Festival of India - Rama Navami

Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.

It falls on the ninth day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Chaitra

Lord Rama is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and his birth is considered a significant event in Hindu mythology.

The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by Hindus all over the world.

On this day, people usually fast, chant prayers, and visit temples to seek the blessings of Lord Rama. Many people celebrate the festival by reciting the epic poem, Ramayana, which recounts the life and deeds of Lord Rama.

My mother starts reading Rama Katha by swami from ugadi and completes it on Rama navami. Swami has explained that the Ramayana depicts the triple qualifies of Sathwa, Rajas and Thamas.

Dasaratha signifies the body endowed with ten senses. These ten senses are five karmendriyas and five jnanendriyas. Dasaratha is the chariot drawn by the ten senses. The three wives of Dasaratha represent the three qualities, Kausalya symbolising Sathwik quality, Sumitra, Rajasik quality and Kaikeyi, Thamasik quality.

Ravana is described as a demon with ten heads. These ten heads are the six vices, namely desire, anger, greed, infatuation, pride and jealousy and Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta (will) and Ahamkara (Ego).

Since these ten are present in every human being, all of us are Ravana indeed! and Swami said that whoever beheads all these ten heads in fact becomes a Rama

Overall, Rama Navami is a day of great religious significance, and it reminds us of the importance of leading a virtuous life and following the path of righteousness, like Lord Rama.

Rishi Valmiki wrote the Ramayana. It is one of the most significant and revered epics in Hindu mythology, and it tells the story of Lord Rama.

Valmiki was born to sage Prachetasa and was named Ratnakara by his parents. Ratnakara wandered into a forest and got lost, who was discovered and raised by a hunter.

Ratnakara grew up to be an accomplished hunter under the expert guidance of his foster father. He got married and became a family man. As the time went by, it became difficult for him to make ends meet with hunting so he started to rob and began looting travelers who passed by his area.

Once he tried to rob Sage Narada, he noticed that the sage didnt fear him as others but was unmoved. Narada taught him the rama mantra where he started to chant by pronouncing backwards - mara

While Ratnakara was sitting still and meditating for years, his body was covered with ant nest. And, when Lord Brahma appeared to bless him, he saw him covered by the anthill or 'Valmika' and gave him the name Valmiki

Maharshi Valmiki is also referred to as 'Adikavi' or the first poet, as the Ramayana is considered to be the first epic poem. Valmiki is also believed to have come up with the format of 'shloka' - a Sanskrit verse form that has been used to compose various other texts such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas.

The essence of Ramayana is in its lessons, which has been guiding people towards leading a virtuous and meaningful life for centuries

Following Dharma or righteousness is essential for leading a meaningful life

The Power of Perseverance: Lord Rama and his companions faced several challenges and obstacles, but they remained steadfast and persevered through all difficulties

The Ramayana highlights the importance of loyalty and duty towards one's family, friends, and kingdom.

The name "Rama" is considered to carry immense spiritual power and significance.

It is so powerful that even recited backwards brings joy to life, like it did for Valmiki.

It is a powerful way of connecting with the divine, experiencing a deeper sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment in life.

Rama was an ideal ruler who ruled his people with due regard to their likes and dislikes, having their welfare as his primary concern.

If we look at how Rama lived his life, we will get to learn about the qualities of Rama. Rama was Loyal, Righteous, Compassionate, Courageous, Humble, Treated everyone with Respect. Rama had complete control over his mind and senses.

Rama lived his Life always being conscious, composed, in control of his mind, following his principles despite all the challenges that came his way.

Dream BIG, You can Achieve Your Dreams - With Perseverance, Unity, Truthfulness

Be Righteous and Persistent while Pursuing Your Dreams.

Live by your Values & Principles - despite all the challenges

Be the BEST Version of Yourself, Live Your Life Joyfully Enjoying Every Moment of Your Life.

I got to view this video on the internet, which i liked a lot. It gives a gist of Rama's story sung by Yesudas, music by Naushad Ali, and lyrics by Yousefali Kecheri.

It is very beautiful to see and also to hear the song...

Watch, Listen & Enjoy !

Happy Rama Navami ...