Why does Lord Rama appear in this world? Is to kill Ravana? Rama is the creator and destroyer of this universe so killing Ravana was not a big deal for him.
They why he comes? He comes for you and me. The Supreme Lord Rama appears to teach us how to live happily here.
If we begin living as per the standards set by Rama, then we can easily live a misery free life. Let’s reflect on few such examples.
Though the Supreme Lord, he was always subservient to his guru and rsis. He faithfully followed any instruction given by sage Viśvāmitra and Vasista. Despite his father asking him to give up his claim for the throne of Ayodhya and live in forest for 14 years, he never disrespected or disobeyed him.
Not just that he did not harbour any malice towards Kaikeyi, who had compelled Daśaratha to act in such a cruel way. Even his own son Bharata was not willing to forgive her, but Rama asked his younger brother to give up all hatred for his mother.
How wonderful our life will become if we too like Rama learn the art of freeing our heart of all the hatred!
Rama & Sita’s love in separation
After becoming the king, Rama treated everyone equally including the animals.
To show the world, how a king and the queen should be above all suspicion, Rama and Sita agreed to live separately. Today some people question Rama’s act. This is because of lack of scriptural understanding. Rama and Sita can never be separated.
To the mundane eyes they both suffered the agony of separation. But scriptures say this “love in separation” is much superior to “love in union.” Srila Prabhupada explains, “The separation of Lord Rāmacandra from Sītā is spiritually understood as vipralambha, which is an activity of the hlādinī potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead belonging to the śṛṅgāra-rasa, the mellow of conjugal love in the spiritual world.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.10.11 purport
Never give up duty in any circumstances
Lord Rama also taught us to never give up our duties even if the circumstances are unpleasant. His appearance was a great reassurance for all the devotees because he always protected them.
He was mere 16 years old when Viśvāmitra came to Ayodhya and asked Daśaratha to send Rama with him to protect the sacrificial arena from the Rākṣasas. Daśaratha in tears said, “Rama is so young and has no experience of fighting a war.”
But Viśvāmitra was aware that Rama is not any other human being who needs to be trained to fight a war. He is the Supreme Lord, creator, maintainer and destroyer of the universe.
So, how much difficult for him will be to destroy the miscreants like Maricha, Subahu and other Rākṣasas who were associates of so-called mighty Ravana and were causing great trouble to Viśvāmitra and other sages. And we all know how swiftly Rama eliminated these Rākṣasas. Later he even destroyed Ravana bringing joy to the devotees.
Rama’s impeccable examples are for us to follow with determination. Lord Rama appears and performs many pastimes to teach us how to live happily here. Our heart will experience joy once we bring Rama in our life and start living as per the examples he has set. Rama will shower his mercy upon us and under his love and care, we will be safe and secure.
Three Reflections
- Rama was not attached to becoming a king, similarly we should not be attached to any power or positions.
- Rama forgives Kaikeyi teaching us that we should be ready to forgive even those who have harmed us.
- Rama & Sita are eternal couple, they can never be separated.
Ask Yourselves?
- Do I still carry anger in my heart against a person (or persons) who has(or have) harmed us?
Action Item
- Say a prayer to Lord Rama and take a vow to forgive that person who has heart you.
