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Showing posts from April 8, 2014


Nine Characteristics of Lord Rama

The number nine holds a special place in Hindu religion – nine forms of Durga and Navratri celebration, the nine planets, and the nine ways of Bhakti (navavidha Bhakti). Here is a look at the nine characteristics of Lord Rama who birthday is observed on Navami Tithi (9th day of a fortnight) Similarly, many Hindu devotees fast for nine days – from the first day of Chaitra to Ramnavami. Keeping the nine days or Ram Navami in mind the article takes a look at the nine important characteristics of Lord Ram. 1) Popularity 2) Bravery 3) Kindness 4) Justice 5) Obedience 6) Intelligence 7) Patience 8) Universal Love 9) Being Dutiful Lord Ram’s teaches us that 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

Significance of Ram Navami

Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Ram. It falls on the ninth day of the Chaitra month. Ram Navami and the 8 days before it are together known as Ram Navratri. In 2024, Ram Navami is on April 17. The Chaitra Navratri ends on the day. In some places, the festival begins on the first day of the Chaitra month and a continuous recital of the Ramayana takes place. Some devotees undertake fasting during this period. On the Ram Navami day, Lord Vishnu temples are decorated and the image of Lord Ram is richly adorned. Shlokas from the ‘Ramcharitmanas’ are recited. It is believed that Lord Ram was born at midday and therefore special prayers are held in temples during this time. Many devotees undertake a fast on this day and confine to their homes reading the Ramayana. They avoid food prepared with onion, turmeric, ginger and garlic on this day and confine their diet to milk, fruits and curd. Special pujas are organized at homes. Puranas and religious texts like ‘Ra

Who is Sri Ram? – Mata Sita Explains to Hanuman in Shri Rama Hridaya

Rama is God. He is the personified and visible Brahman (The all-pervading ultimate reality). He is peerless. He is the reservoir of Sat (real and perpetual existence), Chit (consciousness) and Ananda (bliss). He is attributeless. He is the Absolute Truth. He is imperceptible by the mind or the senses. He is the repository of joy. Calm, uncontaminated, changeless, beyond the Maya, omnipresent and self effulgent is He. He is the Changeless One, The Soul of all. Shri Rama Hridaya is a discourse between Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is part of the Bala Kanda of Adhyatma Ramayana. .... Bhagavan Sri Rama is the reservoir of Sat (real and perpetual existence), Chit (consciousness) and Ananda (bliss). The statement encapsulates a profound aspect of the Hindu philosophy and spiritual tradition, particularly within the context of devotion to Lord Rama. Let's break down the concepts mentioned: Bhagavan Sri Rama : This refers to Lord Rama, a central figure

Ramcharitmanas Teachings

A collection of teachings from Ramcharitmanas. There are three evils most formidable of all – lust, anger and greed. In an instant they distract the mind of hermits who are the very repositories of wisdom. The weapons of greed are desire and hypocrisy, of lust nothing but opposite sex; while anger’s weapon is harsh speech – so declare the great sages after deep thought. Anger, lust, greed, pride and delusion, all these get eliminated through Sri Rama’s grace. He who wins the favor of that divine player is never deluded by His jugglery. I (Bhagvan Sri Ram) always take care of those who worship Me with undivided faith, even as a mother guards her child. If an infant child runs to catch hold of fire or a snake, the mother holds it aside. When, however, her son has grown up she love him no doubt, but not as before. The wise are like My grown up sons, while humble devotees are like My infant children. A devotee depends on Me, while the former (wise man) depends on his own stre