Countless jivatmas caught in the endless cycle of birth have been struggling to realise the value of happiness. And the stories in the Puranas and the Itihasas acclaim in one voice that happiness lies in vairagya.
It is clear that happiness is not attained when one is a king or when one gains the status of Indra. It is not attained through material possessions or worldly attainments or even Sastra jnana.
The revelations of the rishis and sages in Samadhi state point out that happiness is gained only when the atma is realised within oneself as the essence of consciousness and bliss, said Nochur Sri Venkataraman in a discourse.
The Yoga Vasishta is the philosophical teaching of Vasishta to Rama wherein the value of atma vichara — the mental exercise by which one observes and recognises the dichotomy between the body and the atma and is thereby able to gain the sense of discrimination with regard to sense objects — is emphasised.
It is a pity that the jivatma is distanced from the experience of the atma that is co-present in the body. This is recognised only when one questions deeply about who and what the “I” is.
This experience is most valuable as the ‘I’ is realised as the indestructible and immortal essence of eternity and not as the mere ego sense in each one of us.
Atma vichara leads the mind to settle down in the heart. The impact of Vasishta’s teaching is evident in the equanimity of Rama who is able to accept the turning points in His life with peace.
The disparity between coronation and forest life that deeply affects Dasaratha, Kausalya and the citizens of Ayodhya does not seem to exist in Rama’s mind. He is able to enter forest life in a matter-of-fact manner.
In Panchavati, on the banks of Godavari, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spend their time in peace and tranquillity.
Rama teaches Lakshmana and Sita the truth of the Self that is the secret of happiness.
In the company of the rishis, Rama promises to rid the hindrances to their penance caused by the rakshasas.
