BALA KANDA REVIEW
By CM Cleveland
Introduction-
Our Vedanta in Ramayana course started on 9/11/2016.
We learnt that Ramayana-etymologically is derived from 2 words- Rama and Yana.
Rama means Joy and Yana means Path. Ramayana means Path to Joy.
Rama is also a mahamantra, which encompasses Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh.
We were reminded not to just chant name of Rama, but to experience it.
When we follow the path of Rama, it leads to Mokshadwara nagri.
We learnt about 7 Mokshadwara Nagris and their significance- Haridwar, Varanasi, Ayodhaya, Mathura, Dwarika, Ujjain, Kanchipuram.
We were blessed to be in this class as a thought to change can only happen with God’s grace.
The text of Ramayana is in form of Upadesha-(guidance) and as Sukhamvakya (advise from a friend)
First person to conceive Ramayana was Lord Shiva. Lord Rama came as incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Hanumanji came as incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Mother Sita Symbolizes Bhakti, Mukti and Shanti.
We studied from 3 perspectives-
Shruti- What the scriptures say
Yukti-Rationale
Anubhooti-experience
Symbolization-
RAMA symbolizes Brahman, Mother Sita Symbolizes Maya. Lakshman symbolizes Jiva. Maya is constructive only if it follows Brahman.
Japa of Lord Rama’s name- It has 3 effects-
1. Raise the quality of thoughts.
2. Reduce the quantity of thoughts.
3. Redirect the thoughts of positivity.
Why Goswami Tulsidas wrote Ramayana?
24000 verse Valmiki Ramayana had focus on Dharma. Valmiki ji incarnated as Goswami ji to write Ramayana where focus is on Bhakti. Message is to Live and Learn for one own’s growth.
Vision- To be egoless. The only managala (auspiciousness) is to be egoless. Sacred Knowledge brings humility. Knowledge cannot be evoked until there is faith.
Message is to lead life of arpana then everything that will come as prasaad.
Why Did Lord Rama take human form?
During those times, Ravana, the king of Lanka was terrorizing the Earth and hence Devtas had approached Lord Brahma for help. Ravana had a boon from Lord Shiva that he will not be killed by Devtas, asuras or Gandharvas,. Lord Brahma reminded them that Ravana will be killed at hands of human. This was yet another reason for Lord Rama’s birth as human. If we follow Manav dharma, we will be led to Ishvara.
In Ramayana, the dialogue is at 4 levels-
· Devta level- Jnana Ghat-Between Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati
· Rsi Level-Karma Ghat-Yagyavalka rsi teaching Rsi Bhardwaj
· Animal level- Bhakti Ghat- Kaka Vasundi teaching Garuda
· Human level-Deena Ghat-Goswami ji having dialogue with himself
Bala Kanda- includes the birth and wedding of Lord Rama
KATHA PART-
Bhagwan Rama was born on 9th day of Chaitra maas at 12 noon. It is shared that sun was directly on Ayodhaya and stayed there for the whole month.
Manu and Shatrupa-after Tapas were granted with a blessing that they will have Bhagwan as their son. He appeared as Bhagvan to Ma kaushalya but as a son to King Dashratha.
Ma Parvati asks 3 questions to Lord Shiva and He answers
1. Is Bhagvan Rama different than Brahman- No difference
2. Why did Nirguna Brahman become Saguna Rama- Because of Bhakti/ Prema
3. What is the purpose of Bhagvan’s avatar-For upliftment of dharma
We learnt about the great King Dashratha who ruled the kingdom of Kosala with its capital city of Ayodhaya on banks of river Sarayu. He was courageous, wise and just ruler, guided by sages Vashishtha and Vamadeva in matters of dharma. He had everything but he did not have children, so he approached Rsi Vasishtha. Rsi guided me to another sage Hrishya Shringa who recommended Subha Putrakameshthi Yagna. His 3 wives Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi were blessed with 4 sons — Bhagwan Rama, Lakshman, Shatrughan and Bharat.
The princes grew and were trained in Vedas, Upanisads, warfare and archery. All 4 princes showed steady devotion to duty and truth.
Then we learned about Sage Vishwamitra arriving to Ayodhaya requesting the king to send his brave son Rama to protect his yagna from the rakshasas particularly Subahu and Mareecha. Subahu symbolizes Dukha( pain) and Mareecha symbolizes Dosha (faults). Sage Vishvamitra could have killed the demons himself, Why did he seek Lord’s help? Because if the sage killed demons they just die, if they die at hands of Bhagvan, they become free forever.
King Dashratha despite his reservations sent Rama and Lakshmana who valiantly fought the demons. They encountered Taataka in the forest of Dandaka where she was killed by Lord Rama who was then taught the usage of divine Astras by Vishwamitra. Taataka symbolizes Durasha(false hopes and desires).They reached his ashram called “Sidhashram” where finally the yagna was started. Maricha was bound by Manvashtra and Sabahu was killed by Agniyastra as they were getting ready to disrupt the yagna. Durasha, Dukha and Dosha can only be destroyed by Bhagvan
After this, we were taken on a journey to Mithila where King Janka (student of Yagnavilka) was conducting a yagna. We heard about the beautiful scene where the princes arrive and how Lord Rama lifted the bow of Lord Shiva after which Lord Rama married Mother Sita. We attended the joyous wedding and accompanied Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshaman, and Urmila back to Ayodhaya!!
Vivekji shared that the katha should evolve to adhyatama.
From Lord Rama’s story, it should become our story. So many beautiful insights were shared by Vivekji.
This was a course of happiness. It was only with Bhagvan’s and guru’s grace that we became part of these classes. Our immense gratitude to Acharya Vivekji for inspiring us and showing us this path to joy- Ramayana !
