The Dohawali, composed by the revered saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas, is a profound spiritual guide that illuminates the path of devotion and divine grace. In this collection of verses (Dohas 171-177), Tulsidas beautifully articulates how the mere remembrance and grace of Lord Rama can transform the impossible into possible, turning sorrows into joy and bringing salvation to all.
171: The Power of Divine Grace
कृपन देइ पाइअ परो बिनु साधें सिधि होइ।
सीतापति सनमुख समुझि जौ कीजै सुभ सोइ ॥
kr̥pan deī pāi’ā paro, binu sādhēṁ sidhi hoi
sītāpati sanmukh samajhi jau kījai subh soi
Even a miser gives freely, treasures are found lying around, and spiritual accomplishments come without practice, when one considers Lord Sita’s consort (Ram) to be ever-present and acts with faith in His grace, whatever is done becomes auspicious.
This verse emphasizes that when we align ourselves with divine consciousness and trust in Lord Rama’s presence, even the most difficult transformations become effortless. The impossible becomes possible, misers become generous, hidden treasures reveal themselves, and spiritual success comes naturally. It teaches us that faith and divine grace supersede all worldly limitations.
172: The Sacred Touch of His Lotus Feet
दंडक बन पावन करन चरन सरोज प्रभाउ।
ऊसर जामहिं खल तरहिं होइ रंक ते राउ ॥
daṇḍaka ban pāvan karaṇa charan saroja prabhāu
ūsara jāmahiṁ khal tarahiṁ hoi raṅka te rāu
Through the glory of Lord Ram’s lotus feet, which sanctified the Dandaka forest, barren lands become fertile, wicked people are redeemed, and paupers become kings.
This verse speaks to the transformative power of divine grace. Just as Lord Ram’s footsteps purified the cursed Dandaka forest, His grace can transform any aspect of our lives. Spiritual barrenness becomes a source of fertility, moral corruption finds redemption, and material poverty is transformed into abundance. It reminds us that no situation is beyond the healing touch of divine compassion.
173: Nature Responds to Divine Will
बिनहिं रितु तरुबर फरत सिला द्रवहि जल जोर।
राम लखन सिय करि कृपा जब चितवत जेहि ओर ॥
bini ritu tarubar pharat, silā dravahi jal jor
rām lakhan siya kari kripā, jab chitat jehi or
When Ram, Lakshman, and Sita cast their gracious glance in any direction, trees bear fruit out of season, and water flows forcefully from solid rocks.
This beautiful verse illustrates how the laws of nature themselves bow before divine grace. The natural order is transcended, trees bloom and fruit regardless of season, and water springs forth from stone. This metaphorically teaches us that when divine grace touches our lives, all obstacles dissolve and abundance flows naturally, even from the most unlikely sources.
174:Divine Transformation
सिला सुतिय भइ गिरि तरे मृतक जिए जग जान।
राम अनुग्रह सगुन सुभ सुलभ सकल कल्यान ॥
silā sutiya bhai giri tare, mr̥tak jiye jag jān
rāma anugraha sagun subh, sulabh sakal kalyān
By Lord Ram’s grace, all auspicious things become easily attainable, and complete welfare is achieved. It is well-known throughout the world that through Shri Ram’s grace, a stone became a woman (Ahilya), mountains floated on water (during the bridge to Lanka), and dead monkeys and bears were revived.
Tulsidas ji provides concrete examples:
- Ahilya’s liberation: A woman cursed to become stone for thousands of years was restored to life
- Floating stones: During the construction of the bridge to Lanka, stones floated on water defying natural laws
- Revival of the fallen: Warriors who died in battle were brought back to life
These examples remind us that divine grace knows no boundaries and can reverse even the most irreversible situations.
175: The Call to Remembrance
सिला साप मोचन चरन सुमिरहु तुलसीदास।
तजहु सोच संकट मिटिहिं पूजहि मनकी आस ॥
silā sāpa mochan charan sumirahu tulasīdās
tajahu soch saṅkaṭ miṭihiṁ, pūjahi mankī ās
Tulsidas ji says, remember the feet of Him who freed the stone (Ahilya) from her curse. Abandon attachment; all your troubles will be destroyed, and the desires of your heart will be fulfilled.
This verse serves as a direct instruction for spiritual practice. Tulsidas ji urges us to:
- Remember the divine feet that liberated Ahilya
- Abandon moha (attachment)
- Trust that troubles will dissolve
- Believe that heart’s desires will be fulfilled
The path is simple yet profound: remembrance, surrender, and faith.
176: Remember the Life-Giver
मुए जिआए भालु कपि अवध बिप्रको पूत।
सुमिरहु तुलसी ताहि तू जाको मारुति दूत ॥
Transliteration
mue jiāe bhālu kapi, avadh biprako pūt
sumirahu tulasi tāhi tū, jāko mārūti dūt
O Tulsidas! Remember Him who revived the dead monkeys and bears in Lanka and brought back to life the son of a Brahmin in Ayodhya, He whose messenger is the one who conquered death (Hanuman, who brought the Sanjeevani herb).
This verse highlights Lord Rama as the ultimate giver of life. Whether on the battlefield or in a grieving household, His grace restored life where death had taken hold. The reference to Hanuman as the “conqueror of death” reminds us that divine devotees carry the same life-giving power through their unwavering faith and service.
Complete Surrender
काल करम गुन दोर जग जीव तिहारे हाथ।
तुलसी रघुबर रावरो जानु जानकीनाथ ॥
kāl karam gun dor, jag jīv tihāre hāth
tulasī raghubar rāvaro jānu jānakināth
Tulsidas says, O Lord of the Raghus! Time, karma, virtues, faults, the world, and all living beings are under Your control alone. O Janaki’s Lord! Please consider this Tulsi as Your own and accept me.
In his prayer, Tulsidas acknowledges the complete sovereignty of the Divine over all aspects of existence:
- Kaal (Time) – the unstoppable force
- Karma (Actions and their consequences)
- Gun (Virtues) and Dosha (Faults)
- Jag (The world) and Jeev (All beings)
Recognizing this ultimate truth, he makes the most humble request, simply to be acknowledged and accepted as God’s own. This is the essence of Bhakti, not asking for powers or possessions, but for the simple grace of being recognized and accepted by the Divine.
Living with Divine Grace
These seven verses from the Ramcharitmanas offer us a complete spiritual framework:
- Trust in Divine Presence: Act with the awareness that God is always watching over us
- Believe in Transformation: Nothing is too broken to be healed by divine grace
- Witness Miracles: When we align with the Divine, nature itself conspires to help us
- Remember Examples: Draw inspiration from past miracles and liberations
- Practice Remembrance: Keep the Divine name and form in our consciousness
- Surrender Completely: Acknowledge the Divine’s control over all existence
- Seek Acceptance: The highest goal is simply to be recognized as belonging to God
In a world often dominated by anxiety, struggle, and doubt, these verses remind us that divine grace is always available, always transformative, and always sufficient. We need only turn toward it with faith, remembrance, and surrender.
As Tulsidas beautifully concludes: Everything, time, karma, the world itself, rests in the Divine hands. Our only task is to remember, trust, and surrender.
