SriRam’s Chariot of Victory
The following is an excerpt from Lankakanda of SriRamacharitamanas by Goswami Tulasidas ji. As the ferocious battle between Sri Ram and Ravan continued, Vibhishan saw Ravan approach the battlefield riding his magnificent armored chariot. To see the lord standing on ground, chariot-less, vexed him. With an agitated mind that clouded his wisdom, Vibhishan approached the lord and said to him, “You have no chariot, or armor, or even shoes. How will you win over such a powerful enemy as Ravan?” Then, the gracious lord SriRam enunciated to him what is actually needed to ascertain victory in any battle. Devotees and practitioners must use this description of the chariot of victory elucidated by SriRam to nurture virtues in themselves, and emerge victorious in the battle of life.
रावनु रथी बिरथ रघुबीरा। देखि बिभीषन भयउ अधीरा।।
Rāvanu rathī biratha Raghubīrā। Dekhi Bibhīṣana bhaya-u adhīrā।।
(Seeing) Ravana on chariot and Raghuveera without one, Vibhishana became impatient.
अधिक प्रीति मन भा संदेहा। बंदि चरन कह सहित सनेहा।।
Adhika prīti mana bhā sandehā। bandi carana kaha sahita sanehā।।
Due to his love (attachment for SriRam) doubts emerged in his mind, (so) praying at His feet he said with love-
नाथ न रथ नहिं तन पद त्राना। केहि बिधि जितब बीर बलवाना।।
Nātha na ratha nahin tana pada trānā। kehi bidhi jitaba bīra balavānā।।
Lord (you have) neither chariot, nor armor on body and feet, how will you win over the brave
सुनहु सखा कह कृपानिधाना। जेहिं जय होइ सो स्यंदन आना।।
Sunahu sakhā kaha Kr̥pānidhānā। jehin jaya hoi so syandana ānā।।
Merciful lord said, listen my friend, the chariot that brings victory is different.
सौरज धीरज तेहि रथ चाका। सत्य सील दृढ़ ध्वजा पताका।।
Sauraja dhīraja tehi ratha cākā। satya sīla dr̥-r̥ha dhvajā patākā।।
Valor and patience are its wheels, truth and integrity its firm flag and banner
बल बिबेक दम परहित घोरे। छमा कृपा समता रजु जोरे।।
Bala bibeka dama parahita ghore। chamā kr̥pā samatā raju jore।।
Strength, discrimination (between right and wrong), sense-control, philanthropy its horses, tied with ropes of forgiveness, kindness, equanimity
ईस भजनु सारथी सुजाना। बिरति चर्म संतोष कृपाना।।
Īsa bhajanu sārathī sujānā। birati carma santoṣa kr̥pānā।
God remembrance its clever charioteer, non-attachment shield and contentment sword
दान परसु बुधि सक्ति प्रचंडा। बर बिग्यान कठिन कोदंडा।।
Dāna parasu budhi sakti pracanͅdͅā। bara bigyāna kaṭhina kodanͅdͅā।।
Charity axe, intelligence is fierce power, Mahavigyan lethal bow
अमल अचल मन त्रोन समाना। सम जम नियम सिलीमुख नाना।।
Amala acala mana trona samānā। sama jama niyama silīmukha nānā।।
Pure, unwavering mind is like quiver, mind-control, Yama-Niyam (conduct and behavior) various arrow-heads
कवच अभेद बिप्र गुर पूजा। एहि सम बिजय उपाय न दूजा।।
Kavaca abheda bipra gura pūjā। ehi sama bijaya upāya na dūjā।।
Worshipping knowledgeable people and Guru is impenetrable armor, for victory there is no other way like this
सखा धर्ममय अस रथ जाकें। जीतन कहँ न कतहुँ रिपु ताकें।।
Sakhā dharmamaya asa ratha jāken। jītana kaham̐ na katahum̐ ripu tāken।।
Friend, for a person with such virtuous chariot, no foes remain.