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Lord Rama (श्री राम)
with, Lakshmana, mother Sita and Lord Hanuman. |
The 9th October, 2008 is
Vijaya Dashmi or commonly known as Dashera. The day Vijaya Dashmi is
victory of good over evil and of self over one's mundane
indriyas. On this day, Rama, the god-king and hero of the great Hindu epic, Ramayana, killed the unrighteous Ravana, the 10-headed demon king of Lanka who had abducted Rama’s wife, Sita.
Therefore people celebrate the Lord's victory by burning Ravan's effigy on this day.
In Navratri, the Lord's Shakti, Parvati, vanquished the demon Mahishasur on the 10th day after a 9-day battle. This is cited in the Skanda Puran. The sentiment here is that the uncontrolled indriyas are only conquered by the
Mother Shakti.
Lord Ram is an incarnation of Vishnu, that
virtual part of the Parmatma, the ultimate Soul or power which
sustains Creation.
Ramnavami is the Birthday of Lord Rama (श्री राम). Ramnavami is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus. On this
auspicious day, devotees chanting " Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram"
the name of Lord Rama and vow to lead a righteous life. People pray to attain the final beatitude of life through intense devotion towards Rama and invoke him for his blessings and
protection.
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In
Ayodhya, the birth place of Sri Rama, a big fair is held on this day. In the south of India the "Sri Ramnavami
Utsavam" is celebrated for nine days with great fervor and devotion.
Ram Lila: Ram Lila depicts a Legendary Story of Lord Rama.
It is enacted for 10 days to mark the 10-day battle fought between Rama and
Ravana. Ram Lila is generally held in the evenings, and year after year, people flock in huge numbers to watch the saga unfold, yet once again.
The importance of Rama Lila is such that it is almost a ritual for the Prime Minister or the President of India to attend
it in every year in Delhi.
Lord Rama is known as Maryada
Purushottama was the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama has always been popular among the Hindu deities.
Lord Rama is considered to have taken birth on the earth to destroy the evil forces of the age.
The "Valmikiya Ramayana" written in ancient Sanskrit verse by Maharshi Valmiki and the "Ram Charita Manasa" written in a popular dialect of Hindi by Goswami Tulasidas are regarded as the most original and complete versions of Ramayana. Every direction of the righteous human life is covered in these great treatises on the character and life of Lord
Shriram. God's manifestation in human form as Lord
Ram is a symbol of culmination of human glory. That is why the character of Lord
Ram is considered to be that of "maryaada
purushottama" - supreme glory of mankind. |
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Lord Ram worships Lord Shiva
before a war with Ravana in Lanka. The war against Ravana lasted for ten days.
Ravana was defeated in his own kingdom of Lanka by Rama with the
help of Lord Hanuman and the vanarsena.
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Ramayana
describes Lord Ram's life as the best example for teaching
as an ideal conduct at personal, familial and social levels. Lord Ram's divine personality is that of a true hero,
affectionately honored by the masses through the depth of their hearts. His appearance as a prince, a citizen, a son, a brother, a husband, a friend, a warrior or a king, etc, is indeed ideal. His serene love and generosity for all beings, his pains for the downtrodden, his piety, naturally make him an ideal hero whose duty-bond life and virtuous character
leaves remarkable impressions on the human mind. The religious faith of people in the holy Ramayana makes Lord Ram's life as the best example for teaching - what is an ideal conduct at personal, familial and social levels.
The life of Lord Ram and associated teachings of the
Ramayana explains the importance of the philosophy of
religion, impact of devotion on human psychology and the
bhakti yoga and realization of God.
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