Satsang Dasaratha Rama and Sai Rama By Sri Narasimha Swamiji

Satsang Dasaratha Rama and Sai Rama By Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Dasaratha Rama and Sai Rama

By Sri Narasimha Swamiji

Down From His Glory

The land of Persia was once ruled by a wise and beloved Shah who cared greatly for his people and desired only what was best for them.

One day he disguised himself as a poor man and went to visit the public baths. The water for the baths was heated by a furnace in the cellar, so the Shah made his way to that dark place to sit with the man who tended the fire. The two men shared the coarse food, and (tie Shah befriended him in his loneliness. Day after day the ruler went to visit the man. The worker became attached to this stranger because he "came where he was".

One day the Shah revealed his true identity, and he expected the man to ask him for a gift. Instead, he looked long into his leader's face and with love and wonder in his voice said, "You left your palace and your glory to sit with me in this dark place, to eat my coarse food, and to care about what happens to me. On others you may bestow rich gifts, but to me you have given yourself".

As we think of what our Lord has done for us, we can echo that fire tender's sentiments. Oh, what a step our Lord took - from heaven to earth, from the worship of angels to the mocking of cruel men, from glory to humiliation. What a sacrifice - our great Creator became our Savior! Surely He deserves our heartfelt worship and humble adoration.

We are celebrating an Utsavam today which is the well known Sri Rama Navami day. This is the day when the Divine Light came upon earth in the garb of Dasaratha Rama's body. In the Dwaparayuga they first hailed him as a famous prince and still more famous emperor who established Dharma and promoted peace and happiness throughout the country not only by the exercise of his Sovereign position but also by his splendid personal example and inspiring influence. Rama was the very embodiment of virtue -the ideal Hindu to be followed by every reasonable creature. He was more than that. He was the incarnation of the Almighty whence all virtue, powers, goodness and perfection emanate. This fact however, was not perceived by his contemporaries or at least by the vast majority of his contemporaries. Avatars are not always recognized during their life in the flesh. People are mostly guided by superficial observation and to add to their difficulties, not only the parents and other relations deal with the Avatars as a mere human person, but the Avatar himself corroborates their views. Sri Rama declared "Atmanam Manusham Manye", that is, "I deem myself a mere human being"- when he was addressed by Indira and others as the Supreme. Jesus who is now worshipped as part of the Trinity also stated "Why do you call me God? There is none good but God" and he prayed to God on most occasions, for achieving the desired objects. Sai Baba who is now worshipped as God also led many devotees into the same attitude of treating him as a mere man. Though Sai said, "I am an agent of God, I have vast powers", he yet also added "Maim Allah, I am Ganapathi, I am Lakshminarayana, etc". Thus Sai and Rama alike though treated by devotees as an embodiment of Divinity led many people during their lives to act on the footing of their humanity. Hence the birthday that is the day of the birth of human body is celebrated by devotees in both cases.

The exact date of Baba's physical birth is not known - not even the year is known. But when asked about the celebration of a birthday, Baba approved of the Rama Navami being considered his birthday. So for nearly sixty years the Rama Navami is being celebrated at Shirdi as being Baba's special day. Though Baba with his divine glance was watching over all his devotees at all times and places, still, on a special day like the Rama Navami his attention was emphasized and concentrated on the special bhaktas who specially sought to win his grace and love by the above celebration. "Look to me and I look to you" is what Baba said and what Lord Krishna said -in effect what Sri Sai Krishna still says, 'Fix your mind on Me. Be devoted to Me. Do your sacrifices (pooja etc.,) for me. Bow to Me, you will attain to Me having thus made Me your supreme goal and direct your mind and heart to me' for This is the solemn truth. I proclaim it as you are dear to me'.

Thus it will be seen that on this Rama Navami day, we remember the fact of Sri Rama or Sri Sai Rama being ushered in a human body into this earth and starting a career which was and is entirely devoted to bless mankind temporally and spiritually in every conceivable way, - with loving appreciation of that fact. If we do pooja to Sai Rama or his portrait or image, let us do it with the best flowers we can pick up in our joy and enthusiasm. Let us sing songs of praise etc., and fill the air with our slogans of appreciation and gladden all hearts with our music and inspiring thoughts. Let us go on with keertans, Bhajans, Poojas and every other form of manifestation of our love to Sri Sai Rama and though we do not do all these for the sake of reward, the reward is certain. Joy and Blessings are for ever and ever.


A Thought
Saburi is courage, do not discard it. It ferries you across to the distant goal. It gives manliness to men, eradicates sin and dejection, and overcomes all fear.

Baba says: For 12 years, I waited on my Guru, who is peerless and loving. How can I describe his love to me? When he was Dyanastha (i.e., in love trance), I sat and gazed at him. We were both filled with Bliss. I cared not to turn my eye upon anything else. Night and day, I poured upon his face with an ardor of love that banished hunger and thirst. The Guru's absence for a second made me restless. I meditated on nothing but the Guru and had no goal or object other than the Guru. Unceasingly fixed upon him was my mind. Wonderful indeed the art of my Guru! I wanted nothing but the Guru and he wanted nothing but my love. Apparently inactive, he never neglected me; but always protected me by his glance.

If you make me the sole object of your thoughts and aims, you will attain Paramartha, the Supreme Goal. Look at me with undivided attention; so will I look at you. This is the only truth my Guru taught me. The four sadhanas and the six sastras are not necessary. With entire confidence, trust your Guru. That is enough.

(Source Saipadananda Magazine Special)