The Virtues of Lord Rama: Inspiration for a Meaningful Life

30th Thu

Sri Rama Navami

https://meerasubbarao.wordpress.com/lyrics/lord-rama/

Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, is one of the most revered and beloved deities in Hinduism. Whether it is north south east or west or this entire universe, he is worshipped by all Hindus. His life and teachings have inspired millions of people for centuries, and his virtues and qualities continue to serve as a beacon of hope and guidance for people around the world.

So many of you have asked how do we celebrate the festival, and here are some ideas.

Rama Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. Here are some ways you can celebrate Rama Navami:

1. Fast: Many Hindus fast on this day, either for the entire day or for a specific period of time. Some people also eat only certain foods, such as fruit or milk.
2. Offer prayers: You can visit a nearby temple and offer prayers to Lord Rama. You can also light a lamp or candle and recite prayers at home. Recite “Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare hare”. Or from the Vishnu Sahasranama ” Sri Rama Rama Rameti Rame Rame Manorame Sahasranama Tattulyam Rama Nama Varanane”.
3. Read the Ramayana: The Ramayana is an epic Hindu scripture that tells the story of Lord Rama. You can read or listen to the Ramayana to learn more about Lord Rama and his life. If you can’t read Ramayana read the links I provided like – https://meerasubbarao.wordpress.com/2023/03/25/sri-raama-chaaritrya-manjari/
4. Decorate: You can decorate Rama’s idol or Picture you have with flowers, rangoli, or other decorations to celebrate the occasion.

These are some simple ways to celebrate Rama Navami. The important thing is to remember and honor Lord Rama and his teachings on this special day.

Lord Rama is considered an ideal human being and his life and teachings have great significance in Hinduism. Here are some of the teachings of Lord Rama:

1. Dharma: Lord Rama believed in following dharma, or righteousness, in all aspects of life. He always chose to do the right thing, even when it was difficult or went against his own interests. When Lord Rama was about to be crowned as the king of Ayodhya, his stepmother Kaikeyi asked King Dasharatha, Lord Rama’s father, to fulfill two boons that she had received from him earlier. One of the boons was that her son Bharata would become the king of Ayodhya instead of Lord Rama. Despite being unjustly treated, Lord Rama chose to honor his father’s promise and Kaikeyi’s wishes. He willingly went into exile for 14 years, leaving behind his kingdom, wealth, and loved ones. This shows Lord Rama commitment to dharma and his selfless nature.
2. Love and respect for all: Lord Rama treated everyone with love and respect, regardless of their social status or background. He was kind and compassionate to all, and his love for his wife Sita and his brothers is legendary. I have heard this as a kid and sharing with you all. There is a story in the Ramayana where Lord Rama encounters a small squirrel who wants to help him build a bridge across the ocean to Lanka, where Ravana had taken Sita. The squirrel tries to contribute by rolling in the sand and shaking it off on the bridge, but the other monkeys mock and belittle it. Despite this, Lord Rama notices the squirrel’s efforts and lovingly picks it up and strokes its back, leaving three white stripes on its fur. This is said to be the reason why squirrels have three white stripes on their backs even today. Lord Rama’s kind and loving treatment of the squirrel shows that he valued the efforts of all beings, regardless of their size or status. Another example of Lord Rama’s love and respect for all is the way he treated his greatest devotee, Hanuman, who was a Vanara. Lord Rama had a deep affection and respect for Hanuman, who had played a crucial role in the rescue of Sita from the clutches of Ravana. Lord Rama considered Hanuman as his friend and equal, and he honored him with the highest level of respect and affection. In fact, Lord Rama is known to have declared that anyone who seeks his blessings must also seek Hanuman’s blessings first. Lord Rama’s love and respect for Hanuman is a shining example of his love and respect for all beings, regardless of their species or status. It is said that Lord Rama’s relationship with Hanuman exemplifies the universal nature of love and the fact that love knows no boundaries.
3. Courage and strength: Lord Rama demonstrated great courage and strength, both physical and mental, throughout his life. He faced numerous challenges and obstacles, but he never gave up or lost faith. Lord Rama faced numerous obstacles and challenges on his journey to rescue Sita, including crossing the ocean, building a bridge with the help of the Vanara army, and finally facing Ravana in a fierce battle. Despite Ravana’s immense strength and magical powers, Lord Rama remained fearless and determined. He fought with great courage and skill and finally defeated Ravana with a single arrow to his heart. Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana is considered a symbol of the triumph of good over evil, and his courage and strength in this battle have been celebrated and revered for centuries.
4. Honesty and integrity: Lord Rama was known for his honesty and integrity. He always kept his word and honored his commitments, even if it meant facing difficulties or challenges. After rescuing Sita from Ravana, Lord Rama was questioned about her chastity due to her long captivity. Despite his love for Sita, he felt compelled to honor his duty as a king and asked her to undergo a trial by fire (agni pariksha) to prove her purity. Sita, who was innocent, underwent the trial and emerged unscathed, proving her purity and loyalty to Lord Rama. This act of Lord Rama shows his commitment to justice and fairness, and his willingness to do what is right, even if it is difficult or goes against his own interests. Another example of Lord Rama’s honesty and integrity is the way he kept his word and fulfilled his promises, even at great personal cost. When Lord Rama was exiled from Ayodhya for 14 years, his brother Bharata came to meet him in the forest and begged him to return to Ayodhya and take his rightful place as king. However, Lord Rama refused, saying that he had made a promise to their father and he must honor it. He also refused to take any shortcuts or engage in any deceitful tactics to gain the throne. Instead, he asked Bharata to rule Ayodhya in his absence and promised to return after completing his exile. Lord Rama’s commitment to his word and his refusal to compromise his principles or values is a shining example of his honesty and integrity.
5. Self-control and detachment: Lord Rama practiced self-control and detachment, which are important values in Hinduism. He was not attached to material possessions or worldly pleasures and remained focused on his spiritual path. An example of Lord Rama’s self-control and detachment is the way he dealt with his exile from Ayodhya. When Lord Rama was asked to go into exile for 14 years, he did not protest or resist the decision, even though he was the rightful heir to the throne. Instead, he accepted his fate with grace and dignity and chose to spend his time in the forest meditating, practicing self-control, and strengthening his spiritual and mental resolve. He remained detached from material possessions and the luxuries of palace life and lived a simple and austere life in the forest. Lord Rama’s ability to maintain his self-control and detachment, even in the face of extreme hardship, is a testament to his strength of character and his unwavering commitment to dharma.

The life and teachings of Lord Rama provide us with a blueprint for living a life of purpose, meaning, and virtue. His love and respect for all beings, his courage and strength, his honesty and integrity, and his self-control and detachment continue to inspire us to this day. By following his example and embodying his virtues, we can all strive to be better individuals and make the world a better place.

You can find all lyrics on Lord Rama at the link here : https://meerasubbarao.wordpress.com/lyrics/lord-rama/

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