We all know Burma as a neighbour and friend that was under the British rule along with Colonial India; a country famous for Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, precious stones like rubies, lungis and of course the old Bollywood song – 'Mere piya gaye Rangoon'.


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

However, very few know much about ancient Burma and how the land took its name because of its close association with the Hindu deity Brahma, considered to be the creator of the universe.


In fact, the country was called ‘Brahma Desha’ till the British turned it into Burma as a phonetic mispronunciation. Also, Myanmar in local parlance is a transliteration of Brahma where the alphabets ‘b’ and ‘m’ are interchangeable.


These truths and more were revealed by Ram Katha exponent Morari Bapu, who travelled to Yangon to speak on the subject of ‘Manas Brahma’. Shedding fresh light on the Hindu God and our perception of him, the saint related interesting tales to bring out multifaceted aspects of the deity’s personality.


Bapu narrated how once Sanat Kumars, the manas putras (sons born out of mind) of Brahma approached their father and put forth a query. The sages, who are perpetually in boyhood stage of life, wanted to know a simple solution for the people of Kaliyuga (fourth and current epoch) to transcend the cycle of birth and death.


Sanat Kumars felt an answer to this basic question would be in the larger welfare of worldly beings, who will find remedies through what Brahma says and which in turn can be sung and communicated by sage Narada.


Surprisingly, what Brahma said in response was simple. But then it is in simplicity that all essence of life can be found. He expounded that the people on earth need not do anything but sankirtan (singing pastimes of the Lord).


The four types of sankirtanas that sadhakas (aspirants) can do were explained as follows:


  1. Guna Sankirtan– Devotees can sing about the characteristics of divine personalities like Ram and Krishna.
  2. Karma Sankirtan – They can sing about their leelas – the various pastimes and activities that the avatars did during their lifespan on earth.
  3. Bhava Sankirtan – Is to just remember with deep feeling the largesse and generosity of God and our Sadaguru.
  4. Naam Sankirtan – To constantly chant God’s name is the most important. Brahma explained that while humans may skip doing the aforementioned categories of sankirtan, they must never stop Naam Jap or chanting of the holy name.

The answer to the question also reveals the trait of Bhakti (devotion) that seems to be ingrained in Brahma. As per popular perception, Brahma is observed to be a serious and dry person. He is known more for his Karma – the act of creating this world, and Gyana (Knowledge) because of his high level of intellectual prowess.   


But Morari Bapu brought out Brahma’s side of devotion by citing instances from Ram Charit Manas. After the battle in Lanka is over and Ravana has obtained Nirvana, deities make a beeline to sing eulogies of Ram. However, after the demigods had finished, Brahma once again began singing the praises of Ram, asking him to grant him love in His lotus feet.


Nripa nayaka de bardanamidam, charan ambuja prema sada subhadam 11 (Lanka .Ch: 111)


(Brahma says: Of King of Kings, grant me this boon that I may cherish loving devotion to your lotus feet, which is a perennial source of blessings.) 


Citing earlier episodes when Brahma displayed devotion, Bapu said Bidhi had washed the feet of the Lord with his tears when in Vamana Avatar his foot had reached Brahma Lok (the abode of Brahma).


Stressing on the need for inculcating Bhakti, Bapu insisted that our self cannot be cleansed without tears of love and devotion. Tears wash our inner selves and, slowly, we lose ourselves in divine elixir.


It is when nothing is left for us – no brother, sister, relative, friend, thought, action, words, buddhi (intellect), chit (mind), ego. When there is an experience of complete emptiness, absolute nothingness; it is then that there is something.


That something is Divine Grace. The true love of God – param prem (supreme love).