Ramayana - Ramanavami Special

Namasthe Children,
Let us all celebrate Sri Ramanavami which is the birthday of Lord Shri Rama on 30th March 2023. On the occasion of Sri Ramanavami, we will chant Rama Nama for the World peace and to get good health and prosperity.

Click here to recite Sri Rama Slokas

                                      

பாடல் : சலமேலரா ஸாகேத ராம

Audio 

ராகம் : மார்க ஹிந்தோளம்

தாளம் : ஆதி

இயற்றியவர் :  தியாகராஜர்

பல்லவி

சலமேலரா ஸாகேத ராம

அனுபல்லவி

வலசி பக்தி மார்கமுதோனு நின்னு

வர்ணிஞ்சுசுன்ன நாதோ (ச)

சரணம்

எந்து போது நேனேமி ஸேயுதுனு

எச்சோட நே மொர பெட்டுதுனு

தந்தனலதோ ப்ரொத்து போவலெனா

தாள ஜாலரா த்யாகராஜ நுத (ச)

It is said that the Ramayana is happening in Our Own Body.

Our Soul is Rama, Our Mind is Sita, Our Breath or Life-Force (Prana) is Hanuman, Our Awareness is Laxmana and Our Ego is Ravana. When the Mind (Sita),is stolen by the Ego (Ravana), then the Soul (Rama) gets Restless. Now the SOUL (Rama) cannot reach the Mind (Sita) on its own. It has to take the help of the Breath – the Prana (Hanuman) by Being In Awareness(Laxmana). With the help of the Prana (Hanuman), & Awareness(Laxmana), The Mind (Sita) got reunited with The Soul (Rama) and The Ego (Ravana) died/ vanished.

Rama or Ram ( राम ), also known as Ramachandra is the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu, one of his most popular incarnations along with Krishna, Parshurama. The Ramayana is not a story which happened long ago. It has a philosophical, spiritual significance and a deep truth in it.

The entire Ramayana starts here....

Long ago, there was a wise King called Dasharatha ruled over the Kingdom Ayodhya which is on the river banks of Sarayu. He has three queens namely Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. Though the King had three wives, he didn't have any children to rule over the country after him. He was very much worried about this. Hence he consulted with his chief priest Vasishta. Chief Priest Vasishta advised him to conduct Putra Kameshti Yaga to obtain a boon from the Gods.

Birth of Rama

He did so and the Gods were pleased on seeing his faith. One of them appeared out the flame and handed him a pot full of Nectar. The God told Dasharatha to take this with his three Queens.
After some time, the three Queens gave birth to Sons. Kausalya had Rama, Kaikeyi had Bharatha, and Sumitra had twins, Lakshmana and Satrughana. The whole Kingdom rejoiced on the birth of 4 sons.

The four young princes were very brilliant and Good-natured. They loved each other, but there was a special bond between Rama and Lakshmana.

Vishwamitra's arrival

One day, sage Vishwamitra came to Dasharatha and asked him to sent Rama to the forest with him to kill a demon who was continuously disrupting the fire sacrifices of the sages. Dasharatha sent both Rama and Lakshmana with Vishwamitra and Rama was able to kill the hideous and terrible demon Tadaka. Vishwamitra was very pleased and so were the gods.

Visit to Mithila

Vishwamitra then took the young princes to the neighbouring kingdom of Mithila which was ruled by King Janaka. in Mithila, Rama succeeded in stringing a great bow given by Lord Shiva (Shiva Dhanusu), which many before had tried and failed.

This won him Janaka's daughter Sita in marriage. Rama married Sita and they lived happily for many years. Dasharatha decided that it was time for to become king. everybody was pleased because Rama was a kind prince.

Boon asked by Kaikeyi

However, Kaikeyi maid, Manthara was not happy. She wanted her Queen's son, Bharatha, to become the King. Manthara poisoned Kaikeyi's mind. She decided to ask Dasharatha for the two boons he had promised her. Kaikeyi asked Dasharatha,

• to make Bharatha the king and 
• send Rama away to the forest for fourteen years. 

King Dasharatha was heartbroken but he was bound to keep his promise. Rama left for the forest without hesitation, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana. The whole kingdom was very sad and Dasaratha died soon after.

Vanavasam

Bharatha was horrified with what his mother had done. He went to the forest to persuade Rama to return. When he refused, Bharatha took Rama's footwear and placed it on the throne. He said he would rule till Rama returned. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana lived in the forest amidst the beauty and peace of nature's treasures. Birds sand, Streams gurgled and flowers bloomed in thousands.

One day, a terrible thing happened. A She-demon called Soorpanakha saw Rama and wanted to marry him. When Rama refused, she asked Lakshmana to marry her. Became angry at his refusal, she attacked Sita. On seeing this, Lakshmana rushed to help Sita. Soorpanakha went to his brother Ravana, the King of Lanka and asked him to punish them for insulting her.

Mareecha - the Golden deer

Ravana sent his uncle Mareecha who took in the form of Golden Deer to attract Sita. On seeing the beautiful deer, she asked Rama to catch it. Rama chased the deer and finally shot it. As Mareecha lay dying, he used his magic and called out for Lakshmana in Rama's voice.

Hearing Rama's voice, Sita was afraid and sent Lakshmana to help him. Before leaving, Lakahmana drew a magic line to protect Sita and asked her not to cross the line under any situation.

Presence of Jatayu

As soon as Lakshmana left, Ravana came in the guise of the sage. He was offended when Sita told him that she couldn't cross the line to give food. On seeing him angry, Sita forgot Lakshmana's warning and crossed the line.

As soon as she crossed the line, Ravana grabbed her and flew away to Lanka. Hearing her cries, Jatayu, the King of Eagles tried to help her but Ravana wounded him badly.

Meeting with Sugriva

Rama and Lakshmana set in search of Sita. Jatayu told them that Sita had been abducted by Ravana. On their way, Rama killed demon Kabandha releasing him from curse. The demon advised them to meet Sugriva, who would be of great help in finding Sita. They took the demon's advice and met Sugriva. He also agreed to help only if he killed Bali, who was Sugriva's brother.

Rama defeated Bali and Sugriva became the monkey King. Keeping his promise, Sugriva asked his chief, Hanuman and his entire army team to help him.

Hanuman in search of Sita

Rama sent Hanuman in search of Sita. Hanuman found Sita in one of the gardens of Ravana's palace. He gave her Rama's ring and told her that Rama would come and rescue her soon. Ravana's soldier caught Hanuman and took him to Ravana.

Hanuman fired Lanka

Hanuman asked Ravana to set Sita free but Ravana refused. He caught Hanuman and set his tail on fire. Hanuman flew high over the city and left many parts of it in flames.

Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva then rounded up a huge army. A bridge was build to Lanka and the army marched across. A fierce battle began. Thousands of great warriors of both armies were killed. Ravana's army was losing.

Calling Kumbakarna

He called on his brother Kumbakarna who had the habit of sleeping for six months at a time, for help. After eating a mountain of food, he appeared on the battlefield striking terror. Rama killed Kumbhakarna.

War with Ravana

Next came Indrajith, Ravana's son, who was the great warrior and had the power to become invisible took command. He injured Lakshmana with a magic arrow. Lakshmana lay unconscious till Hanuman flew to the Himalayas and brought a herb (Sanjeevi Mountain) that helped revive him.

Lakshmana killed Indrajith and finally Ravana and Rama came face to face fight. It took many days before Rama could finally kill Ravana with a weapon given by the Gods.

Pattabhishekam of Shri Rama

Finally, Rama and Sita were united. The fourteen years of exile was over and they returned to Ayodhya. People rejoiced and came out to receive him. The celebrations went on for many days. Now Ayodhya came under Rama who brought prosperity and happiness. This is the real Rama Rajyam.

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Hare Hare !

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare !!

Ekasloki Ramayanam

Poorvam Rāma tapovanādi Gamanam Hatvā Mrugam Kānchanam
Vaidehee Haranam Jatayu Maranam Sugreeva Sambhāshanam |
Vālee Nigrahanam Samudra Tharanam Lankāpuri Dāhanam
Paschāt Rāvana Kumbhakarna Hananam Ethadhi Rāmāyanam ||

which means,

Once when Rama was sent to the forest, He chased a deer, meanwhile, Sita was kidnapped, Jatayu was killed. Then there were discussions and planning with Sugreeva for the war, Vaali was killed, the ocean was crossed and Lanka was burnt. Then Lord Rama, slayed Kumbakarna and Ravana and rescued Goddess Sita. This is Ramayana.

Click here to recite more Sri Rama Slokas

The Interpretation of Ramayana

‘Ra’ means light, ‘Ma’ means within me, in my heart. So,
Rama means the Light Within Me.. Rama was born to Dasharath & Kousalya. Dasharath means ‘Ten Chariots’. The ten chariots symbolise the five sense organs & five organs of action. Kousalya means ‘Skill’.

The skilful rider of the ten chariots can give birth to Ram. When the ten chariots are used skilfully, Radiance is born within.

Rama was born in Ayodhya. Ayodhya means ‘a place where no war can happen’.

When There Is No Conflict In Our Mind, Then The Radiance Can Dawn..

In reality Ramayana is an eternal phenomenon happening all the time!

... Jai Shriram ...