SRI RAMA NAVAMI MESSAGE (15-4-2016)
Sri Rama Navami is an auspicious and popular festival for Hindus to celebrate the Birthday of Lord Rama, the seventh Avatar of God Vishnu, in Human Form.
The Day falls on Shukla Paksha on the Navami, the Ninth Day of the month of Chitrai, in the Hindu Calendar. Hence it is also known as ‘Chitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami’ marking the end of Nine day Chitra Navaratri (Vasantha Navaratri) celebrations.
The Festival is celebrated almost throughout our Country in different manners. Singing Devotional songs, offering special prayers, Organising rituals like Havana, Reading hymns, Performing plays like Ramlila etc, the list goes on. Maintaining Fast throughout the Day is also a Special Feature!
The Festival has special significance in U.P. being the birth place of Lord Rama (Ayodhya puri). It is also celebrated grandly in Bihar where special preachings take place from Ram Charithmanas in every nook and corner. In Bhadrachalam the devotees celebrate the Day as Wedding Anniversary of Lord Rama with Sita. Rameswaram also witnesses grand celebrations! Devotees in South India Worship the sacred images of Lord Rama & Sita in the homes along with Lakshmana & Hanuman. Devotees assemble in huge numbers in Temples, Organise big processions with continuous chanting of Rama Nama. ‘Neer Moar’ (Butter Milk) and Panagam (Drink made of Jaggery and Sukku) are consumed as prasadams. The Festival is also called Vasanthothsava!
We as Hindus & Indians always feel proud of our Country as ‘Rama Janma Boomi’. Rama is the most popular name in our Country which is carried in almost all Families in one form or other. (Raman Yethanai Ramanadi!) The popular song Ragupathy Ragava Rajaram, Patheetha Pavana Seetharam was very much cherished by Mahathma Gandhi. The Festival gives us an opportunity to focus our Thoughts on Rama & Ramayana (Valmiki, Kambar, Thulasidas…) & saturate ourselves with the spirit of Lord Rama!
Lord Rama is indeed a unique character! He was the Lord of Mind & Senses ..! Brave & Valiant, but Gentle & Modest! A Great Warrior and Master of all weapons! Devoted Himself to the prosperity & Welfare of His people & Kingdom.
Defender of the Weak & Protector of the Righteous! Deep in Wisdom like the ocean! Firm & steadfast like the Himalayan Mountains!
Patient like the Mother Earth, Bounteous like the God of Wealth & Righteous like the Lord of Justice Himself! He won the Hearts of Everyone by his Gentleness & courteous approach with simple and sweet words. He was the True image and Reservoir of Love!
He played all his roles very well to the core! He was an ideal son, ideal brother, ideal husband, ideal friend & ideal king as well! He ruled His Country so well that even today Rama Rajya, means Rule of Righteousness! For Devotees, Sri Rama is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient!
It is nice that we worship Lord Rama & celebrate His Birthday in a grand manner. But the celebrations will become more purposeful only if we resolve to follow the path shown by Him for leading our Life!
On this Unique Occasion, let us resolve to chant ‘Rama Nama’ with every breath with utmost devotion throughout our life!
Let us also resolve to lead a noble & purposeful life, eliminating all our negatives such as anger, greed, ego ,lust etc. (Which were predominant in Ravana!)
Let us further Commit ourselves to Excel in all our roles like Lord Rama!
May Lord Rama’s Blessings Be with all of us for Ever!
May the song ‘Seetha Kalyana Vaibohame’ become a reality for all our aspiring Brides & Grooms at the earliest.