Sri Rama Navami, 30 March 2004

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Sri Rama Navami, 30 March 2004

Sri Rama Navami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, the seventh

Incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is celebrated on the day when "Navami" (9th day

after the new/full moon day) and the star "Punarvasu" occur together in the

Tamil month of "Chitirai". (Sometimes it might fall in the "Panguni" month

also).

The Birthday of Sri Rama, the Avatar who demonstrated Sathya and Dharma

throughout His Life in human form and is being worshipped in all Hindu homes,

falls usually in the last week of March or the First Week of April, after the

Ugadi festival. Swami narrates the illustrious life of Sri Rama and explains

the inner significance of the incidents in the Ramayana to instil the Eternal

values in His devotees and emphasises their practice in daily life. In the past

few years, Bhagawan has delivered His Rama Navami Message either at Brindavan or

at Kodaikanal.

The following messages are extracted from Rama Katha Rasavahini and the Divine

Discourses given by Bhagavan Baba.

Sri Rama Navami

Rama, Sita, Lakshmana &; Hanuman

Bhagavan Baba holding materialized statue of Hanuman carrying the Sanjivi Hill

Rama is the indweller in every body. He is the Atma-Rama, the Rama (Source of

Bliss) in every individual. His blessings upsurging from that inner spring can

confer peace and Bliss. He is the very embodiment of Dharma, of all the codes

of morality that hold mankind together in Love and Unity. The Ramayana, the

Rama story, teaches two lessons: the value of detachment and the need to become

aware of the Divine in every being. Faith In God and detachment from objective

pursuits are the keys for human liberation. Give up sense objects; you gain

Rama. Sita gave up the luxuries of Ayodhya and so, she could be with Rama, in

the period of 'exile'. When she cast longing eyes on the golden deer and craved

for it, she lost the presence of Rama. Renunciation leads to joy; attachment

brings about grief. Be in the world, but, not of it. The brothers, comrades,

companions and collaborators of Rama are each of them examples of

persons saturated with Dharma. Dasaratha is the representative of the merely

physical, with the ten senses. The three Gunas - Sathwa, Rajas and Thamas - are

the three Queens. The four goals of life - the Purusharthas - are the four sons.

Lakshmana is the Intellect; Sugriva is Viveka or discrimination. Vali is

despair. Hanuman is the embodiment of courage. The bridge is built over the

ocean of delusion. The three Rakshasa chiefs are personifications of the

Rajasic (Ravana), Thamasic (Kumbhakarna) and the Sathwic qualities

(Vibhishana). Sita is Brahmajnana or the awareness of the Universal Absolute,

which the individual must acquire and regain undergoing travails in the

crucible of life. Make your heart pure and strong, contemplating the grandeur

of the Ramayana. Be established In the faith that Rama is the reality of your

existence.

Rama Katha Rasavahini - The Sweet Story of Rama's Glory

There is no Amruta (Divine ambrosia) greater than Rama's Name. Today people have

forgotten Nama Chinthana (contemplating on the Divine Name). They repeat the

names of cinemas, but do not repeat God's Name. That is why the country is

facing hardships. The educated, intellects and scientists do not think of God

at all. Some people deem it below their dignity to apply Vibhuti on their

foreheads. They have it on their foreheads when they are at home and rub it off

the moment they step outside. This has become a fashion! Why should one be

afraid of chanting God's Name? Let people talk as they like. You don't need to

be afraid. Spread the glory of Rama's Name in every nook and corner of the

world. You can chant any Name of your choice - Rama, Krishna, Govinda, Siva,

etc. As people have forgotten the Divine Name, every home is in turmoil. There

are conflicts even among brothers. As there is no purity within, unsacred

feelings have crept

in. People are running after money and power. Can money and power give you

protection? You find so many in this world who have plenty of money and are

occupying positions of authority. Are they able to enjoy peace and happiness?

No, no. Only the Divine Name can grant you peace and happiness. One who

neglects God's Name is bound to be ruined.

The letter 'Ma' is the life force of the Siva Panchakshari Mantra Om Namah

Sivaya. If 'Ma' is removed from this, it reads as Na Sivaya, meaning

inauspicious. Likewise, the letter 'Ra' is the life-force of the Ashtakshari

Mantra Om Namo Narayanaya. The life-force of the Panchakshari Mantra 'Ma', and

that of the Ashtakshari Mantra 'Ra' together have formed the Divine Name RAMA.

Divine Discourse: Apr 21, 2002

Rama exemplified three kinds of righteous behaviour (Dharma), namely, the

Dharmas relating to 1) the individual 2) the family and 3) society. To uphold

these three-fold Dharma, Divinity manifested in a triangular flow, in the form

of the Trimurtis (the Triune form). The Ramayana manifested to elaborate the

human values.

The Ramayana has very subtle truths embedded in it. The epic, first of all,

expounds the duties of the individual. In the everyday world, any person's form

is termed as the individual. The duties of the individual taught by Ramayana are

not relating to this external form of the individual. The Unmanifest, immanent

and hidden human values are the essence of the Ramayana. The inner reality and

the divinity resident in the heart constitute the true individuality.

Individual does not mean the form; the individual in action is the true

individual. Rama was exemplifying such individual values to humanity. To uphold

the promise of his father, He went through the inconveniences of forest life,

but He did not look on these hardships as hardships. In this way, He upheld His

family traditions also. It is well known that the scions of the Ikshvaku family

do not swerve from their promises. Under any circumstances, to uphold the

values of one's

parents, relatives, wife and children constitutes this three-fold Dharma.

Chant the Name of Rama wholeheartedly. Install Him in your heart and sanctify

your lives. Rama is present in every heart in the form of the Atma. That is

why, He is known as Atma Rama. Atma is changeless and that is your true form.

Develop the faith that you are Brahma (Aham Brahmasmi).

Divine Discourse: Apr 2, 2001

There is none in this sacred land of Bharat who is not aware of the epic

Ramayana. The Ramayana sets ideals for the individual, the family and the

society at large. Since ancient times, thousands have heard the story of Rama.

But not many have tried to put His teachings into practice. Man by birth is a

human being but he is not making any effort to understand humanness. He is

achieving progress in various fields but his mind is not getting transformed.

What is the use of man's existence if the mind does not undergo transformation?

He is changing his dresses, not his mind. He would do well if he changes his

mind instead of changing his dresses. All the spiritual practices like

meditation, penance will prove futile if there is no transformation of the

mind. Mano Moolam Idam Jagat (the mind is the basis for the entire world). Man

is not making any effort to understand what is most important on the path of

spirituality.

Today you are celebrating Sri Rama's birthday. No benefit accrues from

celebrating the birthdays of noble personalities unless you put their teachings

into practice. It is said, "Ramo Vigrahavan Dharma" (Rama is the embodiment of

Dharma). His speech was suffused with truth and His conduct radiated peace. Can

there be a greater ideal than this? All names and forms are His and He is the

embodiment of Truth, Awareness and Bliss.

There is no point in going through the sacred text of Ramayana unless you put

into the practice the ideals it demonstrates. You should try to understand the

purpose behind each of Rama's actions and how He performed them. There is much

more to Ramayana than Rama going to the forest, annihilating Ravana and

ultimately being crowned as the king of Ayodhya. He incarnated in order to

establish Dharma. What is Dharma? It is that which delights your heart. When

man takes to unrighteous means, his conscience will not approve of his acts

since every man is the embodiment of Dharma. He is born to practice Dharma. But

as he gets carried away by worldly pleasures, he is afflicted with misery.

Divine Discourse: Apr 12, 2000

The story of Rama teaches us the threefold Dharma (code of conduct) pertaining

to the individual, the family and the society. You have to make every effort to

understand the duties of the individual, the family and the society. Rama is the

ocean of compassion. He is love personified. It is possible to understand His

divinity only through the path of love. Love is the undercurrent of human life.

Man will be able to manifest his innate divinity only when he develops love

within.

The Ramayana speaks of the true identity of the individual, the real

significance of the family and the sanctity of the society. The Ramayana

teaches the importance of human values. Today corruption is rampant in all

fields such as business, education and politics. Under these circumstances, the

principles of the Ramayana are very important. It explains in detail the

relationship that should exist between brothers, the father and the son, the

preceptor and the disciple.

The relationship that existed between the brothers of Rama is an ideal to the

rest of the humanity. They lived in unity in spite of troubles and turmoil.

Mother Kaikeyi wanted her son Bharata to ascend the throne of Ayodhya, but

Bharata never had any such desire. He went to Chitrakoota mountain, fell at the

feet of Rama and prayed, He, being the eldest, should take over the kingdom of

Ayodhya. But, Rama did not yield to his request. Quoting the Vedic dictum

Mathru Devo Bhava, Pithru Devo Bhava. He exhorted Bharata to obey the command

of the father and fulfil the desire of his mother by becoming the king of

Ayodhya. Rama promised him that He would render all help and support. That is

why even today people extol Rama as Sathyavakparipalaka (one who adheres to

truthful speech).

Rama stood as a shining example of upholding the moral values in the society.

Even when he was asked to leave for the forest at a time when he was supposed

to be coronated, he was not perturbed in the least. Sukhadukhe Samekruthva

Labhalabhau Jayajayau (he is an equal minded one who treats the dualities of

life pain and pleasure, victory and defeat, gain and loss - alike). Rama

displayed this virtue of equanimity. Today, man aspires for positions of

authority though he does not deserve them. But, Rama relinquished the position

even though He deserved it. Rama was courageous in the face of adversities. He

never gave any scope for weakness. He led the life of a Dheera (courageous

one), not a Deena (weak-minded). Same is the case of one who is in His company.

Hanuman, by contemplating on Rama incessantly, became a Dheera. He displayed

this quality of courageousness in the court of Ravana. But the same

Hanuman stood like a Deena (humble one) in Rama's presence. This drives home the

point that one should be a Deena (humble one) in front of divinity and Dheera

(courageous one) in the face of evil.

Divine Discourse: Mar 25, 1999

The term "Rama" has another esoteric significance. It consists of three

syllables: Ra + Aa + Ma. Ra signifies Agni (the Fire-god). "Aa" represents the

Sun- god (Surya). Ma represents the Moon-god (Chandra). The combination of the

three letters constitutes the Rama name. Ra, representing the Fire-god, burns

away all sins, Aa, representing the Sun-god, dispels the darkness of ignorance.

Me, representing the Moon-god, cools one's temper and produces tranquillity. The

name Rama has the triple power of washing away one's sins, removing one's

ignorance and tranquilizing one's mind. How is the profound meaning of this

sacred name to be imparted to mankind? This can be done only by the Divine

coming in human form and demonstrating to mankind the power of the Divine.

Rama's name signifies the harmony in thought, word and deed. Rama demonstrated

this harmony by his thoughts, words and deeds.

In the Divine epic of the Ramayana there is a special profound message. That

message is: man must lead the life of a human being, men must seek oneness with

the Divine. Man should harmonize the three qualities in him (Sathva, Rajas,

Thamas). In every human being all the three natures - human, divine and demonic

- are present. But most men today ignore their humanness and divinity and foster

only their demonic nature. Man, in fact, should strive to manifest his divinity,

and not display his weakness or his demonic qualities.

There is no use in observing Sri Rama's birthday once in a year and being

satisfied with a good feast. Every moment marks the Lord's advent, because

human beings are being born continually. Every human being is an incarnation of

the Divine. The Divine dwells in every being. Therefore, dedicate every moment

to the thoughts of God. When you do this, in due course you experience the

Divine. You will be free from delusions and you will be divinised. Man is born

to merge in the grace of the Divine and not to immerse himself in mundane

pleasures.

Let each one carry on his or her duties. Dharma protects its protector and

destroys it destroyer. Strive to proceed from the human to the Divine.

Divine Discourse: Apr 5, 1998

The entire Ramayana is like a game of chess. The scene, in the Ramayana is a

kind of battlefield. It is a battlefield where the forces of right and wrong

are waging war. Rama represents righteousness and Ravana represents

unrighteousness. The battle between the two is the war fought on the

battlefield.

Ravana taught a great lesson to the world. He exclaimed: "Oh men! Do not live as

I have lived and ruin your lives". " What is the root cause of Ravana's ruin?"

Unable to conquer his desires, unwilling to get rid of his impulses, he ruined

his entire clan. His sons were killed, his brother and other kinsmen were

killed and ultimately his country itself was reduced to ashes. Ravana

confessed: "In the end I ruined myself." This was the message Ravana gave to

his countrymen in his last moments.

Only by suppressing desires does a man manifest his humanness. A man who is

unable to put an end to his desires, puts an end to himself.

A good man by his good conduct achieves greatness. Ravana sought to achieve

greatness but did not strive to lead a good life.

Divine Discourse: Apr 16, 1997

>From time immemorial, every individual in Bharat has regarded Sri Rama's life as

an ideal and has sought to sanctify every moment of his life by living up to it.

Sri Rama's incarnation as a human being was for the purpose of promoting peace

and happiness in the world. "Ramo Vigrahavaan Dharmah" (Rama is the very

embodiment of righteousness). It was as if righteousness itself had incarnated

on earth. Dharma and Rama are inseparable.

The word Rama has the triple power of destroying sins, conferring peace and

dispelling ignorance. When you utter the word "Ram", you first open the mouth

with the sound "Ra". All your sins go out when your mouth is open. When you

utter "M" by closing the mouth, the entry is barred against the sins that have

gone out. Everyone should recognize the sweetness, the sacredness and divinity

enshrined in the name "Rama". Its is good to utter the name Rama with full

understanding of all that it signifies. But even without that understanding the

chanting of the name has the power to destroy all sins.

We must learn to chant the sweet name of Rama with a pure, unsullied heart, in a

spirit of selfless devotion. Men should learn to speak sweetly and pleasingly.

Sweet speech confers peace. It is the means to self-realization. It is in the

heart of the man who is sweet spoken that Sri Rama loves to dwell. Wholehearted

chanting of the name of Rama even once can destroy mountains of sins. But the

chanting should not be done mechanically like playing a gramophone record. It

should emanate from the depths of the heart. You must seek to redeem your

lives, by living up to Rama's ideals and proclaiming them to the world.

Remember the name of Rama with love. God can be realized only through love and

no other means.

Divine Discourse: Apr 14, 1989

Hanuman, whose heart was filled with the love of Rama and Sita

Devotees should install Rama in their hearts and celebrate Ramanavami for

achieving Atmic bliss. Going through the Ramayana epic they should reach the

state of "Atma Rama" (oneness with the universal spirit). In such a state there

is no Ahamkara (ego sense).

Divine Discourse: Apr 7, 1987

This day, the birth of Sri Rama is celebrated in all lands. Rama had deed, word

and thought, body, speech and mind, ever pure, and totally free from blemish.

Really speaking, one ought to revere the story of Rama as a profound allegory.

Every act and actor in that story attracts attention and gets imprinted on the

memory because the allegory is personal to each of us.

It is often said that Rama followed Dharma at all times. This is not the correct

way of describing him. He did not follow Dharma; he was Dharma. What he thought,

spoke and did was Dharma, is Dharma, forever.

Divine Discourse: Apr 18, 1986

Sources:http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/festival/ashfesra.htm

http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/ramnavmi.html