Wishing you all a very Happy and Blessed Ram Navami

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM!!!

Wishing you all a very Happy and Blessed Ram Navami..




Rama-Navami

Lord Rama was born on the ninth day of the month of Chitra,
hence we celebrate his birthday as a 'Navami'. Indian mathematicians
and philosophers see nine as a magical number. Planets in our solar
system are also nine, as are the main forms of goddess Durga and the
ways of bhakti - devotion. Let us consider why we celebrate Rama-Navami,
by considering nine of Lord Rama's great characteristics / virtues.

“Actions speak louder than Words " was Rama's chief motto. He
embodied all the virtues by practicing what he preached.
More than his divine powers, his glorious heritage or his
incredible prowess was his unblemished, untarnished, irreproachable
character. His popularity, bravery, courage in face of all adversities,
kindness, sense of justice, obedience, intelligence, limitless patience,
boundless compassion and steadfast following of duty / "dharma"
have endeared him to countless generations of Hindus and non-Hindus
alike.
 
1) Popularity :-
To lay claim to the title of " Idol / Hero ", one
should be popular with the people. Kings and politicians soon
loose their popular appeal with loss of power. Popular idol/ hero
rules in the hearts and minds of the ordinary people. Rama
achieved this by his innate characteristics of charm, kindness,
openness, generosity and a real willingness to listen to other's
problem. Everyone in Ayodhya felt they could approach Rama with
 their problems. Rama was known to find swift, realistic and just
answers for every one. His aura, charm and charisma made every
one relax and feel happy in his presence.

2) Bravery :-
It is essential for a " Idol / Hero " to be brave.
It is not enough to be popular if you can not achieve anything
concrete. Rama fought for his people in the battle field as well
as the Royal Court of Ayodhya. He stood his ground in all adversities
and fought for the cause of righteousness. Being adventurous,
 Rama took his exile as a great challenge to explore new frontiers.
Even in the jungles He fought for the rights of the oppressed. To be
brave means to face danger with open eyes. Knowing his enemies
strong points aswell as the weaknesses, Rama sought to rid the
society of those who threatened to undermine it.

3) Kindness :-
This is one of Rama's major attribute. He taught
mankind how to be kind as well as brave. Ravan was brave but had
a cruel heart. This eventually corrupted him and made him a villain.
Bravery should be tempered by a kind and gentle heart, so that
the God given powers of strength are not misused. Power, success,
wealth and popularity can easily go to one's head and soon corrupt
the good intentions one begins with. Rama never let this happen
as his prowess was always tempered by a kind and gentle soul.

4) Justice :-
Kindness and generosity of heart should not border
on to being gullible. Rama's kindness was tempered by his love
 for justice. He was always just and fair. Seeing where kindness
or punishment is due, Rama delivered it accordingly. In his kingdom,
everyone had the constitutional right to approach the King with
their grievance. Always in keeping with the spirit of justice, Rama
installed Vali's son on the throne of Kishkindh and Ravan's brother
on the throne of Lanka. He never coveted anything that belonged
to others and inspired love for justice in his people with his own actions.

5) Obedience :-
Most famous attribute of Rama was his obedience
and loyalty to his parents, guru and the subjects. Rama
sought to keep his father's promise and willingly accepted
fourteen years of exile. If Rama himself disregarded his King
and father's wish, what sort of example would that set for the
future generations? To teach obedience, one should practice
obedience.

6) Intelligence :-
Obedience should always be tempered by intellect.
Obedience should not be slavish. Dasharath ordered Rama
to take the kingdom by force, imprison him and if necessary call
on the army to support him. But Rama refused such suggestions.
To break an oath / promise is a sin but to suggest covert ways of
escaping the oath would be a greater sin. He always obeyed by
considering what would be right, proper and good for his people.
Rama asked his father, " If a drunk parent or guru should order
the child or disciple to cremate them, should such an order be
carried out? Of course not. Orders given by a clouded mind cannot
and should not be obeyed. Sometimes it is far better to obey the
spirit of the order than the order itself. "

7) Patience :-
Intelligent people should be patient in order to
earn people's love. Often the intellectuals become impatient
with the dull witted. Rama had a great virtue of being gentle
and understanding even with the uneducated jungle dwellers.
Often the intelligent become angry with people who can't see
as far ahead as they can. Rama endured his exile with legendary
patience. When he came to the Southern tip of India, He was
patient with the Ocean. Rama knew that a single arrow from his
bow could achieve his purpose, but He decided to show respect
for the Heavenly Gods and waited for their answer. Though capable
of building a bridge of arrows, He let the monkeys build a bridge
so they too could be satisfied with their war efforts.

8 ) Universal Love :-
Rama's love for all creatures great and small helped
him win over the hearts of rich and poor, strong and weak, scholars
and villagers alike. Rama's love was universal and boundless. Even
Ravan, his mortal enemy, received Rama's grace. Vali was also
convinced of Rama's love and was liberated from the eternal cycle
of birth and rebirth. Rama's gentleness was legendary and so even
the uncivilised jungle dwellers came to him with out any apprehensions.
Rama's love and compassion make him an ideal for all time.

9) Being Dutiful :-
Rama was forever aware of his duty - " Dharma ",
and followed it un-nerveingly. All his above characteristics were
tempered by desire to follow that which is right. Rama was never
blind in his love. Considering duty to be above all else, even life,
Rama followed dharma - duty, to the very last. Though he had
boundless loved for his wife, He abandoned her for the common
moral good of his subjects. Rama followed his duty as a son,
brother, husband, prince, king, friend, and father at all times.
Regardless of personal cost / grief, Rama sacrificed everything
in the pursuit of Dharma, duty.


 
It is these qualities which have endeared Him to
world's multitudes rather than his good looks or great wealth.
Physical beauty wanes with time, money is soon spent, fame is
soon forgotten but generous deeds, great character and boundless
compassion endure for all time. His wish to do good for the people,
even at personal suffering endeared him to the people more than
elaborate speeches or ceremonies. His personal conduct spoke l
ouder than mere words of philosophy.

Such is the glory of his memory that even now people invoke
" Rama Rajya " as the ideal, utopian system. It gave a
democratic monarchy to the people. A system in which even
the most humble may voice their opinion and be noticed. In
Rama Rajya there were no criminals or oppressors and no one
was ever oppressed. Every one had equal rights, justice was
available to all. Taxes were not excessive and every one had
work to occupy them. Rama had assured his people peace and
plenty because as a King he served his people rather than be
served by them. Where a ruler has all of the above characteristics,
people can still enjoy Rama Rajya.

It is the ideal of self-less service which has made Rama one
of the greatest idol / hero of all time. On Rama-Navami we fast
till noon in anticipation of Rama's birth and not as a penance.
After his birth at mid-day, people celebrate by dancing and singing
auspicious songs. Let us celebrate Rama-Navami by following
His ideal standards. By following these in his life, Rama has
shown that it is possible to aspire for greatness and " ideal life ".

OM SAI RAM. SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!!


 
The full version can be viewed at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7830/rama.htm. (Link could be outdated)

[SS91]

Wishing All A very Happy Sri Rama Navami

Wish joy, harmony and prosperity on Ram Navami.


JaiSaiRam

[SS91]

Sri Rama Navami Celebrations at SHIRDI
Saturday, March 31st 2012 and Sunday, April 1st 2012

sri rAma rAma rAmeti rame rAme manorame
 sahasra nAma tat tulyam rAma nAma varAnane

Lord Shiva told this to Parvati: ""O Varanana (lovely-faced woman), I chant the holy name of Rama, Rama, Rama and thus constantly enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Ramachandra is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Vishnu."

Origin of Rama Navami in Shirdi: Sri Rama Navami is one of the greatest festivals celebrated at Shirdi. This day is very dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba. With Sai Baba’s blessings, a son was born to Mr. Gopal Rao Gund. In the joy that he felt, an idea of celebrating a fair or 'Urus' occurred to him in the year 1897. The day for the Urus was fixed on the Rama Navami day, after having consultation with Sai Baba. It seems, He had some end in view on this - Unification of the two fairs of festivals, the Urus and the Rama Navami and the unification of the two communities - the Hindus and the Mahomedans.

Nishana Procession: Gopalrao Gund had a friend, by name Damu Anna Kasar, of Ahmednagar, who too was blessed by Sai Baba with sons. Mr. Gund prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one simple flag for the procession of the fair; he also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag. Both these flags were taken in procession through the village.

Chandanotsav: This idea of ‘Sandal’ procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar Dalal, a Mahomedan Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in honour of great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrapings are put in the THALI (flat dishes), and these are carried with incense burning before them in procession to the accompaniment of band and music through the village and then after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the dishes are thrown on the ‘Nimbar’ (nitche) and walls of the Masjid with hands.

Urus and Rama Navami: In 1912, Mr. Krishnarao Jageshwar Bhisma (the author of ‘Sri Sai Sagunopasana’), accosted Kaka Mahajani thus - "There is some providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus or fair is celebrated in Shirdi on the Rama-Navami day; this day is very dear to all the Hindus; then why not begin the Rama-Navami Festival - the celebration of the birth of Shri Rama here on this day?" Kaka Mahajani liked the idea, and it was arranged to get Baba’s permission in this matter. Mahajani asked for Baba’s permission and Baba gladly gave it.

Jhoola Seva: Jhoola Seva will be performed on Sri Rama Navami day in the Mandir as part of Ram Janmotsav and all the devotees have the opportunity to participate in the Jhoola Seva.

Kaala Handi: On the next day after Rama Navami, Kaala Handi ceremony (an earthen pot containing parched rice mixed with curds is hung, only to be broken after the 'Kirtan', and the contents distributed to all), as was done by Lord Krishna amongst His cow-herd (friends), was performed.

JaiSaiRam 

[Admin]

OM SAI RAM

SUCH A WONDERFUL DAY

JAI SAI RAM

[Dipika]

OMSAIRAM!Wishing All a very very Happy Rama Navami.


May BABA bless us all with Shraddha and Saburi and bless us to read Shri Sai Satcharitra on Rama Navami.


Shri Sai Satcharitra should be read at home specially on Guru-Pournima (Ashadha full-moon day), Gokul-Ashtami, Rama-Navami and Dasara (Baba's anniversary day). If you study this one book carefully, all your desires will be satisfied and if you always remember Sai's Feet in your heart, you will easily cross the Bhava (Samsar) sagar. By its study, the diseased and sick will get health, the poor wealth, the mean and afflicted prosperity, and the mind will get rid of all ideas and get steadiness.


http://www.saibaba.org/satcharitra/epilogue.html


Sai baba let your holy lotus feet be our sole refuge.OMSAIRAM

[tanu_12]

Omsairam

Happy Ram Navmi to all
May babaji bless us all..

Jaisairam

[v2birit]

Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram
Om Shri Sai Ram

Rama is always with us in the form of our consciousness. We should observe the consciousness which we carry always with us. That itself is Rama !!!