Ramanavami
Ramanavami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama. Sai Baba tells us that when we observe the birthday of a divine personality, we also have to follow his teachings, remembering what constitutes the greatness of the person. Rama was the embodiment of steady adherence to sathya (truth) and dharma (right action). He was the supreme exemplar of the virtues each of us must cultivate. Baba has explained to us so beautifully the significance of the Rama avatar (God incarnate in human form), urging us to model our lives on his. The following qualities are often associated with Lord Rama.
Sugunabhiram Rama (one who attracts by virtue of his qualities)
“Very often the mistake is committed of forgetting that Rama came in order to lay down the norms of life and that His Life has to be observed and followed by mankind. He is the ideal Man with qualities and virtues that every man can earn to elevate himself. Mere worship, empty adoration, is not what the avatar (God incarnate in human form) expects. Rama underwent trouble, disappointment and distress like any man in order to show that joy is but an interval between two griefs—that grief is but a challenge, a test, a lesson. He held forth the ideal relationship between son and father, husband and wife, brother and brother, friend and friend, ally and enemy and even man and beast.”
Mayavi Rama (creator and master of illusion)
“A question may be raised here about the golden deer*. Did not Rama know that it was a decoy, a demon in that form, sent by Ravana (King of Lanka) to help him in his evil design? Of course, he (Rama) knew it all. He knew that the episode was but the prologue to the completion of the task for which he had come. He could bring Sita back from Lanka (Ravana’s kingdom), and in a moment he could turn it into a heap of ash. But he got Sugriva as his ally and did various other things to retrieve her (Sita) and punish Ravana. Why? In order to accomplish the welfare of the world, foster righteousness among men, and cause destruction of the wicked, the Lord can freely choose. Persons who are unaware of the ways of God cannot understand this. God can on His own involve Himself in activities that serve as ideals and guides for mankind.”
Atmabhiram (attractive to all beings)
“The word Rama itself indicates anandaswarupa (embodiment of bliss). In every being He is the ananda in the innermost core. How then are you being affected by grief? Because you ignore the core, you identify yourself with the shell, the body. Today, on the holy day of Ramanavami, you should immerse yourself in the atma (soul) as dharmaswarupa (embodiment of righteousness), as the motivator of the moral life. There is no place where Rama is not, no being to whom He denies grace. He does not arrive or depart; He is immanent, eternal. So, to celebrate a day as the day on which He was born is itself a sacrilege. Rama for you should mean the path He trod, the ideal He held aloft, the ordinance He laid down. Follow the path, stick to the ideal, obey the ordinance—that is the true celebration.”
“Rama is a Name sweeter than all the sweet things in nature, imbibed when alone or together. It can never cloy on the tongue. It has mysterious mystic potentialities that elevate man. So, one must endeavor to keep the mind ever dwelling on it.”
Baba often ends his discourses with one of his favorite bhajans (devotional songs):
Prema Mudhita Manase Kaho Ram Ram Ram, Ram Ram Ram, Ram Ram Ram, Sri Ram Ram Ram
Papa Kate, Dukha Mite, Leke Ram Nam Bhava Samudra Sukhada Nava, Eka Ram Nam
With a heart filled with love, chant Rama’s name; Rama’s name burns all sins and sorrows; Rama’s name is the auspicious boat on which you can cross the ocean of life.
Source: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 4
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 11
*Sita noticed a golden deer one day and prayed to Rama to catch it and bring it to her. The golden deer was a decoy employed by Ravana to kidnap Sita.
