What brought together the educated and the illiterate, the famous and the poor, the saffron-clad and the fashionistas, those who flew in and those who came in exhausted? The name Ram was an invisible thread connecting an ocean of humanity…a sea of sincerity!
Finally, we have a face to the name that has been a part of our culture since the time of the Trita Yug. In an era when there were no planes, trains, telephones, WhatsApp, email, photos, etc., Ram certainly had some charisma that people remember with such fondness and devotion thousands of years later.
The making of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has set the eternal truth in stone. Bhagwan Ram was born in Ayodhya and walked on earth in human form. He is not a legendary figure. It is part of our history. The mandir is a testament to the faith of everyone who thinks they are lucky to be born in this country!
Our parents would invoke Ram on many occasions. In greeting they said “Ram Ram!”, in sadness “Hai Ram”, in embarrassment, “Hai Ram”, in despair “Ram Bharos”, in certainty “Ram Paan”, in death, “Ram Naam Satya” Hai!”.
The live television broadcast of Pran Pratishtha showed a large number of people in the crowds in Ayodhya. Bollywood was there in droves. I also felt that most of the politicians holding responsible positions did not go to Ayodhya but supervised the celebrations in their states. People danced, distributed mithai, laughed, celebrated and even cried together in bliss.
Bhagwan Ram traversed Bharat and visited Prayagraj, the meeting place of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers; Panchavati where Ravan Sitaji was kidnapped; Lepakshi where Ravan beat Jatayu; Kishkindha where Lord Ram met Hanuman, befriended Sugriva and killed Bali; Rameshwaram where he did Shivling sthapana and started building Ram-setu up to Lanka, etc.
We are a people passionate about our beliefs. Prayers and rituals are an important part of our culture. Years of prayer led to the making of Ram Mandir and Pran Pratishtha for the idol of Palak Ram.
Pran Pratishtha is a ceremony in which the deity is invited to enter the deity and reside there. We believe that every atom in the universe contains divinity. In humans, it is in the waking stage. In non-living organisms, it is in the sleep stage. Therefore, the divinity hidden in the stone idol was summoned to become powerful and vibrant! Just as by taking oath as Prime Minister or Governor, a common man becomes a person of great stature and respect, and the prayers and adulation of millions of devotees participating in Pran Pratishtha invite divinity to life in this idol, make the idol. Become worthy of worship!
Are mere prayers, mantras and rituals enough? Hanuman reported that Lanka was chanting the recitation of the Vedas and the air was filled with sacrificial smoke. But the Rakshasas were evil, despite all their rituals of worship. Ravan sought Prakriti (manifestation), not Purusha (Creator). He only wanted Sita, not Ram! His lust caused his end. His ten heads indicate his proficiency in the four Vedas and the six Shastras. But what is the benefit of all this learning? He destroyed his entire clan. His sons, brother and relatives were killed. His country turned to ashes. Before Ravan died, he shouted, “Men! Don’t live as I lived and ruin your lives.
I remember the bhajan, 'Ram naam ki plunder hai, plunder for plunder's sake. Antakal pashtayega jab pran jaayenge chot!' By indulging in the bliss of Ram Naam, let us make our hearts like Ayodhya, so that the Atma Ram within may shine with all brilliance! Let us enjoy this time which will remain in the annals of our history!
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