Jagadguru Shankaracharya stated that Lord Shri Ram's incarnation was to establish dharma and ideals, not merely to slay Ravana. His life is a school of righteousness.
Explaining the spiritual purpose of Lord Shri Ram's incarnation in detail, Jagadguru Shankaracharya said that his incarnation was not limited to the killing of Ravana or the destruction of unrighteousness.
He clarified that the Lord's descent was to teach the world about dharma, conduct, and an ideal life.
Shankaracharya Ji said that the Lord did not just preach dharma, but set an example by living it throughout his entire life.
He said, "The sanctity of a father's word, brotherly love, protection of subjects, sacrifice, and the duty of a king—every episode of Shri Ram's life is a living school of righteous conduct."
The Lord himself practices decorum, conveying the message that dharma is not merely a subject to be spoken or heard, but an element to be adopted and practiced in life.
The Jagadguru mentioned the two primary powers of Maya: Aavaran (veiling) and Vikshep (projection). He explained that it is due to these powers that the soul forgets its true nature and experiences sorrow in the worldly illusion.
He said that the Lord incarnates to free the soul from this ignorance and make it realize its true nature. The Lord's incarnation is a powerful medium to bring the light of knowledge into the soul's life.
The Jagadguru further said that when man forgets the form and practice of dharma as prescribed by the scriptures, the Lord himself re-establishes dharma through his divine character. Shri Ram's life is the tangible expression of this principle of dharma.
Shedding light on the philosophy of Advaita, the Jagadguru said that the true destruction of ego occurs only when one realizes that nothing is truly separate from the Supreme Being.
He explained, "Advaita does not mean escapism from the world, but the removal of the ignorance of duality." The Lord's incarnation inspires the soul in this direction of self-realization.
Explaining the Satchidananda form, he said that it is not possible to understand the nature of God merely by the external meaning of the word. To understand the essence, the shelter of scriptural wisdom and implied meaning is necessary.
During the discourse, referencing “Dhyayato vishayan pumsah,” the Jagadguru said that constant contemplation of worldly objects leads man towards attachment and downfall.
In contrast, contemplation of the Lord's form directs life towards knowledge and peace.
Using a beautiful analogy, he said, "Just as the beauty of a reservoir is enhanced by a lotus flower, so the beauty of the world is enhanced by the Lord's incarnation, and human life receives the light of dharma and decorum."
The Jagadguru emphasized that Shri Ram's ideal is not limited to the Treta Yuga but is a guide for the life of man in every era.
He said that an amazing coordination of dharma, decorum, sacrifice, duty, compassion, and self-control is visible in Ram's character.
In conclusion, he said that the real message of Ram Janmotsav is not just to celebrate the birth of the Lord, but to imbibe his ideals in our own lives. Many dignitaries and thousands of cow devotees were present on this occasion.
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