Dasaratha Rama and Sai Rama

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Dasaratha Rama and Sai Rama

By Sri Narasimha Swamiji

 

Down From His Glory

The land of Persia was once ruled by a wise and beloved Shah who

cared greatly for his people and desired only what was best for them.

 

One day he disguised himself as a poor man and went to visit the

public baths. The water for the baths was heated by a furnace in the cellar, so

the Shah made his way to that dark place to sit with the man who tended the

fire. The two men shared the coarse food, and (tie Shah befriended him in his

loneliness. Day after day the ruler went to visit the man. The worker became

attached to this stranger because he " came where he was " .

 

One day the Shah revealed his true identity, and he expected the

man to ask him for a gift. Instead, he looked long into his leader's face and

with love and wonder in his voice said, " You left your palace and your

glory to sit with me in this dark place, to eat my coarse food, and to care

about what happens to me. On others you may bestow rich gifts, but to me you

have given yourself " .

 

As we think of what our Lord has done for us, we can echo that

fire tender's sentiments. Oh, what a step our Lord took - from heaven to earth,

from the worship of angels to the mocking of cruel men, from glory to

humiliation. What a sacrifice - our great Creator became our Savior! Surely He

deserves our heartfelt worship and humble adoration.

 

We are celebrating an Utsavam today

which is the well known Sri Rama Navami

day. This is the day when the Divine Light came upon earth in the garb of Dasaratha Rama's body. In the Dwaparayuga they first hailed him as a famous prince and

still more famous emperor who established Dharma and promoted peace and

happiness throughout the country not only by the exercise of his Sovereign

position but also by his splendid personal example and inspiring influence. Rama was the very embodiment of virtue -the ideal Hindu to

be followed by every reasonable creature. He was more than that. He was the

incarnation of the Almighty whence all virtue, powers, goodness and perfection

emanate. This fact however, was not perceived by his contemporaries or at least

by the vast majority of his contemporaries. Avatars are not always recognized

during their life in the flesh. People are mostly guided by superficial

observation and to add to their difficulties, not only the parents and other relations

deal with the Avatars as a mere human person, but the Avatar himself

corroborates their views. Sri Rama declared " Atmanam Manusham Manye " , that is, " I deem myself a mere human

being " - when he was addressed by Indira and

others as the Supreme. Jesus who is now worshipped as part of the Trinity also

stated " Why do you call me God? There is none good but God " and he

prayed to God on most occasions, for achieving the desired objects. Sai Baba who is now worshipped as God also led many

devotees into the same attitude of treating him as a mere man. Though Sai said, " I am an agent of God, I have vast

powers " , he yet also added " Maim Allah, I am Ganapathi,

I am Lakshminarayana, etc " . Thus Sai and Rama alike though treated

by devotees as an embodiment of Divinity led many people during their lives to

act on the footing of their humanity. Hence the birthday that is the day of the

birth of human body is celebrated by devotees in both cases.

 

The exact date of Baba's physical birth is not known - not even

the year is known. But when asked about the celebration of a birthday, Baba

approved of the Rama Navami

being considered his birthday. So for nearly sixty years the Rama Navami is being celebrated

at Shirdi as being Baba's special day. Though Baba

with his divine glance was watching over all his devotees at all times and

places, still, on a special day like the Rama Navami his attention was emphasized and concentrated on the

special bhaktas who specially sought to win his grace

and love by the above celebration. " Look to me and I look to you " is

what Baba said and what Lord Krishna said -in effect what Sri Sai Krishna still says, 'Fix your mind on Me. Be devoted to

Me. Do your sacrifices (pooja etc.,) for me.

Bow to Me, you will attain to Me having thus made Me your

supreme goal and direct your mind and heart to me' for This is the solemn

truth. I proclaim it as you are dear to me'.

 

Thus it will be seen that on this Rama Navami day, we remember the fact of Sri Rama

or Sri Sai Rama being

ushered in a human body into this earth and starting a career which was and is

entirely devoted to bless mankind temporally and spiritually in every

conceivable way, - with loving appreciation of that fact. If we do pooja to Sai Rama

or his portrait or image, let us do it with the best flowers we can pick up in

our joy and enthusiasm. Let us sing songs of praise etc., and fill the air with

our slogans of appreciation and gladden all hearts with our music and inspiring

thoughts. Let us go on with keertans, Bhajans, Poojas and every other

form of manifestation of our love to Sri Sai Rama and though we do not do all these for the sake of

reward, the reward is certain. Joy and Blessings are for ever and ever.

 

A Thought

Saburi is courage, do not discard it. It ferries you across to the

distant goal. It gives manliness to men, eradicates sin and dejection, and

overcomes all fear.

 

Baba says: For 12 years, I waited on my Guru, who is peerless and

loving. How can I describe his love to me? When he was Dyanastha

(i.e., in love trance), I sat and gazed at him. We were both filled with Bliss.

I cared not to turn my eye upon anything else. Night and day, I poured upon his

face with an ardor of love that banished hunger and thirst. The Guru's absence

for a second made me restless. I meditated on nothing but the Guru and had no

goal or object other than the Guru. Unceasingly fixed upon him was my mind.

Wonderful indeed the art of my Guru! I wanted nothing but the Guru and he

wanted nothing but my love. Apparently inactive, he never neglected me; but

always protected me by his glance.

 

If you make me the sole object of your thoughts

and aims, you will attain Paramartha, the Supreme

Goal. Look at me with undivided attention; so will I look at you. This is the

only truth my Guru taught me. The four sadhanas and

the six sastras are not necessary. With entire

confidence, trust your Guru. That is enough.

 

(Source Saipadananda

Magazine Special)