Northstar

Counsellor February

Circumambulating the Life of Rama - 2

from: Hazrat Inayat Khan:

'Unity of Religious Ideals'

(see also Topic)

You can listen to all themes here



When Sita entered this assembly, with a garland of flowers in her hands, her first glance fell upon Rama, and she could not lift her glance from that ideal of her soul to anyone else, for her soul recognized the pearl in its heart. Sita, without a moment's pause, came immediately and put the garland on the neck of that youth, so simple and unassuming, standing with an innocent expression behind all the shining hosts.

Many marveled at this choice, but many more became as glowing fire with the thought of envy and jealousy. Among them, the one who was most troubled was the King of Lanka, Ravana. For Sita was not only known as the most beautiful princess of the time, but also was called Padmani, the Ideal Maiden. As Rama was an example in his character, so in Sita the ideal character was born.

Then came the separation of the two. Sita, who had followed Rama in his twelve years' Vanavasa, which means roaming in the forest, was once left alone in the woods, and Rama had gone to fetch some water. At that time Sita disappeared, and after a great difficulty and a great grief the trace was found. She had been taken prisoner by Ravana. She steadily lived for Rama in this captivity, and would not yield to Ravana's temptations and threatenings. In the end victory was won. Rama fought a battle with Ravana and brought Sita back home.

This story gives the picture of life being a struggle for everyone, in a small way or in a big way. The outer nature of the struggle may be different for everyone, but, at the same time, no one can live in the midst of this world and be without a struggle. In this struggle the one who wins in the end has fulfilled the purpose of his life; who loses in the end, has lost.

The life of Rama suggests that, Inner strife apart, the struggle in the world is the first thing to face; and if we keep to our own ideal through every test and trial in life, we will no doubt arrive at a stage when we will be victorious. It does not matter how small be the struggle, but victory won in the end of every struggle is the power that leads a human being farther on the path towards life's goal.

The life of us humans, however great and deep, has its limitations. Before conditions of life the greatest human being on earth, the most powerful soul, will for a moment seem helpless. But it is not the beginning that counts; it is the end. It is the last note that a great soul strikes which proves that soul to be real and true.


Pine-trees, what do your branches signify?

- Hands stretched out from heaven to bless the earth.

 

Pine-trees, for what are you made?

- We are temples erected for the worshippers of God in nature.

 

Pine-trees, tell me your life's secret.

- We are the shadows of souls on the cross,

awaiting patiently the hour of their liberation.

 

Gayan - Tanas


(Maheboob Khan, Hazrat Inayat Khan‘s brother, has composed music to a row of aphorisms of Hazrat Inayat Khan in the middle of last century, as this ‚How Shall I Thank Thee‘. Mohammed Ali Khan, Hazrat Inayat Khan’s cousin, has sung this song around the year 1956 in a concert in Zürich – here you can listen to it)


Gayan as E-book - click here

Vadan as E-book - click here

Nirtan as E-book - click here

(these E-book are free of all charge - use their treasures well!)