||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 7 - Aranya Kandam

Rama's lecture on Bhakti, Gnana,  and Vairagya

Mama Gun Gavath Pulak Sareera | Gadhgadhgira Nayan Bah Neera | Kam Adhi Madh Dhamb Na Jakem| Thath Niranthar Bas Mey Thakem||

 

Rama, Lakshmana, and Devi Sita arrived in Panchavati, there he met Gridhraraja/King of birds Jatayu, and they have formed a great friendship with him. Lakshman built a beautiful hermitage on the riverbank of Godavari and started living there. The Rishis and Sages lived happily and fearlessly in the presence of Rama. The woods, hills, rivers, streams, ponds, multiplied its beauty in his presence, and the birds and animals lived in complete harmony and roamed in the woods fearlessly. The trees, creepers, and flowering plants filled with fresh alluring flowers and fruits of rich fragrances there were buzzing of honey bees all over the forest, it is difficult to describe the beauty of woods even for thousand tongued Adishesha. Once, Rama was sitting leisurely in the hermitage, Lakshmana approached Rama and asked “Oh! Prabhu who is worshiped by Suras, Naras, and Muni, Oh! Lord of living and non-living things, kindly advises me how did I serve the dust from the lotus feet of you? Kindly enlighten me with the knowledge of Gnana, Virakthi, and Maya. Oh! Prabho, kindly narrate me in detail about the practice of Bhakti which is beloved of you, kindly describe the difference of Jeevathma and Paramathma, hence it would enhance my devotion at your lotus feet, it would remove my misconceptions and grief as well.”

 

Rama replies to Lakshman “Oh! Beloved brother, I shall narrate them in briefly, listen to me carefully, Maya is the false beliefs are known as me, myself and mine, no creature in this Universe is free from Maya. It is influenced by mind, intellect, actions, and words. There are two kinds of Maya/Gnana and Agnan.  The Maya caused by Avidya/Agnan is extremely impure and sorrowful as well, the people who are influenced by this Agnan Maya heaved to the depth of the Samsarakoopa/well of worldly existence. The Gnana is under the control of the Supreme Lord who is the creator of the Universe and its living beings, and he is beyond the Trigunas/Sathva, Rajas, Tamas. The wisdom removes the pride and impurities of the mind of the Jeeva, eventually, it realizes the presence of supreme Bhramam in living and non-living things, and it envisions the all-pervasive nature of Bhramam. Oh! Beloved brother, A Paramavairagin is the one who abandons Siddhis/supernatural powers and the Trigunas as grass.  The Jeevathma is the one who lacks the knowledge of Maya, the supreme Lord, and the supreme soul. The Supreme Lord Shiva/Eshwara is the provider of fruits of Karma in the form of Bandha and Moksha, he is the controller of Maya as well.”

 

Rama continues “Oh! Lakshmana, our sacred text Veda describes Dharma is the source of Vairagya, the practices of Yoga provides Gnana, and the wisdom provides Moksha. Oh! Brother, I easily get pleased with the devotion and faith of Jeeva, the devotion is the source of bliss, it is effortless to practice and free from obstacles. Gnana and Vignana remains under the devotion. Oh! Vathsa, there is no comparison for Bhakti is the source of supreme bliss. It can be achieved with the grace of preceptor. I shall narrate the methods of practice of Bhakti in detail, which are the easiest way to approach the Supreme Lord. 1) The person who has an intense devotion to twice-born 2) Person who is enthusiastically practicing the duties and responsibilities performed in Veda, it would keep the Sadhaka free from interest in worldly matters and cultivate the habit of Virakthi, and it enhances the devotion 3) Person who has an interest in Navadha Bhakti/Shravanam, Keerthanam, Smaranam, Padhasevanam, Archanam, Vandhanam, Dhasyam, Sakhyam, and Athmanivedhanam, 4) The practice of Navadhabakthi cultivates interest in listening and reading scriptures and the various passionate sport of Lord 5) Service to the devotees of Lord and saintly, ascetics, and preceptors 6) following strict austerities by words, mind, and deeds, and sung in praise of the Lord 7) Worship of Lord as Matha, Pitha, Guru, Bandhu, Swami, and deity. 8) The person who takes great interest in singing in praise and glories of me would attain intense devotion, with tears overflowing, voices break due to the rush of emotions, eventually, the worshiper would be removed from impurities like Kama, Dhambha, Madha, Moha, and Ashcharya, etc. Oh! Thatha, I shall remain the Bhakthaparadheena/who is under the control of Bhakta. I shall take rest in the lotus-like hearts of those devotees who perform the deeds, words, and intellect, without any desires, and constantly engages in the contemplation of me.” Lakshmana was highly pleased to hear the speeches of Bhakti, Vairagya, Gnana, Neethi, and virtues in detail, in this way the lectures and discussion between Rama, Sita, and Lakshman continued for several days.