Rama Katha Rasa Vahini - Post 35

BHARATHA'S RETURN TO AYODHYA 

Dear All,

After Rama's exile, unable to withstand separation from Rama, King Dasaratha breaths his last.

Bharatha and Shatrugna are asked to return to Ayodhya quickly and they return to Ayodhya.

After being in dark for some time about the reason for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana's exile, Bharatha at last gets to know the entire chain of events that had happened in his absence.

While Bharatha is being asked by the preceptor to take over the throne, see how Bharatha responds!

Swami writes,

"Bharatha fell at the feet of the Preceptor and declared, "Divine Master! I am telling you my honest intention; please believe my sincerity, for, I am not hiding anything. I am opening my heart without any reservations. The effect is harder than the cause; the metal that is extracted from the soil is harder than the soil, you know. 

Born in the womb of the hard-hearted Kaikeyi, I am indeed even more hard hearted. Or else, how can you explain that I am still alive, despite the fact that Rama is far away from me? Kaikeyi has transferred Sita and Lakshmana into the forest, she has sent her husband into heaven, plunged the subjects of this vast Empire in sorrow and anxiety, and brought eternal infamy on her son. And, you are now demanding that I should rule over the Empire and cover myself with lasting disgrace. I am not in the least happy over this; I do not deserve this at all. Will not people laugh at me in scorn if I sit on the Lion Throne as Lord Ruler when Rama is moving about in the jungle?

"My reign will bring only harm to the people; for, my accession itself will be immoral and unrighteous. And, who will deign to honour an usurper and obey his commands? I cannot punish the unrighteous and the immoral! With what face can I correct wrong doers, when I myself have done mountains of wrong in ascending the throne that is not rightfully mine? People would certainly point the accusing finger at me, when opportunity arises, though they may keep quiet for some time, for fear of the reprisals that I might inflict using my authority.

"The evil design of my mother has now become transformed into an agonizing headache for me. I cannot wait even a single moment here, without seeing Sita and Rama. I am only communicating to you my terrible anguish; only the sight of Rama can cool my heart and cure my agony. No words of consolation or explanation can bring me solace in my grievous plight. I have obtained permission from Kausalya and Sumitra. I have decided to proceed at dawn tomorrow to the place where Rama is at present. 

My sins, however plentiful they might be, will be reduced to ashes the moment the eyes of Rama fall on me. Even if Rama does not speak to me, I shall be happy taking his Darsan always, hiding behind some tree, and following him at a distance, delighted at the chance. Elders who have gathered here! Pray for me, bless me that I may progress as a result of the darsan of Rama. Minister! Give me permission to go to the presence of Rama. I am the slave of the Lord Rama. He is the Lord for all of us."

No one in that assembly, among the Ministers, the Feudatories, and the leaders of the people could raise his voice in reply. They realized the depth of Bharatha's remorse. They understood that Bharatha had an unsullied heart and that he was refusing to be bound by the coils of the conspiracy his mother wound round him. 

The chief of the Elders of the City rose from his seat, and said, "Lord! We too shall come with you. We too find separation from Rama an insufferable agony. We do not care what happens to our lives after we get one chance to have his Darsan." He asked for this permission on behalf of every one gathered there.

Others too responded to the suggestion wholeheartedly and came forward with prayers that they too be taken to Rama. Within minutes, the news spread into every nook and corner of the vast City and men, women, children, young and old, got ready to start! Who can dissuade whom? There was no one that day among the huge population of Ayodhya so cruel as to prevent others from proceeding to Rama for his Darsan. The mothers, Kausalya and Sumitra, too set out on the journey with their maids.

Love.

Rama Katha Rasa Vahini - Post 34

LAKSHMANA TEACHES TO THE HUMANITY ON " TRUE SURRENDER"

Dear All,

After Sage Valmiki recommends the place for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to make their hut and stay, what happens?

Author is not even going to write any line after he gives the extract from Swami's writing on what happened next. The expression "SURRENDER" finds its fulfillment in what Swami writes further.

Swami writes:

"As soon as Valmiki gave this direction, Rama agreed and receiving his permission to leave, he resumed his journey with Sita and Lakshmana. Within a short time, they saw river Mandakini, and were happy to bathe in its sacred waters, and perform the prescribed ceremonial rites. They rested a while under a shady tree, and ate some fruits, before walking over the grass for some distance, admiring the verdure and the scenery.

Then, Rama spoke to Lakshmana thus: "Lakshmana! I am at a loss to decide on the exact spot where we can erect a cottage of leaf thatch and bamboo for our stay in this place; I do not find it easy to say which place is good and which is not; so, select and fix upon a spot."

No sooner did these words fall on his ears than Lakshmana crumpled on the ground right at the feet of Rama. He was in evident anguish. "What wrong have I committed that you should speak to me thus! Is this a sentence for any sin? Or, are you testing me, and my nature? Or, are you joking and making fun of me?", he asked. He was in great sorrow and he stood with his head bent with fear and anxiety.

Rama was surprised at his behavior. He went near him and clasped him to his bosom. "Brother! What happened now to make you so sad? I cannot guess why you are so heart-broken," he said. "Tell me", he pleaded, "tell me the reason, do not prolong my astonishment and sorrow."

Lakshmana replied immediately. He said, "Brother! I have surrendered everything to you. I have no likes and dislikes. What is pleasing to you is, on that account, pleasing to me. You know that this is the fact. But, yet, you now ask me to select a place which I like and erect a cottage for you thereon! 

My heart received a shock when you directed me to exercise my will. Order me where it is to be raised; I shall do so. Be merciful, do not speak to me in this strain, bless me by accepting the surrender I am offering at thy feet of all of me, the will, the intelligence, the mind, the senses, the body, all with no exception and no reservation. I am your servant, following you in the hope of having the chance to serve you. Use me. Command me, and have the command obeyed and the action accomplished."

When Lakshmana prayed and supplicated so sincerely, Rama consoled him and pacified his feelings. "Lakshmana", he said, "Why are you worried so much on this little matter? Do not take it so much to heart. I gave you that direction in just a casual way. I am not unaware of the loyalty that fills your heart. Well. Come along with me. Right! I shall select the spot myself." And, with Sita by his side, he took the forest track, along with Lakshmana, and shortly, they sighted the northern bank of the Mandakini river. 

That length of bank was curved like a bow; it appeared as if the bow was held by the Chitrakuta peak standing behind it like a hero. 

One felt that the arrows it was ready to let loose were Sense control, Mind control, Charity, Renunciation, etc., and the target they were intended to destroy was the Gang of Sin. Rama described the spot thus and added: "This hero will not withdraw from the fight"! He directed that the cottage be built on that captivating spot.

Love.

Rama Katha Rasa Vahini - Post 33

VALMIKI HAILS  SRI RAMA

Dear All,

Rama along with Lakshmana and Sita, take leave of Guha and then proceed to the forest.

They first meet Sage Bharadwaja and then they visit Sage Valmiki.

On being asked by Sage Valmiki on the purpose of their visit to forest, Rama  describes about the 2 boons asked by Kaikeyi, to send Rama in exile for 14 years and to crown Bharatha as ruler of Ayodhya.

Swami writes 

"The sage listened to the story, and communicated his joy with a face lit with smiles. He said. "Rama! As you fulfilled their desires then, you have satisfied my desire now. My austerities, vows and yearning have at last yielded fruit today. I must confer on Kaikeyi my heartfelt gratitude and a share of the bliss I am now enjoying."

Valmiki sat long in silence, with his eyes closed, while trying to keep within control the emotions of gratitude and joy surging inside him. Tears gathered in his eyes, tears of Ananda, and they rolled down his cheeks in big drops that chased each other.

Rama broke the silence and said, "We shall reside at the place where you direct us to live. Indicate to us a place where we shall not cause any trouble to any one and where we shall not come in the way of hermits and hermitages; give us proper advice. We shall put up a 'thatch' of leaves at that place and spend some time therein."

These words from a pure sincere heart moved the sage; he said, in reply, "0 Rama! I am indeed blessed. 

• You are as the Flag that proclaims the glory of the Raghu dynasty. For what reason are you voicing thus? 

• You are the force that fosters the path laid down in the Vedas; you are the power that safeguards it from harm. Sita is 'the deluding half of your personality, your Maya. She creates, maintains and destroys (as you 'will') worlds beyond worlds. And, Lakshmana is the very basis of the movable and the immovable, the 'thousand-hooded serpent', the Primal Sesha-Nag, which upholds the Universe. 

• You have assumed forms, in order to carry out the wishes of the Gods, that you re-establish righteousness in the world. 

• You will, I am sure, destroy all demonic hearts, pretty soon. 

• You will protect the good and the compassionate. Rama! You are the eternal Witness of the play named 'The World'. The Universe is the 'seen'; you are the Witness. Even the gods fail to gauge your Reality and your Glory. How then can ordinary mortals understand your Mystery? Only those who have received your Grace, namely, Wisdom, can claim to have known something of your Truth and your Majesty. 

• You have taken this human form in order to promote the peace and security of good men and the gods; as a consequence, you are conversing and behaving like one of us. 

• Only fools are misled into behaving that you are a man among men! We are all puppets who play about as you direct, as you pull the strings. 

• Who are we to direct you to act thus wise or to stay at a certain place? Rama! Are you planning to delude us, ascetics, by your words? 0, how wonderful is your play! How realistic is your acting! Don't I know that you are the Director of this cosmic drama? I cannot understand why you are asking me to select a spot where you can stay for some time in this forest. Which spot can I choose and recommend? 

• For, is there any spot in the whole Universe where you are not, already? Answer me this question, and thereafter, I shall point out the place to which you can go and where you can stay" Valmiki said, looking at the charming face of Rama; in the extremity of his delight, words melted away on his tongue.

• .........."Rama! If you wish that I elaborate further, listen: Stay in the heart of the person who discards the evil in others and loves them for the good they have, who trudges along the journey of life in the path of morality and integrity, who observes approved limits of conduct and behavior, and who has the faith in thought, word and deed, that the Universe is your creation and that the entire objective world is your body.

• "Nevertheless, since you have assumed now this human body and come here in order to carry out the commands of your mother and father, and questioned me in that role, I am venturing to answer, as if that role is real. You can reside on the Chitrakuta Hill. It has all facilities for comfortable stay. It is a holy place, and a charming beauty spot. The atmosphere is saturated with love and peace. Lions and elephants roam together there, with no trace of rivalry. The river Mandakini, extolled in the Vedas, flows round the hill. Sages like Athri live there in hermitages, which you can visit and render more sacred. Confer your blessing on that sublime spot and on that dear divine river."

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Dear All,

Author, even while reproducing the  above relevant portion from Swami's writings, is awestruck and wonders, whether Swami is writing about Rama or about His own incarnation?

In order that you may appreciate why author is awestruck, he has simply highlighted few lines in today's post with bold letters.

As a Sai devotee, you may please relate those highlighted lines with your awareness about the Sai Avatar!!!

Love.