THE DRAMAS OF LIFE DIVINE
Part - 7
Dear readers, till the December 2008 issue, in this section we serialized for you “Shirdi Sai Parthi Sai”, the glorious saga of Shirdi Sai and the divine life of Sathya Sai till His early childhood. This series continued for 48 episodes, and we received very positive responses to this serial. In fact, now that the script is available, this television serial has been re-enacted as a play in many Sai centres.
Encouraged with this, we decided to continue this section and offer something in a similar format. And now, after the Divine Life story of Bhagavan Baba, it is the innumerable dramas presented in the Divine Presence by the students of Bhagavan’s Schools and University, as well as by the Bal Vikas students and Sai devotees from all corners of the world. We hope the current series, which is accompanied with lots of pictures and video stills/clips, will not only make an enriching and edifying reading experience, but also will help devotees everywhere to redo these inspiring plays in their own settings with little effort. So, enjoy these divine dramas where the Divine was a keen spectator and the hidden director!
The current drama, which was staged by the students from the Prasanthi Nilayam campus of the SriSathyaSaiUniversity on January 12, 2008, highlighted the supreme virtues of Hanuman, one of the greatest devotees of the Lord, and exhorted one and all to emulate the example of this matchless servant of the Lord.
“RAMAYANA RATNAHARA VEERANJANEYA”
THE MIGHTY HANUMAN, THE DIADEM OF RAMAYANA
Part-1
Sportsmeet Drama 2008
The relationship between Rama and Hanuman is the best example of intimacy between the Lord and His devotee. Hanuman understood the Lord completely, for he never tried to understand the Lord, he just followed Him implicitly. At the bodily level, he was the servant of the lord. From the perspective of the mind, he was the spark of the divine. At the level of the Atma, he and the Lord were One. Let us explore the journey of Hanuman through another true devotee, the composer of ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and ‘Ramacharitamanas’, Saint Tulasidas...
Scene 1:
Conversation Between Tulasidas and Narada
Tulasidas enters the stage singing, “Bhajo mana Rama charan sukhadaayi”... in the middle of the song Narada enters and joins in...
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Tulasidas: Narad munivar (noble sage), pranams (salutations). The darshan of a saint like you has elevated the holiness of this hermitage.
Narada: Narayana...Narayan...Pranams Tulasidas... The divine name of Rama captured in your mellifluous melody has sanctified the surroundings. I look upon you as the Valmiki of this age. You have come a long way to become a peerless saint.
Tulasidas: But munivar every saint has a past, and my past has been chequered with the sin of attachment to the world.
It has been my tapas (penance) to formulate a path that would ensure that my fellow beings do not commit the same mistakes that I did and lead them to divinity.
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Narada: A very noble intention, Tulasidas. How do you propose to do that?
Tulasidas: I wish to show and highlight to the world a personality who exemplifies the path, and for that I seek the gemstones stored in the treasure trove of Ramayana.
Narada: Tulasi, who do you think can be that harbinger of hope to humanity moving the mountains of obstacles?
Tulasidas: Moving mountains…. munivarya, it can only be the one who moved the mountains literally to serve the Lord, His padadasa (servant of His feet), Hanuman.
Narada: Yes Tulasi. The first step in Hanuman’s journey was to seek the Lord and surrender to him. Our self effort must be guided to choose the Master.
Tulasidas: But in the end it is the Master who actually chooses us. Ah! The beautiful scene of the first meeting between God and His devotee comes alive in front of my eyes
Scene 2:
Hanuman Meets Rama
[Hanuman is in meditation as Sugriva, and Jambavan approach him]
Jambavan: Hanuman, please come out of thy meditative trance. A crisis looms ominously over Maharaja Sugriva’s future, from which only you can rescue him.
Hanuman: Crisis for Maharaj! No external force can be a life threatening source for Maharaja Sugriva until the breath flows incessantly in the body of Anjaneya. Pray, tell me what is the problem?
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Sugriva: Your reassurance has rejuvenated the dried streams of hope within me, Hanuman. Nala has reported the presence of two strangers in the vicinity of Rishyamookha.
A feeling of anxiety and fear has gripped all our hearts. We have a strong suspicion that they are spies sent by Vali to eliminate the resistance. Let the spies be captured and brought to our presence.
Hanuman: Pardon me, Maharaja. But let us not draw conclusions without due investigation. Permit me to approach them in the form of a Brahmin.
I shall find out their intentions and do the needful. But, I have a queer intuition that something good is about to happen.
[Lakshmana and Rama enter]
Lakshmana: Agraja (elder brother), we have been wandering along these wooded shores of the Pamba. Now, the Sun shines in the western horizon and darkness deepens. We still haven’t found our friends of Rishyamukha.
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Rama: [gives a benign smile in the direction of Hanuman] See, a scholarly Brahmin is approaching us. Maybe he can help us.
Hanuman: (Enters chanting something. Stops. Offers pranams to both. Amused, he utters a phrase of surprise and wonder)
Namaskaram! Namaskaram! Kim Tvama Agamanam? [in Sanskrit]
In this primitive wilderness, I behold the enigma in you, oh strangers! You shine with the brilliance of a thousand suns, yet emanate the serene coolness of chandra (moon). Who are you, oh resolute ascetics with matted locks? What purpose has brought you to this sylvan kingdom?
Lakshmana: O Revered One, we are searching for the Rishyamookha Parvata (mountain). Can you please guide us there?
Hanuman: Kim prayojanam? Kim karanam? [in Sanskrit] May I know the reason as to why you noble souls seek the Rishyamookha peak? And you haven’t revealed your identity yet.
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Lakshmana: We have come to meet Maharaja Sugriva. But our identity will remain veiled since you haven’t revealed yours. Strange indeed is finding a Brahmana in this forest!
Hanuman: But stranger indeed is finding renunciates adorned with mighty bows. Your visit to this forest filled with wild animals and rakshasas (demons) must have a purpose; great but hidden. Can you reveal your true purpose?
Lakshmana: (annoyed) You seem to have not even an iota of intention to help us. Brother, come, we are not in such deep desperation that we have to rely on this wayward Brahmin
Hanuman: Rosham karoti dosham [in Sanskrit]. My intensions are honest and pure, sprinkled with a natural curiosity to explore your ‘true identity’. I seem to have woken up the Adishesha (the divine serpent associated with Lord Vishnu) within you that your eyes spew forth darts of anger. But your companion...Your companion is sumanohara santha swaroopam - He emanates the equanimity of the Manasa Sarovar, stilling the stirrings of ‘Manas’ (mind).
Rama: [Smiles] Lakshmana! The Brahmin carries an aura of wisdom around him. O Brahmana, your sweet and immaculate voice pouring forth words of profundity and meaning has mesmerized me. An unsung song of intimacy which remained inert all these years has sprung forth.
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Hanuman: O Neelavarna (the blue-complexioned one), your deep gaze from the lotus eyes brings forth a feeling of belonging. I too feel a sense of acquaintance with you, but I cannot define it.
Rama: The feeling of belonging lies cloaked under the mutual ignorance of identities. Won’t you spell the truth about yourself?
Hanuman: It looks as if both of us eager to know each other. But you see, you have come here as strangers and I have received you as guests. Thus, you have to reveal yourself first.
Lakshmana: (On receiving the indication from Rama) We are the sons of Dasaratha, king of Ayodhya and the crest jewel of the Suryavansha. He is Sri Ramachandra and I am his brother Lakshmana.
Hanuman: Rama… Rama… (falls at his feet)
Prabhu Pahichani Pareu Gahi Charana, So Sukh Uma Jai Nadi Varna,
Pulakit Tan Mukh AAvan Bachna, Dekhat RuchirVesh Kai Sharana.
You have come at last. My Lord, My Master! Forgive me, Lord, this foolish vanara (monkey) could not recognise its master? But O Omniscient One! Could you not recognise your servant?
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Rama: Hanuman, in the incessant flow of your learning and sweetness of your communication, your identity was clouded, Hanuman.
Lakshmana: Hanuman! Is this brahmana Hanuman?
Hanuman: Yes, brother Lakshmana. Lost in the extravagant display of learning, my eyes failed to recognize my master. Lord! You must have been thinking, “Let this fellow reach me through jnana (wisdom), which he very joyously radiates”. Pardon me, Lord.
Rama: Hanuman! No one can know me until I reveal myself to them. I am lost in this forest and I need your help.
Hanuman: Swami! Do not say that. We lesser mortals look up to you when we are helpless. You have willed that I should serve you in your divine mission.
I owe eternal servitude to you O lord! I owe eternal servitude to you. Come lord, let us proceed to Maharaja Sugreeva.
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