Rama appeared as Maayaa-maanusha-ruupa (illusory human form); He stuck to
Dharma in daily practice, even from His infancy. He is the personification of
Dharma. There is no trace of Adharma in him. His divine nature is revealed in
Shaantha guna (calm temperament) and Karunaa rasa (feeling of love and
affection); meditate on Him and you are filled with Prema for all beings; dwell
on His story and you find all the agitations of your minds quietening in
perfect calm. When Thaataki, the female demon, had to be killed, He argued,
hesitated and desisted, until Sage Vishwaamithra convinced Him that she had to
be liberated from a curse by His own arrow. That is a sign of His Karuna Rasa.
Raama never provoked another in order to create a convenient excuse to destroy
him; on the other hand, He gave the adversary every chance to be saved. He
carried the message of Dharma to the Vaanaraas and the Raakshasas, as well as
to sages like Jaabaali. He accepted the homage of Vibheeshana without demur and
He announced that He was prepared to accept even Raavana, if only he repented
his iniquity. "Sathyam vadha" (speak the truth), says the Shruthi; Raama stuck
to truth, in spite of all temptations. "Dharmam chara" (practise virtue), says
the Shruthi. He never deviated from the path. For example, He had, as you know,
to live 14 years in the forest, to fulfil His father's behest. So during that
period, He did not enter an inhabited town or village. He avoided Kishkindha
and Lanka, even when the Coronations of Sugreeva and Vibheeshana took place.
Vibheeshana pleaded with Him very plaintively, saying that only a few days
remained out of the 14 years, but Raama sent Lakshmana instead. He did not
waver or overstep. That was the strictness with which He kept the vow.
Raama is Dharmaswaruupam (embodiment of virtue); Krishna is Premaswaruupam
(embodiment of love). Raama was ever aware of the obligations of Dharma. When
Dhasharatha, running after His chariot in mortal anguish, cried out, "Stop,
stop" and called on Sumanthra to stop, Raama told him not to. He said, "If he
chides you, tell him you did not hear him." Sumanthra was in a fix. How could
He say something not true? But, Raama explained, "This order to stop the
chariot comes from a grief-stricken father, whereas the order to take Me to the
forest came from the king, whose minister you are. You should not hear the
ravings of a man who has lost his reason through sorrow; you must listen only
to the commands of the king."
Even before the advent of the Avathaar, the stage is set to the minutest
detail; Kaikeyi is ready with her two indefinite boons. Dhasharatha is ready
with the curse of the ascetic on his head, entailing upon him a death due to
anguish at the separation of his son, the Vaanaras are ready to help the divine
purpose. Seetha is ready risen from the earth, to provide the cause for the
downfall of Evil. Just as a garland is made of flowers gathered from many
plants, flowers of many hues and fragrances, so too the Garland of the divine
story is made up of a variety of incidents, a boon, a blessing, a curse to
provide the wonderful plot of His story.
There are some who say that Raama shows man how to suffer! Well, if a king
arranges a play in the palace and takes delight in enacting the role of a
beggar, and acts it very realistically, do you therefore declare that he is
suffering the miseries of beggary? Raama is Aanandha (bliss). Aanandha is
Raama. If it is not sweet, how can it be sugar? If Raama is suffering, He
cannot be Raama. A ball of iron cannot burn the skin; but, make it red-hot; it
does. That is but an assumed role. When the heat subsides it is as cool as ever.
Raama Naama (name) will save you, if you have at least the Pithru Bhakthi and
Maathru Bhakthi (devotion to father and to mother) that Raama had. If not,
Raama Naama is merely a movement of the lips. Meditate on the Raama swaruupa
(form of Raama) and the Raama swabhaava (the true nature of Raama), when you
recite or write Raama Naama. That will give exercise to the mind and it will be
made healthy and strong, in the spiritual sense. Make this Dharmaswaruupa your
Aathmaa Raama, on this Janmadhina (birthday) of Raama. That is My advice and My
blessing.
- From Swami's Divine Discourse in Rajahmundhry( A.P) on 1st' April 1963.
===========================================================================
1. The story of Sita: (The Divine conversations)
Sita is the embodiment of all Dharmas that are found in the world. The main
characteristic of Sita is chastity, patience and virtue. When necessity arises,
she is also able to teach Rama the path of Dharma. As an illustration of this,
we may consider the situation when Rama said to Sita:
"You are very delicate and cannot face the trying conditions in the forest. I
shall return soon and I request you to stay in Ayodhya and take care of you
mother-in-law and father-in-law."
Prior to that, Rama went to His mother, told her that He was going to the
forest for fourteen years to fulfil the promise of His father, and asked her to
give Him her blessings.
The mother then said that she could not leave Him even for a moment and she
too would follow Him to the forest. Rama taught the sane principles of Dharma
even to His mother saying, "Mother! Father is old. Stay and serve him. I am
going o the forest for his sake and will back after fourteen years. Serve y
father who is like a God to us. To you, your husband is greater than anyone
else and must be looked after. While I am away look after his health".
Recalling this, Sita said, "You have taught some principles of Dharma to you
mother and you have asked her to stay and look after her husband. Does not the
same apply to me, your wife? Should I not follow you and serve you? Looking
after one's husband is as important to Kausalya as it is to me. For a wife, her
husband is verily God. I consider you as God and I must follow you to the
forest."
Rama then tried to pacify her in another way. He said. " You may able to bear
all the conditions in the forest but if you come with us, you will be a great
responsibility on our shoulders. The forest is full of wild animals and we
will have to protect you as well as ourselves. Stay at home and do not cause
trouble." Sita replied, "You say that there are many cruel animals in the
forest and the most cruel animal among them is the lion, the king of beast.
When the lion- husband- is with me, how can other animals harm me". He said,
"Even if there are no animals that may harm you, I will have to leave you at
times to go and get something to eat. If at that time, some harm comes to you,
it will be very difficult for me or my brother to protect you". At once Sita
replied, "Rama, you are a great warrior, a great hero and a very capable
person. This fact was proved when you broke the bow of Lord Siva. I know
your abilities full. The words that you just told me are not befitting your
dignity. If Rama is not able to protect one person, how will He protect the
whole world? I should follow you into the forest just to protect you from such
infamy."
Rama could not say much. He quietly said to her, "My mother will be stricken
with grief at My going away. It would be better if you stay and console her."
Sita then said," You are Rama and I am Sita. You are the moon and I am the
moonlight. If the moon is in the forest, how can the moonlight be in Ayodhya?
Where there is moon, moonlight will always be there". Rama tried to tell her to
stay in Ayodhya but Sita did not listen to those words. She said pitiably,
"Rama, I am very young. You will be away for fourteen years while your brothers
will enjoy the company of their wives and even maids of the palace enjoy the
company of their husbands. Seeing this, I will get jealous and bad ideas will
form in my mind. To rid of me such thoughts, take me with you."
There was no possibility of such bad thoughts ever entering Sita's mind. Rama
said, "Your heart is pure, you character is perfect and I know that such bad
ideas will never enter your heart." She then fell at His feet and said, "You
are going into the forest, there will be many thorns on the way. Because my
mother is the goddess of the earth, she will be very kind to me. I can request
her to let you go happily on your way. At least for this sake take me with
you."
These incidents leading to Sita falling at the feet of Rama illustrates that
Rama's heart melted only when she fell at His fee
==========================================================================================================
Swami says :
You are My instruments from whom My Love will radiate. The moment you let your
ego descend on you, My work with you will cease. When you overcome this
negative attitude, you will again be My source. As each one of you performs
your work silently, I will embrace you to My heart. You will feel My presence
within you. You will realize that you are Me and I am Thee. Beloved devotees,
be about My work. Your breath will then carry the scent of the Blossoms of
Heaven. Your form will be that of the Angels. Your Joy will then be My Joy.
Divine Words.
=========================================================================
Bhagawan says wonderfully :
Sai is not conditioned by time, place or circumstance. What I will must take
place; and what I plan must succeed. I am Truth; and Truth has no need to
hesitate, fear or bend. Just as a human being knows immediately the movement of
a small ant crawling on his toes, God, whose body is this Universe, is
instantly aware of even the smallest of deed performed by man.
========================================================================
Once upon a time a King by the name of Sundaravadanan ruled over the kingdom of
Kannapuri. He was great in all respects except that he never believed in God.
One night, he was traveling through his city in disguise. He heard two beggars
beseeching loudly. One was invoking Lord Rama's grace and the other was
invoking the King's grace.
The King was intrigued and had both the beggars brought to the court. His
minister asked the question, "Yesterday, you both were begging. One of you
invoked Rama's grace and other the King's grace. Now what does that mean?"
The one who invoked Rama's grace replied, "Sir, this whole world is protected
by the Lord Rama. He is the one who gives wealth and riches to everyone."
The minister now spoke to the other beggar. He replied, "Sir, God is invisible
but the King is the visible God. If he so desires, he can make anyone rich."
That night, the King argued with the minister that the one who called on the
King was the cleverer man. The minister, however, disagreed. He said, "However
a man may try to help, if the receiver does not have God's grace it will never
reach him." The King decided to put "King's grace" and "Rama's grace" to the
test.
The next day a King's order was announced. "On Rama Navami Day the King will
distribute presents to everyone. All can come and receive the presents."
Accordingly people gathered. The two beggars were also present. The King gave
out a new piece of cloth and a pumpkin to everyone. When the "King's grace"
beggar's turn came up, the King recognized him and whispered something in the
minister's ears. The minister went in and brought a pumpkin. The pumpkin and
the cloth were given to the beggar.
After sometime, the King and his minister went around the city in disguise.
They noticed the "Kings' grace" beggar still begging the same way. The King
summoned the beggar to the court the next day and asked him, "Are you still a
beggar despite my presents?"
The beggar replied, "King! I sold the pumpkin in the market for two silver
coins. How can I become rich with that?" The King replied, "You are a fool.
That pumpkin contained precious jewels and pearls. If you had only cut open the
pumpkin you would have become rich."
After sometime when the King was on his rounds he noticed a rich man in a
palanquin. The minister recognized him as "Rama's grace" beggar. This man was
also summoned to court. The King asked, "Aren't you the beggar who used to beg
in the streets? How did you become so rich?"
This man replied, "King! By the grace of Rama, I was to feed the Brahmins on a
particular day to bring peace to my dead father. All I could purchase was a
pumpkin. But, to my surprise, when I cut open the pumpkin, I found jewels! By
the grace of Rama I became rich."
The King understood that one truly required God's grace to prosper in this
world. The power of faith is amazing. Swami says, "The man of faith need not
worry about who will take care of him if he devotes all his time to thoughts of
the divine." Let's surrender every moment to the divine and live in the faith
of His constant presence and confidence of His loving care.
=======================================================================
Bhagavath Geetha can destroy Moha and liberate you.
You are afflicted with the disease which the Bhagavath Geetha can cure, the
disease of Moha (delusion), which warps your sense of values, fogs your vision
and distorts your outlook. But, to benefit from the drug of Geetha, you must
have the Vishaada (anguish) which Arjuna had, the Prapaththi (dedication) he
was capable of, the Vairaagya (detachment) he had developed and the Ekaagratha
(concentration) he evinced to assimilate the Great Message. Have that keen
yearning; then, the Bhagavath Geetha can destroy Moha and liberate you.
====================================================================================================
I am Truth; and Truth has no need to hesitate, fear or bend - Swami
Bhagawan says wonderfully :
Sai is not conditioned by time, place or circumstance. What I will must take
place; and what I plan must succeed. I am Truth; and Truth has no need to
hesitate, fear or bend. Just as a human being knows immediately the movement of
a small ant crawling on his toes, God, whose body is this Universe, is
instantly aware of even the smallest of deed performed by man.
===================================================================
Karnam Subbamma was not physically related to this body, emotionally, she was
closely attached to Swami. She used to think of Swami day in and day out. She
requested Me to stay in her house. She was prepared to vacate the house for My
sake. Many relatives argued with her, "Being a Brahmin, how are you allowing a
kshatriya to stay in your house?" She said, "I don't go to anybody's house.
None of you need come to my house. It is enough if I have Swami with me." Such
was her devotion and determination. She had only one desire. She prayed, "I
should see your beautiful form when I leave my body." I said I would certainly
fulfil her desire.
Once I went to Madras acceding to a devotee's prayer. Subbamma was in
Bukkapatnam at that time. She was staying with her mother. By the time I
returned from Madras, Subbamma had breathed her last. When I came here, people
came running to Me and said, "Swami, Your Subbamma passed away last night."
Immediately, I turned the car and went to Bukkapatnam straightaway. Her body
was kept in the verandah, covered with a cloth. The entire household was
grief-stricken. Once Swami makes a promise, He will certainly fulfil it under
any circumstances.
I removed the cloth covering the body. Since she had passed away the previous
night, ants were crawling all over her body. I called out, "Subbamma." She
opened her eyes. This news spread like wildfire within no time. The people of
Bukkapatnam started crowding the place telling each other that Subbamma was
brought back to life. Subbamma's mother was hundred years old at that time. I
told her to bring a glass of water with a tulasi leaf soaked in it. I put
tulasi leaf in Subbamma's mouth and made her drink some water. I said,
"Subbamma, I have kept up My promise. Now you may close your eyes peacefully."
She said, "Swami, what more do I need? I am leaving blissfully." Shedding
tears of joy, she held My hands and breathed her last. I never go back on My
promise, I always keep up My promise under any circumstances.
- From Swami's Avatar day Discourse in 2002
===================================================================
To see your own eyes, you need a mirror
When you see a plane flying in the sky, would you refuse to believe that it
is flown by a pilot, just because you do not see him from where you are? You
must go into the plane to see the pilot; you cannot deny his existence,
standing on the ground below. You have to guess that the plane must have a
pilot. So too seeing the Universe, you have to guessthe existence of God, not
deny Him because you are not able to see him. To see your own eyes, you need a
mirror; to see yourself in your native spiritual grandeur, you need a Guru
(preceptor).
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