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Anil Kumar's Sunday Satsang at
Prasanthi Nilayam
April 1, 2001
The Sunday Talk Given by Anil Kumar
on
April 1st, 2001
Two Topics:
Pranayama and Ram Navami
OM… OM… OM…
Sai Ram
With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan,
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Pranayama or Breathing Exercise
I have two pieces of paper with questions on them here on the
table in front of me. As you anticipate and expect answers, it is
my duty to respond. The first question is: "Can you talk briefly
on what Swami spoke about last Wednesday?" The second slip has the
same question. Though there are two pieces of paper, the question
is one and the same. So I will proceed to answer with my immediate
response.
Breathing exercise is something special. It is unique and it is
also spiritual. Before I go into the details, let me make one
point clear. Breathing exercise is called Pranayama. Prana is
life. The breathing process is the life-sustaining principle. It
is the respiratory process, the process of breathing in and
breathing out, the process of inhalation and exhalation. Pranayama
refers to the breathing process.
Before I speak to you about Pranayama, let me make it very clear
at the outset (and I'm not tired of repeating it many times) that
everything which I have been speaking here is based on Sai
teachings, His message and His literature. Nothing is my own and
nothing is fabricated because I am not capable of it.
Bhagavan said very clearly in the Dhyana Vahini, which His own
composition, that Pranayama or breathing exercise should only be
done under the care, guidance and supervision of an expert, a
realized soul, or a highly experienced person. If we try it out on
our own, or go to a person who himself has no idea or spiritual
upliftment, we will end up in the hospital. We will ruin our lungs
and we will get a nervous breakdown. Ultimately, one may also turn
mad or go insane. So, Pranayama, or breathing exercise is such a
scientific, technical, and sensitive process that it needs an
expert for guidance.
In the Dhyana Vahini, Bhagavan says that instead of Pranayama,
there is a very easily available process 'right at your doorstep'.
It has no restrictions and regulations. It has no time limitations
and no dietary regulation. It has no space and time barriers. It
can be done anywhere, any time and any day. It is the easiest and
most convenient method, not requiring supervision and guidance. It
doesn't need an expert, money or training. That process is Bhajans,
the repetition of God's Name, the chanting of God's Name, the
singing of His Glory. It is so comfortable, so easy and so cheap
to do. You don’t need to invest or involve yourself with people.
Plus, as it is not strenuous, you don’t need to pass through any
stress or strain. And the result is guaranteed!
However, our ego will not like such simple, easily available
things. The ego or mind has the tendency to achieve. The mind
always wants to achieve and be special. The mind expects to be
unique. It is like this: If I'm ordinary, my mind is unhappy. If
I'm simple, my ego is affected. I want to be something admirable;
I want to be something unique. I want to be special. I want to be
chosen and have preferential treatment.
This is nothing but vanity and puffed-up ego. If we go about with
that attitude, we may be far away from true spirituality for a
couple of lives to come! In fact, spirituality means to be
ordinary and simple. Spirituality is simplicity. Spirituality is a
preference and not a choice.
Choice or Preference
What is choice and what is preference? Choice and preference -
though they look like synonyms, they are neither synonyms nor
anonyms. There is a subtle difference between a preference and a
choice. Here is a simple example: "I prefer coffee. But even if
you offer me tea, I don’t mind." This is preference. Or, "I prefer
vanilla ice cream. But even if you offer me chocolate, it doesn’t
matter. I can certainly go along with it." So, preference means
that you prefer something. But when it is not available, you will
still remain happy and adjust to what is available.
Choice is something different. "I want coffee." "Sorry, Sir. It is
not available." "Thank you." "Sir, would you like to have tea?" "I'm
sorry, no." So with a choice, you are not happy with the
substitute offered, whereas with a preference, you are happy even
with the alternative. I think this is clear.
So, spirituality is preferential, but not a choice. Choicelessness
is religion. "I want everybody to recognize and treat me as
special and unique." This is irreligious. This is not spiritual.
Mountains never say, "We are special." Even though you may call
them special, they will never say, "I am special." The ocean will
never say, "I am extraordinary." The sky will never say, "I'm
unusual." The wind will never say, "I am exceptional."
Try to be exceptional, unusual, and unique. This is nothing but
vanity. It is nothing but the manifestation and expression of ego.
Until it is gone, we are not even in the nursery school of
spirituality. We are not even at the kindergarten level yet.
extraordinary." The sky will never say, "I'm unusual." The wind
will never say, "I am exceptional."
Try to be exceptional, unusual, and unique. This is nothing but
vanity. It is nothing but the manifestation and expression of ego.
Until it is gone, we are not even in the nursery school of
spirituality. We are not even at the kindergarten level yet.
extraordinary." The sky will never say, "I'm unusual." The wind
will never say, "I am exceptional."
Try to be exceptional, unusual, and unique. This is nothing but
vanity. It is nothing but the manifestation and expression of ego.
Until it is gone, we are not even in the nursery school of
spirituality. We are not even at the kindergarten level yet. Only
the one who is simple, ordinary, and common is fit to enter into
the gates of the school of spiritual learning.
There are Three Steps in Breathing Exercise
Therefore, my friends, I don’t want to evade the question about
proper breathing techniques. Let me tell you what Bhagavan said in
His Wednesday talk. He said this: "In breathing exercise, in
Pranayama, there are three steps. The first step is inhalation -
you breathe in. The second step is to hold, arrest, or stop your
breath. And the third step is exhalation or breathing out."
So we have three steps: Inhalation, holding the breath, and
exhalation. Purakam - you inhale; Kumbhakam, you stop or hold it.
Rechikam, you exhale. So, Purika, Kumbhakam, Rechakam are the
three Sanskrit words for the breathing process.
Don’t worry about these words. They are not important. The essence
of beautiful things can never be conveyed adequately with words.
The most special things can never be expressed in any language.
Language and words are inadequate to convey the depth of feeling.
When words fail, emotions begin. When language flops, sentiment
expresses. When expression fails, experience manifests. So let us
not worry about the words, the juggling of words. The content is
more important.
So, what does Bhagavan say about that? The time that you take to
breathe in must be the same time as you take to arrest or hold
your breath. And the time that you arrest or hold the breathing
process - when you stop the air flowing inside - that time should
be the same as the time you take to exhale. It means that all the
three steps (the inhalation, the retention and the exhalation)
must take the same or equal time. For example, if you take a
couple of seconds for inhalation, you should take the same time (a
couple of seconds) for retention and again the same time (a couple
of seconds) for exhalation. This is called the control of breath
or Pranayama.
I think that this is clear, isn't it? Please let me know. I now
have completed thirty-nine years of service as a teacher. If I
fail in my duty as a teacher, then life is not worth living! If it
is a case of failure, perhaps I can try to be a better teacher in
the next life! (Laughter)
Pranayama Helps Spirituality
Another point in Dhyana Vahini is this: Bhagavan mentions how
Pranayama helps you spiritually. Bhagavan explains very clearly
that by doing this controlled breathing exercise - that is, by
controlling your breath as described above - the thought-flow is
arrested and controlled, and it finally stops. When the flow of
thoughts stops, the mind disappears. When the mind disappears, I
become egoless. Mind is ego. Mind is thought. When thoughts are
gone, there is no more trace of ego. So, I am egoless, I am in a 'no-mind'
state. It is not a 'never-mind' state! (Laughter) I am in a 'no-mind',
egoless, thoughtless (or thought-free) state.
Then what happens? First, it becomes easy to concentrate. Then, it
becomes easy to contemplate. And finally, it becomes easy to
meditate. So, concentration, contemplation and meditation are the
three steps you can reach and achieve through the help of this
breathing exercise. Thus, spirituality - meaning, concentration,
contemplation and meditation - becomes easier.
As you do the breathing exercise of Pranayama as explained by
Bhagavan, we should concentrate on the tip of the nose. When you
concentrate like this on the tip of the nose and practice the
breathing exercise of Pranayama, you can easily concentrate and
more easily contemplate.
Then Meditation Just ‘Happens’
Meditation 'happens'. Please understand that 'happening' is
different from 'doing' and different from making any effort. So,
meditation just 'happens'. You can't 'do' meditation. You need not
make any effort to meditate. Meditation is a 'happening'. It means
that when once you concentrate and then contemplate, meditation
just 'happens' spontaneously. This means that when once all the
ingredients are mixed, for example, when the sugar and the flour
are mixed, the sweetness will naturally 'happen'. Sweetness will
appear in the mixture. You taste sweetness there. You didn't add
or mix in sweetness separately. Sweetness is the final result. Am
I clear? Similarly, meditation is the ultimate result. Meditation
just 'happens'.
So, meditation is a 'happening'. However, when you think that
meditation is an act or that meditation is an effort, it becomes a
business. Meditation is a business if it is done out of your own
effort. That’s the reason why we find advertisements in
metropolises advertising, "Meditation classes for 30 days, only
$100". Oh, I see! Meditation is so simple, and only for $100
within 30 days! Then all sages, saints and aspirants, who spent
decades and decades in seclusion, must have been dunces! They must
have been fools to remain in solitude and live only on tubers and
leaves and fast for prolonged periods! (Laughter) No, you cannot
buy meditation for $100 in 30 days.
My friends, that which is sold and that which is linked with money
is idiotic. That which is connected with position and that, which
has got to do with vanity, pomp and show, is utter stupidity. It
is never religion. Let us not call it 'religion' or 'spirituality',
for heaven’s sake! All the ideas we find in the world, we are
bringing them to the spiritual field also, and thereby polluting
it.
Sometimes we feel irritated when we find certain things happening
around us. After all, the mind craves power. As we want worldly
power there in the world, so we want spiritual power here in the
spiritual realm. That desire for power is still there. It is only
really the canvas (the realm of the world or the realm of the
spirit) that changes, but the painting (the desire for power)
remains the same. Therefore, we unfortunately remain unchanged
forever and forever!
"I want to be special there in the world and here in the field of
spirituality. I want to be something great there and here." Your
greatness is what is important to you, but not what you actually
accomplish (how you may change or improve). Therefore, in spite of
our prolonged periods of stay here, we do not notice any
improvement nor do we achieve any peace of mind. This is because
our target, our objective has been only for position and power. It
has been only for wealth, fame, popularity and influence.
Therefore, the worldly scene or ways are just applied or
transferred to the spiritual field. And hence, there is the same
experience and there is no transformation at all.
Breathing Rates Are Linked with the Life-Span
Therefore, my friends, Bhagavan made a few remarks the other day,
commenting on the breathing exercise. In the course of His
Wednesday talk, what did He say? We can live long if we control
our breath. Our life span increases by breath control. Those who
breathe slowly live long. He gave examples. Those who breathe very
fast, their lives are cut short.
Take the dog as an example. A dog that runs fast is gasping for
breath as it busily runs along. Some people are like that, even
without having any business to do. (Laughter) They appear to be
busy, but they have no business to do at all. Please take it from
me. They find themselves busy and they look so busy because they
find happiness in appearing 'busy'. They find themselves special
in giving that 'busy' appearance.
But let us look at Baba. Who can be busier than Swami? Can anyone
be busier than Bhagavan? But does He look busy? No, He is very
leisurely, very calm and totally relaxed, as if He has no work at
all to do. But in fact, He symbolizes all work. He is all work on
two feet. His life is all work, but He is utterly relaxed.
He is not bothered by anything. He is totally free from worry and
anxiety. He even says, "I don’t know what worry is! I want to
taste it. How does worry look? How does worry taste?" Yes, that’s
what He says! So my friends, to be relaxed, don't gasp for breath.
When breathing becomes so fast, life is short. On the other hand,
the snake breathes very slowly, 'dead slow'. Because of that, the
snake lives for 100 to150 years! So, the advantage of Pranayama or
breathing exercise is that it helps us to live longer.
Some people apply Sai teachings as they like, for their own
convenience. Everyone starts quoting Swami: "As Swami said…" "He
also said…" So, let us know in full what He said. Fragments cannot
be the whole. A segment cannot be the total. A piece cannot be the
whole. So let us have a holistic view, an over-all view, the
totality, and not a fragmented or a segmented view.
Long ago Swami spoke of another point, and as I am I teacher, I
must tell you. What did Bhagavan say? "Do not wish for a long
life. It is not important. Electric poles have a very long life.
It is not Deerga Jivitam, prolonged life, but Divya Jivitam,
Divine life that is important."
The Holy Bible says that thorny bushes and cacti are useless,
whereas a lily blossoms for a day and then withers and falls down
by evening. Or, a jasmine flower gives us a beautiful fragrance,
which is more beautiful than all the cacti and thorny bushes
around.
So that’s all with regard to the breathing exercise. I appreciate
your questions written on pieces of paper like this. I appreciate
you and thank you very much. The questions you ask are very
helpful for me because my memory will then go back to Sai
literature and I recall what He has said on earlier occasions. I
try to bring back to memory all I read in His books. So you are
helping me remember. Thank you very much.
Symbols and Symbolism
Tomorrow is the great festival of Sri Rama Navami. It is an
important festival. I know that I'm speaking to an audience of
mainly foreigners, who are not totally and completely familiar
with the story of the Ramayana. Some may have some idea of the
story. My job here is not to describe or narrate the whole story.
No, I'm not a storyteller. Even if I tried to do that, I would be
a very poor performer. Grandmothers are the best storytellers. I
think I still have some more time to grow in senility! (Laughter)
As you listen to Bhagavan’s discourses delivered earlier on the
occasions of Sri Rama Navami, you will notice certain Vedantic
philosophical ideas expressed. I want to share a few of them with
you this morning.
A national flag is just a piece of cloth. That’s all. But we honor
that piece of cloth. We salute the national flag. It symbolizes
the nation, so we salute it. Similarly, a currency note is just a
piece of paper, whether it is a $100 note, a $500 note, a Rs. 5
note or a Rs.100 note. Currency is just paper. But the paper has a
value.
Many Christians and Catholics wear a chain with a cross. That
cross has a value. It may be made of wood, silver, gold or
diamonds. If you are a 'posh' devotee, you go for diamonds. If you
are an affluent devotee, you’ll go for gold. But a cross is a
cross. The metal or gems may be different, that's all. Your vanity
will choose which metal or stones. So when we come across a cross,
we bow before it.
The cross is a symbol of the crucifixion. The cross symbolizes the
agony and suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ for all of humanity.
He was the only Son of God, who died on the cross to relieve and
redeem the entire humanity. The cross is a symbol of adoration.
The cross represents devotion. The cross is that to which we offer
our obeisance, salutations, and humble prayers. However, the cross
is only a symbol.
Similarly, the story of Rama is full of symbols. It is full of
values portrayed by different characters acting in different roles.
If we take it only as a story, we are not benefited. Bhagavan
tells us repeatedly, "If you take Ramayana as just accidental or
something historical, you will not be profited." But you will be
benefited if you take the Ramayana as an epic. It is value-based,
which means that every character has a value.
Rama Comes to Restore Dharma
Let me speak of certain characters here. I will not go into the
depth of the story, which is not that important right now in this
discussion. Rama is the main character, as the name Ramayana tells
you. Rama is the name of God, the Lord Incarnate. As per the
Scriptures, the Lord incarnates from time to time for the
restoration of Dharma or Righteousness. He does not come for the
establishment of Dharma because Dharma cannot be established.
Some people say that Dharmoddharana is 'the establishment of
Dharma'. No, Dharma cannot be established. Dharma is inborn. It is
a natural trait. Dharma is spontaneous. Dharma is latent and
immanent. It is not transported, imported, or manufactured. One is
born with it. How is this?
The Dharma or property of fire is to burn. I am not putting the
burning quality to the fire. No, you do not have to add it. The
fire does not have to acquire it. It has not undergone any
training to get the capacity to burn. Burning is the very nature
of fire. So, to burn is its Dharma. Ice is cold. The coolness of
ice is not acquired nor is it inherited or taught. It is its
natural quality. So, Dharmoddharana Dharmoddharana means 'the
restoration of Dharma' means 'the restoration of Dharma' and not
the establishment of Dharma. I think that I am clear.
Now Bhagavan adds another point. It is necessary to read Sai
literature to compare with our other Scriptures because Swami
takes us a step beyond, where all the other interpretations have
stopped and all human thought has come to a standstill. As
Bhagavan is the latest Avatar, coming in the 'Computer and Space
Age,' He will not give you the 'dead' past. The past is dead and
gone. The present is alive with life. The future is unsure.
Therefore, we are living with the Avatar in the present, which is
Life itself.
What does He say? When Dharma is not practiced, God incarnates to
remind people that Dharma has to be practiced, and not merely
propagated. Today we find religion is being propagated and
publicized and made into a business. Religion has become
commercial. Therefore, what is needed today is the practice of
religion. So the emphasis of Bhagavan Baba is on practicing the
principles of religion, not merely propagating them. In that line
of thought, we can look at the main character of the Ramayana,
Rama Himself.
God incarnated in the form of Rama. All characters, all different
roles in the Ramayana are the symbols or the signs of certain
values. Let us not think from the perspective of history. No, no!
This story is not merely a connection of incidents and accidents -
please do not believe that! The characters symbolize certain
values. God incarnated in the form of Rama to practice and
demonstrate the possibility of the highest of virtues in human
form and conduct.
Rama is a Presence, Not a Person
Let me concentrate on a few points along this line of thought.
Rama is not just a person. Tomorrow we are going to celebrate the
birthday of Rama, called Sri Rama Navami. Let us celebrate it in
full awareness of the birth of Rama, who is not outside us, but
rather is within us. Rama is in every one of us, men and women
alike. The classification of men and women is based on gender, but
Rama represents the Spirit. Rama is awareness. Rama is
consciousness. Rama is cosmic and Rama is universal. Rama is not
merely a personality. Rama is a presence, not a person.
If you take Rama as a person, it is a drama. But it is not a drama.
He is a presence! In what way is Rama a presence? Bhagavan gave a
series of discourses on this aspect of Rama being in everyone as
consciousness, as awareness. He gave a beautiful name to that
Spirit, Atma Ram. Atma RamAtma Ram. Atma Ram. Atma Ram means Rama
in spirit, Rama as consciousness, Rama as awareness. So tomorrow,
when we celebrate Rama’s birthday, we have to be aware of the
basic fact that Rama is in every one of us, deep in our
consciousness as the one universal and cosmic Principle.
The realization of that Principle is the real birthday of
Ramachandra. Any day it can happen. We don't have to wait for that
particular birthday of the year. How does it happen? That is our
question. Once I realize that Rama is my consciousness, that Rama
is my awareness, that day is Rama Navami, the celebration of Rama’s
birthday. When will it happen? How does it happen? And how is it
possible to recognize it? How to realize and experience it? These
are the important questions, which come to our minds immediately
if we are really serious about it.
Life is a Celebration
However, many people don’t have time to go that deeply into the
subject. Let us celebrate outside with all the festivities and
gaiety, with all the preparations at home! Yes, with all the
cookies and the distribution of sweets, let it be a grand
celebration!
But the true celebration is something within. Life is a daily
celebration, not merely on Sri Rama Navami. Every moment is a
celebration. Every day is a celebration. Sri Rama Navami is not a
special festival. Every day is a festival. Every moment is
ecstasy. So, life is music and life is a melody. Life is a
celebration. Life is joy and life is a dance. That is Sri Rama
Navami.
The very meaning of Rama speaks of cheerfulness. The very meaning
of the word Rama is blissfulness. So the one with a serious face
is unfit to celebrate. The one who can never smile is a misfit in
the story of Rama. So we should not be unfits and misfits. We
should fit exactly!
When can you be happy? When can you be blissful? How is it
possible that Lord Rama could be happy? Why? How could he be
happy? Why can't I be happy? Rama could be happy. He could enjoy a
blissful state because of total detachment and total renunciation.
Renunciation is Vairagya and detachment is Upeksha. That is the
key to being blissful. Attachment is misery, whereas detachment is
bliss. Attachment is bondage, while renunciation is bliss. So, the
secret to being blissful is to be totally detached and completely
renounced. Only then we can be blissful. That is the secret behind
being in a blissful state like Ramachandra.
In support of this statement, I can give one example. I won’t go
into the details of the story with all the slokas or names of the
characters. The narration of this story, supported by Sanskrit
slokas, may help me to look scholarly. It may help me to make
everyone of you believe that I'm a scholar. But my effort is not
to be scholarly. My attempt is just to make you experience the Sai
message, to make you taste the sweetness of Sai philosophy. It has
nothing to do with me.
Rama's Coronation Is Announced
In this story, it was announced just one day before that Rama was
going to be coronated and he was going to be the king of this
kingdom. All the people wanted him as their king. Why? His father,
Dasaratha, was advanced in years and was losing his memory.
In those days, people had some sense to retire. (Laughter) Now no
one wants to retire because they want to leave the world with
'state honors'. That’s the reason why the political field today
has become what Samuel Johnson spoke of in his English literature
long ago. I will just quote Johnson. Please don’t blame me! They
are his words.
Johnson is a most wonderful writer of English literature. What did
he observe? (If you don't like his comment, go and pull on his
collar, but don't attack me!) "Politics is the last resort for
scoundrels."." (Laughter) That is what Johnson said. Please go to
his grave and bring him back to life, if you can. That’s the
reason why I said that, in those days, people had some sanity.
They had some sense to say, "I am old, too old to continue in this
position. Let me retire."
So the father, King Dasaratha, was tired and wanted to retire. He
announced that Rama was going to be the future king. Everybody
applauded happily because they knew the qualities and
qualifications of Rama. There was no election and no contest.
Everyone knew of his fine qualities. No one could excel him in
virtues or good character. Rama has always been the very symbol,
the perfect personification of good character. Nobody could ever
challenge his integrity.
So, nobody challenged Rama. Today, if we look at our Parliament
during the sessions on TV, we must feel ashamed. We may feel, "Are
these the people we elected?" But we should know that when Rama
was announced as the future king, everybody applauded and all were
cheerful and happy about it.
Rama is Blissful in all Circumstances
On the next day, just before the coronation, Rama was informed,
"You are not going to be the king. You shall go to the forest and
live there for fourteen years." As the poet describes it, and as
Bhagavan tells us repeatedly, the smile on Rama's face remained
the same. He was so happy in the evening, when it was announced
that he would be the future king. Yet the very same smile was
there the next day when he was told to go to the forest for
fourteen years. It was the same happiness. That is the secret of
success. That is the secret of a blissful state of mind. Only the
one who is detached can be blissful.
Supposing you say, "Anil Kumar, you passed in the examination." I
will be very happy. I will give you sweets. If you are not happy
with that, I will give you a Coke or a Sprite. But, on the other
hand, if you say, "You failed in the examination," you’d be lucky
if I didn't slap you! Why? It is because I react to the situation.
I become tense and am tossed around by circumstances A totally
detached man will never react or be affected. Circumstances,
objects, people or any situation will never influence him. He is
(and remains) unaffected.
So, the very name of Rama speaks of bliss because of his total
detachment and complete renunciation. Thus the Sri Rama Navami
birthday celebration represents the cultivation of this
detachment. We should be detached from desire, power, kingdom,
conveniences, and comforts. We cannot find a better example than
Rama for this.
Rama Stands for Truth
The next point is that Rama stands for Truth. We also speak Truth,
but our Truth is based on convenience and not on conviction. When
it is convenient, we speak the Truth. When it is not convenient,
we don’t mind uttering blatant lies or remaining silent. So I
remain silent or indulge in lying when it is inconvenient to tell
the Truth. But, when it is convenient and in our interest, we
speak the Truth. But Truth is never based on convenience. Truth is
based on conviction and never on convenience.
Here is a simple example: Somebody said, "Your father made a
promise so long ago. Due to that promise of so long ago, he is
ordering that you have to be sent to the forest now. Why do you
follow today a promise given by your father to his wife so long
ago? It is not necessary. On the other hand, there are some legal
provisions." (Attorneys have had enough practice in such cases
nowadays in USA! Every attorney is busy there.) You can ask any
lawyer and they will tell you that the promise given long ago is
not valid today. For example, if you continue to stay in a house
for 12 years, you can own it. The owner will have to go away. All
it takes is twelve years. So, even promises have got some time
factor limitations. "Your foolish father gave a promise long ago,
so you don’t have to follow it today." That is one legal point.
Then there is a second legal point. What is it? "Your father gave
the promise to his wife. But at that time and place, there was no
witness there. So, who is the witness now? Where is the witness
today? On the other hand, just yesterday, with everybody as the
witness, your father declared you as the king! This is the latest,
most recent promise, whereas the promise given long ago is very
outdated as well as unwitnessed. This recent promise, given only
yesterday, is the valid one, not the one made previously, so many
years ago."
Any government circular will tell you that any new government
order cancels all the previous orders. All earlier orders become
null and void. All government orders everywhere are like that.
Similarly, the previous day's latest declaration by the king - to
have Rama installed as the king - is more valid.
But Rama is not for conveniences. He has no thirst for power. As
he has no interest in power, he declared, "Whether the promise was
given long ago or not, or whether the latest one is valid and the
previous promise is null and void, don’t speak of it! I’ll hold on
only to Truth. That is all. I will only follow my father’s
command. What he said is Truth. That is what has to be adhered
to."
So when we celebrate Rama's birthday, it stands for the
determination or pledge to speak Truth and follow Truth, to hold
and cling on to Truth, come what may - be it a throne or a forest,
comfort or utter discomfort, convenience or total inconvenience.
So Sri Rama Navami is the celebration of Truth. Sri Rama Navami is
observance of Truth. That is the second point, which I want to
bring to your attention.
Rama's Adherence to Dharma
The third point is that Sri Rama Navami, which is the birth of
Ramachandra, also stands for adherence to the practice of Dharma
or Righteousness, righteous conduct, and established codes of
conduct. That means, Rama followed Dharma and Sathya (Truth) as
per the Scriptures. Whatever Rama did was Dharmic. It was approved
by Dharma. It was righteous. It was never unrighteous.
The same thing is said in the Holy Bible: "I am the Truth, I am
the Way, and I am the Life." When the Bible says, "I am the
Truth," this is Rama’s same principle of Truth. When the Bible
says, "I am the Way," it is this same Dharma. So, Rama’s life was
Dharmic. His was a life full of righteousness and righteous
conduct.
Some might ask, "Why? How can you say that?" Later on in the story
of the Ramayana, Rama sends his wife, his consort, away to an
ashram in the forest in order to honor the verdict of public
opinion. Fourteen years later, after returning to Ayodhya, when
there was a clash in public opinion regarding the purity of his
wife, he sent her away, though she was all innocence, in order to
honor public opinion. He gave more value to public opinion than to
his personal comfort, gain, or security. He valued public opinion
and thereby forfeited his wife's company. That is Dharma.
When public opinion condemns you and you say, "Yes, let me bow
down to the public verdict," that is Dharma. Praja Vaaka
Paripalana Praja Vaaka Paripalana means 'holding on to the public
opinion'. So Rama not only followed the father's command, Pithru
Vaaku Paripalana. But he also bowed down to the public verdict and
sacrificed his personal life and comfort. So, Rama not only stands
for Dharma and Sathya, but also for Vairagya or renunciation.
Rama is All Compassion
Rama also stands for compassion. What sort of compassion did he
have? The Holy Bible says, "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Though
it sounds simple enough, it is very difficult to love the
neighbor. I can love the whole world, but I cannot love my
neighbor! (Laughter) The problem is only with the neighbors. I can
love people in the West Indies, because they are at a distance in
a far-off place. I can love all those from Venezuela because I
never meet them. I can love all those from Guatemala because I
don’t see them.
The problem with the neighbor is that I have to see him everyday!
The problem begins with sharing the daily tap water. Then, because
we live in flats and therefore share the same corridor, the
problem continues, as we have to move along the same corridor
together. So, to "Love thy neighbor as thyself" is the most
difficult thing in the world to do sometimes! To love the whole of
humanity, in comparison, is very simple and easy!
So my friends, Rama’s compassion is the same thing as forgiveness.
Compassion means forgiveness. Compassion is not revengeful.
Compassion does not retaliate or react. Compassion forgives.
Forgive those who are your enemies, those who want to finish you
off or who are ready to attack you. As Jesus Christ said, "Father,
forgive them for they know not what they do." Jesus stands for
compassion. Ramachandra also stands for compassion.
Compassion is a higher step then mere kindness. Kindness is
limited, whereas compassion is oceanic. Compassion is felt towards
animals, trees, mountains, flowers and all of nature. So
compassion is 'all encompassing'. Kindness leads to compassion,
and then compassion merges or gets lost in Divine Love. Love is
Divine. So, kindness takes you to compassion and compassion takes
you to the highest state of Divine Love. Be loving and loved. Love
all and serve all. Love is Divine. So, kindness ends in Divine
Love and Divine Love begins with kindness. Compassion comes in
between these two.
Rama Gives Refuge to the Enemy
Rama represents compassion. Here is an example. Someone from the
enemy camp, named Vibhishana, came to Rama and sought refuge in
Him. Please understand that he is coming directly from the enemy
camp, from the worst of the enemy. That person was the brother of
the one who kidnapped Rama's wife. So the very brother of the
person who abducted Rama’s wife and took her away in disguise
comes to Rama and seeks his refuge and pardon!
So many people there surround Rama. One of them advises Rama,
"Kick him out!" This is good advice because this man comes
directly from the enemy camp. Another person says, "Kick him out?
No! Never grant him pardon. Never trust this man because the war
begins tomorrow. He must have come here as a spy to find out our
war strategy, to learn what we are planning to do tomorrow, to see
our warfare tactics and weapons, to leak out our secrets. Beware!
It is all espionage. He has come as a secret agent (CIA or CBI !).
So you had better kill him!" But Rama said, "Let him be the worst
of my enemies. When he seeks my pardon, I shall grant him refuge."
So, Sri Rama Navami stands for forgiveness, compassion, and love.
Divine Love transcends all differences and all rivals. It settles
all scores between us. Forgiveness is Infinite. There are no
conditions in forgiveness like, "If you join my party, I’ll
forgive you." No. It is not like that. Rama's response was, "You
seek refuge? Yes!" There ends the matter.
Swami Will Never Leave Us nor Forget Us
Bhagavan always says, "If you say just once 'I belong to you,' I
will never forsake you." My friends, those devotees who do not
have the good fortune to repeat their visits here frequently, and
also those devotees, who are cut off by misfortune, are still in
the memory of our compassionate Lord, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba. Do you know what He says? "I shall not forsake you, even if
you forsake me. I shall not leave you, even if you leave me. I
will never forget you."
I am a witness to just such an incident: A long time ago, a person
came to see Swami. After an absence of 20 years, he was sitting by
my side again! Now if I look at my photo taken twenty years ago, I
cannot even recognize my own face! In fact I never look at the old
albums because I don’t want to see my face in those days. Albums
are reminiscent and nostalgic, but also sometimes disturbing. They
are for others to look at, not for ourselves, believe me!
So when that man came after a gap of twenty years, Bhagavan walked
slowly and gently over to him with a sweet smile, like a mother
ready to meet her child, her son, after twenty years, with a clear
feeling of exploration, exclamation, and ecstasy. There was no
hint of seeking an explanation from him.
Bhagavan came close to him and said, "How are you, my child! How
are you?" He called him by his name! "How are your sons? Twenty
years ago I saw both of your sons, when one was five years old and
the other was only three. Today, one is an engineer and the other
one is a bank manager. How are you, my dear son?" When Swami tells
this to the man whom He last met twenty years ago, talking about
his sons today, and speaking to him with the same Love and
affection, that is Divinity!
"Swami, some people speak so much nonsense about You. What shall I
do? I can close my lips, but not my ears. I can keep my hands
still and sit cross-legged. But unless I am deaf, how can I close
my ears or stop hearing? People are speaking such nonsense, so
what shall I do?"
Do you know what Baba said? He said, "You have ears to hear, but
you have also legs to walk out! (Laughter) You can walk out. I
have given you legs, so why don’t you get up and go? Why do you
blame your hearing?"
God is so compassionate. He doesn’t blame you any time. "Swami! I
committed all sins!" "Bhagavan, I did all unpardonable mistakes in
the past." "Bhagavan, I was unloyal to You!" "Swami, I am not
truthful to You!" "Swami, I trespassed! I disobeyed You!" But how
does Bhagavan react? "Bangaru! (an endearing name Swami uses,
meaning 'Gold') Past is past. Don’t worry about the past. Don’t
speak about the past. From now on, be a good boy."
Yes, giving and forgiving is Bhagavan Baba, and He is Lord
Ramachandra Himself. So, when we celebrate Sri Rama Navami, it is
also a celebration of forgiveness. It is a celebration of giving
something to others - a celebration of sacrifice, renunciation,
detachment and blissfulness.
Even Rama is the Ideal to his Enemy!
Then, another lesson from Rama is how to be an 'ideal enemy'. This
demands a lot of specialties. The story is this: the last days
were approaching for Ravana, the worst of Rama's enemies. Ravana
is about to die. As he lies almost on his deathbed, Rama summons
his own brother, Lakshmana, and asks him to go to Ravana, his
enemy, who is dying. Why? "Ravana is a senior man. He is a great
devotee and great administrator. Learn a few lessons in
administration from him. Go to him."
He sends his own brother to his enemy! Yes! We humans say, "When
are we going to hear the news of his death? When is he going to be
finished?" But here is Rama, who sends his own brother to learn
some lessons in political science and administration. Yes, He
finds good qualities even in a bad person. In contrast, we are 'so
excellent' (said sarcastically) that we find bad qualities even in
good people! We are just the reverse. So, Sri Rama Navami is the
celebration of finding good everywhere, even in bad things, and of
finding positive, even in negative situations.
What about Ravana, his enemy, how did he behave? His own
daughter-in-law came and started to cry. "Oh, Uncle! My husband
died! The opposite camp killed him. I want to see his dead body."
Ravana, the father-in-law, said, "Go there and see the body!" The
daughter-in-law said, "But Uncle, will I be safe? I am a beautiful
lady. If I go to the enemy camp, what will happen to me? It is
midnight!"
What did Ravana, worst of the enemies of Ramachandra, say?
"Nothing will happen to you. I give you my guarantee! Rama may be
my enemy, but he is not a womanizer! That reputation belongs to
me! (Laughter) That has been my role. You’ll be safe in Rama’s
camp. You'd better go there." See what ideal teachings are in the
Ramayana!
Sathya and Dharma Exemplified
Sri Rama Navami is not an ordinary festival. Bhagavan Baba is Sri
Rama Himself. Whatever He speaks is Sathya, Truth. Whatever He
does is Dharma, Righteousness. The kind of feeling that He confers
and grants us is Peace, Shanthi. The relationship between us is
Prema or Divine Love. Bhagavan Baba sets an example of how to lead
a virtuous life.
Rama’s life is one of Sathya and Dharma exemplified. So as we
celebrate Rama’s birthday tomorrow, we are celebrating Baba’s
birthday also. Rama’s birthday is not different from Baba’s
birthday. Rama’s and Baba’s birthdays are not different from our
own birthday. The birthday of each and every one of us is Rama’s
birthday - that is the life of awareness!
In fact, there are lots and lots of things that could be said. But
I know that you have to stand in lines for the afternoon Darshan
in the hot, scorching sun. You people, who stand in lines and wait
for our Lord, are really the devotees, not people like us, who go
in at the last moment and occupy the VIP seats. Please take it
from me - Swami thinks a lot of you! I'm not exaggerating, my
friends. I don’t have to exaggerate and I don’t have to flatter
you.
The Supreme Court Justice came here a long time ago for the
Inauguration of the University. Justice Chandra Chud was looking
at all the buildings and flats here and said, "Swami, what
beautiful buildings are here! They are all around, giving shelter
and lodging to many people. They are wonderful buildings!"
Do you know what Baba told him? "Where are my devotees? My
devotees sleep under trees. Where are my devotees? They live there
in the sheds. They stand in long queues for hours in the hot sun,
waiting for Me." Sai is for you and Sai is for me. He is our most
compassionate Lord!
May Sri Rama Navami bring us all the noblest and the highest
qualities, as they are exemplified, personified, and idealized in
the life of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
May the festival be a benediction and a blessing to every one of
us. May it take us to great altitudes in spiritual heavens.
May Bhagavan be with you forever and ever more.
Jai Sai Ram!
Anil Kumar ended his talk with a Bhajan.
Om Asatoma Sadgamaya
Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya
Mrtyurmaya Amrtamgamaya
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi
Sai Ram! Thank you very much!
© Anil Kumar Kamaraju 2004 - Here
reproduced for personal use of the devotees for the purpose of
seva.
Anil Kumar website:
http://www.internety.com/anilkhome/ -
http://www.internety.com/saipearls/
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