Significance Of Fasting On Ram Navami
Ram Navami Fast
Ram Navami is one of the prominent festivals of Hindus in India. The
festival, which marks the birth of Lord Rama - the seventh incarnation of Lord
Vishnu - is celebrated with gusto, by people in different parts of the country.
According to the legends, Lord Rama was born as the eldest son of Dashratha,
the king of Ayodhya, and Kaushalya. Lord Rama is worshiped as one of the most
influential deities - he is regarded the epitome of humankind, a perfect son,
an ideal husband and father. In fact, he is one among the most worshipped Gods
of Hinduism. Many Hindu temples in India are especially dedicated to the deity.
On the auspicious occasion of Rama Navami, Lord Rama temples are flocked by his
devotees.
The celebrations of Ram Navami are marked by fasting, chanting mantras
and singing bhajans in the praise of Lord Rama. Although people in different
parts of the country celebrate the festival in their own ways, the thought
amongst them remains one and the same - to offer their prayers to the deity and
honor his birth. Out of the traditions of Ram Navami, fasting stands out as one
of the most popular ones, followed since ages. On the wonderful occasion of
Rama Navami, the devotees of Lord Rama observe a whole-day fast, as a part of
the festivities. After offering prayers to the deity, they break the fast in
the midnight, by eating fruit. Explore the article to know more about Ram
Navami fast (vrat).
Ram Navami Vrat
The followers of Lord Rama would observe a whole-day fast on the festival
of Ram Navami. The fast is also called vrat. Although it is not mandatory to
observe a waterless fast (nirahar vrat), many people observe a stringent fast,
when they would not drink a drop of water until midnight, when they break the
fast. On the other hand, those who prefer to follow a particular diet for the
fast, are recommended to eat certain foodstuffs including potatoes made in any
form without haldi (turmeric), garlic, ginger or onion. Sendha namak (rock
salt) is used for the preparation of food for Rama Navami fast. While on a
fast, the person can also eat curd, milk, tea, coffee, fruits and root
vegetanbles.
Significance Of Fasting On Ram Navami
Like most of the Hindu festivals, fasting holds special significance in
the celebrations of Ram Navami too. It is believed that when a devotee observes
fast on Rama Navami, with sincerity and immense devotion, he/she is blessed
with health, wealth and prosperity for the year ahead. Therefore, it has been a
tradition since a long time to observe fast on the festival. This perception
has been supported by the ancient religious texts of Hinduism, according to
which, fasting is the only mean of gaining happiness it the material world and
achieving salvation at the same time. Moreover, Rama Navami vrat is considered
as the five of the most important fasts in the ancient times.
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The Essence of the Ramayana wonderfully explained by Swami
When Sita was abducted by Ravana, both Rama and Lakshmana became very
much worried about her. Seething with anger over Ravana's mean act, Lakshmana
approached his elder brother Rama and said, "Dear brother! Give me Your
permission. I will reduce all these wicked demons to ashes." Rama counselled
patience and said, "Lakshmana! We don't need to do any such thing. The demons
will destroy themselves on their own. In fact, they will become victims of
their own evil qualities."
Subsequently, Ravana was killed by Rama and His army of Vanaras. Rama
then explained to Lakshmana thus: "Lakshmana! People behave in a particular way
and reap the consequences of their actions, depending upon their prarabdha
(destiny) and their qualities. We need not be too much concerned with that. As
long as one is attached to worldly objects and thinks in terms of mine and
thine, one will be afflicted by sorrow. Hence, one has to treat the worldly
objects with the attitude: These are not mine; all these are embodiments of the
divine.
" All acts should be performed to please God. If one develops ego with
thoughts of 'I' and 'mine', one is sure to perish. You say 'this is mine' and
'that is mine'. In fact, what really belongs to you - the body, the mind, the
intellect or the senses? You say 'this is my body', 'this is my mind', 'this is
my intellect', etc. But, none of these belong to you truly.
The body which you consider as belonging to you will leave you in a
moment, even without your knowledge. Similarly, the mind roams about like a
monkey. Is it possible to restrain this mad monkey? Do not say, 'I am this or
that'. Say, 'I am I'. This is your correct description. The correct answer to
the question 'Who are you?' is 'I am I'. Rama did not criticise or harm anyone.
Then, who will have hatred towards Him? Good acts of Rama brought good results
to Him.
Thus, when we do good to others, there is no possibility for us to
undergo sorrows and difficulties. If we still feel we are put to difficulties,
the fault lies with us. God is not responsible for our sorrows and
difficulties; it is the waywardness of our senses that is responsible for them.
So, we should control our senses. If we are able to control our senses,
everything else will come under our control. That is the essence of the
teachings of Rama. The Ramayana is not merely the story of Rama. In fact, it is
the story of every human being.
- From Bhagawan's Rama Navami Divine Discourse in 2006
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Ramayana demonstrates the ideals of Brotherhood - Swami
Today, everyone is celebrating the marriage of Sita and Rama. But after
the marriage Rama had to face many ordeals; He overcame them all with
fortitude. He decimated the demonic forces. Lakshmana was His main weapon. With
his help, Rama emerged victorious in the battle with demons. Many a time He
lavished praises on His brothers saying, "My brothers are greater than Me. I
owe My victory to them. I could win over the enemies because of the strength of
unity among us." The lives of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna
demonstrated the ideal of brotherhood to the entire world. Such ideal
brotherhood is not noticed today. Many wonderful events took place in the life
of Lord Rama.
- From Bhagawan's 2004 Rama Navami Divine Discourse.
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Rama Kalyanam is Atma Kalyanam - Swami
It is not enough to merely celebrate the Rama Navami as the birthday of
Sri Rama. You should understand the purpose of His birth and practise the
ideals He demonstrated. Rama Kalyana does not mean the marriage of Rama and
Sita at physical level. Rama Kalyana is Atma Kalyana; it signifies the merging
of Atma with Paramatma. The Ramayana is not the story of an individual. Rama
symbolises the cosmic and universal spirit.
- From Swami's 2004 Rama Navami Divine Discourse.
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