Rama Katha Rasa Vahini - Post 38

RAMA'S SANDALS ENTHRONED

On the sixth day of their stay, Bharatha called together, after the morning rites, bath and devotional ceremonies like the worship of the Dawn, his brother Shatrughna and his own aides and followers. He watched for a favourable moment to accost Rama and when he found one, he rose suddenly from his seat and mustered sufficient courage to lay himself prostrate at his feet. Standing in front of him with his palms folded, Bharatha prayed thus: 

"O, Mark of Auspiciousness on the brow of the Royal Ikshvaku line! You have fulfilled my desires in every way. On my account, you have determined to suffer miseries of all kinds. You are undergoing all types of troubles for my sake. Lord! I am awaiting your commands. For fourteen years, I shall be awaiting your return and serving you in the kingdom. Show me the path by which I can feast my eyes on your Lotus Feet when the period of exile ends. Teach me the courage I need to survive these fourteen years of separation. 

Rama! Your subjects, their families, the people residing in the vast Empire, the Brahmins, the Pundits -- all are spiritually earnest; they are bound to you by feelings of reverential devotion. They are bearing the pangs of misery buoyed up by the love you bear unto them. I care not even for the attainment of self-realization if, to attain it, I am separated

from you. You are aware of the inner feelings of your servants; you know their deepest desires. You can guide me and lead me to the goal, here and hereafter. This conviction is the sustenance and strength on which I exist. On account of this conviction, I treat all this agony as just shriveled blades of grass. Till now I elaborated before you my sorrow as if they were burdening my head. That was a failing on my part; do not hesitate to reprimand me for this fault."

Hearing this, the gathering hailed his statements and expressed their appreciation. As the Hamsa, Celestial Swan, is able to separate the milk from the water which is mixed with it and drink just the milk, so, they said, Bharatha had separated the Truth from untruth and given expression to the Truth alone.

Rama, compassionate towards the distressed, listened to those words poured from the pure heart of his brother. Rama replied thus, in conformity with the place, the time and the circumstance: "Brother! For you who reside at home, and for us who reside in the forest, there is the One who fosters all, to foster and fend. You have in a worldly practical sense, the Perceptor  Vasishta and the Emperor Janaka as guardians and guides. No trouble can bother either you or me, even in our dreams; no, it can never happen. The highest duty for us is to carry out strictly the commands of our father; that alone can confer on us all the good we long for; that alone can enable us to earn lasting renown. That path is the one approved by the Vedas. The Vedas declare that whoever reveres the commands of the preceptor, the father and the mother and walks on the right path, is the noble example for all.

"Be ever aware of this truth; throw away the shroud of grief; take up the burden of Empire; rule over it for 14 years with justice and rectitude as your ideals. The King is the face of the State. For, the face eats and drinks and thus strengthens and activates all the limbs of the body. The King feeds and sustains every section of his people. The mind encloses within itself all likes and dislikes; so too, the King is the repository of all moves and movements in the political field". 

.........Bharatha could not express his joy in words. "These are not the 'sandals' worn by the Ocean of Mercy! These are the guardians of the lives and prosperity of all mankind. These are the chests enclosing the precious treasure of Rama's brotherly love. They are the protecting doors of the fort which enshrines the royal fame of the Raghu clan. These are two hands that are ever engaged in good deeds. These are the veritable eyes of the Universe. These are the symbols of Sita and Rama who are coming with us as these two". 

Bharatha extolled the 'sandals'  and danced around them in sheer joy and thankfulness. All present fell at the feet of Rama and acknowledged the sublimity of Rama's Grace.

Bharatha prostrated before Rama and prayed that he might grant him permission to leave. Rama appreciated the spirit of contentment with which he welcomed the 'sandals'; he drew Bharatha near and embraced him fast and firm with great affection and delight. Satrughna also fell at Rama's feet; 

Rama embraced him with great affection and he communicated to him also many a directive for ruling the kingdom and carrying out the duties devolving on him. Consider Bharatha as Rama himself, he told him. "Be his support and counsel and help him to establish peace and prosperity in the Empire".

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Dear All,

Swami, while writing on Bharatha's expression about Rama's Sandal, gives a great message for His devotees for decades to come.

"These are not the 'sandals' worn by the Ocean of Mercy! These are the guardians of the lives and prosperity of all mankind. These are the chests enclosing the precious treasure of Rama's brotherly love. They are the protecting doors of the fort which enshrines the royal fame of the Raghu clan. These are two hands that are ever engaged in good deeds. These are the veritable eyes of the Universe. These are the symbols of Sita and Rama who are coming with us as these two".

What we Sai devotees learn from the above???

Week after week, when we go to Sai centre for Bhajan / Study circle etc. how we have to treat / experience the throne kept there for Swami, the photographs that adorn the alter?

Swami is not to be reduced only to the throne / photograph, but the throne and the photographs have to enliven themselves with the divine presence of Swami. 

Sai / any God is not to be arrested in a stone / in an alter but the alter / stone has to expand in our heart to give us the experience of the Lord within!!!!

Love.

Rama Katha Rasa Vahini-Post 37

Rama spoke to them soft and sweet and persuaded them to control their emotions; then, he walked towards the mothers, but could not bear to look on that picture of misfortune and misery. He became aware of the calamity that had befallen, but he soon consoled and comforted himself; he drew Lakshmana near him and told him the fact. Feeling that it would be better that Lakshmana be informed more fully, he requested Sumanthra, the loyal Minister of the Line, to relate to him the details and also the facts regarding administration of Ayodhya. 

At this, Sumanthra fell down unable to bear the burden of grief. Struggling to rise he said amidst sobs, "Lakshmana! Where can we have Dasaratha hereafter? He was reduced to ashes by the flames of sorrow at being separated from Rama, Sita and you. Ayodhya has become a jungle. Wherever you look, you see only sorrow; whatever you hear, you hear only wailing. Not merely men, even birds and animals cast off their lives when you left. Those who survive are keeping alive in the hope of your return." Hearing this, Lakshmana shed streams of tears. He stood like a stump, unable to reply.

Without a word, Lakshmana approached Rama, and told him in a faltering voice, "I could not imagine, even in my dreams, that such a terrible calamity would happen. We could not see our father in his last moments." Rama consoled him, saying that there was no profit in grieving over what has already come to pass. "Physical bodies are as transient as bubbles in water; they are bound to burst and disappear, if not today, at least the day after," he said. He gave expression to many a moral maxim, until both the brothers went to the river, to finish the bath ritually laid down when one hears of the death of those who are near of kin.

Meanwhile, Sita went towards her mothers-in-law, and touched their feet in great reverence. She also prostrated before the feet of the wife of the Royal Preceptor. She met the women who had come from Ayodhya and with due consideration put them at ease, by her sweet welcome. When their eyes fell upon Sita, the Queens wept aloud. The womenfolk who had come from Ayodhya saw the plight of their charming young Princess and they were so overcome with sorrow that they too could not desist from wailing. Coming to know that Emperor Dasaratha had left the body, Sita prostrated before the Queens again and again, saying: "Alas! What great misfortune is ours! The Emperor gave up his life because he could not bear separation from us!" Sita felt that the news of Dasaratha's departure was as a thunderbolt on her heart. She and the Queens wept for long at the turn that events had taken. Every one that day could not take either food or drink; they had no mind for either. The entire day and night were spent in sorrow.

When the sun rose Vasishta directed Rama to perform the obsequies for the departed father. They were carried out in strict conformity with Sastraic injunctions. Since Sri Rama Himself uttered the mantra sanctifying the waters, "May the holy waters of Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswathi, Narmada, Sindhu and Cauvery come into this vessel and sanctify the water therein", the ritual was rendered sacred and eminently fruitful.

Thereafter, the Preceptor, the Ministers of the Court, the Queens and the citizens of Ayodhya spent two full days with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. At the end of the two days, Rama approached the Preceptor, and said, "Master! Those citizens and residents of Ayodhya are suffering very much here, drinking nought else but water and eating nought else but roots and tubers. Looking at Bharatha and Satrughna and also on the Mothers, I feel every moment is as long as an age. It is best you return to the City. You are spending your time here; the Emperor has ascended to heaven. It is not proper that I emphasize the urgency more. Please act, as seems most beneficial." With these words, Rama fell at the feet of Vasishta.

Vasishta replied, "Rama! Lord of the Raghu dynasty! Why do you speak thus? You have not realized how happy and contented these people are, since they are fortunate enough to be looking at your charm."

He called Rama to where he was and said, "Rama! Listen to the prayers of Bharatha. Conduct yourself in accordance with the wishes of good men, the interests of the people, the principles of politics and the directives of the Vedas". Rama recognized the affection that the Preceptor had towards Bharatha that found expression in these words; he knew that Bharatha would never deviate from the path of righteousness, that he would carry out his directions with full heart and in word, deed and thought and that he would always follow his steps and strive for his welfare and prosperity. He felt happy at this. So, he spoke softly and sweetly a few auspicious sentences, in response to the proposal made by the sage: 

"Master! You are my witness, my father's feet are my witness. Let me assert this: No one is so dear to me as my brother, Lakshmana. No one has a brother in the world as dear as Bharatha is to me. Those who are attached to the feet of their preceptor are indeed really fortunate; you have such affection and compassion on him; that is his great treasure. He is younger than me, and so, I hesitate to praise him in his presence. My opinion now is that Bharatha should speak out his mind". Saying so, Rama prostrated before Vasishta and took his seat.

Vasishta turned towards Bharatha; for he could not reply direct to Rama. He knew that Bharatha was to be 'Ruler'. He said, "Give up all hesitations and doubts. Rama is your elder brother; he has immeasurable compassion. Open your heart to him; tell him all that you have in mind". Hearing these words of the sage, he felt that Vasishta had probed the mind of Rama and that both of them were inclined to favour him and grant his desire. So, he was glad at the turn of events.

Bharatha stood motionless before them. Tears flowed from his eye, red and bright like lotus petals. "The revered sage has told Rama all that has to be said. What remains for me to add specially to the appeal he has made on my behalf! I know full well the nature of my Rama. He has no anger against even wrong-doers. He has unbounded affection for me; I cannot deny it. A sense of shame has made me silent while I stand before him. But my affection makes me delighted to look upon him; my eyes do not feel content, however long they fix their gaze on him. 

God could not tolerate my affection towards Rama; He could not bear to see so much love between brother and brother. So, He designed this distress, devising my mother herself as the instrument to bring it about. I know that it does me no credit or bring me any respect, if I say this. How can I establish my superiority by placing the blame in my own mother? When one proclaims himself innocent, can that statement make him truly so? I am myself hesitating to declare, because of my doubts that my mother is feebleminded or that I am good and intelligent. I am diffident to state so. Can pearls grow in the shells of snails that infest tanks? Why should I blame others for my sorrows? My misfortune is as vast as the Ocean. I know that all this tragedy has happened as a consequence of sins. I have been seeking a way of escaping from my grief, through some means, along any of the four quarters. I see now that there is one way out and only one. 

My Preceptor is the great sage Vasishta; Sita and Rama are my sovereign Rulers. Hence I am certain all will be well with me. Lord! I do not wish for anything else: Rama! Grant but this one wish of your servant. Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna are all four the physical progeny of Emperor Dasaratha. So all four are equally bound to obey the commands of their father. The father has equal affection for all the sons. And, there is no limitation or regulation that the commands of the father must be obeyed by this one son or that other son. You have borne the responsibility of obeying his commands, thus far. Now, it is our turn to bear the burden of exile; Sita, Rama and Lakshmana must return to Ayodhya and we two shall be in the forest as exiles until the sentence lapses. Confer on us this boon and bless us." Thus saying, Bharatha fell at the Feet of Rama.

Listening to this prayer of Bharatha, Vasishta shed tears of joy. Rama was not taken in by this argument. He said, "Bharatha! I feel that your line of thought is not as valid as you seem to think. It is not correct so to act. Ask me for anything except this." Bharatha replied, "In that case, brother, allow me and my brother to be with you here and serve you, as Lakshmana has been doing. This will then be a wholly satisfying holy life for us." Rama did not accept even this prayer. 

He said, "Bharatha! For me as well as you, the commands of the father are unbreakable; we have to bow our heads in reverence before them, and carry them out without the least murmur. The most appropriate action for us all is that I should follow the orders issued to me and that you should follow the orders issued to you. let us not spend precious days in such purposeless talk and cause distress to the people who have come such long distances hoping against hope. Return to Ayodhya that has been allotted to you with them and rule them righteously. I shall carry out the task allotted to me and act righteously guarding and fostering the forest realm assigned to me." Neither Bharatha nor any one else could meet this decisive statement of Rama with any counter proposal or argument. They had to accept it as the right path to take. 

Love

Rama Katha Rasa Vahini-Post 36

BHARATHA MEETS RAMA

Bharatha starts from Ayodhya to meet Sri Rama and to somehow, convince him to return to Ayodhya.

On being informed by the tribes about Bharatha approaching Rama, Lakshnama thinks that Bharatha has come to wage war with Rama

Swami writes,

"Lakshmana was well-nigh consumed by the flames of anger that rose in him. His eyes were reduced to red-hot coals. His words became sharp as sword-thrusts. Rama realized the change that had come over him; he said, "Lakshmana! Forbear! Don't be agitated. Be calm. Bharatha is strong in virtue. His love is immeasurable. He adds luster to the royal line of Ikshvaku, like the lotus to the lake. It is not proper to cast aspersions on one so pure, so immaculate and holy". 

Thus, describing the exact nature of the motives and mind of Bharatha, Rama succeeded in quietening Lakshmana's upsurge of anger. Very soon, Bharatha himself sent word through some forest-dwellers that he was seeking the Darsan of Rama, along with his brother Satrughna and their attendants and followers. Rama felt glad when this happy news was brought to him. Like lakes in late autumn, his lotus eyes were filled with water.

All this happened while Rama, Lakshmana and Sita were returning in haste to the 'thatch' after their hurried bath. Bharatha saw them when they reached the cottage of grass. He was torn by agony. He fell flat on the feet of Rama and sobbed aloud on the ground. Lakshmana saw the anguish Bharatha experienced at the separation from them; he realized that his estimate of intentions was very wrong! He suffered terrible contrition within himself; his head was bent by the weight of sorrow; he shed profuse tears along with Bharatha and Satrughna.

Rama raised his brothers from the ground and sought to calm their feelings and quieten their grief. Even while he was so engaged, the Queens, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi, and the ministers, the Royal Preceptor Vasistha, the Pundits, the Citizens, the members of the armed forces came near, and were overcome by both grief and joy when they saw Rama. Their sorrow when they looked on Rama in hermits' robes by the side of the lowly hut could not be wiped out by the joy at setting their eyes on their dearly beloved Prince. They wailed and wept, shedding tears of grief and gratitude. The cry, 'Rama! Rama!' that rose from their torn hearts sped over the vast expanse of earth and sky.

Continued......

Love