O N Bhat (Kuthari)
The greatest beauty and significance of Ramayana is that it is capable of kindling love for God in our hearts. Bhakti (devotion) adds beauty to everything. The essential aspect of Ramayana is the beauty and significance of Bhagwan Ram. We find glory of Rama in Ramayana. Every name of God is glorious and potential, but there is something special about the name of ‘Rama’, the Rama-Nama. Lord Shiva explaining the holiness of Rama-Nama to Parvati says, “The sacred name of Rama is equal to a thousand names of God. The sanctity of Ramayana is the occurrence of the name of Ram throughout the holy script. It is said that Bhagwan’s name is even greater than Bhagvan Himself, as such the name of Ram is holier than the whole Ramayan. A sacred name is the means whereby one is able to approach the named. It is the means to reach the goal, for the goal is contained in the means. This holy name has purified and liberated countless people through the ages. So the essence of Rama-Nama is greater than Ram Himself. The reverse japa is also fruitful as Valmiki Muni chanted this holy name in the reverse order, i.e Mara-Mara, and even he was liberated Bhagwan Ram was not even fully aware about the full glory of Rama-Nama. Shastras (scriptures) tell us to recite the lords name through out the life, so that one can remember and chant the name of God at the time of death for salvation.
The beauty of Ramas personality is worth praying and worshipping as Bhagwans form is most charming, gentle, delicate, fragrant and untouched by the Maya (delusion). Tulsidas Ji compares his eyes with the newly blooming lotus and so his hands and feet, as the lotus is the magnificently extra ordinary flower, so beautiful, soft, delicate and fragrant. It blooms in the muddy water, but remains unaffected by it. The poet likes his ascetic form while roaming in the jungles withut any proper dress or ornaments.
Ahalaya Devi turned to stone by a curse, regained her own status by the mere purifying touch of Bhagwan Ramas lotus feet. While in exile in the forests, Rakhasas Khara and Dushana were so much bewildered by the beauty of Ram that they did not have the courage to attack him.
Maryada Purushottama
Lord Rama is called Marayada Purushottama. He is also known as Dharam Putra (Righteous and obedient son). He held dharama and never transgressed its limits. Maryada means boundary. Bhagvan Ram not only followed the norms of dharama. He raised the very standards of dharma. He symbolizes the ideal which can and should be attempted to be reached by every one of us as Ram is the best moral ideal for men in Bharat Varsha. Shri Ram set new standards of dharama, so his consort Sita Devi and all his brothers did under his able and noble inspiration, that is why he is called Maryada Purushottama. So worship and sing the glories of Ram, the refuge of all.
King Dasharatha was proud of Ram’s obedience and wished him to disobey when Kaikeyi wanted 14 years banishment for Ram. Shri Ram as a Dharam Putra gladly agreed to go to the forest for 14 years to keep the promise of his father. He consoled his mother Kaushalya telling her that he has got the kingdom, the kingdom of forest. Here we see the greatness of Sita Devi as Shadharam Acharni (faithful wife) and Shri Lakshmana, obedient and affectionate brother who insisted to accompany him and actually did so, as they knew Ayodhya is where Ram is. Lakshamana is referred as Ram’s second body. The character of Bharta is also praise worthy who unwillingly ruled Ayodhaya in the absence of Ram. Such is the beauty and glory of Ramayana. Like Ram try to fulfill all promises, that is the most important about dharama. We make promises only to break them. Shri Rama practiced all the three dharamic vows – ‘Matra Devo Bhavo’ ‘ Pitra Devo Bhavo’ ‘Acharya Devo Bhavo’ with his three brothers. Rishi Vishvamitra realized that Ram was definitely avatar (incarnation) of God because only God always worships Brahmanis and protects Yagnas. It is reality that Ram incarnated in this world primarily to guide people in dharma. His whole life is an example to follow. Balkanda gives a vivid description of Lord Vishnu coming down on earth in the form of Rama. The Gods oppressed by the evil deeds of Ravana approach Bhagwan Vishnu for help. The God incarnated himself in four parts as the four sons of king Dashratha.
All the four brothers and not Ram alone are the incarnation of God. Ram is also called Raghava, signifying the best in the family of Raghu.
Japa of Rama-Nama
Japa of divine name of Bhagvan Ram is a good and easy means to remember God. Repetition of divine name makes one remember God again and again and is sure practice to remember and chant Rama-Nama while leaving this mortal coil. Ram is in all, and all is Rama. In Gita Lord Krishna says- one who remembers me at the time of death shall come to me only (Gita 8-7). Japa of divine name of Rama eliminates the sufferings permanently and makes one capable to attain supreme bliss. Guru Nanak Ji says in Granth Sahib that one meditating upon Rama-Nama is carried across the ocean of this world and is free of the sins of countless births. A kind of divine joy, divine bliss and divine nectar is produced in the heart of one repeating divine name, says Sant Asa Ram Ji.
Sant Tulsidas Ji says : Those who chant the divine name of Ram by their tongue become virtuous and supremely happy, those who are lazy to chant are ruined.
Therefore, it is necessary to remember Bhagwan Ram all the time to eradicate sins and attain supreme bliss. Imperishable merit to attain God is earned by chanting the holy name. Japa of God’s name is great Yajna. Shri Krishna again says: Amongst Yajnas I am Japa Yagna (10-25).
The virtues attained by this practice are greater than other religious activities to liberate Sadaka from the cycle of birth and death. So say always Rama Rama the holiest of the holy Brahman in all. Rama means holy Ataman, the all pervading reality. Say Ram-Rama to get spiritual out look, to attain self bliss and freedom from all bondage while living. Chanting of divine name is amazingly powerful. It gives great benefits and removes all miseries and troubles. It increases devotion to God.
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