Om Namah Shivaya
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During the Shravan month, we will endeavour to bring you several articles on Ram Katha by Pujya Bhaishri.
Why is Ram katha necessary in life? Why should we do or listen to Ram katha? Let us think and discuss these questions.
When we perform a pooja or yagya, we begin with the rituals of drinking water from the palms of our hands, bowing to the gods and then doing a sankalp (making a resolution) with water in our hands. While making the sankalp, we have the right idea on: What are we doing? Why are we performing this task? How will we do it? What time and place will it be done? With whose support will we do this task? The time and place chosen and mentioned during a resolution have a big influence in the successful completion of a task. So, for a Ram katha:
Qs. What work are we doing?
A. Ram Katha
Qs. Where?
A. In Lucknow (for example)
Qs. When?
A. In July
Qs. Why?
A. So that everyone gains satsang, guidance to live life and love towards Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram.
The purpose of Ram katha is so that everyone attains peace in life and bliss from satsang, because:
Tat swarg apavarg sukh, dharia tulaa ek ang
Tul na taahi sakal mili, jo sukh luv satsang
Meaning, on one side of a scale, put together the delights of heaven and the bliss of final beatitude; but they will all be outweighed by the other side of the scale which contains a moment’s joy derived from satsang.
*****
Ram Katha is an account of the ideal conduct of behaviour in life. We arrange a Ram Katha in order to receive guidance on how to endeavour to live our lives perfectly.
In doing a sankalp (resolution) during a yagya/pooja, we also mention our common ancestors (known as gotrocchar). This means that, this task I am about to undertake should be appropriate and in line with our descendants; it should make them and us proud. We should be capable and deserving to execute this task.
A sankalp is a very scientific. Sankalp is nothing but a project report. Religious ceremonies and rituals are very scientific. A whole section in the Vedas is dedicated to karmakand (religious rituals).
*****
Ramayan and Bhagavat are scriptures filled with devotion. They manifest love for God in those without affection for God and increases devotion in those who are devout.
Ramayan and Bhagavat were created under the inspiration of Shri Naradji. Naradji is the religious leader of the path to devotion. Shri Valmikiji and Shri Ved Vyasji were inspired by Shri Naradji to create Ramayan and Bhagavat respectively.
Naradji visited Maharishi Valmiki at his ashram. Maharishi Valmikiji welcomed Naradji and asked:
‘ko nvasmin saampratam loke gunvaan kashcha viryavaan?', meaning:
'In this current time, can you show me a character who is heroic and virtuous?'
One who has a good character and is noble should also be heroic. A coward but virtuous person cannot be an ideal for life, nor can a heroic person with an immoral character.
Ravan was very heroic and powerful, but not virtuous. A virtuous person is peaceful by nature. Such a person will not quarrel or fight quickly. He/She is like cool sandalwood. The more one scrubs sandalwood, the more it spreads its perfumed smell. Then, if this sandalwood paste is touched or applied to the forehead, it provides a cool sensation. Similarly, a virtuous person will wear out his or her body to help the society and culture and spread peace and happiness to others. Thus, a virtuous person is comparable to sandalwood.
seva mein samarpit,
When we perform a pooja or yagya, we begin with the rituals of drinking water from the palms of our hands, bowing to the gods and then doing a sankalp (making a resolution) with water in our hands. While making the sankalp, we have the right idea on: What are we doing? Why are we performing this task? How will we do it? What time and place will it be done? With whose support will we do this task? The time and place chosen and mentioned during a resolution have a big influence in the successful completion of a task. So, for a Ram katha:
Qs. What work are we doing?
A. Ram Katha
Qs. Where?
A. In Lucknow (for example)
Qs. When?
A. In July
Qs. Why?
A. So that everyone gains satsang, guidance to live life and love towards Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram.
The purpose of Ram katha is so that everyone attains peace in life and bliss from satsang, because:
Tat swarg apavarg sukh, dharia tulaa ek ang
Tul na taahi sakal mili, jo sukh luv satsang
Meaning, on one side of a scale, put together the delights of heaven and the bliss of final beatitude; but they will all be outweighed by the other side of the scale which contains a moment’s joy derived from satsang.
*****
Ram Katha is an account of the ideal conduct of behaviour in life. We arrange a Ram Katha in order to receive guidance on how to endeavour to live our lives perfectly.
In doing a sankalp (resolution) during a yagya/pooja, we also mention our common ancestors (known as gotrocchar). This means that, this task I am about to undertake should be appropriate and in line with our descendants; it should make them and us proud. We should be capable and deserving to execute this task.
A sankalp is a very scientific. Sankalp is nothing but a project report. Religious ceremonies and rituals are very scientific. A whole section in the Vedas is dedicated to karmakand (religious rituals).
*****
Ramayan and Bhagavat are scriptures filled with devotion. They manifest love for God in those without affection for God and increases devotion in those who are devout.
Ramayan and Bhagavat were created under the inspiration of Shri Naradji. Naradji is the religious leader of the path to devotion. Shri Valmikiji and Shri Ved Vyasji were inspired by Shri Naradji to create Ramayan and Bhagavat respectively.
Naradji visited Maharishi Valmiki at his ashram. Maharishi Valmikiji welcomed Naradji and asked:
‘ko nvasmin saampratam loke gunvaan kashcha viryavaan?', meaning:
'In this current time, can you show me a character who is heroic and virtuous?'
One who has a good character and is noble should also be heroic. A coward but virtuous person cannot be an ideal for life, nor can a heroic person with an immoral character.
Ravan was very heroic and powerful, but not virtuous. A virtuous person is peaceful by nature. Such a person will not quarrel or fight quickly. He/She is like cool sandalwood. The more one scrubs sandalwood, the more it spreads its perfumed smell. Then, if this sandalwood paste is touched or applied to the forehead, it provides a cool sensation. Similarly, a virtuous person will wear out his or her body to help the society and culture and spread peace and happiness to others. Thus, a virtuous person is comparable to sandalwood.
seva mein samarpit,
Sandipani Vidyaniketan
