Rama's Family
Dasaratha is Rama's father and king of Ayodhya. Dasaratha was an expert hunter in his youth, and could hit anything by sensing its vibration even if it was very far away. On one regrettable occasion he killed a young boy getting water from the river, mistaking him for an elephant. The boy forgives Dasaratha for the mistake and requested that he delivers the water he had gathered to his blind parents. Dasaratha delivers the water, and is cursed by the blind couple who now face death since their caregiver has now died. They curse him to suffer the same fate, when separated from his beloved child, he shall die. He was very old in the present time line of the Ramayana, 60 000 years old according to one source that I found. Realizing that he might pass away soon he sought out to have a ceremony that would help his wives have children. This is quite an interesting tale in itself, and I will go into more detail about it in the next article, but suffice to say the ceremony did produce results in the form of four sons. It is around this time when the karma that he had created fulfills itself, through some unfortunate circumstances, Rama, his beloved son, is exiled to the jungle, separated from his son, Dasharatha passes away. To me this denotes Dasaratha's great love for his son, and gives more insight into how he who have raised and cared for Rama.
Kausalya is one of three queens of Ayodhya, and the Mother of Rama. She is the daughter of the king of Kosala, a daughter of Kosala. According to Swamiji, the kingdom of Kosala refers to a team learning game that is traditional for Indian children to play. Teams pick kusha grass. This game is meant to teach teamwork, competence, strength, and confidence. I actually found a Indian school named Kosala with these qualities as a primary part of their mission statement during my research. The people of Kosala embodied these qualities. Kausalya is known as the wise queen.
Kaikeyi is another queen of Ayodhya, and the mother of Bharata. She had great Love for Rama as well, but would eventually seemingly become and obstetrical to Rama. She was a very strong individual and the King's favorite. Saving Dasharatha during war time, she was granted several boons from the king. When her jealousy and fear of losing status were fueled by a maidservant influenced by the gods to have Rama fulfill his dharma, she forced her husband, using two boons, to exile Rama and have Bharata crowned king instead. One source that I came across said that she was very naive and tended to have an unstable temperament, but usually had a sweet nature.
Sumitra, another queen, and mother of Lakshmana and Shatrughana, was considered to be the good friend or the peace keeper. Her sons would also be in service to the other princes.
Bharata had a strong devotion to Rama, and to the service of the kingdom. He was more skilled at the day to day running of Ayodhya than Rama.
Lakshmana was Rama's constant companion, confidant, guard, and primary devotee, never leaving Rama's side even when Rama was exiled to the forest.
Shatrughana was Bharata's companion, confidant, guard, and devotee.
Practice
This week I invite you to meditate on the Lineage of Love, how Family extending to friends, and acquaintances have helped you along your journey. They might be Loving and supportive like Dasaratha or they might be difficult, and seem like an enemy at times, like Kaikeyi. However, from what I have experienced, Family and other relationships in my life have been irreplaceable to making me who I am today. I would never change a thing! I Love the way I see beauty unfold in the world around me...and I have to admit that that is due in part, not only to the DNA that was given to me, but by the experiences that I shared with others, especially those closed to me. I believe that DNA, heritage, culture, society, and life experiences all point back to source, all point back to Love. As messy and random as life might seem at times...like getting exiled to the jungle...or grounded for staying out past curfew...insert many other wonderfully Loving or frustrating circumstances here...it all is leading back to Love, we are all from one source in Love, all brothers, sisters, friends, neighbors in Love. Coming to peace with this is part and parcel to Loving and accepting myself fully, the more that I see less them and me, and more we, the more that fear feels like a fading memory. You are invited, my friend, to embrace this Lineage of Love :-) , whenever it feels right for you, in silent meditation, during a nature walk, while at a Family reunion, at the work place, especially when misunderstanding seems to be overshadowing the Lineage of Love.
Thank you Ramayana, Swami Dharmakirti, Shanti Ashram, satvic food, nature, honest seekers, fellowship, the Ramayana Family, Family, friends, acquaintances, chances for growth indisguise, all living beings, and you, my friend, for taking the time to be here today, to reflect on your own Lineage of Love :-) Have a wonderful day, my friend! Thank you so much for joining me, for being wonderful you! I hope that you enjoyed “Thank You Peace :-) For Family and the Lineage of Love :-)” May all living beings find their way to connect to the Lineage of Love, may Peace, harmony, and Love have permission to enter in :-) Love, Aaron :-)