Inner meaning of Ramyana

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Excerpts from the Rama Navami discourse in 1986 Consider Dasaratha, the Ten Chariot King? He represents the human body with the five senses of perception and the five sense organs of action. He has three wives--the three Gunas or dispositions, Satwa, Rajas and Tamas--named Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. He has four sons, who embody in themselves the four goals of human life, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Rama is the very embodiment of Dharma (Morality, Virtue, Right conduct). The other three goals can be achieved only by steady adherence to Dharma. We find, therefore, the brothers Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna following the footsteps of Rama. Rama had mustered so much spiritual strength through his consistent observance of Dharma, that he could wield and bend the mighty bow named Sivadhanus. That was the proof of the Jivi (the individual) having overcome delusion. Janaka, the ruler of Videha, had the

bow in his custody. He was on the look out for a hero who had mastered the fatal flaw. The story relates that Janaka, the Videhi, (ruler of Videha, that is to say, 'without body' or 'body consciousness') offered his daughter (the awareness of Brahman) to Rama. Wedding Sita is another way of saying 'acquiring Supreme Wisdom', for, from where was Sita gained? The story says, 'from a furrow on the Earth', that is to say, from Prakriti (Nature). This statement reveals that Brahma Jnana can be won by meaningful involvement with Prakriti. The next stage in the career of Rama finds him in the thick jungle of life. The jungle was infested with attractions and aversions. The Supreme Wisdom cannot co-exist with duality. It insists on the renunciation of both aspects. Rama pursued the golden deer, which Sita longed to possess. Brahma Jnanam disappeared as a consequence of this lapse. Rama (the

representative jivi) had to undergo many spiritual austerities to regain the Supreme Enlightenment. He reached, according to the story, the Rsyamuka peak, the abode of total detachment. There he secured two allies, Sugriva (Discrimination) and Hanuman (Courage). The alliance was sealed by an act of service from Rama, which indicated his loyalty to Dharma under all conditions. He slew Vali, the vicious victim of wickedness. Vali had dethroned his father, forced him to take refuge in the jungles, associated with Ravana, of evil fame, and ill-treated his brother Sugriva for no reason at all. Vali succumbed so low, because of the company he preferred to be in. He serves as a warning to everyone. Einstein said, "Tell me your company; I can tell you what you are." Rama installed Viveka on the throne of Vali. With his allies, he entered on the quest for the Wisdom that he had lost. He found across his path a wide ocean of Moha (delusion). His ally,

Hanuman (Courage) had a vision, unclouded by desire or ignorance. His only desire was fixed on the Name of Rama and the Form of Rama. So he was able to leap across the ocean, smooth and safe. Rama reached the other shore. He slew Ravana (the embodiment of the Rajasic, passionate, impulsive, possessive traits) and his brother, Kumbhakarna (the embodiment of the Tamasic, the dull, the self-destructive, the lethargic, traits). Rama recovered Sita (Brahma Jnana) now confirmed by striving and struggling, and more convincingly precious as a result of constant meditation. And, Rama returned with Her to Ayodhya (the impregnable city, the Source and Spring of Wisdom). The consummation of the soul's journey is the Coronation, the Maha Pattabhishekam. This is the Ramayana which needs to be gone through, during the life of every aspirant. The heart is the Ayodhya. Dasaratha is the body, the Gunas are the consorts, the Purusharthas are the sons,

Sita is Wisdom. Attempt and attain this Realization by purifying the three tools body, speech and mind. Om Sai Ram