Sai message for the day

[Guest guest]

Are there any who attained tadatmya with God? We hear that total

identification with God is the highest step in spirituality.

 

Yes. There are many who experienced that state of total

identification with God. In fact, a devotee should aim at it. There

was a Westerner by name, Hen, who was very intelligent. The famous

scientist, Darwin, was his guru. He started seeing his guru by

contemplating on him continuously. Darwin concentrated his vision on

a star and experienced certain vibrations. His student also reached

that state.

 

You also must have heard of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. At one time,

while worshipping Lord Sri Rama, he considered himself Hanuman. It is

reported that he developed a short tail during that time.

 

You also find another illustration in the great epic Ramayana.

Bharata wanted Rama to come back to Ayodhya and rule the kingdom. He

pleaded with him repeatedly. But, Rama refused to return, since he

had decided and vowed to follow the command of his father and follow

dharma in toto. Bharata left the place, after Rama promised that he

would return immediately after the period of exile. The period was

almost over and Bharata was expecting Rama to return at the appointed

hour. Unable to bear the anguish at seeing no sign of Rama's arrival,

Bharata got ready a funeral pyre and was prepared to jump into it

ready for self-immolation. In the meantime, Rama had sent Hanuman in

advance with a message to Bharata in order to avert this situation

and to inform Bharata of his arrival as he had promised before.

Hanuman immediately dashed off to Nandigrama where Bharata was

staying. As Hanuman was just landing, he noticed the scene there.

Bharata was circumambulating the pyre into which he was about to jump

and burn himself. Hanuman thought, " How is it that Rama is here? Why

is Rama circumambulating the pyre? " Evidently, it means that Bharata

looked exactly like Rama due to his constant meditation on him. This

left even Hanuman confused. This is the meaning of what the Veda

says, " Brahmavid brahmaiva bhavati " Constant awareness of Brahman

makes you Brahman.

 

Towards the end of the Ramayana, after he had killed Ravana, Rama was

returning to Ayodhya along with his consort Sita and Lakshmana in a

chariot. Bharata himself was driving the chariot. As the chariot was

approaching the outskirts of Ayodhya, the inhabitants were eager to

receive Rama, Sita and Lakshmana with garlands. Here again, the

people were confused since Bharata, holding the reins of the chariot,

looked exactly like Rama. When the people were about to garland

Bharata mistaking him for Lord Rama, Bharata had to silently and

softly point out to Rama with his folded hands as to who should be

garlanded. This is again an instance of total identification,

tadatmya .

 

Here is another example. You must have heard of Swami Samartha

Ramadas, the preceptor of emperor Sivaji. Like Bharata, Swami

Samartha Ramadas also looked for some time exactly like Lord Rama in

his form as well as in his manner of walking with the bow and arrow

on his shoulders. People, watching this, were amazed, and one of them

asked him, " Swami! If you are really Lord Rama, can you shoot the

bird sitting over there on a branch located on the top of that

distant tree? " Ramadas killed the bird with an arrow. It fell on the

ground. Someone said then, " Swami! You have killed the bird for no

reason. It did no harm to you. Rama, known for compassion, never

kills anyone without a valid reason. Can you revive it now? " Then,

the Swami collected the dead bird with both his hands and lifted it.

He prayed for its life. Lo and behold! The wings started to flutter.

The bird moved slowly and finally flew away. All present there joined

in a chorus shouting in praise of the Swami, " Jai! Samartha Ramadas

Ki Jai, " Our praises to Swami Samartha Ramadas! This is an instance

of total identification with God.