Rama and Sita are inseperable (Same as Siva and Sakti being inseperable)

When one thinks of the Sun, he thinks of its radiance, its brightness. Just as brightness and the Sun can never be dissociated, so too can Sita and Lord Rama never be viewed separately, and should not be viewed separately, said V.S. Karunakarachariar in a discourse. Rama with Sita is benevolent. Rama without Sita is dangerous.

Whenever He killed, it was when Sita was not beside Him. He killed Tataka, Subahu, Vali, Ravana and Kara and Dooshana, when Sita was not beside Him. He did not kill Kakasura because Sita was with Him at the time. This is a very interesting episode, which highlights the importance of approaching Rama when He is with Sita. Ravana's sins of coveting another man's wife and then carrying Her away were unpardonable. But even he did not cause Sita any bodily harm.

Kakasura, on the other hand, pecked at Sita's breast. When compared with Ravana's act of kidnapping Sita, Kakasura's sin is more serious. Yet Kakasura was spared by Rama, who only blinded him in one eye. How did Kakasura get away with a mild punishment? The answer lies in the fact that Sita was beside Rama, when Kakasura surrendered to Him. In fact, even this Saranagati (surrender) of Kakasura was deficient, for instead of placing his head at the Lord's feet, the demon placed his feet at the Lord's feet. This is not the way to surrender, for the act of surrender must be done with humility, by placing one's head at the feet of the Lord. Sita, noticing that Kakasura had not surrendered as required, turned him over so that his head now rested near the Lord's feet. Thus it was through Sita's act of kindness that Kakasura was saved.

Rama is the Lord of the universe, yet it is the presence of Sita that makes Him our protector. Rama is every inch a king, and the way Rama sits on His throne indicates His Supremacy. Such is His bearing. But Rama is like a cool ocean. Just as we retire to the seaside on a hot day and find the sea breeze soothing, so can we approach Rama, for His mercy will rid us of the heat from our sins. The feeling of safety we get in His presence comes from the fact that Sita is beside Him.

Read more...

Rama and the vision of life

All of us have read or at least know about the Ramayana. But do we understand its vision? Even those who were present at that time and watched the events unfold would get deluded by the spell of maya (illusion). They could gain clarity only by listening to the story of Rama again. Like Parvati, who saw Rama lamenting Sita’s absence and wondered how He could be the Lord if He also cried and felt sad like ordinary mortals. Her doubts and delusion were cleared after listening to the story of Rama (Ramkatha) in detail from Lord Siva.

It is not enough just to listen to the story or watch a television serial on Ramayana. Serious thinking on what is heard is important. If a student goes to a medical college, we expect him/her to come out a doctor, not a patient. Similarly, if you study the Ramayana, you must become like Rama and not Ravana. It is Rama’s vision of life that is the true vision of Ramayana, which we must comprehend.

Everyone has a vision of life, whether it is couched in philosophy or not. A person’s behaviour, actions and reactions are based on his vision and values. An atheist who does not believe in God, scriptures or saints, and thinks that this body and the world around is all there is, will naturally value money and pleasures more than anything else. His goal in life will be to earn money and enjoy life.

This importance attached to money is reflected even in our everyday language. We hear many women say, "I don’t work, I am only a housewife." The never-ending work done by her does not earn any money directly; hence it is not considered work! This is because we value money. Work that does not pay is not considered work. This is how our values are decided by our vision of life. Higher vision of life triggers questions like, “Who is this God I am serving?” and “What is the purpose of my life?”

The thirst for self-knowledge arises. On analysing life we find that the Lord alone dwells in all people, all creatures, all things. We will, therefore, not develop hatred even towards our foes and detractors. This is the vision of life we should have. Lord Rama’s vision of life offers us a standard against which we can measure ourselves and improve. Even his enemy, Maricha, said: “He is the very embodiment of dharma.” Dharma is that which integrates and creates harmony within us, in our inner being, outside, in our family, and so on. If we hold on to dharma, it will protect us. It is said, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for everything.” If you don’t have any higher values or goals in life, you will fall easily. It is said that knowledge is our friend in our travels, the spouse is our friend at home, medicine is the friend for the ailing and dharma is our friend after death.

In the Kishkindha Kanda of Tulsi Ramayana, we find many gems of wisdom embedded in the poetry. Some verses describe the monsoons. The search for Sita had to be halted during this period. Rama and Lakshmana lived in a cave on the Pravarshana mountain. They did not play cards or hunt to while away their time. Rama used to tell Lakshmana kathas (stories) — their conversation increased devotion and dispassion; they talked about how a king should live and rule his kingdom, and about common sense, which is so uncommon.

Read more...

The people's grief upon the Lord's separation

The people of Ayodhya sensed Lord Rama's imminent departure (along with Sita and Lakshmana) to the forest when He began giving away His possessions as charity, in keeping with the practice of the times. They were shocked, disturbed and filled with grief.

Sage Valmiki describes this grief of the people in moving terms. He says the people feel extreme pain at the thought of the hardship inflicted on this protector of the world, as a tree which acquired flowers and fruits is damaged by injury caused to its root. If the root of a tree is affected, the tree falls; in a similar manner, the people depended on Rama as a root and His going away would render them rudderless since He is their supporter. Their anguish is similar to the one undergone by organisms in water when they are afflicted by water scarcity in summer.

The same sentiment is expressed in the context of Lord Krishna's departure from Gokula, said Sri B. Sundarkumar in a lecture. Akrura, an emissary of Kamsa, came to the land of the Vrajas to take Krishna and Balarama with him to Mathura to attend a bow festival at Kamsa's court. The entire country was unable to bear the separation.

The Gopikas became sorrow-struck at this turn of events. Even the trees began to stoop, the sun looked eclipsed, and the ponds withered without water. There was no life in nature. Krishna left behind not only the sorrowing Gopikas but also the grief-stricken animals and trees of the forests and was gripped by the thoughts of the Gopikas.

Rama then bestows parting gifts to Vedic scholars and their wives, the servants, children, the aged, and the poor. One brahmin named Trijata, is given an unusual gift — of cows filling a distance of many miles.

All those who received gifts from the Lord blessed Him a safe stay in the forest, wishing Him enhanced reputation, strength, delight and happiness. The people extol Rama's greatness.

Rama knew the taste of sovereignty and was one who could grant the desires to the desirous. Even then, because of his respect for virtue, he is careful not to transgress his father's words.

Read more...

Sweetness of the Lord's name, RAMA

Dasaratha had at first refused to send Rama to the forest with Viswamitra. It was Vasistha who convinced him to send his son with the visiting sage. Thinking of how Vasistha had done it so easily, Viswamitra was silent for the first few miles of the journey from Ayodhya. He then addressed Rama. What a sweet name is Rama!

Viswamitra was known for his anger. But even on his tongue, the name Rama sounded pleasing. Having composed the 24,000 verses of the Ramayana, Valmiki enjoyed their beauty. How could the verses not be beautiful when they were about Rama? The name Rama is simple to say, yet how potent it is! Recitation of the Lord's name will ensure peace of mind and all auspiciousness, said Adur Asuri Madhavachari.

It is a name so simple, even a child can say it. In fact, the verses of the Ramayana are themselves easy to recite, unlike the verses of Srimad Bhagavata, which are far more difficult. To test the knowledge of a scholar, he is asked to recite the verses of Srimad Bhagavata, not the Ramayana, since the latter is easy to recite, and the former is not.

The sweetness of the name Rama was such that Viswamitra, who thought of Sage Vasistha as his arch rival, still chose to use the name that Vasistha had given the Lord. Viswamitra could not think of a sweeter name than Rama. He had thought hard for a long time of what to call the prince of Ayodhya and concluded that there could be no substitute for the name Rama. Having decided to go along with the name Vasistha had chosen for the son of Dasaratha, Viswamitra continued to use the name. Hence, his famous words to wake up the Lord, in which he used the name Rama and elevated Kausalya by referring to Rama as her son.

Rama was a strict adherent of the dharmas. He never preached what He himself did not practise. His obedience to His parents, His refusal to go back on His word, His embrace of those who surrendered to Him, His righteous anger when needed — all these show His exemplary conduct. Rama is a name we should utter and Rama is the One who should be our role model in life.

Read more...

Lord Rama's commitment to truth

The Ramayana teaches the values of life and also demonstrates the ways to uphold them. Excellent conduct has been emphasised right from the inception of this epic when the sages Narada and Valmiki discuss the qualities that ennoble human nature. Was it not a cruel fate that left Dasaratha in a situation from which he could not escape? What could be more painful for him than to banish his beloved Lord Rama to the forest at the moment when he had planned His coronation with so much enthusiasm and joy?

The upheavals in the king's emotional state become manifest when he has to bid farewell to his beloved Rama, said Sri B. Sundarkumar in a lecture.When Lord Rama comes to see Dasaratha to take leave and also to get his permission to take Sita and Lakshmana along with Him, Dasaratha breaks down. In the presence of his wives, the distressed king told Rama that he was bound by a boon to Kaikeyi and that now Rama could win the kingdom from Dasaratha and become the ruler of Ayodhya. But Lord Rama promptly replied that truth should not be compromised and that He will fulfil the order and stay in the forest for fourteen years and come back to seek Dasaratha's blessings. Though Dasaratha died shortly after Rama's departure, he comes with the celestials to bless Rama after the defeat of Ravana.

Dasaratha then bid a tearful farewell with many auspicious blessings to Lord Rama. He wished that this journey would bring honour and fame to Him. Knowing Rama's truthful nature, he had to reconcile himself to the impending separation.

He felt very much for the fact that Rama would have to leave all the comforts and live an austere life in the forest. At the same time he appreciated the fact that Rama would never allow Dasaratha's name to be tarnished at any cost. He wished Rama would stay one night at least with them.

Rama reiterated that His only desire was to fulfil the banishment order. He had already relinquished this earth. He did not desire the kingdom or the happiness it brings. He reassured His father and asked him not to shed tears. Righteousness is the watchword in the Ramayana.

Read more...