Adhyatma Ramayana
Adhyatma Ramayana
HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji started Adhyatma Ramayana on February 8, 2015.
Parimala Eshwarla compiled the following translation.
Day 1, February 8
Adhyatma Ramayana is Rama’s story but it does not fill the person with sadness. It brims with supreme knowledge (Jnana). Great saints prefer this Ramayana to Valmiki Ramayana. As this delves into Rama’s story from the spiritual angle, the physical attributes and character of Rama, Sita and others have been described differently from Valmiki Ramayana. It is a fantastic composition and was very dear to Jayalakshmi Mata. We will discuss, in short, this divine text.
Sri Guru Dattatreya Namah.
Śuklām bharadarama viśnum śaśi varṇaṃ chaturbhujam
Prasannam vadanam dhyāyet sarva vighnopa śantayēt
It is customary to offer worship to Ganesha before beginning any task as He will dispel all obstacles in the way and render the task successful. Let us pray to Him to bless us that with this listening of Adhyatma Ramayana, our spiritual journey moves on successfully without any obstacles.
Caritham Raghunāthasya śatakoti pravistharam
Ekikamakśaram pusām mahāpāthaka nāśanam
This is a very famous hymn. It elucidates clearly the importance of reading the story of Rama. It is a mantra.
Meaning: The story of Rama is as vast as 100 crore hymns (shlokas). Each and every word in it has the power to destroy the worst/ the greatest sins (maha patakas).
In Valmiki Ramayana there are 24000 verses. It is like a supreme sacred river. Even once if we dip in it, our life is rendered pure. In our country, every person knows the story of Rama. This is a story which is replete with deep essence - Rama rasāyana. In Hanuman Chalisa, we pray to Hanuman - you have kept with you the Rama rasāyana (essence of Rama); please pour it upon us. In addition, everyone who listens to the story of Rama also has in him the Rama rasa. This Rama rasa is tastier than any other essence (rasa).
After listening to Valmiki’s Ramayana, many great saints were inspired to write the Ramayana in their own language, style and based on their individual experience. According to their feelings and taste (rasas), they have re-written Ramayana without changing the basic story. For this reason, there are many Ramayanas in the world.
Adhyatma Ramayana, Ascarya Ramayana, Kamba Ramayana, Ananda Ramayana, Bhaskara Ramayana, Govinda Ramayana, Saptarishi Ramayana, Narada Ramayana, Rama charita manasa, Ramayana kalpavrksha, Ramayana darshanam are a few amongst them. Each of them has its own speciality. The story remains the same, but the way it is described, the novel way of depicting the situations based on their own (feelings) bhavanas, varies from one composition to another. Each of these great beings could perceive the story in a different way. In other words, each of them could visualize Ramayana in a different manner. Therefore this was not their imagination, but it was the way in which Ramayana revealed itself to them that is narrated in their compositions.
All of us know that Rama is the incarnation of the Supreme Lord - Sriman Narayana and that Sita is none other than Mother Goddess Lakshmi. The Supreme Lord is formless and changeless, but yet when He decides to take on a form and come down, He too undergoes sufferings.
All of us are also inherently formless. At one point of time we were within Hiranyagarbha. We have come from there and at some point of time we have to merge back into it. Based on our karmas and due to our desires we have had to take these births. That is why it is said that no organ within the body should entertain any desire. When the skin touched the cold ice, it enjoyed the feeling. With this, that part had to take on a form to experience it. In this way all of us underwent some experience. Due to this a form had to be taken to complete our experiences. We are here due to it. We are therefore responsible for our birth. No one can be blamed for it.
The story of Rama and the troubles that He had to go through melts the heart and brings tears to the eyes. Everyone is moved by this story. But the deep hidden significance of Ramayana is not understood by us when we read this story. What we are now going to discuss is that deeper significance. A true devotee will see the story from the spiritual angle. It showers jnana.
The speciality of this composition is that it combines Ramayana with Vedanta. Due to this listening/ understanding, a person will automatically be able to apply the meaning of Vedanta to it. People who are desirous of proceeding on the spiritual path should listen to it. It will automatically take the person on to this path. He will then be blessed with an indescribable divine experience (anirvachaneeya anubhava).
The doubt that normally arises is - Why didn’t Valmiki Maharishi compose this Ramayana? We should understand that if he would have added it to his Ramayana, then the main story would be rendered lifeless. It would spoil the essence. The feelings of compassion (karuna rasa) would have been wiped out and instead feelings of bhakti and spirituality (Vedanta dristi) would instead have emerged. Valmiki Maharishi did not want this to happen. He wanted that while the principles of truth (satya) and righteousness (dharma) are upheld, the feelings of compassion (karuna, daya), should flow in this world.
Life will come to a standstill if these feelings of compassion are wiped out. To survive on this earth compassion is essential. We are ruled by these feelings of desire, anger, jealousy and are self-centered. As such we are hard hearted. Compassion is needed to melt this hardened hearts. Feelings of kindness and compassion towards the sick, the down-trodden, other living beings should sprout in the heart. The person should strive to remain truthful at all times. Towards achieving this goal, Valmiki Maharishi did not bring the spiritual angle to this story in his composition.
Valmiki was a great tapasvi (saint). That is why through his Ramayana he could make us visualize Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and other characters, as Divine Gods who had come down and such impressions have remained deeply imprinted in our mind. The thought of Hanuman therefore, brings to our mind a fixed image, definite role, behavior etc. Sita, in our opinion should behave as per the standards in our mind.
Maharishi Vyasa, who read this Valmiki Ramayana, had a deep desire to compose this in his own style. That is why in all Puranas, either directly or indirectly, there is a reference to Ramayana. Not satisfied with this, in his Brahmanda Purana, Maharishi Vyasa, composed his Ramayana and titled this as Adhyatma Ramayana.
Adhyatma Ramyana is a conversation between Shiva and Parvati. The Divine Mother learnt this spiritual essence from Her husband and passed it down to us. It has 4000 verses. In the spiritual field, this Ramayana has immense significance. It is said that it is extremely popular in the form of folk songs sung in the villages and not in its shloka form. Especially in Karnataka, Andhra and Tamilnadu these folks songs based on Adhyatma Ramayana are sung during festivities and marriages. Tyagaraja Swamy drew many bhavanas from this Adhyatma Ramayana and incorporated them into his compositions. In earlier days, during Harikathas and evening programs held at temples, Adhyatma Ramayana was propagated. Discussions based on it were held. Great importance was given to songs composed based on it.
The main characters of Ramayana also remain in Adhyatma Ramayana. But their roles and approach appear slightly different. They are based on Vedanta. In addition to increasing the bhakti of the individual, it causes the atma jnana (knowledge of the self) to sprout in the person.
Who am I? Why did I come to this earth? What are my desires? What is my destination? Who are my near and dear ones? We should have this knowledge. To teach us this knowledge, this Adhyatma Ramayana has been composed.
Let us pray at first to Lord Rama-
Āpadām apa hartāram dātārām sarva sampadām
Lokābhirāmam śri rāmam bhūyo bhūyo namāmyaham
Meaning: I offer my obeisance to Lord Rama, who drives away all problems, showers us with all forms of prosperity and who is dear to all in the world.
Rāmāya ramabhadrāya ramachandraya vedase
Raghunāthāya nāthāya sītāya pataye namaha
Meaning: I offer my obeisance to Rama who is known as Ramabhadra and Ramachandra. He is the Lord of the world, the jewel of Raghu vamsa and husband of Sita.
Neelāmbhuja shyāmala komalāngam sita samāroopita vāmabhāgam
Panau mahāsāyaka charu hāsam namāmi rāmam raghuvasam nātham.
Meaning: I bow to Him, who is of the bluish-green colour of the sky, who is of delicate limbs, He who has Sita on the left half of His body, who holds the mighty bow in His hand and who belongs to the Raghu dynasty.
The Lord has been compared to the bluish green colour like the all pervading sky.
Let us begin this from the Dakshinamurty stotra:
Aprameya trayāteeta nirmala jnanamurtayē
Manoghiram vidhooraya dakshinamurtaye namah.
I bow to Lord Dakshinamurty, who cannot be known through visible proofs, who is over and above the three gunas, who is absolutely pure, who is a form of knowledge and who cannot be reached by the mind, speech, body parameters.
The story begins with Maharishi Suta.
Suta once asked, “Long ago, the great saint Narada was travelling around all worlds (lokas), contemplating about the wellbeing of all forms of life. In the process of his travel he reached Satya loka. There he saw his father, Lord Brahma, who was being profusely praised by eminent saints such as Markendeya, by the Vedas themselves and by Goddess Saraswati. With great devotion he offered obeisance to his father and praised him profusely. Pleased with him, his father Brahma said, “my son, without hesitating, please tell me the reason for your visit”.
Narada is in the air. He eternally travels along with the wind.
Narada then asked, “I have learnt about you in the past about good and bad deeds. Now I have one more question. Out of feelings of compassion, please explain to me this secretive knowledge that I seek”.
We should understand that rahasya means ‘deep secretive knowledge’. In other words, it is the wonderful supreme knowledge that is being referred to. It is not meant to be spoken about as per whims should be deeply respected.
Narada continued, “When the terrible Kali Yuga begins, people will stop performing good deeds and show great inclination towards bad deeds. I am worried about these beings. What is to be done? They will show slackness in adherence to truth. People will love to cheat, speak untruth, eat meat, gossip, and criticize Gods and Gurus. They seek to grab the hard earned money of others. They do not realize that they are drinking the sinful deeds of others through this. There will be people who always think of woman. They do not bother about their wife, but instead their thoughts will be focused on another’s wife. Troubling others and seeing them suffer will be a joyful pastime to many. Most people will be sadists in future. People are filling their bags with sinful deeds and are all of them are being re-directed towards ***. Heaven will become empty. People will believe that they are the body and will forget all about the atma (inner being). They will strive only for *** pleasures. Eating, drinking and family bondages will be their sole focus in life. They will become great fools and atheists.”
Narada knew that in Kali Yuga people study only to earn money. Now a days, in the beginning itself we decide upon the subject to study based on the monetary rewards that we will get from it. We live for earning money. Our focus on education is not to earn divine knowledge. In this yuga, even those with little knowledge will be egoistic and arrogant. They will be proud of their achievements. What do you get by these Phd degrees? None of them has the depth in the subject that they take up for learning. They forget what they have learnt. They forget their dharmas (duties in life). There will be no differentiation between men and woman as all will dress alike. *** marriages will be popular. People will exchange their spouses for lustful pleasures.
All this was predicted by Narada at that time itself.
When a woman dresses decently people on the street will also give respect. They will see their mother or sister in her. Woman should always cover her chest to avoid lustful glances.
Narada prayed that this was just the outline of the situation. Things will get even worse. How to uplift these people who have fallen to this state?
“O Lord, they are after all our children. Please save them. Teach me the way by which they can be saved” prayed Narada.
Brahma replied, “O Narada, you have asked for the most precious knowledge. I will teach you the easy way out of these troubles. Please be attentive. Long ago Parvati Devi asked Shiva about this same topic. At that time Shiva preached her the most secretive Adhyatma Ramayana. Parvati Devi heard it attentively and was drowned in eternal bliss. Spread this knowledge on earth. People on earth, who are eligible to understand this Adhyatma Ramayana, will also derive great happiness and get uplifted (sadgati) by this. With this sins will reduce. Effect of Kali will also diminish. People will become more dharmic (righteous). Through this the attendants of Yama (lord of death, who take beings to ***) will find that their work is reduced. As Jnana increases, the person realizes his mistakes and thereby distances himself from sinful deeds. The attendants of Vishnu will come to take people to heaven.
Very few people get a chance to be in the presence of Sadguru Datta. People who indulge in sinful deeds cannot come to Datta. Only good souls can be in His vicinity. Even the greatest Mahatmas find it hard to understand the essence of Rama. But through this Adhyatma Ramayana it can be easily understood. O Narada, it is difficult for me to describe in depth the Adhyatma Ramayana. I will tell you the essence of it. Shiva Himself taught me this knowledge in the past”.
Adhyātama Ramayana tah ślokam ślokārtham eva vā
Yah pathet bhakti samyuktah sa pāpān muchyate kshanāt
Meaning: Even if one shloka or half a shloka of Adhyatma Ramayana is studied with total faith, sins will all be washed away.
The sins until then will be washed away and the person has thereafter to be vigilant and stop himself from sinful deeds. Those who listen to Adhyatma Ramayana will attain liberation; they will give up laziness. The result of performing Ashwamedha yagna will be bestowed upon them. Even if one namaskara (salutation) is offered to this holy text it is equivalent of doing namaskara to all the Gods. The one who publishes such a book will be rewarded with the merit of having conducted Veda and Shastra parayana (study).
The one who fasts on Ekadashi and reads/ listens this Adhyatma Ramayana, will be blessed with the result of Gayatri mantra recitation. Especially on Rama Navami (birthday of Rama), the person who fasts and remains awake the entire night (jagarana) and reads the Adhyatma Ramayana will be blessed with that result that would be obtained by giving dana to eminent Maharishis of Vyasa’s cadre in sacred places on days of solar eclipse. Even Indra and other Gods will listen to his commands of those who read Adhyatma Ramayana daily basis. Those who speak or listen to this Adhyatma Ramayana will get manifold returns for their meritorious deeds.
The hymn ‘Srirama hrudaya’ stotra appears in this holy text. By reciting this hymn, the sin of Brahma hatya will be washed away. In front of the idol of Hanuman if this hymn is read, the person’s desires will be fulfilled. If it is read in the vicinity of the Tulasi plant (holy basil) or Ashwattha tree, many special benefits will be obtained.
O Narada, only Shiva knows in total depth the essence of this Adhyatma Ramayana. He gave only half of that knowledge to Parvati. I have half of that knowledge that She has. Out of my knowledge, I am giving half to you. From what you receive, you give half to the people on earth.
Narada, the sins of those who sing this divine song (Rama gita) will be washed away. Tasks will get accomplished easily. I have searched the world thoroughly; I have not come across one such sin that cannot get washed away with this Srirama Gita. The teaching imparted by Rama to Lakshmana is known as Srirama Gita.
Parasurama, when he took the oath to kill Kartaviryarjuna, went to Shiva to learn the knowledge of weaponry. At that time, he heard Goddess Parvati sing this Srirama gita. With great interest he learnt this song and recited it with total faith. With this he could attract an aspect of Sriman Narayana into himself. For one month if a person recites this Srirama Gita with full faith, he will be rid of all his sins (doshas). The sin of accepting in charity, that object which should not be accepted; eating that which is prohibited; speaking that which should not be spoken and the sin of indulging in wrongful deeds get washed away by this Srirama Gita. Reciting this Srirama Gita in the presence of Sadguru, in the vicinity of a basil plant, Ashwatta tree or a saligrama has limitless benefits that cannot be detailed. During pitr srāddha (annual ceremony for deceased forefathers) if this is recited with utmost devotion, the forefathers will listen to it and will be pleased. On the Dwadashi morning, after completing the Ekadashi fast, if this holy text is read with total devotion, seated under the arali (peepal) tree, darshan of Sriramachandra will be had. Even Devatas benefit from this holy text. They are obtaining those supreme rewards which are impossible to attain otherwise.
Narada, in a nutshell, there is nothing equal to this Adhyatma Ramayana.
Those who listen or read this with utmost devotion will attain the state of Vishnu. This is explained in the uttara kānda of Brahmanda Purana.
From this we understand the greatness of this Adhyatma Ramayana and due to this our faith in the holy text multiplies.
The incidents in this Adhyatma Ramayana are more or less similar to Valmiki Ramayana but at times there are significant differences. We should use our intellect to understand the inner significances. It is wrong to find faults or criticize.
Just like the Valmiki Ramayana, in this Adhyatma Ramayana there are 7 sections and have the same names. The first amongst them is Bala kānda. Within this Bala kānda Srirama hrdaya stotram appears.
Let us listen with total devotion to this Sriramahrdaya.
Yah prthivībharavāraṇāya divijaih samprārthita chinmayah sanjātah prithvītalē ravikulē māyāmanuśyovyayah
Niśchakram hatarākśasah punarāgād brahmatvamādhyaṃ sthirām kīrtiṃ pāpaharām vidhāya jagatām tam jānakīśam bhaje
Meaning: I offer my worship to the husband of Sita (Janakisha), who is of divine illumination (chimayi) and is formless (avyaya); to whom the Devatas who had to sustain the welfare of the universe prayed; who incarnated in the Surya vamsa (lineage) on earth; who eliminated limitless demons from this universe and destroyed the sins from the earth and who ultimately merged into his form of Parabrahma (Brahma swaroopa).
Many terms of Vedanta which appear here do not appear in Valmiki Ramayana. This is one difference between the two great texts. If we understand that Vamiki Ramayana compares Rama with Parabrahma, we will understand this text.
In the Dhyana shloka explained now, the term ‘Māya manushyah’ was used. In normal understanding, this term is used in connection with Krishna.
A normal person does not know why he is facing sorrow. He simply grieves without knowing the reason. This is because he is drowned in illusion (maya). But a ‘māya-manava’ is the supreme being who knows the past, present and future. He also knows how to change the future. That is why in reality, Rama did not grieve when Sita was kidnapped. He was aware that this was the way by which He could eliminate the demons.
In Valmiki Ramayana, Rama was a supreme emperor. In Adhyatma Ramayana He is a great yogi and a highly knowledgeable being (jnani).
From this first verse of dhyana shloka, we get a glimpse of the topics that will be contained in it.
Now going to the second verse of the dhyana shloka-
Viśwodhbhava sthitila yādiśu hētumēkam māyāśrayaṃ vigata māyamachintya mūrtiṃ
Ānandasāndramalaṃ nijabodharūpam sītapatiṃ vidita tatvamaham namāmi
Meaning: I offer my obeisance to the husband of Sita, who is the sole cause for the creation (sristi), sustenance (sthithi) and absorption (laya) of this universe: who is the supporting pillar for maya (illusion) and yet who is beyond the effects of maya (mayāteeta); who is over and above likes-dislikes (raga dwesha), who is pure, self-illuminating (swayam prakasa) and who is a form of bliss (ananda) and knowledge (jnana).
The entire essence of Upanishads is contained in this hymn. All the traits of Paramatma as explained in the Vedanta shastra are contained in this verse.
The truth is that Rama did not have any sorrow. All the grief that He experienced was nothing but His divine play. It was His maya.
Day 2, February 9
Tripurāri giri sambhūta śrirāmārnava sangata
Adhyātma rāma gangēyam punādi bhuvanatrayam
Adhyatma Ramayana took birth in the Mountain called Tripurāri. Lord Shiva has the name Tripurāri as he destroyed the Tripura demons. Thus it was born in the Mountain called Shiva and merges into the ocean called Srirama. This Adhyatma Ramayana like the sacred Ganga purifies all the three worlds.
Goddess Parvati addressed her husband Lord Shiva who was seated on the Kailasa Mountain and asked, “O Lord, You are all knowing. Kindly teach me the supreme essence of Lord Purushottama.”
Śrirāmachandrekhila lokasāre bhaktir dhrḍā nourbhavati prasiddhā
Bhaktiḥ prasiddhā bhavamokśanāyā nānyat tataḥ sādhanamasti kinchit
Meaning: It is well known fact that unflinching faith in Lord Rama, who is the essence of all the worlds, is the boat that helps in crossing over this ocean of samsara. Unflinching faith is the only way to cross this ocean; there is no other Sadhana apart from this.
However knowledgeable a person may be, he could be a great vedantin who has mastered all Vedas, yet he cannot cross this ocean of samsara unless and until he has unflinching faith in the Lord.
Parvati asked, “Great siddhas have praised Lord Rama as Parabrahma. Contemplating on Him in this manner, they have attained salvation. Yet some maharishis state that even though Rama is Parabrahma, He got enveloped by His own maya. Therefore He could not realize His true nature (atma swaroopa). For that reason through the medium of Maharishi Vashishta, He had to learn the Yogavashista and attain the supreme state. If He had truly attained the supreme knowledge, why did He grieve for Sita, they question? Why did He ask every tree, river, bird, animal the whereabouts of Sita? Is it right to weep in this manner? Why should we pray to that Lord who Himself has not attained self realization and who is at par with other creatures? Kindly dispel my doubts and preach me”.
Lord Shiva replied, “My dear, you are truly fortunate. You have attained the desire to know about the Supreme Lord. Never before has anyone questioned me in this manner. It is the duty of the Guru to dispel the doubts of the disciple. Yes, Rama is Parabrahma. He is over and above the veil of prakriti. Bliss is his inherent form. Due to His maya (power of illusion/ ignorance), He created this entire universe and has spread Himself within and outside like space. He resides within the hearts of all beings. Spreading Himself everywhere He is sustaining and governing this entire creation with the power of maya. He exists inside and outside this entire illusory world”.
Swamiji has taken this entire essence and composed the bhajan ‘Devi Viradroopa’. This bhajan explains in detail the essence of maya. Swamiji has filled it completely with essence of Vedanta.
The Supreme Lord exists as the mosquito, He allows Himself to be bitten by it; thus protects it and later He chases it. This is His true nature. Dull headed people cannot understand this essence. They treat the mosquito as different from their body.
“Ordinary persons find faults even in the Supreme essence. They consider Rama as ignorant. Drowned with ignorance they consider that Rama was also involved in worldly bondages, akin to them. They fail to see Rama who is within them, just as person wearing a golden necklace fails to remember its presence on his body”, continued Shiva.
Many people forget that they have worn the necklace and then begin to search the entire house. They suspect that the maid would have stolen it and worry about it.
“Rama means bliss (ananda). It inherently exists within every being. That is why he is Paramatma. It is the ornament adorning us. Just as darkness cannot exist within the Sun, ignorance cannot exist in Rama”.
The person travelling by train believes that all the objects and trees are moving while he himself is stationary.
“The humans blame the atma which is above the indriyas (senses) and body, for the actions that are being done by the mind and indriyas. Due to this they are falling into infatuation/ attachment (moha).
Illumination is the Sun’s inherent nature. There can be nothing in it apart from illumination. The Sun remains stationary and glows in the same manner at all times. How then can darkness exist in it? How can day and night exist in it? Likewise how can knowledge and ignorance exist simultaneously in Rama? How can Vashishta come and preach him? Parvati, Rama is above Maya (power of ignorance/ illusion). Maya can never envelop Him. In that incarnation He appeared as if maya had enveloped Him. He is the form of supreme knowledge (Kevala jnana). He is the support for this entire creation. Maya is under His subjugation. In this connection I will explain a very secretive knowledge. This is connected with the attainment of liberation (moksha). This is a conversation between Rama, Sita and Hanuman. Please listen attentively.”
“After Ravana was killed, Rama returned to Ayodhya. Sugriva and all other Vanara heroes greeted Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna with loud victory slogans. Rama sat on the royal throne. Hanuman came to Rama and with folded hands bowed in deep reverence. Seeing Hanuman, Rama said to Sita, “My dear Sita, Hanuman has unflinching devotion towards us both. He has become eligible to receive jnanopadesha (initiation into divine knowledge). Therefore please explain to him my tattva (supreme essence)”.
It is the mother who initiates. So Mother Sita said,
"Rāmam viddhi param brahma Sacchidananda madvayam
Sarvopādhi vinirmuktam sattāmātram agocharam
Hanuman, understand that Rama is Supreme Parabrahma. He is all pervading. He is that universal soul (sarva atma rupa) whose form is visible to the eyes. He is the all powerful energy.
Mām viddhi mūlaprakrtiṃ sarga sthithy anta kāriṇīm
Tasya sannidhi mātreṇa srjāmīdamatandritā
Understand that I am the moola prakriti (primordial energy) responsible for this creation, sustenance and absorption (sristi, sthithi, laya) of this creation. In the presence of Parabrahma Rama, I create this entire universe with renewed enthusiasm.
In this universe created by me, the ignorant and dull witted simply cast impositions upon him. They say He was born in Ayodhya in the Raghu vamsa; that He protected Vishwamitra’s yagna; released Ahalya from the curse; broke Shiva’s bow; married me; destroyed Parasurama’s arrogance; lived with me in Ayodhya for 12 years; thereafter left for Dandakaranya forests; killed Viradha and other demons there; that He killed the demon Maricha who disguised himself in the form of illusory deer; abduction of maya Sita (illusory Sita); that He gave liberation to Kabandha and Jatayu; accepted Sabari’s puja; killed Vali; searched for me; built the bridge; attacked Lanka; killed Ravana; crowned Vibhishana as the king; boarded the Pushpaka Vimana; returned to Lanka and got Himself crowned as the king. Although all these were accomplished by me the dull witted cast impositions upon Rama stating that they were His deeds.
Hanuman, understand the truth that Srirama knows neither grief nor attachment. He is a form of eternal bliss. He is devoid of any form of change. He is motionless. There has never been any change in Him ever. This is because He is a form of bliss. He has accepted illusory traits (maya gunas) and is conducting His leelas (plays). Adhering to the ways of the world He appears as if He is exists. That’s all”.
While Mother Sita was explaining this to Hanuman, Rama Himself said, “Hanuma, now I will explain to you about Paramatma, Atma and Anātma. Listen attentively”. With this He began to teach Hanuman about ‘Tatvamasi’ and other Vedic dictates.
“Only a person who has unflinching devotion can understand this atma tattva (knowledge of the self). It is impossible for others to understand. Without devotion, supreme knowledge cannot be attained. Likewise even liberation cannot be attained”. Saying this, Rama began preaching the ‘śrirama Hrudaya’ to Hanuman. He warned Hanuman that it is the most supreme essence. Those devoid of devotion are ineligible even to listen to it. He specifically instructed Hanuman not to teach this supreme essence to such ineligible people who lacked devotion.
The result of chanting (conducting parayana) this Srirama Hrudaya far exceeds the attainment of heaven (swarga phala). It has the power to grant moksha itself. Moksha means permanent liberation, where a person is free from re-births. The text which explains the supreme essence of Rama (Srirama tattva) is known as Srirama Hrudaya.
We should remember that this is a conversation between Shiva and Parvati. The one who chants this Srirama Hrudaya with faith will be rid of heinous sins like matr hatya (matricide) and Brahma hatya (killing of Brahmins, cows etc). Sins accrued to a person on account of cheating or criticizing Guru will also be washed away when this is chanted with devotion. Even listening to criticism about Guru is a terrible sin. Their devotion towards Rama will further get strengthened. This is the phala sruti (result of chanting this hymn).
With this the first sarga (chapter) of Bala kanda of Adhyatma Ramayana concludes.
Chapter 2
Mother Parvati says. “O Lord, I who have attained your grace, am indeed very fortunate. Even after drinking limitless essence of Rama (nectar called Rama), my mind is not satisfied. It wants to taste this again and again. I want to hear in greater detail. Please, O compassionate Lord, teach me more”.
Shiva continues, “O Devi, in the past once, Mother Earth, bent down under the weight of the atrocities of Ravana and other demons, took the form of a cow and went to Brahma Loka along with other great eminent saints. She narrated her anguish to Brahma. The Supreme Lord Brahma closed His eyes, reflected for one moment and understood the intensity of her suffering. He thought of ways to relieve her from her suffering. He opened His eyes and along with the Mother Earth, the hordes of Devatas and saints He went to the milk – ocean (ksheera sagara). There He began to invoke Lord Hari with devotional hymns. He knew that only Hari could relieve Mother Earth of her sorrow.
Pleased with the prayers offered by Brahma, Lord Hari appeared before them. Unable to bear His divine resplendent illumination, Brahma had to close His eyes. There was nothing but bright illumination.
What is Paramatma’s form? Illumination is His form. He is nothing but supreme illumination. Brahma is a great being born from illumination; yet He could not withstand that illumination. The ever Supreme Lord Hari, then out of compassion, made Himself visible to their eyes. His form was unexplainably beautiful and divine. It was beyond description. He was shining with the splendor of all the innumerable lokas (planes). With utmost devotion and joy, Lord Brahma praised him once again-
Antas tvat pāda kamalē bhaktireva sadāstu mē
Samsārāmaya taptānām bheśajam bhaktireva te
O Lord, you have absolute love for your devotees. Therefore the devotee who does not know your essence, seeks only to be blessed with unflinching devotion towards you in all births.
The ignorant seeks moksha (liberation). The knowledgeable one (jnani) seeks unflinching devotion in all births and at all times. Moksha is difficult to be attained; it cannot be showered. Using unflinching bhakti, the person can easily move towards permanent liberation. The Jnanis (all knowing) know this trick.
The Divine Supreme Lord, smilingly asked Lord Hari, “What is the purpose of your visit, Brahma?”
Understand that this is the Lord’s maya. Did He not know the reason for which they had come to Him? But He pretends as if He does not know. When the Lord asks for the reason, you have to explain it to Him, even if He knows it all. That’s all. But in this Kali Yuga, when the Lord/ Guru asks the devotee the reason for the visit, he replies, “After all you are all knowing. You should know the reason”. Aha… what devotion they display! They pretend as if they are Bhakta Prahlada.
But here Brahma said, “O Lord, the son of Vishravas and the grandson of Pulastya has become the king of demons and is torturing all the inhabitants of the three worlds. He is drawing out the essence from all the celestials. Unknowingly I had granted him the boon that he will die only in the hands of a human being. O Lord, you have to take on a human incarnation and destroy this mighty demon who is the enemy of all Devatas”.
The Supreme Lord Srihari replied, “O Brahma, pleased with the austerities of Maharishi Kashyapa I had asked him to choose any boon. He then requested me to be born as his son. That Kashyapa is now born as Dasharatha on earth. At an appropriate and auspicious time I will create myself in 4 different forms as the sons of his 3 wives. No one will create me. I am self created. At that same time my yoga maya will take birth in the house of Janaka as his daughter. With her by my side, I will complete your task”. Saying this Srihari disappeared.
Brahma turned to the Devatas and said, “Srihari will incarnate in the Raghu vamsa (lineage). With your aspects (amsha), you all take birth as vanaras on earth and assist Srihari as long as he lives on earth”. He consoled Mother Earth and asked her to be patient for some more time. Mother Earth duly satisfied, returned back.
This episode also appears in Valmiki Ramayana with minor differences. We should understand that only here it is explicitly mentioned that Kashyapa Prajapati was reborn as Dasharatha and that Mother Sita was yogamaya. This is not mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana.
The fact that Emperor Dasharatha was childless for a very long period of time is well known. Dasharatha approached his Guru Vashishta and expressed his sorrow, “I have been childless. What shall I do with this vast empire after my death? Who will be my heir to this? Will my grief never come to an end? Am I destined to live thus?”
Guru Vashishta replied, “Dasharatha, you will be blessed with 4 sons. But before that you have complete the putrakāmesthi yaga. Call Maharishi Rishyasringa and under his guidance complete this ritual”.
With full faith and pure heart, Dasharatha called Maharishi Rishyasringa and under his guidance he began this yaga. From the Yagna kunda (fire pit), Fire God arose and gave him a golden *** containing payasa (milk sweet).
Dasharatha gave this sweet to all his 3 wives. In course of time they conceived and began to glow radiantly. On Chaitra Shuddha navami (ninth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra month), Karkataka lagna (zodiac sign cancer), Punarvasu star, when 5 planets were in the ascendant state and the sun was in Mesha rasi, at noon time, the Supreme Parabrahma was born to Mother Kaushalya.
Jai śri Ramachandra Ki Jai!
There was a shower of flowers from heaven. The infant was blue in complexion, wearing yellow cloth (pitambara), having 4 hands, holding the conch, discus, lotus and mace in his hands; with lotus like eyes, wearing sparkling earrings, sporting a crown, curly hair and wearing a garland of vyjayanti flowers on his chest. He was smiling resplendently. He was glowing. Compassion which had its home in His heart, made itself known through the smile on His lips. His smile, which was neither full-blown nor hidden, was indicative of His bliss.
Kausalya was wonderstruck and overjoyed at the sight of the Divine Lord who had incarnated as her son. Her eyes were brimming with tears of joy. Folding her hands in obeisance she prayed to the Lord,
Bhajan: Ananta śayana āpad bāndhava āśrita janapāla nandanandana navaneeta chora iralāre...
“Deva deva namastēstu śankachakra gadādhara
Paramatma achyutonantaḥ purṇastvaṃ puruśottamaḥ.
O Lord of Lords; who holds the conch, discus and mace, salutations to You! You are of permanent existence/ imperishable (achyuta), infinite, without beginning and ending (ananta), you are complete being (purna); you are Purushottama. O Lord, you are the personification of supreme knowledge; you are beyond the reach of body, mind and speech; vedantins declare that creation, sustenance and absorption take place only due to You; innumerable crores of Brahmanda (galaxies) exist within your *** appear like small sub-atomic particles; they are so tiny (in the vastness of his ***) that they are invisible to the eye.
O infinite Lord, You project as if You have taken birth in my ***. This is Your play (leela). O Raghottama! Today I have experienced the love that exists in Your heart towards Your devotees. O Lord, struck in this ocean of samsara, I am encircling this is cycle of births and deaths. I have placed complete faith in your divine feet.
Bless me that this enchanting form of Yours remains eternally imprinted in my mind. Please ensure, O Lord, that Your maya (power of illusion/ ignorance) does not envelop me at any time. O universal form! Please withdraw this divine super human form of yours. Transform into a tiny infant whom I can hold and cuddle in my arms. Be a blissful and charming infant who showers bliss on everyone. I need to rid myself of the terrible ignorance that envelops me by talking and embracing You as my infant son”.
We come across a similar situation in the life of Maharishi Atri and Mother Anasuya. When Datta appeared before them with 3 heads and 6 hands they were filled with mixed emotions. They prayed to Him to withdraw that immense, terrible form and to transform into an infant whom they could hold in their arms. Datta then asked them to wait for a little longer.
Here Mother Kausalya states that His Agni roopa - form of fire. Can anyone hold fire in their arms? She knows that the compassionate Lord has shown her this form to destroy her sins and that once her sins are washed away, He will transform into an infant whom she can lovingly embrace. She is eagerly waiting to see Him as an infant.
The Lord replies, “Dear Mother, let it be as per your wish. To reduce the burden of this Mother Earth and based on the prayer of Lord Brahma I have taken on this human incarnation to destroy Ravana and other demons. In the past Dasharatha and you had performed intense austerities to get me as your son. Today I am fulfilling that desire of yours. O Mother, due to the merit of your previous births (punya), you were able to see my divine form. Because of the darshan of this divine form, you will get liberation. In the absence of this merit (punya) it is impossible for anyone to experience this form”. Saying this, the Supreme Lord, with His power of maya, transformed Himself into an infant. In the next instant He began to cry loudly. Kausalya was delighted to see this infant form of the Supreme Lord.
Dasharatha who was brimming with joy came there running, together with Guru Vashishta to see the newborn son. Dasharatha was not lucky enough to see the divine form of the Lord. Seeing the new born son, Dasharatha shed tears of joy.
Anyway, this was the beginning of tears in his life. Tears remained eternally with him. Laugh was drained from his face.
Thereafter Kaikeyi gave birth to a son. Twins were born to Sumitra. Dasharatha in extreme happiness gave enormous amount of wealth in charity. Through Guru Vashishta he had the jataka and other samskaras done. Naming ceremony was held.
Yasmin ramante munayo vidyayā jnānaviplavē
Taṃ guruḥ prāha rāmeti raṃaṇādrām ityapi
He, in whom the sages, whose ignorance is wiped off due to attainment of jnana, take delight (ramante) and who through His beauty fills the heart of His devotees with bliss is ‘Rāma’. Guru Vashishta conferred this name to Kaushalya’s son. Rama means ‘he who bestows infinite bliss to the great saints and who destroys the sorrows of the ordinary/ ignorant persons’. Chanting ‘Ram, Ram’ destroys sorrows and showers bliss.
Kaikeyi’s son was called Bharata. Sumitra’s sons were named Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Here in Adhyatma Ramayana, we learnt that the Supreme Lord incarnated with 4 hands. We even learnt that He gave darshan to Kaushalya in His divine form. We learnt the true forms of both Rama and Sita. When we learn newer aspects, it is better to accept them and increase devotion rather than trying to analyze which interpretation is correct. Is Valmiki correct or Adhyatma Ramayana correct - do not get into this debate.
Kaushalya used to decorate her infant well. As it is, He was extremely handsome and now with these decorations, Rama began to glow radiantly. His childish pranks were limitless. Kaushalya and Dasharatha took great delight in all His childish pranks. Here the Supreme Lord was sporting as an infant. The parents performed many charities for the welfare of their sons.
The infants grew up, their thread ceremony was completed and soon it was time for the boys to be sent for their formal education. Soon they were masters in archery. Lakshmana eternally served Rama while Shatrughna was always serving Bharata. Rama was learning the dharma Shastras from elders. He loved to serve His parents at all times.
Even though the Supreme Parabrahma incarnated as Rama and got involved in varied activities, we should remember that He was unattached. It appeared as if He was tied down with attachments, but in reality it was not so.
Vishwamitra had heard of the Lord’s incarnation and so he came to Ayodhya to see Rama. Dasharatha warmly with great reverence welcomed Vishwamitra. Now Vishwamitra asked Dasharatha to send Rama - Lakshmana and help him protect his yagna. Out of extreme love for his son, Dasharatha could not agree to send Rama. He did not mind sending Lakshmana though. Further he offered to go personally and protect Vishwamitra’s yagna. Yet Vishwamitra was obstinate that Rama should come and protect his yagna.
Dasharatha then had a personal discussion with Guru Vashishta. “O Gurudeva, please save me from this predicament. I do not have the heart to send Rama with Vishwamitra. But if I refuse, I am scared that Vishwamitra will curse both me and Rama. Please suggest a way out of this situation.”
Guru Vashishta replied, “O King, I will share a great secret with you. Under no circumstances can you share this with others - Ramo na mānuśo jātaḥ paramātmā sanātanaḥ - understand that Rama is not an ordinary human being. He is the Supreme Paramatma. Due to His maya, He has assumed a human form. Lord Brahma had prayed to the Supreme Paramatma to relieve Mother Earth of its burdens. In order to fulfill this promise to Brahma, the Lord has incarnated as Kausalya’s son. In your previous birth, you were Kashyapa prajapati. Kausalya was Aditi Devi, the mother of the Devatas. Giving up trivial pleasures, both of you performed intense penance seeking Srihari’s grace.
Pleased with your unflinching devotion, the ever compassionate Lord made Himself visible to you and asked you to seek a boon. Both of you then said, “Hey, Niranjana (ever pure)! You should be born to us as our son.” To fulfill this desire, the Supreme Lord has incarnated as your son. Adishesha has incarnated as Lakshmana and is serving the Lord. The Lord’s conch and discus have incarnated as Bharata and Shatrughna. Yogamaya has taken birth as Janaka’s daughter Sita. Why do you think Vishwamitra has come here? There is a special intent behind his deed. It is to unite Rama with Sita that he has come - Vishwamitropi rāmāya tām yojayitumāgataḥ. O King, this is the most guarded secret. Hence be at peace. Listen to Vishwamitra and send the brothers with him.”
Dasharatha who heard this story of Rama was overjoyed. So far he had been under the impression that Rama was born to him as a result of his yagna; now when he realized that Paramatma had incarnated as his son, he was very touched. He called the brothers and handed them over to Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra was extremely valourous and powerful. He was pleased that Dasharatha had listened to his request. The brothers took up their bows, arrows and quiver and followed Maharishi Vishwamitra.
After they had travelled some distance, Vishwamitra lovingly called out, “Rama”. He then taught the brothers Bala and Atibala vidyas. With this knowledge the person will be free from pangs of hunger and thirst. They then crossed Ganga and entered the forest where Demoness Tataka lived. Vishwamitra said, “Rama, a terrible demoness called Tataka lives in this forest. She can take on any form as she likes. She tortures all the innocent persons who pass this way. Without consideration that she is a woman, you have to kill her”.
Rama accepted His Guru’s command. He strung His bow and twanged it. It resounded in the entire forest. Tataka who was extremely angered with this, rushed at Rama in order to attack Him. With just a single arrow Rama killed her. As her body dropped down, this demoness was relieved from her curse. A exquisitely beautiful Yakshini (female demi god) emerged from this body. She offered pradakshina namaskara to Rama and thereafter left for her abode.
Vishwamitra was extremely pleased with the valour displayed by Rama and he lovingly embraced Him. He considered himself fortunate that he could be a Guru to the Supreme Paramatma. He then imparted all knowledge about weaponry and mantras to Rama.
They spent the night there at the ashram. The next morning they travelled and reached Siddha ashrama. The saints living there received them with great reverence. Vishwamtira Maharishi accepted the yagna deeksha (vow). The demons Maricha and Subahu showered a rain of arrows upon the yagna site in order to destroy it. Rama who was extremely valiant, destroyed them with just two arrows. One arrow hit Maricha. It caused him to turn in the air and then it threw him away, a hundred yojanas far into the sea. The second arrow killed Subahu in a second and reduced him to ashes. Lakshmana reduced all the other smaller demons to ashes. The Devatas showered a rain of flowers from heaven.
The yagna was completed successfully. Vishwamitra’s eyes were overflowing with tears of joy. He lovingly embraced Rama, seated Him on his lap and tenderly caressed Him with father-like love. He entertained them by telling them many stories from the Puranas. In this manner three days passed. On the fourth day, Vishwamitra said, “Rama, let us go to Videha and witness the yagna that Janaka is going to start. He also has Shiva’s bow there which is worth a look. You should see it. King Janaka will welcome you with honour”.
Vishwamitra Maharishi took these brothers and together with all other saints, began walking towards River Ganga. They reached the ashram of Maharishi Gautama. There Ahalya Devi was engaged in austerities. In this place there were no birds or animals. Rama was surprised to note this and asked Maharishi Vishwamitra-