Sandeha Nivarini - Post 41

Chapter XIII. The Ramayana in the Heart of Man

Devotee: Swami, last time you spoke of the Mahabharatha war; in the same manner, does the Ramayana also happen in everyone’s heart?

Swami: Undoubtedly! It takes place systematically and in the same sequence. 

Devotee: Then, in what form does Rama come in this?

Swami: The Atma is Rama. He has come, in the character of the soul (jivi), wearing the dress called body. 

Devotee: Then, being one whose will prevails, and being omnipotent and all powerful, why does He suffer so much?

Swami: It is all play, His sport (leela). What can be joy

for Him? And what can be suffering for Him? He is the embodiment of bliss (ananda-swarupa), who knows neither. By His will, He can produce everything. He enacted the Ramayana on the stage of the theatre of the world, with Himself taking a role and showing each quality (guna) as a separate form. Such a Ramayana is taking place, in every heart. The Rama in the heart (the Atmarama) is observing everything, as witness.

Devotee: But the inert material (jada), and the individual soul (jivi), how does they enter into this Ramayana?

Swami: This inert material accepts the active consciousness (chaithanya), viz. the knowledge of Brahman. This consciousness is born with the name of Sita. The inert-matter-consciousness become One. This is referred to as Sita-rama. As long as the inert matter and the consciousness are One, there is no trouble and no suffering. It is the separation of one of these two that gives rise to all the bother.

Devotee: How is that, Swami?

Swami: Sita, who is knowledge of Brahman, goes away from the Atma, which is in the form of the individual soul. Hence, falling into the darkness or jungle is inevitable. Rama has acted in this way to show us this; if Sita, or knowledge of Brahman, is allowed to be lost, one cannot escape wandering about in the jungle of darkness.

Devotee: Swami, then why is Lakshmana always with Him? What does he stand for in our life?

Swami: One should not be alone in the dark jungle of life; one should have the mind (manas), ever by one’s side. It is for this that Lakshmana is kept near, always.

Devotee: In the Ramayana, Vali and Sugriva are described. Who are they?

Swami: When wandering in the dark jungle one gets despair when one should get discrimination. They have vengeful hatred of each other. Vali, who is despair, has to be destroyed; only then can success come. Despair is Vali; discrimination is Sugriva.

Devotee: Hanuman, who appears between these two, who is he?

Swami: He who is of great help in the conquest of despair, viz. courage! That is Hanuman; He is courage. When associated with courage, it is possible to cross the ocean of illusion; that is why Rama built the bridge with the help of Hanuman. 

Continued.......

Sri Sathya Sai Baba