Is it enough if I do not try to assimilate Rama's qualities but just surrender to Him?

Wish you all Happy Rama Navami !

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

If you question, "Is it enough if I do not try to assimilate Rama's qualities but just surrender to Him?" Well! The answer is simple. "Surrender to him. You will become one like Him. He will transform you!' Ramavatãra has been so great.

 

When we are in the presence of God or a Mahãtma we are seized with fear. Not merely out of respect or devotion. Being Jnãnis they possess 'aparoksha jnãna', 'aparoksha drishti'. When we are in His Presence ('sannidãna') the Mahãtma can very easily read our thoughts. The very thought of all our wrong deeds hurt us deeply. Their recollection makes us feel small. We cringe with the thought of, 'How can I be in His Presence having committed such sins.' We have no courage to face it. Gathering up courage when we do somehow manage to go to their Presence what do the Mahãns do? They pour their grace on us! They do not 'see' our faults ('dosha'). But even if they 'refuse' to see our 'dosha' it is only due to the greatness of their very Presence ('sannidhi visesha') that we are able to stand before them. But for this we would hesitate to go to them.

 

But the pronouncement ('theermãnam') of Ramavatãra is - "A man hesitates to go to the Presence of God due to his flaws. But this sort of a situation should not arise. When we go to either God's or a Mahãn's Presence, the God or the Mahãn should tremble on seeing us! They should be amazed at us, "What a Truthful man ('Satyasanda') he is! What a righteous ('dharmãtma') man he is!" God and the Guru should tremble on seeing us/our virtues! A man should hold himself in such a position as to create awe in God and the Guru. This is the essence of Ramayana.

 

Rama was one such 'Satyasanda' and 'dharmãtma'. Out of devotion for Rama and with the desire to become one like Him, if we read Ramayana, appreciating all His virtues and exert even a little effort towards this we will, without doubt, become a Mahãtma. On the other hand if we feel, "Rama's virtues are too great to be adhered to but I will surrender to Him", even this would suffice. Either try to possess His qualities or out of devotion surrender to Him.

 

If you question, "Is it enough if I do not try to assimilate Rama's qualities but just surrender to Him?" Well! The answer is simple. "Surrender to him. You will become one like Him. He will transform you!' Ramavatãra has been so great.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare