Sri Sathya Sai International Organization

It is because Rama knew all the aspects of dharma, He is referred to by saying “Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmaha.” (He is the very embodiment of dharma.) Thus, Narayana, the Lord, took the human form in Rama and by His conduct and by His adherence to dharma, He demonstrated that dharma is part and parcel of the ordinary daily life of a human being. How should one conduct oneself in a family? How should one conduct oneself towards a friend? How should one conduct oneself towards the community? In this manner and in all aspects, Rama was translating every moment of his life to be an example for ideal behavior.

In the video below, Bhagawan sings "Pibare Rama Rasam" in which He describes the bliss of singing the nectarine name of Rama.

Path of Silence

By showing equal affection to all people, Rama used to attract all the people. In His childhood Rama spoke little. He was conducting Himself in that manner in order to show the world the ideal that is contained in limited speech. Limited talking will always promote the divine strength in one and will also promote his memory. It creates respect for him in the community. If one talks too much, it will, to an extent, destroy one's memory. Also, if one talks too much, the strength in the nerves will diminish and the person will become somewhat feeble. It is in this context that all great saints were observing the path of silence, whenever possible. By observing silence, one can get strength. Because the youth of today talk too much, it so happens that their memory becomes weak; and when they go to the examination hall, they forget what they have read. Amongst the many ideals which Rama has given to the young people, the first one is to talk less. The second one is that when you meet elders, to show them respect. The third one is to happily obey the orders of one's parents.

Respect Your Parents

Vishwamithra went and saw Dasaratha just before taking Rama and Lakshmana for the protection of his yagna. As soon as Vishwamithra asked for his two sons, Dasaratha was quite pleased and sent for his children. In that meeting were Vasishta, Vishwamitra, Kausalya and Dasaratha. When Rama and Lakshmana came in, they first touched the feet of the mother, then the feet of the father, then the feet of Vasishta and Vishwamithra. According to our traditional concepts, one is asked to regard one's mother, father, guru, and guest as Gods; and they set an example for this in acting thus.

It is not right for you to forget the traditional culture of our country and accept something strange and foreign to us. The first thing we should attempt to do is to respect the parents at our home and to accept willingly whatever orders they give.

When the rituals in the forest were completed, Rama and Lakshmana came to Vishwamithra and requested him to permit them to go back to Ayodhya as their work was over. Vishwamithra then told them that he had just received the news of celebrations that are taking place in Mithilapura and suggested that they all go and participate in the celebrations.

Lakshmana, who was very smart, reacted to this and said that their parents had sent them for the protection of the yagna, but not to go to Mithilapura. Rama then addressed Lakshmana and said that they were asked, by their parents, to do whatever Vishwamithra asked them to do. He, therefore, suggested that they should follow Vishwamithra and do whatever he asked them to do. Here, we should carefully see how much respect and attention Rama is giving to the words of Vishwamithra. Later, even at the time of Rama going to the forest, it was not Dasaratha who gave the orders. When Dasaratha saw Rama, he was simply steeped in sorrow. How could Dasaratha, in that sorrow, tell Rama to go to the forest? How could he speak at all when he was steeped in such sorrow? Recognizing the situation, Kaikeyi gave expression to what she thought was in the mind of Dasaratha. Accepting the decision and the orders of Kaikeyi, Rama went to the forest. Here, we should recognize Rama as a person who implicitly obeys the orders of the father, whether they came directly from the father or indirectly, through someone else. The sacredness that is contained in obeying the orders of the parents and the beneficial results that will flow by following the orders of one's parents is something which we should note very carefully. By looking at it in a worldly manner, one may ask the questions, why should I continually go on respecting my parents? I have grown older; I have become an important person and I am strong. Why should I still respect my parents?

For every action of yours, there is always a reaction, there is a resound and reflection. If, in future, you want to have a life of peace and of happiness, that will depend upon the kind of action which you take at the present time only. If you respect your parents today, your children will respect you in future. The kind of seed, which you plant today, will determine the kind of tree which will grow. So, if you want to be near God, see good, do good, be good; this is the way, the royal way for you to go near God. To be good, to do good and to see good is the primary duty of every human being.

Excerpts from the Summer Showers May 1977

In the video below, Bhagawan sings about the benefits of incessantly chanting the name of Rama with love.