Sri Sathya Sai gives insights into episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata

July 2, 2002 (Tuesday)

Swami came out after the interview at 3.15 pm.

Swami    :    (To Prof. Anil Kumar) You came from there just now.

Prof. A. K.    :    Yes, Swami.

Swami    :    Here, the sunrays are falling directly. (In a pitiful tone) Paapam (poor fellow). Here, the heat is more. Do you know which bird revealed the whereabouts of Sita to Rama and Lakshmana?

Teacher    :    Jatayu, Swami.

Swami    :    No, Jatayu’s brother, Sampati did. A group of messengers had come to the seashore. Jambavan saw the sea and confessed that he could not cross it. Only Vayuputra (the son of Wind God - Hanuman) could achieve that. Then, Hanuman turned towards the East and started. When you do activities relating to God or your father, you should face the East. 

You should not face the North or South. Hanuman got the strength to cross the sea immediately. He climbed a mountain, shook his body and leapt into the air. Before he went, he did not even take the permission of Rama and Lakshmana. While he was flying over the sea, Mainaka rose from the sea and requested Hanuman to take rest. Then Hanuman replied, “I did not take permission even from Rama and Lakshmana. I do not need rest. I have to find Sita and relieve Rama of His misery. My mind is fixed on the goal.” That is Ekagrata (concentration). On the tenth day of the war, Kumbhakarna came. He died and Lakshmana killed Indrajit also. Sulochana came to know about the death of her husband. See how great Ravana was! Ravana said, “Do not to worry. I will go and fall at Lakshmana’s feet and get the body of your husband”. Then Sulochana said, “There are so many people here; why should you go?” Then Ravana said, “You should go to such good people only.” Rama and Lakshmana both were observing Eka Patni Vrata. (In the days of yore, the tradition for royalty was to have many wives. In that context, this vow entailed being married only to one woman.) Ravana fell at Rama’s feet and asked permission to take the body of Indrajit. Then Rama told Lakshmana “See, even Rakshasas (demons) have some good virtues.” Rama not only gave the body but also asked Lakshmana to accompany Ravana to his palace.

Teacher    :    We never heard all this anywhere, Swami! 

Swami    :    After Hanuman reached Lanka, he told Lankini, “Mother, I have come from a far of place; please allow me to see Lanka.” Then Lankini said, “There is no permission for monkeys into the kingdom. Listen to my words, otherwise I will hit you and you will be burned to ashes.” But Hanuman started to climb the walls. Lankini caught him by the hand. Hanuman started to become small and tried to escape. But she gave him a kick and Hanuman fell down. Then Hanuman thought that if his army came to know that a lady kicked him, they would feel bad. So he got up and gave a tight punch to Lankini. Lankini then remembered the words of Lord Brahma. Brahma had said earlier that when a monkey would come and defeat her, bad luck would befall Lanka. After defeating Lankini, Hanuman entered Lanka from the main gate. He thought, “I am the messenger of the king of kings; why should I therefore go from back door.” He went and advised Ravana to change his mind. There are so many incidents like this.

Prof. A. K.    :    Now a days, nobody tells these things 

Hanuman carrying the Sanjeevani Mountain

Swami    :    Vibhishana told Hanuman to get the tree that would cure Lakshmana. There were four types of trees. One type could bring dead people back to life. Another type could bring an unconscious man back to consciousness. One more type could make an insane person sane. The last one was capable to ensure that a person never forgot his Guru. Hanuman immediately went and tried to get the trees. When he went there, he thought why he should waste time searching for the trees and instead, got the whole mountain. Because of the trees, most of the monkeys that had died were brought back to life. Each person’s history is beautiful.

Teacher    :    Swami what is the specialty of ‘Sundarakanda’ (a canto from the epic Ramayana)? 

Swami    :    The place was beautiful, the trees were beautiful, Sita was beautiful. 

Prof. A. K.    :    Swami, was Lanka described as beautiful?

Swami    :    Not Lanka, but Ashoka Vanam. ‘Ashoka’ means that there is no ‘Shoka’ (misery).

Prof. A. K.    :    But Swami, Sita was having Shokam (sorrow)!

Swami    :    She was grieving for Rama and not for herself. This is Prapatti (complete surrender). Emi Samaacharam? (What is the news?)

Teacher    :    Swami, tell something on the ‘Virata Parva’ (a canto from the epic Mahabharata) of the Mahabharata.

The Pandavas leaving their weapons behind for their incognito stay 
in Virata Kingdom

Swami    :    When Virata lost to Dharmaja in a game of dice, he threw the dice on Dharmaja’s forehead. Seeing the blood trickling down his forehead, Draupadi prevented it from falling on the ground. When she was asked for an explanation, she replied, “My husband is a great Tapasvi (one of penance). If his blood falls on the ground, your kingdom will not have rains.”

Virata was surprised seeing Arjuna riding the chariot. He was amazed that how a dancer could achieve this feat. Then he came and told his mother that they were the Pancha Pandavas. Subsequently, the whole of the Virata Kingdom prostrated to the Pandavas. On the Semhi tree, there was a nest, which was shining. The weapons of the Pandavas were kept there. (Swami saw a teacher trying to cover his face from sunlight.) Here the sunrays are falling more, I will come after sometime. (He blessed the birthday boy took letters from the students. To one student) Which class? (The student replied that he was studying in the M.B.A. programme. Then Swami exclaimed) M.B.A.? So small! (The student was short in stature.) Swami then went back into the interview room. 

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2001-2004)