T Ram Sewak

SHRAVAN

Shri Ram responds with great affection to Lakshman's queries in Shri Ramcharitmanas (3.15):

"thorehi maha saba kahau bujhai, sunahu tata mati mana chitta lai"

"I'll explain everything briefly; listen, dear, with your mind, intellect, and memory fully concentrated".

After Lakshman demonstrated the art of seeking spiritual guidance (Jigyasa), Shri Ram now imparts us the art of listening (Shravan).

HE assures Laxman that he'll make him understand everything, although through a brief exposition. Conveying such profound concepts concisely, with the listener grasping them swiftly, demonstrates the exceptional quality and adept intelligence of both the teacher and the student. It happens when the connection between the transmitter (Guru) and the receiver (jigyasu) is robust, well-tuned and perfectly harmonious. A jigyasu must understand that Guru's response to even convoluted questions need not be long-winded. It is the receptacle of his mind that must be ever wide open to receive the entire rain of nectar of the Guru's grace.

Shri Ram further instructs Lakshman to listen with his mind (mana), intellect (mati), and memory (chitta) entirely focused. This is the art of listening attentive and concentrated. Then, even in concise explanations, understanding blossoms. When our mind wanders, comprehension diminishes, hindering our grasp of even the simplest things. We have to listen and not merely hear. Often, we hear and don't register the content, or we hear to retort. Listening transcends mere hearing; it involves hearing with a concentrated mind (mana), understanding it through our intellect (buddhi) and then absorbing it in our memory (chitta).

In Gita (13.26), Shri Krishna asserts that those unable to pursue Gyan Yoga or Karma Yoga can transcend beyond life and death merely by shravan and devotedly worshipping the Supreme. Such listening is about absorbing the divine word and connecting with HIM.

Therefore, Shri Ram emphasises that Lakshman must hear HIM with complete integration of mind, intellect, and memory because listening to spiritual discourses is not just hearing but profound, receptive, and contemplative

engagement with HIM. / DAILY WORLD /

Namami Ramam Musings-35

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com