by Smt. Mandira Lahiri
Excerpts from Ms.
Jaya Row’s article in “The Speaking Tree” which was published in Times of India,
17/10/2020…….
“Sita represents the individual you and me. Sita was
perfectly happy, whether she was enjoying luxuries in the palace at Ayodhya or
going through forest life, as long as her attention was on Rama, the Spirit
within. As long as you look inward you are happy, irrespective of what the
world offers. Sita’s problems began when she looked out. She saw the golden
fleeting deer and wanted it. That one outward pursuit brought her misery. The
deer represents sense objects, attractive and tantalizing, but passing. Sense
contact gives instant pleasure but leads to sorrow in the end. You get enslaved
by the senses, portrayed by the abduction of Sita by Ravana.”
“Sita soon learns her lesson. She refuses the
pleasures of Ravana’s palace and chooses to remain in the Ashok Vanam, the
abode of no pain. When you turn inward you are in the zone of no grief. Hanuman
then appears with Rama’s ring. This assures Sita that Rama is on his way to
rescue her. When you pursue the higher, you are often alone. But before long
you get the `ring of confidence’. Something happens to assure you that you are
on the right path and that your redemption is near. You overcome your lower
tendencies and gain union with the Self, Atman. You enjoy unbroken, infinite
bliss that is not dependent on the world.”
Sita’s desire to
possess the golden deer led to all the complications. Her communion with her
inner Self helped her to get rid of baser instincts. I find Jaya Row’s
interpretation very useful for application in life at all times, and definitely
during these trying times.
2020 has been a very
unusual year as the whole world witnessed some unprecedented times. The Corona virus
engulfed the globe and it had to go under lockdown. Use of masks and sanitizers
as well as social distancing became the need of the hour. Everyone was sailing
in the same boat. Lakhs of people all over the world lost their jobs. Stress
levels increased …. people experienced panic attacks …. domestic violence and
tempers rose ….staying at home became a punishment for many …. house helps
stopped coming (mandating the inmates of the house to take on additional
chores) …. children could not understand why they were asked to stay indoors ….
their little worlds crumbled …. innumerable people lost their lives …. those
who had contracted the disease had to go through a lot of trauma of being
infected by this highly contagious virus …. those who did not had to live in
constant fear of contracting the virus (which still looms large). I thought
that something like that happened to Sita as well in a sense, for her world
also turned upside down.
In the midst of all
these shocking things, some good things happened too. Noise pollution decreased
…. air became far cleaner …. there was good monsoon all over India …. the bird
population increased …. familial bonds became stronger …. children who were
overseas started caring for their elderly parents back in the country all over
again …. unnecessary outings stopped …. mindless buying got a break …. flights stopped
operating, as a result there was a massive reduction in carbon footprints …. greenery
increased …. flowers bloomed in abundance …. chirping of birds became our alarm
clock …. buzzing of the insects and croaking of the frogs became our lullaby ….
people learnt to value the work of the community helpers …. police personnel
who were earlier looked down upon, came to the forefront and did a commendable
job by taking charge of things.
So this pandemic has
taught humanity a great lesson. Instead of looking outwards, people have
started looking inwards. They have had the time and opportunity to think and
dwell on their higher Self within. They have realized the impermanence of all
things around them. Accepting things, whatever life throws at us, good or bad,
is slowly creeping into our system. The general awareness that there is
something higher and bigger about this life which is not experienced by just
having an outward outlook.
Our Sadguru, Sri Sri
Babathakur, in his book ‘Knowledge of Knowledge’ Part 1 explains, “Desires arise from thinking that there are
other things and existence outside one’s own Self. One covets them and wants to
enjoy them. But when one knows that the universe is pervaded by the Self-I and
that there is only the Self-I and nothing else, the feeling of otherness goes
away, and there is no desire, no attachment, no bondage, no suffering, no
ignorance and hence there is Peace Absolute. His principle of `All- Acceptance
and All- Embrace’ admits and unifies all as One. In such a process nothing and
nobody is excluded from the Absolute I- Reality. This is possible only through
the `Science or Knowledge of Oneness’. `Knowledge of Oneness’ is the Knowledge
of the Divine Self–I.”
Sri Sri Babathakur
tells us that each experience in life is a lesson for us. In the journey of
life when we begin to practice acceptance of good or bad equally in the same
spirit, then our life undergoes a startling change. Our agonies, pains and
sorrows diminish, negativity vanishes, our heart gets enveloped with a
beautiful and rapturous feeling and we start sailing in the sea of contentment.
In fact, our internal sojourn and acceptance go hand in hand. When you
internalize then your wants and desires ebb away on their own. But still at
times the mind plays truant and we just get carried away. On such times, a
heartfelt prayer comes to our rescue.
I end my piece with
one of the revealed prayers of Sri Sri Babathakur, a prayer which says it all,
a prayer that can be chanted at all times, a prayer that will recharge our
batteries, a prayer that fills us with hope and finally paves the path to
Self-realization.
`Oh Supreme Self! Oh
Lord! Let me understand clearly, let me realize that this `I’ of mine is verily
Thou.
Thou make me feel
that every bit of my deed in my life,
Every string of my
thought is essentially Thou
Unfolded only for thy
own Self.
Make me worthy to
feel thoroughly deeply
That every iota of
activity, thought and perception
Is nothing but part
and parcel of Thy sportful dalliance.
Thou art only
apparently different at the inmost and the exterior;
I fail to understand
that Thou art earnestly my own‑‑‑
Life of Life, Essence
of Prana, Self of Self, Dearest Supreme, Love Divine.
Thou with all your
Grace, O Self effulgent One,
Arise in my heart and
make me realize the truth that Thou art me and `I’ am Thou---
Unfold Thyself,
removing all bars on way to realize that monistic truth, the eternal supreme
catholic faith.’
