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Shri Ram Navami (13th Apr'08)

Apr 9 2008 | Views 1524 | Comments (12)

Shri Ram Navami (13th Apr'08) SALUTATIONS to Lord Rama, an Incarnation of Lord Vish... Expand

Shri Ram Navami (13th Apr'08)

SALUTATIONS to Lord Rama, an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is measureless, who is of the nature of pure Consciousness and bliss, who is the consort of Mata Sita, Master of Shri Hanuman, and the Lord of the three worlds, who took His birth at His own will in order to establish righteousness, destroy the wicked, and protect His devotees.

Ramnavami or the birthday of Lord Rama falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April). The Ramnavmi celebration or the Vasanta Navaratri every year is an opportune period for us to saturate ourselves with the spirit of Lord Rama.

Lord Rama was the best of men with a sterling character. He was the very image of love. He was an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal husband, an ideal friend and an ideal king. He can be taken to embody all the highest ideals of man. He led the ideal life of a householder to teach the tenets of righteousness to humanity. He ruled His people so well that it came to be known as Ram-Rajya, which meant the rule of righteousness, the rule which bestows happiness and prosperity on all.

Lord Rama never found faults with anybody. He was always tranquil at heart and would always speak in a mellifluous (sweet) and consoling manner. Even if somebody used harsh words against him, He would not retort. He would be forever be grateful to anybody who did Him even a single favor, and would forget and forgive hundreds of offences committed against Him by others. He would cultivate association with only those possessing noble character, those advanced in age and knowledge, being always courteous to them. He would start the conversation with those people who came to meet Him, and would speak sweet and fair. Even though endowed with great strength and valor, He would never be conceited.

He would never utter a lie and would always respect the aged. He would never indulge in acts detrimental to others or forbidden by the scriptures. He was very intelligent, talented, and had a very sharp memory. He was very astute in worldly transactions and an expert in righteous conduct under all circumstances. He was polite and discreet in conversation, and always had a smile on His face before speaking to anybody. He had efficient and able assistants. He was well aware of when to give up things and when to hold on to them. Because of His sublime virtues, He was extremely dear to His subjects. By virtue of His restraint on the mind and senses, Shri Rama possessed a supremely radiant personality akin to the effulgent sun.

To a devotee, Shri Rama is not simply a good and a great person, but God Himself. Rama was the son of King Dashratha of Ayodhya, but He is also the divine omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient God. The destruction of the ten-headed Ravana signifies the annihilation of the mind or the ten senses. Worship of Lord Rama is worship of the all-pervading Godhead Himself.

The Lord is extremely fond of those who have surrendered themselves to Him. He has given this promise in the Ramayana: “To anyone who once takes shelter under Me and solicits ‘I am Thine’, I bestow fearlessness from all beings. This is My vow.”

Even a great sinner who is full of evil qualities and who is fond of other people’s wealth, is freed from all kinds of faults that pertain to worldly life if only he remembers the Lord always. He attains purity and goes to the Supreme abode of the Lord.

The Name of Lord Rama is the greatest purifier of the heart. It wipes away all one’s sins. Not only this, but it wipes away the sinful tendencies as well. Lord Shiva tells His consort Parvati: “This Ram-Naam is equal to the Lord’s thousand Names, or repetition of the Mantra a thousand times.”

Glory to Shri Rama and His Name!

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