The teachings of the Ramayana

The greatness of the Ramayana is clearly described in a verse which says that when the Paramapurusha, proclaimed by the Vedas, was born as the son of Dasaratha, Vedas also made their appearance in the form of the Ramayana, composed by Valmiki. This gives rise to the questions, what are the contents of the Vedas and what are their purpose? The Vedas contain mantras or hymns for the performance of a variety of karmas, from birth to death, including several yagas, Ishtis and homas and also for conducting ceremonies for regaining lost health, getting over troubles caused by enemies, and the like. Though the Vedas contain a variety of such topics, being encyclopaedic in their range, they reveal to us, according to the Upanishads, the existence of one and only Supreme God, the Paramatma.

Through a process of intense discipline, we must train our mind to develop equipoise, so that it will remain unaffected by pain or pleasure. Like water-drops on a lotus leaf, sorrows will not affect such persons. This state of perfection of mind achieved by a person is known as Yoga. Though the common meaning of Yoga is the bringing together of a number of materials or influences, the philosophic meaning is Viyogam, or cutting away from attachment.

Having realised the true form of the Atma, a person does not think of anything else more profitable to achieve. A person in that state of realisation is least bothered by even the greatest of what appear as calamities. That state of perfection is Yoga, which has to be practised with determination of purpose and a steady mind. It is only through a process of discipline that the mind can be cleansed of all impurities and trained to be steady and to develop the capacity of single- pointed concentration. That every person should, through proper education and discipline, attain the state of Yoga described above, before the soul departs from the body, is indicated by Kalidasa in his Raghuvamsa. We must be able to die with a smile on our lips. For, if we die without weeping, we will not have to weep after we die, that is, we will have no rebirth thereafter.

The Vedas are the source of Dharma. Sri Rama was the upholder and embodiment of Dharma. He protected it by his mental courage and disciplined life. Therefore, when he left for the forest for fourteen years to honour the pledge given by his father to kaikeyi, his mother kausalya offered him as a talisman the very Dharma. He protected, so that Dharma may in turn protect him from all harms.

That is how the Tamil saying “Dharmam talai kaakum”, came in vogue. If a dog should protect us from thieves, we must take good care of it. Similarly, Dharma will protect us only when we take care of it. Sri Rama has become, therefore, a model for us all. He was endowed with patience and a calm mind. When a strong and powerful person sticks to the right path, he becomes a model for others. Sivaji, through the influences of the guru, Ramadas, used his strength and a power only in the right manner. For instance, when women belonging to these enemies fell into his hands as prisoners, during his battles, he took great care of them and restored them to their to their relations unharmed.

The Ramayana teaches us the essential principles of the Vedas. Any superior scripture is generally called “Veda” and no wonder the Ramayana has come to be revered as Vedas. The Parama-purusha spoken of in the Vedas is perfect and full embodiment of Dharma, and is Sri Rama of the Ramanaya. The epic instructs us in karma, bhakti, and jnana, and in the Dharmic way of life. If we keep before ourselves the ideal of Sri Rama, we will be able to tide over every difficulty and danger and will be saved from straying into evil path. Sri Rama Naama smarana is the sure succour in life's tribulations. Anjaneya who practised the japa of this Taaraka Mantra to perfection, is the embodiment of brahmacharya and valour, which are the most needed to endow us with strength to successfully go through the voyage of life. If we are anchored in Sri Rama and His supreme devotee, Sri Anjaneya, our mind will not be sullied by kaama or other passions, but will be disciplined to attain the reality pointed out by the Vedas.
                                                 Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi

Foundation for Valmiki Ramayana

Strict adherence to the principles of righteous conduct enjoined by the Vedas is the prime duty of every individual. Wealth and status should not be allowed to stand in the way of fulfilling that obligation. The epics are but annotations on the norms of Justice delineated in the Shastras, containing as they do instances of persons who attained exalted status by rigid observance of Dharmam against great odds and of those who were doomed because they defied the code. At a time when people were becoming increasingly indifferent to the ethical axioms, God Himself assumed human form as Sri Rama, upheld the greatness of Dharmam and showed, by example, that the path of righteousness was not impossible to tread.

Sri Anantarama Dikshitar and Sri Narayana Dikshitar of Sengalipuram, said the highest felicity attainable by man is to perceive God in one's inner Self. Constant association with the virtuous, incessant utterance of God's auspicious names and listening to the dissertations of His Divine exploits in His various incarnations -these have been accepted by the learned as the sure and easy methods of attaining that sublime happiness especially in this Kali Yuga. With their abundant mercy, the Sadhus would correct a wrong-doer and turn him to the right path. Both the Ganga and the Sadhus had the power to wash away one's sins. Whereas one should take a dip in the sacred river observing certian formalities, a mere look by the Sadhus would serve the purpose. This is because, while the Ganga had come away from the lotus feet of Sri Narayana where it originated, the Sadhus have permanently enshrined the Lord's feet in their hearts by deep meditation and prayer.

Though Valmiki was himself quite conversant with the story of Sri Rama, he wanted to get it through an Acharya. When Sage Narada, the Divine preceptor, came to his hermitage, the poet posed the question who was an ideal man -a repository of all virtues with no defect. The answer came from Narada in the form of Samkshepa Ramayanam which formed the foundation on which the magnificent 24,000 verse edifice was built by Valmiki. In fact, Narada, having chosen Valmiki as the competent person to write the epic, was wondering how to request him to take up the work. So, he felt profoundly relieved and happy when the poet himself came out with the question.
                                                                                May 10, 1966

God's compassion illustrated from Ramayana

When a tank is full and there is incessant downpour, the sluice gate should be lifted to ensure safety of the embankment. A repository of innumerable and inimitable traits, there is no opportunity for God to reveal them in His own celestial abode. This purpose is achieved through incarnations when He demonstrates to the world their application to enable people to follow these noble characteristics. Sri Rama's exemplary qualities are projected at every turn in the Ramayanam, such as forgiveness, magnanimity, goodwill, compassion, suavity, gentleness, easy accessibility and patience.

In his discourse Sri P .B. Annangaracharya cited two examples of God's generosity and nobility which outshone others When Sugriva wept over Vali's death, the Lord too sat dazed for quite some time When Ravana was beaten on the battle-field and when he stood totally disarmed, Sri Rama could have killed him but He permitted him to go back to his palace and return the next day refreshed and well-equipped.

Though Sri Rama tried to hide His identity, yet, at the very commencement of the epic, Sage Viswamitra declared that God's incarnation was patently visible. His very actions reflected that He was the Supreme Being and the Almighty. With His extraordinary powers. He could have wiped out the Rakshasa tribe in a trice but He staged a Divine drama, undergoing sufferings even as a human being would experience. His gesture towards a true devotee is brought out in His not only welcoming Vibhishana to His fold but even complying with his suggestion to seek the help of the King of the Ocean to reach Lanka. Sri Rama also indirectly spells out the essential requisites of "Saranagathi" that one should declare himself utterly helpless and dedicate every act to God.
                                                                          February 8, 1968