The Ramayana, a fascinating and enthralling epic, is not just a story that has been passed through generations; it has hidden treasures of deep mystical knowledge.
King Dasharatha lived in the kingdom of Ayodhya. Ayodhya is made up of the letters ‘a-yudh.’ ‘Yudh’ means battle or conflict. In our lives, conflicts seem to be all-pervading: disputes in the family; wars in the world; and incessant discord within – in our own minds. King Dasharatha had his ‘ratha’ under his mastery. Our body is a ratha (chariot) with ten sense organs – five of perception and five of action. A person who has mastery over this ratha lives in peace and harmony.
The king had three beautiful and virtuous wives – Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. These represent different virtues within us. Kaushalya, means well-being or prosperity. Sumitra signifies friendship and Kaikeyi is one who has both compassion and passion. When the queen showered kindness, she was a wonderful person but, later, overcome with selfish obsession, she became the conniving Kaikeyi.
With such a ruler, wedded to the welfare of his people, the kingdom enjoys peace and prosperity.
Similarly, when our mind becomes a Dasharatha – a master of the ten senses – and the intellect develops goodwill and kindness with the goal of helping others, our heart will be free from all conflicts – Ayodhya.
The birth of the Lord takes place in such an integrated personality that is dedicated to the service of the world. The word Rama means one who delights everybody; what truly delights us is happiness and this happiness is Rama. It is the Supreme Lord, the Infinite Reality that is revelling in everyone’s heart; This Rama is the Atma within all and manifests in the heart.
Why does the Lord take avatar? He can easily use anyone as an instrument to vanquish evil. He takes avatar to establish righteousness, when the good are being tyrannised by the wicked; when the Ravanas and Kumbhakarans of the world oppress the virtuous. This is in the macrocosm, but the Supreme also manifests in our hearts. How do we experience the Infinite, All-pervading Lord within ourselves?
The key element is devotion. The Atma, the Atmarama, is present within us; it is that because of which we see, hear, smell and taste; it is because of which we are alive. Yet, we do not know Him; we remain unaware of His presence. When the mind, like King Dasharatha, is full of devotion, a certain dispassion develops. The king is wedded to Kaushalya – one who represents a brilliant and bright intellect free from all selfishness and negativities. When the mind and intellect are focused on the Lord and we call out to Him by His name – Sri Rama – He reveals Himself. The Antahkaran is the inner equipment, the inner city, the inner space where Rama is experienced as a mass of inexplicable, unlimited happiness and bliss.
Rama is accompanied by his three brothers. Bharata indicates one who is full of love and ready to sacrifice. Lakshmana is a life of dedicated service, and the silent brother, Shatrughana, destroys our greatest enemy – the ego. When Rama enters, love and sacrifice, service and dispassion, selflessness and humility, will also emerge. Our heart, Ayodhya, becomes full of peace and joy.
Editorial by Swami Swaroopananda
The global head of Chinmaya Mission
No comments:
Post a Comment