Grace and Sadhana

There is an incident described in the Lanka Kand of the Ramcharitmanas where Lakshman is mortally wounded by Meghnad in an encounter in the battlefield. The unconscious body of Lakshman is carried by Hanumanji and brought to Sri Ram who is grievously distressed at the condition of His dear brother.

Vibhishan advises that Sushen, a physician of Lanka be consulted. Hanumanji stealthily goes into the city of Lanka in the darkness of the night and carries Sushen together with his house whilst he is still asleep and brings the physician to Sri Ram. Sushen examines the condition of Lakshman and prescribes the Sanjivini herbs located on the Dhrona Mountain in the Himalayan Range. He further cautions that the medication must be administered by daybreak if Lakshman's life is to be saved.

Even though the situation seemed hopeless, Hanumanji set out with great zeal, determined to accomplish yet another mission for his beloved Lord. Overcoming all obstacles and dangers on the way Hanumanji, with his superhuman strength, courage and wisdom, was successful in bringing the entire mountain containing the Sanjivini herbs in time to save Lakshman's life and restore his health. This feat of Hanumanji was graciously appreciated by the Lord and endeared him even further to the Lord's devotees.

Some days later a similar situation occurred when Ravan himself struck Lakshman unconscious in the battlefield. Once more Hanumanji carried the limp body of Lakshman and placed it in front of Sri Ram. Everyone thought that Hanumanji would have to repeat his journey to the Himalayas in order to revive Lakshman. This time however, the Lord merely whispered into the ears of Lakshman reminding him his real nature which is deathless and immutable. As the words penetrated the inner recesses of his mind Lakshman immediately sprang up fully invigorated and ready to resume the battle.

When reading the Ramcharitmanas, the question naturally arises in the mind of the reader, that if it just takes a few words whispered by the Lord into the ears of Lakshman in order to revive him as it occurred in the second incident, then why did Hanumanji have to expend so much energy and effort in the first incident?

Sri Ramkinkar Upadhayaya, a brilliant exponent of the Ramcharitmanas, provides a very satisfying explanation to this question. He says that in the second incident, Lakshman was revived purely by the Grace of Sri Ram whereas in the first incident the process of Sadhana (symbolized by Hanumanji's endeavor) was instrumental in achieving that purpose. He further says that the process of Sadhana is also the result of Grace but it provides the opportunity of choice to the devotee. The devotee can chose to use his initiative and expend his energy in such a consistent and sustained manner so as to invite the Grace of God which will bring about the final outcome.

In this way the Ramcharitmanas harmoniously balances the concepts of Grace and Sadhana, removes the doubts of seekers and illumines the path to the spiritual development of the individual.