[world-vedic] communalising history

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Happy Ramnavami

 

 

Let Lord Rama Live in our Hearts

 

When the Lord, file knower of file Vedas, took birth as the son of Dasaratha,

Praachetas realized the Divine by writing the Ramayana.

The story of Rama is the story of one who was filled with the sweetness of

compassion. This story is the royal road to human progress and an ideal life.

The Rama Principle is a combination of the Divine in the human and the human in

the Divine. The inspiring story of Rama presents the triple ethical code

relating to the individual, the family and the society. If society is to

progress properly the family should be happy, harmonious and united. For unity

in the family, the individuals composing it must have a spirit of sacrifice.

The Rama story exemplifies the ethical codes governing the individual, the

family and society.

The Rama story holds forth many ideals. Children today pay little heed to the

words of parents. Parents also show no great concern for rearing ideal

children.

The preceptor does not command respect these days. The teachers show little

affection for the students. Hatred and bitterness between people are growing.

Today's friend becomes tomorrow's enemy. Kinship itself is robbed of its bonds

of affection. Pollution has sullied every sphere of activity-business,

education, agriculture, politics etc.., and caused general degradation in

society. In every sphere demeaning ideas and actions are rampant.

In such a situation, the Ramayana provides the ideals and the examples for reforming society.

The world is presided over by Narayana. Narayana is under the spell of His name.

The name is under the control of the devotee. Hence every person should invoke

the Divine in pursuing his aims.

The world today is in a strange predicament. Every step taken by man is tainted

by unrighteousness. Falsehood is ubiquitous. Men have lost the vision of great

things. All desires arise from selfishness and are insatiable. Control of the

senses has become rare. The truth, in short, is, humanness has vanished.

PRECEPT WITHOUT PRACTICE

On the other hand, another strange thing is also apparent. Large numbers of

people gather to listen to spiritual discourses and speeches by learned

scholars on sacred subjects. They come in thousands, listen to the talks, enjoy

them, but do not practice any of the teachings. The result is that, though there

is an abundance of spiritual teaching, disorder and unrest prevail because few

people practice what they learn. What crop can you grow on the dry bed of a

lake? Though man has recognized the inherent divinity present in him, he does

not live according to this belief. Precept without practice is valueless.

Rama is the supreme example of one who observed in his life the triple dharma

relating to the individual, the family and society. When every person in the

country observes this triple dharma, there will be peace and prosperity in the

nation.

The sun illumines the world during the day. The moon sheds light during night.

But Dharma (Righteousness) illumines all the three worlds at all times. A good

son, it is said, becomes a beacon for the whole clan. Everyone should strive to

become a good son (Suputra). It is not enough to have sons. They should be good

and worthy sons. Such a son was Ramachandra.

Even as a jasmine creeper fills an entire forest with its fragrance, a noble son

glorifies not only his family but his entire clan. Essentially all human beings

are "Suputras" (good sons). But their behavior turns them into bad men.

FROM RATNAAKARA TO PRAACHETAS

The author of the Ramayana is called Praachetas. How did he acquire this name?

Praachetas is the name of the Rain-God Varuna. Ratnaakara was the original name

of the poet. After he was initiated, he began meditating on the Lord's name and

completely lost all body consciousness. An anthill grew over his body. His body

was not visible from outside. At this stage Varuna caused a heavy downpour. That

heavy rain washed away the anthill, revealing thc sage. Because Praachetas

(Varuna) was responsible for bringing forth the sage, he got the name

Praachetas (the offspring of Praachetas). He also got the appellation

"Vaalmiki" because he had come out of "Valmika", an anthill.

Praachetas became the sacred and immortal composer of the epic Ramayana, which

he gave to the world as a perennial source of inspiration to mankind. Any

person today who can get rid from the mind, attachment and possessiveness

enveloping him and who constantly meditates on God will become pure and sacred,

like Vaalmiki.

Every man is endowed with a mind. The mind is a mysterious thing. It can appear

totally stationary and yet move faster than the speed of light. Whatever births

a person may undergo and whatever changes in name and form may occur, the mind

remains unchanged. It follows one from birth to birth. It is the mind's

peculiar behavior. In this context, how is one to manifest his humanness? Man

must follow the example of the honeybee which sucks the sweet honey even from a

bitter flower. Likewise one must seek the good even in what is apparently bad.

There is something good in what is bad.

THE DIVINE AND THE HUMAN

Vaalmiki declared that he saw the Divine in the human form of Rama. Rama, who

was Divinity itself, was seen as a human being. "Madhava is human. Man is

Madhava". God cannot be experienced unless He appears in human form.

Incarnation as a human being is essential for recognizing God. That is why it

is said that "God appears in human form" ("Daivam maanusharupena")

Rama did not announce at any time that he was God. He declared that he was the

son of Dasaratha. In his speech, though there was humanness, there was also the

illumination of Divinity.

God is not apart from the universe. The entire cosmos is the very form of God.

But man, deluded by his physical vesture, forgets his divinity.

Rama and Krishna are regarded as avatars. This is not so. They are in their

human form quite like other ordinary men. All of you are embodiments of the

Divine. Recognize this fact and strengthen this feeling within you. The idea

that God is different from you should be given up. You have to develop the

feeling that God is not different from you.

On the occasion of Ramanavami, people hail the advent of Rama and recall his

various achievements. But everyone should remember that he is an image of Rama.

"Ramayathi ithi RamahOne who attracts (others) is Rama". In every person

there is this power of attraction. Because of this magnetic power man is able

to enjoy the world. He develops many worldly desires. But he is never

satisfied. He derives satisfaction from discontent. That is a sign of the

divine power of attraction. There is no limit to this power. Everyone can

experience the divinity within him.

RAMA AND RAVANA

See the difference between Rama and Ravana. Both were equally eminent

intellectually and were great scholars. Ravana was a great man. Rama was a good

man. The difference between greatness and goodness should be understood. Ravana,

out of egoism and uncontrolled desire, misused his knowledge and brought about

his ruin. Rama used his knowledge for the benefit of the people and made them

happy. Ravana did not digest his knowledge properly and suffered from the

consequences of indigestion. The difference between Rama and Ravana was that

between Righteousness(Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma).

Rama and Ravana are present in each human being. When a person takes to

unrighteous courses, he becomes a Ravana. When people pursue the path of truth

and righteousness, they become Ramas.

Precept and practice should go together like medicine and diet control.

Meditating on God one should engage oneself in godly activities. It is useless

to study or listen to spiritual discourses without leading a spiritual life.

Righteousness means living according to the dictates of one's conscience.

Acting in violation of the conscience is wrong. To realize this there is no

need to study books.

RELEVANCE OF RAMAYANA

The truths propounded in the Ramayana are relevant to all mankind. Rama

represents the exalted state of the human heart. Rama is the treasure-house of

compassion.

Where can you find such truth, compassion and grace? All thoughts arise from the

heart and lead to actions. Hence for all thoughts, words and deeds, the heart is

the source. What should be the condition of the heart? It should be full of

compassion(Daya), Today "Dayyam"(the devil) has installed itself in the heart.

The devil in the heart accounts for all bad deeds and for the absence of

compassion.

If men today suffer from restlessness and lack of peace, their own actions are

responsible for this state. No Guru or any other person is to be blamed. Nor

can the changes in the years be blamed. The year is not responsible for your

happiness or misery. You alone are responsible for your condition and your

experiences. Make your thoughts pure. Realize that you are human and that there

is the Divine in the human. Man has the option to pursue the external (worldly

objects) or seek the bliss that is internal (the pravrithi marga or the

nivrithi marga). Everyone is responsible for his condition. It has become a bad

habit to blame others for one's plight. One should recognize one's defects.

There is no greater sin than accusing others. One should see the Divine in

others. When this attitude grows the nation will prosper. Men have immense

potentialities for good or ill. By their good thoughts and good deeds men can

transform the state of the nation.

MAN'S POTENCIES

Despite all the myriad scientific and technological achievements of man, it

should be realized that human life is impermanent. Death may overtake anyone at

any time. Man has all the potencies in him. This truth should be realized by

all. Man is the maker of his country or the cause of its ruin. Men promote the

prosperity of their nation or bring about its degradation. When humanness is

fostered the nation will be prosperous.

Men have achieved many things in various fields, from atom bombs to space

travel. They have acquired great destructive power. But it is not realized that

by its very nature the physical body is impermanent. The truth should be

recognized while the body lasts. You have to have a sacred life.

Rama took birth ages ago. He adhered to Dharma. Krishna came later. He

propagated great truths. He led the Pandavas to victory. He taught the Gita.

Where are they now? What has happened to all the proud rulers of the past? How

many have taken birth and passed away. Death is certain. But before the end

comes, one should lead an exemplary life and serve the nation.

ROLE OF AVATARS

Everyone should realize that he is the embodiment of the Divine. We may talk

about the avatars of Rama and Krishna. But your present avatar is no less

significant. All those avatars came to tell mankind that all human beings are

avatars (incarnations of the Divine). Having taken birth as human beings men

should conduct themselves as embodiments of the Divine(as beings in whom the

Divine spirit resides). Recognizing your spiritual reality you should live

always in the Spirit (Atma-thathva).

Man who should progress upwards from day to day is going down the slope. This is

not right learning. Every day you should make the ascent towards the Divine. "I

am God. God is not different from me". This is the conviction with which men

should live.

Some people offer prayers saying, "Sarvadevathaa Swaroopaaya Namah". ("I offer

my salutations to the one who embodies the forms of all deities"). How many

deities are there? Unless there were many deities, the prayer would be

meaningless. The implication of the prayer is: All are deities. Our ancients

used to refer to three crores of deities. What does it signify? At that time

there were three crores of human beings in Bharat. They considered all of them

as Divine beings. Today we have hundred crores in Bharat. Hence, there are

hundred crores(one billion) of Divine beings in Bharat. If you take the

population of the world, there are 570 crores of people today(5700 million).

All are divine beings.

That divinity is within you. What is the source of the life force in you? Men

today create robots which operate like human beings. But there is no life in

them. There is a world of difference between the man-made artificial robots and

real live human beings. Today people are attracted by the artificial creations

and are not aware of the immense potentialities latent in human beings. You

have to respect the potency of the human.

RAMA AND BHARATA

This was the lesson taught by Rama. He revered his parents. He carried out

faithfully their injunctions. Without regard to the consequences, he carried

out their commands with love. He had immense love for his brothers. They had

unity and harmony amongst them.

After reaching the forest, Rama sent word through Sumantra (who had driven the

chariot) as follows: "My brother Bharata would have returned to Ayodhya by now.

Tell Bharata that there should be complete unity in the family. He should love

Kausalya and Sumitra in the same manner in which he would love his mother,

Kaikeyi. He should not make any 'distinction between them". However, unable to

bear the pangs of separation from Rama, Bharata used harsh words against his

mother. He did not spare even the family preceptor Vasishta. Vasishta

approached Bharata and told him: "Rama has left for the forest. You must get

ready for the coronation. As soon as you are ready I shall fix the auspicious

moment for the ceremony". Bharata lost for a moment the sense of respect he

should have for the word of the preceptor. Rama was the very life breath of

Bharata. He spoke to Vasishta in great anguish: "Am I to rule over a kingdom

which banished Rama and plunged the whole of Ayodhya in grief?. Do not mention

the name of the kingdom that sent my Rama to the forest. I have no use for such

a kingdom tarnished by a grievous wrong". This was the kind of love that existed

between the brothers.

Once, when the brothers were children, Rama came to his mother Kausalya in great

joy. Kausalya asked him what was the reason for his joy. Rama said: "I am

immensely happy today because Bharata won in the game we were playing". Rama

rejoiced in the successes of his brothers. Meanwhile Bharata came weeping to

Kausalya. She asked him: "Bharata! why are you crying? Rama is so happy over

your victory". Bharata replied: "Mother! I am very sad because Rama

deliberately chose to lose so that I may win". The elder brother rejoices over

the younger brother's victory. The latter feels sad about his victory and the

defeat of the elder brother. What mutual love prevailed among the brothers!

Such was the pure and sacred unity that existed among the brothers at that

time.

RAMA IS WITHIN YOU

Rama was always deeply concerned about the welfare of his subjects. He fostered

unity among the people. This is the duty of every one at the individual level.

Four qualities have to be developed by every individual: Equality, Integrity,

Unity and Fraternity. The individual's personality blossoms when one has these

four qualities. A family composed of individuals of this nature is an asset to

the nation.

It is not enough if people merely observe Rama's birthday and glorify the

Ramayana on one day in a year. Each one should develop Rama's qualities within

himself. You should develop the feeling that Rama is within you. You should

experience Rama's divinity within yourself, irrespective of whatever name you

may bear. From the Atmic point of view, you are Rama or Krishna.

Do not base your life on the body. It is impermanent. The spirit within is

immortal. The body is "Karmakshetra", the field of action. The heart is

"Dharmakshetra", the Abode of Righteousness. The human state is a combination

of Karmakshetra and Dharmakshetra.

THE POWER OF TRANSFORMATION

Embodiments of Love! Recognize that there is Divinity in everyone. Man has all

the potencies: the power of attraction (Aakarshana), Prakarshana (the capacity

to transmit that power to others) and Sankarshana (the power to be a source of

attraction to all). Krislma was considered the embodiment of Aakarshana(the

power of attraction) and Balarama as the embodiment of Sankarshana. The

combination of Aakarshana and Sankarshana brings about Prakarshana - the spread

of the Divine power of attraction over the entire world. Sankarshana(which is

one of the names of Balarama) literally means transferring the fetus from one

womb to another. The wider meaning of the term is the process of transformation

of one thing into another.

What is the Sankarshana we need today? The transformation of the human to the

Divine. We should be attracted (Aakarshana) to this process of transformation

(Sankarshana). And then this should be spread everywhere (Prakarshana). This is

the type of sadhana (spiritual exercise) to which people must devote themselves

and not be immersed in Japa and dhyaana (chanting the Lord's name and

meditation).

Concentrate on developing the firm conviction that you are the Divine. With this

conviction you can achieve anything. Give up the attachment to the body. Even

scientists sometimes forget their body-consciousness while absorbed in their

experiments. If that is the case, why should the spiritually-minded persons

retain attachment to the body, which is made up of the five elements and is a

container of all foul things.

MEANING OF SURRENDER

Giving up the attachment to the body, the scriptures call men to surrender to

God. What is meant by "surrender"? Forgetting the body and thinking of God,

that is surrender. Surrender does not mean offering to God your worthless body

and your perishable possessions. Such offerings have no meaning for the Divine.

People going to Tirumala make all kinds of promises to God if their desires are

fulfilled. Does God need any of their offerings? No. Why should God be

commercialized? You should seek oneness with God. God will be pleased if you

realize your true self. Your happiness is His bliss.

Develop, therefore, this sense of spiritual unity( Ekaatma bhaavam). It is the

loss of this sense of unity that is at the root of all the differences and

divisions in the world today. You have no need to search for God. God is truth.

Adhere to truth; follow Dharma. What is Dharma? It is not charity or gifts of

earthly goods that constitute Dharma. Dharma means purity and unity in thought,

word and deed. Turn your mind towards God. All will be well with you. If you

turn the mind towards the phenomenal world, you will experience only misery.

The mind is man's most precious possession. Without it man ceases to be human.

The human birth has been given to man for practicing Dharma. This was the truth

demonstrated by Rama. He practiced his Dharma. He told Bharata that the latter

should rule over the Kingdom given to him and leave him(Rama) to do his duty in

the forest. When Bharata argued that the kingdom should be ruled by the eldest

son, Rama replied that he also had been given a kingdom to rule over.

"Dandakaaranya is my kingdom. I shall rule here. You reign over Ayodhya", said

Rama. This means that there is an Ayodhya in the Dandakaaranya and a forest in

Ayodhya. Realize the oneness of the two," said Rama. Such was the

equal-mindedness of Rama.

Let people understand the Rama Principle and live up to it. Restrain your

desires. Experience the bliss of the Divine at all times. That is true

humanness, which manifests itself when you think of God. Happiness is union

with God. How much bliss can you experience if you see God in yourself and in

everybody! Let all differences cease. Recognizing the divinity that is present

in all, you should foster the principle of love and develop compassion in the

heart. Love is God. It transcends all human relationships based on attachment.

Develop divine and selfless love which is enduring and infinite. A true lover

of God will experience no sorrow. On this auspicious day, ponder over the

sacred teachings and develop the spirit of oneness.