The ceremony to bring Ayodhya a favorable heir.
A brief recap...Dasharatha is Rama's father and king of Ayodhya. Dasharatha 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. Dying in body and mind, the boy forgives Dasharatha for the mistake and requested that he delivers the water he had gathered to his blind parents. Dasharatha delivers the water, and is cursed by the blind couple who now face death since their beloved son and 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.
...I imagine that Dasharatha waited so very long to have an heir or any children was because he was afraid of the curse coming to pass, he was tied up by the regrets for taking the life of the hermits' son and caretaker, filled with sorrow over their suffering and death. Have you ever felt this way for something you have done, been a part of, or believed that you have caused? I sure have! I have felt/feel regret and sorrow for so many things in life that I may or may not have played a direct part in, which may or may not have even happened in the first place. Sorrow for not being as good and helpful a person as I would like to be rates up there, maybe at the top, and cascades all the way down to my happiness and health moment to moment. All my decisions are effected by this regret, I owe too much money, I am not cheerful enough, I was not very helpful to this customer, I make life harder because of my inability...on and on...poison...yoga helps :-) I think this is a little of what Dasharatha might have been living with for all those years, and this situation was perfect for him to move beyond this wrong deed that seems to be the result of youth and reactivity to me, something that most everyone can empathize with, though one that helped to create allot of pain and suffer for all of those involved...
For this ceremony, a special location was chosen by the Guru, knowing that purification was needed, so that the children would be blessed by the Divine, a spot was chosen on the banks of a certain river, the same place where Dasharatha had mistaken the boy for an elephant, accidentally killing him. According to Swamiji, this would allow Dasharatha to resolve or make negative karma, or at least begin the process. The ceremony was a success and all three of Ayodhya's queens were blessed and gave birth. Rama was among these children and Dasharatha loved him very much. Later, Rama, his beloved son would be exiled to the forest. This is the separation that would bring about Dasharatha's death, fulfilling the curse.
...Did the curse need to be completed? Did Ayodhya need a king? I am not sure if the curse absolutely needed to come to fulfillment. Perhaps the guilt was so great that the king had trapped himself into a belief that fulfilling the curse was the only way, and the Guru would have known this. Also the Guru would know that Ayodhya, a kingdom which means “unconquerable,” and I believe, references the Ideal Home where Peace dwells within one's heart, needed a king because physical death was soon too come to Dasharatha with or without having an heir. I believe it would be of utmost importance not to let such a sacred Safe Place fall into chaos, kingless. This feels like a case of “for the greater good”, “to lay down one's life for a friend” situation to me. A situation that I believe in, or at least want to believe in...consistent practice that opens the heart to surrender helps.
Practice
This week I invite you to see if you can find your Way in a situation that might not be the most comfortable for you. This article was very timely for Father's Day, I did not set out to make the connection...it just manifested. In the spirit of Father's Day I invite you to reflect on the meaning of Father to you personally in regards to finding your Way. I believe Father is an energy that supports and guides in a very consistent manner always pointing one to there highest Self, always opening up space so that one might improve and grow, celebrating accomplishment, and helping us move through difficulty in a practical kindhearted manner. I believe Father is the guide, for Father has the wisdom of experience and consistent effort that might lead us as well to growth and opening to Peace, allowing ourselves to be Shown a new better Way, following this through to the best of our ability. Keeping our Ideal of the helpful Father in mind let us journey into this situation that is difficult to overcome for various reasons...sometimes waking in the morning can be a struggle...sometimes trying to eat healthy...sometimes not talking back when you really want to, and you are sure that you are right...moment to moment I find that many opportunities to resolve something in my past are presented, to move along the Way to health, happiness, Peace, and harmony, it does take many personal decisions, and consistent effort, it takes loyalty to one's highest Self...And if at first you do not succeed, another chance will come around, just don't wait 60,000 years :-)
Thank you Ramayana, Swami Dharmakirti, Shanti Ashram, satvic food, nature, honest seekers, fellowship, the journey of Dasharatha, and many opportunities to be Shown the Way, a better Way to live and Love, to dwell in the Peace within, and join all other living beings in a harmonious Way :-) 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 :-) Thank You Fathers :-) For Showing us the Way :-)” May all living beings find their Way passed sorrow and heartache to our greatest health, happiness, and well being :-) Love, Aaron :-)