Kuvempu: “To Love Creation is the Truest Worship of the Creator”
Sri Ramayana Darshanam
(Ayodhya Samputam, Canto 2: Shila Tapaswini)
One of the beautiful lines I have ever come across.
Read this as slowly as possible...
In few lines, Kuvempu compresses the essence of the Upanishadic idea: "Raso Vai Saha” (“God/Rasa is the source of all joy.”)
But he roots that realization entirely in lived experience and nature.
────────────
The Context
Rama, Lakshmana & Sage Vishwamitra are walking through the dense, vibrant forest. Young Rama is completely mesmerized by the beauty of the mountains, rivers, trees, clouds & wild creatures.
Looking upon this majestic wilderness, Rama questions the very meaning of “civilized wealth,” wondering whether the luxurious palace life of Ayodhya is actually a kind of poverty compared to the richness of the forest.
Vishwamitra, delighted by Rama’s insight, responds with a profound discourse on Rasa-Tattva — the philosophy of aesthetic essence, spiritual experience & nature.
────────────
ಗುರುದೇವ, ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕರುಣೆಯಿನೆಮಗೆ ಲಭಿಸಿತೀ ವನಸುಖಂ.
O Gurudeva, by your grace alone have we attained the bliss of this forest.
“ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯಮಲ್ತೆ ಆ ನಾಗರಿಕ ಜೀವನಂ, ಈ ವನ್ಯ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯ ಮುಂದೆ?” ಎಂದ ರಾಮನಂ
“Isn't that so-called civilized city life mere poverty before this magnificent culture of the forest?” said Rama.
Then the great sage Vishwamitra spoke:
────────────
“ದಿಟವೊರೆದೆ, ಹೇ ವತ್ಸ, ಗಿರಿವನಪ್ರೀತಿ ತಾಂ ದೈವಕೃಪೆ ದಲ್.”
O dear child, you have spoken the truth.
Love for the mountains and forests is itself a divine grace.
ಜಗದೀಶ್ವರನ ಮಹಿಮೆ ಸಂವೇದ್ಯವಹುದಿಲ್ಲಿ
ಭವ್ಯ ಸೌಂದರ್ಯ ಶೀಲದ ವನ್ಯ ಶಾಂತಿಯಲಿ.
Here, the glory of the Lord of the Universe becomes directly experienceable amidst the majestic beauty and noble peace of the wilderness.
ಉಪನಿಷತ್ತಿನ ಮಹಾ ಮಂತ್ರಾನುಭವಗಳುಂ ಹೃದ್ಗಮ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲಿ. ಚಿತ್ತಕೆ ಸಮಾಧಿಯನಿತ್ತು
Here, even the profound experiences of the Upanishadic mantras become deeply felt in the heart, granting stillness to the wandering mind.
ಹರಿದಂತ ವಿಶ್ರಾಂತ ಹರಿತ ಕಾನನಮಯಂ ತಾಂ
ಪರ್ವತಶ್ರೇಣಿ ಪರ್ವಿದೆ ನೋಡು ಶಿವನಂತೆವೋಲ್,
ಧ್ಯಾನ ಮಾಳ್ಪಗೆ ಹೃಷ್ಟರೋಮತೆಯನಿತ್ತು.
This endless green forest flows in tranquility.
Behold the vast mountain ranges spread out like Lord Shiva Himself, thrilling the very soul of meditation.
ಅದೊ, ಬಣ್ಣದ ಮುಗಿಲ್ ಗಗನ ಪಟದಲ್ಲಿ ತೇಲುತಿದೆ
ದೇವರೆ ಪೆಸರ್ ಬರೆದ ಮುದ್ರೆಯೋಲ್. ಕರೆಯುತಿದೆ ಕಾಣ್ ನಮ್ಮಾತ್ಮಮಂ ಕಲೋಪಾಸನೆಗೆ.
The radiant cloud drifts across the canvas of the sky like a seal inscribed with God’s own name, calling the soul toward the worship of beauty and art.
────────────
ರಘುಜ ಕೇಳ್,
ಸೃಷ್ಟಿ ಸೌಂದರ್ಯದೊಲ್ಮೆಯೆ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಕರ್ತಂಗೆ ಪೂಜೆಯಯ್.
Listen, O son of Raghu:
To love the beauty of Creation is the truest worship of the Creator.
ರಸಜೀವನಕೆ ಮಿಗಿಲ್ ತಪಮಿಹುದೆ?
Is there any penance greater than a life immersed in Rasa?
ರಸಸಿದ್ಧಿಗಿಂ ಮಿಗಿಲೆ ಸಿದ್ಧಿ? ಪೊಣ್ಮೆದೆ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿ ರಸದಿಂದೆ;
ಬಾಳುತಿದೆ ರಸದಲ್ಲಿ; ರಸದೆಡೆಗೆ ತಾಂ ಪರಿಯುತಿದೆ;
ಪೊಂದುವುದು ರಸದೊಳೈಕ್ಯತೆವೆತ್ತು ತುದಿಗೆ.
This entire creation is born out of Rasa;
it lives within Rasa;
it flows toward Rasa;
and ultimately dissolves into complete oneness with Rasa.
ರಸಸಾಧನಂಗೆಯ್ಯದಿರುವುದೆ ಮೃತ್ಯು.
To not cultivate this Rasa is equal to death.
ಆನಂದರೂಪಮಮೃತಂ ರಸಂ!
Rasa is the immortal nectar, the very form of Ananda itself.
────────────
ಋಷಿಮಂತ್ರಮಂ ಕೇಳ್ದು ಬಾಲಕರಾತ್ಮ ಭಾವನೋಜ್ವಲರಾಗಿ
ರವಿಗರ್ಘ್ಯಮೆತ್ತಿದರ್, ಗಾಯತ್ರಿ ಘೋಷದಿಂ ಜೇಂಕರಿಸಲಡವಿ
Hearing these mantra-like words of the Sage, the souls of the young boys became radiant with emotion; and as they offered Arghya to the Sun, the forest itself resounded with the vibration of the Gayatri.