Raamaayan Baal Kaand - Impact of Mother Saraswati
SANT TULSIDAAS RAAMAAYAN
IMPACT OF MOTHER SARASWATI
BAAL KAAND
Page 66 CHOWPAAEE #1
रामभक्त्ति जहँ सुर-सरि धारा * सरस्वति ब्रह्म विचार प्रचारा ।
Raambhakti jaha(n) Sura-Sari dhaaraa * Saraswati Braham vichaara prachaaraa
Translation
(We can access that Chief of Pilgrimages known as Prayaag if certain practices are adopted by us as we go about life. Two of these three practices are symbolised by the following two rivers.)
The celestial Ganga River represents Bhakti (unconditional love for God) while the Saraswati River reflects how much we acquaint ourselves with the acts of the Supreme.
Interpretation
One of the main fruits of visiting a pilgrimage is it lessens the wages of sins committed by the individual. In this regard, Prayaag has become the chosen destination of many. Added to this, Prayaag is noted for the ongoing recitation of the Raamaayan and serves to edify those who visit and participate in Satsang.
Located within Prayaag is that very sacred spot known as Triveni – the confluence of the three holy rivers (Ganga, Saraswati and Yamuna). In the Raamaayan, Sant Tulsidaas points out that we can position ourselves at Triveni by including the three practices symbolised by these three rivers:
(i) Bhakti (Devotion)
(ii) Familiarising ourselves with the exploits of the Supreme
(iii) Performance of acts of Pooja
Point No. (ii) above forms an integral part of these three recommendations. An individual’s respect and love for a role model grows as authentic information is gathered about that person. In the spiritual world, this is termed Gyaan. Mother Saraswati sits at the doorway to spiritual enlightenment.
When the sage, Yaagyavalkya, was cursed and his knowledge left him, Suruj Naaraayan advised that he should pen an invocation to Mother Saraswati. He so did and regained his knowledge as well as expanded His academic horizons. To this end, the wise sage narrated the exploits of Shree Raam, allowing Sant Tulsidaas to use some of that exposition in composing the Raamaayan.
In the recommended 16 forms of worship to any Deity, one is asked to hold a flower and perform Dhyaan( meditation) as part of the first form of worship. The individual now proceeds to recite a relevant Mantra. By Mother Saraswati’s grace, we are enlightened about the four benefits from this singular act. The heart rate drops, blood pressure is reduced and oxygen consumption decreases. However, almost simultaneously, the alpha waves(brain waves) increase.
Further, through the blessings of Saraswati Maataa, we become exposed to the deeper meanings of the holy texts. For example, in the last Kaand of the Raamaayan, it’s stated that this body is a veritable ladder which –when misused- can lead us to Hell or, when maximised, is a highway to Heaven and The Great Beyond(Apawarg). The statement points the way for us to aspire towards the final goal(Mukti), a journey which ends in Apawarg where the Supreme resides. His projection, Lord Vishnu(the Sustainer), governs Heaven(Vaikunth).
The thirst for that type of divine wisdom is satiated through contact with Guru, quality Satsang and conversations with Saadhus. These experiences heighten our Bhakti and sharpen our religious acts.