Why We Celebrate the Birthday of Rama

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Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

Why We Celebrate the Birthday of Rama

 

The brothers Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna had total unity among

themselves. Even while playing games in their childhood, each aspired for the

victory of the other.

 

Once, the four young lads were playing a game. Shortly thereafter, Bharata came

to mother Kausalya, weeping. She asked him, " Bharata, why are you feeling sad?

Have you lost the game? "   Bharata replied, " Mother, I would have been happy if

that were the case, but when I was about to lose the game, Rama managed to lose

the game and made me the winner. I am upset at the defeat of my elder brother " .

 

When Lakshmana fell unconscious in the battlefield, Rama was crestfallen. He

lamented: " If I were to search in the world, I may get a mother like Kausalya

and a wife like Seeta but not a brother as noble as Lakshmana. What is the use

of this life without Lakshmana? "

 

When Bharata returned from Kekaya kingdom, he came to know from Sage Vasishta

that Rama had gone into exile and would not return for 14 long years. He was

disconsolate.

 

He said: " I do not want this kingdom which has caused the exile of my brother

Rama. Being the eldest son, only Rama has the right to rule over the kingdom.

Hence, at this very moment I shall go to the forest, fall at the feet of Rama

and plead with Him to come and reign over Ayodhya " .

 

In order to uphold His father¢s word, Rama was ready to go into exile. Rama¢s

birthday celebrations remind us of the ideals He stood for. Sage Vasishta

declared that Rama is the embodiment of Dharma.

 

He described the Divine form of Rama as enchanting. " Rama, your beauty is not

limited to your physical form. You are infinite love and compassion. You are the

very personification of Sat-chit-ananda " .

 

Kali Yuga has become the age of kalaha or conflict. In such a scenario, the

Ramayana throws light on how brothers and sisters should conduct themselves. In

the Ramayana, we find demonstration of great ideals.

 

We need to emulate those ideals. The Ramayana transcends barriers of time,

space, caste and religion. In all nations, at all times and under all

circumstances, unity is essential to find fulfillment in life.

 

There is not a single instance of internal dispute in the family of Dasaratha.

Even Kaikeyi had great affection for Rama. But her mind was poisoned because of

the bad company of Mandara.

 

Hence, it is said, 'Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are'.

Mandara was only acting under the influence of an incident that happened in her

previous birth.

 

The Ramayana is compared to the Vedas. It teaches the pravritti and nivritti

aspects of life. Pravritti is the swabhava (nature) of prakriti. Nivritti is the

swarupa (form) of the atma. Nivritti broadens our outlook, whereas pravritti

does the opposite. Hence, we should base all our activities on nivritti.

 

The Ramayana teaches the principles of Dharma and the path of duty to every

individual. Though ages and Yugas have passed by, the Ramayana remains ever

fresh guiding humanity on the path of truth and righteousness.

 

Even today we think of the characters of Ramayana with respect and reverence.

The Ramayana should be the subject of our parayana (worship). Install the

principle of Rama in your heart and experience bliss.

 

From a discourse of Bhagavan Sathya Sai, delivered on Ramnavami, 2003.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry