27 March 2026
Friday
The world, today, is in dire need of the message of the Rama story. For one thing, sons today do not follow the instructions of their fathers. Fathers do not set the right example to the children. Disciples do not respect the preceptors. Preceptors do not treat the disciple with affection. There is no love even between friends. Relations are estranged among themselves. In all fields of life—in administration, in agriculture or in business or in politics—discord is rampant. Divisions and conflict prevail in social, political, and even spiritual fields. If you enquire into the causes for this situation, you find that selfishness is at the root of it all. The basic elements are common to all mankind. The world itself is one family. All men are brothers. Rama preached to the world this basic truth. He taught the world the duties of one’s everyday life, one’s social and family obligations. This triple stream of duties is the message of the Ramayana. Whoever bathes in this triple stream is absolved of his sins and is redeemed.
From Swami’s discourse of 16 April 1997
The world, today, is in dire need of the message of the Rama story. For one thing, sons today do not follow the instructions of their fathers. Fathers do not set the right example to the children. Disciples do not respect the preceptors. Preceptors do not treat the disciple with affection. There is no love even between friends. Relations are estranged among themselves. In all fields of life—in administration, in agriculture or in business or in politics—discord is rampant. Divisions and conflict prevail in social, political, and even spiritual fields. If you enquire into the causes for this situation, you find that selfishness is at the root of it all. The basic elements are common to all mankind. The world itself is one family. All men are brothers. Rama preached to the world this basic truth. He taught the world the duties of one’s everyday life, one’s social and family obligations. This triple stream of duties is the message of the Ramayana. Whoever bathes in this triple stream is absolved of his sins and is redeemed.