SRI RAMA

Extract from Rama navami discourse of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Come! Oh devotees! Come!

Take the sweetmeat of Rama Nama

Out of ignorance do not buy and eat other sweets, 

they will spoil your health

By mixing the essence of the Vedas 

with the milk of Vedic declarations. 

Adding the sugar of Subuddhi (virtues) 

and the ghee of Nibaddhi (truth)

Removing the dirt of Abaddhamu (falsehood)

Our ancient Rishis have prepared 

this most delicious sweet of Rama's Name.

7.4.2006

The birthday of Rama is celebrated in order to remind us of the ideals for which He stood. We have to ponder over the ideals set before us by Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Satrughna and also by Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi. Sage Vasishtha declared, Ramo vigrahavan dharmah (Rama is the embodiment of Dharma). He described the Divine form of Rama saying, Pumsam Mohana Rupaya (one whose form enchants all). 

"Rama, the beauty and handsomeness that You are endowed with are not limited to Your physical form alone. Your infinite love and compassion give You this blissful form. Even men are attracted by the blissful form of Yours. 

You are the very personification of sat-chit-ananda (being-awareness-bliss)." Thus, Sage Vasishtha extolled the glory and majesty of Rama. It is your good fortune that you are able to listen to the sacred story of Rama and sing His glory. 

As I told you in the beginning, God shines effulgently in the universe, and so does the universe in God. The relationship between God and the universe is intimate and inseparable. The universe is full of living beings. 

Each being is the embodiment of Rama. Do not confine Rama to a particular name and form. All the beings are His forms. Rama means the One who delights. He is present in all. Easwara sarva bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings). Isavasyam idam jagat (the entire world is permeated by God). 

The world is the very form of God. Sahasra seersha purusha sahasraksha sahasra pad (God has thousands of heads, eyes and feet).

11/4/2003

Do not limit Rama or Krishna to a particular name or form. These names were given to them after their birth. They were not born with these names. The Bharatiyas have realised the truth that God is the resident of man’s heart. That is why they are able to withstand all difficulties and sufferings and lead their lives happily. 

Sukhadukhe samekruthwa labhalabhau jayajayau (one should remain equal-minded in happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, victory and defeat), says the Gita. Pleasure and pain are part of human life. 

Whenever Bharatiyas have to encounter sorrows and difficulties, they consider them as the harbingers of happiness. They have attained exalted positions due to such noble feelings.

30.4.2009

SWAMI SIVANANDA SPEAKS ON SRI RAMA

In Kali Yuga, most of the illiterate persons are devotional and they are all doing some kind of Tapas, Japa, prayer and meditation. Hindu ladies are devotional in their very nature. The Hindu religion is maintained through the devotional nature of Hindu ladies. 

Devotion to God is a peculiar characteristic of a Hindu lady. It is only those who have imbibed western education and have scientific knowledge who have become confirmed atheists. They have no faith in chanting Mantra. Their fate is highly deplorable. 

Justice Woodroffe has written a most valuable book entitled "Garland of Letters". There he has treated this subject quite rationally. The only remedy for them to acquire devotion is Satsanga. 

Satsanga will overhaul their worldly nature, change their materialistic Samskaras and infuse genuine Bhakti. Hear the famous couplet of Tulasidas:

Bin Satsang Viveka Na Hoi

Rama Kripa Bin Sulab Na Soi.

The grace of Rama cannot be obtained without the help of Satsanga and discrimination.

Japa of Rama Mantra is of three kinds, viz., mental, low or semi-verbal, loud or vocal. The repetition of low Japa gives a reward a thousand times more than verbal. The mental Japa gives a reward a crore times more than verbal.

May the blessings of the bow-holder of Ayodhya ever be upon us all!

Ananda Kutir, 25th July, 1943

Sivananda