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Chapter 12
SAGUNA AND NIRGUNA BHAKTI
63. Complementarity between Saguna And Nirguna: Examples From The Ramayana
20. Just as fish cannot live outside water, Lakshman could not live without Rama. With his whole being he lived for Rama. His joy lay in serving Rama; in keeping vigil at night when Rama slept. If the eye is attacked, the arm immediately rushes to receive the blow. Lakshman was such a protective arm for Rama. Tulsidas has given a striking simile. A flag flutters proudly and is lustily cheered; but who cares for the flag-staff? Lakshman was like the flagstaff; it was because of his solid and unstinted support that the flag of Rama’s glory has been fluttering high in the world. He never faltered; never bent. The world sees the flag and adores it, but the value of the staff is hardly reckoned. Aspire attracts the attention of the people, but the foundation catches no eye. The banner of Rama’s glory is still fluttering, but Lakshman remains unremembered and unsung. For fourteen years, he stood upright and strong. He stayed in the background and spread Rama’s glory. Rama entrusted many difficult, delicate and unpleasant tasks to him. It was Lakshman whom he asked to take Sita to the forest and leave her there. Poor Lakshman obeyed that command too. He had virtually become Rama’s eyes, His hands, His mind. He had merged himself into Rama, just as a river merges into the sea. He had become Rama’s shadow. Lakshman’s bhakti was saguna one. |
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