Why should one chant the Name ‘Sree Ram’ instead of ‘Ram’?

 

Lord Rama

Contents

• 1. Worship of Rama and seekers
  • 1.1 Chanting of ‘Hare Rama’ (हरे राम)
  • 1.2 Spiritual experiences obtained when chanting the Names Rama and Sree Rama
  • 1.3 Differences between various Names
  • 1.4 Spiritual practice of which form of Rama is useful for a seeker at a particular spiritual level % ?
  • 1.5 Beneficial to go from many to one
  • 1.6 Ritualistic worship (puja) and celebration of religious festivals
  • 1.7 Rama and Sita Gayatri
• 2. The Ramayan in our lives

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1. Worship of Rama and seekers

1.1 Chanting of ‘Hare Rama’ (हरे राम)

The Kalisantaran Upanishad is a part of the Krushnayajurveda. Its other name is Harinamopanishad. This Upanishad was narrated by Lord Brahma to Sage Narad towards the culmination of the Dvaparyug. In short, it says mere chanting of Lord Narayan’s Name eliminates the ill effects due to the influence of Kali. This mantra consists of sixteen words – 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krushna Hare Krushna Krushna Krushna Hare Hare

हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे।
हरे कृष्‍ण हरे कृष्‍ण कृष्‍ण कृष्‍ण हरे हरे ।।

These sixteen words are associated with the sixteen kalas of the embodied soul. Thus it is a mantra which destroys the covering of the embodied soul. Some sects worshipping Lord Krushna chant the second half of the mantra first.’ 

1.2 Spiritual experiences obtained when chanting the Names Rama and Sree Rama

Chant the Names Rama and Sree Rama each for two minutes and record your spiritual experiences, that is note with which Name you feel pleasant or distressed. Then read the following paragraph. The table below enlists the spiritual experiences of seekers who were attending a workshop on Spirituality, in Mumbai.

Spiritual experience obtained during chanting	Rama	Sree Rama
1. Efforts were necessary     (presence of grossness)	8	–
2. Felt serene	1	6
3. Felt like chanting Shrirama     instead of Rama	1	–
4. Occurred automatically	1	8
5. Felt distressed	–	5*

* Since the spiritual experience of Bliss or Serenity is new for an average seeker chanting the Name Shrirama can cause him distress. 

The majority felt more pleasant when chanting Shrirama rather than Rama. This will clarify the difference between the two Names. Despite this, five individuals experienced distress when chanting Shrirama. To avoid this a seeker is advised not to chant a Name meant for a spiritual level higher than his. 

The words in the mantra ‘Shrirama jai Rama jai jai Rama (श्री राम जय राम जय जय राम)’ mean the following –

Shrirama:	This is an invocation of Shrirama
Jai Rama:	This is in praise of Rama.
Jai jai Rama:	Like ‘namaha’ it signifies surrender.

1.3 Differences between various Names

	The male / female family deity (kuladevata)	Rama	Sree Rama
1. At what spiritual level     % of the seeker is     is it useful?	20-50	50-60	60-80
2. Manifest energy %	10	70	0
3. Mission	Activation of energy	The energy performs a specific function	Conversion of the energy into Shiva

1.4 Spiritual practice of which form of Rama is useful for a seeker at a particular spiritual level %?

Form of Rama	Spiritual level of the seeker %
1. Ramapanchayatan (The five-     fold family of Rama)	20-40
2. Rama – Sita and Hanuman	30-50
3. Rama and Sita (Sitarama)	30-50
4. Rama	50-60
5. Shrirama	60-80

1.5 Beneficial to go from many to one

Once the stage of worship of the family deity is completed, the spiritual practice of Rama who is true to His word, devoted to only one wife and who attains the target with just one arrow is useful for many a seeker to go from many to one.. 

1.6 Ritualistic worship (puja) and celebration of religious festivals

Since Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, He too is worshipped like Vishnu. The birth of Shrirama is celebrated on the ninth day (navami) of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra, at twelve noon. 

1.7 Rama and Sita Gayatri

दाशरथाय विद्महे । सीतावराय धीमहि ।
तन्‍नो रामचंद्र: प्रचोदयात्‌ ।।

Meaning: We are quite familiar with Rama, the son of Dasharath. We meditate on Rama, the husband of Sita. May that Rama inspire our intellect benevolently. 

जनकात्‍मजाय विद्महे । भूमिपुत्र्यै धीमहि ।
तन्‍नो जानकी प्रचोदयात्‌ ।।

Meaning: We are quite familiar with Sita, the daughter of Janak. We meditate on Sita, the daughter of the Earth. May that Janaki inspire our intellect benevolently. 

2. The Ramayan in our lives

If one is disinterested in something one says there is no charm (Rama nahi) in it. From some Names in the Ramayan one will realise how the Ramayan is going on in the day-to-day life of a seeker. 

• A. Rama: Atmaram is the soul principle. 
• B. Sita: Adimaya is the Great Illusion. The abduction by Ravan, Her entering the fire were all a part of the play of the Great Illusion. In one’s life too the play of the Great Illusion in the form of happiness and unhappiness continues. 
• C. Lakshman: Laksha (लक्ष) which means attention and man (मन) meaning mind constitute the name Lakshman (लक्षमण). One’s attention should always be concentrated on the soul. 
• D. Bharat: The name Bharat (भरत) is derived from bha (भ) meaning radiance and rat (रत) meaning engrossed. A seeker is thus one who is engrossed in the worship of radiance. 
• E. Shatrughna: The name Shatrughna (शत्रुघ्‍न) is derived from shatru (शत्रु) and ghna (घ्‍न). Shatru means the enemy and ghna the destroyer. The six foes of the soul (shadripu) are one’s enemies. 
• F. Rama, Sita and Lakshman: Rama means spiritual knowledge, Sita means devotion and Lakshman means detachment. 
• G. Hanuman: The activated spiritual energy (kundalini). 
• H. Ravan: The six foes of the soul (shadripu) – desire, anger, greed, attachment, vanity and envy. 
• I. Kumbhakarna: Laziness 

Thus like the Ramayan, the Mahabharat too goes on in one’s day-to-day life ! 

।। Shrirama jai Rama jai jai Rama ।।

 

Why did Bharat install padukas of Lord Rama on the throne instead of His idol?

Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman

Contents

• 1. Implied meaning of some names in the Ramayan
  • 1.1 According to the Bhavartha Ramayan by Saint Ekanath
  • 1.2 As told by Saint
• 2. Implied meaning of some incidents from the Ramayan
  • 2.1 Sita, the daughter of the Earth
  • 2.2 Kaikeyi’s asking for a boon
  • 2.3 Bharat’s asking for Rama’s paduka (wooden footwear)
  • 2.4 Bharat’s stay at Nandigram
  • 2.5 Lakshman’s life in exile
  • 2.6 Sita’s abduction
  • 2.7 Rama’s embracing the trees
  • 2.8 Slaying of Vali
  • 2.9 Rajak’s accusing Sita
  • 2.10 Slaying of Shambuk
  • 2.11 Rama’s renouncing His body in water (jalasamadhi)

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1. Implied meaning of some names in the Ramayan

1.1 According to the Bhavartha Ramayan by Saint Ekanath

• Aja: Parabrahman or Paramatma (The Absolute Being).
• Dasharath: The word Dasharath (दशरथ) is derived from two words, dash (दश) and rath (रथ). Dash means ten and rath, the body. Dasharath thus refers to the body with the five sense organs and five motor organs. Dasharath was created from Aja.
• Rama: Without loosing ajatva (absoluteness) Rama that is ahamatma (The embodied soul) was born to Dasharath.
• Kousalya: Sadvidya (The Divine intellect)
• Sumitra: Shuddha buddhi (The Pure Intellect)
• Kaikeyi: Avidya (Nescience)
• Manthara: Kuvidya (The Impure Intellect)
• Lakshman: Atmaprabodh (Awakened state of the soul)
• Bharat: Bhavartha (The implied meaning)
• Shatrughna: Nijanirdhar (His own Resolve)
• Vishvamitra: Vivek (The Intellect that differentiates between Sat and Asat)
• Vasishtha: Vichar (The Holy thinking)
• Sita: Chitshakti (The Divine Energy). The union of the Absolute Being and The Divine Energy is eternal.

1.2 As told by H.H. Anna Karandikar

A. Dasharathi Rama

• Such a body in which Rama dwells is the soul principle (atmaram).
• ‘Dasharath refers to the seeker, and the intellect in the form of Kousalya is his wife. When the seeker behaves in a manner conducive for Self-realisation, having faith and detachment generated from devotion, he is showered with Bliss. This itself is Self-realisation and the incarnation of Lord Shrirama.’

B. According to Ramottartapaniya Upanishad: Syllables of Omkar have been described in the Ramottartapaniya Upanishad as follows.

Syllables of ॐ	State of the mind	Principle	Creation of whom?
A (अ)	Waking (jagruti)	Universe, Vaishvanar	Lakshman
U (उ)	Dream (svapna)	Taijas, Hiranyagarbha	Shatrughna
M (म)	Deep sleep (sushupti)	Pradnya, God	Bharat
Half   Mantra	Superconsciousness (turya)	Parameshvar, the Absolute Brahman	Shrirama

The Upanishad further states that the Primal Energy in the form of Prakruti which causes creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe is ‘Shri Sita’.

C. Names in the Ramayan and numerology

Rama (राम) and Sita (सीता): There are 2 letters in each of these Names.
Lakshman (लक्ष्‍मण) and Urmila (ऊर्मिला): There are 3 letters in each of these names.
Bharat (भरत) and Mandavi (मांडवी): In each of these names there are 3 letters.
Shatrughna (शत्रुघ्‌न) and Shrutkirti (श्रुतकीर्ति): There are 4 letters in each of these names.

According to numerology the number 3 is closer to number 2. Hence Lakshman and Bharat both being three letter words, were closer to Rama which is a two letter word. Since number four is not as close to number two, there is not much reference of Shatrughna in the Ramayan.

D. Lav: One who bends in whatever direction the wind blows and does not get destroyed, one who can thrive under all circumstances.

E. Kush: This is a type of grass. Just as grass thrives even on rocks he is one who survives under all circumstances.

F. The everlasting quiver: The same amount of radiance emanating from the sun principle is reflected back onto the basic sun principle (mula surya); hence the sun is eternal. Similarly the number of arrows (energy) shot by Rama returned to Him. Hence His quiver was everlasting.

G. Shabari: Shabari was conversant with Shabari vidya, a type of occult science. Under the pretext of eating berries, Rama learnt it from her and she imparted that knowledge to Him.

H. Marich: The supernatural power which enables one to transform oneself into a deer is called Maruchi. The one who posesses such a power is called Marich.

I. The ten-headed Ravan: Ravan was ten-headed that is a Brahman well versed in the knowledge of the ten scriptures (dashgranthi). Ravan was the son of Sage Pulastya. Pula is the vagina or the birth passage. This sage had made spiritual progress through the Path of Distressing Energy (Vamamarga). Once Ravan shook every channel (nadi) in his body and created a sound like that of Rudra’s vina (a stringed instrument). This appeased Lord Shiva.

J. Bibhishan: The embodied soul is situated above the navel according to one school of thought. During spiritual practice as it descends to the region of the navel (बिंब), one gets a terrifying (भीषण) experience. Hence it is called bibhishan [बिभीषण= bhishan (भीषण) + bimba (बिंब) by reversing the order of words]. Bibhishan’s spiritual level corresponding to his name was upto the level of the navel, that is the level of the Manipur chakra.

K. Lanka: Lanka means the head which lies above the neck. Rama handed over the kingdom of Lanka to Bibhishan means that He made Bibhishan progress spiritually upto the level of the Sahasrar chakra.

L. Indrajit: Indrajit had control over all His organs (jitendriya). (Jit means victory and indriya means sense organs.)

M. Bindu and Rekha: These are the consorts of Narantak one of the sons of Ravan. The embodied soul should not remain bound by attractions of Bindu and Rekha, that is any kind of attraction. Otherwise they bring about the end (ant, antak) of man (nara).

2. Implied meaning of some incidents from the Ramayan

2.1 Sita, the daughter of the Earth

Incident: Sita was found while ploughing the soil.

Implied meaning: Infant Sita was the manifest form of the hiranyagarbha frequencies emanating from the centre of the earth. Since sound, touch, form, taste, odour and energy coexist, when one of the components is present, all the others are also present. For instance, when a Name is chanted, the form, odour, etc. accompany it; so also Infant Sita was the manifest form of a specific energy that is hiranyagarbha energy, while Sita as Rama’s wife was the form of Rama’s Energy. Further information on hiranyagarbha frequencies is given in ‘Science of Spirituality – Chapter 11 – Supreme God, God, Incarnations and Deities’, point ‘Guardian deity of a territory (kshetrapaldevata)’.

2.2 Kaikeyi’s asking for a boon

Incident: With one boon Kaikeyi got Rama banished to the forest for fourteen years and with the other, she asked that Bharat be made the crown prince.

Implied meaning: Shravankumar’s grandfather was Sage Dhoumya and his parents were Ratnavali and Sage Ratna. Sage Ratna was the royal priest of the kingdom of Nandigram ruled by King Ashvapati. Kaikeyi was the daughter of King Ashvapati. Sage Ratna had taught Kaikeyi all the scriptures and had also warned her that Dasharath’s children would not be able to ascend the throne and that if they did ascend it within fourteen years after him, then the Raghu dynasty would be destroyed. To prevent this mishap, Sage Vasishtha told Kaikeyi to ask Dasharath for two boons, by one of which she sent Rama into exile for fourteen years and by the other asked Bharat to rule the kingdom because she knew that as long as Rama lived, Bharat would never ascend the throne. It is on the advice of Sage Vasishtha, that Bharat installed Rama’s paduka (wooden footwear) instead of His idol, on the throne. If instead of the paduka an idol was installed on the throne, then by the rule that sound, touch, form, taste and odour all coexist, the effect would have been just as if Rama had ascended the throne. The original Valmiki Ramayan contains three verses (shlokas) in this context. However some researchers feel that those who rewrote the Ramayan after 1228 A.D. omitted these.

2.3 Bharat’s asking for Rama’s paduka (wooden footwear)

‘Asking for the paduka’ means ‘placing the head on the feet’ or ‘complete surrender’. When Bharat asked for Rama’s paduka the latter gave them to him. The former carried them placing them on his head such that the big toes faced the front. Then he installed them on the throne and worshipped them. Since then the custom of worshipping paduka of the spiritually evolved began.

2.4 Bharat’s stay at Nandigram

A. Incident: After acquiring Rama’s paduka Bharat took them to Nandigram and installed them there. He did not reside in Ayodhya.

Implied meaning: Nandigram means the testes. So it implies that Bharat observed celibacy. ‘Installation of Rama’s paduka’ implies that Bharat lived like a seeker.

B. Incident: When accepting Rama’s paduka Bharat requested Him to inform him about His return from exile along with Sita, on the eve of His arrival, so that he could make preparations for His reception. Upon this, Rama uttered, “So be it (tathastu)”.

Implied meaning: ‘Along with Sita’ means along with Divine Energy, that is after activation of the spiritual energy (kundalini). ‘About His return’ means before attainment of Self-realisation, that is before going into the nirbij superconscious state (samadhi). Bharat said that he should know when He would go into that state.

2.5 Lakshman’s life in exile

Incident: Sita used to feel that before fetching home roots and tubers, Lakshman must have already eaten some. Rama used to feel that Sita must have served him a meal. So both of them did not bother to enquire about his meals.

Implied meaning: For fourteen years Lakshman survived only on air. He did not even sleep for the sake of Rama’s security. He practised Spirituality constantly.

2.6 Sita’s abduction

Incident: Ravan abducted Sita and kept Her with him.

Implied meaning: The real Sita never went with Ravan. She entered the fire. It was Sita’s image which accompanied Ravan. It was here that Rama’s divine sport (Ramalila) really began. After being liberated from the clutches of Ravan, on the pretext of purification in the fire, this form of Hers entered the fire again and the real Sita emerged from it.

2.7 Rama’s embracing the trees

Incident: After Sita’s abduction crying out for Sita, Rama embraced the trees.

Implied meaning: He found out how the trees and creepers felt.

2.8 Slaying of Vali

Incident: Rama shot Vali with an arrow and killed him.

Implied meaning: After the arrow struck Vali, his spiritual progress which had stopped at the level of the Anahat chakra began once again and he was liberated.

2.9 Rajak’s accusing Sita

Incident: A washerman named Rajak pronounced that Sita was unchaste. Hence Rama forsook Her.

Implied meaning 1: The one accusing Sita, Rajak is depicted as a washerman. His job is to wash clothes and cleanse them of stains. The washerman said so to prevent Rama from being stigmatised.

Implied meaning 2: The washerman’s name Rajak (रजक) is derived from two words ‘raja (रज)’ and ‘k (क)’. ‘K’ denotes a small part of an object. This means that the washerman was one who possessed some portion of the raja component in him. Hence he could not perceive the sattvik (sattva predominant) nature of Sita.

2.10 Slaying of Shambuk

Incident: Rama slayed Shambuk, a matang (one belonging to a low class) because he undertook austerities (tapashcharya).

Implied meaning: Shambuk undertook the wrong austerities. Consequently the atmosphere on the earth was polluted to such an extent that the subjects were distressed and the spiritual practice of the sages was interrupted. So to fulfill the duty of a king, in the interest of His subjects and to protect the sages Rama beheaded Shambuk.

2.11 Rama’s renouncing His body in water (jalasamadhi)

Incident: After Sita was engulfed by Mother Earth, Rama ended His life by jumping into river Sharayu.

Implied meaning: Rama did not commit suicide by jumping into river Sharayu, but took samadhi in water. There are several types of samadhis – samadhi in the earth (bhumisamadhi), in water (jalasamadhi), in the fire (agnisamadhi), etc. Saint Eknath and Saint Ramatirtha also took samadhi in water. This is possible only for those who have no attachment to the body. All the residents of Ayodhya too followed suit because, after Shrirama’s renunciation of the body they felt that their life without Rama was now meaningless.

Detailed information on the superconscious state (samadhi) is given in ‘Science of Spirituality : Chapter 36 – Path of Meditation (Dhyanyoga)’.

 

What is the real meaning of Ramarajya?

Lord Rama

Contents

• 1. Ramayan
  • 1.1 Origin and meaning
  • 1.2 Various Ramayans
• 2. Origin of some Names of Rama
• 3. Rama’s family and incarnations
• 4. Special features
  • 4.1 Ideal in all aspects
  • 4.2 Follower of Righteousness (Dharma)
  • 4.3 True to His word
  • 4.4 The one who struck the target with only one arrow
  • 4.5 Human nature
  • 4.6 Rama’s servant (Ramadas) and Rama’s kingdom (Ramarajya)
  • 4.7 Principle, ability and manifest energy

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1. Ramayan

1.1 Origin and meaning

A. The word Ramayan (रामायण) has been derived from two words ram (रं) and ayan (अयन). Ram ramayate (रम्‌ रमयते) means to remain engrossed in one’s target. It is with reference to remaining engrossed in Bliss which is derived from spiritual practice. Ayan means the seven regions (saptalokas). The Ramayan preaches how to attain the Final Liberation (Moksha) crossing the seven regions, remaining engrossed in spiritual practice, that is in Bliss.

B. ‘In the quote “Samasya ayanam Ramayanam” (समस्‍य अयनं रामायणम्‌) “ayan” means speed, the path or to go. “Ramayan” is thus that which leads one to The Supreme Lord, Shrirama, inspires or enthuses one or rather endows one with the speed to reach The Lord or shows one the real path in life. It also means that, that which includes the main story of the destruction of the unrighteous Ravan by the righteous Rama is the “Ramayan”. Ayan also means shelter. Rama’s existence itself is the Ramayan.’

1.2 Various Ramayans

A. The Valmiki Ramayan: There are several Ramayans, but the Valmiki Ramayan is considered to be the standard among them. The Valmiki Ramayan does not include parts written by other authors just like the other Ramayans. The opinions of various researchers about this Ramayan are as follows.

• When the fisherman Valya undertook chanting for sixty thousand years he finally became Sage Valmiki. According to another school of thought Sage Valmiki’s real name was Ratnakar, not Valya the fisherman. Valmik is the name of a species of ants which builds anthills. These ants built an anthill on the body of a sage named Ratnakar. Hence people began calling him Sage Valmiki.
• Rama was born a hundred and fifty years after Sage Valmiki wrote the Ramayan. According to some the Ramayan was written in the Satyayug and Rama was born in the Tretayug.
• Sage Dhoumya was a friend of Sage Valmiki and Sage Bharadvaj. He has written the holy text ‘Agnidhumavati’ on the spiritual practice by inhalation of smoke (dhumrasadhana). Sage Valmiki and Sage Dhoumya lived together for twenty-two years. Sage Dhoumya made twenty-four amendments in the original Ramayan. Actually what we call the ‘Valmiki Ramayan’ should be the ‘Dhoumit Ramayan’. The original Valmiki Ramayan was never available. The Valmiki Ramayan in use today is the one written in the Puranic period.

  Sage Valmiki had taken a vow of not leaving the ashram (kshetrasanyas); hence Sage Dhoumya propagated the Ramayan. It was He who preached to everyone that Rama would be born and that the Ramayan would actually occur. He even told Sage Vasishtha whose ashram was situated at Prayag (Alahabad) in Vindhyachal about Rama.

B. The Purva Ramayan and the Uttar Ramayan: The Purva Ramayan explains how one should travel through the seven regions (saptalokas) by undertaking spiritual practice of the bijamantra ‘ram (रं)’. The Uttar Ramayan on the other hand describes the life of Rama who performed such spiritual practice.

C. The Jain Ramayan and the Buddha Ramayan: The biography of Rama is so ideal that in the later period the Jains and the Buddhists began to feel that even their religions should be enriched with it. Hence the Jain and Buddha Ramayans were written.

D. The Adbhut Ramayan: This has been written around the fourteenth century. It is also known as Adbhutottarkand. It is in the form of a conversation between Valmiki and Bharadvaj. In this Sita is depicted as the deity Kali instead of the usual sattvik (sattva predominant) chaste woman (pativrata). It is said that seeing that Rama was unable to slay Ravan She Herself slayed him.

E. The Adhyatmaramayan: This is in the form of a conversation between Uma and Shankar. Uma makes a prayer to Lord Shankar, “The Path of Devotion (Bhaktiyoga) is a superior one to attain The Lord. But due to varied opinions I am not convinced of His nature. So please endow Me with Your grace and reveal His true form to Me.” In response to this Shankar narrated the Adhyatmaramayan to Her.

The Valmiki Ramayan is the basis of this holy text, but in some places a few variations are seen. This holy text is also known as the Adhyatmaramacharit and the Adhyatmik Ramasanhita.

F. The Tulsi Ramayan: This is more devotional, while the Valmiki Ramayan is more historical. (This is akin to the Bhagvat which is more devotional and the Mahabharat which is more historical.)

2. Origin of some Names of Rama

2.1 Rama

This Name was prevalent even before the birth of Rama.

2.2 Ramachandra

Rama’s original Name is only ‘Rama’. He is a descendant of the sun dynasty (suryavanshi). Inspite of being born at twelve noon He was not named with names such as Rambhanu which incorporate a name of the sun. Later from the incident in which as a child He obstinately cried to have the moon (chandra), He was probably named Ramachandra.

2.3 Shrirama

When Rama returned with Sita after His victory at Lanka He was called Shrirama. ‘Shri’ is an adjective used for The Lord. When Rama revealed that He was an incarnation of God, everyone started calling Him Shrirama. In the Valmiki Ramayan Rama is not referred to as God but is called ‘The Supreme Man (narapungav)’. [Hanuman is referred to as ‘The supreme monkey (kapipungav)’. However by itself the word pungav means a bullock.]

3. Rama’s family and incarnations

When The Lord incarnates other deities too incarnate along with Him. Based on this rule, when Lord Vishnu assumed the incarnation of Rama the other deities who followed suit as well as the other incarnations who accompanied Him are described in the following table.

Rama and His family	Whose incarnation?
1. Rama	Vishnu
2. Sita	Divine energy (Shakti) of Vishnu
3. Lakshman	Adishesh
4. Bharat	The conch
5. Shatrughna	The discus
6. Maruti	The eleventh Rudra, Shiva

4. Special features

4.1 Ideal in all aspects

A. The ideal son: Though Rama obeyed His parents, at times He also advised the elders. For instance when leaving for the forest He exhorted His parents not to grieve for Him.

B. The ideal brother: Even today people quote Rama-Lakshman’s love as the ideal illustration of brotherly love.

C. The ideal husband: Rama was devoted singly to His wife.

Even after abandoning Sita, Rama lived in detachment. Later when He performed a sacrificial fire (yadnya) He placed Sita’s idol by His side but did not choose another wife. During those days it was a practice for kings to have several consorts. Taking this background into consideration this depicts His faithfulness to only one wife.

D. The ideal friend: Rama helped Sugriv, Bibhishan, etc. during catastrophes in their lives.

E. The ideal king: When His subjects expressed doubts about the chastity of Sita, ignoring His personal relationship with Her, He abandoned Her in accordance with the code of Righteousness of the ruler (rajdharma). In this context, Kalidas a famous poet has written a meaningful verse (shloka) – ‘कौलिनभीतेन गृहन्‍निरस्‍ता न तेन वैदेहसुता मनस्‍त: ।’ which means ‘fearing social stigma Rama drove Sita out of His home, but not out of His mind’.

F. The ideal enemy: After Ravan’s death when his brother Bibhishan refused to perform his last rites, Rama told him, “Enemity ends with death. If you do not perform his last rites, I will. He is My brother as well.”

4.2 Follower of Righteousness (Dharma)

He followed all the bounds of Righteousness. Hence He is referred to as ‘Maryada-purushottam’, the Supreme limit of Righteousness.

4.3 True to His word

A. Generally when one has to emphasize a point one says ‘I am speaking the truth thrice’. Similarly, the word ‘Shantihi (शांति:)’ is recited thrice. The word ‘thrice’ is used with the following two meanings.

• To speak taking the oath of the trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
• The word trivar (त्रिवार) meaning thrice is derived from tri (त्रि) and var (वार), that is three days. If one gets the same dream on three consecutive nights, then it is said to be a spiritual dream. One should either act accordingly or ask a spiritually evolved person about it. Similarly only if something is heard thrice should it be considered to be the truth. Rama however, was true to His word, that is once He uttered something it was the ultimate truth and there was no need to emphasise that point again three times.

B. In Sanskrut grammar there are three nouns, singular (ekvachan), dual (dvivachan) and plural (bahuvachan). Rama was ‘singular’. This implies that one should merge into Rama, that is traverse from three (many) to one. In Spirituality, progress occurs as one goes from many to one and then from one to zero. Here, zero refers to the absolute incarnation, Lord Krushna.

C. According to geometry three depicts the three dimensions but Rama is unidimensional.

4.4 The one who struck the target with only one arrow

Rama could strike the target with an arrow at the first shot. There was never a need for a second one.

4.5 Human nature

Rama displays emotions of happiness and unhappiness just like human beings. Hence one feels more attracted to Him than to other deities. For instance, after Sita’s abduction, Rama became melancholic. However in such circumstances how the God principle in Rama was intact will be clear from the ensuing conversation between Shiva (Shankar) and Parvati, quoted below.

Parvati: Just see how the one whose Name You chant is grieving for His wife like an average mortal.
Shankar: That grief is namesake. He has to do that as He has assumed a human form.
Parvati: Rama is wandering about embracing the trees. That proves He is really pining for Sita.
Shankar: Why don’t You experience whether what I said is true or false, Yourself ? Assume the form of Sita and appear before Him. Then observe His behaviour.

Parvati did as Shankar had said. Seeing Her Rama offered obeisance to Her and said, “I have recognised You. You are the Great Illusion (Adimaya).” With this Parvati was convinced that Rama’s bereavement was but a superficial display.

4.6 Rama’s servant (Ramadas) and Rama’s kingdom (Ramarajya)

Rama’s servant (Ramadas): This word has two meanings.

• The servant (das) of Rama
• The one whose servant is Rama!

Rama’s kingdom (Ramarajya)

• During His times, that is in the Tretayug Rama alone was not wise, His subjects too were prudent. Hence during His reign not a single complaint was brought to His court.
• The real kingdom of Rama (implied meaning): Absolute control over the five sense organs, five motor organs, mind, subconscious mind, intellect and ego by Rama (Atmaram – the soul principle) dwelling in the heart itself is Rama’s real kingdom.

4.7 Principle, ability and manifest energy

The meaning of these words is,

• Principle: Vishnu principle 75% (Vishnu / God = 100%)
• Ability:Creation 20%, sustenance 50% and dissolution 30%
• Manifest energy: 75%

(Like God (Ishvar), Vishnu too utilises only 10% of His energy to accomplish His mission. This energy is referred to as the manifest energy. The dormant energy is called the unmanifest energy. If the mission is such that more energy is required then the proportion of manifest energy is higher.)

Look at the picture of the fivefold family of Rama (Rama panchayatan) including Hanuman, given below and decide from whom one can experience energy? Only then read further.

Rama panchayatan

The table below enumerates whether Energy or Bliss was experienced from each of the figures by the 29 seekers attending one of our satsangs (spiritual meetings).

Looking at whom?	Presence or absence of a spiritual experience
1. Rama	Present     2
2. Lakshman	2
3. Bharat	0
4. Shatrughna	0
5. Sita	10
6. Hanuman	5
	Absent      10
Total	29

The average spiritual level of the seekers was 35%. During a satsang (spiritual meeting) at times the spiritual level of a seeker can even become 40-50%. The spiritual level of an average person is 20% while that of one who has attained the Final Liberation (Moksha) is 100%. If average individuals participate in the experiment, they do not perceive anything. Hence in such experiments everyone does not get spiritual experiences. Only those who have attained a spiritual level of 35% and above and are able to perceive something of the subtle dimension are able to give answers.

10 out of 29 seekers did not perceive anything. Out of the 19 who perceived something, half that is 10 of them sensed the energy in Sita. This experiment illustrates why Sita is referred to as the Energy of Rama. 5 seekers experienced Energy in Maruti. From this one will realise why the manifest energy in Maruti is much greater than in other deities.

गुढीपाडवा (Gudi Padwa) – हिंदू नव वर्ष

 

Content

• Introduction
• Celebrate New Year on Gudi Padwa
• Message for Hindus
• Significance of Gudi Padwa
• Science in the worship of the Gudi
• Method of raising the Gudi
• Celebration of Gudi Padva

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Introduction

The first Holy festival which marks the beginning of the New Year, new month and new day for the Hindus falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is known as Gudhi Padwa (Maharashtra), Ugadi (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh). [In other parts of country it is celebrated during Nau Roz (Kashmir), Baisakhi (Punjab), Cheti Chand (Sindhi), Naba Barsha (Bengal), Goru Bihu (Assam), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Vishu (Kerala)] On this very day Lord Brahma created the Universe. Therefore for Hindus, this day carries special importance. The day is celebrated with an auspicious bath, followed by decorating the doorway with a ‘toran’, performing ritualistic worship and hoisting the Dhwaja or Gudhi. 

Celebrate New Year only on Gudi Padwa!

Presently in Bharat New Year is being celebrated on 1st January as per the Western calendar. Celebration on the eve of the Western New Year includes a lot of malpractices like indulging in eve teasing after drinking, etc. So, instead of beginning the New Year on an auspicious note it begins unpleasantly. To ensure that the beginning of the New Year begins on an auspicious note celebrate it according to the Hindu scriptures, on Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada as per the Hindu lunar calendar, as this date is glorious in all ways – as per the cycle of Nature and it also has historical and spiritual significance. All this contributes to endowing the one celebrating it as per the Hindu scriptures with several benefits. It is the duty of each individual to arrest the loss being caused to the society by emulating the Westerners. 

Hindus! Strive to prove the superiority and eternity of Hindu Dharma!!

As we approach Gudi Padwa, Hindus must take stock of the direction in which they are heading. Sanatan Dharma is important not only from a Hindu viewpoint, but also from the viewpoint of human culture. Hinduism supports the ideology of multiple deities. The concept of multiple deities itself has made human beings tolerant. Even then we come across Hindus who question, ‘What is the need for so many deities?’ Such Hindus do not take any action against those who attack Hinduism or Dharma incessantly in all forms. Such Hindus were sleeping when Christianity was being propagated at the Tirupati temple. Even when the Islamic terrorist activities are posing a constant danger, we find politicians being partial to Muslims in every possible way. Even this does not seem to disturb these Hindus. They are asleep even when the Government is busy enforcing the ‘Temple Takeover Act’, so that it can control all temples and subsequently loot them. 

Hindus seated in important posts find it so imperative to maintain the moods of their so-called ‘secular’ bosses that they don’t even feel the need to talk about the tyranny faced by Hindus. Even the ousting of Kashmiri Hindus does not awaken their conscience. A society, which does not have even this much morality left, is fit for extinction. This is the future for such ‘Janma-Hindus’ (Hindus only by birth, not by action). Thus, be sure that the coming year has more blows in store for the few existing alert Hindus. Hence, these Hindus should get ready to bear and at the same time even to face these blows. They should mentally prepare themselves for the ensuing struggle necessary for the survival of Dharma during the dark hours. The time has come when we have to prove the superiority and the eternity of the values of Dharma through struggle. 

Significance of Gudi Padwa

On this day the Tej and Prajapati frequencies are effective in large measures. During sunrise on this day, the Chaitanya (Divine Consciousness) emitted from these frequencies can be retained for a longer period. 

It is accumulated in the cells of the embodied soul and is used by the embodied soul as and when required. Therefore within 5-10 minutes of sunrise one should perform ritualistic worship of the Gudi. 

Science in the worship of the Gudi

The divine consciousness emanating during sunrise, absorbed at that time lasts longer. Thus the Gudi should be worshipped within 5-10 minutes after sunrise! 

On Gudi Padwa, the waves consisting of the fire element (Tej tatva) and the creative element (Prajapati element) are activated on a large scale. The divine consciousness emanating during sunrise, absorbed at that time lasts longer. This consciousness is stored in the body cells and used as required. Hence the Gudi should be worshipped within 5-10 minutes of the sunrise. 

Method of raising the Gudi

Position of the Gudi: Care should be taken to raise the Gudi next to the main entrance of the house. The spot selected should be on the right side (when sighted from the house) of the entrance. The right side symbolizes active state of the soul. 

1. The place for raising the Gudi should be cleaned and then a Swastik rangoli should be drawn on the ground. Turmeric and vermilion (Haldi-kumkum) should be offered at the center of the Swastik. 

2. While raising the Gudi, the ‘Shiva-Shakti’ element in the Universe should be invoked. This enables all the constituents of the Gudi to accept divine elements. 

3. The Gudi symbolizes the ‘Sushumna nadi’ of our body. Hence, the Gudi should be raised at the entrance. And it should be kept tilted at an angle. – A Scholar. 

Prayer

‘O Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu! Please enable me to absorb the elements of creation, fire and Sun present in the atmosphere. Let the Divine consciousness present in these elements be preserved constantly. Let the energy thus received, be used for my spiritual practice.’ 

Reason for raising the Gudi during war

Gudi is a symbol of victory. Amongst the various qualities of God, ‘Being Victorious’ is one and it symbolizes that God has achieved victory at the outset and at various levels. To symbolize this at every level of war, a Gudi is hoisted. 

 

Celebration of Gudi Padwa

Ablution with oil (abhyangasnan) – an auspicious bath: On this day one should wake up early in the morning and take an oil bath. With an ordinary bath the raja and tama components decrease by 1/1,00,000 % and the sattva component increases by the same amount for a duration of only three hours. However with an oil bath it lasts for four to five hours. An oil bath consists of an oil massage to facilitate the absorption of oil by the skin followed by a warm water bath. Oil should be applied to retain the elasticityof the skin. Warm water is auspicious and pleasing to the body. Bathing after an oil massage retains only that amount of oiliness that the skin and hair require. Hence an oil massage is necessary before a bath. Application of oil after a bath is inappropriate.

 

Lord Rama: An Ideal

|| Sri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram ||

Content

• Lord Rama: An Ideal

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Lord Rama: An Ideal

The Ideal son: Always obeyed His parents; at times even advised the elders. 

The Ideal brother: Rama-Lakshman’s love is cited as the ideal of brotherly love. 

The Ideal husband: Devoted to His one and only wife. Kings, then, use to have many wives. 

The Ideal friend: He helped Sugreev, Bibhishan and many others during their difficult times. The Ideal King: Followed all codes of conduct for Kings as laid down in our scriptures. 

The Ideal Enemy: Bibhishan refused to perform the last rites of Ravan, his brother. Lord Rama said to him, ‘If you do not do it, I will. He was my brother too!’ 

Maryadapurushottam: He represents the Supreme extent of Righteousness.

Lord Rama’s Human nature

Content

• Lord Rama’s Human nature

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Lord Rama’s Human Nature

He displays emotions of happiness & unhappiness just like humans do. (His melancholy at Sita’s abduction is an example.) Hence, we feel closer to Him than we feel towards other deities. 

The Ramayana in our lives: While Atmaram is the soul principle, Sita is the Great Illusion. Lakshman alludes to the focus on the soul, instead of the worldly. Bharat signifies a seeker engrossed in worship of radiance. Shatrughna is one who destroys the six foes (Shadripus) of the soul. Rama, Sita and Lakshman together stand for spiritual knowledge, devotion and detachment respectively. Hanuman is the activated Kundalini and Ravana the Desire, anger, greed, attachment, vanity and envy. 

Every Incarnation comes to Earth with a specific purpose: The main task of every Incarnation is to destroy evil and establish the Divine Kingdom; but the percentage and proportion of this varies in different Yugas. And, all activities of the Incarnation are centered around this task. 

Killing of Ravana: Ravana was highly learned and possessed knowledge of Righteousness (Dharma). Lord Rama had to destroy him, so that He could protect the embodied souls doing spiritual practice. Lord Rama acquired a gross body to help the souls pursue their spiritual aspirations appropriately. 

Final Liberation: Many embodied souls completed their individual spiritual practice through the path of Knowledge (Dhyanyoga) but since their spiritual practice for the sake of society (Samashti sadhana) was incomplete, their spiritual practice for Final Liberation remained incomplete. In Satya-yuga there was no way to perform spiritual practice for the sake of society and as a result many embodied souls got stuck midway. For their progress and liberation, they were born as monkeys (vanars) during Lord Rama’s time. Some of the Gods who had been cursed were also born during this period as monkeys. In order to make all these embodied souls practice spirituality for the sake of society and their progress, Lord Rama acquired a gross body. 

To set an ideal for the people: Lord Rama set an example through each and every action of His. He explained how an embodied soul can attain Final Liberation by acting in accord-ance with the scriptures. 

He set an example of a Divine Kingdom for the people: When Righteousness (Dharma) manifested in the gross, Unrighteousness (Adharma) also manifested in the gross. Many embodied souls started troubling Sages and others who acted in accordance with the scriptures. During that time Lord Rama protected the Sages and set an example through His own deeds for all kings as to how a Divine Kingdom should be. Lord Rama is an ideal of how selfless, free from desire and impartial a King can be!

Worship of Lord Rama

Content

• Worship of Lord Rama

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Worship of Lord Rama

Once the stage of worship of the divine principle or deity according to one’s religion (that of the family deity for Hindus) is completed, the spiritual practice (worship) of Lord Rama is useful for many seekers to go from many to One. This is because of Lord Rama’s attributes of being true to His word, devoted to only one wife and attaining the target with just one arrow. 

Ritualistic Worship (Puja):

Since Lord Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, He, too, is worshipped like Vishnu in sixteen steps (shodashopachar puja). Tulasi (sacred and medicinal plant found in India) leaves are essential for His worship. Tulasi has the ability to attract the subtlest pure particles (pavitrakas) of Vishnu. It is even better if one can use Lotuses for the worship. Khir (a sweet delicacy made from milk and rice or vermicelli) or shira (a sweet delicacy made from semolina, pure ghee and sugar) is Lord Vishnu’s favorite sacrament (naivedya). Choosing the substances offered in the worship according to the science of Spirituality helps generate divine consciousness (chaitanya) in the statue, so that it aids one’s spiritual progress.

Attributes of Lord Rama

Content

• Attributes of Lord Rama

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Attributes of Lord Rama

Name: Lord Rama’s Name was prevalent even before His birth. After His victory at Lanka, that is, upon demonstrating His Godhood, everyone started addressing Him as Shrirama (Lord Rama).

Ideal in All Respects: Lord Rama is an example of the ideal son, brother, husband, king, friend and enemy.

The Follower of Righteousness (Dharma): Lord Rama observed all decorum prescribed by Dharma; that is why He is referred to as ‘Maryadapurushottam’. Also, honoring one’s word (Ekvachani) and needing just one arrow or shot to find the mark (Ekbani) and having only one wife (Ekpatni) are His well-known attributes.

Lord Rama’s Kingdom (Ramrajya): During Lord Rama’s rule, that is, in the Tretayug it was not Lord Rama alone who was wise, His subjects, too, were prudent. Hence, during His reign not a single complaint was brought to His court.

The real kingdom of Lord Rama dwells within oneself. The implied meaning of this is absolute control over the five sense organs, five motor organs, mind, subconscious mind, intellect and ego by the Rama principle (Atmarama – the soul principle).

Ram Navami

|| Sri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram ||

Content

• Introduction
• Celebration of Ram Navami

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Introduction

Shriram Navami is celebrated to proclaim the birth of Lord Shrirama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. ‘The nineth day (Navami) in the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra is referred to as Ram Navami. On this day, when the five planets and the sun, etc. were in first house of cancer at noon along with the lunar asterism Pushya, Ramachandra was born in Ayodhya. Several temples of Lord Rama celebrate this festival for nine days beginning from the first day (pratipada) of Chaitra. It is celebrated by periodic readings (parayans) of the Ramayan, organising spiritual discourses (kirtans) and beautifully embellishing Lord Rama’s idol. On the ninth day, in the afternoon a spiritual discourse on Lord Rama’s birth is held. At noon, a coconut draped in a hooded cloak is placed in a cradle and the cradle is rocked. Devotees shower a red, fragrant powder (gulal) and flowers onto it.’

Celebrations of Ram Navami start on Gudi padwa, the first day of Chaitra; and continue for 9 days. During this period, devotees do parayans of Ramayan, recite the Ramarakshastotra, sing bhajans-kirtans in His praise and chant His name.

Celebration of Ram Navami

Shrirama Navami is called a holy festival (sun) when it is celebrated individually, a religious festival (utsav) when celebrated collectively and when performed individually with a resolve (sankalpa) it becomes a vowed observance (vrat). Also, unlike most vowed religious observances, which are practiced individually, Shrirama Navami is a vowed religious observance undertaken by a group.

Several temples of Lord Rama celebrate this festival for nine days, beginning from Gudhipadva (the first day (pratipada) of the month of Chaitra). It is celebrated by periodic readings (parayans) of the Ramayan, organizing and attending spiritual discourses (kirtans) and beautifully embellishing Lord Rama’s statue. During these nine days, reciting the Ramaraksha prayer (stotra) eleven times daily with a resolve (sankalpa) brings the prayer to fruition, yielding benefits like reduction of speech impairment and other ailments, and gaining prosperity. On the ninth day, that is, on Shrirama Navami a spiritual discourse on Lord Rama’s birth is held in the afternoon. At noon, a coconut, draped in a hooded cloak is placed in a cradle and rocked. The coconut signifies the baby Lord Rama. A red, fragrant powder (gulal) and flowers are showered onto it. Many places in North India host fairs in connection with the festival, culminating in spectacular fireworks on Rama Navami.

Introduction: How to Offer an Arti

Various Saints and evolved devotees have composed devotional Artis (hymns in praise of the Lord) from approximately the twelfth century onwards. They are thereby making available a beautiful and easy medium to light the lamp of devotion in the hearts of worshippers and enable them to invoke and imbibe the grace and blessings of a Deity by offering Arti. Singing an Arti conceived with the resolve of Saints accomplishes these objectives, but only when it is sung from the heart and as per the science of Spirituality.

An act is done with the heart only when its importance is genuinely understood. Explaining the science or principles in such things helps in early imprinting of its importance on the mind. With this objective, the science of Spirituality explains the various acts to be performed while offering Arti. In worship it is very important to perform each act as per the science of Spirituality. Many are not aware of various facts; for example, while offering Arti to God, one can move the platter in a clock-wise circle from the anahat chakra (at the heart area) to the adnya chakra (mid-brow region) of the Deity or that one must perform circumambulation after Arti. If these facts are not known they will not be performed or will be performed incorrectly. In this special issue on Arti, one will understand how to perform all the actions pertaining to Arti as per the science of Spirituality. If every one tries to perform the Arti with intense yearning and as per the science of Spirituality, then it will lead to an increase in collective spiritual emotion which will further activate the Deity’s principle and everyone will benefit from it. Similarly, the atmosphere will get purified and become Sattva predominant.

We pray at the holy feet of the Guru that may everyone understand and perform Arti in accordance with the science and experience an increased awakening of their spiritual emotion. – Editor