Let Love Rule the World
In His discourse on 1st January 1998, Swami said, “Fill your hearts with divine love. Carry it with you wherever you go, like a sick man who carries his medicines with him. As a mariner’s compass that points always to the North, let divine love guide you ever toward the Divine. Thereby you will be divinizing your entire life.” The following story illustrates His message beautifully.
Hanuman was a servant. He exemplified the ideal of a servant. Rama [hero of the epic Ramayana] embraced Hanuman and said, “Dear friend, Hanuman! You in your physical form belong to a different species. You are a monkey and I am a man. But the love principle is one and the same in both of us.”
Caste and creed may vary. But the love principle is one. In all beings, in all countries, in all individuals, love animates every one. Today the reign of this love principle has to be established all over the world. God is the indweller in the heart. The heart is full of love. That love must be shared with others. It is only when the love is shared that the old saying about equal-mindedness in joy and sorrow, in gain and loss, will be realized.
Here is an illustration of this truth: Many people in Ayodhya knew that Rama was leaving for the forest. One aged and poor brahmin exclaimed, “I hear Rama is going to the forest for 14 years. I do not know whether I will live so long.” Feeling thus, the old brahmin named Trijata came all the way on foot to have a last glimpse of Rama. Eyes are given to man not to look at the world but to see God. Hence, the power of sight should be dedicated to God. With that aim, the old man, after enduring many hardships, came to Rama.
What was Rama doing at that moment? The one who was to be crowned was getting ready to be exiled to the forest that very moment. Would any human being be able to bear such a reversal of fortune with equal-mindedness? Would he be able to look upon good and bad fate in the same manner? Anyone other than Rama would be plunged in grief. But Rama (before leaving for the forest) was engaged in giving away to the poor all his jewels and possessions.
What should have been a moment of distress was turned by Rama into an occasion of joy found in distributing his worldly belongings to the people. Nothing is permanent in human life. No one can tell when life will come to an end, where, and under what circumstances. Life may end in childhood, adolescence, middle age, or old age. Death is certain. Hence, man must learn to give up his attachment to possessions.
Rama and the old brahmin
Rama was giving away all his things. When the old brahmin approached him, he was distributing his cows and furniture. When Trijata saw this, he exclaimed: “What an embodiment of sacrifice is the Lord! He is truly immortal because He is living up to the Vedic dictum that immortality can be achieved only through sacrifice and not through good deeds, progeny, or wealth. He is the embodiment of bliss. He is the very form of dharma [righteousness].” Looking at Rama, he exclaimed, “Rama! You are indeed the embodiment of dharma!”
Dharma is the life-breath of everybody. For this dharma, sacrifice is one element. For dharma and tyaga (sacrifice), prema (love) is the basis. Hence dharma, tyaga, and prema are essential for every human being. They are the three forces which activate the body, the mind, and the atma (divine self).
Seeing the aged brahmin, Rama beckoned to him to come near him. He asked him: “O noble brahmin! For what have you come?” The old man replied, “Swami! I am advanced in years. I learned that you are going to the forest for 14 years. I do not know whether I may live that long. I wish to gaze on Your splendorous face for once, experience Your love for at least a brief moment, touch Your sacred feet and redeem my life. Rama asked him, “Have you no other desire?” “I do not have any other desire. I have difficulty in living. But, I am reconciled to what I deserve according to my karma [actions]. I am not concerned about it. I am only keen to have a vision of You, to speak to You, and to touch You.”
Three problems that haunt a man
Then Rama asked him what was the benefit of these three. “Dharshanam paapa naashanam”—vision of the Lord destroys all sins. “Sparshanam karma vimochanam”—touching the feet of the Lord frees one from the bondage of karma. “Sambhaashanam sankata naashanam”—conversing with the Lord dispels all distress. The old man said, “Swami! Man is haunted by three problems—sin, consequences of his deeds, and sorrow. To get rid of these things, I need a vision of You, contact with Your feet, and conversation with You.”
Rama was supremely pleased with the brahmin’s words. He drew him close to Himself, embraced him and asked him. “Does this give you joy?” Shedding copious tears, the old man said, “I do not know what heaven is. I have no idea what Kailasa or Vaikuntha [the Lord’s abode in Hindu scriptures] are. But in Your embrace I have experienced all these. This is my heaven. Give me some alms. I shall return to my place.” Rama said, “Child! When you have offered Me your love, I must offer My love to you in return. That is the way of love—to give and to take. As I have received your love, you must accept something from Me.”
The old man carried a stick in his hand. Rama said, “Child! Through My touch, you have received considerable strength. Your old age has disappeared. Cast your stick as far as your strength will permit. All the wealth and the cows in the area covered by your throw will be yours.”
Rama’s touch had endowed the old brahmin with immense strength. He felt that he should act upon Rama’s command. “My life will be meaningless otherwise,” he thought. “Although I have no desire, I shall obey Rama’s command.” With this feeling, he hurled the stick with all his might. Thanks to the power of Rama, the stick traversed the banks of the River Sarayu and returned to where Rama stood. Several mansions, buildings, and cattle that were within the area came to the brahmin as Rama’s gift.
Rama’s supreme quality is sacrifice
The brahman said to Rama, “O Lord! When I came solely to have a vision of You, why are You burdening me with so many possessions?” Rama replied, “O noble brahmin! This is the fruit of your good deeds in your previous life; this is not the reward earned in the present life. Imagine how many came to see me from afar while I was preparing to leave for the forest? It is your wish that stirred My love. Were it not for the laws relating to the governance of a kingdom, I would have given this entire kingdom to you. My love for you is My greatest gift.”
So saying, Rama gave the land to the brahmin. Then the brahmin said, “This is a supreme example to all people. Even at the moment when He was leaving for the forest and the whole of Ayodhya was plunged in grief, Rama displayed His love by giving away all His possessions. His supreme quality is sacrifice!”
Source: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 27
