May 2k5.pmd - Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publication Trust

AVATAR VANIWhen there is such unity, then people willattain purity of heart. The purity of heart willbring the people close to each other. Whenthere is amity among people, the whole worldwill experience bliss. Thus, the Ramayanacan give bliss to one and all. Hence,everybody should chant the Divine Name,“Rama! Rama! Rama!”The female characters of the Ramayanaalso set an ideal to the world. Sumitra gladlysent Lakshmana to follow and serve Ramawhen He went into exile for 14 years at thecommand of His father Dasaratha. Evenwhen she heard the news that Lakshmanahad fallen unconscious during the war withthe Rakshasas (demons) in Lanka, Sumitrawas not perturbed. She was always confidentthat no danger would ever befall Lakshmanasince he was in the service of Lord Rama.Thus, during the entire period of 14 years ofRama’s exile to the forest, all the brothersand their wives were always thinking andwishing the well-being of Rama; so weretheir mothers. Such was the nobility of theirhearts.Similarly, Lakshmana’s wife Urmila didnot feel sad even for a moment when herhusband accompanied Rama to the forest.She was, in fact, painting a picture of Rama’scoronation when Lakshmana came to informher of his decision to accompany Rama tothe forest. When Lakshmana suddenlyentered her room, she wanted to get up andlook who the visitor was. In the confusion,the paint got spilled over the unfinishedpainting. “How come this painting got spoiledwhen actually I wanted to portray thebeauty and majesty of Sri Rama onthe occasion of His coronation andshow it to the world”, she thought.Urmila had a very compassionate heart. Shealways entertained noble thoughts. She wasalways contemplating on Rama during Hisexile to the forest. Not only she, the wives ofBharata and Satrughna, Mandavi andSrutakeerthi were also engaged in constantcontemplation of Rama. Contemplation onRama helped them to understand unity indivinity. Considering the ideal of unitybetween the brothers, their wives and othercharacters of the Ramayana, it becomesapparent that the main emphasis of theRamayana is on the principle of unity.Embodiments of Love!Any amount of narration of the greatnessand nobility of the characters of theRamayana will be found inadequate. Everyincident, every character, every episode ofthe Ramayana is full of bliss and divinemystery.The story of Lord Rama is amazing,It purifies the lives of the people in all thethree worlds,It is like the sickle that cuts the creepersof worldly bondage,It is like a good friend who helps you intimes of need,It is like a shelter for the sages and seersdoing penance in the forest. (Telugu Poem)The story of Rama is most wonderful andendless. It is essential for every human beingto put the ideals set by Rama into practicein his day-to-day life.(Bhagavan concluded His Discourse withthe Bhajan, “Rama Rama Rama Sita …”)– From Bhagavan’s UgadiDiscourse in Sai Kulwant Hall,Prasanthi Nilayam on 9th April2005.131 May 2005