Rama leaving Sita in Forest

This writeup deals with the question of Rama leaving Sita in Forest according to Adhyatma Ramayana.

Sita says to Rama, "All the devatas requested me to come to Vaikunta, They say, Rama is always together with Sita, who are currently on earth, once she comes to Vaikunta he will also come and stay there to rule devatas."
On hearing this, Rama says, "I will create a negative rumour about you in the world and leave you in forest on that pretext. You reach vaikunta by piercing the earth and stay there, I will also come there subsequently".
After sometime, Rama asks the assembled ministers, "Are there negative rumours about me or sita, or kaikeyi, or other members of the rulers ?, pls tell me without fear".
Minister Vijaya says "All the people of ayodhya are doubting the character of the Queen Sita after being abducted by Ravana, and they say that they also have to follow your example and tolerate bad character of their wives, because yatha raja tatha praja, So as ruler , so are the subjects."
Rama asks all ministers, they all say that the all the people of Ayodhya are of the same opinion.
Then, Rama asks Lakshmana to leave Sita in Forest.
The story of just one washerman casting doubt on Sita and Rama leaving her on that count is not there in Adhyatma Ramayan. All the people of Ayodhya asked for removing Sita as a Queen.

Prabhu's comment on this issue :
spiritual Story told in the disguise of historical story.
Rama represents the Self - Atman. Sita represents the Jivatman - ego self. Remember Sita was born to Earth - Representing body of human being - made up of mud - annamaya kosha. Sita ws kidnapped by Ravana - 10 headed monster -representing afflicted sense organs (5+5). Hanuman is the mind. After resqueing Sita, subjects of Rama - representing thoughts, vasanas were ruled by the Self and Jivatman united with the Self. The vasanas show negative qualities - thought process.Jivatman is forced to depart from Atman. Jivatman becomes one with the body - Body conciousness.

My additional commentary :
Sita = Jiva atman (Ego self)
Rama = Atman
When Ego self reaches a stage of Vaikunta (state of without blemish, vi + kunta = vaikunta = No drawbacks), it enables the Indriyas to be ruled by Devatas (divine qualities) properly. Hence devatas requested Sita to reach vaikunta first, meaning purified intellect is needed first, before Atman is realised as Paramatman.
Rama leaving Sita in forest is symbolic of dropping of ego when intellect is purified.

Maricha's liberation

Rama knowing the plan of Ravana to abduct Sita, tells sita to create a maya sita, a chaya (shadow sita), and hide in fire. Sita creates a shadow sita and enters fire and stays there. Maya sita sees the maya mriga (Maricha, deer) and asks Rama to bring it so that she can play with it. Lakshmana says that it is none other than Maricha. Rama hurries towards Maricha on the pretext of bringing him to sita, but it is actually to give him liberation. This shows the karuna (grace) of Rama on even Rakshasa (evil person) when the evil person takes his refuge. When it is clear to Rama that the deer is indeed a Rakshasa, he shoots an arrow and kills the deer. Maricha cries out loud, Hey Lakshmana, Hey Sita and dies. While all the devatas (Angels) are watching, Maricha merges with the Lord Rama. All the devathas are surprised at the emanicipation of a evil person and says to themselves " this Maricha has done many misdeeds, killed many good people, yet he is able to reach Lord, because he has spent his last moments in remembering Rama, albeit with fear. Whoever remembers Rama at the time of leaving the body will reach him".

Meaning :

Meaning 1: When a person's consciousness is that of Rama (witness) at the time of leaving the body, he doesnt take another janma (birth). The key to remember Rama at the time of death is to constantly remember him, either with love or with hatred.

Meaning 2: Ego is nothing but a chaya (ghost) entity of the real I. Ego is a thought process of I, which assumes the role of master. Ravana the ten headed demon wants to takeover the ego also. When real sita enters fire(third chakra), Ravana takes the chaya sita who is in the prithvi tatva (muladhara) symbolically shown by Ravana carrying Sita along with the very earth she stands on.

Rama can put an end to illusion of life (Maricha).

Maricha's sadhana

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah
Ravana discusses with Maricha about his plan to abduct Sita, and requests help. Maricha is horrified on hearing this. He advices Ravana against this plan and narrates his story.
Maricha : Ravana, once when Rama was 16 years old, He protected Vishwamitra yaaga which I tried to obstruct. At a tender age he shot me down with a single arrow which threw me hundred yojana away. Later when he was roaming in Dandaka Forest, I became an Ox and tried to kill him, He again threw me into ocean with a single arrow. I am living in fear of Rama since then. Wherever I look, I see Rama. Even in sleep I think of him. I am afraid of words like Raja, Ramani, Ratna, Ratha that starts with sound 'Ra'. I am always thinking of Rama. Ravana, you cannot fight and win with Rama. Entire Rakshasas will be wiped out. Please desist from this act.
Even after hearing this Ravana didnt heed Maricha words and ordered him to become a golden deer to attract Sita. Ravana gives Maricha two options, either help Ravana in his mission or face death.
Maricha decides that Death in the hands of Rama will give him liberation, heaven, whereas death in the hands of Ravan will take him to hell, so decides to help Ravana.
Meaning :
Maricha(individual self/ego under the control of Ravana=demon) has left the four attachments (Raja=Kingdom, Ramani=Women/desires, Ratna=wealth, Ratha=Grandoiseness) and started thinking of Rama=Atma. This was done out of fear of Rama, not out of love of Rama. This is one kind of sadhana. The liberation is not happening out of Grace. Grace is not flowing. But his death is certain. He has two options. Help Ravana and get killed by Rama and go towards liberation, or meet his doom in the hands of Ravana by refusing to help him.
Ravana the ten headed demon symbolises the evil that afflicts the ten indriyas, 5 jnana indriyas(sight, touch, smell, taste, hearing) , and 5 karma indriyas (tongue, hands, legs, genital-organ, anus) . Ravana is fully enamoured with Sita (maya/prakriti).
Prabhu's correction :
Maricha is also maya mriga - one which appears golden but not so. Mirage - illusion. Maricha represents illusion of life.

Sethubandhanam-Rameshwaram

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah
When the construction of bridge across ocean is started (sethubandhanam), Rama consecrates a Shivalinga. This is called Rameshwaram. Rama proclaims "Whoever visits the sethu (bridge) and prays to Rameshwara will get rid of Brahma hatya dosha (sins commited). Further whoever bathes in sethusamudram and visits the Rameshwaram temple and does sankalpa of going to Kasi (varanasi) and brings Ganga water back to Rameshwaram to do Abhisheka (pouring of water on shivaling) will definitely reach Brahmapada (Ultimate abode)" .
Meaning :
Ocean stands for Samsara sagara. Varanasi is ajna chakra, Ganga water is jnana ganga. Rameshwara is the paramatma that is residing in Ajnachakra. Whoever worships Paramatma with wisdom , beyond Ajna chakra, he reaches the ultimate abode.
Prabhu's correction :
Brahma hatya dosha is killing brahma = self. Ignorance of self

Dandaka Aranya , Viradha (Fear)

Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana enter the forest 'Dandaka Aranya'.
Rama says : Lakshmana, I will proceed first, you be at the rear end and let Sita be in the middle as maya is between Paramatma and Jiva and we will protect her.
On entering the forest they encounter a rakshasa named viradha, who is a terror to all. Rama cuts his arms, legs, and finally his head with arrows. Viradha is actually a gandharva named Vidyadhara. On being emanicipated, he praises Rama and goes back to his gandharva loka.
What could be the meaning of this ?
Between Jiva and Paramatma there is a veil called maya.
Viradha is the demon called fear factor in all of us. This fear is in muladhara chakra in every body. Rama, Sita, Lakshmana entering forest is akin to the start of spiritual journey with muladhara chakra. The first enemy in any sadhaka is fear factor, and with the help of Rama (Atma) we can overcome fear.
Danda (staff) that is used by rishis is symbolic of spinal chord. Dandaka Aranya can be related to the uncleaned chakras in our body/spine.
Rama weilds Kodanda (wisdom) with which he kills Fear (Viradha).

Ahalya worshipping Rama

AdhyatmaRamayan is told by SriRama to Shiva, who in turn told it to Parvati. Hence it is a version that is directly told by the person who lived Ramayana.
Story of Ahalya
Ahalya becomes a stone by the curse of her husband Gautama because of the sin she has committed with Indra. By the mere touch of the feet of Rama, Ahalya's sins are washed away.
She opens her eyes and recognises Rama as Narayana, Known by Omkara, Unreached by words. Entire universe is Rama as Shabda+Artha (Names and Meaning). Ahalya says "You are the creation, creator, and cause of the universe. You are the ulitmate goal and means to attain that".
Ahalya thus becomes purified by worshipping Rama.
What I understood from the above story
Ahalya is Antahkarana (mind+buddhi+ego), gets corrupted or influenced by the desires of the mind (Indra) . Such antahkarana becomes a stone, it cannot reflect ParamAtma. Vishwamitra shows the stone to Rama.Vishwamitra is Guru to Rama (Atma) to show Grace on the antahkarana which has become stone. On opening of eyes, Ahalya recognises Rama (Atma) as none other than Narayana (ParamAtma) , Who is reflected fully on the purified Antahkarana.
While Eye-opener is the Grace of Guru and Rama, It is the worship/Bhakti of Antahkarana which acts as purifier.

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah

Sita the doer, Rama the Witness

Rama Hridayam as told by Shiva to Parvati

Rama tells Sita to impart wisdom to Hanuman.

Sita to Hanuman : Son, Understand clearly that Rama is one without second, Parabrahman, substratum of all, cannot be percieved by mind and other sensory organs, ever blissful, Purest, Peaceful, Nirvikara (undisturbed), Omnipresent, Self-illuminated, and Unsinned.

Know me as the prakriti who is the originator of universe. I create universe by the power of mere proximity to Rama. Ignorant impose creation and other activities to Rama while it is actually I who does that. Entire Ramayana is an act (karma) of mine.

Rama is Omnipresent, hence there is no coming and going, We can also say, he wont stay at one place. He is always blissfull, so he doesnt have shoka. Rama is Poornakama (who's desires are fulfilled), He has no desires. He doesnt have dualities like 'likes' and 'dislikes' so he doesnt have Raaga(I want) and Dvesha(I dont want). He is beyond birth and death. He is immutable. He is not the doer.

I will tell you about Paramatma, Atma, and Anatma now.

There are 3 three types of Akasa (space or sky).

1) Maha akasa : The undivided space or sky above

2) Jalavachchinna akasa : Sky divided into two by the ocean

3) Chidakasa : The Sky in your mind which is a reflection of sky on your intellect. This is Anatma.

1) Paramatma : Unidived consciousness, Omnipresent, Witness to Prakriti.

2) Atma : Divided consciousness, Amsha to Paramatma, witness. Not different from Paramatma.

3) Anatma : Reflection of Atma in Buddhi (Jiva) this is a mirage, not real. Because of the dosha in the Buddhi (Intellect), the doership and enjoyership, knowership is attributed to the Atma. Buddhi is the creation of Prakriti. It is anatma.

Atma is amsha of paramatma hence it is not different from Paramatma. The non-difference between Undivided space (Paramatma) and divided space(Atma) is understood when a Sadguru points out through Shruti vakya like 'Tat tvam asi'.

Here I am adding as an afterthought what Prabhu told about Viveka and Vairagya as the topic of Atma and Anatma came above.

Viveka : Discriminate and know clearly what is Atma and what is Anatma

Vairagya : Attach to Atma and detach from Anatma

Viveka and Vairagya are the two paduka of Guru, that helps one cross over the ocean of samsara without leaving footprints.

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah

Rama a Human ?

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah

Adhyatma Ramayan is told by Shiva to Parvati.
Parvati asks Shiva "If Rama is ParaBrahman, why did he cry for loss of Sita, and acted like a mortal?".
Shiva replies : Rama is indeed Parabrahman, beyond prakriti (matter), blissful, one without second, and Purushottama. He creates the universe with his Maya, He is omnipresent inside and outside of the universe as Akasa (space), He is the Atma in everybody's Antahkarana (Mind, Intellect, Ego), He makes the world move.
Iron moves because of magnet. Matter, Universe appears as if it is alive and moving because of proximity to Rama even though they are Jada or achetana.
Ignorant people attribute their ignorance onto Parabrahman. They think that Rama is like them.
There is no day and night in Sun. Similarly there is no question of Knowledge and lack of knowledge in Rama, He always is full of wisdom. There is not a hint of ignorance in Rama. He is the origin of Prakriti and Maya or avidya or ignorance cannot influence Rama.

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah

Stand firm on word given

Rama gives refuge to the sages in Dandaka-aranya and vows to protect them from the demons who descend right at the time of fire oblation. Sita expresses concern and advices Rama against it, for which Rama says "I will stand by my word even foregoing my life, Lakshmana, and you. I cannot forego my word. I will protect them at any cost."
Moral 1 : One has to protect righteousness even at the cost of one's life
Moral 2: One has to stand firm on the word given

Another way to understand this is :

Rishi : stands for wisdom

Yajna : Jnana yajna

Rakshasas : Negative tendencies

Wisdom seeks refuge in Rama - Atma

Ramayana and Bhakti

Dear Readers,

One important lesson today for us on Bhakti and Ramayana.

Approach Ramayana with reverence and respect.

Hari Pungava Hanuman

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah

Hari Pungava = Best among monkeys (Hanuman).
Sugriva sends a legion of monkeys towards south under the leadership of Angada to search for Sitamata. Hanuman and Jambavantha were among the group that went south. They reach the southern tip of Bharata and encounter ocean. They see an old Eagle named 'Sampati' who can see far regions, and who was once a mighty flier. As fate has it , its wings are burnt.
Story of Sampathi the Eagle
Sampathi and Jatayu (I will tell later how Jatayu fought with Ravana valiently and lost his life) are brothers. They were arrogrant that they can fly to any heights. Once they raced towards Sun. Jatayu lost his eyesight and capacity to fly anymore due to the heat of Sun, and started falling, calling out for help from his elder brother Sampathi. Out of Compassion, Sampathi takes his brother under his wings and shields him. As a result Sampathi's wings were burnt.
In Sanatana Dharma, Elder brother is compared to Father. Sampathi's compassion for his younger brother is an example of that.
Sampathi gets a boon from Nishakara Rishi that on informing the whereabouts of Sita-mata to search party He will get back his wings, life force (prana), vital energies back.
Vanaras approach Sampathi for information on Sitamata. He informs with his far-sightedness that she will be accross the ocean as a Bandhi in Ravana Lanka. As soon as he gives this information, Sampathi gets back his wings.
Now, the debate starts as to who can cross the ocean. Every vanara give their capacity to jump as 100 feet, 1000 ft etc.
Jambavantha says about himself : When I was young, Mahavishnu as Vamana became Trivikrama and occupied entire universe in three strides. I made a pradakshina to Earth 21 times within no time. As I grew old, I lost my vigor. I am not suitable for this.
While this discussion is going on Hanuman is sitting quietly and happily at a distance on a rock. Jambavantha starts extolling virtues of Hanuman and reminds him of his powers.
Jambavantha's says to Hanuman :
O Hanuman, Mighty among monkeys, learned in all scriptures, why are you silent. You are equal to Sugriva, King of monkeys. I saw how Garutmanta the son of Vinata used to snatch powerful serpents from ocean. Your stamina is equal to Garuda.
Shloka :
Balam buddishcha tejascha satvam cha Hari pungava
vishishtam sarva bhuteshu kim atmanam na budhyase
Meaning : You are foremost in Strength, Intelligence, Stamina, Valour and courage among all living beings .
You are son of Vayu. Once in your childhood, you mistook Sun for a red fruit and wanted to eat it. You flew towards solar orbit. Sun's heat havent affected you, and you have flown hundreds and thousands of yojanas. Indra got angry that you are trying to eat Sun, and used his vajrayudha on you. It has injured your Hanu (Jaws) and you fell from sky unconscious to earth , so you are known as Hanuman. Your father Vayu on seeing this, out of grief and anger has stilled the air(Prana) in the universe. This has made universe chaotic as there is no air to breath. All the Devathas (Angels) requested,prayed to Vayu to release air (Prana). As Vayu releases Prana for the benefit of the universe. Brahmadeva blesses you with the boon that none of the Astras or weapons can harm you in a battlefield. Hence you are invincible. You are equivalent to Vayu in speed, power and stamina. You are the only one who can do this Karya of crossing the ocean twice.
On Hearing this Hanuman shows his Wonderful form to the Vanara veeras.
Shloka :
Yatha vijrumbhate simho vivrudho giri gahvare
Maratsya Aurasa putraha tatha samprathi jrumbhate
Meaning : As Lion gets up in his cave shaking his mane, So Hanuman rises and expands his form
Hanuman Yawns and he address the elders in Vanara army and says :
Vayu is very powerful, there are no limits to his powers. He has Fire as his friend. With his speed he can explode the mountains and blow it to smithereens. He is like Garuda in speed. I am son of such Vayu. I am unmatched in flying.
I can make several roundtrips accross Meru mountain which is touching the sky. With my strength of my arms I can create depression in Ocean and make the earth submerged. Garuda flies high with high speed. I can make circles around him with even greater speed.
I can start from Udayadri (Mountain on East) along with Sun and before him I can reach Astadri (Mountain on west) and before afternoon I can meet Sun again without taking rest. For me crossing this ocean is not a big deal.
Shloka :
Utsaheyam ati krantum sarvaan akasha gocharan
Sagaram shoshayishyami daarayishyami medinim
Parvataham choornayishyami plavamanaha plavangama, Harishyamyooru vegena plavamano mahaarnavam
Meaning : With the my speed, I can surpass planets and stars, I can make ocean dry, I can jump on mountains and blast them, I can jump any ocean.
Thus Hanuman has solaced the Vanara veeras and he climbed MahendraGiri and embarked on the journey called Sagara Langanam (crossing the ocean).

Shloka :
Sa vegavan vega samahitatma, Hari pravira paraveerahanta
manas samadhaya mahanubhavo jagama lankam manasa manasvi
Meaning : Capable of destroying the enemies, Best of monkeys, Who can travel fast, who can control his mind, has decided that he will cross ocean and reach lanka and he started thinking how to execute that task.

Let us pray to the Maruti

Shloka :
Manojavam maruta tulya vegam, vatatmajam vanara yudha sa mukhyam
Srirama dutam sharanam prapadye

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah

Jambavantha's Mountian of Wisdom

Jambavantha's Mountian of Wisdom
Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah!!

During the Ramayana war, Indrajit enters the battlefield and starts destroying the enemies of Ravana. His valor is unmatched on that day. His arrows found target. None of the 'Vanara shreshtas' (Best among monkeys army) were spared. Finally Indrajit fires 'Brahma-Astra' the ultimate weapon. SriRama says to Lakshmana, "We have to leave our pride and honour the power of this Astra. We have to act like we are dead, so that Indrajit thinks that he is victorious and goes back". As SriRam, Lakhsman are fainted and most of the monkey army is destroyed, Indrajit goes back to his father Ravan victorious.
Vibhishana pacifies the remaining army saying "SriRama and Lakshmana are not dead, they have only fainted, let us not mourn". On hearing this, Hanuman, who is feigning fainting because he wants to honour Brahma-Astra even though he cannot be harmed by any weapons, spoke. Hanuman : "Let us console the alive ones".

Both Vibhishana and Hanuman starts looking for vanaras that are alive. On that day 67,00,00,000 monkeys were killed or incapacitated.

King of monkeys Sugriva, Crown prince of monkeys Angada, Neela, Sharabha, Gandhamadana, Gavaksha, Sushena, Vegadarsi, Ahuka, Mynda, Nala, Jyotimukha, Dvidha, Panasa are the prominent among the vanaras that are on deathbed.

Hanuman, Vibhishana searched for Jambavantha the wise. Jambavantha is a bear, He is son of Brahma, nobody knows his age. Veera Jambavantha is lying on the battleground injured by hundreds of arrows. Vibhishana approaches and asks, "Arya, is your life in danger, are you mortally wounded?". Jambavantha recognises vibhishana with difficulty, and with great difficulty replies, "I hardly am able to see you nor recognise you due to the injuries, but able to do recognise you by your voice".

Jambavantha says:
Shloka :
Anjana supraja yena matariswa cha nairrutha, Hanuman vanara shreshta praanaan dharayate kwachit.
Meaning : Is Hanuman, the best among monkeys, safe ?

Vibhishana is surprised at this question. He says "You have not asked about King Sugriva, Crown prince Angada, Srirama, and Lakshamana. Why are you asking about Vayusutha Hanuman" ?

Jambavantha says :

Shloka :

Tasmin Jivati Veere tu hatamapyahatam balam, Hanumatyujgitha praane Jivam to api vayam hata ha!

Meaning :
If Hanuman is alive, we are alive even if we are dead. If Hanuman leaves his life, we are dead even if we are alive.

Shloka :

Dharate marutistata, maarutapratimo yadi, Vaishwanarasamo veerye Jivitaasa tato bhavet!meaning : As long long as Hanuman is having life, the desire for life is alive in living beings.

On hearing this Hanuman approaches Jambavantha and introduces himself with his pravara and does pranam. Jambavantha informs him about the four herbs that can save the monkey army and SriRama, Lakshamana and the location of herbs as 'Oshadhi parvatha(mountain) in himalayas'. Jambavantha extolls virtues of Hanuman as the only capable person to cover that distance in such a short distance and bring back the herbs.
Hanuman on hearing this, becomes a mountain himself and flies across ocean to reach Himalayas and brings back the entire mountain where herbs are.

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah !

SrimadRamayanam

Correction on July-7-2009
The shloka actually is :
Ramo vigahavan dharmaha, sadhu satya parakaramaha
raja sarvasya lokasya devanamiva vasava!!

I stand corrected not only on the shloka, but also my lack of understanding of the topic.

Hari Aum tat sat
Sri Ganeshaya namah
Sri Saraswatyai namah
Sri Gurubhyoh namah
Hari hi Om
I start from today study of SrimadRamayanam by Valmiki and Adhyatma Ramayanam, and compare them. Purpose is to find the path for mukti illustrated by the above scriptures for my understanding, if it helps others it is an added advantage. I will pick some shlokas randomly from these works everyday and try to understand them and put my thoughts here.

All the below are from Valmiki Ramayan:
Prayer :
aapadaam apahartaaram daataaram sarvasaMpadaam.h
lokaabhiraamam shriiraamam bhuuyo bhuuyo namaamyaham.h
Meaning : Not necessary to translate

1. Shloka :
Yatra yatra Raghunatha keerthanam, tatra tatra kritamastakanjalim
bhashpavaari paripoorna lochanam, Marutim namatam rakshasa anthakam
Meaning :
Wherever Raghunatha is worshipped, there you will find a person with folded hands and bowed head, eyes moistened. I pray to that Maruti who is the destroyer of rakshasas (evil tendencies).
I further pray to Maruti to inculcate that bhakti bhava in me.

2. What is Rama :
Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmaha, Satya dharma vratayacha
Meaning :
SriRama is Dharma personified. What is the Dharma we are talking here ? It is Satya Dharma. Meaning abiding in and by Truth (Satya). Satya is defined in scriptures as that which is unaffected by(deshataha , kalataha, vastutaha) three states of consciousness waking, dream, and sushupti, kala, geography etc. Always constant. Which can be further defined as Atma or Self.
We can correlate to Gita shloka "Yada Yada hi Dharmasya" with this and can say that in Gita shloka He is talking about if 'Satya Dharma' is declining (meaning spiritual journey has hindrences), He will manifest to uplift the seekers.

3. Who is Rama ?
Shloka :
sarvadaa abhigataH sadbhiH samudra iva sindhubhiH
aryaH sarvasamaH ca eva sadaiva priya darshanaH
Meaning :
Like an ocean that is reached by many rivers , that reverential one too is always accessible and reachable by clean-minded ones, and he treats all equally, and ever a feast to eye.
My understanding :
SriRama is the final destination to Sadbhih (clean minded) just like ocean is to rivers and always accessible. Hence he is Paramatma.
Further reference can be made to other shlokas like,
"Sarva deva namaskaram kesavam pratigachchati"

How to recognise Srirama :
Shloka :
aham vedmi mahaatmaanam raamam satya paraakramam
vasiSTho.api mahaatejaa ye ca ime tapasi sthitaaH
Meaning :
Vishwamitra comes to Dasharatha and requests him to send His Eldest son SriRama to protect teh Yajna. When Dasharatha expresses his inability to part with his Son citing that he is young and incapable, Vishwamitra says that "I know that SriRama is Mahatma, and he is Satya Parakrami. Vasista also recognised him as mahatejaa and so are all the Tapasis present there".
This tells us that Sages can realise God/Self, and this experience is uniform, experienciable for sadhakas and experience is similar to all Tapasis.
the Aham can know itself as Ramam.

Meaning of Rama : (Not original thought)
Alphabet 'Ra' is life of Ashtakshari mantra 'Aum namo Narayana' , without this alphabet 'Ra', Ashtakshari loses its meaning. It becomes 'Na ayana' meaning there is no refuge.
Alphabet 'ma' is the life of Pachakshari mantra 'Aum namah Shivaya', without this alphabet 'ma', Panchakshari loses its meaning. It becomes ' Na Shivaya' meaning there is no Shiva.
'Rama' is the mantra which is a combination of both the mantras and its associated bhava.

Hari Aum tat sat