“Undertake the journey of prayog, viyog and yoga,” said Pujya Bhaishri during Sonipat Ramkatha

“Bandau naam Ram Raghuvarko”! In the Ramcharitmanas Shri Tulsidasji has greatly emphasized the glory of chanting the name of God saying that mere chanting of God’s name results in unflinching love for Him. Thus if chanting God’s name is so fruitful, how beneficial it would be to narrate stories about God as enunciated in Shrimad Bhagwat and Shri Ramayana? One such divine Ram Katha of Pujya Bhaishri was jointly organized at ‘Swarnapur’ or Sonipat in Haryana from 30th March to 7th April 2005 by ‘Swami Jagannath Sewak Mandal’, Sri Madhumata of Sonepat and Sri Hansdasji Maharaj in the proximity of Sri Shambhudayal temple. A grand Shobhayatra was taken out in the evening on 29th March 2005. Celebrated Yoga exponent Pujya Ramdevji Maharaj also participated in this Shobhayatra. On 30th March the Katha commenced. All saints of Akhil Bharatya Sadhu samaj were invited to this Ram katha and celebrated saints like Shri Guru Sharananandji Maharaj, Divyanandji Maharaj, Avadheshanandji Maharaj, Tapasi Baba of Amarkantak, Avichaldasji of Sarsa and others attended this Ramkatha. They jointly kindled the auspicious lamp inaugurating the Ramkatha and delivered sermons. All of them extended their blessings and good wishes for the katha. Other saints who joined the katha included Shri Satyamitranandji, Brahmaswarup Brahmachariji and Chidanand Saraswatiji.

Pujya Bhaishri in his discourse said, “The story of Lord Ram is poetry. But, while a poem is a work of literature Lord Ram’s life story is an example of righteous living, which is enunciated in the treatises on Ethics and Moral Science. Not only that, Lord Ram’s life also radiated the light of love and exemplified the constructive aspects of renunciation. Therefore Ramayana is not merely a work of literature but an epic. The seven cantos, Baal kaand, Ayodhya kaand, etc. are the seven steps on the path to God and the listeners have to tread each step every day during the seven days of the katha.”

In an another important and significant observation Pujya Bhaishri emphasized said that while Shrimad Bhagwad Gita is a scripture of yoga, Shrimad Bhagavat is one of viyoga or separation and Shri Ramcharitmanas that of prayog or practice. Gita talks of attaining Yoga through various paths like bhakti, gyan, karma, etc. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna,“Tasmad Yogi bhava Arjuna”!, implying thereby that he is discussing the paths of Yoga. Shrimad Bhagavat narrates the story of separation of Gopis from Lord Krishna who leaves them behind in Gokul while he goes to Mathura after blessing them with the unique experience of his divine love. Thereafter the people of Gokul undergo an inexpressible yearning for the Lord’s love. Thus the Bhagavat is a scripture of separation of devotees from Lord and their yearning for Him for the joy of uniting with the beloved after separation is intense and joyful. But the Ramcharitmanas is the scripture of prayog. i.e. the principles prescribed in it have to be practiced in our life because in doing we enhance our chances of realising God. Hence we only have to remember the principle: “Tyage so aage” i.e. One who renounces moves ahead. By following this principle at some stage in life we will experience the separation from God and develop a yearning for a union with him and ultimately attain yoga, union with Him. Therefore one should undertake the journey of prayog, viyog and yoga. The scriptures are like boundless oceans while such principles serve the purpose of small boats that navigate us across the unfathomed oceans of our life.