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Articles: Festivals | Significance of ‘Sri Rama Navami’
- Mrs. sharmila Sanka
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Lord Sri Rama was a great king of Ikshvaku dynasty one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu born only to uproot demonic qualities and to uplift righteousness. He was an embodiment of moral excellence and perfection. The day of His birth is termed ‘Sri Rama Navami’ which is celebrated all over India with devotion and remembrance. It falls on the ninth day in the month of Chaitra, hence the word Navami.
Rama was the embodiment of righteousness and truth and He forsake His happiness and wealth for the sake of His word given to his father and left for the forest for 14 years. The chanting of Rama’s name is so powerful and it itself soothes one’s entire soul and grants liberation. 'Ra' is taken from the Astakshari Mantra ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ and 'Ma', from Panchakshari Mantra, ‘Namah Shivaya.’
Adi Shankaracharya praised the Rama mantra and said that Lord Shankara Himself enlightened Goddess Parvati the significance of this mantra.
“Sree Rama Rama Ramethi Rame Raame Manorame Sahasranama Tat Thul-yam Rama Nama Varanane.”
The essence is that it is only Rama nama which is equal to a thousand names of Vishnu. This mantra can be chanted anywhere, anytime and by anyone. Rama nama has the power of intercession for the dead.
Even without knowing the importance of Rama Nama, even by chanting the Rama nama, in the reverse way like ‘Mara’, a notorious bandit Ratnakara got liberated of all his past sins and became known as Valmiki after writing the great epic ‘Ramayana.’ Such is the importance of Rama nama.
Sage Vishwamitra composed the Suprabhata in praise of Rama’s mother Kaushalya's good fortune in giving birth to an exemplary child like Rama.
Sri Rama Navami dawns with a prayer to the sun. Rama's dynasty is said to have descended from the Sun-God and was therefore called the Raghu-vamsa. People worship Rama on this day and offer prayers to him along with fruits and gather in Rama’s temples to listen to the recitation of ‘Ramayana’ and also participate in the socio-cultural activities. Listening to the story of Rama cleanses the soul. Meditating on His noble form and chanting his name are believed to help one raise above the body consciousness thus rising one’s own vibrations leading to Moksha (Moha Kshaya), or Liberation.
As Rama spent 14 years of his life as an ascetic, Rama Navami doesn't require the preparation of great feasts. Instead, a simple drink called panagam is prepared which is a sweet yet austere drink, healthy and beneficial.
Hence it is wise for us human beings to realize the significance of this auspicious day and to chant the Rama mantra with devotion, surrender and satisfaction. It is also said that the ‘Rama nama’ is mightier than Rama Himself. Such is the power of this Mantra. On this day of Sri Rama Navami, let us worship and celebrate the glory of the soul within our bodies.
“Syllable ‘Ra’ in the word Rama cleanses all our sins and ‘Ma’ ensures that the wiped away sins do not dare to return to us.” –Sharmila Sanka
Written on April 6th 2006
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