Inner meaning of Ramyana

[Guest guest]

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