On the sacred and holy day of Ram Navami – the day that Lord Sri Rama incarnated on Earth as the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu – Parmarth Niketan’s President and Spiritual Leader, HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji led a beautiful Navratri Havan for the Rishikumars and Acharyas of the Ashram in a simple and scaled-down celebration of the day that included the singing of Ram’s praises with Goswami Tulsidas’ “Sri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhaj Mana.”
Pujya Swamiji also offered best wishes to all civil servants on National Civil Service Day by remembering the important contributions of civil servants in the progress of the nation, bowing to their patriotism and service spirit!
While wishing everyone peace and joy on Ram Navami, Pujya Swamiji shared: “The celebration of Rama Navami is the Mahasangam of reverence, valor and faith. The entire life of Lord Rama was dedicated to public welfare. The goal of his life was truth in society and to establish justice, and the values that he chose and the ideals that he set for this are amazing. Obeying His Father’s orders wholeheartedly, dealing with social equality with Maa Shabri and Kevat, and building bridges with monkeys and bears to cross the sea so that everyone is exposed to the power of unity – all these are the best ideals of life which are relevant even today.”
Pujya Swamiji said that राम राज बैठे त्रैलोका। हरषित भये गये सब सोका।।’- “During Rama Rajya not only in Ayodhya, but there was joy in all the three worlds, mourning and sorrow ceased forever, such was the personality and state of Lord Shri Rama. ‘बरनाश्रम निज निज धरम, निरत वेदपथ लोग।’-People of four varnas used to conduct according to their condition, that is, they were engrossed in their work with detachment. Lord Rama is a wonderful glory. Blessed are we the Bharat wasi who have blessings of our adorable Sri Rama.”
Pujya Swamiji used the occasion to call upon the Nation to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama and to recite the Ramayana – but, to do so only by staying safe in their homes during the Corona epidemic, by avoiding crowded places, following physical distancing and wearing masks. “It is vital that we all follow the guidelines and protocols promoted and directed by the Hon’ble PMO India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Government of India, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF,” He said.
Rama Navami is the last day of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri Festival, celebrated from Pratipada to Navami of the month of Chaitra and set aside to offer worship to the different forms of Maa Durga.