Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 13, July 26
Jaya Guru Datta
Yesterday we learned of the arrival of Sage Viswamitra and his request to Dasaratha to send Rama with him. But Dasaratha who gave his word to Viswamitra that he would do his bidding is now unable to part with his son. No matter how many noble words he may use, he cannot patch up the situation. It will still leave a gaping hole.
Dasaratha is caught in a terrible dilemma. He does not know how to extricate himself from this terrible situation. How can I send Rama with you? Rama is so young. Even by sunset his eyes close with sleep. He is Rajivalochana/lotus eyed. Just as a lotus closes up at sunset, his eyes also close in sleep by sundown. He wakes up only at dawn, just as a lotus opens up. Rama is highly disciplined. Yet, father’s love makes him speak such words. Rama so far has only fought in a make-believe war. How can Rama now fight a real battle? Rama so far has only practiced warfare techniques with his friends.
Ramayana has not mentioned a certain secret. It would have spoiled the mood of the epic had this topic been mentioned. Ramayana has all emotions depicted in it but especially it has the mood of Karuna/compassion. If Vedanta, Brahmarasa is mixed in it, it being vast and overpowering like an ocean, would deter the progress of the story. We will keep remembering Rama’s despair and dispassion. One who reads the Ramayana for the first time, will close the book when Sita gets abducted, thinking that Rama is so disinterested that he would simply let her go. The family secret about Rama’s present weakness is a domestic affair that has to be kept hidden. Rama is suffering from depression. It cannot be disclosed to the world. Rama is the future king.
What can I say about Rama? He looks woebegone. He does not eat. He does not have any recreation. He does not mix with anyone. Here in Yoga Vaasishtha, the real reason is given why Rama is not being sent willingly with Sage Viswamitra. Rama is not coming out of his room. He does not disclose his problem to anyone. He simply sits still. He is young in age. He is still a youth. He is depressed. He is drowned in dejection. Such a one is unfit to fight against terrible demons. How can I send such a one to battle? He is very young and I am saddened to see him like this. Some unknown problem is eating away at him. The only solution to it is counseling by Sadguru. Parents sacrifice anything for the sake of their children. They are even ready to give up their lives. Hence, I beg forgiveness from you, O Sage Viswamitra, that I am unable to send Rama with you. You may say, you have three more sons. But, Rama is different.
Vyasa explains to us through an episode in the Bhagavatam a very important feature of Vedanta. Krishna also came just like us. Our Sadguru also looks just like us. In the Bhagavatam, once Brahma created an illusion. He played a trick on Krishna to test him. Balarama was home that day when Krishna went to the countryside to graze the cows with the cowherd boys. Brahma made all the cows, calves, and the boys disappear. Krishna knew that it was a trick played by Brahma. At once, Krishna re-created all the cows and the cowherds exactly as they were to the minutest detail. They all returned home that evening as always. The mothers who normally would be disinterested when they came home, on that day were overcome with love for their children. They were unable to express their love adequately towards them. They kept embracing them, and kissing them, keeping them on their laps.
Balarama was surprised at this. Thus far they all had such special love only for Krishna. Now the same level of affection was being shown to all the children. Balarama who felt suspicious demanded an explanation from Krishna. Krishna confessed what happened. Krishna had carried this illusion for an entire year. Vyasa gives the explanation for this overwhelming love felt by the cowherd families. Up until now, they were only children. But now they were manifestations of the soul within. That is one’s true nature. Krishna Himself became the cows and the cowherd boys. Seeing the boys and the cows, the parents felt immense love for them.
Vyasa explains: Who does not love himself? Because God Himself has taken those forms, the same soul that is in the parents, is in the children and the cows. That is why they felt such happiness and love. This is the same reason that we feel so much love in Sadguru and have total faith in Him. This is a great lesson in Vedanta.
When there are four sons, all should be treated and loved equally. But Rama is an incarnation of Lord Narayana Himself. Hence, Dasaratha could not help himself but love Rama overwhelmingly. His love for Rama was overflowing. All my dharma depends on him. He is the future king.
Earlier Dasaratha had offered to go with Viswamitra himself with his army to fight against the demons. The strongest bond on earth is between a parent and a child. What will happen to me if something happens to Rama? A man is married. He is a king. Yet, the happiness born from having children is unexcelled. For the welfare of his children, a father will tirelessly toil due to his love for his offspring. O Sage, you know everything. This is nothing new to you.
During a battle between Viswamitra and Vasishtha, the one hundred sons of Vasishtha perished. The sons of Viswamitra fell into bad ways. No one ever deserts one’s children. For all these reasons I request you not to take Rama with you. I am sorry. I am unable to send him with you. If you insist on taking him away, I will give up my life. I love him as I love myself. Why did Dasaratha develop so much affection for Rama? It is because Rama is Lord Narayana Himself.Please do not take Rama with you. It is not possible for Rama to fight against those terrible demons. Perhaps those demons are related or associated with Ravanasura. If that is the case, even I am not competent to fight against them. I am now old and feeble. Ravana is Kubera’s brother. He is very powerful. There was a time long ago, when I assisted the celestials to fight against the demons. But now I am aged. I am unfit to fight against demons like Lavanasura or Sunda or Upasunda. Then, who will he fight against? His own family members?
Gently Dasaratha declined to send Rama with Viswamitra. He prayed for forgiveness. If you take Rama from me by force, that will the end of my life. It is a gentle speech but unpalatable to Viswamitra. His speech was not curt and yet it was unjust. It is like cutting someone’s throat with a wet piece of cloth.
The 9th sarga.
Viswamitra is not the kind of Sage who will take a ‘no’ for an answer. He is now a Brahmarshi. Hence, he is not going to lose his temper and fling curses either. Yet, Viswamitra felt disappointed that Dasaratha had gone back on his word. He felt betrayed in the trust he placed in him that he will not waver from the path of Dharma. He felt pained that Dasaratha is veering away from Dharma even in Treta Yuga. The citizenry will follow the path taken by the king. You are going back on your word. I assumed you to be a lion amongst kings. Instead, you are behaving like a deer. I am very sad to see you like this. The story of Raghu, your ancestor is very great.
Kalidasa wrote a poetical work, named Raghuvamsa (the dynasty of Raghu). Why has he used that name? Dasaratha was born in the lineage of Raghu. Dasaratha’s behavior now ruins the reputation of the entire family. If Viswamitra does not show anger, his grace will not flow towards the king. This is the prelude to the teaching of Vedanta.
Viswamitra responded: Always the rays of the moon are cool. Yet, your rays are scorching me. I assumed that you will adhere to Dharma. Now what will be the fate of the kingdom in the future? Now it has become evident that the world has kings who steer away from Dharma. You belong to the dynasty of the Sun. I presumed that you would hold up the reputation of your lineage. You have broken your promise. Well, so be it. You remain happy here with your kingdom, your entourage, and your royal luxuries. You have not fulfilled my wish. You have rejected my request for assistance in completing my yajna for the welfare of the Universe.
Vasishtha’s qualities are enumerated here. He is highly courageous. He has restrained from expressing his anger towards Dasaratha. He used persuasive speech to make Dasaratha change his view. He spoke: Dasaratha, you are a follower of Dharma. Yet, now out of love for your son, you have gone back on your word. This is not just.
Dasaratha had said, I cannot give up Rama.
Now Vasishtha tells him, you cannot give up Dharma. You have promised Viswamitra to fulfill his wish. Now you are refusing to do so. When noble deeds are performed, wells are dug, dams are built, and charities are given, and yet, after all of that, if one betrays trust, he will receive absolutely no merit. Your subordinates will no longer respect you or pay their tithes. They will also follow your path of adharma/unrighteousness. You may have faith in my words. But you may not have trust in the capability of Viswamitra of protecting your son. Viswamitra is an extraordinary individual.
We heard that Rama is a personification of Dharma in the words of Mareecha. Now Vasishtha uses the same phrase to describe Viswamitra. If Dharma were to take a form, it would be the form of Viswamitra. There is none who is greater than Viswamitra in penance. After fasting for 1000 years, Viswamitra finally sat down to have his meal. Indra came in disguise to beg for food. Viswamitra readily gave up his food in charity to Indra. Such is the power of his penance. He is a master of many astras/celestial missiles. He invents many astras.
We saw recently what happened in Ukraine, when they used a missile against an aircraft. Let us pray for peace for the souls that perished.
Viswaamitra is the correct way to say the word. Being overly smart and saying Viswamitra (with a short vowel sound) would be wrong. He is the Muni who knows the future of the entire world. He sees the future of this entire Creation as if on a screen. Without any doubt, you may send Rama with him. You may trust him and send Rama with him. He is a Sadguru. Let Rama who has studied under me thus far, now benefit from the teachings of Viswamitra. A man who has given up his life and has become a corpse becomes immortal by the power of Guru. Such is the power of Viswamitra. A fool cries and despairs. Do not be like that. Listen to my words and send Rama with Viswamitra.
We cannot look into the future. That is why we seek the advice of Sadguru whether we should go ahead or not with our plans. If we spend time in the company of great souls, the benefits we receive are immense and immeasurable. Whether we are with Sadguru or whether Sadguru is with us, it is an immense good fortune for us.
Rama is sent for.
10th sarga – Raghava Vishada yoga
The condition of Rama is described. The actual subject of Vedanta begins now with this.
Sastra Sabha begins today. Many scholars are present. It will be an all-day discussion. Please stay and listen even if you do not understand Sanskrit. Just listening to the discussion will enhance your culture. Please witness also the fire rituals being held, the Shrouta Yaga/ishti. Tomorrow also we have Ishti. In the evening we have an Archaka Sabha (a gathering of priests).
The day after tomorrow, on Monday Sri Swamiji is returning to Mysore ashrama. Let us all have His divine darshan.
Om Santihi. May there be peace.
Sri Guru Datta