Tag: Sri Rama

Greatness of the RAMAYANA

Greatness of the RAMAYANA

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RAMAYANA

Throughout the ages, it has been said that the Ramayana is not simply the life story of Sri Rama but an exquisite piece of literature in Sanskrit verse of peerless beauty containing seven Kandas, six hundred Sargas, countess appealing similes, metaphors, allegories, and flights of imagination—all of which make it a supreme piece of literature of matchless elegance for all times.

Elite hailed it as an encyclopedia of ancient Aryan life and wisdom, portraying an ideal civilization to which humanity has yet to aspire.

Some ranked it amongst the noblest monuments of poetic genius whether we judge it by the grandeur of the theme or by the tone of idealism or by the appeal that it makes to devout hearts and comments that its uniqueness lies in its exaltation of Dharma’’.

Another remarked that “Ramayana has been an agent of almost incalculable power in molding the cultural mind of India”. ‘Dharma’, understood in terms of the twin concepts of Satya and Tyaga so perfectly personified in one exalted as “Vigrahavan Dharmah’’ is one unique constituent of the pattern of life handed to us by our ancients which is valid for all times or all people”.

Rama Rajyam

‘The Rama Rajya’, is a system of governance where the character is the determining factor of life, where virtue takes precedence over wealth, where the spirit of service and not the exercise of power inspires those in authority, where piety is adored and pelf despised, where the meanest is equal to the highest.’

At a time when moral forces are making havoc on our lives, distorting our views, and disrupting our foundations, we cannot do better than hearkening to the voice of Sri Rama uttered through his several actions signifying the eternal ideals of our Sanatana Dharma.

Greatness of the Ramayana

The Ramayana is a beautiful melange of the divinely human and the humanly divine… Were Rama all divine, humanity would have left him severely alone. The kinship we feel with Sri Rama is because he is so human. Sri Rama himself says ‘‘Atmanam manusham manye’’ As remarked by many sages and scholars ‘’The Ramayana is not truth in the ivory tower that Valmiki hold up the mirror to.

It is truth at the secular and most liberal level as it applies to the common man in his everyday life to his society, to economics, politics, ethics and morality, to war and peace, ends and means’’.

Ramayana – Noblest Epic

Truly, the Ramayana is the noblest epic and an exemplary document of socio-religious life, humane diplomacy, cultural traditions, and spiritual foundations of the people of our Bharat.

It is a mirror of the highest ideals of Indian culture, forming the very warp and woof of our Sanatana Dharma. As the Ramayana is a sublime classic of deepest spiritual significance, devotees have to read it between the lines.

Dasaratha represents the merely physical while his three queens are personifications of the three Gunas-

  1. Satwa,
  2. Rajas, and
  3. Tamas.

His four sons are the four goals of life—the Purushardhas.

Lakshmana is the Intellect. Sugreeva is Viveka or Discrimination. Vaali is Despair while Hanuman is the embodiment of self-effacing devotion and loyalty.

The three Rakshasas –

  1. Ravana,
  2. Kumbhakarna, and
  3. Vibhishan

are personifications of Rajasic, Tamasic, and Satwic qualities. Sita is the Brahmajnana while Sri Rama is the very embodiment of Dharma of all the codes of morality that hold mankind together in love and unity.

Sri Rama Navami Asthanam at Tirumala

Sri Rama Navami Asthanam at Tirumala

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We are all aware that the Tirumala hill shrine is famous for the most beautiful and life-like icon of Lord Venkateswara.

Such is the divine beauty of our Lord, that it so goes in the Venkateswara Sahasra namavali, jagan mOhaka soundarya dharminE namaha|| which means “Salutations to Lord Venkateswara whose beauty is unmatched in the entire universe!”

Sri Rama Navami at Tirumala

Along with several other icons of Gods and Goddesses, the Sanctum of Tirumala also houses a beautiful set of Rama parivar. It includes icons of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana, Anjaneya, Sugriva and Angada. They are excellent specimens of metal art.

Rama is two-armed, the right hand holding a kataka mudra (to hold an arrow) and the left hand poised to hold a bow.

The figurine itself is in a tri-bhang instance or a tri-band pose. Sita is to His right and Lakshmana, who is similar to his brother but a bit smaller in size stands to Rama’s left.

If we observe, it is seen that the crowns of Rama and Lakshmana are not jewelled as usual, it is actually in a Jata (matted hair tied into a top knot). Thus, it depicts Aranya Rama. It is believed that these icons were consecrated in memory of Sri Rama’s visit to the sacred shrine of Tirumala during His search for Goddess Sita.

These deities do not receive any special worship every day but are included in Nityarchana (daily worship).

On the day of Sri Rama Navami

But on the occasion of Lord Rama’s birthday, a two-day festival is conducted. A special court or Asthana is held for Lord Sri Rama on Sri Rama Navami (Chaitra Suddha Navami).

In the morning, deities of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana and Sri Anjaneya receive a sacred bath in the ‘RanganayakulaMandapam’ in the premises of the temple.

Sri Rama is then taken out in a grand procession astride His favourite devotee Hanuman (SiriyaTiruvadi in Sri Vaishnava terminology). The vahanam is gloriously bedecked with sweet-smelling flowers and Sri Rama is adorned in special jewellery.

After the Utsavam and regular night kainkaryams, Sri Rama and other deities are brought to the BangaruVakili (the golden threshold nearest to the sanctum) and are reverently placed on the SarvaBhoopala Vahanam. The deities are beautifully adorned for the occasion. They are then offered special Naivedyams.

The Vaikhanasa archaka is then blessed with a Parivattam (sacred cloth belonging to the Lord, that is tied around the priest’s head) and satari honours. Balakanda (Sri Rama JananaVritthanta) is recited in Sanskrit. A special Harathi is offered and prasadams are distributed among those present.

Sri Rama Pattabhishekam

The next day, which is Chaitra suddhadasami, Pattabhishekam or a grand crowning ceremony is conducted to Lord Rama.

In a similar manner to the previous day, the deities of Lord Rama and Sita are taken out in a procession instead of Lord Malayappa in the evening. After the procession, the deities are again reverently placed on the SarvaBhoopala Vahanam near the Bangaruvakili.

But for the Pattabhishekam event, the deities of Angada and Sugreeva also join the ceremony. They are each adorned with a beautiful garland worn by Rama as a token of His blessings to them. The divine court concludes with the recital of “Ayodhya Kanda” in Sanskrit. It is followed by Naivedyam and Harathi.

Thus, ‘Aranya Rama’ has a special place in the divine sanctum of Tirumala.

Data Source: Saptagiri Magazine

Sri Rama Pattabhishekam

Sri Rama Pattabhishekam

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Sri Rama Pattabhishekam in Tirumala

On the auspicious day of Chaitra Suddha Dasami ‘Pattabhisheka Asthanam’ or “Sri Rama Pattabhishekam” will be celebrated to Lord Sri Rama in the divine presence of Lord Venkateswara every year in Tirumala.

Procession on Four Mada Streets – Around the temple

After the performances of ‘Pratakkalaaradhana’ and ‘Madhyaanikaalaradhana’ to Lord Venkateswara, Sri Sita-Rama-Lakshmana will be placed in golden ‘tiruchi’ in the evening.

Lord Hanuman will be placed in another ‘tiruchi’. They will be decorated with beautiful flower garlands. Adorned with privileged ornaments, and costly robes, Lord Sri Rama will be placed opposite Lord Hanuman.

This utsavam will be performed in four Mada streets (starting from East Mada Street) followed by innumerable devotees and a band of traditional musicians playing melodious music.

Sarvabhoopala Vahanam

Later, Sri Swami in Sarvabhoopala Vahanam arrives at the Asthana Mandapam situated in front of ‘Bangaaru Vaakili’. Kapikulachakravarthi Sugreeva, his son the young prince Angada and Lord Hanuman seated in the different ‘peethams’ will arrive at the place sitting opposite to Srivaru.

In the presence of acharyas, archakas, paricharikas, the authorities of the temple and the countless devotees, the worship will be performed in grandeur. The offering of ‘prasadam’ will be done in the Asthana Mandapam.

Asthanam to Divine Personalities

The ‘Asthanam’ is performed in the presence of many virtuous and divine personalities like

  • Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrugna, Vibhishana, Sugreeva, Jambavantha, Angada,
  • Indra, other gods, kings and emperors and
  • ‘‘Maharshis’ like Vasishta, Vamadeva, Valmiki, Vishwamitra, Markandeya and
  • the most dedicated devout public. To protect the universe, Sri Sita Rama Swami

occupies the throne bedecked with precious gems.

Ramayana – Purana at feet of Lord Sri Rama

After the ‘Pattabhisheka Mahotsavam, the ‘pouranikulu’ (a priest who recites puranas) beautifully and melodiously recites the Ramayana as ‘purana’ that is already placed at the lotus-feet of Lord Sri Rama. At that time, the floral garlands and gem-studded jewellery will be presented to Sugreeva, Angada and Lord Hanuman.

The courtesies of the temple will be maintained. After the offering of ‘aarati’ to the Lord, temple honours will be given to Sri Jeeyar Garu and the authorities of the temple. Sandal paste, ‘tambulam’ and ‘prasadam’ will be distributed to the devotees.

According to the tradition of ‘Asthanam’, the ‘goshti’ will be performed. After punishing the wicked and protecting the innocent and the good, Lord Sri Rama receives worship from His devotees.

This is the ‘Asthanam’ of Sri Rama Swami ‘Pattabhishekotsavam’ in the temple of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.