Mantras for Joyful Living – Part 4 (1-6 September 2013)
The Chinmaya Mission of South Africa held a series of discourses on the Ramcharitmanas from the 1st to 6th September at Montford, 159 Road 703. Pujya Swami Abhedanandaji conducted the discourses from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm which drew a crowd of more than 100 people everyday. Devotees were given a taste of the highest spiritual knowledge through Swamiji’s lucid exposition of the Kevat Prasang of the Ramayan.
Photo : ” Swami Abhedananda giving discourse on Sri Ramcharitmanas ”
Swamiji in his distinct style, explained the Laksman Geeta emphasizing that no-one is to be blamed for our circumstances but it is the result of our own fruit of actions .It was mentioned that how a person should live the life is governed by his svadharm. Swamiji discussed that the surest way for anyone to check himself if he is following a righteous(dharmic) life is to 1)see what the scriptures prescribe, 2) the values set by saints, 3) the norms accepted by the society, 4) what the ancestors practised and then 5)our own inner conscience and fulfilment.
One of the most sweetest episodes of Ayodhya Kand is the Kevat Prasang. Swamiji described the unique and touching relationship between Kevat(an ordinary boatsman) and Lord Ram. The beauty of Lord Ram’s character was brought out by the way he was able to give honour to even the most downtrodden and illiterate Kevat. The immense devotion and love of Kevat had melted the Lords heart therefore he was given the rare opportunity to was Lord’s feet. It was beautifully illustrated by Swamiji that this was one of the few places where Lord Ram laughed whole-heartedly after the tragic sequence of events.
Swamiji elaborated on the extremely compassionate nature of Lord Ram who accepts us completely inspite of knowing our faults. Swamiji highlighted how this episode brought out the generosity, sweetness, power and beauty of Lord. Swamiji re-iterated that the strength of a person depends on whom he does his actions for, the bigger the altar, the more power will express and flow through him. Swamiji also described how when one expresses his total helplessness and surrenders unto the Lord, Lord bestows upon him His grace and alleviates all sorrows.
Devotees expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Pujya Swamiji for unravelling the hidden gems of the Ramayan enthralling them for the six days. Devotees also partook of dinner Prasad are looking forward to the next yagna from the 1st to 6th October as these discourses are providing a feast for their spiritual appetites.
