजा पताका।
बल बिबेक दम परहित घोरे, क्षमा कृपा समता रजू जोरे।।

Valour and fortitude are its two wheels; truthfulness and good conduct are its banner and standard. Strength, discretion, self-control, and benevolence are its four horses; harnessed with the ropes of forgiveness, compassion, and evenness of mind.

ईस भजनु सारथी सुजाना, बिरति चर्म संतोष कृपाना।
दान परसु बुधि सक्ति प्रचंडा, बर बिज्ञान कदिन को दंडा।।

Prayer to Almighty is the charioteer of that chariot; while dispassion is the shield, 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 विप्र गुरु पूजा, एहि सम विजय उपाय न दूजा।।

A pure and steady mind is like a quiver; while quietude and various forms of abstinence (Yamas) and religious observances (Niyamas) are a sheaf of arrows. Homage to one's teacher is an impenetrable coat of mail; there is no other equipment for victory as efficacious as this.

सखा धर्ममय अस रथ जाके, जीतन कह न कतहु रिपु ताके।
महा अजय संसार रिपु जीति सकइ सो बीर, जाके अस रथ होई दृढ़ सुनहु सखा मति धीर।।

My friend, he who owns such a chariot of piety shall have no enemy to conquer anywhere. The hero who happens to be in possession of such a strong chariot can conquer even that mighty and invincible foe, attachment to the world.