Chant the Name of Rama

Embodiments of love!

It is possible to win in an assembly of scholars in a noble court. It is possible to fight in a war and come out victorious. It is possible to be a king and rule a kingdom. It is possible to gift in charity, cows and wealth. But to control the mind and body, it is not possible. It is possible to remain in samadhi.

For the protection of the righteous and destruction of evil, God takes a human birth. Devotion is what one should be drawn to. To love the world is not love. To love external objects, people and useless things is a waste. It is called attachment. The love directed to God is devotion. Devotion is synonymous to the word, intense love. Expression of devotion is dharma. The one who knows dharma will develop love. The one having love will develop dharma. Dharma and prema are twins. Man is losing this valuable dharma and prema. Life without dharma and prema is like a dry land.

Once, Duryodhana fell at the feet of his mother, Gandhari, for blessing to win the battle. Gandhari knew that Duryodhana was not on the path of dharma. The heart of the mother did not agree to bless her son. But, Duryodhana was begging for the blessing. Gandhari said, "Wherever there is dharma, there shall be victory." Later he paid respects to their Guru, Dronacharya. Dronacharya said, "Where there is righteousness, there God will be present. Where there is righteousness, there will be God." So love and righteousness is important. With love and righteousness, divinity, which is latent, becomes patent. There is nothing beyond love. Through love, all will be able to share with mankind. Many devotees attained God through love. You are nowhere without devotion, even though you may have plenty of power. Duryodhana, Dushasana, all had plenty of wealth and prosperity. What is the use of the physical strength without dharma? Thus, the entire clan was ruined. Those who were against God, followed and they too were ruined. Ravana who was a great scientist and who was highly educated and very affluent, met the same end. You may feel proud of all the wealth, but it will not make you attain liberation. So God submits Himself only to the devotee. Kuchela was very poor and he had a big family. Since he was the childhood friend of Krishna, Kuchela's wife advised him to seek the help of Krishna. Kuchela went to Krishna. The moment Krishna saw him, he hugged him, stared at him and talked at great length.

Without asking, the result is sooner. Rama did the last rites of Jatayu without asking. Sabari too attained her heart's desire, the darshan of Lord Rama without asking. God is present in all creation. Basing on the devotee's feeling, God will appear in that form. Therefore, only through love you attain divinity. Attachments and desires are all worldly attachment. But devotion is one of total love. This is unconditional love. A diamond alone can cut another diamond. Devotion (Bhakti) is derivative of the word 'Baj' - 'worshipping the lord in practice'. Devotion is feeling and making others happy. Through this path many were in Bliss. Sakubhai preyed, "Krishna, how long should I suffer and remain in misery. Is there no justice? Don't you have compassion? Am I not your servant?"

Why was she suffering? She was suffering because she could not be near God. By pinning she could be nearer God. There were many devotees like Tulasidas, Ramdas, Tukaram. They all suffered much. Ramdas prayed, "Lord, I am yours. Why are you keeping me at a distance? Have I done any wrong? I only wanted to make a temple for you and so the King Tanisha punished me and imprisoned me. So why should I suffer? O Rama, I blame you. I could not bear the thrashing I received. Please, kindly excuse me."

Immediately, Rama and Lakshmana took the form of two servants and went to king Tanisha. The king inquired who they were. They said, "We are Rama and Lakshmana, the servants of Ramdas." Immediately the mind of the king changed. He greeted them. He had Ramdas released. Only because of devotion of the devotee, Lord bears everything. Kabir and Tulasidas were all great and expressed devotion through love. Devotion is very easy. No physical exertion is needed. It is quite possible if you give love. To control the mind and the senses is not easy. They could not reach their goal through the other paths, Yoga and Karma Yoga, etc. In the beginning, any venture is difficult, for example, riding a motorcycle. Gradually you can pick up. In the Bhagavad Gita, also, it says, "First practice." Do righteous deeds. Give up bad qualities. Then spend time on thoughts of God. That is the real wealth.

For the entire lake, the lotus is the decoration, beauty. For the decoration of a village, the houses are its beauty. For the sky, the moon is the beauty. Therefore, in the heart have love. For a devotee, vibhuthi is the decoration. God is everywhere in the world, in and around and beneath. There is no place where He is not. All names and forms are His. Ishwara manifests when a devotee prays with sacred heart and pure selfless love.

Thyagaraja always chanted the name of Lord Rama. Once he went in search of Rama, as he thought Lord Rama had gone somewhere. He was repeating Lord Rama's name continuously and prayed, "When can I see your smiling face? Why are you punishing me?" Pure pilgrims noticed the footsteps of him and carried him on a palanquin. Suddenly, some robbers noticed him and thought that he was a very rich man since he was being carried on the palanquin. They decided to attack and rob him. But suddenly, Rama and Lakshmana manifested with bows and arrows. Thyagaraja was not even aware of this. He did not even call out for help from the Lord. The thieves then fell at his feet. He asked them why they were doing so. They replied that they were being chased by two men with bows and arrows. He was surprised. Then he understood and said, "O Rama! You are always in front, above, besides and on either side of the devotee, protecting him. The thieves got your darshan. I did not."

The thieves saw Rama and Lakshmana but did not recognize them. He went to Cauvery River for his bath and collected the idol of Rama which was thrown inside. He said, "O Rama! Come home! I will worship you. O God, son of Dasaratha, I cannot bear any longer without you." Then he got the vision of the Lord. In the world only devotees can attain the vision of the Lord. The scriptures give you knowledge. You need not read the scriptures. Pure love along makes God manifest in front of the devotee. In Prema, the whole universe is there. The entire universe is contained in the word love. The word prema is divided into: 'PRE' - 'MA'. Excepting love, nothing else exists. It is a mighty flow of love. It is the path that is convenient to every one. It is not a business transaction. It only gives. You don't have to ask. Remember these three.

These are the three life principles in the triangle of love. This is the main path to God's love. Love is in all, but we experience this differently. Our happiness depends on following the path of love. God too will be happy and He will make you dance in ecstasy. God too will dance. It is the easiest path in this modern age, where there is no strain.

Everything is contained in the name, "RAMA". All the bad will be removed by chanting the name. "RA and MA". "RA" - is the symbol of fire. It has the quality to burn sins. "A" - that of the moon, which pacifies and makes the mind cool. "MA" - sun - sun dispels darkness. Darkness here is our ignorance. So you pacify the emotions through chanting the name. So, Lord Rama's name alone can make you understand the trinity. Whole-heartedly sing the name of Rama, as it destroys all sins.