The joy of Supreme One

In the Ramayana, Rama befriends Guha, who is a chieftain of a small area in the forest. He is a minor ruler. He is a hunter, who is not wealthy like Rama. He has not known the luxuries of a palace. Rama has had the best of education. Guha is not educated. Yet Rama sees him as His kin.

To Rama, whether it is Guha or Sage Vasistha, all are the

same, said Gomatam Madhavachariar in a discourse. What is
the diference between people, when the atma that resides in everyone is indestructible? Any diferences in status are only superficial and are of no importance. When Vibhishana’s advice to Ravana to release Sita and seek Rama’s forgiveness falls on deaf ears, Vibhishana quits Lanka, and comes to Rama’s camp. Everyone doubts Vibhishana’s intentions and warns Rama not to admit him into their camp. Hanuman is the only one who says Vibhishana may be admitted. But the reason he gives for this is that Vibhishana is not like his brother Ravana.

And so there is no harm in admitting him. Rama eventually does welcome Vibhishana, but not for the reason given by Hanuman. Rama welcomes Vibhishana because he has come to surrender to Rama.

The Supreme One is like a cow that showers its love on its

newborn calf. The calf is tied to a post, while the mother is
away grazing. When the mother returns, the calf is untied and it runs to the cow to drink milk. When the calf drinks milk, the cow’s udder does not feel heavy any more. Now who is happier?

The calf drinking the milk or the mother with a lighter

udder? It is the cow that is happier. In the same way, the
Supreme One is overjoyed when a jivatma surrenders to
Him.