Six Words Celebration of Lord Rama.

Lord Rama is standard for sanity.

Lord Rama is dictionary for goodness.

Lord Rama spoke with chosen words.

Lord Rama forgot what he gave.

Lord Rama never spoke a lie.

Rama spent his income benefitting all.

Lord Rama spent time with elderly.

Rama loved Sita, more than life.

Lord Rama isn't annoyed by criticism.

Rama responds, not reacts, to criticism.

Rama gives time to amend mistakes.

Rama fought not to prove might.

Rama is loving yet very strict.

When Rama ruled miseries took leave.
When Rama rules miseries take leave.

Lord Rama supports fulfilling desires honestly.

Chanting Rama's name was Gandhiji's strength.

Rama means bestower of unlimited joy.

I worship Rama to understand Him.

Worshiping Lord Rama's feet liberates soul.

Singing Rama's glories gives me joy.

I like to live like Rama.

Devotee of Rama has no needs.

The Good Student in Lord Rama.

Our fellow blogger and friend, Mr.K.Parthasarathy asked me a question in email. I tried to answer it and he was very satisfied with my answer. I like to share it with all of you.

Mr.K.Parthasarathy:

Write about Sri Rama, a few lines in your next post

Some question; why did Sri Rama not kill Tataka in the first instance as ordered by Viswamitra but showed her compassion by removing her arms and ear lobes.He killed her finally only when it was necessary.Did Sri Rama disobey the sage initially and went by his own judgment of things and kill her only when he felt it was necessary.Think about it
regards
KP

Me:

That's a very nice question you have asked. I know you too are Lord Rama's devotee and this question is just for discussion.

First I like to say something about Lord Rama.

There are black holes in the sun. Lord Rama is like a sun without black holes.
There are scars on the moon. Lord Rama is like the moon without scars.
He is incarnation of Goodness. He is all that is Good. And all that is good is him.
Insects cannot look at the same way, humans look at the world.
Like that because of inner defects people may find fault in Lord Rama.
But the fact is that, the fault is in the people who find fault with Him.

I did not chose to worship Lord Rama because he is an incarnation of Maha Vishnu.
I worship Maha Vishnu because he incarnated as Lord Rama and proved his character at least once.

Now with this conviction let me try to answer your question.

Lord Rama first refused to shoot arrows at Tataka because she was a female.

Vishwamitra had already told him how dangerous she was, to soft natured mystics, knowing that this is what Lord Rama would say on seeing a female . Anyhow he once more explained to Lord Rama why it is not wrong to kill this woman and gave a few example instances from the past.
Lord Rama was convinced and decided to shoot arrows at her.

Word and arrows aren't much different.
What I mean is even with arrows there is a kind of communication. Like the honking of the horn and blinking of the headlights, between the vehicle drivers of today.
Lord Rama being an adept archer, tried to warn Tataka to subdue before he could take her life. So he first hurt her badly. Then he started to chop off, limb after limb. And at last finished her off, since she persisted in her violent ways.

The moment he started to shoot arrows he has obeyed his Guru's command. And then it was just his style of fighting.
Something like, when a father asks his son to get something, the son chooses the shop or the way to the shop. If the son refuses to get that thing for the father only then it is disobedience.

And another piece of thought here is that Lord Rama subtly instructs every student not to do anything unless and other wise they are convinced of it.

Only in Lord Rama, a son can look upon and learn how a good son must be.
Only in Lord Rama, a husband can look upon and learn how a good husband must be.
Only in Lord Rama, can a ruler look upon and learn how a good ruler must be.
Only in Lord Rama, can a brother look upon and learn how a good brother must be.And so on...

So here, he makes it clear that obedience is different from slavery.
A slave has to do all that is told to him. But a student need not.
In fact, it is the quality of a good student to question, understand and then accept.

Now that I have got such a big article. This is going to be my next post.

Mr.K.Parthasarathy:

Wow.It is a beautiful and very satisfying reply.I am a great devotee of Sri Rama as much as of my sri Guruvayurappan.Both are the incarnations of the same God.But Rama of an earlier yuga stands out for certain virtues that are relevenat eternally.I was reading a book on Lectures on Ramayana by Rt Honble Srinivasa Sastri given in Sanskrit college six decades ago.He has followed Valmiiki's text as the basis.He has dealt with the character of Rama as human born in Raghu kula and not as divinie incarnation.
In one of the lectures ,Sastri had raised this question and answered it on the lines you hv so admirably done.
Yes, it is a very good idea to write on Sri Ramachandra in your blog.It should kindle interest among the readers the interest to think,read and know more about Him.There are different aspects to be dealt with on each character of the great epic.You should follow a proper sequence if your writing is intended to be continuous.The book is available in Giri trading at Mylapore (Rs250).A few copies are there.
I raised the question in my mail just to know your interest.

We can exchange ideas.I value your friendship
thanks

Me:

Thanks for inspiring me with your question sir. I too value your friendship and am looking forward for many such discussions. Is there a greater joy than speaking, hearing, thinking about Lord Rama?

Is there a sweeter thing than talking about him?

Is there a melodious thing than hearing about Him?

Is there a soulful thing than thinking about Him?

Is there a better work than worshipping Him?

For He is the Life of all the lifes.

For He is the Joy in all the hearts.

For He is the Taste in all the Food.

And He is the melody in all music.

Lucky are the ones who know his worth.

The ultimate achievement on this earth.

Jai Shri RAM... Jai Jai Shri Ram...!

Like the flowing river.

Hare Rama

Let me be
like a river

That ever marches ahead
Never looking back...

That carries with equal joy
Flower or filth
That is offered unto it..

That is flexible
yet determined
to reach its destination...

That which doesn't go to anybody
Nor does repel anyone who goes to it...

That which does its job joyfully
which is to flow
and flow only...

A thief's redemption.

Long long ago, in the jungles of ancient India, there lived a thief. His name was Ratnagar. He was the bread winner of his family. He appeared suddenly in front of by passers of the forest, threatened them and stripped them off their possessions. He killed those who refused to subdue to his intentions. After making his income for the day he went to the city in disguise and purchased all that was needed for his family and returned home happily.

Once as Ratnagar was waiting for his prey, he saw a man coming on the way singing a beautiful song. The man appeared to be very rich, but was in simple clothes. He carried a musical instrument which he played in accordance to the song. Listening to it was a divine experience. Ratnagar for a moment forgot himself in the delight of the music. The man went past Ratnagar's hideout and disappeared among the woods.

Now Ratnagar came back to his senses. He thought the man had fooled him with his simple looks and the divine song and escaped cleverly from his clutches. So he went hastily along the path the man disappeared and caught up with him in no time.

The man was undisturbed by Ratnagar's horrible appearance and smiled at him looking straight into his eyes. He had been in business for decades. He had always encountered people only with two kind of reactions. Either they feared him and gave away all their wealth or they fought with anger and killed themselves. But this man, standing in front of him, was cool like a cucumber. Ratnagar was perplexed to see a man without fear nor anger. For the first time in life a man drew his respect and admiration.

Ratnagar was quite sure that this man was playing some kind of trick with him. So, he hid all his admiration for him and caught him by his throat.

"The brightness of your face and the texture of your skin suggest that you are a wealthy person, but you try to decieve me by your simple clothes and innocent looks. You better tell me where you've hidden all your wealth or die a dreadful death"

The man retorted with a smile that was so pleasant to the thief's heart. He said, "Of course, I am one of the wealthiest persons in this universe. And I don't have any objection in sharing my wealth with you, because my wealth is the kind which will multiply itself as much as I give."

Ratnagar was taken aback by this statement. He had been receiving a series of shocks and surprises from the man in his clutches. He loosened his grip on the man with eyes wide open with amazement.

"But", the man continued, "Tell me, why do you do this dreadful deed, instilling fear in fellow humans?"

The love and compassion in the man's voice touched Ratnagar somewhere deep within. For unknown reasons tears started to flow down his eyes.

"I have a family to take care. I have parents who are too old to take care of themselves. Who took care of me when I was incapable of taking care of myself. I have a wife and children."

"Are you aware that you accumulate sin by your devious acts? And that you will end up in hell?"

"I don't care. With my family's love even hell will be heaven for me."

"But, my friend, your family is not going to be with you in hell. It is you who committed the errors and it is you who will be punished. Not them."

"You don't know about my family. They all love me as much as they love themselves. I am dearer to them than their lives. They will come with me even to hell"

"I don't think so."

"Your words enrage me. Don't ever dare to talk less of my family's loyalty to me"

"I am sure there is no one on earth who will be ready to accept your sins. This is the nature of human beings. In good times there are many to be with you. But in bad times all will forsake you."

"I can bring my family here and show you that they are different, if you would stay here till I come back."

The holy man, with a smile, said, "I will be happy to see such people."

Ratnagar was about to leave to fetch his family, when a suspicion arose in him.

"You cunning fox, you delude me with your music, baffle me with your innocence, confuse me with your arguments and you plan to run away when I go to get my family. I don't want to talk with you anymore, better give me your wealth before I give you a taste of hell"

"My friend, if you think I might run away, tie me up somewhere here."

Ratnagar had no words to say. This man was shaking him to the core with a character unknown to him. But his heart told him that this man was someone very special. He had to take him seriously. Anyhow he didn't want to take any chances, so he tied the holy man to a tree deep into the jungle and left for his home.

Seldom did he realise that this was the last time he was visiting his home.

Ratnagar went straight to his mother and told her about the man he met in the forest. He asked her, "Mother, are you and me not one. Is there any difference between you and me. Pain or pleasure, joy or sorrow have we not been with each other? Even in future, in case I land up in hell, would you not be there with me to comfort me?"

His mother understood that his son had met a person of divine origin and has offended him. Now, if she accept the sins even just for word's sake she may incur the wrath of the holy man.

So she said, "Son. It is your duty to take care of me. What control do I have over you? Did I ever tell you to chose a anarchic path? I have never flawed in my life as a daughter, as a wife nor a as a mother. I accepted all that you gave because I had no one else to give me. Moreover it was my right to get back what I had done for you when you were a child."

Ratnagar was shaken with disappointment. He went to his father who gave him a similar answer in different words. His children too were not ready to pay for his misgivings. At last, he went to his wife, whom he loved as much as himself with a last pinch of hope left out in his heart.

"Dear", he said, "Are you and me not one soul dwelling in two bodies? Have we not walked around the fire and sworn to be with each other in both fortune and misfortune? Would you not come with me, even if I end up in hell?"

His wife said, "It is the custom on this earth, that the husband goes out to earn for his family and the wife runs the family with the income the husband brings in. I never expected you too bring in so much wealth. Even if you had brought in a few pennies by working honestly, I would have run the family with full contentment. I have never flawed from the vows of marriage. I have never looked upon some other man with lust nor have I ever shown any disrespect to your parents and you in these many years."

Ratnagar didn't want to listen to her anymore. Something within him broke. Something that was driving him all these years, something for which he had spent all his life, energy, time and heart, broke and fell apart. He felt he was left alone. Right in his home, right in middle of his family he felt he was an orphan. All the anxiety, skill and efficiency he had shown in his work through out his life, all on a sudden, became stupid and meaningless.

Denounced by his beloveds, dismayed by their careless attitude, Ratnagar walked away from his house. Never to return. He walked back to the place where he had tied up the holy man. As soon as he saw the man tied up in the tree, he fell at his feet crying like a child. He cried loudly seeking the holy man's help to show him the way. The holy man, to him, was now the only refuge.

The holy man who was none other than Sage Narada, one of the prominent devotees of Lord Narayana, embraced him and said, "My son, my wealth lies deep down in my heart. It is nothing but the devotion to the almighty. I always sing his praises and rejoice life. That wealth can never be taken away from me by anyone other than the Lord Himself. Everytime I give a taste of it to anyone, it grows multifold. I eat, that is provided to me and sleep where I am allowed to. I never hold back anything for future need. I roam all around the universe singing the praise of my Lord. I have nothing to loose because I possess nothing. Now, I will teach you to wash away your sins and enjoy the same happiness that I do."

Ratnagar wiped away his tears. With renewed hope he decided to do as the sage says.

Narada taught Ratnagar to sit and meditate, ever uttering the names of the Lord. Ratnagar was incapable of pronouncing any name. Among thousand names that the Lord has, Ratnagar was not able to pronounce even one. He again grew dejected fearing that there was no salvation for him.

Narada then taught him the most simple of all the names- RAMA.

Even this name refused to enter into the lips of Ratnagar.

But still Narada, the loving Guru, who was determined to redeem his student who fell at his feet, thought of an alternative. He reversed the syllables and asked Ratnagar to try telling Ma Ra. That at last was possible by him.

So he sat with his eyes closed ever saying "Ma Ra, Ma ra, Ma Ra." Which inturn became, "Rama Rama Rama" after continuous utterances.

Ratnagar gave up all other intentions and went on and on. He went on for so long that an ant hill grew around him. After many many years he awoke from his unhindered meditation, completely transformed. He was no more the ignorant thief. He was an enlightened sage. He was named Valmiki. Valmiki means the one who came from the anthill.

The rest, as they say, is History.

Valmiki wrote the Ramayana, which is both a poetic and spiritual retreat. It is called Valmiki Ramayana. It is the mother of all other Ramayanas rendered by various poets.

When I think of this story, what strikes me is the innocent selflessness of Ratnagar. Though he had been bad to so many. He had been a loving bread winner for his family. He had served his family without any selfishness. All that he did was for the welfare of his family and not for him. God never lets down such a loving person. God himself sends a Guru to such a person and helps him/her realise the ultimate truth.

The God of Truth.

Happy Gandhi Jayanthi.

I wish to share my thoughts about The Mahathma.

To me Mahathma is no less than an incarnation of God. That too as a devotee of Rama, I look upon him as an miniature of Lord Rama. To substantiate my statement let me share two observations of mine.

Once our freedom fighters were going on a procession shouting slogans praising Gandhiji. A few of them were attacked by a few police men. The mass in return burnt down the police station and attacked the police men. Gandhiji was disappointed that his followers acted in such brutal way. He called back the non cooperation movement and went on fasting. People became sad. They promised that they never will repeat the mistake again. They went on streets giving garlands to the Police and British soldiers. This incident to me is a miracle. Something like Krishna lifting a mountain with his little finger. I wonder how people could love a man so much. They were ready to be kicked and wounded, only to do what he expected of them. They were ready to sacrifice even their lives under his leadership. They cared nothing about their food clothing and shelter. All they wanted was to do what Gandhi expected of them.

In my understanding, this is the power of Goodness. The power of faith in Truth.

The same incident is there in Lord Rama's life too.

When Lord Rama goes on exile, to the forest, people of Ayodhya came behind him. They left their belongings and houses. There were children, women and the old in the crowd that followed him. They said they do not want to live in a city where Rama was absent. They said they preferred the forest. They said, "It is the people who make the city. We will come with you to the jungle and make the jungle a city. Let the animals come to this city and let it become forest."

I believe in heaven and hell. I believe all those who lead a life of goodness will defintely go to heaven. In that perspective it is my belief that all the freedom fighters of India, must be in heaven now. That is because they followed Gandhiji. Gandhiji inspired them to do good, walk the path of goodness and helped them reach heaven.

In Rama's life this happens. After he ruled for more than ten thousands he was invited back to heaven by the creator, Brahma. He gave all the responsibilties to his sons and chose a day to return to his heavenly abode. On that day he decided to enter the river Sarayu and caste off his body. He entered the river, following him the whole population of Ayodhya entered it. Rama arose from the river with resplendent glory as Vishnu and went back to his divine abode. Following him all men, women and chidren went to heaven. There the creator Brahma created a new heaven, a special one, only for them.

This is the quality of a true leader. He must not just fight for the rights and comfort of people on earth, but he must also assure for them a place in heaven. Our Mahathma achieved it with perfection. This is my firm conviction.

To me Mahathma is a Rama. Who inspired people on the path of Goodness and Peace.

To me Mahathma is a Jesus Christ. Who lived a life of sacrifice. Who bore pain, for no error he commited, only for the sake of his men. Who taught people to love their enemies.

To me Mahathma is a Buddha. The enlightened one.

To me Mahathma is a God. The God of truth.

Goodness incarnate.

Anyone who has not understood Rama can be good.
Someone who has understood Rama can never be bad.

16 Good qualities of Lord Rama.

1) He never spoke lies.

2)He never spoke foul language.

3)He will not expect the other person to speak first. He himself will smile and start the relationship.

4)He never played games that involved luck.

5)He never remembered what he gave to others.

6)He never thought about his greatness.

7)If someone did many misdeeds to him but only one good thing sometime, he will only talk about that good thing and never about those many misdeeds.

8)If someone comes to him criticizing him, he will understand why that person is disappointed with him and answer him in such a way that the misunderstanding is erased.

9)He can be satisfied with 50% of what he usually eats. Even with 25% or even a handful of meal.

10)He indulged in pleasures without transcending social norms.

11)He was interested in earning money. He never wasted the money he earned. But spent them in such a way that it is useful for everyone.

12)Though he was interested in earning money he was fully aware about the higher truth and did all his spiritual practices.

13) He was a well wisher, not just for his people but each and every creature on earth.

14)Never in his life time did he think about any other woman other than Sita.

15)His appearance was always pleasing. ie., he presented himself nicely in front others.

16)The principle of his life was to save anyone who surrendered at his feet. No matter how much harm that person had caused to him.


Goodness Honesty Sweetness Simplicity
Gentleness Strength Humility Bravery
Valour Talent Prowess Success
Memory Trustworthiness Heroism Genuinity
Such adorable qualities and so much more
By chanting Rama's name you will score!

To listen to my first English song on Lord Rama, please click here.

Also Read

Saptha Rishi Ramayanam
16 words Ramayanam 
Abstract Ramayanam
Twitter Ramayanam 


16 policies of Lord Rama
Six words celebration of Lord Rama


You may also be interested in:
1. Kuzhasekara Azhwaar's Lullaby for Baby Lord Rama.
2. The Good Student in Lord Rama
3. Twitter Ramayanam
4. My Experiments with Chanting Lord Rama's name
5. A Centi-Chractonym Worship of Shri Rama
6. Kolaveri for Lord Rama
7. Sumanthra Narrates Lord Rama's Birth
8. A Gem of a Prince, Shri Rama! 
9. Lord Rama's promise to surrendered souls
10.Different schools of thoughts