Ramayana Youth

Akram Youth December 2020 English Dada Bhagwan Parivar Ramayana for Youth Part - 3 Table of Contents 04 Vibhishana Like a Lotus in the Water 06 Angada’s Strong Determination 08 Gnani With Youth - Kaikeyi and Manthara 10 Q & A - To Keep Your Promise, Even at the Cost of Your Life 14 Cause and Effect - Lord Rama and King Sugariva 16 A Glimpse of One of Dadashri's Books 18 The Traits of the Main Characters of Ramayana 23 #Poem December 2020 Editor - Dimple Mehta Subscription Year: 8. Issue: 8 Yearly Subscription Cont. Issue: 92 Printer & Published by Dimple Mehta on behalf of India :200 Rupees Mahavideh Foundation USA: 15 Dollars Simandhar City, Adalaj - 382421. UK: 12 Pounds Contact: Taluka & Dist - Gandhinagar 5 Years Subscription Gnani Ni Chhayama (GNC), India : 800 Rupees Trimandir Sankul, Owned by : Mahavideh Foundation Simandhar City, Adalaj - 382421. USA: 60 Dollars Simandhar City, Taluka & Dist - Gandhinagar UK: 50 Pounds Ahmedabad Kalol Highway, In India, D.D. / M.O. should be drawn Adalaj, Dist. Gandhinagar, Published at : Mahavideh Foundation in favour of "Mahavideh Foundation" Gujarat-382421 Simandhar City, Adalaj - 382421. Taluka & Dist - Gndhinagar payable at Ahmedabad. Phone: (079) 39830100 Printed at : Amba Offset © 2020, Dada Bhagwan Foundation. email: [email protected] B-99, GIDC, Sector-25, All Rights Reserved website: youth.dadabhagwan.org Gandhinagar – 382025. Gujarat. store.dadabhagwan.org/akram-youth Total 24 Pages with Cover page 2 Akram Youth Friends, you may not know that the ‘Epic Ramayana’ is composed of 24,000 verses in the Sanskrit lan- guage and is considered as one of the largest ancient epic scriptures in the world. The story of Ramayana is not limited to Hinduism or India alone, but it is also prev- alent in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cam- bodia, Philippines, Vietnam etc. Sage Valmiki composed this historical text of Indian culture thousands of years ago with the aim of guiding the entire human race. Even today, Ramayana has a great influence on Indian lifestyle, soci- Editorial ety, and family life. Every ideal husband and wife is compared to Rama and Sita, ideal son to Rama, ideal brother to Lakshmana or Bharat, and ideal friend to Sugriva. Every character of Ramayana remains an idol for society. As you all know, this is the third and last issue for our Akram Youth Ramayana series. Attempting to summarize such a large volume in just three issues is as difficult as containing the ocean in a jar. However, I firmly believe that this effort will provide a golden opportunity for our young brothers and sisters to receive guidance through our scriptures. -Dimple Mehta Note: This issue was edited based on information regarding the Ramayana that was collected from the available religious scriptures, literature, and other such mediums. The sole purpose of this is to provide appropriate guidance for today’s youth. December 2020 3 Vibhishana Like a Lotus in the Water We have heard the names of Ravana’s family members, Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna, who resided in the town of Lanka. However, Vibhishana is also remembered by Rama’s worshippers as one of the most devout worshippers of Rama. Let’s go with Hanuman to the town of Lanka… errible demons lived in the gold- a house with a small temple. On top Ten town of Lanka. They ate meat of the temple was a beautiful sym- and consumed alcohol all the time and bol of Rama. There were Tulsi plants many were even cannibals. They would all around the temple. Hanuman was use magical powers and dark magic to very pleased upon seeing this house terrorize saints and innocent civilians. and with much surprise he wondered, This is the same town of Lanka ‘How was it possible to find a home of where Ravana had kept Mother Sita. a worshiper of Lord Rama in a town Hanuman disguised himself and en- full of demons?’ He thought, ‘Is this a tered the town of Lanka to find Mother lie or an illusion?’ He was pondering Sita. Hanuman was wondering where over this when Vibhishana woke up he could obtain the news and where- from his slumber and started to offer abouts of Mother Sita. He transformed morning salutations to Lord Rama. into a miniature form of himself and be- Hanuman was extremely pleased. He gan wandering in the town. thought this person looked like a noble man. He went to meet Vibhishana. He In this demon town, he spotted introduced himself and told Vibhishana 4 Akram Youth Oh child of the wind god! Just as the tongue is unfortunately trapped in be- tween the teeth, that’s how I feel trapped amongst these demons. why he had come to the town of Lanka. Today, we should also decide that Upon hearing this Vibhishana felt tru- the bad company surrounding us, in- ly fortunate. He welcomed Hanuman cluding sexuality, immorality, dishon- lovingly and said, “I was born into the esty, and other environmental peer demon community, but I have always pressures, should not taint our firm de- been worshiping Lord Rama. With your termination and efforts. Just like Vibhis- arrival, I am reassured that Lord Rama hana, we should remain like a lotus in will definitely grace an orphan like me murky waters and put in the efforts to with his blessings.” maintain our good deeds, honesty, and After investigating the town of purity. Lanka, Hanuman returned to Lord Let us become worthy of the Rama. He was really impressed by Gnani’s blessings and achieve our goal Vibhishana. Just as a beautiful lotus of spiritual progress. blooms in murky, dirty waters, in the Even in this terrible, declining era same way, Vibhishana was a devout wor- Dadashri would say, shipper of Rama while living in the midst of many demons. Hanuman told Lord “If you are pure, Rama about Vibhishana’s mental state and his endless devotion. Upon hearing then it is my guarantee this, Lord Rama was extremely happy that not the slightest of and he showered his grace upon Vibhis- hana. harm will befall you.” December 2020 5 Strong Angada's Determination In Ramayana, as a final attempt to stop the war, Lord Rama sent Angada as a messenger of peace to Ravana in Lanka. ngada skillfully shared Rama’s He thought of Rama and chan- Amessage. However, due to his neled Rama’s strength. With utmost ego and illusionary attachment, Rava- self-confidence, he slammed his feet na did not take this message serious- and challenged all the demons, “If ly and started bad mouthing Rama. any demon can lift my leg, Lord Rama Upon hearing this, Angada was filled will accept defeat and leave without with anger and he decided to show taking Sita.” Taking advantage of the his powers. opportunity, Ravana called his de- 6 Akram Youth mons. “Grab this low life monkey by his legs and slam him on the ground.” Upon hearing this, Indrajeet (Ravana’s son) and other powerful demons from everywhere proudly rose to the occasion. While using all their strength and grand tactics, they all tried to lift Angada’s leg. However, no one was able to move the leg that he had placed with such firm determination. With their heads held low in shame, they had to return back to their place. Just as the powerful demons accepted defeat due to the influence of Angada’s firm determination, our firm determination should not get influenced by circumstances or situations. That’s how strong we should remain mentally. Let us make our resolve that strong. December 2020 7 Gnani With Youth 8 Akram Youth Ramayana’s Apparent Doers, Kaikeyi and Manthara? Questioner: Pujyashree, during the Pujyashree: Be careful of when lockdown I read a book on Ramayana. It two people get together, do not gossip said in the book that Kaikeyi and Man- about the third person. Yes, if you want thara played a crucial role as apparent to say something, then say something doers of the Ramayana. Can we learn positive, we should not say anything something from their lives? negative. Otherwise, this intellect will al- Pujyashree: Yes, that is correct. It ways make comparisons. It says ‘Ours is is worth learning a lesson from it. Un- better, theirs is like this. We Indians are fortunately, poor Kaikeyi and Manthara like this and the foreigners are like that.’ were apparent doers. Actually it was the Then it will say, ‘We Gujarati speakers effect of Lord Rama’s, Sita’s and Rava- and those Hindi speaking people.’ Then na’s past karma. It was also the effect it will say, ‘We are the ones from Mum- of Lakshmana’s past karma. As a result bai, they are from Gujarat.’ Then it will of past karmic accounts, one becomes say, ‘We are the ones from Surat, they an apparent doer. No one is really at are from Vadodara.’ The intellect con- fault. Kaikeyi and Manthara should not tinues to create separation. ‘We are the be seen at fault. A lesson can be learnt ones from Simandhar city, and they are from it, don’t gossip about others. Don’t from the villages.’ see the negative in others. Do not harm The intellect will always show all others for your own benefit. We should kinds of things. It always creates differ- keep such intents. ences through comparisons and contin- When two friends get together, do ues to do so. ‘We are much better than they gossip about a third friend? What those people. Our religion is better. We do you say? Do you say nice things or say are better. Our family is better.

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