DAY 7 – 19th April
Session 1
Sri Ram - The Human
by Swami Swatmananda
Swami Swatmananda, in his usual, simple style, eloquently brought out human qualities displayed by Sri Ram, at various points in Valmiki Ramayana. More importantly, Swamiji showed how we all can learn to:
* Imbibe the bhava of Dharma, integrate with Atma Ram and progress in our path to Self-Discovery, which forms the base, ruling Sri Rama’s conduct.
* Always respond with higher qualities, never get carried away by Shadripu, impurities of the mind – kaama (lust or desire), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (delusion), mada (arrogance), maatsarya (envy).
Some of the human qualities of Rama which Swamiji elaborated upon:
1. Respect for women - He questioned Sage Vishwamitra, when He was told to kill Tadaka.
2. Equanimity and self-control (irrespective of the situation) - In Ayodhyakhand, Dasharatha informs Rama about His coronation. Later, Rama is told that He is banished to the forest for fourteen years.
3. Intimate relationship with Sita (loving, trusting, equal) - Rama breaks down several times - when He tells Sita about having to go to the forest, when He vents out to Her. When Rama tells Lakshamana about Kaikeyi and Bharat, Sitaji has the freedom to speak her mind. They respected each other’s views, saw benefit in it and acted accordingly.
4. Humility, looked objectively and had the tremendous ability not to take things personally - When Rama agrees to Sita’s reasoning to accompany Him to the forest.
5. Weeping, feeling angry, appearing as a deluded fool - When Rama searches for Sita, He questions the mountains, Godavari river, trees, stones, devatas. But no one is able to answer Him.
From the many wonderful learnings, the key one is to always let Dharma be our driving force.
Report by
Vipul P. Dalal
Chinmaya Sagar Zone
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DAY 7 – 19th April
Session 2
Samskrit Gems in Valmiki Ramayan
by Dr. Sampadananda Mishra
Dr. Sampadananda Mishra is a reputed Samskrit scholar, passionate about the language. He believes Samskrit has the potential to elevate human consciousness to sublime heights. He holds a Ph.D. from Utkal University, Orrisa in Samskrit and the Evolution of Human Speech. He writes articles and poems in Samskrit, English and Udiya. The Government of India has conferred on him the President's award for outstanding contribution to Samskrit language.
Sampadanandaji said that it is very difficult to choose a few gems from Valmiki Ramayana, since all of Ramayana is a gem. There is great simplicity in the Ramayana and this simplicity forms its very heart. In composing Ramayana, Valmiki has used many poetic devices. For most Indians, Ramayana is not mythology. Indians breathe and live Ramayana in day-to-day life. Vyasa, Kalidas and Valmiki form the epitome of Bharatiya Kaayva Parampara. Valmiki Ramayana is full of creative expression. If Mahabharata is the brain of Bharatvarsha, then Ramayana is the heart. Valmiki always speaks from the heart.
All that human emotions can express - we find in Ramayana. How to keep relationships is shown here, like the relationship between Rama and Bharata, Rama and Lakshmana, Rama and Sita. Sampadanandaji explained Rama as a son, as a warrior, as king. Just as there is always a fight between devas and asuras, so is there a battle between the good and the dark forces. We can come out victorious if we keep God as our divine companion, manifesting the quality within.
Characters of Ramayana, like Rama, Dasharatha, Lakshmana, Bharata, Sita and Hanuman have influenced the whole cultural, social and spiritual life of the nation. Reading the original Ramayana in Samskrit is an experience in itself. It is indeed the divine language of the Gods, sculpted to perfection. Valmiki’s Ramayana is an eternal companion in life’s journey, which teaches self-mastery, self-perfection, to live and to die nobly.
Report by
Suhasini Lohia
Chinmaya Prakash Zone
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