From a message and satsang by Pt. Maniedeo Persad, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Sri Raam Dhaam and Managing Director, ieTV and ieRadio
On Monday 22nd January, 2024, history unfolded before our eyes. After 500 years of struggle across generations, finally at the Birthplace of Shree Raam in Ayodhya, the Praan Pratishta of Raam Lalla took place in grand celebrations. Over a billion persons worldwide, including our country, Trinidad and Tobago, have anticipated that historic moment.
The epic Ramaayan, a repository of eternal wisdom, imparts sage advice for traversing the path of human life. Within its verses, the precepts laid out by Shree Raam, not merely through words but, more importantly, through actions, offer profound solutions to life’s myriad complexities.
Shree Raam’s life unfolds as a vivid epic, illustrating the entire spectrum of human fortune and circumstance. Destined to be a great king, his fate takes an unexpected turn with a single incident. From being the crown prince of Ayodhya, representative of fortunate circumstances, he transforms into an exiled prince dwelling in the forest for a humbling 14 years. This drastic shift, triggered by his father’s promise to Queen Kaikeyi, unravels a tale of deprivation where Shree Raam has only the companionship of his loyal wife and brother. Even in exile, the agony deepens as he loses his beloved wife, Sita, sparking a relentless pursuit aided by monkeys and bears and culminating in a fierce battle against her kidnapper, King Ravan. Through these trials, Shree Raam’s conduct and decisions resonate as guiding lights, offering profound lessons for humanity.
In the midst of adversity, Tulsidas aptly describes him as forward looking and forward going. Shree Raam teaches us a valuable lesson: to accept life’s experiences for what they are, learn the lessons they offer and forge ahead. Success, according to his teachings, begins with our capacity to adapt to life’s evolving circumstances.
Shree Raam underscores the importance of understanding the past, embracing the positives and learning from the negatives. With a renewed optimism, he urges us to face the future, equipped with the wisdom gained, and continually strive for personal and familial development. In the face of challenges, he exemplifies the resilience needed to progress with vigour and vitality, implementing necessary changes and fostering continuous growth.
The young Shree Raam’s daily obeisance to his mother, father and guru imparts a profound lesson for all children of Sanaatan Dharma. Irrespective of circumstances, honouring our parents and gurus becomes a crucial aspect of our journey. Just as Shree Raam honoured his father’s wishes by embracing exile, our success in all endeavours hinges on our ability to bring honour and happiness to our families through dutiful actions.
Connecting with divinity, Shree Raam’s life exemplifies the importance of nurturing our relationship with the divine, in whichever form resonates with our hearts and temperaments. Even in times of adversity, Shree Raam turned to prayer, acknowledging the divine within. Emulating this example, we are encouraged to dedicate ourselves to spiritual advancement in all our endeavours, finding solace and strength in our connection with the divine. As we embark on our life’s journey, let the eternal wisdom of Shree Raam guide us with grace and purpose.
