VEDA AND DHARMA

By Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi

The Vedas are a source of all dharmas. Vedokhilo dharma moolarn. Sri Rama was the upholder and embodiment of dharma as indicated in the verse, Ramo vigrahavaan dharmah. He protected dharma by his mental courage and disciplined life. Therefore, when he left for the forest for fourteen years to honor the pledge given by his father to Kaikeyi, his mother, Kausalya, offered him as a talisman, the very dharma which he protected, so that that dharma may in turn protect him from all harms.

THE ESSENCE OF RAMAYANA

The Ramayana teaches us the essential principles of the Vedas. Any superior scripture is generally called Veda and no wonder the Ramayana has come to be revered as Veda. The Parama-Purusha spoken of in the Vedas is poorna, the perfect and full embodiment of dharma, and so is Sri Rama of the Ramayana. The Ramayana instructs us in karma, bhakti, and jnana, and in the dharmic way of life. If we keep before ourselves the ideal of Sri Rama, we will be able to tide over every difficulty and danger and will be saved from straying into evil path. Sri Rama Naama smarana is the sure succor in life's tribulations. Anjaneya who practiced the japa of this taaraka mantra to perfection, is the embodiment of brahmacharya and valor, which are the most needed to endow us with the strength to successfully go through the voyage of life. If we are anchored in Sri Rama and His supreme devotee, Sri Anjaneya, our mind will not be sullied by kaama or other passions but will be disciplined to attain the Reality pointed out by the Vedas.