Existence of this creation is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. A fortnight ago, we celebrated Sri Rama Navami. There was a beautiful ceremony in Balaji temple, where the community celebrated the wedding of mother Sita and lord Rama. It was celebrated with full fanfare, the ancestry of Rama and Sita was read out, all the rituals associated with traditional marriage were carried out. As I was watching this unfold with deep joy in my heart, a question arose in my mind. Why do we celebrate this marriage? What does it all mean? After all, Vishnu and Laxmi are forever united, inseparable from each other. They only appear in this world as two persons, find each other and are united in this world for the benefit of humanity. It is only a pretend marriage of bringing together TWO in this world, who appear as TWO, when in reality they are ONE!.
In many parts of India, marriage of Shiva and Paravati is celebrated in a similar manner. In our mythology, Adi Shakti goes through multiple births and keeps attempting to reach Lord Shiva. All the while, Lord Shiva is yearning and waiting to meet the universal mother for eons. Eventually she is born as Parvati, with her mind and heart on Lord Shiva, mother Parvati becomes a yogini and eventually reaches her destination. The universal mother and father are reunited again. These love stories repeat again and again. An ancient timeless love story of bringing together TWO, who appear as TWO, when in reality they are ONE!. As these thoughts went through my mind, like a flash of lightning the answer stood in front of me. The mystery of our essential reality and liberation from it is encapsulated in the story of this marriage.
Our very existence is explained by these love stories and celebration of their union. The central teaching of Vedanta is encapsulated in this love story. As an individual, your BMI is apparently separate from Sat Chit Ananda Para Brahman. Due to this apparent separation, every Jiva is constantly seeking and searching for the eternal. Creation itself becomes manifest because of this search. Over countless eons and births, the individual eventually eliminates the confusion that caused this apparent separation and unites with his one true love, Bhagavan. This moment of union is an event of great joy and is the culmination of the greatest love story of all. For that Jiva, creation and creator become one. The mystery of existence turns into a self evident acknowledgement of the self’s existence. The mystery of creation is resolved, and the Jiva realizes he alone is the creator and creation and the eternal true self.
Meanwhile, the marriage celebrations in the temple reached new heights. Lord Rama and mother Sita’s idols were just brought closer and to symbolize their union, mother Sita’s idol was moved to the left side of Lord Rama. My heart burst with inexpressible joy. For a brief moment, I glimpsed the joy in mother Sita’s heart as she unites with Lord Rama. I asked Bhagavan, when is my turn?