Significance of Ram Navami
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Ram Navami is the birthday of Lord Rama. On this sacred day Rama was born to Dashrath, the king of Ayodhya and Kaushalya, the queen. Though this is history, it is also an eternal phenomenon happening all the time.
The Sanskrit word Ram literally translates to ‘the light of the self’. The light within us is called Ram. Kaushalya means skill, and Dashrath means one who has ten chariots. Our body has ten organs – Panch Jnanendriya, or the five organs of knowledge which are ears, skin, eyes, tongue, and nose and Panch karmendriya or the five organs of action which are mouth, hands, feet, reproductive, and excretory organs. Ayodhya, lord Rama’s place of birth means the one which is devoid of any war or violence.
The essence of the story is this: With the use of skill when you bring your senses inwards, when your mind is quiet and free from conflict, that is when the divine eternal light, which is Lord Rama, dawns within you. Rama is born when the inner light shines through.
Maharishi Patanjali
They said – if you recognize the light present inside of you, then you will attain wholeness and purity. This whole creation which is made of five elements, which you perceive through the five senses and with which you act upon using the five organs of action, are meant just for you to enjoy! But by getting attached to these for pleasure, you invite pain and suffering, whereas when you enjoy it just by letting go, it brings you all the pleasure, relief, and liberation.
For the self to shine the mind has to be free from conflict and confusion. When your senses are turned outwards, you develop attachments for material things and people. You get obsessed with the sensual objects not realizing that senses are bigger than the objects. You may be hungry and eat some food, but after your stomach is full there is no point thinking about food the whole day. Senses are more important than the objects and the mind is more important than the senses. As long as the mind thinks it is equal to the senses, there is conflict. The moment it realises that it is bigger than the senses, there is no conflict. And when the mind is smaller than the senses, then also there is no conflict; like in animals! When the mind is caught up in the senses, there is constant conflict. When it transcends the senses, it comes back to its true nature, which is innocence and that is when bliss dawns within us!
The continuous chattering and the fights within the mind can be silenced with the help of breathing and meditation. Breath is the doorway to our inner world. Our breathing patterns vary based on the different moods and emotions that we experience. For every emotion there is a different breathing pattern. So, just by attending to our breath we can handle our own mind, just like we can handle a flying kite by handling its string. Just by doing few days of regular practice you can experience this calmness of mind.
When the mind is in the present moment, not wandering in the past or the future and when you rest and repose in the self, that is when you experience the deepest relaxation; that is meditation. Meditation restores harmony and balance to the body and mind. Peace and stability are natural by-products of meditation. It makes you centered and events are less likely to perturb or unsettle you.
Light the inner light!
This Ram Navami, light the inner light! Get rid of all the worries, and bring yourself in the present moment; be content and happy and leave the grudges from the past. Spread smiles, spread love! Let happiness be widespread and unlimited!
