Rama Navami

Rama Navami

Rama Navami marks the birthday of Lord Rama, the Seventh avatar (reincarnation) of Lord Vishnu.  It is celebrated on the Ninth day of Shukla paksha of Chaitra Masa (Waxing phase of the first lunar month, Chaitra).  Ramayana is believed to be the oldest Sanskrit epic in which the life story of Rama has been described in detail.  It has been translated into many languages by renowned poets and writers.  This post is my humble attempt to summarize the same in as few words as possible.

The Birth of Rama

According to the great epic, Ramayana, King Dasharatha ruled over Kosala (capital city Ayodhya) in the Treta Yuga (the second of the four Yugas, or ages of mankind).  He had three wives (Kaushalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi) but had no offspring to succeed him on the throne.  Following advice from Rishi Vashishta, Dasharatha invited Maharshi Rishyasringa to perform the Putra Kamesti Yagna.  Maharshi Rishyasringa then gave a bowl of blessed kheer to be consumed by the three wives.  Eventually, all the three wives conceived.  Rama was born to Kaushalya, Lakshman and Shatrughna to Sumitra and Bharat to Kaikeyi.  Rama is chronicled to be the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu who descended to earth to wipe off adharma (evil) and maintain dharma (righteous living).

Early Life

Rama is believed to have been a polite, self controlled, virtuous young man eager to help others.  Sage Vishwamitra once approached King Dasharatha to protect him from the harassment of Taraka, a female Asura (demon).  Dasharatha charged 16-year-old Rama and his younger sibling, Lakshmana, with the task of protecting the sage and his Yagna.   Rama, initially reluctant to slay a female, maimed her by chopping her hands off. When this did not prevent her from harassing the sage, he finally killed her.  Impressed by his valour, other sages too enlisted his help and thus began a series of adventures which finally led him to Mithila, ruled by King Janaka, father of Sita (also known as Janaki or Maithili).  The king had promised Sita in marriage to any man who could wield the divine bow gifted to him by God Shiva.  Rama wielded the bow and when he drew the string, it broke. Thus, he was married to Princess Sita.

Exile

After Rama had been married for 12 years, Dasharatha declared his desire to crown Rama as the heir to his throne.  This led to jealousy in the mind of Kaikeyi, who demanded that her son, Bharata be crowned the heir and that Rama be exiled to the forests for 14 years.  Sita and Lakshmana followed Rama into the forest. After 13 years in exile, while living in the Panchavati forest on the banks of river Godavari, they were visited by demon princess, Surpanaka (sister of King Ravana of Lanka), who fell in love with Rama.  Rama, declaring himself to be monogamous, turned her down.  Enraged, Surpanaka tried to kill Sita and was stopped by Lakshmana who cut her nose and ears off.  To avenge this insult, Ravana abducted Sita which led to the war between Rama and Ravana in which Rama enlisted the help of the Vanar Sena (monkey army) and finally killed Ravana before returning to Ayodhya.

Traditions/celebrations on Rama Navami

1.  A prayer or puja vidhi is performed on Rama Navami which includes sthapana or installation of a Kalash as well as the Panchang (the almanac). This puja includes the Gauri Ganesh, Punyavachan, Shodash Matrika, Navgraha, and Sarvotabhadra puja. The recitals include the Yogini Pujan, Shetrapal Pujan, Swasti Vachan, Sankalpa followed by 108 chants of each planetary mantra, 108 recitals of the Rama Raksha Strota, Rama-Sita Pujan and recitation of the Sunderkand paath. The puja ends with a yagna, aarti and pushpaanjali.

2.  People come together on Rama Navami to celebrate peace and harmony. Some perform a recital of the Ramayana, or reading scriptures like the Bhagvata Purana.  Some scenes from the Ramayana are also enacted.

3.  Kirtans and bhajans are organised in temples and at homes.

4.  Ratha Yatras are organised in some towns.

5.  Certain communities observe fast during Chaitra Navaratri (the nine days leading up to Rama Navami beginning on Gudi Padwa/Ugadi) and read the Ramayana.

6.  In Karnataka, local groups set up pandals and distribute panaka (a musk melon and jaggery drink) and kosambari (a salad of soaked yellow lentils and cucumber).

7.  The Sree Rama Seva Mandal, Chamrajpet, Bengaluru, organises a month-long classical musical festival.  This festival was started in 1939 and musicians from all over India (irrespective of their religion or genre) perform here.

8.  In East India, Rama Navami marks the start of preparations for the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra.

Finally, as I always say, Hinduism, having been passed on by the word of mouth for centuries, has different legends and interpretations in different regions.  Please feel free to share your beliefs and interpretations.  If there is any error or any omission in the write up, please do mention it in the comments section.