A Love Story HG Gauranga Das
Dasaratha Ramayanam Maharaja’s dilemma
Material life is pleasure mixed with pain of unfulfilled desires
Dasaratha Maharaja’s dilemma
Method of counteracting Karma is called Yajna, Yajna, Dana Dana & Tapa
Sumitra drank last so that she will get sons who will serve the Lord & His devotees Samskaras of mother affect the sons Service attitude begets service attitude
Reasons for Rama’s Descent 1. Demigods‟ prayers When we approach Lord for help, we should have humility to accept solution. 2. Protect Rishis 3. Solitude with Sita 4. To worship Lord Ranganatha
Significance of names
RAMA – who gives pleasure to one who sees Him Darshan of Lord‟s form purifies and inspires BHARATA – Material prosperity without Lord‟ Lord‟s association is like a burden LAXMAN SATRUGHNA
Viswamitra arrives at Palace Love is tested by selfless service Future fortune may appear as present misfortune One may misunderstand instrument of future fortune Spiritual master‟s master‟s instructions are for our welfare – however inconceivable Aspiring disciple may try to avoid instructions if they test our attachments
Viswamitra’s anger Vasishtopi: In service to the Lord, once must cooperate and adjust differences of opinion Serving Guru‟s order is the duty of disciple OBIDIENCE is life of disciple
Tatak ataka a vadha vadha Guru‟s order is sometimes difficult to follow – may make us unpopular, but Guru‟s G uru‟s grace is more critical than public disgrace. Tataka – Ignorance of spiritual identity = Avidya Avidya
Marica, Subahu Marica was chased & Subahu was killed Sins before surrender – destroyed and burnt to ashes Sins incurred by devotee in the future – chased away by the Lord
Rama and Ahalya Ahalya Touch of Lord‟s lotus feet melts hard hearts Service to vaishnavas fills heart with love
Logic of Lord‟s Lord‟s consort Viswamitra & Sadananda rishi One must address needs, interests and concerns to get attention Story of Mahesa chapa First class disciple understands heart of spiritual master
Lord Rama denies garland Accepting hands of a lady can‟t be done without permission of Dasaratha One cannot take major decisions in life without permission and blessings Woman‟s expectations for man – bravery & expert speech
Rama finally puts garland Etiquette is adjusted according to time, place & circumstances Janaka tells Rama Sita‟s hands placed over Rama‟s
Dasaratha maharaja decides to coronate Rama
Leader must always consult experienced and well wishers even after many years When someone excels in service and becomes more popular, one may experience insecurity, insecurity, fear and feeling of uselessness about one‟s one‟s own insignificance Inferiority complex is different from Humility
Manthara inquires about celebration
Kaikeyi was pure hearted and considered Rama to be son Association of envious blasphemy poisons heart Hearing blasphemy makes us lose respect for a person Why kaikeyi‟s heart got corrupted?
Dasaratha begs kaikeyi
1. 2. 3. 4.
Vaishnavas‟ concern Tra rans nsccende endent ntal al va vacati cation on Set exa example ple of obid obiden ence ce Reveal dua dualiti litiees of material world
Rama meets Sita Heaven and hell is based on perception Perception of reality Lord‟s association and service is divine and separation is misery
Rama meets Laxmana Service attitude is greatest wealth
Sumitra meets Laxmana Love means service without selfish considerations Service means pleasure of master, not selfish joy
Dasaratha leaves body
Rama and Guha Devotion not dependent on birth Lord‟s quality – sausilyam – one who is held high in society, who is supreme and wants to identify with common man Fate of taking Lord‟s darshan is one‟s material complacency Love increases in separation
Sita, Rama, Laxmana walk through forest
Husband‟s duty is to give shelter physically, emotionally and spiritually
Rama meets Bharadwaja
Character is “what you are when no one is watching”
Rama travels through Chitrakoot Servant must be conscious of needs of master and learn skills and organize accordingly
Bharata returns to Ayodhya Ayodhya Even most powerful king can‟t control his destination Misplaced compassion can be dangerous Intention is not sufficient, knowledge is important Nature of this world is it can simply trap us in complexity We have to pay the price for the mistakes and blunders of our close associates Choose association carefully Tolerate the results of blunders as a price for the association • •
Bharata Bharat a returns to Ayodhya Ayodhya It is our duty to proactively clarify circumstantial misunderstanding and doubt created in other‟ other ‟s minds our intentions and actions Procrastination in communication communication leads to biased perception We must judge others by their intention, judge ourselves by our actions and not vice versa.
Bharata misunderstood By Kausalya, Vasishta, Guha, Bharadwaja and Laxmana Integrity is the test of person‟s character If you want to test man‟s character, give him power Leaving association of Lord can lead to powerful consequences beyond imagination Devotee really respects identity of others as devotee
Laxmana doubts Bharata Lord doesn‟t tolerate offense to devotee
Rama – Bharata meeting Person of character values obedience over expedience
Bharata’s vow
3 places where Lord’s supremacy exhibited in Ramayana
Jatayu Vibhishana Vanara sena – setu bandhan
Bharata’s emotions
Why Bharata’s surrender is rejected?
Glory of Lord’s footwear Devotee should never leave Lord‟s Lord‟s lotus feet Paduka favored Bharata‟s prema prema to Rama‟s dharma Paduka is more merciful than Lord Rama Lord‟s consorts Bhu & Sri devis are more merciful In the absence of consorts, Lord‟s Lord‟s foot wear does the job Svarupa gata dasya & Guna krta dasya
Viradha vadha Illicit sex leads to misery Lord‟s lotus feet leads to purification Hatred to Lord and neglect of dharma can be conquered by service to Lord‟s devotees
Lord and Sarabhanga ashrama Nothing within material world is worth achieving in temporary human form of life Success in human life is attainment of spiritual world
Lord meets Agastya muni
Lord enters Dandaka
Lord is always eager to protect devotees
Lord reaches Panchavati Concern: Servant knows master‟s mind and carries out command to give full satisfaction Competence: Acts with confidence based on previous experience and displays competence Character: Alert and aware of his duties and only cares for Lord‟s pleasure 3 pillars of trust worthy servant
Lord reaches Panchavati Servant‟s only joy is smile on Lord‟s face Soul‟s Soul‟s constitutional position po sition is eternal service Devotee‟s Devotee‟s happiness is not in his service but in the satisfaction of the Lord Devotee can neither feel proud nor happy about his service If Lord is happy about the service, then since Lord is pleased devotee can feel happy Service is for satisfaction of master, master, not for happiness of servant.
Surpanakha sees Lord A gentleman expresses his mind‟s feelings straightforward
Surpanakha sends Khara & Dushana
Ravana sends Marichi Lust burns like fire
Jatayu’s moksha Caste and age is no barrier for devotional service Bhakti is not about being the best but doing your best Rama went through reversals to teach us precarious position of conditioned souls in material existence
Jatayu’s moksha Lord‟s attempt to hide Himself as a human exposed when He awarded moksha to Jatayu Even sincere servants may have to go through harsh realities of material miseries
Patience is a great virtue in devotional service Sabari‟s seva is under order of spiritual master, so Lord accepted
Rama goes to Pampa sarovar
Sugriva sends hanuman
Hanuman’s eloquent speech
Vali’s killing Lord does not tolerate Vaishnavaparadha Any service done to Lord never goes in vain
Rama’s anger on Sugriva Even sincere servant may sometimes get deviated It is duty of vaishnavas & Lord to bring him back to track Lust creates obstacles in service to Lord by distracting one towards sense gratification Forgiveness is the foundation casting relationships
Sugriva orders to find Sita One may discipline someone‟s deviation without discouraging them
Rama gives Hanumanji His ring Current limited experience may make it difficult for us to understand others‟ viewpoint Success follows empowerment
Reasons for Sita to throw straw before Ravana
Reasons… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Etiquette – idam asanam Creates formality – we – we don‟t welcome intimate friends Barricade – married woman & other man To he hell with ith you yourr we wealth alth – it is like this straw Straw – not listen to me, you also You ar aree equ equal al to straw traw
Reasons… 7. My life is insignificant straw, don‟t threaten me 8. Jnena hina pasubhih samana – “You – “You animal, eat straw” 9. Rama burns, destroys Lanka, use straw to make hut 10. Rama can appear from straw as Narasimhadev appeared from pillar 11. Used by Vamanadeva to blind Sukracharya
Analogy – Sita & Jiva
Sampati Never underestimate anyone based on externals – anyone can be instrument in something glorious
Jambavan Leadership means empowerment and encouragement Leader takes pleasure in his student‟s success and does not feel threatened by it
Hanuman’s 4 qualities
Hanuman’s Obstacles in Lanka Patience & Tolerance Tolerance are important qualities in spiritual spiritu al journey Hope in Lord‟s mercy will uplift one from hopelessness during personal failures
Hanuman’s Obstacles in Lanka Prayer is a very important ingredient along with personal effort in Lord‟s mission Success with material consciousness leads to Pride Success in spiritual consciousness leads to Humility If one begins serving Lord‟s mission even with little faith, the process of pleasing the Lord and His devotees through devotional service completes the “Gap” in the faith.
Why Sita advising on friendship & not feet touch
Our statements and how we do things must follow the mood of our Guru & acharyas
Hanuman pacifies Sita
Servant must introspect possible repercussions of his activities
Sita questions hanumanji
Sita overwhelmed by the Ring
Tadiya non different from the Lord Uddipaka creates remembrance of the Lord Sita recounts pastimes
Hanuman requests requests Sita to jump on Back
Sita convinced Hanuman
Husband‟s duty Promise to demigods Para dukha dukhi Dependence on the Lord
Sita convinced Hanuman
Husband‟s duty Promise to demigods Para dukha dukhi Dependence on the Lord
Hanuman meets Ravana
Vibhishana gets Ajnata sukruti
Sita devi interrogates
Only by Sita‟s grace, association of Rama is possible
Hanumanji’s return When Rama-duta – Fire When Janaki-duta - Embrace
Vibhishana Saranagati
Surrender is the essence Definition Prerequisites for Saranagata – Akincanatvam Ananyagatitvam Prerequisites for Saranya Saralata Shakti 6 surrenders in Ramayana
Ravana’s misfortune – Vibhishana’s advice
Give up anger Or perish All will benefit
Ravana’s misfortune began by sin & completed by offence
Sin of kidnapping Sita devi Offending Vibhishana
Ravana chastises Vibhishana Vibhishana
Vibhishana becomes fortunate by rejecting Ravana Srimaan – penniless materially, but opulent by surrender to the lotus feet of the Lord Better to join party where brother‟s words are respected
Vibhishana’s last chastisement
Vibhishana comes to surrender Surrender must not be delayed
Sugriva’s suspicion If Rama destroyed body without soul Vibhishana has only onl y one weapon – gada – but he is holding it in the mood of humility and surrender – all conquering – fearful that Rama may be cheated by show of humility Vibhishana‟s action is clear but intention is suspect
Vibhishana further confirms his intent Dishonor is worse than death Why go quickly to inform Rama? Rama‟s Rama‟s mind never changes but my fickle minded demoniac nature may make me change my plans to surrender One cannot take inspiration to surrender for granted, it is a spark which ignites after innumerable births by causeless grace of Lord‟s devotees
Sugriva’s suspicion grows When we dislike, hate or suspicious of someone, we find fault with whatever he does & also exaggerate Suspicion Fauly finding & Exaggerated critisism Tendency to judge is due to speculation
Rama seeks opinion of other monkeys Supreme Personality of Godhead can assert His views but showing b y example „Art of decision making‟ by hearing opinions Leader must impartially hear all sides Differences of opinion are result of individuality Honesty is better than artificial humility
Mainda speaks Sugriva Again
Jambavan speaks
Hanumanji speaks Rama can‟t be cheated He is truthful Wants shelter, not kingdom Sign of good fortune Infamy
Rama speaks Supreme Personality of Godhead is so humble and gentle, seeks opinion and permission of monkeys
Sometimes, Sometimes, difference di fference of opinion may be between two well intentioned parties
Rama coronates Vibhishana Rama coronates Vibhishana Vibhishana by placing lotus feet – even before battle is over – absolute nature of Supreme Personality of Godhead‟s desire – satya sankalpa
Thank you
