Ayodhyaa Kaand - Guru's Description of Shree Raam
SANT TULSIDAAS RAAMAAYAN
GURU’s DESCRIPTION OF SHREE RAAM
AYODHYAA KAAND
Page 433 CHOWPAAEE #4
सुनु नृप जासु विमुख पछिताहीं, जासु भजन बिनु जरनि न जाहीं ।
भये तुम्हार तनय सोइ स्वामी, राम पुनीत प्रेम अनुगामी ॥
Sunu nripa jaasu vimukha pachhitaahee(n), jaasu bhajan binu jarani na jaahee(n) /
Bhaye tumhaara tanaya so-e Swaamee, Raam puneeta prem anugaamee //
Translation
Guru Vasishtha speaks to Emperor Dashrath:
“Listen O King, that person who goes against (the teachings of) Shree Raam will rue it. Shree Raam is the only one who can extinguish that destructive fire within an individual. This Son of yours, Lord Raam, is a servant to those who have pure love for Him.
Interpretation
The declaration of the first part of the quote, as Guru Vasishtha speaks to Emperor Dashratha, addresses those who go against Shree Raam. Such people will regret it. This ought not to be interpreted as a threat/ultimatum. The exploits of the Lord are recipes which, if not followed, will produce unnecessary pain and discomfort. For instance, in Kishkindhaa Kaand, the Lord said we must treat with haught (मद) like weeds in cultivated land. The successful farmer removes weeds as soon as possible, before they become a threat to the crop and its yield. In like manner, one has to work aggressively on haught, stamping it out as soon as it rears its ugly head. Our little victories sometimes make us full of ourselves. Consequently, we turn a blind eye to this chink in our character build. It may be left to someone close to point it out and it’s in our interest to acknowledge and engage in the weeding exercise.
In continuing, Guru Vasishtha focuses on the fire within us. When fuelled, that fire can virtually consume us. The senses are the firebed and one sure way of tempering the senses is by following the template laid down by Shree Raam. In the case of the eyes, many times perception alone leads to erratic conclusions. He demonstrated the type of vision we should have during His early encounter with Maareech, who belonged to Raavan’s dynasty. Bhagwaan was ill at ease because of Maareech’s desecration of Hawan performed by the pious. As He confronted the Raakshasa, the Lord discerned the potential of Maareech to change and his life was spared. The touch of the Lord’s weapon transformed Maareech. No longer was he that bane to society, bent on creating havoc. He now had a taste of the Lord’s compassion which gave him a fair chance to live a meaningful life. This he fully embraced.
Through the medium of Satsang, we have heard that one should aspire to be a servant of the Lord and join in helping the distressed. As Guru Vasishtha continues, He touches on a trait or Shree Raam upon which we seldom ponder. The Supreme, Himself, also becomes a servant to those who have pure love for Him – those who are melted by the softer side of His exploits like Suteekshan, for example. Suteekshan went in search of Shree Raam and lost his bearings but the merciful Supreme Master searched and found Suteekshan.