An Encounter for Our Times from the Ramayana

In a beautiful section of the Ayodhyākāṇḍa of Tulasīdāsa's Rāmacaritamānas, Rama, who is exiled from Ayodhya, journeys to the hermitage of the poet, Valmiki. He requests the help of Valmiki in finding a suitable place to build a hut where he could reside with Sita and Lakshmana. His one stipulation was that no forest-dweller be disturbed by his presence. As the prince of Ayodhya, he could choose any place to build a home, but he does not abuse this authority.

Valmiki responds to Rama's request with a wonderfully provocative question of his own. "You ask me. 'Where should I reside?' But I ask respectfully: tell me first of a place where you do not reside, and then alone I will show you a suitable place."

Valmiki's question embarrasses Rama and elicits a smile from him (sakuci rāma mana mahuṁ musukāne).

Of course, the dialogue does not end there. Valmiki describes the true home of Rama as the human heart full of love for God and for all beings and who is devoted to the well being of all; the heart that renounces caste, rejoices in the flourishing of others and grieves when others suffer. "This heart," says Valmiki to Rama, " is your blessed abode."

Vamiki's point is obvious; the heart that is full of love, free from hate and devoted to work of reducing suffering ( saba ke hitakārī) is the temple of the divine. The physical temple is not a substitute for the living and transformed heart.

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