Bhaktisandesam / Sree Ramanavami

[Guest guest]

Ramnavami: Birthday of Lord Rama

 

By Swami Sivananda

 

Ramnavami or the birthday of Lord Rama falls on the 9th day of the

bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April). (See

calendar)

On the auspicious Ramnavami day take a firm resolve that you will

repeat Ram-Nam with every breath and that you will endeavour to lead

a righteous life.

 

Ramnavami is one of the most important festivals of the Vaishnava

sect of the Hindus. However, even those who adore Lord Shiva

celebrate the occasion. Some observe a strict fast on the day.

Temples are decorated and the image of Lord Rama is richly adorned.

The holy Ramayana is read in the temples. At Ayodhya, the birthplace

of Sri Rama, a big fair is held on this day.

 

In South India the Sri Ramnavami Utsavam is celebrated for nine days

with great fervour and devotion.

 

Those talented in the art of story-telling narrate the thrilling

episodes of the Ramayana. The Kirtanists chant the holy Name of Rama

and celebrate the wedding of Rama with Sita on this great day. It is

an extremely colourful ceremony, highly inspiring and instructive,

too.

At the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, Ramnavami is celebrated for nine

days as follows:

 

1. Spiritual seekers do as much Japa as possible. The sacred Mantras

Om Sri Ramaya Namah or Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram are chanted.

 

2. Devotees read the whole of the Ramayana, either the Sanskrit

version of Sage Valmiki or the Hindi version of Saint Tulsidas,

during these nine days.

 

Those who cannot recite the entire epic may read this single verse

which contains in a nutshell the story of the Ramayana:

" Formerly, Sri Rama went to the forests, where Rishis did penance,

and killed the illusive deer. Sita was carried away and Jatayu was

killed. Rama met Sugriva, killed Vali and crossed the ocean. The city

of Lanka was burnt by Hanuman. The demons, Ravana and Kumbhakarna,

were then killed. Thus is recited the holy Ramayana " .

 

3. Devotees greet one another with " Sri Ram " or " Jai Ram-ji-ki " .

4. Those who have adopted Lord Rama as their favourite Deity observe

a fast, taking only milk and fruit for all the nine days. Some fast

only on the Ramnavami day itself

5. On the final or Ramnavami day, there is a grand worship of Lord

Rama in the gorgeously decorated temple. All the Vedic rituals

including Laksharchana are performed.

6. A havan is also performed.

7. From four in the morning to late at night, there is Ram and Ram

alone everywhere!

8. Leaflets, booklets and books relating to Lord Rama are distributed.

9. Special meetings are held in the evening at which discourses on

the life and teachings of the Lord are delivered.

10. Earnest seekers take resolves to accelerate their spiritual

progress.

 

O beloved seekers! Time is fleeting. Know the value of time. Time is

most precious. Utilise every second profitably. Do not procrastinate.

Abandon all idle gossiping. Forget the past. Live every moment of

your life for the realisation of the divine ideal and goal. Unfold

your latent faculties. Grow, evolve and become a superhuman or a

dynamic Yogi. Struggle hard and reach the goal of life.

 

May you all attain the final beatitude of life through intense

devotion towards Lord Rama! May you live immersed in the ecstasy of

divine love! May Sri Rama who is as effulgent as a million suns and

who is adored by the gods and devotees, protect you all! May the

blessings of Lord Rama

be upon you all!

 

 

Jai Shree Krishna !