Page 17 - Bhakthinivedana 2011 September English Magazine.pmd

ITHIHA:SA

HOW SIMILAR ARE WISE MEN AND BIRDS!

In each Ka:nda of Sri: Ra:ma:yana, each character plays a specific role. However, all through Sri:
Ra:ma:yana, there is a specific mention of birds. Sri U.Ve Srima:n Go:pa:la:cha:rya swamiji, the First
- Editor of Telugu Bhakthinivedana and a teacher, has described the significance of the birds that are
mentioned in the various sargas of the Ka:ndas in Ra:ma:yana. Let us try to understand the wonderful
content that he has bestowed on us.
Translated By Ramakrishna Toopurani

In the Ve:da:ntha Sa:sthra and them to do so. Yet, this act of theirs as the physical element of space
in many Upanishaths, ‘birds’ does well for man. The wise men, but as that which shines all over
appear as preachers of wisdom with their day to day conduct, (‘a:’ = all over, ‘ka:s’ = which

to inquisitive disciples. Our elders guide us to live our lives better. The shines). So, the meaning goes -
indicate these birds as a:cha:rya:s
of such disciples. What are the
similarities between birds and
a:charya:s? Birds wake up before

we do. Their chirping sounds wake
us up. The characteristics of birds,
viz. to fly with two wings, to roam in

the air, bear a close resemblance
with the nature of wise beings.
Darkness is associated with
ignorance, while the brightness
at dawn is compared to wisdom.

One who desires to shed one’s
ignorance and attain wisdom
is known as a jijna:su. ‘Birds’

assume the role of guides to lead a wings of the birds enable them to ‘that which shines everywhere’ or
jijna:su from darkness to light. It is fly. The wise men have the wings the manifestation of God. This is
a common observation that during of ‘knowledge’ and ‘practice’ the Bramha thathva, the akshara
sunrise, the time of transition from with which they live their lives. thathva, the parama:thma thathva,
darkness to light, the birds wake The birds roam in a:ka:sa (sky or the bhagavath thathva! The wise

up first and make chirping sounds. space). The wise men too move in beings are the ‘birds’ that fly freely
They do not do it specifically for the vast a:ka:sa. In the latter case, in the skies of divinity. These wise
man. Their innate nature prompts a:ka:sa is not to be understood men are ever lost in the realm of

17 Bhakthinivedana • September 2011 Sep, Oct 2011• Bhakthinivedana 17