Live up to the Ideals of the Ramayana - Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

All the names and forms are but the manifestations of the Supreme Being who is Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute and non-dual. He is the embodiment of Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram (Truth, Goodness, Beauty).

(Sanskrit Verse)

Embodiments of Love!

No one can comprehend the power and capacity of the Divine. Though they know precious little about it, yet people are ready to criticize Divinity. They may praise or deride, the power of Divinity remains the same. Criticism will not diminish its power, nor praise, enhance it. Ups and downs are the characteristics of this ephemeral world. Divinity is unaffected by both. Those who hanker after name and fame can never comprehend Divinity.

Models of Unity and Harmony

The Ramayana clearly demonstrates the Divinity of Rama. After securing Rama’s sandals, Bharata did not live in Ayodhya. Instead, he built a small Ashram at Nandigrama and started living there, contemplating all the time on the Name of Rama. His wife Mandavi spent her time in serving Bharata and contemplating on Rama’s Name. Meanwhile, Rama and Sita were wandering in forests and Lakshmana was dedicatedly serving them. But very little is known about Satrughna because none of the texts mentions much about him. There are many intelligent people. There are thousands of intellectuals. But, unfortunately, there are few who enquire into sacred and sublime spiritual matters.

From the times of Dasaratha, Sumantra was the Chief Minister of the kingdom. He implicitly obeyed Dasaratha and carried out the administration of the kingdom according to his orders. The present situation was such that the legal heir Rama was in the forest and His representative Bharata was in self-imposed exile in Nandigrama. Then who looked after the governance of Ayodhya? It is here that we must probe deeply. From dawn to dusk it was Satrughna who stayed in Ayodhya, enquired into the problems of the citizens and managed the affairs of the kingdom. Every night he faithfully reported everything to Bharata. Satrughna handled the governance of the kingdom without causing the least trouble to Bharata. Though he did so much, yet there is no mention of it anywhere.

© "Sanathana Sarathi" (October, 2003) published by Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam 515 134. www.srisathyasai.org.in. Reprinted with permission.

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