SLOKA FOR THE MONTH- MARCH 2012

Snigdho Dharmaratho Dheeraha sathatham Satpathe stithaha

Priyaha Pranasamo Vashyo Vijeyascha sakha cha me

Mayaadya saha soumithre thvayi gachchathi thad vanam

Ko Bhajishyathi Kousalyam Sumithram va yashasvinim

Thavaiva Thejasa veera Bharataha Poojayishyati

Kousalyam cha Sumithram cha Prayato Naasti Samshayaha

Sharanagathi is placing one’s mind, speech and body at His feet. It is of two types. A) Markata type and b) Marjala Type. Marjala Sharanagathi is similar to a cat holding the kitten by its neck and saving it from all dangers purely by its own strength. In Ramayana Bharatha did Marjala type sharanagathi. He acted as per Rama’s will. A devotee who holds to the Lord like the young one of a monkey grasping its mother tightly is by the type of Markata sharanagathi. In Srimad Ramayanam Lakshmanan did Markata type sharanagathi. He did not leave Rama. Service to Rama was his ornamentation.

In this sloka Sri Rama Himself describes Lakshmana’s qualities. He had immense love for Rama. He did not go astray from Dharma. He was a brave warrior and always treaded the path of virtue. He was Rama’s life. He was a controller of senses and also was a friend of Rama. Rama praised Lakshmana by all these words. He said to Lakshmana “ You need not come with me to the forest. If you come with me who will take crae of Kousalya and Sumithra? Hence be here and serve them.” Lakshmana replied “ Bharatha will take care of Kousalya and Sumithra. Bharatha is a high soul. I will not let you go without me. Hence I beg you to take me along with you to the forest.