Ramanavami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama on the ninth day (navami) after the new moon day in the Hindu month of Chaitra (2nd April 2020). The ideal life of Rama, who was an avatar of Lord Vishnu, is the reason to celebrate Ramanavami. The story of Rama’s life as described in the epic Ramayana defines the concept of dharma in the form of the ideal husband, wife, brother and parents. The Ramayana also describes the ideal of service and dedication in the form of Hanuman.
Ramanavami is a day which celebrates Lord Rama and all of the ideals associated with him in hinduism.
Ideals of the Ramayana
When Rama’s brother Lakshmana lay injured in the battlefield (in the battle with Ravana), Rama said, “I may find a mother like Kaushalya or a wife like Sita but I can never find a brother like you”.
When one of Rama’s brother Bharat found out that Rama had been exiled from the kingdom and into the forest, he went to the forest to try and convince Rama to return and reclaim his rightful role as King. However, Rama had already promised his father Dasaratha that he would stay in the forest for fourteen years. Bharat was so disconsolate that he returned from the forest with Rama’s slippers and installed them on the throne.
The Ramayana is a guidebook, a sacred text, an inspiring scripture for every man in all lands, whatever his creed or condition might be. It imparts poise, balance, equanimity, inner strength and peace – Sri Sathya Sai Baba
There are many other stories in the Ramayana which describe the ideals of brotherhood in similar ways. The day of Ramanavami should be used as an occasion to resolve to emulate such ideals in our lives.
The Ramayana transcends all barriers of time, space, caste and religious sects. According to Sai Baba, the Ramayana is said to teach the pravritti and nivritti aspects of life. Nivritti is the embodied form of the atman whereas pravritti is the embodied form of prakriti (nature). Nivritti broadens our outlook whereas pravritti does the opposite. The Ramayana teaches us to perform actions focused on nivritti i.e. those actions which raise our spirits and bring out atman closer to the supreme God.
Today is the birthday of Rama who is Dharma itself. He is Veda Dharma in human form. He is Anandaswarupa (bliss personified) and Dharmaswarupa (dharma personified). On this holy day of Ramnavami you must immerse yourself in the atma as Dharmaswarupa as the motivator of the moral life – Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Let us resolve to install the principle of Rama in our hearts and experience bliss on the auspicious day of Ramanavami!
Shri Ramachandra Stotras
The repetition of the name of Shri Rama is the simplest form of invoking Lord Rama. The simple chant is both powerful and uplifting. Repeat and enjoy!
Rama Rama Rama Rama, Rama Rama Rama, Rama Rama Rama Sita Rama Rama Rama
राम राम राम राम, राम राम राम, राम राम राम सीता राम राम राम
Another popular stotra is the “kripaalu bhajman” stotra which sings the praises of Lord Rama and his many divine qualities. A portion of the stotra is given below in English and the full text is also provided in Hindi.
Shri Ramachandra kripaalu bhajaman haran bhava-bhaya daarunam
Nava kanj lochan kanj-mukh kar-kanj pad kanjaarunam
Kandarp agnit amit chavi, navneel neerad sundaram
paT peet maanhun tadit ruchi-shuchi naumi janak-sutaavaram