Ram Navmi is the birthday of Lord Shri Ram and is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. The celebrations fall on the ninth day of Chaitra month (the first month in the Hindu lunar calendar). It marks the culmination of the spring festival of Vasanta Navratri (Chaitra Navratri) which begins on Ugadi.
On this auspicious day, devotees repeat the name of Lord Shri Ram with every breath and vow to lead a righteous life…… People pray to attain the final beatitude of life through intense devotion towards Lord Shri Ram and invoke him for his blessings and protection.
SALUTATIONS to Lord Shri Ram, an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is measureless, who is of the nature of pure consciousness and bliss, who is the consort of Sita, Master of Lord 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. Lord Shri Ram was the Lord Hari Himself, incarnate on earth for the destruction of Ravana. He was well accomplished, beautiful and endowed with royal marks. His glory and prowess were unlimited. He was peerless on earth. He was free from malice. He was gentle. He was the protector of all His people. He always addressed them in gentle words. He never used any harsh words even when somebody provoked Him. He held sway over the whole world.
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The Ram Navmi celebrations is an opportune period for us to saturate ourselves with the spirit of Lord Shri Ram. One cannot be a real worshipper of Lord Shri Ram unless one makes an honest attempt to grow in the virtues that the Lord represents. On the other hand, worship of Lord Shri Ram is itself the surest means to develop such virtues…
Lord Shri Ram’s advent on earth was aimed at the re-establishment of the Truth. He was truly the embodiment of Righteousness. His Life and journey was in perfect accordance with and adherence to “Sanatan Dharma” – “the Eternal Truth”. Despite rigorous trials posed by circumstances, time and again, he set forth an example of ideal living for the entire mankind. Lord Shri Ram 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 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.
Today’s society needs to embody the aspirations of Ram Rajya. We need to always apply ancient wisdom to run our fast moving modern living, and we can learn a lot from the principles that Lord Shri Ram governed with. One who approaches Lord Shri Ram with love and worshipfulness becomes large-hearted, pure in spirit, good-natured and dispassionate in thought, word and deed. A true devotee of Lord Shri Ram is His representative, with His power and His knowledge. Material joy has two problems – It makes one insensitive and irresponsible, but spiritual joy makes one super sensitive and supper responsible, always attentive and accessible to his people. Lord Shri Ram is worshipped and hailed by all–he is the best example of perfect character and human conduct, inspiring human beings for countless succeeding ages. Without first developing devotion to Lord Shri Ram who is the Self, who lives in the hearts of all beings, who is all bliss and who is peerless, how can man cross the ocean of worldly life which has sorrow, pain and misery for its waves? 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. “Learn to change yourself first before you try to change others”.
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Lord Shri Ram is the embodiment of Truth, of Morality, and above all the ideal King. The Law maker himself. The world is an increasingly unstable place, the future uncertain, both gain and loss in life is assured, but if we can strive to live each day with a dedication to Lord Shri Ram’s fundamental principles – ‘Truth, Love and Compassion’ – for ourselves, for each other & for the Earth – what more could ever be asked from us? – These principles are, in fact, the only everlasting guide we have on this journey called life. In these turbulent times, waking up day after day to news of war and strife, death, despair and disaster – not a corner of the globe is untouched – it is more important yet harder than ever to find a sense of peace within us. World Governments find it hard to act, religion provides no safe haven and the Earth appears to be destroying itself and us with every passing environmental calamity. Thus, Lord Shri Ram is a paragon to be emulated.
Sanjay Jagatia
Director/Secretary General
Hindu Council UK