RAMA

RAMA In the Narne of my king Ramchand son of Jasrath Rai (Dasrath), says Nama (Namdev), I drink the essence and ambrosia. (Ramkali Namdev, p. 973) O Pundit! I also saw your Ramchand coming. He had a quarrel with Ravana and lost his wife. (Gond Namdev, p. 875) Kabir Says, there is difference in the utterance of \’Ram\’; in this connection it can be said that the same Name is spoken by all (for Ram Chandra) and the same for the Sportive Lord. You may utter \’Ram, Ram\’, but there is difference in utterance.

The One Ram Pervades many and the other pervades within his own self. (i.e. the son of the Dasrath). (Shalok Kabir, p. 1374) Rama grieves in his mind, he gathers the army; he has within him the power of Authority. He has a great army of monkeys in his service; there is great afflbition for war within him. The ten-headed Ravana has tåken away Sita and because of a curse Lakshmana was killed. It is the Creator Himself, who perceives his creation and destruction. Ramchand grieves in his mind for Sita and Lakshmana.

He remembers Hanuman, who was destined to come there. The mistaken demon (Ravana) does not comprehend it. It was Lord-God, who did everything, who is care-free and whose Writ cannot be effaced, saith Nanak. (Shalok VÃ¥ran te Vadhik, M. 1,p.1412) The Gurus and radical saints used the names Rama and Krishna, in their verses not only for the incarnations of Vishnu but also for the Lord Almighty. They did not attach any significance to the stories and traditions about the incarnations, but when they used these names for Lord-God, they showed utmost reverence for everything connected with them.

The reader can see the difference in approach in the first two references. The third reference differentiates between the two. As regards the story of the life of incarnation, several of the episodes have been recorded, which can be seen in the fourth reference. The reference to the death of Lakshmana during the war because of a curse may be noted. See : Das Avatars, Sita and Lakshmana.

References :

1. Kohli,Surindar Singh ed,Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib 1993