Satsang with Pujya Guruji
Swami Tejomayananda
June 20, 2011
Click here to see the videos: Unveiling of Rama-Bharata Milap (Meeting) or Significance of Chitrakoot
Admist a very hectic schedule, Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda took time to visit Dallas and meet with the devotees at Chinmaya Chitrakoot in Irving, TX. A capacity crowd filled the assembly hall and basked in the opportunity to enjoy a Satsang with Pujya Guruji. After the Purna Kumbha Pujya Guruji unveiled the magnificient picture of Ram-Bharat Milap (meeting of Lord Shri Rama and Bharat ji). This was followed by Paduka Sthapana (installation of the sacred sandals) and the most intriguing explanation of the symbolic meaning of these two activities – the Ram-Bharat Milap and Paduka Sthapana. Pujya Guruji gave few examples of glory of Rama and Bharat relationship and love for each other. He shared the vision of why we call our center as Chinmaya Chitrakoot, and why we wanted this particular picture here.
Swami Tejomayananda reminded us that while Sita Devi personifies peace, Lord Shri Rama personifies joy, true happiness and true knowledge. True knowledge and devotion reside where Sita ji and Ram ji roam about happily. They lived in Ayodhya for as long as the atmosphere wasn’t polluted. When mind’s purity and sanctity was maintained, the divine couple dwelled in that place. As soon as there were disturbances (divisive thoughts), they moved from Ayodhya to Chitrakoot where river Mandakini flows. She is a stream of river Ganga and can easily wash away our impurities. We can invoke Lord Shri Rama and Sita devi in our hearts by listening to Rama katha (stories). Hearing the Lord’s glories is akin to the river Mandakini who purifies our hearts. Peace and joy can be regained when our heart is filled with love again. Just as it was only Bharat ji’s love for Lord Rama that eventually brought Shri Rama back to Ayodhya, we too can invoke Bharat ji in our heart and ensure that Lord Rama reigns in our heart!
The padukas are a symbolic reminder that even when negative thoughts prevailed (e.g. Manthara and Kaikeyi), the love among the two brothers ensured that they won over those distractors. So for example, when anyone tries to create this division, we must invoke Lord Shri Rama and Bharat ji. The beautiful picture at Chinmaya Chitrakoot reminds us that Bharat ji did not take the kingdom. He insisted that Rama’s padukas (sandals) will rule. He carried it on his head and places it on the throne where he worshipped them daily. He would get instructions from the padukas and rule the kingdom accordingly. The power of love and devotion was such that if difficult problems arose in administration, the padukas used to speak to him and guide him. As a bhakta (devotee), Bharat ji accepted whatever it took to serve Lord Rama. If it meant to take care of Lord Rama’s kingdom and perform adminstritative tasks, he did not turn them away. In 14 years of Lord Shri Rama’s exile, Bharat ji respected the kingdom as Bhagwan’s wealth and made Ayodhya more and more prosperous. On one hand we find such great love and high emotion; but at the same time we find Viveka. Bharat ji’s discrimination and intelligence was such that he never put Bhagwan in dharma sankat – in an awkward or difficult position – he simply served in whatever capacity it required to provide those services to Lord Rama.
It is said that in the Raghukula dynasty or lineage, King Bhagirat gifted mankind by bringing the divine river Ganga ji to the mankind. Likewise, King Dasharath gifted mankind with Lord Rama, the Bhagwan Himself. But Bharat ji’s gift to mankind was the love of Lord Shri Rama. Goswami Tulasida ji says if it weren’t for Bharat, who would have taken me to Lord Rama?!!
Pujya Guruji concluded by insisting that these stories be shared with the children. We all must know it so that we can dissipate the negatives of the mind and we can be cheerful and joyful.
