Ram Navami

[Guest guest]

Ram Navami

The Appearance Day of Lord Ramachandra

Sunday April 17th, 5 PM

Krishna Temple

8628 S. State St., Spanish Fork, Utah

Contact: Caru or Vai 798-3559/787-1510

www.utahkrishnas.com

 

Every member of the public is invited to attend the festival of Ram

Navami (The Appearance Celebration of Lord Ramachandra). Asia¹s oldest

and most loved epic, The Ramayana, is the narration of Rama¹s earthly

pastimes many thousands of years ago.

There will be a multi media drama, called ³The Transformation of

Valmiki.² Valmiki was formerly a robber and murderer who was Œtricked¹ into

sainthood, and became the author of the Ramayana.

The Vaikuntha players will present a puppet show on the Ramayana, replete

with puppets of gods, wizards, monkeys, and a ten headed demon named Ravana.

There will additionally be Sanskrit mantras, a power point presentation,

a sacred fire ceremony (agni homa), and the exuberant chanting and drumming

for which the Krishna devotees are famous.

There is no admission fee, and sumptuous hot vegetarian meals will be

served throughout the evening for a $ 5.00 donation. Guests and visitors are

invited to bring an offering of fruits, flowers, or even a cooked vegetarian

preparation to augment the feast.

 

There is more background to the festival below.

 

Ram Navami

 

Lord Ramachandra appeared many tens of thousands of years ago in

Ayodhya, Northern India, as the son of King Dasarath, of the Iksvaku

dynasty. Lord Rama's saga is told by the sage Valmiki in the epic, Ramayana,

which is three times longer than the Illiad and Odyssey combined.

 

Lord Rama is an avatar of Lord Krishna who came down to earth to battle

the invincible Ravana in human form. Lord Brahma had been receiving

complaints from all the gods about the havoc that Ravana was wreaking on

earth, but because Ravana had been granted so many boons, he could not be

killed by a god. Ravana had become so overconfident that he would never

expect an attack from a human being. So Lord Vishnu agreed to go to earth in

the guise of Prince Ram, the son of King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya. 

 

The story of Lord Rama as told in the great epic Ramayana is one that

most Indians know irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Lord Rama is a

legendary figure, the epitome of all that is good and true, the man who

vanquished the demon king Ravana. Lord Rama is not just a hero, but God

incarnate as the perfect son, husband, king, and brother. Therefore, it

comes as no surprise that his birth is celebrated year after year with great

pomp and enjoyment on the ninth day after the new moon in Sukul Paksh (the

waxing moon), which falls sometime in the month of April. 

 

Rama is the supreme exemplar of how people should conduct themselves in

the world, how a country should be governed, how the integrity and morality

of human beings should be protected. High-minded actions, ideal qualities

and sacred thoughts are basic foundations of character. Rama is the very

embodiment of these three attributes. This means that every human being

should cultivate sacred thoughts, right actions and good qualities. Rama

demonstrated by his words, thoughts and actions how such a life can be

lived. Rama acted unto the ancient injunction: "Speak the truth. Practice

Righteousness". Eschewing harsh words, Rama pleased everyone by his sweet

speech. He countered harsh speech by others with his composure, patience,

sweetness and smile. He never pried into the affairs of others, never took

notice of their faults, never indulged in ridicule, and never caused any

pain to others by the way he spoke to them. It is essential for everyone to

follow the example set by Rama and cultivate his many noble qualities and do

righteous actions. People should entertain sacred thoughts.

 

Today, in the pursuit of power, men are prepared to commit any kind of

crime and to inflict any kind of harm on people to achieve their ends.

 

Rama, on the contrary, gave up the kingdom and, to honor the pledge given

by his father, chose to face the ordeals of life in the forest as an exile.

He demonstrated to the world that one should never go back on his word. Rama

gave up the throne and became a denizen of the forest. In life, it is not

difficulties and calamities that are important. The supreme importance of

Truth was what Rama wanted to hold forth to the world.

 

 

 

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Best wishes,

Caru das and Vaibhavi