.JPG)
Day 5 A to Z Challenge 2015 - Education
Vishwamitra came to Dashrath's court
Rama and Lakshman he did take
Life's lessons and dharma were they taught
Fearsome yet loving warriors they did make
They learned forgiveness, obedience and respect
They learned of right and wrong
They learned to sharpen intellect
They learned that pride makes one fall
When the student is ready, the teacher arrives. And so did Vishwamitra. In their early years, Guru Vashista was the primary teacher for the young Ayodhya princes. I consider Guru Vashista's teachings as the gentle side of education focussed on the academics.
But Rama's destiny required him to be a fearless warrior and for that he needed Guru Vishwamitra. Vashista and Vishwamitra were the two halves that when combined together, created the perfect whole for Rama's human incarnation, much like two sides of a coin. Both were needed to mould Rama into the perfect human being or Maryada Purshottam (the greatest of all men).
Guru Vashista's teaching at his Gurukul (school) sets the foundation for life, much the same way we do in school now. Learning here is more theoretical and requires gentle and kind handling.
Guru Vishwamitra on the other hand gave the young princes first hand knowledge of the hard lessons of life. The princes learned to be fearless yet respectful warriors, discerning and never underestimating their opposition. They learned to play fair, they learned the power of forgivenes, they learned to believe in themselves and they learned to be humble. I believe that Guru Vishwamitra sharpened their ability to tap into the non physical (Spirit and other worlds), an ability they would need in their future years.
Rama had a great love for his teachers. He understood how important the role of the teacher is in our lives and along with his love for them, he also showed great respect. Divinity learning and teachers being blessed by opportunities to teach. How great is God's Divine plan.
Both Vishwamitra and Vashista were dedicated teachers who understood the importance of the teacher student relationship. Lord Rama was the ideal student who gave great love and respect to his teachers. He also understood the depth of influence that teachers would have in shaping himself to face his future and he honoured that influence.
Why, you may ask, did Divinity need education? Lord Vishnu came to Earth to experience a human existence and learned the way we do. His education culminated in his understanding and recognizing his own divinity and the power within. He always lived within the constraints of human existence so that mankind could follow in his footsteps believing that all is achievable. We do need to understand that in the time of Lord Rama there was great understanding of Divinity and access to spiritual powers which sadly we lack today.
Vishwamitra also had another big part to play in the life of Rama. But more on that tomorrow.
Why, you may ask, did Divinity need education? Lord Vishnu came to Earth to experience a human existence and learned the way we do. His education culminated in his understanding and recognizing his own divinity and the power within. He always lived within the constraints of human existence so that mankind could follow in his footsteps believing that all is achievable. We do need to understand that in the time of Lord Rama there was great understanding of Divinity and access to spiritual powers which sadly we lack today.
Vishwamitra also had another big part to play in the life of Rama. But more on that tomorrow.
Love is in the air. May we honour and love our deserving teachers and seek to understand the importance of this relationship. May we find the Divine within and recognise our own powers.
If you do leave a comment, please leave a link to your E post so I can drop by and say hello. Thanks.
Check my previous posts in this series
Written for: AtoZ Challenge 2015
Linking to: Write Tribe ProBlogger Challenge
Check out some other Bloggers participating in the challenge: AtoZ List 2015
And the Blog-A-Rhythm AtoZ posts featuring many bloggers
The Ramayana is a historical chronicle of events during the life of Lord Rama in an ancient time in a land called Bharatvarsh a part of which is now modern day India.
This year's theme was given to me through meditation. But more than just a theme I was also asked to write this from the perspective of Divine love and not just a recounting of the events as they took place. Hence the essence of my posts is "Love is in the air".
The individual theme and tone of my verses are also given to me. And I try to convey what Spirit wants to say through my poetry and prose. In essence, I only transcribe what is given to me, the author of these posts is my soul, the Universe, God and Goddess.
Warm Regards
Tweet
Follow me on
My facebook page Suzy's Ilation
Bloglovin
Pinterest Suzy Que
Google+ Suzy Que
Twitter @suzyq1810
Very skilful delineation of the two kinds of teachers, Suzy! I'm fascinated by your theme of divine love.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shailaja If you are fascinated then that is a great compliment. Thank you.
DeleteThis one has been my favorite so far in this series. I couldn't agree more to this *Vashista and Vishwamitra were the two halves that when combined together, created the perfect whole for Rama's human incarnation.
ReplyDeleteLoving your narration. Keep writing. Cheers!
*Shantala @ ShanayaTales*
Thanks Shantala. Glad my narration made sense to you.
DeleteAgree with you Suzy...a Guru is the most important influence on our lives be it your parents or teachers.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janu. Gurus come in so many forms including parents as you so rightly pointed out.
DeleteGreat way of putting the contradictions of the two gurus. Something similar is dilineation of the gurus - Brihaspati, Guru of Gods and Shukracharya, Guru of the Asuras. Hope you also post about them someday.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ls Will have to meditate on that before I post. But yes Guru Vashista and Guru Vishwamitra were very different.
DeleteSo perfect narration and I was not aware of this. Well, education makes a person and so it did Rama..
ReplyDeleteThanks Happinessandfood. This is what came through to me. I guess it does make sense.
DeleteThis post inspired me as I am a teacher myself! Your posts make me think deeply and reflect! Great going :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Vidya. I think teaching is such a noble profession but for many teachers today its just a job which is really quite sad.
DeleteIn those days the students didn't hesitate to give anything the Gurus asked for, Eklavya cut off his thumb to give to his Guru Drona. I like reading your posts, learning something new everyday.
ReplyDeleteSo true Sulekha. I'm not sure how many can be Eklavya. I'm not sure I can :)
DeleteTeachers definitely play an important role in shaping a child's life, but sadly these days education is more about how grades you get and the six figure salary you'll make once you get out of college. Less importance is given to actual learning and understanding.
ReplyDeleteSo true Prasanna, dedicated teachers who teach for the love of it are so rare these days.
DeleteEven though Lord Vishnu knows everything, yet as Rama, he chose to learn again from his teachers. I think he wants to tell us that we never know too much. there is always scope to learn some more. Education is never ending!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!
Thanks Little Princess. Yes, learning is endless and what we learn, we should also teach.
DeleteI like the post, beautifully narrated too Suzy :) And The Princess' comment just made it even more intriguing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Vinay. Glad you liked it.
DeleteA Teacher's role is very important in a child's life; sometimes more than that of parents. Blessed are those students, who get teachers who still believe that teaching is an aspicious job and not just something to earn money! Beautiful post Suzy :)
ReplyDeleteEntrapped
Thanks Swathi. Yes those dedicated teachers are rare. Today it's all about the money. truly sad.
DeleteThank you Suzy, truth in every word. Enjoying the comments too! We can never stop learning. We are blessed to have some great teachers along the way. Both men and women. The two together, different sides of the same coin - blended - a great teaching that opens my eyes to we as individuals, have the ability to blend our inner masculine and feminine energies. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. Yes, learning is a lifelong activity.
DeleteInteresting way to bring out the ages old teachings!!
ReplyDeleteEclipse
Thanks Nibhz.
DeleteI'm enjoying your series Suzy and getting a great education at the same time. ☺ Good teachers can make all the difference to how well one learns a subject. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie. Yes, good teachers make and not so good break.
DeleteI'm enjoying your series Suzy and getting a great education at the same time. ☺ Good teachers can make all the difference to how well one learns a subject. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYou have quite wonderfully explained the significance of both Gurus - Vashishta and Viswamitra for the blossoming of Prince Rama into the Avatar Rama. Very nicely done, Suzy! I really like the loving gentleness with which you are telling these stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks Beloo. You got the essence of my posts - you always do :)
DeleteIt's interesting to read your posts about Rama, his teacher and ultimately the teachings. Such basic, but vital precepts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cleemkenzie. There is great wisdom and truth in the Ramayana but these days it's only read as a story of chronological events.
DeleteThose are some great life's lessons to be learned: both practical and wise! :) <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Elly.
DeleteI'm thoroughly enjoying your exposition of the Ramayana.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bellybytes. Glad you are enjoying my Ramayana.
DeleteHaven't heard this part of the epic! Nicely narrated, Suzy :) You are doing a fab job.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shalini. Glad you like my Ramayana.
DeleteA Guru can change a student to good or bad. Nicely done. Enjoying your posts :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheethal. So true.
DeleteYup agree 100% and kudos for bringing in all this together.
ReplyDeleteWell and i see you mean, life lessons cant be taught,but experiences/learnings can be shared,and thats what i am trying to do :)
Thanks Uniqusatya. Life needs to be experienced and what we learn we should share. Yes, so true.
DeleteAm enjoying reading this series Suzy. Thank you.
ReplyDelete