Undertake Rama-chintana

Embodiments of Love!

The Ramayana Saptaha (seven-day chanting of the divine name 'Rama') has been conducted with great joy and devotion during the last seven days. You have all participated in this great event. The purohits (priests) who conducted the Saptaha with great devotion and sincerity and the speakers from different parts who participated in it made the event a grand success. Setty garu who arranged this function had made several conveniences for the priests and devotees and made everyone happy.

Group Singing Of Rama-namam Is More Effective

Constant contemplation on Rama-namam and singing of the glory of the divine name 'Rama' confers bliss, peace, and prosperity on one and all. There are two ways of contemplating on the divine name and singing its glory – the individual sadhana and the collective sadhana. Of the two, the collective sadhana is better. It was Guru Nanak who had initiated the practice of group singing of the glory of the divine name. In fact, the individual chanting of the divine name is not enough. If thousands of people join together and sing the glory of the divine name in one voice, the prayers of at least one or two individuals will certainly move Divinity. Hence, it is better to follow the collective method. Wherever you are, sing the glory of the divine name of Rama in a group. Contemplation on Rama-namam confers peace and happiness. It is a universal sadhana.

The name 'Rama' is not limited to a particular form. It dwells in every individual as 'Atma-rama'. The Atma which dwells in every individual is given the name 'Rama'. Hence, right from a child to a grown-up individual, everyone has to undertake the sadhana of constant contemplation of Rama-namam. We often see even blind people contemplating on Rama-namam, saying 'Rama, Rama'. It is only the divine name that can confer peace and happiness. Nothing else, not even wealth and property, can bring happiness and peace. Constant contemplation on the divine name can remove all worries.

"To be born is a worry 
To live on this earth is a worry 
The world is a source of worry 
Death too is a worry, 
All actions and difficulties cause worry, 
Devotion to Sri Rama is the panacea for all 
worries"
(Telugu Poem)

Hence, undertake Rama-chintana (contemplation on the divine name of Rama), whenever you find yourself surrounded by worries. The Rama-namam has been in the hearts of people since aeons.

The Story of Rama’s Birth

In Treta-yuga, King Dasharatha of Ayodhya longed for sons to continue the Ikshwaku dynasty. He performed a Yajna called 'Putrakameshti yajna' praying that he be blessed with a son. King Dasharatha had three wives – Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi. He had one daughter named Santa through Kausalya earlier, whom he gave in adoption to his friend. She married Sage Rishyasringa. The Putrakameshti yajna was conducted under the guidance of that couple. At the conclusion of the Yaga, Agni Deva, the fire god emerged from the sacred homa-kundam with a vessel containing Payasam (sacred pudding). He gave it to Dasharatha to be distributed equally among his three wives. Kausalya and Kaikeyi received their share of the sacred pudding happily and took it to their puja (worship) rooms. Both were very happy that their son to be born would be the heir apparent to the throne of Ayodhya. The claims of both appeared to be genuine, - Kausalya’s by virtue of her being the eldest queen and Kaikeyi’s because of a promise her father had extracted, at the time of her marriage to King Dasharatha that the son to be born to her would be made the King of Ayodhya. Dasharatha cannot go back on his word, as per the tradition of the Ikshwaku family.

However, Sumitra had no such desire. She carried her bowl of pudding to the terrace and placed it on the parapet wall, while drying her hair in the sun. She was in a pensive mood thinking that it was of no use to partake of the pudding as her son to be born would have no claim to the throne like Kausalya’s or Kaikeyi’s. While she was thus contemplating on the future, an eagle swooped down and carried away the bowl containing the sacred pudding. She was shocked and disturbed fearing the reprimand she would have to face from her husband for being careless. She at once rushed downstairs and informed Kausalya and Kaikeyi about what had happened. They hugged Sumitra and consoled her, saying, “Sister why are you so much disturbed? We three are one and we will share our portion of the pudding with you”. So saying they brought their bowls and poured some quantity of pudding from each of their bowls into another bowl and offered it to Sumitra.

Unlike present times, there used to be perfect rapport between the co-wives in those days. Thus, all the three queens got their bowls containing the sacred pudding ready and took them to Sage Vashishta and obtained his blessings. Thereafter, they offered their pranams to King Dasharatha and happily partook of the sacred pudding. All the three queens became pregnant. In due course, Kausalya the eldest queen delivered a beautiful baby-boy who was named Rama. The Universal Atma embodied itself in the womb of Kausalya. He was named ‘Rama’, meaning he who makes one and all happy. Kaikeyi too gave birth to a son, who was named Bharata. Sumitra, however, gave birth to two sons named Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Lakshmana was born out of the share of pudding given by Kausalya and Shatrughna from that given by Kaikeyi. Hence, Lakshmana always followed Rama while Shatrughna followed Bharata. This is how the story unfolded:

Sumitra’s two sons, Lakshmana and Shatrughna, were crying all the time, day and night without even taking food. Sumitra could not bear the suffering of the infants. She went to sage Vashishta and explained to him her predicament. Sage Vashishta closed his eyes and meditated for some time. His Yogic vision enabled him to realize the truth. He explained to Sumitra: “Since you partook of the sacred pudding given by Kausalya, you gave birth to Lakshmana who is an Amsa (part) of Rama. Similarly, Shatrughna is born out of the share of pudding given to you by Kaikeyi. So, he is a part of Bharata. Put Lakshmana by the side of Rama and Shatrughna by the side of Bharata. Then, they will rest peacefully.” As soon as Sumitra acted accordingly, the babies became peaceful. As years passed, the four brothers grew up happily together.

Back to the story of the eagle taking away the bowl containing the sacred payasam kept by Sumitra on the parapet wall while drying her hair in the sun, it dropped the bowl on the ground in a mountainous region where Anjanadevi was meditating. She picked up the bowl and happily ate the sacred pudding. As a result, she gave birth to the great hero of Ramayana, namely, Hanuman. While Rama and Lakshmana were moving in the Rishyamuka mountain range during their search for Sita, Hanuman approached them on the orders of Sugriva, the Vanara king. After enquiring about the purpose of their search, Hanuman took them to Sugriva and introduced them to him. He persuaded Rama to seek Sugriva’s friendship and help in their search for Sita. The vow of everlasting friendship was solemnized in the presence of a ritual fire. Sugriva then brought one bundle of jewels wrapped in a cloth which was thrown by Sita from the Pushpaka Vimanam of Ravana that carried her to Lanka. Sugriva placed the bundle before Rama in order to identify and confirm that they belonged to Sita. Rama called Lakshmana to his side and directed him to identify the jewels. Lakshmana on seeing the jewels expressed his inability saying “Oh Rama, I seek your pardon; I do not know of any jewels that were worn by mother Sita. However, I can identify her anklets since I was prostrating at her feet daily to pay my obeisance to her”.

Undue Desires Bring Untold Miseries

During the stay of Rama and Sita in a hermitage built by Lakshmana in the Panchavati region, one day, at the behest of Ravana, Maricha, the demon assumed the form of a golden deer and began moving about in the vicinity of the Ashram. Sita was fascinated by the charming golden deer and persuaded Rama to catch it and bring it to her so that she could play with it. Rama decided to oblige her as per the divine plan. However, he instructed Lakshmana to stay behind and guard the Ashram and Sita from the wily demons during his absence. As Rama went in pursuit of the golden deer, it went deep into the forest. Finally, Rama lifted his bow and released a fatal arrow on the deer. Maricha in the guise of the golden deer at last fell dead in his real form. However, before he breathed his last, he cried in agony, in a feigned voice of Rama, “Ha! Sita, Ha! Lakshmana.” The cry fell on the ears of Sita and Lakshmana.

Sita, on hearing the cry, implored Lakshmana to go in search of Rama immediately. Lakshmana counseled Sita that no danger could ever befall Rama and that this was all the plan of the wily demons. Sita was not convinced. She even used harsh words that hurt Lakshmana while compelling him to go to the rescue of Rama. Of course, this too was as per the divine plan that would unfold itself in the future. Left with no other option, Lakshmana agreed to go in search of Rama. However, before he left the Ashram, he drew a line around the hermitage and asked Sita not to step out of that line under any circumstances till Rama and himself returned.

As soon as Lakshmana left the hermitage in search of Rama, Ravana approached the Ashram in the guise of a Rishi. He stood before the Ashram and asked for food saying “Bhavati bhiksham dehi” (Oh Mother, give me food). Sita heard this and decided to provide him food. She brought the food from inside the Ashram and tried to give the same to Ravana standing behind the line drawn by Lakshmana. But, Ravana insisted that Sita should come closer across the line drawn by Lakshmana and offer the food to him. He pretended as though he could not bear the pangs of hunger anymore. Finally, Sita obliged and came out of the line drawn by Lakshmana to give alms to Ravana. Just at that moment, Ravana assumed his real form and abducted her in his chariot.

Ravana took Sita to Lanka and kept her in confinement under a tree in the Ashokavanam. Sita then lamented her indiscreet act of becoming crazy about a golden deer and the consequences that followed. She lamented, “Oh! Why did that sinful animal (golden deer) come to the vicinity of our hermitage? Why did I develop a fascination for that golden deer? Why did I request Rama to catch that deer and bring it to me?” Of what use is all this repentance at this stage? She found herself in captivity in Lanka.

Ravana kept three ladies to guard Sita during her incarceration in the Ashokavanam. One was Sarama, the wife of Vibheeshana, younger brother of Ravana. The other two ladies were Ajata and Trijata, who were none other than daughters of Sarama. They were very considerate towards Sita, keeping up her sagging morale all the while by their comforting words. Sita wondered whether such good people also existed in Lanka. In fact, it was due to their consoling words and protection that Sita could bear her ordeal courageously. Though Sita was imprisoned in Lanka, Ravana did not dare to touch her. He knew that he would be reduced to ashes if he touched her without her consent. He was all the while pleading with her to accept him. When Ravana stooped to the level of denigrating Rama and threatened her, she without even looking at his face, plucked out a blade of grass and threw it before him saying, “You are a mean fellow. You are not worth even this blade of grass. How dare you denigrate Rama in front of me, you vile and vicious wretch”.

Sita had another name Vaidehi, meaning one who has no body attachment. King Janaka was her foster father. He lovingly brought her up and gave her in marriage to Rama. There are several inner and subtle meanings in the story of Ramayana. In fact, Sita was not the sister of Rama, as has been portrayed in some texts. If she were to be the sister of Rama, how could King Janaka offer her as bride to Rama? Unfortunately, people do not realize these inner meanings.

The Nobility Of Hanuman

Hanuman was a great hero in the story of Ramayana. He led an army of Vanaras in his holy mission of searching for the whereabouts of Sita, who was kept in captivity in Lanka by Ravana. He was a very intelligent and faithful servant of Rama. He was a person of noble qualities and great physical strength. In his noble qualities and might, he was unparalleled. In fact, one whole chapter, namely, Sundara-kanda was devoted to describing his qualities of head and heart in the Ramayana. While he was embarking on his holy mission of finding out Sita in the city of Lanka, he was given certain identification clues about Sita. He was told that Sita was a woman of noble qualities and divine beauty and that she would not mix with the Rakshasa ladies. He searched for Sita in every nook and corner of Lanka, including the inner chambers of the palace where Ravana's queens and the ladies attending on them stayed. During his search, he came across ladies scantily dressed and fallen on their beds, intoxicated by drink and dance. But, he was totally unmoved by these obscene forms, keeping always in his mind the characteristics and excellence of Sita that Rama had described to him earlier. His supreme stability of mind in such an environment befitted his true Brahmachari (celibate) status. One cannot find parallels to Lord Rama and His noble servant Hanuman, in this world. They are both unique.

The boys just now sang a beautiful bhajan “Rama Lakshmana Janaki, Jai bolo Hanuman ki”. During their singing of this bhajan, Hanuman’s name was mentioned after a little pause, indicating the importance of Hanuman. It is only when people like Hanuman are worshipped and their qualities emulated, one can cultivate good thoughts, good habits, good qualities, and good behavior. It is said, “The end of education is character”. It is only in Rama and Hanuman, such noble character is to be found. Hence, you constantly contemplate on Rama and Hanuman and their noble qualities. The different names like Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, Shiva, Vishnu, etc., represent the one Divinity that is all-pervading. God is one, the names and forms differ.

"Gold is one; ornaments differ. 
Religions are many, Divinity is one, 
The cows are many in colors; 
but milk is the same."
(Telugu Poem)

You Are Brahman

Similarly, God is one though He is referred to by different names and forms. Different people when asked to give their names, reply ‘I am Ramaiah’, ‘I am Lakshmaiah’, ‘I am Govindappa’, etc. But, the real answer should be ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ (I am Brahma). There can be no other names. All are embodiments of the Divine Self. The Atma has no gunas (qualities). It is formless and attributeless.

Nityanandam, Paramasukhadam, Kevalam Jnanamurtim, Dvandvatitam, Gagana-sadrisham, Tatvamasyadi-lakshyam, Ekam, Nityam, Vimalam, Achalam, Sarvadhi-sakshibhutam Bhavatitam, Trigunarahitam sadgurum Tam Namami.

(The Atma is the embodiment of eternal bliss, wisdom absolute, beyond the pair of opposites, expansive and pervasive like the sky, the goal indicated by the 'Mahavakya Tat-tvam-asi', one without a second, eternal, pure, unchanging, witness of all functions of the intellect, beyond all mental conditions and the three attributes of Satva, Rajas and Tamas).
(Sanskrit Shloka)

Strictly speaking, God has no name or form in spite of the fact it is said ‘_Daivam manusha rupena_’ (God is in human form). He has no birth and no qualities. He is formless and attributeless. When someone enquires ‘who are you?’, you should reply ‘I am God’. The names like Ramaiah, Lakshmaiah, etc., are only those given by your parents after your birth. In fact, you have no specific name. All are embodiments of the Divine Self. Whether you act the role of Ramaiah or Krishnaiah, you are essentially the same Divine Self. Only the roles differ. God is immanent in every human being, nay, every living being. He is the Atma-svarupa. “Ekatma Sarva-bhutantaratma”. The one God is immanent in all human beings and all living beings. The names and forms may appear to be different.

You must develop firm faith in the oneness of Divinity. Whomever you come across, offer your pranams to that person. You should pay your obeisance even to a beggar. He may be a ‘beggar’ as a physical entity, but he is ‘bigger’ as the embodiment of the Divine Self. Do not develop hatred towards any individual. Do not consider anyone as your enemy. In fact, they are all reflections of your own divine self. Everyone repeats ‘I’, ‘I’. Everyone claims ‘this is my body, my mind, my intellect, and my chitta’. Then ‘who am I?’ That ‘I’ is Divinity, in essence. The same ‘I’ is referred to by several names. The symbol of Christianity, the cross (†) signifies cutting off of the individual ego (ahamkara). We say ‘I came here’; ‘I am going’; ‘I am coming’, etc. What is this ‘I’? It represents the one Divine Self. You have to develop that ‘Ekatma-bhavam’ (the feeling of one divine Atma permeating the entire Universe). That is real devotion. You should not differentiate between ‘I’ and ‘you’. Those who desire to attain self-realization must shed this difference. They must get rid of the feeling of ‘I’ and ‘mine’. We are all one. “All are one, be alike to everyone”. This is the essence of all philosophy. Be happy.

Shrimad Ramayana Sudha Pravachana Saptaham, Prasanthi Nilayam 28.6.08