Rāma, being the Supreme Governor, has occupied a chief place, amongst the dashāvatārs (ten incarnations of Nārāyańa). Rāmāyańa is the scripture, which enfolds the beatific Life of Lord Rāma. Has this become the part of the chronicle? Rāma is the present, the past and the future.
- Birth of Rāma– When our mind becomes free of grudges, birth of Rāma occurs. When the illusionary conflicts of our mind become calm, Eternal Nobility is born. The purity of all nine gateways of the Durg, unveils the Rāma within. When all the doors are cleansed, till the verge of ultimate purity, (viz. The body becomes a cleansed Dwārikāpuri, fostering place of Krishńa), Rāma‘s birth takes place. This is how the mind should be, to become Ayodhyā or Awadha, (devoid of yuddha and vadha in the mind, too). Lose of Dualism kindles the light, and removes the darkness. It is said in the classical texts- “Ātmā svayam jyotiramaya bhavati“. This means that Ātmā or the soul, itself is the abode of Light (viz., the Knowledge).
- Omnipresent Rāma- When each and every cell and drop of our blood is filled by Thy Name, all the negativities are abolished. By Thy Name, even, our biggest enemy, ego (homologous to Rāvańa) is defeated. Rāma (Thy Name) is greater than the sins. I recollect a story. Once, Rābyā Basari (a renouned saint) was asked by the people for the opportunity for repentance, for they were guilty of numerous sins. She proclaimed that since they claimed to be sinners, they would remain so; rather, repeating Thy Name, would free them from all sins. Just by repeating Rāma, all sins, they may be small or large, are forgiven. Forgiveness personified…. is Rāma. It is said- ” Sārā Jaga Siyārāmamaya dekho “. This means- “See this entire cosmos filled with the bliss of Mā Sitā and Lord Rāma. A beautiful verse ” Gururabrahmā Gururavishńuh Gururadevo Maheshwarah.. Guruh Sākshāt Param Brahma Tasmai Śri Gurave Namah. ” According to this verse, Guru is the entirety. Rāma is the Guru.
- The other three brothers denote a lot- On the day, when Lord Rāma was born, Lakshmańa, Bharata and Shatrughna were also born. The day of Rāma Navami, should be called, Lakshmańa, Bharata, Shatrughna Navami as well. The four- lettered “Rāma“, itself, denotes inclusiveness. Lakshmańa, Bharata and Shatrughna teach us a lot. Lakshmańa- Etymologically, ‘Laksha‘ means ‘a target or an aim’, and ‘mana‘ means ‘mind or conscious awareness’. The person, who fixes his attention on the aim, alone, becomes Lakshmańa. Lakshmańa had firm belief that He has come from the abode of Rāma and will finally unite with Him. His Conscious Awareness was placed unstirred at the Lotus feet of Rāma. Bharata- According to the origin, it has two interpretations. The person, who takes care of his responsibilities, percieving as if all the tasks are being done for Rāma, is Bharata. (Bharańa-poshańa in Hindi). Bharata percieved that all the works in His life are for Thy service. According to the epic, Bharata took Lord Rāma‘s sandals and placed them over his head. The transcendental dust of Rāma’s Lotus feet blessed Him. Bharata regarded Lord Rāma‘s blessings as the cause for His life. He was always immersed in the divine pool of Oneness (‘Bha‘ means ‘light’ and, ‘rata‘ means ‘to be immersed in’). Shatrughna- The person, who has no enemies, is Shatrughna. All the other three brothers had enemies and, too, become angry (be it superficially) over circumstances, but, Shatrughna never retaliated. Revolting over situations causes pain. It is bit easy to avoid the reflection of retaliation outside, but, the severe eruptions of emotions on the inside, squeeze us within. He was the embodiment of tranquillity inside out. He always had a simple prayer on his lips- “O Lord! give me enough strength to forgive and forget all bad deeds of others and even mine, in my subtle form . If I have hurt any being, forgive me for such deeds. Let Thy Divine Name never abandon my lips”. Humour conquers our attention. A common saying is prevalent in the society- ‘Shut your mouth and save your life’. Shatrughna followed this quote, with His body, mind and soul!!!
- Conclusion- Incarnation of four forms of Eternity teach us to follow the footprints of anyone (atleast!!) of them; for this will unite us with the Aesthetic Oneness.