Why Celebrate Ram Navami ? Importance of Ram Navami in Hindu mythology
Ram Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. The festival is observed on the ninth day of the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra, which falls in March or April in the Gregorian calendar.
On Ram Navami, devotees worship Lord Rama by offering prayers, singing devotional songs, and reciting verses from the Ramayana, the ancient Indian epic that narrates the life and deeds of Lord Rama. Some devotees observe fasts on this day, while others participate in processions and other religious events.
In many parts of India, particularly in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Ram Navami is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. Temples and homes are decorated with flowers and lights, and devotees gather to perform kirtans (devotional songs) and bhajans (hymns) in praise of Lord Rama
In some places, a Ramlila is performed, which is a dramatic retelling of the Ramayana through music, dance, and theater. The Ramlila is often a community effort, with people from different parts of the town or village coming together to put on the production.
History of Ram Navami
- History: Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, who is believed to have been born on this day to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya, an ancient city in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. The festival has been celebrated for thousands of years, and its origins can be traced back to the Vedic period.
- Significance: Lord Rama is considered to be the epitome of righteousness, truth, and morality, and his life and deeds are revered by millions of Hindus around the world. Ram Navami is an occasion to celebrate his life and teachings and to seek his blessings for a happy and prosperous life.
- Rituals and customs: On Ram Navami, devotees wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and visit temples to offer prayers and perform puja. They offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and other items to the deity, and recite mantras and hymns from the Ramayana. Some people also observe fasts on this day as a mark of devotion to Lord Rama.
- Celebrations: Ram Navami is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor in many parts of India, particularly in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Processions are taken out in the streets, with devotees dressed in colorful attire and carrying idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. In some places, a Ramlila is performed, which is a dramatic retelling of the Ramayana through music, dance, and theater.
- Food: On Ram Navami, many people prepare special dishes and sweets to offer to the deity and to share with family and friends. Some of the popular dishes include kheer, puri, chana, and halwa.
Overall, Ram Navami is a joyous occasion that brings people together to celebrate the life and teachings of Lord Rama and to seek his blessings for a happy and fulfilling life.
Here are some additional facts about Ram Navami:
- Regional variations: While Ram Navami is celebrated across India, there are some regional variations in the way the festival is observed. For example, in Maharashtra, people prepare a special dish called Panakam, which is a sweet drink made from jaggery, black pepper, and cardamom. In South India, a similar festival called Sri Rama Navami is celebrated, which also marks the birth of Lord Rama.
- Importance of Hanuman: Hanuman, the monkey god, played a key role in the Ramayana as a loyal companion and servant of Lord Rama. On Ram Navami, many devotees also offer prayers to Hanuman, who is considered to be a symbol of strength, devotion, and courage.
- Social significance: Ram Navami is not just a religious festival, but also has social significance. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate their shared cultural heritage and values. It also promotes unity, harmony, and compassion among people of different backgrounds and communities.
- Ramayana recitals: In many parts of India, Ramayana recitals are organized during the period leading up to Ram Navami. These recitals are usually held in temples or community centers and involve a group of people reciting the entire Ramayana over several days.
- Environmental significance: Ram Navami also has environmental significance, as it falls during the spring season when nature is in full bloom. The festival encourages people to appreciate and protect the natural world, and many communities organize tree-planting drives and other environmental initiatives during this time.
Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman, a Hindu deity who is revered for his strength, courage, and devotion. The Chalisa is a 40-verse prayer that is recited by devotees to seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman and to express their devotion to him.
The Hanuman Chalisa was composed by Tulsidas, a 16th-century poet and saint who is considered to be one of the greatest devotees of Lord Rama and Hanuman. The Chalisa is written in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi, and is widely popular among Hindus around the world.
Here is a brief overview of the Hanuman Chalisa:
- The Chalisa begins with an invocation to Lord Hanuman, praising him for his virtues and asking for his blessings and protection.
- The first few verses describe the physical appearance of Lord Hanuman, who is depicted as having a monkey-like form with great strength and agility.
- The middle verses of the Chalisa recount the heroic deeds of Lord Hanuman, particularly his role in helping Lord Rama rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.
- The final verses of the Chalisa express the devotee's devotion and gratitude to Lord Hanuman, asking him to bless them with strength, wisdom, and devotion.
- The Hanuman Chalisa is considered to be a powerful prayer that can help overcome obstacles, provide protection, and bring blessings into the lives of devotees. It is often recited daily or on special occasions, such as Hanuman Jayanti, which celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman.
Hanuman Chalisa written in Sanskrit:
श्रीगुरु चरण सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि।
बरनऊँ रघुबर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि।।
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार।
बल बुद्धि बिद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेस बिकार।।
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर।
जय कपीश तिहुँ लोक उजागर।।
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा।
अंजनि-पुत्र पवन सुत नामा।
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी।
कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी।।
कंचन वरण विराज सुवेसा।
कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा।।
हाथ वज्र औ ध्वजा विराजै।
काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै।।
शंकर सुवन केसरी नंदन।
तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन।।
विद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर।
राम काज करिबे को आतुर।।
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया।
राम लखन सीता मन बसिया।।
सूक्ष्म रूप धरि सियहिं दिखावा।
विकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा।।
भीम रूप धरि असुर संहारे।
रामचंद्र के काज संवारे।।
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाए
श्री रघुवीर हरषि उर लाए।
रघुपति कीन्हीं बहुत बड़ाई।
तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई।
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं।
अस कहि श्रीपति कण्ठ लगावैं।।
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा।
नारद सारद सहित अहीसा।।
जम कुबेर दिगपाल जहाँ ते।
कबि कोबिद कहि सके कहाँ ते।।
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा।
राम मिलाय राजपद दीन्हा।।
तुम्हरो मंत्र विभीषण माना।
लंकेश्वर भए सब जग जाना।।
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू।
लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू।।
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं।
जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं।
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते।
सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते।।
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे।
होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे।।
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी शरना।
तुम रक्षक काहू को डर ना।।
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै।
तीनों लोक हांक तें कांपै।।
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै।
महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै।
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा।
जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा।।
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै।
मन क्रम वचन ध्यान जो लावै।।
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा।
तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा।
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै।
सोई अमित जीवन फल पावै।।
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा।
है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा।
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे।
असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे।।
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता।
अस वर दीन जानकी माता।।
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा।
सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा।।
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै।
जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै।।
अन्तकाल रघुबर पुर जाई।
जहाँ जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई।।
और देवता चित्त न धरई।
हनुमत सेइ सर्ब सुख करई।।
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा।
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा।।
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं।
कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं।।
जो सत बार पाठ कर कोई।
छूटहि बन्दि महा सुख होई।।
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा।
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा।।
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा।
कीजै नाथ हृदय महं डेरा।।
दोहा।
पवन तनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रूप।
राम लखन सीता सहित, हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Doha:
Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran, Mangal Moorti Roop
Ram Lakhana Sita Sahita, Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop
Meaning:
O Hanuman, son of the Wind God, destroyer of all sufferings, embodiment of auspiciousness, reside in my heart along with Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita.
