Happy New Year 2082 Wishes, Quotes, Images & Greetings in English and Nepali

Below is a rewritten version of the poem *Ram Gita* by Bhanubhakta Acharya, translated and adapted into natural, English while preserving the essence and philosophical depth of the original. The poem is a dialogue between Lord Rama and Lakshmana, where Rama imparts spiritual wisdom about the nature of the self, ignorance, and liberation. The adaptation aims to make the complex metaphysical concepts accessible to a modern English-speaking audience while maintaining the poetic and devotional tone.

Bhanubhakta Acharya

Ram Gita: A Poetic Dialogue  

By Bhanubhakta Acharya, translated and adapted*

Lakshmana stood by Lord Rama’s side,  

Curious, he asked with a heart open wide,  

“Which poison plagues the soul, O Lord, tell me true?”  

Rama smiled and spoke, his words clear and new.  

“Delusion is the venom,” Rama began,  

“Like King Nrig’s tale, it binds every man.  

It clouds the mind, it chains the heart,  

Yet wisdom can tear this poison apart.”  

Lakshmana listened, his thoughts deep and still,  

Then spoke again, with a seeker’s will:  

“O Lord, the soul, pure and divine,  

Takes countless forms, yet remains sublime.  

Your cosmic play, your divine disguise,  

Is known to devotees with faithful eyes.  

Out of compassion, you weave this grand show—  

Is this the truth, O Lord, I wish to know?”  

Rama gazed at his brother, his heart full of grace,  

“I see your longing to cross this worldly maze.  

This ocean of life, so vast and deep,  

Can be crossed with wisdom, steady and steep.  

Let me share the path, the truth to find,  

To reach the shore of bliss, leaving sorrow behind.”  

Lakshmana bowed, his soul alight,  

And Rama spoke through the fading light.  

“Know the self, the essence within,  

Beyond the body, untouched by sin.  

The Ved *Vedas* sing of this truth so clear:  

Through knowledge alone, salvation draws near.  

Follow the duties of life with care,  

Master your senses, let your heart prepare.  

Serve a guru with devotion sincere,  

And self-knowledge will dawn, pure and clear.  

But beware the trap of desire’s sway,  

For actions born of want lead the soul astray.  

They bind you to forms, to this earthly plane,  

A cycle of birth, of joy and pain.  

Ignorance spins this unending wheel,  

Its chains are subtle, yet heavy to feel.  

Only wisdom can shatter its darkened reign,  

Dissolving the shadows that cling to the chain.  

No deed alone can set you free,  

For actions, though noble, lack wisdom’s key.  

The *Vedas* proclaim, with unwavering voice,  

Knowledge is freedom, the soul’s truest choice.  

Works born of pride keep the body bound,  

But wisdom cuts through where ego is found.  

Knowledge alone lights the path to the divine,  

The only way forward, the eternal sign.  

The scriptures, like Taittiriya’s verse,  

Declare this truth, no need to rehearse:  

Wisdom needs no aid, no crutch to stand,  

It’s the soul’s own guide to the promised land.  

So let go of deeds that clash with this light,  

Fix your mind on wisdom, steady and bright.  

The phrase *Tat Tvam Asi*—‘Thou art That’—  

Holds the secret to where truth is at.  

‘That’ is the supreme, the eternal soul,  

‘You’ are the self, the infinite whole.  

The verb ‘art’ unites them, one and the same,  

Meditate on this, let it kindle the flame.  

This body, a shell, will fade and decay,  

Built of earth, water, fire, air, and clay.  

It’s a fleeting tool, not the soul’s true face,  

A temporary home in this worldly space.  

The senses, the mind, the ego’s false claim,  

Are but shadows dancing in life’s fleeting game.  

They’re not the self, though they seem so near,  

Through wisdom, their falsehood will soon disappear.  

The self is pure, like a crystal clear,  

Reflecting the hues of the world it holds dear.  

But strip away layers, let illusions fall,  

And the soul shines forth, unbound by it all.  

Like a rope mistaken for a snake in the dark,  

Ignorance conjures this world’s fleeting spark.  

With knowledge, the truth cuts through the lie,  

Revealing the self, where no fears abide.  

The soul is the witness, distinct yet near,  

Like fire in iron, it glows ever clear.  

Know this self through the guru’s wise word,  

Through the *Vedas*’ truth, let your heart be stirred.  

To know the self is to be truly free,  

No chains remain, no burdens to see.  

So ponder the soul, let your mind dive deep,  

In silence, in solitude, its secrets you’ll reap.  

Control the senses, still the mind’s restless tide,  

Let the self’s pure light be your constant guide.  

This world is a glow, the soul’s radiant beam,  

All else is a shadow, a fleeting dream.  

The sound of *Om* holds the world in its core,  

Yet the self transcends, needing nothing more.  

When illusions dissolve, when the mind is still,  

The self alone shines, eternal, fulfilled.  

“I am that self,” let this truth take root,  

Unshaken by doubt, let it bear its fruit.  

In this realization, liberation is won,  

No sorrow remains, for the soul is one.  

With practice, with focus, let the heart stay true,  

In meditation’s calm, the divine comes in view.  

Day by day, let this wisdom grow,  

Till the self’s pure bliss is all that you know.  

This body, this world, has no lasting claim,  

Neither beginning nor end, just a fleeting name.  

So seek the self, let your soul take flight,  

Merge with the infinite, bathed in its light.  

All this is illusion, a shimmering show,  

Like a snake in a rope, it’s not what you know.  

Serve the truth, let your heart be sincere,  

And the Lord’s grace will draw ever near.  

The *Vedas*’ essence, their deepest call,  

Is this sacred truth, the greatest of all.  

Through this wisdom, sins of lifetimes fade,  

And the soul finds peace in the Lord’s own shade.  

“Dear brother,” said Rama, “hold this truth tight,  

This world is a mirage, a trick of the light.  

With devotion to me, let your heart remain,  

And you’ll find the bliss that no words can contain.  

Whether you see me with form or as One,  

Both paths are mine, both lead to the sun.  

Through faith and love, you’ll sanctify all,  

And rise above life’s ephemeral call.”  

With reverence, study this sacred art,  

Let its truth take root in your seeking heart.  

Through this wisdom, ignorance meets its end,  

And you’ll merge with me, your eternal friend.  

### My Thoughts on *Ram Gita* by Bhanubhakta Acharya  

Bhanubhakta Acharya’s *Ram Gita* is a profound and timeless work that distills the essence of Vedantic philosophy into a poetic and accessible form. As Nepal’s first celebrated poet, Bhanubhakta rendered complex spiritual teachings from texts like the *Upanishads* and *Bhagavad Gita* into Nepali, making them relatable for the common person. His *Ram Gita*, a dialogue between Rama and Lakshmana, is both a spiritual guide and a literary gem, blending devotion (*bhakti*) with the pursuit of self-knowledge (*jnana*).

What stands out is the poem’s clarity in explaining intricate concepts like the nature of the self (*atman*), the illusion of the material world (*maya*), and the path to liberation (*moksha*). The use of relatable metaphors—such as the snake and rope or the crystal reflecting colors—makes abstract ideas vivid and memorable. The poem’s structure, with Lakshmana’s earnest questions and Rama’s compassionate answers, creates an intimate, conversational tone that draws readers into the spiritual journey.

Bhanubhakta’s devotion to Lord Rama shines through, yet the poem transcends religious boundaries by emphasizing universal truths about the self and liberation. It’s a call to introspection, urging readers to look beyond the transient world and realize their divine essence. The blend of poetic beauty, philosophical depth, and cultural significance makes *Ram Gita* a cornerstone of Nepali literature and a timeless guide for seekers of truth.