---
title: "Bal Kand Doha 23"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/ramcharitmanas/bal-kand/doha-23"
lang: "en"
---

# Bal Kand · Doha 23

**चौ०** 
> अगुन सगुन दुइ ब्रह्म सरूपा। अकथ अगाध अनादि अनूपा॥  
> मोरें मत बड़ नामु दुहू तें। किए जेहिं जुग निज बस निज बूतें॥१॥

**चौ०** 
> प्रौढ़ि सुजन जनि जानहिं जन की। कहउँ प्रतीति प्रीति रुचि मन की॥  
> एकु दारुगत देखिअ एकू। पावक सम जुग ब्रह्म बिबेकू॥२॥  
> उभय अगम जुग सुगम नाम तें। कहेउँ नामु बड़ ब्रह्म राम तें॥  
> ब्यापकु एकु ब्रह्म अबिनासी। सत चेतन घन आनँद रासी॥३॥

**चौ०** 
> अस प्रभु हृदयँ अछत अबिकारी। सकल जीव जग दीन दुखारी॥  
> नाम निरूपन नाम जतन तें। सोउ प्रगटत जिमि मोल रतन तें॥४॥

Meaning: There are two aspects of God—the one Nirguṇa and the other Saguṇa. Both these aspects are indescribable, unfathomable, without beginning and without parallel. To my mind, greater than both is the Name, that has established Its rule over both by Its might. (1)

Friends, do not take this as a bold assertion on the part of this servant; I record my mind’s own conviction, reverence and liking. The two aspects of Brahma (God) should be recognized as akin to fire: the one (viz., the Absolute) represents fire which is latent in wood; while the other, Saguṇa, corresponds to that which is externally visible. (2)

Though both are inaccessible by themselves, they are easily attainable through the Name; therefore, I have called the Name greater than Brahma and Śrī Rāma, both. Brahma (God) is one, all-pervading and imperishable; He is all truth, consciousness and a compact mass of joy. (3)

Even though such immutable Lord is present in every heart, all beings in this world are nonetheless miserable and unhappy. Through the practice of the Name, preceded by Its true appraisement, however, the same Brahma reveals Itself even as the value of a jewel is revealed by its correct knowledge. (4)

**दो०** 
> निरगुन तें एहि भाँति बड़ नाम प्रभाउ अपार।  
> कहउँ नामु बड़ राम तें निज बिचार अनुसार॥२३॥

Meaning: The glory of the Name is thus infinitely greater than that of the Absolute; I shall show how in my judgment the Name is superior even to Śrī Rāma. (23)

Previous: https://ramayana.com/ramcharitmanas/bal-kand/doha-22  
Kand: https://ramayana.com/ramcharitmanas/bal-kand  
Next: https://ramayana.com/ramcharitmanas/bal-kand/doha-24

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