Vipul Agarwal, Delhi, 19 October 2023
The entire world is aggressively pursuing their self-interest without probably knowing what their self-interest is. On the contrary, everybody appears to be quite certain of his self-interest. People are fighting against each other, organizations are fighting among themselves, and countries are fighting wars. However, there is still misery and pain all around. The world remains as unhappy and dissatisfied as it was earlier. In fact, the world is becoming more and more miserable.
We have very beautiful lessons from Ramayana to understand what is going on in this world. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita gave away the kingdom of Ayodhya to honour the words of their father Dashratha. They were living in the forest quite peacefully till Sita saw a golden deer and had a desire to get that deer. She sends Rama to get the deer. We also live peacefully with our Rama, our true self, and the Lakshmana, our wisdom, till we get a desire. A craving to possess something that attracts us. With that single desire, the entire play begins. We disconnect from our true selves due to our desire to get the golden deer. In the moments of separation from the true self, wisdom still tries to protect us and frames certain rules in the form of “Lakshmana Rekha” so that by following the same, we may not get into the trap of “Maya”. However, due to the separation from the true self, we become doubtful about our wisdom and due to this doubt, we make a wrong decision that is guided by fear rather than wisdom. We cross the “Lakshmana Rekha” and Ravana is just ready to take us to Lanka.
We get surrounded by demons of all types in Lanka. In these moments, we need firm belief that we will sooner or later get re-connected to the true self and wisdom. Rama and Lakshmana need the support of Sugriva to find Sita. Sugriva is powerless since he has been thrown out of the kingdom by his brother Vali. Hanumana also does not remember his powers. Similarly, our worldly actions in such a state are also driven by likes and dislikes like those of Vali. It is only when Hanumana and Sugriva unite with Rama, that Sugriva is able to reclaim the empire. Similarly, only when our motivations for worldly actions are deep-rooted in the true self, these worldly actions help us reconnect to the divine.
On the surface, our worldly actions may be driven by our true self and divinity, yet at the core, we may still have a lot of cravings and aversions lying deep in our unconscious mind. Sita is still in Lanka lying powerless among the demons. Hanumana needs to recall his powers to reach Lanka. Similarly, we need to recall the powers of our “Mana” to be able to observe the inner world by meditation. As we observe the inner world, by observing different sensations on the body, in a witness state, we become aware of the inner demons.
Hanumana surveyed Lanka and was caught by the demons. However, he stayed firmly connected to Rama and used the fire in his tail to set Lanka ablaze. Similarly, while observing the inner world with equanimity, we use the fire of these sensations to eradicate the inner demons lying deep in the unconscious mind.
Since the true self and wisdom have to reach the inner world, we need to build a bridge between the inner and the outer world. This bridge was built by Nala and Nila by throwing stones into the sea with the name of Rama. Similarly, as we do small deeds with selflessness, the bridge between the inner and the outer world is formed.
Once the true self and wisdom reach the inner world, the role of Vibhishana is crucial in killing Ravana. Our old divine “Samskaras”, formed during our spiritual journey in our past lives, help us get to know how to kill the inner demons of cravings and aversions. Vibhisana tells Rama how to kill Ravana.
What started with a golden deer ended with the killing of Ravana. The world is full of golden deer. We always have a choice between Rama and the golden deer. We know, through the story of Ramayana, the results of craving for the golden deer. If we are a little intelligent, we can see the same consequences of cravings in today’s world where all types of wars are going on.
We always have the free will and the freedom to choose between the golden deer and Rama!
