Now I See Things In A Different Way

“Not only is the Supreme Personality of Godhead present as the Supersoul of all living entities; at the same time, He pervades everything in the entire creation. He exists in all circumstances and at all times.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.6.20-23 Purport)

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“Everything I read about in your bhakti-yoga process involves a progression. A gradual change in consciousness. An awakening. A shift from the illusion of maya into the light of transcendence. Ignorance and depression to knowledge and ebullience.

“The problem is that my troubles are real. I am struggling right now. Today. At this very moment. I don’t have time to wait for some transformation that might take years or many lifetimes. I seek an immediate solution. I feel I can’t risk the significant time required for purification.

“It’s like the walls are closing in. I can’t relax; not even for a moment. Constant anxiety. Forced to remain in a certain place. Rampant corruption around me. Friends and family duped into believing a giant hoax created by the government and their coconspirators in the media. Nothing is right. I need the Supreme Lord to rescue me.”

It is certainly difficult to be patient with something so important, where the promise is for a better way of life, for healing the cuts and bruises experienced travelling the rugged road of material existence. Yet there should be tremendous optimism from the mere ability to ask such questions.

The same opportunity was lacking previously. In a different species I would not be aware of the problem. The sense demands would be the limit of priority. Eat, sleep, mate and defend. I fortunately reached the auspicious human birth, but even here I required some time to sober up to allow the natural intelligence to emerge.

One particular comforting truth is that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is omnipresent both in terms of time and space. Whenever I feel alone, I should know that I am not. Whenever I think that hope is lost or soon will be, there is a well-wishing friend nearby.

God accomplishes omnipresence through an expansion known as Supersoul. The notable distinction is neutrality. Supersoul does not interfere. He is the witness, antaryami, to both good and bad. Supersoul is within both the burglar and the homeowner. The sinner and the saint. The liar and the honest person. The fool and the genius.

बिगरी जनम अनेक की सुधरै अबहीं आजु |
होहि राम को नाम जपु तुलसी तजि कुसमाजु ||

bigarī janama aneka kī sudharai abahīṃ āju |
hohi rāma ko nāma japu tulasī taji kusamāju ||

The many past births you spoiled can be rectified right now, today, if you start chanting Shri Rama’s holy name and renounce bad association, says Tulsi.” (Dohavali, 22)

Goswami Tulsidas has advice targeted to this particular lament. He acknowledges that past births were spoiled. We know so based on the present one. We are here today because at some time prior we desired separation from the Almighty. We asked to be in illusion, to have forgetfulness, and the grand coordinator granted the wish.

But everything can be changed in an instant. Right now; today. Simply chant the holy name of Rama and give up bad association. This is the advice of the saint. Give it a try. The holy names are many, and they can be found in an easy to repeat mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Saintly people can be accessed through recorded words, songs, and instructions. By maintaining routine in these two recommended practices, everything essentially takes care of itself. I will receive the healing power that I was so desperate for, and I will be able to pass on the same to others.

In Closing:

My depression surpassing,
Where even to others passing.

That knowledge which came,
From chanting holy name.

And bad association renouncing,
Who the Divine path denouncing.

Since Rama everywhere is He,
Now a different way to see.

Two Timeless Defects In Human Society Illustrated By Kaikeyi

“Being under the control of passion and lust, Rama’s father, Maharaja Dasharatha, wanted to fulfill Kaikeyi’s cherished desire, thus he did not go through with Rama’s installation ceremony.” (Sita Devi speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 47.12)

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कामार्तस्तु महातेजाः पिता दशरथस्स्वयम्।।
कैकेय्याः प्रियकामार्थं तं रामं नाभ्यषेचयत्।

kāmārtastu mahātejāḥ pitā daśarathassvayam।।
kaikeyyāḥ priyakāmārthaṃ taṃ rāmaṃ nābhyaṣecayat।

We are advancing. Progress. Moving away from the backwards way of life imposed by our ancestors. Correcting the wrongs from the past. Destroying symbols of hate. Removing honors for people who weren’t so great, who set in place systems of discrimination and hatred.

A new style of relationship. Equal rights; supposedly. Progressive thought and values. Moving towards perfection in human society. Perhaps in the future the complete eradication of disease, allowing for an extended span of life.

In truth, nothing changes. Pick any spot in the vast timeline of creation and the issues are the same. The defects in the human being cannot be removed as much as the reliance on the sun cannot be eliminated, along with the different seasons created by its positioning.

In a specific area like interpersonal dealings, we get evidence from the incident with Kaikeyi described in the Ramayana. This is a Sanskrit poem of timeless wisdom, but in comparison with the modern day the characters and setting are ancient. But the lessons are timeless.

1. Spouse turning their back on you

Family is the backbone of society. Husband and wife, living together and starting a family. Bringing new people into this world, who will hopefully be of good character and at least maintain society in the future.

The question is how the two will come together. It is an intimidating thought, having to live with someone for the rest of your life. No way out, except maybe in the modern-day divorce procedure, which has its own pains and headaches.

Whether in the old tradition of arranged marriages or the newer versions featuring trial periods of cohabitation, the potential for one spouse turning on the other is always there. This is rooted in desire itself, which is known as kama in Sanskrit.

With Kaikeyi, she was one wife of three to the king of Ayodhya, Maharaja Dasharatha. She was likely the favorite to the king, as she was the youngest and considered the most beautiful. She had also directly offered vital assistance one time, while the king was wounded on the battlefield. Saintly people tend to be grateful; they never forget a single kind gesture done in their favor.

Kaikeyi did indeed turn on her husband. There was an instigator, the humpbacked servant named Manthara. She planted poisonous seeds in the mind of the queen, to the point that Kaikeyi soon abandoned sober and rational thought in favor of anger and jealousy.

2. Family members not happy with what they have

We see this commonly play out in the modern day. A family lives in a large home, one that the husband and wife took years to save money to purchase. The children each have their own room and plenty of space to roam around. Central air conditioning for the high temperatures of summer and limitless heat to deal with the cold of winter.

A fast internet connection and hundreds of channels to watch on the television. Yet this abundance does not prevent infighting. The children chastise the father daily, calling him miserly. They are unhappy with the size of the room that they have, and they continue to ask for more and more.

Kaikeyi was in a similar situation. She had everything going for her. The king had four beautiful sons, each ready to protect and defend the citizens. The eldest, Shri Rama, was so beloved that everyone considered Him to be part of their family.

Though He was born to the womb of Queen Kausalya, Kaikeyi considered Rama to be like her own son. There was not a hint of envy. News spread that Rama was to be the successor, that Dasharatha had made the decision after careful consideration with his trusted advisors.

Yet Manthara’s words turned Kaikeyi the other way. Extreme jealousy. How unfair? Why wasn’t her own son, Bharata, going to be made king? Even if Dasharatha would agree to that, it wouldn’t be enough. Rama would have to abandon the royal life, so as not to interfere with her son’s reign as king.

This was a terrible miscalculation, as Bharata was mortified to later hear the news. When Kaikeyi’s wishes were granted, Rama and family left Ayodhya. Dasharatha soon followed by leaving this world altogether. Kaikeyi was renounced by her son, and she was essentially all alone because of the turmoil she caused.

That was certainly not the first case of human defects turning a peaceful situation upside down, and it certainly will not be the last. No matter how much a person has, they will not be satisfied. Their mind can be easily turned in another direction.

The people of Ayodhya were able to survive because of the constant link in consciousness to Dasharatha’s eldest son, who happens to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The same remedy is available in any time period, whether in prosperity or penance, in health or in sickness, in rapid progression or moving backwards. Man and his dealings may be riddled with defects, but a relationship with the Supreme will always prevail.

In Closing:

Elsewhere fighting the way,
But this relationship to stay.

Since not on desires depending,
Where against envy defending.

That this home not big enough,
Wanting more and more stuff.

Through Shri Rama anything to endure,
Our future wellbeing to ensure.

Four People Who Learned That Rama Is Not Imaginary

“Being under the influence of illusion, I underestimated Rama and took Him to be a mere child. Thus I ran towards Vishvamitra’s sacrificial altar. With that, Rama released an acute arrow capable of destroying His enemies. Upon hitting me, that arrow forcefully threw me away to an ocean one hundred yojanas [eight hundred miles] away.” (Maricha speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 38.18-19)

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अवजानन्नहं मोहाद्बालोऽयमिति राघवम्।
विश्वामित्रस्य तां वेदिमभ्यधावं कृतत्वरः।।
तेन मुक्तस्ततो बाणः शितश्शत्रुनिबर्हणः।
तेनाहं त्वाहतः क्षिप्तस्समुद्रे शतयोजने।।

avajānannahaṃ mohādbālo'yamiti rāghavam।
viśvāmitrasya tāṃ vedimabhyadhāvaṃ kṛtatvaraḥ।।
tena muktastato bāṇaḥ śitaśśatrunibarhaṇaḥ।
tenāhaṃ tvāhataḥ kṣiptassamudre śatayojane।।

Spend enough time on internet forums and social media comment sections and you will think that you are in the minority. It is like going straight into the lion’s den, battling it out on their territory. An away game for a powerful team in professional sports. A travelling tour for the itinerant preacher, speaking particularly to those who are hostile to the message.

Opinion polling says the majority believes in God. They may not belong to one tradition of spirituality, but they at least agree that there is something beyond this world. Outside of life and death, the origin of everything, a Divine Being, who is infallible and not subject to the fluctuations and flaws of the standard way of living.

The believer is sometimes surprised at the hostility in skepticism and disbelief when entering an online discussion group. One of the common retorts is that religion is just make-believe. People who congregate at a house of worship on a regular basis are going to meet their “imaginary friend.”

The argument seems logical enough. Who has actually seen this person? Man has travelled into outer space, beyond the clouds, and not come upon an old and angry man looking to punish the sinners.

The reality is that there is proof all-around. The denial is something like being in a sunlit room but refusing to acknowledge that there is something called the sun. From the encounters of the Rakshasas of Lanka with Shri Rama, we see that the worst in human society quickly learned that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is well beyond anything the mind could imagine.

1. Maricha

Speaking of images, consider man-eating ogres who possess the ability to change shapes at will. One minute they are hideous to look at; grim-visaged. The next minute they look like a deer.

Maricha was one such demon. When enlisted for a task of deceit by Ravana one time, he tried to give proper warning. The leader of the Rakshasas in Lanka needed to hear a story.

Maricha had previously encountered the eldest son of King Dasharatha. This was in the forest. Maricha and his mates had a routine of attacking saintly people during the time of yajna. This is sacrifice. To translate to modern day, it would be somewhat analogous to a terrorist attacking a church during a sermon.

During this particular attack, the hermitage of sage Vishvamitra was protected by Shri Rama. The warrior-in-training barely had any signs of manhood on His face. Rama was a beautiful youth, so what harm could He do against professional attackers?

To Maricha’s surprise, Rama deftly let fly an arrow that packed such a force that it hurled the demon eight hundred miles away. The Rakshasas thought that God wasn’t watching; that there was no supreme controller to deliver destiny. Fate was entirely in their hands, until it wasn’t.

2. Khara

Part of Ravana’s extended family, Khara met God face to face. He was part of a group of fourteen thousand Rakshasas attacking Rama. Not a fair fight. If they were so proud of their ability in combat, why stack the deck?

The matchup was indeed uneven, but not in the way the Rakshasas thought. Shri Rama can successfully defend Himself from fourteen million of the best fighters, if necessary. He was only following in the line of leaders in which He appeared. King Dasharatha was so named because he could defend against attack from the ten directions, simultaneously.

Rama personally delivered the sinner’s fruit to Khara. He explained that the inevitable rewards arrive in the proper course of time, similar to how flowers blossom on trees. What had been done to the innocent sages prior would be returned to Khara and his men.

3. Akampana

This God-denying Rakshasa somehow managed to escape and report back to Ravana what had happened. It wasn’t a pretty affair. Things did not go according to the plan of the leader of Lanka. Ravana knew that extra force was required, but he could never possibly imagine the way in which his men were tormented.

Akampana described that the arrows released from Rama’s bow turned into heat-seeking missiles. They chased their targets wherever they went. Nowhere to hide. In the end, the arrows showed the image of a five-headed serpent. This was death-personified. This was the imaginary friend, now clearly visible, albeit too late to make a positive impression.

4. Ravana

Then there was Ravana himself. He heard the eyewitness testimony. He listened to the warnings from Maricha and also Vibhishana later on. They told him not to tempt fate. The entire Lanka would be destroyed.

Sita Devi explained that the kingdom which Ravana enjoyed would crumble. She knew her husband best. She said that when the time of death arrives, people are known to act in ways that essentially invite the very end. This was her explanation for Ravana having done something as stupid as taking Sita away by force, while Rama was not there to defend.

Ravana saw the same arrows that previously chased his men out of Janasthana. This was death, kala, and its controller in the visible form. The wise take notice. They would rather not wait until the end to be taught a lesson. They prefer to bask in the sweetness and kindness of the vision of the personal God, whose influence is all around, should we be fortunate enough to want to see.

In Closing:

Look closely and you will see,
That God all-around us to be.

Not imaginary as fools thinking,
Who further into illusion sinking.

Maricha and friends the same thought,
When sneak attack to forest brought.

But Rama with arrows the world extending,
To their demise the Rakshasas sending.

Finding A Purpose In Life

“According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.13)

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चातुर्-वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं
गुण-कर्म-विभागशः
तस्य कर्तारम् अपि मां
विद्ध्य् अकर्तारम् अव्ययम्

cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ
guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ
tasya kartāram api māṁ
viddhy akartāram avyayam

“It would be difficult to argue against the most controversial aspect of Hinduism. Yes, I know that is not the proper name for it. Sanatana-dharma, the eternal way of living, is not anything like a religion, but I am talking about in terms of common discussion.

“The sticky subject is the caste system. It is degraded in the modern day implementation, and it has a certain origin. There is a valid basis, I understand, but see how much trouble it has caused through the generations. People claiming high status simply because of who their parents are. None of us can choose that.

“Yes, I get it that karma is at play, but I still have to develop the proper qualities. Qualification should never be based on an honor that descends. In light of the widespread misunderstanding, why would the Supreme Lord ever create such a system? I know Bhagavad-gita confirms that He is the origin.”

An interesting exercise which may help us to understand is to study the results of a modern-day feature of video games. In some of the sports-related titles, such as with American football, baseball, or even ice hockey, there is the ability to create your own player.

That is to say there is already the list of players to mimic real life. For instance, if the title publishes today, it will have the current roster of players based on the matching professional league. The “create-a-player” feature is an addition. In essence, you could insert yourself into the game.

Now imagine that five different people purchase the game and use this feature. We will see that the players they create are different. The face is not the same. Neither is the hairstyle. The bodily complexion will be different. One person’s player might be fast, while another’s is big and strong.

The underlying cause is desire. Now expand the complexities of desire to the highest degree and you get an understanding of why there are up to 8,400,000 different species in this world. These body types, which have tight and detailed specifications, are rooted in the individual soul’s desires. The jiva wants to enjoy in a certain way, and nature obliges.

The caste system, which is originally based on varnashrama-dharma, is a way to match an occupation with the type of body inhabited. We know in modern life that a person takes great pride in their work. Even if it is something simple, like laying a floor in a house, there is a feeling of satisfaction upon completion.

Moreover, we know that every kind of worker is necessary for a society to function. In a large corporation, the CEO is really not more important than the common employee. They may earn a higher salary, but without the rank and file supporting the day-to-day affairs of the business, the company would have no revenue to pay people.

Varnashrama-dharma is a way to give each person pride in their work, to feel like they are contributing to society. The brains of the operation, the brahmanas, are intellectually-inclined and ready to guide others. The kshatriyas want to defend, to protect against injury, to the point of sacrificing their own lives. The vaishyas are interested in running business and earning money. The shudras provide the labor to support the other three groups.

As man further turns away from the Divine, forgetting His role in setting the stage, they take advantage of the divisions. They usurp authority when they don’t deserve it. They may even falsely take away one’s preferred occupation, declaring it to be demeaning. This leaves people without any occupation, which is a tragic consequence.

Whatever the ideal role, the objective is the same: transcendence. Work in such a way that the results do not affect you. Become detached from the outcomes, remain conscious of the Supreme Lord, and live in harmony with your fellow man. Make this lifetime the last one in the land of birth and death, and take residence again in the spiritual kingdom, Vaikuntha.

In Closing:

Utilized feature in video game,
Not players all created the same.

On desires of input depending,
As far as imagination extending.

To the entire world then apply,
For variety in species of nature supply.

Varnashrama for ideal work to give,
So that all in transcendence can live.

Five Tragedies Personally Witnessed By Shri Hanuman

“All of these subjects in the Ramayana seem very pitiable, and they may appear to be very distressing to the reciter, but actually this is not so. Otherwise, why would Hanuman, the great devotee of Lord Ramachandra, read daily about the activities of Lord Ramachandra, as described in the Ramayana itself?” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 34)

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The premise is that I am greatly distraught over the world’s situation. Though it has been this way before anyone can remember, today especially it feels like the criminals are gaining strength. The mob. The rioters. The looters. The people completely sunken into the mode of ignorance, tamo-guna, are rising to power, intimidating the law-abiding, and there is no one in sight to defend.

From the Ramayana story, we see that a saintly person, someone worshiped to this day, personally witnessed so many tragedies. These sad events did not discourage him, as he had the strength of devotion to the Divine as support.

1. Sugriva and Vali fighting

Brothers should love each other. They are family. They grow up together. They are the only people you can critically discuss your parents with. The flaws. The shortcomings. The moments that made you angry. If an outsider agrees for even a moment, you feel offended.

“Hey, don’t you say anything bad about my father. Who are you to speak up? Take care of your own house before peeking into ours.”

Sugriva and Vali were born of demigods; they had special powers. This occurs whenever the Supreme Personality of Godhead makes plans to descend to the land of birth and death. The seeds are planted, so to speak, with the appearance of associates and well-wishers.

Sadly, a mortal feud developed between the two brothers. Hanuman had to see Sugriva driven out of Kishkindha for fear of his life. What should have been a happy time became miserable. The only relief was the summit of Mount Rishyamukha, where a previous curse prevented Vali from entering.

2. The mistreatment of Shri Rama

Hanuman eventually met the avatara of Bhagavan specific to that time period. The first glance was looking down from above while atop the mountain. Sugriva noticed two warrior-like youths roaming the forest. Their presence was conspicuous. The internal thought was, “What in the world are they doing here?”

Hanuman received the orders to go and gather information. In the subsequent meeting he learned of the identities of Shri Rama and His younger brother Lakshmana. Hanuman thought to make an alliance. As Rama was looking for His wife, Sita Devi, and Sugriva looking to regain his own, the two could help each other.

It was a tragedy since someone like Rama should never have anything bad happen to them. He certainly shouldn’t be exiled from His kingdom for fourteen years, being caught in the middle of the jealousy of Queen Kaikeyi directed against her husband, King Dasharatha.

3. Tara becoming a widow

The first person we should appreciate is God. He has already provided so many favors in the gifts of nature, which are necessary for survival. Sadly, our tendency is the opposite. Approach the Almighty for help. Give me this. Give me that. Something wanted in return.

Sugriva was no different. He asked that Rama help first, by getting rid of the threat that was Vali. The Supreme Lord happily obliged. He shot Vali in the back with an arrow, violating the proper standard of warfare. Vali lost his life, and the wife became a widow. Tara grieved for her husband, as he lay on the ground.

शोच्या शोचसि कं शोच्यं दीनं दीनाऽनुकम्पसे।
कस्य कोवाऽनुशोच्योऽस्ति देहेऽस्मिन् बुद्बुदोपमे।।

śocyā śocasi kaṃ śocyaṃ dīnaṃ dīnā’nukampase।
kasya kovā’nuśocyo’sti dehe’smin budbudopame

“Whom are you lamenting for when you yourself are pitiable? Why do you pity the poor when you yourself have now been made poor? While in this body that is like a bubble, how can anyone look at anyone else as being worthy of lamentation?” (Hanuman speaking to Tara, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 21.3)

Hanuman had to witness this tragedy. He tried to offer words of advice to Tara, explaining that every person lives in something like a bubble, which can burst at any moment. For this reason, no person is worthy of envy or should be considered inferior to another. Still, this was a moment that could have been avoided, had Vali not held irrational hostility towards his own brother.

4. Angada and others wanting to quit

When Sugriva regained the kingdom, he ordered the many Vanaras under his control to scour the earth, to find Rama’s missing wife. The massive army divided into groups, and the one with Hanuman was the unofficial favorite to win, to succeed.

Within that group, there was great difficulty. The time allotted for their mission expired, and the members didn’t know what to do. They had yet to even get a clue as to Sita’s whereabouts. The leader, Angada, who was Vali’s son, decided to quit.

Hanuman tried his best to convince him otherwise. Hanuman couldn’t believe that everyone would let Rama down in this way. It was a great tragedy, but one that fortunately got corrected soon thereafter with the chance meeting with the bird named Sampati.

5. Sita Devi suffering

The group learned where Sita was. Turns out it was only Hanuman who could cross the ocean and reach Lanka. There he personally witnessed the suffering Rama’s wife was enduring. She was held against her will, with the evil king hoping to turn her away from her love for her husband.

There was a group of female ogres surrounding Sita, harassing her day and night. Hanuman was so upset at this vision that he never forgot it. When Rama later arrived in Lanka and defeated the king to rescue Sita, Hanuman wanted to kill those people who had harassed her. Sita Devi forgave them, saying the incident was in the past.

From shastra and disciplic succession we know that Hanuman still looks back fondly at the events of the Ramayana, of which he is also a central figure. He asks to remain in this world for as long as Rama’s glories are told, and that bold and fearless servant can lift up our spirits in times of great uncertainty and fear.

In Closing:

Hanuman fearless and bold,
Staying here for as long as told.

Rama’s glories like in Ramayana found,
Describing hero’s journey bound.

That tragedy witnessing in front,
Like Vali his brother to confront.

And Sita harassed day and night,
But in end everything made right.

Why Didn't Dasharatha Just Refuse Kaikeyi

“Being under the control of passion and lust, Rama’s father, Maharaja Dasharatha, wanted to fulfill Kaikeyi’s cherished desire, thus he did not go through with Rama’s installation ceremony.” (Sita Devi speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 47.12)

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कामार्तस्तु महातेजाः पिता दशरथस्स्वयम्।।
कैकेय्याः प्रियकामार्थं तं रामं नाभ्यषेचयत्।

kāmārtastu mahātejāḥ pitā daśarathassvayam।।
kaikeyyāḥ priyakāmārthaṃ taṃ rāmaṃ nābhyaṣecayat।

“It is one of the important events in the early portion of the Ramayana poem of Maharishi Valmiki. If translated to modern terms, it would be something like the act break. It is the point at which the show would go to commercial, if airing on television.

“A change of scene. Something for the audience to ponder. They are otherwise shocked. Everything was going so smoothly. Everyone was happy. There was a celebration on the horizon. Dasharatha’s eldest son was to be the new king.

“This son had been long sought after. Dasharatha was without an heir to the throne. His hard work and dedication to dharma were appreciated by the citizens, but what good would that do if the next generation simply spoiled everything?

“The king had the chance meeting with Rishya-shringa, and a yajna took place for the purpose of bringing a son. Dasharatha was blessed with four, in fact, with Rama the eldest. This was a direct expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu. The other brothers were partial expansions.

“Yet everything became ruined through the envy of Kaikeyi, the youngest queen. Convinced by her dastardly servant named Manthara, Kaikeyi was suddenly ready to cash in on two favors her husband had previously promised her.

“She sure went big. These boons would not be wasted. She demanded that her son, Bharata, be made the next king and that Rama remain in exile for fourteen years. This was like a knife in the back to Dasharatha. He couldn’t believe it.

“It makes for a compelling story, but I’m wondering why the king simply didn’t refuse her. By going along with the promises, he made himself look to be a subject of kama, lust. He was under the control of a woman, which shouldn’t be the case for a responsible head of state.”

The explanation is that a pious king never values emotion over duty. He was attached to Rama, so much so that he couldn’t bear the separation. Dasharatha would quit his body soon after Rama leaving for the forest. Kaikeyi’s requests essentially killed him.

Yet this was not the first instance of Dasharatha casting aside his personal preferences for dharma. When Rama was a youth, the venerable Vishvamitra Muni paid a visit to the kingdom. He asked for Rama as a bodyguard in the forest, to protect against wicked characters who were harassing the sages.

One can only imagine what Dasharatha felt. Why couldn’t the king go? Why not some adult royal guards? Why did Vishvamitra insist on Rama? Yet the king did not deny the request of a brahmana. He acquiesced, although reluctantly.

He did the same with Kaikeyi. In a later incarnation, the father named Vasudeva immediately parted ways with Vishnu as his child. Shri Krishna asked to be transported to the nearby town of Gokula shortly after appearing from the womb of Devaki. Vasudeva had to essentially give up his child to another family, but he did not hesitate.

There are parallels to modern day life. We may prefer to always remain in the temple, staring at the beautiful, merciful incarnation of the Divine known as the archa-vigraha. Seeing His smiling face brings a level of peace not experienced anywhere else.

Yet there are daily responsibilities which must be met. This means that physical separation is inevitable. Just as Rukmini Devi dreaded the onset of morning, knowing that her husband Krishna would have to arise and leave her side for the day, so the devoted souls are in anguish over having to place interest elsewhere, albeit temporarily.

The same Supreme Lord is always close by, accessible whenever we want to turn His way. Simply saying His names brings Him to the vicinity: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Dasharatha in tough position found,
Attachment but also to duty bound.

That soon Rama exile to start,
And king for next life to depart.

To refuse Kaikeyi easy to say,
But dharma leader a different way.

From work similar dilemma we face,
But from names Lord rushing to place.

Five New Possessions I Might Not Be Willing To Share With My Brother

“O Lakshmana, do you rule this earth with Me. You are like My second self, so this glorious opportunity has been presented to you as well. O Saumitra, do you enjoy all the pleasures you desire and the fruits of the regal life. My life and this kingdom I covet for your sake alone.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 4.43-44)

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लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्।
द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वामियं श्रीरुपस्थिता।।
सौमित्रे भुङ्क्ष्व भोगांत्स्वमिष्टान्राज्यफलानि च।
जीवितं च हि राज्यं च त्वदर्थमभिकामये।।

lakṣmaṇemāṃ mayā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasundharām।
dvitīyaṃ me’ntarātmānaṃ tvāmiyaṃ śrīrupasthitā।।
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃtsvamiṣṭānrājyaphalāni ca।
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadarthamabhikāmaye।।

1. My new toy

“Why are you making me share this with my brother? It was my birthday present. I asked for it. It’s not my fault he never thought of it before. You know that he only wants to play with it because it is mine. Watch. I give it to him today, and tomorrow you won’t know where it is. It’ll be lost because he just threw it aside. No way. I am not sharing.”

2. My new room

“I’m the eldest among the siblings. I went with Dad to see the model homes, prior to ours being built. I chose the biggest room at that time. It is not my fault you didn’t want to come along, that you weren’t interested to see things. This is my room; you can have the smaller one. I am done sharing. We had bunk-beds for so long, but now we can each sleep alone.”

3. My new car

“I intentionally chose a manual-transmission car so that no one else in the family could drive it. This is a high-end model. A classic that only appreciates in value over time. Try doing that with any of these modern cars. As soon as you drive it off the lot at the dealership, the value declines a significant amount.

“You are free to ride around with me, if you want. Even if you did somehow learn to handle a stick-shift, I am not allowing you to drive this. Get your own. Stop mooching off me.”

4. My new house

“It’s a new construction. Thanks for the compliments. I concur that the neighborhood is very nice. The tennis court is in close proximity. There is a continuous sidewalk throughout, so you can go for an evening stroll and enjoy the scenery.

“But let’s be clear. Under no circumstances can you live here. This is my house. You can visit every now and then, but you will have to find your own place to stay permanently. I am willing to help you find a nice place, but it has to be your own.”

5. My new kingdom

Rare it is to receive such an honor in the modern day, but we can revisit the scene in Ayodhya many thousands of years ago. The avatara of Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Rama received news that He would be the next king.

This followed the protocols of succession, the desires of the people, and the long-held dream of the father, King Dasharatha. Rama was the eldest son; this only made sense. It was not a matter of if, but when.

Rama immediately went to give the news to Lakshmana. It wasn’t to show off. It wasn’t to make the younger brother feel neglected. It wasn’t to evoke feelings of envy. Rather, Rama offered to share the kingdom with Lakshmana. They would rule together. Everything in life Rama did for the sake of that beloved younger brother.

More than just a lesson for non-avataras to follow, we see that the person who has the most is not the least bit miserly. He is neither angry nor petty. He has plenty of room to share in the experience of His transcendental kingdom, which is safely guarded by Shri Hanuman, and abundantly wealthy due to the goddess of fortune, Sita Devi.

In Closing:

Not like miserly one to care,
With plenty of room to share.

Of others feelings’ aware,
So going to Lakshmana there.

When offer of kingdom came,
Rama to brother the same.

Meaning that God most magnanimous is He,
Wanting only our happiness to see.