Bharadwaja
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O knower of Brahman, please tell me how one can attain the state of liberation in life in the way of Rama.I shall achieve the same and be happy..
Sri Valmiki
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O gentle one, in my opinion and experience, to prevent the awakening of any memory of the illusion (of the world)- which is like the colour of the sky- is the best thing.
Without experiencing the total absence of phenomenon, none at any time whatsoever, can acquire Self-knowledge.
If someone develops a desire for such Self-knowledge, it will happen by listening to (this) "Shastra" and none else.
O sinless one, this world is an illusion like the colour of the sky.Though seen, it does not exist. Such an experience can be obtained easily by inquiry through "Shastras".
"There is nothing like a phenomenon"- with such awareness and knowledge if the sense of phenomenon is wiped out of mind,then the Supreme"Nirvana" is attained.
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Otherwise, even if one slips into the depths of the trenches of"Shastra", one cannot attain liberation.For aeons, he will remain ignorant with incorrect and artificial knowledge.
O brahmin, the shedding of all "vasanas" alone, is the best way to liberation in a clear and progressive manner.
When the "Vasanas" decline, then mind quickly dissapears just like the dew drops which disappear with the disappearance of winter.
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Like the pearls which are held together by a string, the "vasanas" hold the cage of the human body together.
"vasanas" are of two kinds : the pure and the polluted. The polluted ones cause rebirths. The pure ones wipe out the births.
-13. Wise men say, that bad "vasanas" promote ego and ignorance and cause rebirth. The good "vasanas" do not have any seeds of rebirth.Whatever seeds remain are like burnt seeds which cannot hold a body together.So, the good "vasanas" enable inquiry into the Self.
Unable to cause rebirth, the good "Vasanas" remain revolving in the body of a "Jivanmukta".
The abundantly good "Vasanas" do not cause rebirth.Having lost thedifferentiating sense of Knowledge and Knower,such people (with good"vasanas") are called by wise men as "Jivanmuktas".
Listen how Rama, of great mind, attained the state of "Jivanmukti".This will mean conquering of old age and death.
Listen, my Bharadwaja, of great understanding.I shall narrate the auspicious story of Rama.With that you will know everything.
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The lotus-eyed Rama finished his studies and left the house of the teacher.Then, for a while, he spent some days relaxing without any concerns.
In the reign of Dasaratha, people were leading their lives without fear, sorrow, and any agitations.
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-21 After some time, Rama got excited with the idea of pilgrimage to sacred riverside towns and hermitages.With this thought, Rama approached his father.Like a swan which is drawn to lotuses, he fell at the feet of his father.
Sri Rama
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-23. "Dear father, my mind is anxious to visit temples, forest abodes of sages and sacred places.Please permit this request of mine.I have never asked of you anything.You have not refused any request of anyone in the world."
When thus prayed, Dasaratha, conferred with sage Vasista, and agreed to this first request of Rama.
-27. On one auspicious day, under an auspicious star, Rama and his brothers were dressed in princely robes.They were blessed by brahmins.Their mothers bade them farewell affectionately.The brothers started then on their journey accompanied by wise men of erudition with deep knowledge of scriptures.They were selected by sage Vasista.
-30. As they came out of the palace, trumpets were blown.Women of the city looked at them with great admiration.They threw on them, auspicious rice seeds.Then Rama looked like the Himalaya covered by snow.Giving away freely donations to brahmins and listening to the blessings of the people on the way, Rama and his entourage proceeded towards the forests.
-42. Starting from his own country, Kosala, Rama moved along, visiting sacred rivers, forests, hermitages and seashores.while on journey, he was performing the regular rites appropriate of a prince.He visited Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi, Satadru, Veni, Krishnaveni, Charanmati, Vitasta, Bahudha, and Vipasa.He visited Prayaga, Varanasi, Gaya, Kedara, and Srisailam.He visited Naimisham, and such great forests.He visited Agnithirtha, Mahathirtha, and many lakes like Indradyumna.He paid homage at the 64 sacred temples like Kartikeya, Saligrama, and harihara.He paid respects to many Rajarshis and Brahmarshis.Rama went around these great places and people several times. The great Rama- worshipped by gods, kinneras and such people - returned to Ayodhya along with his brothers and others, like Ishwara returning to ailas
