The crux of Sri Rajeshwaranandaji Saraswathi’s discourse ‘Sri Ram Katha’, at the Agarwal Vidyalaya on Tuesday, centred on applying the composition of the venerable poet Tulsidas’ Ram Charita Manas, in everyday life.
“All human beings have a Manav (human) and a Danav (demon) within ourselves. The Danav isn’t what we see around, especially on television — the hideous figures in gruesome dresses. Our thoughts are responsible for the same. Hence, we need to exercise control over our thoughts, because it is thoughts that entirely make us,” said Sri Rajeshwaranandaji Saraswathi.
The various forms of the Indian epic, the Ramayana, usually have the author’s name prefixed to it, such as Valmiki Ramayana, Adhyatma Ramayana and so on. However, Tulsidas’ name isn’t prefixed to the Ram Charit Manas, he said. He added that people must also emulate the qualities of the lord that have been cherished in the composition.
He also pointed out a statement of great philosopher Madan Mohan Malaviya, who had said that while studying holy scriptures such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagawad Gita or Sri Krishna Bhagawatham, we need to possess scholarly knowledge. But no such requirement is needed for reading the Ram Charita Manas. “Simple to understand, the Ram Charit Manas is truly a work for the common man,” Rajeshwaranandaji Saraswathi added.
The seer, who was in the city, said, “The Manas in the title of Tulsidas’ work also refer to the holy lake Manasarovar. It is this lake that we need to seek solace from, to purge our sins and seek salvation,” he said and pointed out that lord Ram is also the human form of the infinite supernatural power (Brahman).
Man can seek liberation from the cycle of birth and death by reciting the couplets from the composition, he added, and recited a few verses from it.
The discourse, a five-day event, is being organised by the Friends of Tribals Society, which has its office in Spencer’s Plaza. The discourse ends on January 12.