Sri Ram Navami
Pranam Mantra of Lord Rama:
“Namo brahmanya devaya ramaya kuntha medhase
Uttamah shloka dhuryaya nyasta danda arpita anghraye
Sitabhiramam jagadabhiramam lokabhiramam nayanabhiramam
Dharmaika dhamamala kirtiramam namami ramam pranatabhiramam”
Today is Vasanti Navami (the ninth day of the full moon in the Bengali month of Chaitra). On this tithi, in the middle of the day, in all auspicious Abhijita Kshana, Karkata Lagna, Lord Sri Rama appeared from mother Kaushalya, as a son of King Dasharatha in Ayodhya. His appearance is being glorified eternally.
The ontological position of Lord Rama:
Lord Rama is a lila avatara of Lord Sri Krishna. In Brahma Samhita, Lord Rama is depicted as an expansion of Lord Sri Krishna. “Ramadi murti shu kala niyamena tishthan” etc and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accepted Him as svamsha (personal expansion).
“svāṁśa-vistāra — catur-vyūha, avatāra-gaṇa
vibhinnāṁśa jīva — tāṅra śaktite gaṇana”
Translation: Expansions of His personal self — like the quadruple manifestations of Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, and Vāsudeva — descend as incarnations from Vaikuṇṭha to this material world. The separated expansions are the living entities. Although they are expansions of Kṛṣṇa, they are counted among His different potencies.
Sri Ramachandra is famous as “Maryada Purushottama” (the Lord of majesty). He incarnated to protect religious sovereignty. He descended to kill Ravana and other demons who opposed Vedas after attaining a boon from Brahma. His other objective was to save truth & Dharma and give protection to pious sadhus. His complexion is like the blades of durva (newly born soft grass). His outfit is yellow and He holds a bow. He is the best in the Surya clan. Among Caturvyuha (quadruple), He is Vasudeva, Lakshmana is Sankarshana, Bharata is Pradyumna and Shatrughna is Aniruddha. His eternal abode, Ayodhya is situated above the Vaikuntha. In this material world, He manifested His pastimes at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. He is being served by Hanuman in Kimpurusha Varsha as well.
History of Rama Navami:
Ramayana is one of two great religious epics of Hindus. It is an account of the legend of King Dasharatha and his son Lord Rama. According to Puranas, Dasharatha had three spouses. But none of them were able to give birth to a child. The king consulted with rishis and they advised him to perform the Putreshti Yajna. As per their instruction, the King performed the yajna. After the yajna, the king gave the remnant kheer (milk rice) to his dearest queen Kaushalya. Since all of three queens were friends, Kaushalya gave half of the kheer to Kaikeyi. That is why Kaushalya gave birth to Rama and Kaikeyi to Bharata. Sumitra consumed two portions of kheer given by Kaushalya & Kaikeyi. Therefore Lakshmana & Shatrughna were born as twins from her. Ramachandra appeared on Navami tithi of the full moon in the month of Chaitra. The residents of Ayodhya became very happy with their new king. So they started celebrating the advent of their king every year from then. Gradually it became one of the most popular traditions throughout India.
Significance of Rama Navami:
The day of Rama Navami is the final day of Navaratri. Two big Hindu festivals enhance the glory of this day together. It is believed that by fasting on the day of Rama Navami, all of the sins are destroyed, and the auspiciousness increases.
Recitation, lectures, kirtana & bhajans are arranged on Rama Navami. Enthusiasm spreads all over the country. Most of the people keep fasting on this day and bathe in a nearby river to attain the blessings of Lord Rama. Among all qualities of Lord Rama, His sacrifice attracts the common people the most. Because in spite of taking birth in the royal family, He gave up His princely luxuries and went to the forest only to abide by His father’s word. That is why His appearance day is celebrated as Rama Navami in every year.
This festival is celebrated differently in different places in the country. Especially in Ayodhya and Varanasi, people take baths in Sarayu and Ganges respectively.
A chariot festival is arranged for Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. Similar festivals are arranged in Sitamani, and Bihar also for enjoyment.
In some places, pandals are made and the deity of Lord Rama is set there. Kheer, Puri, or halwa (Indian deserts) are made in every house. Some people arrange Ramayana songs or recitations of Ramayana or Rathayatra and fair. In this way, Rama Navami is observed as a festival of joy as well simultaneously in various parts of the country.
In India, the temples of Lord Rama are decorated with colorful flowers and lighting. People bathe in holy rivers and chant the names of Lord Rama. Many Hindus keep fasting on this day to attain the mercy of Lord Rama.
The main objective of Lord Rama’s appearance was to establish Dharma and destroy Adharma. Ramachandra’s sacrifice, patience, and tolerance influence the common people in their lives. Therefore they keep fasting and worshiping Lord Rama along with celebrating the birth anniversary of Lord Rama on this very day of Rama Navami. The temples of Lord Rama are bedecked with lighting and flowers. Fairs, Ramayana recitations,s, and songs are arranged for some days. This makes the festival more colorful for the local people.
The purpose of Ramachandra’s birth is to destroy unrighteousness in society and establish religion. Likewise, Ramachandra’s sacrifice, patience, and endurance inspire people on the path of life. That is why this Ramnavami festival celebrates the birthday of Sri Ramachandra along with devout pujas, vows, and fasts to seek his blessings. Moreover, on this day all the Ram temples are decorated with flowers and lights. Fairs, Ramayana readings, songs, etc. are held in local places for several days. Which makes this Ramnavami festival much more joyful for the local people. There are various kinds of festivals during Chaitra month. Among them, this Ramnavami festival is known as an important festival for Hindus. Various corners of the country are decorated with flowers and lights. Flowers and fruits are offered to the Lord. As if the whole country along with nature is decorated with different colors.
Duties of Gaudiya Vaishnavas who are devoted to Sriman Mahaprabhu on Ram Navami Tithi:
Gaudiya Vaishnavas who follow Sriman Mahaprabhu observe fast on Sri Rama Navami Tithi. In this regard, Sri Hari Bhaktivilasa has stated —
“Caitre masi navamyantu shuklayam hi raghudvaha,
Pradurasit pura Brahman param brahmaiva kevalam,
Tasmin dine tu kartavyam upavasa vradikam”
Meaning: O Brahman, according to the Agastya Samhita, Sri Ramachandra Parabrahma appeared in the olden days in the Navami of Shukla Paksha in the Chaitrama month. Fasting on that day is obligatory. Besides, in the “Sanatan Siksha” (teachings to Srila Sanatana Gosvami) in Sri Chaitanya Caritamrita, Sriman Mahaprabhu says —
“ekādaśī, janmāṣṭamī, vāmana-dvādaśī,śrī-rāma-navamī, āra nṛsiṁha-caturdaśī
ei sabe viddhā-tyāga, aviddhā-karaṇa, akaraṇe doṣa, kaile bhaktira lambhana”
Translation: “Ekādaśī, Janmāṣṭamī, Vāmana-dvādaśī, Rāma-navamī and Nṛsiṁha-caturdaśī — all these should be described. You should recommend the avoidance of mixed Ekādaśī and the performance of pure Ekādaśī. You should also describe the fault in not observing Ekādaśī. One should be very careful as far as these items are concerned. If one is not careful, one will be negligent in executing devotional service.”
So Gaudiya Vaishnavas who are loyal to Sriman Mahaprabhu must observe the vow by fasting on Sri Rama Navami Tithi.
The conclusion of Srila Prabhupada on the comparative judgment of Sri Krishna Leela and Sri Rama Leela:
Even though Lord Sri Ramachandra performed Janma Lila, He did not enjoy complete Vatsalya. Even though He got married, He did not enjoy complete Kanta rasa. He enjoys a friendship with Sugriva and others. Hanuman serves Him as His servant. In spite of these, He is a predominant form of Aisvarya. The main point is His pastimes are in partial form as He is a partial expansion. He is opulent but never manifests Madhurya in His pastimes. The women of Ayodhya and other places were attracted to Him. But He never exchanged conjugal relationships with them. Rather He blessed them to become Krishna’s consorts. Even He promised to the Yajnasitas that their desires will have been fulfilled in Krishna lila. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in spite of being Krishna Himself, never indulged in conjugal mode as an enjoyer. He simply tasted the fourfold rasa of Krishna as a devotee. What’s more, He roamed in the nectarine ocean Krishna’s madhurya as Radha. Therefore, even though each incarnation of the Lord has separate pastimes and abodes, They act accordingly for the fulfillment of Krishna lila.
Glory of Sri Rama Navami vrata in Sri Haribhaktivilasa:
Verses of Agastya Samhita collected in Sri Haribhaktivilasa:
“Srirama Navami prokta koti Surya grahadhika,
Tasmin dine mahapunye ramam uddishya bhaktitah,
Yat kinchit kurute karma tad bhava kshaya karakam.”
Meaning: one Rama Navami Vrata is more glorious than crores of solar eclipses. On that holy day, if one performs any kind of action with devotion toward Sri Ramachandra, it will lead him to liberation from the material world.
“Kuryad Rama navamyam ya uposhanam atandritah
Na matur garbham apnoti sa vai ramapriyo bhavet”
one who fasts on Sri Rama Navami without laziness does not enter the mother’s womb again, he is counted among the beloved devotees of Sri Ramachandra.
“Tasmat sarvatmana sarve krtvaitan Navami vratam
Mucyante sarva papebhyo yanti Brahma sanatanam”
Therefore, please keep fast on this Sri Rama Navami Vrata with full surrender of your body, mind and speech and be free from all sins and attain the abode of Sri Ram Chandra, the supreme personality of Godhead.
