Chaitanya Jyothi Museum Opening, 2000

RAMANAM
In the Name of The Father, and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit, Amen.

Countrymen,

ORBIS NON SUFFICIT
SOLUS DEUS SUFFICIT

Vashista, who one could consider a “great/greatest/realized yogi”, served as the Court Preceptor (Court Priest) for the Solar Dynasty his entire life, preforming all of the day-to-day duties of worship. He was without desire, yet when asked by Rama to request a boon he did so. The boon he requested was – that no matter what form he was given in his next births, however many they may be, may he always be in the presence of Rama, devoted to Rama.

Also, one can observe that all of the characters in the Ramayana treat their individual roles in the play with deadly seriousness. They play according to the rules of dharma or adharma, depending on their role, with full use of emotions and action. They are engaged at all times. They do not act as if they know the end of the play, ever.

Furthermore, consciousness, no matter how pure, is still one of the five elements, albeit the most subtle. God only can have God Consciousness. The world is comprised of 15 qualities. Humans can have all 15 – i.e., Fully Man (Nicene Creed in re Jesus the Christ). God has 16 qualities, one more than humans can ever have. Humans with pure consciousness are embodied and human.

“The Name Rama is the essence of the Vedas; the Story of Rama is an Ocean of Milk, pure and potent. It can be asserted that no poem of equal grandeur and beauty has emerged from other languages or, from other countries until this very day; but it has provided inspiration to the poetic imagination of every language and country. It is the greatest treasure inherited by his good fortune by every Indian.” Sathya Sai Baba, p. 1, Ramakatha Rasavahini (Ramayana).

“No other story in human history has had such profound impact on the mind of man. It transgresses the milestones of history and the boundaries of geography. It has shaped and sublimated the habits and attitudes of generations. The Ramayana, the Story of Rama, has become a curative corpuscle in the blood stream of mankind, over vast areas of the globe. It has struck root in the conscience of peoples, prodding and prompting them along the paths of Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love.” N. Kasturi, Introduction to Ramakatha Rasavahini by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (rendered into English by N. Kasturi).

Re the attributes of Vashista … “To this venerable group belonged Vashishta, Garga, Agasthya and other sages (rishis), They had no wants; they were monarchs of renunciation; they sought nothing from any one. They were ever content.” p. 5, Ramakatha Rasavahini.

Re Free Will and Divine Will not being taught in anyone’s religion. I have two thoughts on this, one my own: Truth is Absolute and Creative at the same time, and the other thought from Christianity: the teaching of Triple Predestination. An example is: Some He destines for Heaven, Some He destines for Hell, All will be saved.

I have been having some other thoughts lately, and the Vedas that people keep referring to fit in with my line of intuition. The Tibetan Book of The Dead is to be read orally and heard aurally at the time of death. The sound itself opens the portals to surrender/liberation. The Book of Revelation is a reinstatement, if you will, of The Tibetan Book of The Dead, only using Christian iconography, numerology, and terminology, to be read orally at the time of death. It is not prophetic literature or secret codes, etc., but a liberation treatise and aural meditation for a person of the Christian faith. Likewise, The Book of Daniel is to be read orally at the time of death to a person of the Jewish faith. It is well known that the Vedas are also an oral — i.e., aural — tradition. I am thinking that they too are to be valued for their sound during reading aloud at the time of death, rather than scripture, standing on it’s own. It goes without saying, that an Adwaithin can hear any of these texts and be satisfied.

I would go so far as to intuit that all religions have comparable treatises. “Liberation/enlightenment/freedom of the coils of birth and death” also need a moment’s discussion.

One has no choice but to remain in Maya, embodied in some form or another. However, one may be given the Grace of not being bothered or entangled by the cycle of birth and death, i.e., “I am not born, I do not die”, or, “Be in the World but not of the World.”

In addition, I do not feel there are levels of yoga. Karma, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga all lead to the vision of God. If one were to follow only one of these yogas, (not beginning with Karma and ending up with Jnana) one would see God. However, one must remember that the practice of these yogas alone do not insure success. The intervention of divine Grace is necessary. Furthermore, a believer of any faith has no problem finding a sadhana within their religious framework that will bring them to the Feet of God. Yoga is part of the Hindu religious framework, and is not greater or lesser than another sadhana found in another faith. A believer has no problem respecting someone else’s sadhana while upholding the integrity of their own. I feel this is an Adwaithin principle.

You little name dropper you! Maryji? Tsk! Tsk! If “Mary” is too common for your taste, you may address me by my American Indian name, “The One Who Stayed”, which was bestowed upon me by The Great Chief White Cloud many moons ago.

In the area of trust I endeavor to follow the example set by Hanuman. During the Coronation Ceremonies for Rama, Sita gifted Hanuman a necklace of the finest gems. In Hanuman’s attempts to find out it’s specialness, he plucked every gem, bit it between his teeth, and placed it adjacent to his ear. Then, with a face indicating disappointment, he threw every gem away in disgust. He was seeing whether each gem had in it the scared Name of Rama. As they did not, they were mere stones.

Ramakatha Rasavahini (Ramayana) is the only scripture (sacred texts) that Sathya Sai Baba has re-told. This flags its importance for mankind during this period of history.

Krishna spoke/whispered the Gita to Arjuna as Arjuna was entering a situation of imminent death. Arjuna was paralyzed with fear due to attachment. In this on-coming death experience, Arjuna had to be freed of earth, water, fire, and air attachments in order to become pure consciousness/space and move with detachment and fearlessness into the pure, bright light of battle. While we all benefit from the words which were whispered to Arjuna, I think they were for Arjuna. It is similar to the advice and discourses by Sathya Sai Baba. They are very personal medicine, yet all of us benefit just from the sound of His voice. Trying to prescribe our medicine to someone else, or taking someone else’s medicine is not a good idea.

Hinduism is represented on the Sarva Dharma Symbol as well as Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Islam and Christianity with the symbol of Sanathana Dharma as it’s center. The iconography indicates that all of these religions/philosophies have equal status (360 degree circle) in finding the ancient wisdom, the eternal path. Although one could say that Hinduism is directly related to the most subtle element of sound and consciousness, these are still elements, and Hinduism is still a religion. Ultimately no greater or lesser than the other religions/philosophies. Adwaitha Vedanta does not have “snob” appeal. Adwaitha Vedanta is not concepts outside the framework of Hinduism. AV is not a “new” religion/philosophy with someone holding the keys. Sri 108?!! For an Adwaithin, diversity is unity.

Hi again, it’s the wallflower “don’t call me Maryji,” speaking. (I love it!).

Yes, I stand corrected re the iconography of the Sarva Dharma Symbol and Adwaitha Vedanta. Correctly stated, the Sanathana Dharma symbol in it’s center represents Adwaitha Vedanta, the CORE of ALL of the religions surrounding it. My original concern with your representation of Adwaitha Vedanta is your limiting of it’s sources of illumination. I feel that AV can be actively pursued and the seeker gratified through any of the religions/philosophies represented on the Sarva Dharma Symbol as AV is at their core. However, I do agree with you that there is a “key”, most effective text of AV.

I practiced TM for seven years, in the days it first hit USA. Were you involved with the Hare Krishna’s as they were affectionately called? I understand it is now ISKON. I thought perhaps that may be the source of your love for the Gita. Have you ever read the edition of The Ramayana by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba – rendered into English by N. Kasturi?

I have been informed (by Davidji) that although Gita was whispered into Arjuna’s ear, it was, indeed, Krishna’s message for mankind. However, The Avatar is with us again, and The Ramayana is the scripture that has been re-told by Him (not Gita) for this age to purify the buddhi. It is like this: The Ramayana is the most effective text for Adwaitha Vedanta, not the only text, but the MOST effective text. The thread of knowledge, discrimination and detachment is told clearly and concisely. This same thread becomes recognizable in all of the sacred texts of all the religions/philosophies. One can SEE the core in The Bible, Gita, The Book of Certitude, Dante, Altai Himalaya, The Divine Proportion, etc., etc., and RECOGNIZE the characters, the authors, the animals, ALL of the Maya as kith and Kin. An AV’s family lineage is the Solar Dynasty. That history is The Ramayana. I worry when you continue to promote primarily Gita as the most effective text for AV in this age.

Everyone has their personal sadhana. Maybe this is yours. I do not think that Gita is not effective or worthwhile, but I do think, based on Baba’s actions, that it is not the most effective text for this age. The Ramayana holds the keys as plain as the smile on your face.

AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA