Chapter
5
The Guru and the Pupils
The
brothers lived in the preceptor's house and served him
with devotion. They renounced the comforts of the palace
and gladly underwent the hardships. They carried out the
wishes of the master in humility and with loyalty. They
finished their studies in a very short period and
mastered the subjects they were taught. One day Emperor
Dasaratha proceeded with his Minister to the home of
their teacher. He was beside himself with joy when he saw
them reciting Vedic hymns and heard the sacred formulae
rolling out of their tongues, clear and fast, like a
cascade of bright pearls. He was happy that his sons had
learnt so much.
Rama rose and fell at
the feet of his father. Seeing this, the three brothers
too came forward and prostrated before him. The teacher
invited the Emperor and the Minister to seat themselves
on raised seats covered with deerskin. Dasaratha began
conversing with the teacher in order to find out how far
the children had advanced in studies. Rama signed to his
brothers that they should not overhear their talk; he
left the room with the permission of the guru, carrying
his books with him and calling on the others to follow
him. The brothers took the cue from Rama in all matters
and so they silently obeyed his merest
gesture.
Vasishta and Dasaratha
noted this incident; they appreciated the upright conduct
of Rama, his understanding of the trend of the teacher's
conversation and the immediate reaction of humility and
the way in which he was an example and ideal for the
three brothers. They were glad that they had learnt so
much discipline.
Vasishta could not
contain himself. He said, "Maharaja: Your sons have
mastered all the arts. Rama has mastered all the Sastras.
He is no ordinary mortal. As soon as I began teaching him
to recite the Vedas, he used to repeat them as if he knew
them already. Only He who has inspired the hymns can
repeat them so, not any other. The Vedas are not 'books',
which he could have perused while at leisure! They have
come down from guru and disciple, through recitation and
listening only. They are not available anywhere, except
from the preceptor! That is the reason why it is referred
to as Sruthi (That which is heard). It is the Divine
breath of God that has shaped itself into these manthras.
I have not seen so far any one who has mastered them as
Rama has done. Why should I say, 'seen'? I have not even
'heard' of any one who has accomplished this remarkable
feat!
"I can tell you of many
more superhuman achievements of your son. Maharaja! When
I think of my good fortune in securing these boys as my
pupils, I feel it is the reward for the asceticism I
practiced so long. They need learn nothing further. They
have now to be trained in bowmanship and archery, and
similar skills appropriate for royal princes. They have
completed their studies under me and become efficient in
all that I can teach. The day too is very auspicious.
Take them back with you to the Palace".
At this, Dasaratha, who
was afflicted for months with the pain of separation,
shed tears of joy. He could not contain his delight. He
turned towards the Minister by his side, and directed him
to convey the good news to the Queens and ask them to
come over to the hermitage with the offerings that the
pupils have to present to the preceptor while leaving his
custody. Sumanthra proceeded very fast to the Palace, and
communicated the news. He got ready the gifts and
returned quicker than anticipated.
Meanwhile the boys had
their belongings packed at the suggestion of Vasishta and
the articles were loaded into the chariot. As directed by
their father, the children worshipped the Guru according
to prescribed ceremonial, gave him the gifts, and fell at
his feet, asking his permission to leave for
home.
Vasishta drew the boys
to his side, pressed their hands and patted them on their
heads. He blessed them and most unwillingly allowed them
to leave. The pang of separation brought tears in his
eyes. He walked up to the chariot with his pupils. The
boys ascended the vehicle, and it moved away. They turned
back towards the Guru and looked in his direction with
folded palms, for a long distance. The preceptor, too,
stood at that place, his cheeks wet with tears. Dasaratha
noticed this bond between the teacher and the pupils; he
was greatly pleased.
They reached home. The
guru entered the hermitage with a heavy heart. Wherever
his eyes were turned, he noticed darkness and no light.
He feared that the attachment he had developed might
confirm itself as a shackle; he decided to sit in Dhyana
in order to suppress the rising tides of memory. Soon, he
overcame the outer illusion and merged himself in inner
Ananda. He realized that the boys were embodiments of
Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha - the Four Goals of Human
Life (Righteousness, Welfare, Endeavour and Liberation)
and that they had taken human form in order to
re-establish on earth these grand ideals of gracious
living. This gave him unruffled peace.
Dasaratha resolved to
supplement the education the boys had received, by
training them in the use of arms; so, he called in expert
archers and others and made arrangements to teach them
the science of attack and defense. But who can claim to
be the teachers of these boys who were already
pastmasters in every field of study? They were only
'acting' the roles of humans and pretending to
learn.
To Him who holds the
strings of this puppet show, who can teach to pull the
string? Men who could not recognize their Reality
underneath the camouflage of Maya sought to train them
and teach them the objective skills useful for external
living. They have come to save the world from disaster;
so, they have to be in the world and of the world,
respecting the conventions of the world, so far as they
subserve their purpose. Men could not understand their
acts, for, they are beyond human intellect or
imagination; they will be helpless if asked to explain
them. But people must learn the ideals they put into
practice. So, Rama was presenting himself as a cinder
covered with ash, or a lake with a thick float of moss or
the moon hidden by a curtain of clouds. The brothers were
following the footsteps of Rama.
Rama and Lakshmana were
revealing knowledge of stratagems and skills which even
expert instructors did not know about. They were
wonder-struck and were even a little fear-stricken. But,
the four Princes never shot an arrow at an animal or
bird. They never broke the vow taken solemnly by them
that they will use arms only on occasions of great
urgency, not for the pleasure of killing or wounding. The
trainers took them often to the forest for hikes and
game-shooting; but, when they spotted animals or birds
and invited them to shoot, they remonstrated and said,
"These arrows are not to be used against innocent
targets; they are to be used for the protection of the
good, the welfare of the world, and the service of the
people. That is the purpose for which they are with us;
we shall not insult them, using them for these silly
pastimes", they averred and desisted. The teachers had to
accept their arguments. Every word, every deed of Rama
demonstrated his compassion. Sometimes, when Lakshmana
aimed his arrow at a bird or animal, Rama came in between
and protested "Lakshmana! What harm has it done to you or
the world? Why do you long to shoot it? It is quite
against the code of prescribed morals for kings to punish
innocent beings; don't you know?"
The Emperor often sat
among his ministers with the princes near him, and
discussed with those around him the problems of political
administration, judicial trials and the application of
moral principles in the governance of the state. He
related stories of their grandparents and others of the
royal line, how they earned the love and loyalty of their
subjects, how they fought wars with 'demons' and for
'gods' and how they won the Grace and support of God in
their endeavours. The father and the sons were both
exhilarated when these tales were told. Many a day, the
ministers took turns in this pleasant task.
As they grew with the
passage of years, the ministers became confident that
they could be entrusted with some fields of governmental
activity. The people dreamt that when they came of age
and took hold of the reins of government, the earth will
be transmuted into heaven. When people saw the princes
they felt a bond of affectionate attachment springing
between them. The conversation that ensued among them was
marked by sweet concord. The city of Ayodhya had no one
who did not love those simple, humble, virtuous, selfless
Princes, or who did not evince a desire to watch them.
They were as dear to the children of Ayodhya as their own
bodies, as precious to the city as its own
heart.
When they were in their
eleventh or twelfth year, one day, Dasaratha called to
his presence the minister Sumanthra, who was the
repository of virtue, and commissioned him to arrange for
teaching the princes the spiritual Science of Liberation
(the Paraavidya). He said that however proficient a
person may be in secular sciences (Aparaa Vidya), Paraa
vidya alone can give him the strength to carry out his
Dharma (Rightful duties). The highest moral culture must
be imparted to them at this tender age itself.
Success or failure in
later life was built upon the Impressions and experiences
gained in the early stages of life. The early years are
the foundations for the mansion of later years. Therefore
he said, "Take the princes around the kingdom and let
them learn not only the condition of the people but also
the holiness of sacred places. Describe to them the
sanctity of holy places, the history of the temples and
of the saints and sages who have consecrated them, and
let them drink deep the springs of divinity that are
hallowing those spots. I feel it will be good if they do
so. As they grow, they will be prone to sensual desires
and urges. Ere they fall a prey to such tendencies, it is
best to implant in them reverence and awe, and devotion
to the Divine, that is immanent in the Universe. That is
the only means to save their human-ness from demeaning
itself into animality. And for rulers of kingdoms, it is
essential. Consult the Guru and the preceptors and
arrange the tour without delay."
Elated at the prospect
of the princes getting this great opportunity Sumanthra
had all preparations made to his satisfaction; he got
ready himself to accompany them. The Queens came to know
of the pilgrimage that the Princes were undertaking. They
were delighted that the Princes were going on such a holy
venture and they made many things ready to render it as
happy and useful as possible. They arranged a few nurses
for them and some comrades of their own age to accompany
them. The Princes too, were beside themselves with joy at
the prospect of visiting the sacred places of the land.
They enthused their companions and sought from the King
equipment and clothes for them also.
The next day, when the
auspicious hour specially selected for the journey was
on, the Princes bowed before their parents, touching
their feet with their foreheads; they fell at the feet of
the Preceptor; the mothers placed holy dots on their
foreheads and cheeks to ward off the evil eye and to
guard them against evil; they discarded royal robes and
put on the habiliments of pilgrims, that is to say, silk
dhotis round the waist and silk shawls wrapped round the
shoulders and, taking leave of all, they ascended the
chariot. The palace resounded with shouts of victory
rising from thousands of citizens who had gathered to see
them off. The chariot moved on with guards before and
behind.
Days, weeks, even
months rolled by! They went to every temple and sacred
spot; they imbibed the holiness of each place; they
worshipped at each shrine with faith and devotion, they
learnt after deep enquiry the history of each place and
the antecedents of the shrines; they ignored every other
thought or activity during all that long period.
Sumanthra was describing to them the sanctity of each
place so graphically and intimately that their hearts
were thrilled. The Princes plied him with questions
demanding further and deeper elaboration of his
narrations, Sumanthra was overjoyed at the insatiable
yearning of the boys, and he gave even more information
and inspiration,
Thus they journeyed
from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, and from the eastern sea to
the western, spending more than three months. They had
their eyes open to the sufferings of the people and the
discomforts of the pilgrims in every region of the
empire, and whenever they observed these, they pleaded
with Sumanthra, the Minister, to set things right and to
provide the needed amenities.
They were responsible
for the repair and improvement of many temples, the
provision of drinking water wells, the planting of avenue
trees, the opening of centres for the distribution of
water to thirsty wayfarers, the building of
caravanserais, and the establishment or health centres.
Whenever Rama expressed a desire that such amenities be
provided. Sumanthra never hesitated to agree; he saw to
it that they were immediately provided to his
satisfaction. The Princes derived great comfort that the
empire had such a loyal and efficient Minister as
Sumanthra; they said to each other that when they had
such ministers welfare and progress were
assured.
Accounts of the
pilgrimage of the Princes were conveyed to Ayodhya by
special couriers who ran in relays, forward and backward
with news they collected. Whenever delays occurred the
Queens were weighed down by anxiety. They prayed to the
Preceptor Vasishta to give them correct information
regarding them. Vasishta had the yogic attainment to
discover what was happening to them; so, he used to tell
them the reassuring news that they were happy, healthy
and hearty and that they would soon be returning to the
capital. The mothers derived courage and confidence
therefrom. The Preceptor blessed them and repaired to his
hermitage.
Meanwhile, the
news-gatherers brought good tidings. They said that the
Princes were nearing Ayodhya; they must be reaching the
City within two days! Arrangements were therefore made at
the main Gateway of the City to welcome into the Imperial
Capital the four Princes, who had successfully gone
through their long and arduous pilgrimage and earned
meritorious renown by their devotion and compassion
during their triumphal tour. Rosewater was sprinkled on
the roads to make them dust-free. Arches and festoons
were put up. On both sides of the road, women stood with
plates on which they had placed lamps, with bright
flames, which they desired to wave before them as they
passed along.
The Princes arrived at
the Gate, as announced; lamps were waved before them;
they moved along the main high-way, which was strewn with
petals of fragrant flowers; parties of musicians and
minstrels singing welcome songs proceeded slowly in
advance. Brahmins recited hymns invoking the blessings of
God upon the distinguished scions of the Imperial family.
Sumanthra came alongside the Princes, who were shining
with an ethereal glow on their faces.
When they reached the
palace gates, many rites were gone through to ward off
the effects of the evil eye; they were then led into the
inner apartments. The mothers whose eyes were longing to
look upon them were awaiting them there; the boys ran
towards them and fell at their feet. They were raised up
and held fast in close embrace for five or six minutes,
during which they lost themselves in the thrill of joy,
which enveloped both mother and son in the bliss of
Mergence with the Divine! The tears that rolled from the
eyes of the mothers out of the surgence of the love
bathed the heads of the boys. They took hold of their
sari ends and wiped the heads dry with them. They stroked
the hair, they fondled the head, they seated them on
their laps, and fed them fondly with sweet rice and
curd-mixed rice.
Ah! The excitement and
thrill of the mothers were indescribable. The pang of
separation which they had suffered for three long months
could be assuaged a little, only by having the children
in their care and custody, day and night, for a few days.
They wanted them to relate the story or their pilgrimage,
and the boys narrated in sweet, simple, sincere style the
sacredness of each holy place, as explained to them by
Sumanthra. They listened to these narratives with such
ardour and faith that they too seemed to experience the
exhilaration each shrine provides for the earnest
pilgrims.
Dasaratha celebrated
the return of the young Princes from their holy journey
by offering oblations to the Gods, and arranging a
magnificent banquet for all Brahmins who had successfully
completed the pilgrimage to Kasi and Prayaga. He gave the
latter monetary gifts too. Thus, since the day when the
princes were born, it was one continuous round of
festival and feast in the capital city and in the
kingdom. The city of Ayodhya shone with uninterrupted
rejoicing. Feasting and festive entertainment knit the
populace into a family, bound by love and gratitude.
Every month, the days on which the children were born
(the ninth, tenth and eleventh days of the bright half)
were filled with gorgeous ceremony, to mark the happy
event. Even when the boys were away on pilgrimage, these
days were celebrated as grandly as if they were in the
City; except for functions where their physical presence
was needed, all else - the feasts, the gifts, the games,
the dance - were all gone through with enthusiasm. The
parents noticed a change in the boys as a result of the
pilgrimage. The transformation was very surprising and
they hoped that the strange ways or life they had assumed
might weaken with the passage of days. They watched their
behaviour and attitudes with great attention. But they
continued, with no sign or diminution.
Rama stayed mostly
indoors. He did not bathe at fixed hours as he was doing
so far. He had a dislike to wear royal robes; he desisted
from delicacies; he never sat on the golden throne; he
appeared as if he was immersed in the contemplation of
the Absolute, of something beyond the senses and the
mind. Since their brother appeared so morose and was
ostensibly sulking, the three younger brothers always
kept near him. They never left his presence, for games or
for any other reason.
The four used to gather
in a room and holt themselves in. The mothers had to tap
the door at intervals to bring in their food! However
hard they tried to discover why they behaved so, they
never revealed the reason! Rama alone deigned to answer
their queries thus: "This is my nature; why seek to know
the reason for my being so?"
The mothers soon felt
that this state of things could no longer be kept away
from gaze; they informed Dasaratha; he sent word that the
boys be brought to his apartments. But, finding that the
sons, who previously would have rushed in, took a long
time to come, he was filled with wonder and worry. He
made ready to proceed to their room himself. Just then,
the attendant announced that the princes were
approaching! The father was overwhelmed with bliss; he
embraced them and held them tight to his breast; he sat,
with the sons on both sides; he enquired from them about
things, light and serious. Formerly, if he asked just one
question, the boys used to reply to ten: but, that day,
when he asked ten, they scarce replied to one.
Dasaratha drew Rama on
to his lap, and pleaded fondly with him, "Son! Why this
refusal to talk? Why this silence! What is it that you
desire? What else have I than you in the world? Tell me
what you need? I shall fulfil it immediately, without
fail. Since you do not mix with the brothers and play
with them as formerly, they too are unhappy." Though the
King lovingly stroked the chin and looked at the face of
Rama, Rama did not say anything more than that he was
quite content and needed nothing! Watching this strange
behaviour, Dasaratha grew anxious and agitated; tears
welled up in his eyes. The boys remained unaffected by
his grief. The father spoke some soft words to them about
how sons should conduct themselves and sent them to their
apartments in the Palace.
He called Sumanthra so
that he might confer with him; he asked him whether
anything had happened during the pilgrimage to put the
boys out of gear or whether he had brought them back too
soon when they were themselves eager to visit a few more
places of interest to them. Dasaratha plied him with so
many questions that Sumanthra was filled with surprise
and apprehension. His lips quivered as he replied:
"Nothing happened during the journey to displease the
Princes, no difficulty was encountered. Every wish of
theirs was honoured and carried through. I gave away in
charity as much as they wanted; I got built, wherever
they suggested, houses for pilgrims; there was no
hesitation or delay. They never told me about any
happening which they did not like. Nor did I notice any
such. The pilgrimage was one long journey of joy and
adoration".
Dasaratha knew his
minister well. He said at last, "Sumanthra! You are a
great good man. I know full well that you are incapable
of neglect or error. But, for some inexplicable reason, I
find the boys have undergone a transformation after the
pilgrimage; they have developed distaste for food and
fun.
"However much the
people around persuaded him, Rama did not answer, nor did
he indicate the reason for his strange behaviour. He was
immersed in his own awareness of the falsity of things. I
am surprised at this. The queens, too, have taken this so
much to heart that they are being consumed by anxiety".
When Dasaratha spoke thus to Sumanthra, the loyal
Minister replied, "If permitted, I shall meet the
children and try to diagnose the ailment." Dasaratha
said, "Quite right! Proceed at once. Once we find the
cause, the remedy isn't difficult, the cure isn't
far".
Sumanthra hurried to
the children's apartment, heavy with a load of anxiety in
his heart. He found the doors bolted from inside, the
guards standing outside them. When Sumanthra tapped,
Lakshmana opened the door and let him in. He closed the
door behind him and conversed with the boys for long on
various matters, in order to draw out from them the
reason for their malady. But, he could not delve into the
mystery. He noticed the difference between the confiding
spirit of camaraderie which he enjoyed during the months
of pilgrimage, and the distance that had grown in recent
months. He pleaded with Rama with tears in his eyes, for
revealing to him the reasons for his melancholy. Rama
smiled and said, "Sumanthra! What reason can be given for
something which is my very nature? I have no wants; I
have no desire. You need have no anxiety on that
score".
Unable to do anything
else, Sumanthra came to where Dasaratha was and sat
beside him. "I feel it will be good to invite the Guru
tomorrow and consider which measures are proper", he said
and departed from the presence, after taking the King's
permission to leave.
The King was sad; he
neglected everything else; he ignored the demands of
empire and spun many theories in his mind to account for
the behaviour of the children. They are entering the
years of adolescence and so, such temperamental
revolutions are natural, he surmised. He shared this
opinion with the Queens and set his mind at rest, for a
little while.
When they learnt that
the Preceptor Vasishta was arriving at the Palace, the
queens made the preparations necessary, and waited for
him at the family altar. Just then, the Guru arrived; all
fell at his feet; they showered eager questions on him
about the peculiar malady of the boys and the change that
had come upon them. They were all in tears. Noticing the
agitation of the King and the Queens, Vasishta turned his
attention inwards and sought the reason for the sorrow,
through inner Vision. The truth was quickly revealed to
his penetrating purity.Within seconds, he turned
towards the Queens and assured them. "There is nothing
wrong with the boys. These are not just ordinary
children. They are free from the least trace of worldly
desire. Their minds are untarnished. Do not get anxious.
Bring them to me; you can retire now to your
apartments."
The King and Queens
were happy at this assurance; they sent for the princes
and left. Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna quickly got
ready to meet the Guru, when the news that he wanted them
reached their ears. But, Rama evinced no haste. He was
immersed in himself, as usual. So, Lakshmana touched his
feet and prayed, "It is best we go without delay; or
else, our parents will grieve that we dared disobey the
command of the Preceptor". Lakshmana pleaded with Rama
insistently for a long time, advancing various arguments.
Finally, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna were able to
proceed to the altar room, with their eldest brother.
There, they fell at the Feet of the Guru and
reverentially stood before him.
Seeing them, Vasishta
asked them with great affection to draw near and sit
beside him. They all sat close to him, but Vasishta
wanted Rama to come still nearer. He fondled Rama
lovingly, playing with his hair and patting his back. He
said, "Rama! Why have you thus become quiet and silent?
Your mothers and father are suffering from grief and
fear, unable to explain this inscrutable change. You have
to pay heed to their happiness too, isn't it? You have to
demonstrate the validity of the precious axioms, Mathr
devo bhava (Treat the mother as God) Pithr devo bhava
(Treat the father as God) by your own action, isn't it?"
Vasishta placed before Rama many such lessons and truths
for his consideration.
Rama sat smiling,
listening to the Guru. When he had finished, he spoke
calmly, "Master! You speak of mother; but, who exactly is
'mother'? Who exactly is 'son'? Why, what exactly is
'body'? And what is the 'Jivi' (the individual)? Is this
objective world real? Or is the Supreme Soul real? This
body is but the image of the Supreme Soul isn't it? The
five elements that comprise the substance called 'body'
are also the substance of the entire Universe. This
Universe is but the concatenation of the five elements,
isn't it? The elements persist, in spite of all
permutations and combinations. They have also a deeper
base. Without realizing this, if this created Universe is
itself assumed to be real, and if one yields to the
fascination of this falsehood, if the truth be discarded
for the sake of the lie, what are we to say of such
colossal ignorance ? What can the individual gain by
ignoring the Eternal Absolute Real Reality, the
Atma?"
When Vasishta observed
Rama raising such profound philosophical problems, he
noticed also a halo of bright rays of spiritual splendour
that emanated and surrounded his face! He knew that the
Light was an indication of Divinity, attempting to surge
outwards! So, he wanted Rama himself to provide the
answers to the questions that Rama put forward. And the
replies and explanations Rama gave were verily the Voice
of God. Vasishta could see this fact clearly. He bowed
his head before him, mentally, for fear of being noticed.
He said, "Son! I shall see you again in the
evening", and left the palace, without even meeting
Dasaratha; he was so overcome by the illumination of the
occasion. He fondled the children with a joyous sense of
gratitude and love.
Dasaratha saw the
princes after some time; he too saw the strange Glow of
Divine Awareness shining in their countenances. He could
not understand how, it happened and he awaited the
arrival of Vasishta in the evening. No sooner did he
enter the shrine than the children, the mothers and
Dasaratha fell at his feet and sat in their places with
palms folded in prayerful humility.
All of a sudden, Rama
surprised every one by asking a series of questions: "The
Jivi, the Deva, the Prakrthi (Soul, God, Nature) what is
the inter-relation between these? Are these three, One?
Or are they distinct entities? If One, how did it become
three and for what purpose? What is the unifying
principle underlying these? What benefit is gained by
recognizing them as different, giving up the cognition of
the Unity?" The parents were aghast at the profundity of
these questions and the tender age of Rama. They became
fully merged in that stream of instruction and inquiry,
that showered precious axioms which shed light on the
problems raised, as if Heaven answered the questions
raised by Earth! They forgot that Rama was their own
child; the hours of the night rolled by in the analysis
and understanding of the great monistic
wisdom.
Vasishta saw that the
words that flowed from the lips of Rama were indeed drops
of the Nectar of Immortality, which can
ensure Peace for mankind; he blessed the King and Queens
and returned to the hermitage. The dialogues between Rama
and the Preceptor form the text of 'Yoga-vasishta',
a treatise which is meaningful and mellow. It is also
referred to as the Ramagitha.
Rama spent his days
immersed in Vedantha, communing with himself, talking
while alone to himself, silent in company, and often
laughing at nothing in particular. Dasaratha grew
concerned. He was worried what would happen to the
brothers; he sought to keep the younger three apart; but,
they never agreed to be isolated from Rama; so, they had
to be left in his company always.
The King and the Queens
were very much depressed, for all their dreams of joy and
glory had come to naught. They became desperate, for they
saw no sign of recovery or transformation in the sons.
They counted hours and minutes, passing the time in
anxiety and prayer. Rama had no interest even in food and
so with irregular and indifferent meals, he appeared weak
and wasted in health.
contents
of this Vahini
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