Rama Avatar- a Perfect Incarnation – by Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji Part-13

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Dear Members,

 

In sorrow or restlessness of mind turn it towards Bhagavat vishaya (matter). Is

not the sorrow (‘mano vyakoola’) because of some problem? Harping on the problem

will never solve but only aggravate the mental agony. Instead if one performs

Tapas, a solution will

automatically present itself for that problem. Hence, be a Tapasvi always. This

is the reason that ‘Tapah’ is the true wealth (‘iswarya’). ‘Naradam paripapracha

valimikim munipungavam’.

 

Next, ‘Konvasmin sampradam loke gunavan kascha viiryavan

Dharmagnascha kritagnascha satyavakyo dhridavratah’ - here Valmiki speaks of the

16 different gunas - Gunavan, viiryavan, dharmagnascha kritagnascha……

 

While speaking on the sixteen gunas to Narada, Valimiki alertly uses the term

‘Sampradam loke’. ‘Oh! Narada! On hearing my enumerating these gunas you would

point out, ‘He indeed exists in Vaikuntam’ -

even before I complete them. No, but I want you to show me such a ‘gunavãn’

(Virtuous one) on this very earth! You should not speak of someone who existed

some hundred or a thousand years back. ‘Sampradam loke’ - He should exist NOW.

Listening to Valimiki’s

demands Narada confirms, “Yes, indeed! There is one such on this very earth” and

he adds some more gunãs to the list of Valmiki! Narada, “When he loses his

temper he becomes ‘Kalagni sampannah’. What happens when he gets angry?

Everything is burnt up. He emits

fire such as the one that is born during time of the destruction of the world

(‘pralaya kala agni’) and destroys everything. Valmiki points out, “Everyone

will dread approaching Rama”. Narada consoles,

“Kshamaya prithvisamanah’ - Do not worry! It is very rare indeed. He does not

lose his temper so easily. He is like the earth (Bhooma devi). Just as Bhooma

Devi bears all the atrocities committed on her He, too, is forbearing. He does

not get angry. But when he does he

is like the ‘Kala agni’.” Narada enumerates Rama’s gunas further, “He stands by

Dharma and also helps people stand by it.” Narada, thus enlightens Valmiki on

the innumerable virtues of Rama and tells, “I will narrate Rama’s charitra to

you.”

 

And Narada begins with the scene of Sita in Valmiki’s ashram. What are the

thoughts that fill Rama’s mind while sacrificing Sita? “It is but natural for an

expectant mother (‘garba stree’) to desire to be

spending some time in her parents’ home. Let Sita be in Sage Valmiki’s ashram.

If a mother-to-be reads Itihasa-Puranas (Epics) she begets a virtuous child. A

Maharishi’s ashram is ever filled with Satsang. Let the child in the womb grow

in such a fine atmosphere.”

Rama, thus, sends Sita to the forest knowing fully well that she would reach

Sage Valmiki’s ashram.

 

Sita thus lives in Sage Valmiki’s ashram. While Sita is in Valmiki’s ashram two

thoughts fill the mind of Rama. There were two ways of handling the accusation

thrown on Rama by the dhobi. He could have either ignored the words of the dhobi

and continued to rule the Kingdom with Sita by his side or sacrificed Sita. By

choosing to follow the former the world would accuse him of not standing by

dharma. And the latter (sending Sita away to the forest) would have earned him

the name of a ‘tyrant’ (no ‘karuna’- compassion).

Rama chose the latter! “Let people accuse me of being uncompassionate. But none

should accuse me of failing to stand by dharma. None should call me

‘adharmavan’”.

 

!!! Will Continue !!!

 

Regards