Passage 8

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In plain words

Brahmā's word, for all time, whether for rākṣasas or for gods: Hanumān went on proclaiming that word of truth. If not today, then tomorrow, it does not fail.

So within God's work we must take up a discipline. Without this discipline we can achieve no work at all. At every age, in childhood, in youth, in adolescence, in old age, we must keep a certain discipline. Students above all must hold on to gratitude. Without this gratitude, our life sinks lower than a cruel beast's.

Along with God's Name, we must enter into God's work. So the oneness of the two, God's Name and God's work, is man's true divinity. Hanumān does nāmasmaraṇa. Did he sit back, thinking the Name is enough? No, he did not. He had to do Rāma's service twenty-four hours a day. Apart from Rāma's service he needed no other service. He could not live even one day without that service. He was not satisfied with the Name alone. Hanumān went on showing him the oneness of the Name of Rāma and the Named. The Name is sugar. Work is water. Work means water that flows on. However much water there is, you cannot drink it all. However much sugar there is, you cannot eat it all. Mix sugar and water, and you can drink pānakam with joy. The oneness of these two is a syrup. That itself is Rāma-rasa. That itself is the divine rasa. That itself is Brahma-rasa.

We must take part in both of these, the Name of Rāma and the service of Rāma. In Vibhīṣaṇa, merely doing the remembrance of Rāma's Name brought no gain. Hanumān brought him in, telling him to take part in Rāma's service. It was by taking part in Rāma's service that Vibhīṣaṇa was able, in turn, to reach Rāma's presence. He came running to Rāma. All the vānaras were watching. They thought Hanumān might be coming back. No, a rākṣasa. He came and landed. Many vānaras blocked him and would not let him go to Rāma. Then again he called out in anguish, Rāma, Rāma. He sent Sugrīva to find out about him and come back. Sugrīva gathered the news of that affair, the reason for his coming, who he was and what, all the details, and came back. Sugrīva said, Rāma, he is said to be Rāvaṇa's brother. His name is Vibhīṣaṇa. He has come seeking refuge in you. But these are not words to be trusted. A rākṣasa! And surrender, of all things? Does an owl see by day? Only at night can its eyes see. Can they see by day? So rākṣasas are owls. They like darkness, but light they do not like at all.