Rama is one of the principal names of the Lord. This is mentioned in the Vedic scriptures that there is an uncountable number of incarnations of the Supreme Lord Krishna. Lord Rama appeared on earth in the Treta Yuga. There is a place in northern India, Ayodhya, where Lord Ramachandra appeared on the ninth day of Chaitra month, at noon. Ayodhya is situated about five hundred miles northeast of New Delhi. We celebrate and call this day Sri Rama Navami. Lord Rama’s father, Maharaja Dasarath, was the mighty king of Ayodhya. He had four sons, Sri Ram being the eldest. All the life events of Lord Ram are written in Vedic literature called Ramayana.
The History of Ramayana Goes As follows –
Queen Kaikeyi’s Curse
Maharaja Dasarath, the father of Lord Ramachandra, decided to enthrone Lord Rama as the king of Ayodhya. Still, just a day before the ceremony, the youngest wife of King Dasarath, Kaikeyi, asked for her boon from King, which she earned once by saving his life, following which the King granted her reward. However, she replied that I would ask when the right time came. She asked the King not to seat Rama on the throne; instead, her son Bharata was declared King in his place. Maharaja Dasarath was extremely grieved upon hearing this, but placing a stone in his heart, he agreed to her wish as he had promised. To the Raghus, a promise was most important to them than their own life. Queen Kaikeyi further implored the King to exile Sri Rama to the forest for fourteen years.
Lord Rama Renounces The Kingdom
A Kshatriya always keeps his promise. So Lord Ramachandra renounced the entire kingdom simply on his father’s order, no questions asked. Instead, he could have argued with his father. However, his actions exhibited that nobody could be wiser than God and be more renounced than the Lord himself. Just like Krishna was so loved, Ramachandra was so loved by the kingdom’s people that they were decorating and celebrating the occasion their Lord Rama would be crowned tomorrow.
The Condition of The Raghus
Lord Rama’s wife Sita and younger brother Lakshmana also insisted strongly on accompanying Lord Rama so much that he had to agree. This shows the ideal characteristics that she must be prepared to go through any circumstances with her husband and should always be the better half, just as the shadow follows reality. Wherever the husband goes, she must go. After the departure of Lord Ramachandra, Maharaja Dasarath died as Rama was the dearer to him than his own life.
Lord Rama Rescues His Wife, Sita
In the forest, when Ravana kidnaped Sita, Lord Ramachandra massacred the whole family of Ravana only for his beloved wife. Ramachandra didn’t go back to his kingdom to ask for his army but assembled an army of monkeys with his loyal Hanuman to fight Ravana and his army. So the husband and wife were both loyal to each other.
Lord Rama Reign
Lord Ramachandra appeared on this earth to show the ideal example of the king, son, and husband. To this date, the example of Ram Rajya is given, as everyone was happy and content in Lord Rama’s kingdom. Minor complaints or irrelevant complaints of some unintelligent people used to come. For example, one day, a man approached Lord Ramachandra with a plea that his son had died. However, he charged Lord Ramachandra that there must be something wrong in your government as to how a son could pass away in the presence of his father. The king was responsible even for severe colds or heat. Everyone got justice and was immensely satisfied there.
Our Take Away
So we should hear Lord Ramachandra’s glorious past times. There is no difference between his name and himself. He’s absolute. By his association, we become purified. We should chant his name and always remember his activities and his past times to purify ourselves and progress on the path of spirituality. There are many historical incidents in the life of Ramachandra, and we should hear and remember all these incidents for our spiritual growth. Therefore either we chant the holy name of Rama or take darshans of the deity of Lord Rama or talk of his past times, everything associated with him means that we are directly associating with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Come and Celebrate This Rama Navami Utsav with ISKCON Dwarka.
In the Evening, we have Wonderful Abhishek, Kirtan, and Delicious Prasadam.
Sri Rama Chandra Ki Jai
Sri Sri Rakmani Dwarkadhish Ki Jai
