Article sent from The Hindu

[Guest guest]

=============================================================

This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

=============================================================

Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/03/12/stories/2002031201150800.htm)

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

 

 

Human life must be wedded to ideals

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

MARCH 12

 

.. Sanatana Dharma, which has come to be popularly known as Hinduism, is a way of

life based on ideals. Not only its religion but its culture also is embedded in

ideals. Some followers have abstract ideals while others have practical ideals

which they constantly live up to in daily life. Right from childhood we are

taught to live with some principles and a child instinctively imbibes its

mother's values.

 

As it grows up motherhood remains the ideal. Sita personifies the ideal of

motherhood in the Hindu ethos and in modern times Sarada Devi who shared the

spiritual ministry of Sri Ramakrishna, exemplified the same ideal by precept and

practice.

 

In his discourse, Swami Bodhamayananda said Swami Vivekanada in one of his

speeches had noted that there might be several who could be a compeer to Rama

but only one Sita. She is unique commanding the respect of every man, woman and

child - the ideal of humans and gods. Valmiki describes that She who was

surrounded by the ogresses was protected by Her virtue. When Hanuman observed

Her for the first time he could recognise Her by Her traits one-pointed

concentration, patience, forbearance and purity. She overcame the travails that

beset Her by Her virtue, wisdom, love and strength.

 

Sita's strength and courage were evident in the manner She convinced Rama to let

Her accompany Him to the forest undaunted by His description of the hardships of

forest life. She was compassionate even to the ogresses guarding Her as She felt

they were only doing their duty. She was the guiding force behind the Lord's

mission of protecting Dharma in this manifestation by patiently undergoing great

suffering.

 

Her courage came to the fore when She advised Rama to desist from using His bow

and arrow always like a warrior during their exile as they had donned the robes

of hermits. Sita's sagacity of mind and patience can be seen in the way She

handled Ravana by warning him that She had the power to destroy him but desisted

from doing so as She had not received orders from Rama.

 

The incidents in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna and Sarada Devi as recounted by

their direct disciples reveal that they were speaking from direct spiritual

experience. The parallels seen in the lives of the Divine mother, Sita, and

Sarada Devi according to them are striking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright: 1995 - 2002 The Hindu

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu