Passion Is Disease – Renunciation Is Yoga

"Eeshavasyam idam sarvam." Eashwara is all pervasive in the entire cosmos. "Raso vai saha" This same Eashwara is present as Aangeerasa in every limb and organ of man, with his divine effulgence. The intelligence that is acquired through the senses cannot be ‘Truth’. This kind of awareness fosters in us the qualities of steadfastness and detachment. Renunciation is possible only through the reduction of desires. Raamayana is highly helpful in developing this kind of renunciation. "Tyagenaike amritatva maanashuh." Raamayana is a history pertaining to renunciation. Rama was about to be coronated in a few hours with the prospect of assuming absolute authority over the empire. At such a joyful moment, He decided to leave Ayodhya to spend fourteen years in the forest in order to keep up His father’s word. It is important to understand the inner significance of the Raamayana. Aatma (soul) is Rama, Truth is Sita, Lakshmana is Buddhi (intellect), Sugreeva is discrimination, Hanuman is courage, Vibhishana is Satva-guna (Saatvika quality), Kumbhakarna is Tamo-guna and Ravana is Rajo-guna. Dasharatha is one endowed with ten senses. And Aatma and intellect are reposed in him. The three Gunas are his wives.

Detach From Body Consciousness

The four purushaarthas, namely Dharma, Artha, Kaama, and Moksha are the four sons. All the stories contained in Raamayana teach us ideals. Rama is he who imbibes righteousness into his total personality. All his brothers are endowed with righteousness, "Ramo vigrahavaan Dharmaha" (Rama is the embodiment of Righteousness).

Man attains peace and bliss by the grace of Aatma-rama (the indweller Aatma that is called Rama). The central theme of Raamayana is that everybody should distance themselves from attachment to the body and should bring forth their inner divinity. As long as materialistic passion remains in the heart, it is not possible to attain Paramsartham (supreme knowledge). Sita followed Rama to the forest with intense love and devotion to Rama. She obtained his divine company. But, when she was overtaken by kaama (passion) for the golden deer she lost Rama. We go near Rama when we renounce desires. This is the moral lesson we learn from the Raamayana. The dictum, ‘Passion is disease; Renunciation is Yoga,’ is applicable to everybody and to all nations.

Sanctify your hearts with the thoughts of Rama. Realize that the principle of Rama is your own reality, so that your life becomes fulfilled. Practice the eternal Vedic Culture; enter the spiritual life with determination and courage without giving any scope for despair. I bless that all of you attain Aatmic power and Bliss.