SSR Day 2 by HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – January 2, 2014 – Mysore
Jai Guru datta
Today is the 2nd day of the sapthaham and second day of the year too. Yesterday we went through the Bala kanda today let us talk about Ayodhya kanda. The boy Praveen who went with Swamiji on the Antarctica tour sent a mail that the tour is going on well. I’m not sure how he could get through the internet but it is a good news for all of us. We are doing this Ramayana Saptaha for Sri Swamiji’s good health and safe return.
Sri Ganeshaya Namaha
Sri Saraswathyai Namaha
Sri Pada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswathi
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha !
Yesterday we went through 18 slokas of Bala kanda. Today we shall do the 22 slokas parayana of Ayodhya kanda. Today we will talk about Viswamitra. We will see how a Guru elevates His disciple and makes him scale to great heights. Viswamitra taught Bala & Atibala vidhyas to Rama & Lakshmana. Whenever the Guru is ready to part with His knowledge the disciple should eagerly ask and learn. Rama killed Taraka and several other demons when guarding the yaga. He used weapons to make Maricha and Subhahu unconscious and threw them into the sea. After successfully completing his yagas with the help of Rama and Lakshmana,Vishwamitra took them to Siddhashrama. It is a place where Vamana Murthy did penance. Viswamitra told a lot of stories to Rama & Lakshmans for their betterment. He told them that whoever worships Skandha with devotion will attain Skandha loka. Then they decided to go to Mithila and have a darshan of the divne Bow of Lord Shiva. Meanwhile Ahalya was freed from her curse. In some of the Ramayanas, they say that she was cursed to become a statue but in Valmiki Ramayana she became invisible and came back to life and form by the grace of Rama. With the Grace of the Guru, anything is possible.
Upanishads says :
Durlabho vishayah thyaagaha
Durlabham tatwa darshanam
Durlabha sahajaavasta
Sadguroh karunaam vinaah
All our sense organs are created in such a way that everything probes us to go out. There is not even one sense organ which leads us to inner self. The creation itself is like that. We cannot concentrate . Our mind drifts away to different locations and cannot be controlled. It is hard to realise the true tattva of paramatma. It is hard to remain in a calm and composed state of mind. It is hard to be in natural state of mind. What is natural state of mind ? The state that we are when in deep sleep is natural state. We should attain this state even when awake and when we sit for dhyana. This too is difficult. Oh! Then none can attain this state? Definitely anyone can attain this state. When? Only when one has the grace of Guru!
But if Guru’s grace is there, even with little effort we can achieve great things. Guru’s grace cannot be measured in kilograms or litres. It is not something that is available in a milk booth. It can only be experienced. Even if we listen to a thousand stories it is hard to understand the grace of Guru.
It is often said that anything is gained through Sadhana. We may ask, if that is the case, we gain through Sadhana, I am the one who does Sadhana. So, where does the need for Guru and His grace arise? Even in Sadhana, we are negligent. Hence we need Guru. Once in a school the Head Master was curious to know why the chilldren were clapping hands continuously. He first thought that the teacher must have done some commendable job. But then the teacher said that he had told the students that he will not take class until they stop clapping and that is why they were clapping. Now a days both the teacher and the students are like this.
The Upsanishad Sampradhaya says :
Sahanavavathu sahanau bhunakthu sahaveeryam karavavahai
sahaviryam karavavahai; Tejaswinavadhitamastu; ma vidvishavahai
It means: let Got protect both the Guru and the disciple, let the experience gained by acquiring knowledge remain permenant and give them both the lustre, and let them never despise each other. This should be the attitude of the student.
Both Rama and Lakshmana have to be sent home in 10 days time. But Viswamitra didn’t bother because as a Guru, he had all the rights over his disciple. He took good care of them. Ahalya’s curse episode took place near Mithila.
The king Janaka was performing a big yaga there. When they entered, the whole city was filled with crowd. There was Music, dance and festivities going on. They decided to stay at a quiter place. When Janaka came to know about this, he rushed to see Viswamitra and enquired what he can do for them. He was surprised to see Rama & Lakshmana and was taken aback by their lustre. Viswamitra told that they came to protect his yaga and also to see the Shiva’s bow.
Janaka’s Guru Shatananda was happy to see them and decided to take them to his home. He also wanted to know whether his mother Ahalya has got relieved from the curse and whether his father Gowthama Rishi has rejoined his mother and whether they did pooja to Rama. Even before an incarnation takes birth everything and everybody related to that avatra will be born. Everything in the world is predestined. Appaji’s trip to Antartica too must have been predestined even before Swamiji could take this incarnation. We never know.
Bhagavata says :
Marthyavarasthviha marthya rakshanam
Rakshoh vadhaayaiva na kevalam vibho.
Rama’s incarnation was not just to kill the demons but also to protect mankind. Arjuna wanted to see Krishna with 4 hands. But in reality if we see Him like this we will get scared and run away because we cannot withstand that form. So when Shatananda asked Vishwamitra all these questions about his parents and Rama, Viswamitra only said that he did everything necessary for the benefit of every one. Thus great saints and sages won’t talk much but you can infer many things from their statements.
Once some people arranged for a meeting between Surdas & Tansen and were curious to see what they were talking. Although days rolled by, they only smiled at each other, shed tears and closed their eyes and never spoke a word. Whenever two great souls or Gnanis meet they won’t talk but when two agnanis meet they would speak useless things.
Then shatanada wanted to do something in return for the favour he received from Vishwamitra. He narrated the charitra of Vishwamitra to Rama so that He will know His Guru Charitra right from the time he had a quarrel with Vasista till he became a friend of the universe and the penance he did to become a Rishi, Rajarshi and Brahmarshi. Shathananda also told that he came from Kusha vamsha and he is also called Kaushika and being Gowdhiputra he is also called Gaadheya. He also told Ambarisha charitra. After listening to all these, Rama was happy.
He was taken to the court of Janaka where swayamvara for Sita was taking place. (Swayamvara is an ancient practice in which women choose a person of their choice as their husband) Only the one who is able to hold the Shiva bow can marry Sita was the norm laid by Janaka. Sita was able to move the bow easily when even thousands of people were not able to move it. That is why he kept a challenge like this. Many kings who had come to participate were unable to even move it. Even Ravana could not move it. Then Vishwamitra told Rama to lift the bow. Some people worship instruments. It is their belief.
It seems Someone in America said that whenever they buy vanilla ice cream, the car never starts. And they tested it many times. Finally they found it that due to extreme cold conditions the car had not started. All other ice creams were availlable at the store but he had to bring vanilla flavour from another store and this took time. During this time, the engine froze and the car didn’t start. So their belief that the car would not start if they buy vanilla ice got shattered.
Rama paid respect to the bow and lifted it with his left hand and tried to put the string. But it cracked due to the power of Rama. All were astounded. Seeing this, Sita went to garland Rama. But Rama told her to wait till He gets the permission from His parents. Vishwamitra told that he would send a messenger and bring Dasaratha there. Dasaratha was happy to hear this news. In those days only the parents of the groom would arrange the marriage unlike these times. They all came there and waited for the yaga to be over and fixed a good muhurtha (suitable time). All devatas were present for the yaga. Then with the advice of Vishwamitra they decided to marry Urmila, Sita’s sister to Laxmana. Then Janaka’s brother’s daughters Mandavi and Sruthakirthi married Baratha and Satrugna. Everyone was happy. Their wedding took place as per the Shastras.
Janaka said;
iyam sita mama suta saha dharmacari tava
praticcha chainam bhadram te
My daughter will live with you in a righteous way and will follow you like a shadow wherever you go.
Viswamitra started to Himalaya after having completed his mission of marrying Rama to Sita. But suddenly there seemed to be bad omens which scared people. They saw Parsurama coming. They were wondering why he was there. Dasaratha fell at His feet and pleaded, for he thought that he had come to kill kshatriyas. But Parasurama was angry and wanted to know who broke the Shiva Danush. Rama was angry that He was insulting all the elders there. He challenged Rama to touch His own danush, the moment Rama touched the danush, all the strength of Parasurama came to Rama. Rama asked where He should aim the arrow. Then Parasurama told Him to strike the world that He conquered. Then He left the place praising Rama as the Avatar of Vishnu. After He left, Rama revived His father who was trembling with fear. After all these events, all the people praised the beautiful married life of Rama and Sita. They were a very understanding couple. Rama would instantly understand what Sita thought and the same was the case with Sita. They lived like Lakshmi & Narayana. Barata and Satrugna went to live with their grandparents. Let Sri Rama & Sita live in our heart like how They live in Hanumans’ heart.
Rama served His parents and people in His country. He went and solved their problems. He was happy when they were happy. Dasharatha wanted to hand over the kingdom to Rama and everybody liked this decision. The people wanted to see Rama as king and enjoy their life in His righteous rule. We should never cause harm to anyone either in thought word or deed and Rama had all these good qualities.
In Guru Gita it is said that Guru removes darkness and brings light in the life of the disciple. Even a bad man will have some goodness in him. Dasaratha was happy about Rama’s traits. Rama said to Dasaratha that if we should be happy, our people should be happy. We should find out their needs and serve them. We should find our happiness in their joy. Rama did not feel great about being coroneted. Instead, He told His mother that His father gave a great responsibilty of taking care of the people.
Power comes with pain – a pain that we would enjoy. Kausalya was very happy. Everyone was happy, except one, ie Mantra. No one knows why she hated Rama. She couldn’t bear. She went to Kaikeyi and asked her whether they all should serve Kausalya from the next day.” What is the fate of your son? Make Bharatha the king and send Rama to forest.”
This is the poison she spilled on Kaikeyi. Then Kaikeyi, whose mind got totally poisoned, told Dasaratha to crown her son Bharata and send Rama to the forest. She reminded him of the two boons he promised her in the past. Dasaratha did not mind crowning Bharatha but he did not like sending Rama to the forest. Out of great shock he fell like an old tree.
Next day everyone got ready for the Coronation. Vasishta had come but Kaikeyi told Sumantra to bring Rama. He was confused about the happenings. At that time Rama was in the swing with Sita. When Rama came, Dasaratha did not even speak properly. He was wondering what mistake he did. Then Kaikeyi said “Your father gave two boons. Bharatha will be coronated and You should go to the forest.” Rama felt bad and wondered why they should enact this drama just for this, as He had no interest in the throne. He had no wishes. Rama quietened Lakshmana who was angry. Rama went to His mother and told her that He has to go to the forest. Lakshmana was ready to fight with his father and kill anyone who comes in defence, but Rama did not want this. But when He saw Sita, He could not control Himself and He began to cry. Sita insisted that she would also come with Him where ever He goes. Rama said that He cried only to know her intentions. Sita said that she would be happy with Him wherever He is and even hell is like heaven with Him. Seeing this, Laxmana also said that he would come along with Him. Rama donated all His property as charity before leaving the palace. He gave away all His belongings to all the people and told them to take care of the home. He told them to light a lamp in the house till He returns. Any home that does not light the oil lamp for 12 years, not even on the last day, is an unfit place to live. It is called a ghost home. Such is the power of light. This is the most important part of Ramayana. We will see the rest tomorrow.
Compiled by: Rajalakshmi Sekhar