How Are Devotees Supposed To Handle Personal Misfortune and Tragedy

“Shrila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura explains in this regard that the very word harih means ‘one who takes away.’ If one connects himself with Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord takes away all his miseries, and in the beginning the Lord also superficially appears to take away all his material possessions, reputation, education and beauty.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 8.19.32 Purport)

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“You would have to agree that the general expectation with following spiritual life is that things will get better. I only approach the spiritual master, the guru, because something is wrong. If I were happy with the repeating days, months, and years, there would be no reason to listen to something new.

“There is a hole in my life. An unspoken void. Success in the material sense has not been enough. In fact, I almost feel worse now than I did before. I ask what is the point to everything. I am not really sure who I am. I feel compelled to pose the same questions from Sanatana Gosvami delivered so humbly before Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in that one meeting.

“As I am fortunate enough to meet the guru and begin to implement significant changes to the way I live, I should see an improvement. This is the expectation. What happens if things actually get worse? How are we supposed to handle that? Is that not an invitation for rejection, for cursing at the Almighty and turning in the other direction?”

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada explains that if a person encounters difficulties, insignificant or severe, while following through on the duties of bhakti-yoga, they should consider that situation to be a gift from above.

Shri Krishna is placing them into a field of austerities and penances for a purpose. That weakened state is a way to increase the understanding. It is helping to make progress towards realization of the ultimate goal of life.

This should not be difficult to comprehend. If suddenly I lose personal beauty as a result of strictly following the regulative principles passed down for my spiritual benefit, then I should look upon that loss as favorable. It means that maybe the amount of hair on my head is not that important. Why should it matter if others find me attractive? That is not the goal of life.

If my party loses the most recent election, which was hotly contested and involved mountains of fraud and corruption, I will be incredibly sad and worried. Perhaps that is not the goal of life, to ensure that the favored politician or party remains in power. I will have to leave this world one day, regardless of who is in power in this or any other country in the world.

One of the names for the Supreme Lord is Hari. One of the meanings to this word is, “one who takes away.” The personal God is so kind that after approaching Him directly, He may actually go against my wishes. He might take away everything so dear to me, in a seemingly cruel and heartless way.

This is actually endless compassion and mercy. Hari places me in difficulty so that it will be easier to remember Him, correcting my mistake of following the erroneous directions I accepted on the map of life. I will remember the pain and heartache of deep association with the material world. If I am intelligent, I will look to avoid it in the future. I will try to stay happy and blissful in serving the one person who is always looking out for me, who is always my best friend, and who will never leave me no matter what happens.

In Closing:

Austerities now in force,
Correction for proper course.

Into these difficulties found,
Assisting in no longer bound.

Because liberation slated for me,
Not again this world to see.

Hari in oversight not to relent,
In spite of my wayward bent.

Proportionately Understanding The Goal Of Life

“All of them - as they surrender unto Me - I reward accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pritha.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.11)

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ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते
तांस् तथैव भजाम्य् अहम्
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते
मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः

ye yathā māṁ prapadyante
tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānuvartante
manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ

“I’ve heard it said that every person is following Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That the concept of an atheist, as we define it, isn’t really valid. That is simply a category of people who are worshiping in a different way. Can you explain further?”

The source authority is Bhagavad-gita, which is a sacred Sanskrit text that essentially carries forward a transcript of a conversation between the Supreme Lord and one of His disciples. God has too many direct followers to count, but Arjuna has a notable distinction of belonging to the warrior class.

Kshatriyas protect others from injury. This is one of the primary purposes of government. Protect innocent life and property. Everything else is secondary. If these two basic principles are not followed, the government is a failure.

Kshatriya is one of four main divisions of occupation to ensure a steady and peaceful progression towards the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of birth and death, which is final escape from the land of illusion, governed by the energy known as maya.

In the more common scenario, it is the brahmana who interacts directly with God. It is a member of the priestly order, the top priority within the varnashrama hierarchy, who is worthy of hearing and then safely keeping the information passed down from the original spiritual master, the adi-guru.

As Arjuna is a kshatriya, the interaction, which took place directly on a battlefield, shows the universal appeal and friendship of the Supreme Lord. Shri Krishna is the well-wisher to everyone. Friend or foe. Follower or denier. Priest or thief. Government leader or enemy of the state. God is always with them.

Krishna confirms that everyone follows Him in all respects. He rewards them accordingly, based on the level of surrender. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada explains further. Each person is proportionately understanding the goal of life to the extent that they are making progress.

For the person who has made no progress, they consider the goal of life to be basic enjoyment, on an ever-increasing scale. More money. Bigger house. More women. Expanding fame. Increase every kind of opulence available.

Another person might understand the spiritual nature of the world, how something within is the animating force for everything that exists. Their goal of life becomes merging into that nature, essentially shedding the temporary identity based on association with matter.

The highest understanding is knowing both the spiritual nature and the distinct individual who is the source of it. The confirmation is there in Krishna. He does not declare to Arjuna that everyone is God. If the Supreme were ultimately formless, then a voice from the sky would have delivered the time-honored instruction of Bhagavad-gita.

The atheists are still worshipers since they are connected to Krishna. They know only His shadow portion, which is the material energy. They are rewarded accordingly in that they remain in ignorance. Their progress is halted, so they stay in the land of birth and death.

It would be something like a student continuously held back in a certain grade in school, since they fail to progress in understanding. The failure is not a disqualification from being a student or a child of parents. But the child who does move forward has something different to experience in the world.

The devotees of Krishna have the complete understanding of matter and spirit, and so they can live joyfully in any situation. Whether heaven or hell, they always see the all-attractive one standing before them, ready to provide ever-increasing bliss through His association: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Always before me standing,
Not through illusion landing.

So that no matter where to go,
His timeless shelter to know.

Others connected in similar way,
But in material world to stay,

Since their interaction capped,
By fault of atheism strapped.

Collateral Damage In A Bitter Feud

“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।।

It is a tough situation. You are not really sure what to do. The first person has been your friend for years. Through thick and thin. You can always count on them. Whether you are up or down, whether in sickness or in health, whether feeling jovial or totally depressed over the recent turn of events, this friend is there.

The second person has not been a friend for long. You met them only recently, but the bond is tight. You are on the best of terms and you can’t imagine a more stand-up person to be associated with. It is a blessing to have found such a friend so late in life.

The issue is that these two people are involved in conflict. A bitter feud. Differences that cannot be settled reasonably. Though you know the first friend since a long time back, you think they are in the wrong. At least in this situation.

But if you take the side of either person, it will not be good. Both sides want you to weigh in, to make a judgment, but why get caught in the middle? There is the potential for losing both friends, for missing out on desirable association.

It is not uncommon for even the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be stuck in the middle. He ended up being the collateral damage in one incident described in the Ramayana of Valmiki. Everything was otherwise going well. King Dasharatha was ready to pass the throne to his eldest son.

Shri Rama, an avatara of Vishnu, who is the personal God, loved His brothers so much that He immediately thought of approaching Lakshmana and extending the offer. The two would rule together. No need for rivalry. No jealousy. What belonged to Rama also belonged to the younger brother.

The Supreme Lord got caught in the middle when one of Dasharatha’s queens grew envious. She had to be prodded in that direction. The servant named Manthara was the instigator. Goddess Sarasvati blessed her with the ability to speak just the right words to change the mind.

Kaikeyi wanted her son to be the next king instead of Rama. Bharata was also beloved in the community, but Rama was the eldest. She did not care for the standard protocols. To add insult to injury, she demanded that Rama be banished from the kingdom for fourteen years.

The root cause was envy of another queen. Rama was born to Kausalya and Bharata to Kaikeyi. Dasharatha did not mind the first request. Bharata would not agree, but Rama would have no problem. But the second wish was like a knife in the back. A deathblow, in time validated in the literal sense.

Controlling desire is not easy. Kama is the great devouring enemy of this world, as confirmed by Shri Krishna in Bhagavad-gita. Unfulfilled desire leads to anger, which causes delusion and a loss of intelligence.

श्री-भगवान् उवाच
काम एष क्रोध एष
रजो-गुण-समुद्भवः
महाशनो महा-पाप्मा
विद्ध्य् एनम् इह वैरिणम्

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa
rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ
mahāśano mahā-pāpmā
viddhy enam iha vairiṇam

“The Blessed Lord said: It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the material modes of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring, sinful enemy of this world.” (Bhagavad-gita, 3.37)

If I act selfishly, I may get what I want, but at the expense of others. Not just the person losing out on the object over which the competition is waged, but also the people coming in between, who otherwise have no interest in the outcome.

Whereas if I act in the interest of the Supreme Lord, everyone benefits. Dharma emerges victorious over kama, and with that an increased chance of escaping the future cycle of birth and death, to which the kama-controlled are bound.

In Closing:

To future cycle bound,
Again birth-death found.

When kama controlling,
Sway over mind holding.

Sometimes others caught in between,
Like in Ayodhya pitiable scene.

When interest towards Rama to steer,
Best outcome for everyone clear.

Five Situations Where You Should Approach Vishnu

“When your personal and supreme interests can be easily obtained from one place, it is not sensible for you in weakness to beg at the doors of others, O Tulsi.” (Dohavali, 54)

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स्वारथ परमारथ सकल सुलभ एक ही ओर |
द्वार दूसरे दीनता उचित न तुलसी तोर ||

svāratha paramāratha sakala sulabha eka hī ora |
dvāra dūsare dīnatā ucita na tulasī tora ||

1. If you want a new car

“Seriously, this one is just not cutting it anymore. I feel embarrassed if anyone I know should see my driving it. If I go to an office party or wedding or some other large social function, everyone else pulls up in something nice. Even if it is not expensive, at least it is new.

“My car is over fifteen years old. I do maintain it well, thanks for asking. Lots of miles, but also lots of love. But I would like something better. I simply can’t afford it. Maybe I will ask the Supreme Lord. The power of prayer. I don’t know how He will come through, but maybe a miracle is due.”

2. If you want revenge on someone

“I can’t believe what these people are doing. They are such liars. Others buy into the deception. A total fraud. I saw the theft with my own eyes. That is sufficient evidence. Don’t tell me that my claim has been debunked. Stop censoring people.

“I am sick and tired of all this. What kind of country do we live in? I thought this was the land of the free and the home of the brave. Now it’s the grounds of the shackled and the walls of the asylum. Only the elites are allowed out, to run rampant with their corruption. I pray to God that something happens to these people, that they get what they rightfully deserve.”

3. If you want to be promoted to the heavenly planets

“Life on earth is not cutting it for me. Chronic pain. Constant pressure. Never-ending worry. I just want to be free of it all. Let me reach heaven, today. I can’t take this madness. Total insanity. I’ve realized recently that there is no point in talking to other people. They are simply too immersed in the illusion. I cannot relate to them.

“Perhaps God can help me out. Rescue me from this despair. Take me to the higher ground. I swear, I will be good going forward. I won’t make the same mistakes. My attention will not be diverted. In heaven, I hear that the residents enjoy a better life, and for a longer duration. That seems like the ideal place.”

4. If you want to give thanks for everything you have in this world

“I am so thankful. For everything, in fact. My friends. My family. My job. My ability to wake up in the morning. Nothing is guaranteed. I know that people pass on. Great personalities, people who have significant wealth, who are adored by the public. Nothing can stop the onslaught of time, which deals the final blow known as death.

“I hear people say that God is responsible for everything, that this greatness is attributed to Him. Perhaps He is the person I should be thanking. I know others are not as fortunate, that they struggle more. Perhaps He can shower His grace on them, as well.”

5. If you want to be free of material desires

“One desire after another. I say that I only want this one thing, but after I get it I am still not satisfied. Give me this. Give me that. It’s too much to take. I would love to be truly desireless. Akama, as it is known in Sanskrit. Maybe God can help me to achieve that elevated platform of consciousness.”

…

For every desire there is a corresponding system of religion. Though dharma is one, it breaks down, divides, and deviates in practice over time to match these desires. Thus the original religion gets mistaken to be based on the individual’s perspective, on their understanding of the world around them, however limited that may be.

As Prahlada Maharaja explains, it is in the best interest of the living being to approach the personal God. Svartha gatim hi vishnum. Svartha is short-term interest. The situations mentioned above generally fall into that category.

Paramartha is long-term interest, usually referring to the afterlife.

“I will wait until old age to practice religion. Let me enjoy now, while I am young. Later on, I will get serious about death.”

The truth is that svartha should meet paramartha; that is the ideal way of living.

Goswami Tulsidas makes the same declaration. Both svartha and paramartha are satisfied at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no reason to go begging elsewhere. I may not get what I want. God may deny my request, but He will always keep my interest at hand. He has no need to compete with me, so even if I chant the holy names with offenses I am eventually delivered: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Save enough money so retired,
To reach heaven now inspired.

Or asking for basic relief,
No more suffering and grief.

Prahlada saying so,
That to Vishnu should go.

The short and long terms merging,
On liberated path converging.

Two Competing Responsibilities For King Dasharatha

“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।

1. Leader of the people

King Dasharatha of Ramayana fame was not elected to the post. There was no vox populi. No requirement to sway public opinion. No flooding the television and radio airways with negative advertisements. No false promises to multiple special interest groups, hoping to gain their support.

In fact, Dasharatha received his name from the ability to defend, which is required for a kshatriya. From Vedic culture descends the varnashrama system. Four divisions of occupation for the proper functioning of society.

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

“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)

Kshatriyas are the second division. The root definition of the Sanskrit word is, “one who protects against injury.” The primary purpose of government is to protect property and innocent life. Failing in these two departments the government is a failure.

Dasharatha could defend against attackers penetrating in ten directions simultaneously. This is a remarkable ability, and so it is no wonder that the demigods, the suras in the heavenly realm, would often call upon Dasharatha for assistance.

In Ayodhya he was the leader of the people. Another fit and qualified ruler in a dynasty of kings descending from the sun-god, Vivasvan. Dasharatha was in a line of kings known as Ikshvakus. The famous King Raghu also previously appeared within the line.

2. A man of trust and honor

In addition to protecting from injury, a kshatriya should be trustworthy. Since there are no elections, there is no harm from being honest. In modern day politics, if you slip up, if you mistakenly speak the truth about a situation, the entire world could align against you. Therefore, most professional politicians deliver their speeches by reading off a teleprompter; i.e. prepared remarks.

Dasharatha did not have to worry about such issues. In the area of honesty, he was self-policing. The scrutiny from within was enough to keep the king in line with dharma. The last thing he wanted was to be proven a liar.

And so in these competing responsibilities, Dasharatha ran into trouble. While engaged in battle one time, his youngest wife happened to be with him. Kaikeyi essentially saved him by directing the chariot out of harm’s way.

As a saintly person, Dasharatha was so pleased and grateful. He offered Kaikeyi any two boons of her choosing. The queen had no malice or ill-intent, so she did not immediately take advantage of the favor. She waited until later, after one of her devious servants planted the seed of jealousy in the queen’s mind.

Kaikeyi wanted Bharata to be made the next king. This went against protocol and also the impending plans. Dasharatha’s eldest son, Rama, born to another queen, Kausalya, was on track to take over. Everyone in the kingdom agreed.

Kaikeyi remembered the boons. She placed the king in a bind. Be a proper leader or be shown to be a liar. The decision was so painful. Rama made everything easy. He voluntarily left the kingdom. Bharata would take over. No reason for anyone’s reputation to take a hit.

The incident highlights the difficulties with following dharma to the letter. Nuance and subtlety, the considerations based on time and circumstance, the concern for the population at large compared to the personal interest – the decisions are not straightforward.

There were no ill-feelings from Rama’s side, but His wife, Sita Devi, never forgot. She later described Dasharatha to be a victim of his desires, kama, in making the decision to favor Kaikeyi. There is the saying, “You can’t please all of the people all of the time.” But since the king was conscious of Rama while quitting the body, he achieved the best end to life regardless.

In Closing:

Leader of Ayodhya in good standing,
Alertness to ten directions commanding.

Also true to his word,
Such was Kaikeyi heard.

That advantage of promises taking,
Otherwise Dasharatha a liar making.

Responsibilities in this world conflicting,
King liberated despite conditions restricting.

Why Didn't Narada Deal With Kamsa Properly

“Narada warned Kamsa to be careful of the friends and well-wishers and all the demigods taking birth in those families. Kamsa and his friends and advisors were all demons. Demons are always afraid of demigods. After being thus informed by Narada about the appearance of the demigods in different families, Kamsa at once became alert.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 1)

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“Listen, democracy is a nice idea. I am not criticizing. People take pride in having voted, though they have to be reminded every now and then. They like to show others that they participated in the democratic process, even though many have no clue what the issues are. They hate this one person. They like the way this other person talks. That is enough to influence a decision.

“If we are being honest, however, democracy is a breeding ground for fraud and corruption. Similar to the principle of might is right, as long as you have majority support of public opinion, you can do whatever you want. That is not an exaggeration. You could intentionally send contagiously ill people into a home for elderly folks and cause a huge outbreak. That would make you one of the worst human beings in the world. But you will win the next election easily because of support from the public.

“To that end, I respect healthy skepticism of politics and politicians. I certainly have no desire to meet anyone in government. I hear the things they say. I watch the things they do. Some of them are the worst human beings imaginable. The rogues, thieves, and cheats thrive in the vox populi system.

“I have a question about Narada Muni. In the story of Krishna’s advent, Narada plays a small role. He visits King Kamsa of Mathura and instigates a change in behavior. Kamsa is behaving somewhat kindly towards his sister Devaki, though a curse previously declared that her eighth child would be Kamsa’s doom.

“Narada’s desire was that Kamsa change his thinking. Become harsher instead of kinder. Why would a saintly person do that? Why would Narada even talk to someone who was so vile as to throw newborn babies against stone? I don’t quite understand.”

Saintly people following in the Vedic tradition tend to stay away from politics. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu adopted this policy, with His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada referring to “pounds and shillings” men. The saintly class isn’t really interested in meeting with people interested only in money and power.

At the same time, someone like Narada Muni is willing to do anything to see the Supreme Lord and have destiny manifest. The demigods had petitioned Vishnu directly to address the problems on earth, namely the rise of the asura class. By altering Kamsa’s psychology with targeted logic, Narada hoped to expedite that arrival.

This is precisely what occurred. Kamsa followed by imprisoning Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva. He immediately killed each child that was born to them. Finally, it was time for the eighth to appear. It was indeed Vishnu, confirmed through the vision manifest before the loving parents.

If Narada had stayed out of the situation, if he refused to talk to kings that had respect for him, then perhaps the events wouldn’t have played out as they had. Within the vision of the paramahamsa, even a vile killer like Kamsa is praiseworthy. This is because the spiritual essence is clear, the relationship to Shri Krishna is eternal.

In Closing:

Narada to anyone coming near,
Since spiritual essence clear.

Way for destiny paving,
So that Vishnu saving.

From asuras terror bound,
So in womb of Devaki found.

For Kamsa soon the end,
Rightful punishment to send.

Five Things They Stole From Shri Rama

“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।

“How was He able to tolerate it? That’s what I’d like to know. I mean I am enraged at the moment seeing people in positions of power trying to steal a victory from a politician. They won fair and square; everyone knows it. The theft is taking place right in front of everyone’s eyes. Just unbelievable.

“It was worse with Shri Rama, I must say. Reading the Ramayana, I understand the spiritual component to it, that this is God’s avatara, an ideal man on earth, showing the way. But it was one injustice after another. What stopped Him from just destroying the entire world in retaliation?”

1. His kingdom

The eldest son of King Dasharatha was prepared to ascend the throne. Commence the abhisheka ceremony, which is something like the modern-day tradition of inauguration for a prominent leader. The father wanted it. The brothers were in agreement. The citizens overwhelmingly supported the decision.

It was also within the tradition of succession. One pious ruler in charge for a while, and then he passes on the responsibility to his eldest son. But this time things took a dark twist. Dasharatha was caught between two responsibilities. One as a leader of the people and two as a man of faith and honor.

He had previously offered two boons to his youngest wife, Queen Kaikeyi. Upon hearing of Rama’s imminent ascension to the throne, she decided to cash in. This was after a little deceitful persuasion from her servant, Manthara.

The end result was that Rama lost the kingdom. He would not become the new king. He also had to leave and not return for fourteen years. No taking His army with Him. Live in the forest like an ascetic, with the appropriate garb.

2. His father

Rama left without issue. No anger. No resentment. Better to have the father remain true to his word, to give proper confidence to the people in the legitimacy of their government. As the Supreme Lord, Rama possesses vairagya to the fullest extent. He is always renounced; no matter the situation.

That resolve was tested when Dasharatha departed for the heavenly world. He could not bear the separation from his most beloved son. The king died the most glorious death through a perfect consciousness of the Supreme Lord.

3. His wife

The stipulation was only for Rama to leave the kingdom, but His wife Sita Devi insisted on accompanying. She refused to live in royal luxury while her husband suffered. She followed like a shadow, giving the ideal example of devotion to both God and husband.

Unfortunately, this presented a risk in the exile period. Rama had to defend against enemy attack. Sita was so beautiful that a rival king was prone to stealing her away. That is exactly what ended up happening. Through a ruse set up by Ravana of Lanka, with the help of his servant Maricha, Rama was left without the association of Sita.

4. His army

When Rama left the kingdom, He gave up rights to use of the army. You leave one company for another and you certainly can’t expect to use the previous company’s car anymore. This is the forest, and Rama only had His bow and arrow set.

This caused a problem in the subsequent search for Sita. How would He find her? Through the heroic efforts of Hanuman and the Vanaras of Kishkindha, she was eventually located. But how would Rama win her back? He required a fighting force capable of defeating vile, man-eating ogres.

5. His wife’s reputation

Sugriva, Hanuman, Jambavan, and other leaders of the Vanara army helped Rama to march to Lanka and eventually defeat Ravana. The Supreme Lord reclaimed what is rightfully His, the goddess of fortune. Everyone happily returned to Ayodhya, where Rama officially became the new king. The wrong from fourteen years prior was corrected.

Yet even while ruling things were not perfect. A citizen in the kingdom cast doubt on Sita’s chastity. They offered criticism that Rama accepted a woman who had stayed in someone else’s home. Never mind that Sita was blameless. Never mind the test of fire she passed proving her chastity.

Yet we know from authority that despite these many tragedies, great souls like Shri Hanuman daily read from the Ramayana. They derive the most pleasure from that historical tale presented in beautiful Sanskrit poetry. Good eventually wins over evil, and the Supreme Lord can never be defeated, no matter how much the world takes from Him.

In Closing:

Since so much from Him taking,
A pitiable condition making.

No longer the regal life,
And then without His wife.

No army commanding,
Alone in forest standing.

But good eventually to win,
All victory found in Him.