Lord Sri Rama’s precious sacred Vigraha will be consecrated on Jan.22, 2024 by God’s grace and loving guidance in the grand, auspicious Sri Ram Mandir on a Sacred ancient site on the Sarayu River.
Velandy Manohar, MD.,
Past Chair, Board of Trustees of CT Valley Hindu Temple Society. cvhts.org]
Past Part time Priest- Sree Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, Middletown, CT
My website velandymanoharmd has several related links including my eBook Sadhana Path about our Community Temple and my Spiritual Journey to better get acquainted with me.
India PM Modi tours divisive temple town (msn.com)
Dear Fellow devotees, my respected elders and Poojya Acharyas,
“Aa Na Bhadraaha, Krutva yantu Viswataha.” May noble thoughts come to me from all directions . Rk Veda.
I rejoice when I read these uplifting and history -making reports.
Let us prepare for the historic Prana Pratisthapana of Lord Sri Rama in Ayodhya on Jan. 22, 2024. Lord Sri Rama is renowned as a Maryada Purushottam. It is a Sanskrit phrase. This combines the concepts of Righteousness, and One who is the Supreme Being. It glorifies Lord Ram as the Supreme Being and righteous. He is worshipped as One who worked on attaining and sustaining Righteousness during his Avatarana. Lord Lakshmana while preparing for a crucial battle against Indrajit. who might have succeed in ending his life had Lord Hanuman not brought the Life-Giving Sanjeevani Herb to the battlefield where Lord Lakshman lying unconscious after being shot by potent magical arrows by Indrajit, declared this solemn “Oath”: “ Lord Lakshmana, in his righteous fervor, invoked the power of Rama’s name by stating, “Sri Ramam Vigrahavaan Dharmaha!” If Lord Rama is the embodiment of Dharma may this arrow find its mark.… as he aimed his arrow at the formidable demon Indrajit who had vanquished all except lord Sri Rama. The arrow, guided by unwavering dharma, sped forth, seeking its mark.
In that moment, the very essence of Rama’s virtue surged through the shaft. It carried not just physical force but the weight of righteousness. For Rama was more than a prince or a warrior; he was the living embodiment of Dharma, the cosmic order that upholds the universe.
The arrow found its mark, piercing through Indrajit’s armor, and the demon fell. But it was not just a physical defeat; it was a triumph of righteousness over arrogance, of duty over ego. Lord Lakshmana’s words echoed across the battlefield: “If Rama is the embodiment of righteousness, may this arrow find its mark.”
dharmAtmA satyasandhashca rAmo dAsharathiryadi.
paurushhecA.apratidvandvaH sharainaM jahi rAvaNim.. (V.R. VI - 90 - 70)
“O my dear arrow! If it is true that Rama the son of Dasaratha has set his mind on virtue, that he always keeps up his promise and is second to none in his prowess, then destroy this Indrajit. (This was the declaration of Lakshmana after a prolonged war with Indrajit just before he discharged the arrow that killed Indrajit. In this context it is relevant to refer to the Vedantic content in Valmiki Ramayana VI, 90.70
I would like these resources to prepare for this landmark holy Prana pratisthapana experience.
A. Let us prepare for historic Prana Pratish tapana of Lord Sri Rama on the banks of the Sharayu river in Ayodhya, India (velandymanoharmd.com)
B. Prayers to prepare for Inauguration Of Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India (velandymanoharmd.com)
The wise and Righteous Lord Ram and his brother Bharata and Shatrughna crossed the Ocean of Samsara when they entered the sacred Sarayu River. This option is open to all of us of faith who follow these tenets with grace and humility, as we strive on our Sadhana Path as Lord Sri Rama and Arjuna and seek Liberation from the pangs of despondency with renunciation and experience periods of transcendence and enlightenment. One of the paths we can choose to adopt for our lives is to go on pilgrimages to these seven sacred locales that can bestow on us liberation from the cycle of Births and deaths. Lord Sri Rama and his brothers were right there and by entering into the Sacred River Sarayu ended their final journey on this World.
Ayodhya is renowned as a sacred destination, if one considers the possibility Saketa Puri is adjacent to Ayodhya referring to the Court called Saket Rama, that Lord Rama built across the River where we was accessible to his subjects or is actually the same place that is known as Ayodhya. In the Garuda Purana, Ayodhya is named as the first of the 7 holy sites in India Pilgrimage to these sites is said to bless the pilgrim with Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). A shloka from the Garuda Purana describes the most highly regarded seven pilgrimage centers:
अयोध्या मथुरा माया काशी काञ्ची अवन्तिका ।
पुरी द्वारावती चैव सप्तैताः मोक्षदायिकाः ॥[2]
This translates to: Ayodhyā, Mathurā, Mayā, Kaśī, Kañchi, Avantikā, Swarajati,—
these seven cities should be known as the givers of liberation.[3]
The modern names of these seven cities are: Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar (Maya or Gaya), Varanasi (Kashi), Kanchipuram (Kanchi), Ujjain (Avantika), Dwarka (Dwaraka)
It was a renowned as a sacred place from Ancient Times. It is known that Gautama Buddha and Mahavira visited and stayed there. It is right we will have a worldwide audience because our culture has left a rich legacy in Indo – China such as the two Cities, Ayutthaya [Thailand] Yogyakarta[Indonesia]. These are great resources to learn about the widespread acceptance by the people of several countries, Tibet, Nepal Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia [Java], Philippines and across nations of Indo-China, China, Japan. This is despite the great diversity of the prevailing religion, cultural traditions and socioeconomic conditions in these countries.
1. wiTb_asian-variations-in-ramayan-ed.-by-k.-r.-shrinivas-iyengar-sahitya-akademi
Asian Variations In Ramayan Ed. By K. R. Shrinivas Iyengar Sahitya Akademi,By Sahitya Akademi
2. https://jsis.washington.edu/csead/resources/educators/ramayanas-of-southeast-asia/
3. Different versions of the Ramayana have emerged outside India, including1:There are several versions across India from Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, Goa to Bengal and states in between.
The following are among the versions of the Ramayana that have emerged outside India:
• Cambodia – Reamker
• Thailand – Ramakien. The current Monarch has the Title of King Rama X. His the third in Chakri Dynasty- A key symbol of the Vaishnava tradition. His given name is Maha Vajiralongkorn. He is Theravada Buddhist.
• Laos – Phra Lak Phra Lam
• Burma (Myanmar) – Yama Zatdaw
• Malaysia – Hikayat Seri Rama
• Java, Indonesia – Kakawin Ramayana
• Philippines – Rajah Magandiri
• Nepal: The Nepal Bhasa version called Siddhi Ramayan was written by Mahakavi Siddhidas Mahaju Amatya during Nepal Bhasa renaissance era and the Khas language (later called “Nepali”) version of Bhanubhaktako Ramayan by Bhanubhakta Acharya marked the first epic written in the language.
• Tibet: Ramayan is found in several manuscripts from Dunhuang.
4. a. Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana - intangible heritage - Culture Sector - UNESCO
b. Ramlilas across the world show the enduring influence of the Ramay… (30stades.com)
5. In addition there are Buddhist, Sikh and Jain adaptations of the Ramayana in India. There is historical record of the intersections through the Ikshavaku line that began in the Satya Yuga with King Ikshvaku who was named Rishaba. It is believed that 22 out of 24 Jain Tirthankara belonged to this dynasty. Rishabha(Ikshvaku) is present in both Hindu as well as Jain mythology. Prince Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha) belonged to Ikshavaku dynasty in 139th generation. Lord Sri Rama was born in the 81st generation of Ikshvaku Dynasty of Surya Vamsa or Solar Dynasty. Brihadbala, who was 115th generation king, participated in Kurukshetra war and was killed by Abhimanyu.
6. Mysuru-based Arun Yogiraj Shilpi completed the work of statue of 'Ram Lalla' which is likely to be installed at the temple four days before the event. "It took six months to complete the statue. It is 51 inches tall from foot to forehead. The entire statue is over eight feet tall and three-and-half feet wide including the 'Prabhavali'.[Shaligram stones from the banks of the Kali Gandaki River in Nepal were provided for the Statue.] It is the statue of Lord Ram as a five-year-old child, holding a bow and Arrow. [This is significant to me because in the Srimad Bhagvad Gita composed thousands of years after the Reign of Lord Sri Rama, while seated in a Chariot displaying the banner of Lord Anjaneyar in the middle of Dharma Kshetra that is Kurukshetra is when Bhagwan Lord Sri Krishna advises Arjuna in Discourse X, V31,”… Ramah shastra-bhritam aham.” “Among the wielders of weapons I am Rama.” In the Treta yuga, Lord Rama was the Dominant and invincible warrior of his time, and his weapon was the Bow.
7. In another vital Vaishnava Scripture Vishnu Saharsranamam, Bhagawan Iswara provides an important upadeśa about worship of Lord Sri Rama in the Vaishnava tradition.
The most familiar text of the Vishnu Sahasranama is from the Anushaasna parva of the Mahabharata. There are other versions in the puranas e.g., Padma Purana and there is even a Sikh version can be found in Sundar Gutka. The Grand Sire of the Kuru dynasty Bhishma who was resting on a bed of arrows on the Kurukshetra battlefield bestowed the 1000 verses of Vishnu Saharsranamam on Arjuna after he asked some crucial questions. My Lord Sankaracharya in 27th verse of the Bhaja Govindam advised us to chant the Bhagavad Gita and the Vishnu Saharsranamam in the form of the Lord of Lakshmi and meditated on. Chanting the Sahasranama bestowed all noble virtues on those who chanted it.
In the Phala Shruti section of Vishnu Saharsranamam Goddess Parvati seeks clarification from Lord Parama Shiva.
Mother Parvati asked "O Lord what is the short method to recite Vishnu Saharsranamam (if I am not able). What is to be chanted for it?"
Bhagawan Ishwara responded, “Rama, Rama, Rameti, Rame, Raame Manorame, Sahasranama tat tulyam, Rama nama varanane.” " O beautiful one!, Chant Rama, Rama, Rama which rejoices the mind. It is equal to chanting the thousand names of Vishnu. " This essentially is the Shri Rama Taraka Mantra. Please pay heed to the Ishwara’s valuable upadeśa when you attempt to meet the goal of chanting 1 Billion times the Sri Rama Taraka Stotram by Jan 22,2024, when the Prana pratisthapana of Lord Sri Rama’s moorthi in the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is consecrated.
8. The location of this magnificent Ram Mandir on the Banks is extremely significant in historical religious contexts on the banks of River Sarayu in the environs fo the historical Sacred Invincible town of Ayodhya. In this most informative, insightful and spiritually sustaining book there are great Illustrations of crucial events in the narrative bestowed on us by Maharishi Valmiki. I offer two verses from the Maharishi Valmikis Ramayana recording the final actions of Lord Rama that is illustrated in this book. “Tasmin Suryasatakirne, gandharvaapsarasankule, Sarayu Salilam Ramah, Padbhyaam samupachkrame.7.100.5. Pitaamahvacas Srutvaa viniscitya mahaamatih, vivesa vaisnavam Tejas sasarirah sahaaanujah.”7.100.10. Om! Thereupon Rama walked into the water of the Sarayu, sparkling with a hundred reflections of the Sun and filled with heavenly musicians and celestial nymphs…Hearing the words fo the Divine Grandsire, the great minded one decided on his course of action and entered physically into the effulgence of Visnu along with his brothers [Bharata and Shatrughna.]
This is the Shri Rama Taraka Mantra that HH the Jagad Guru of Sringeri committed all of us around to world to chant 1, Billion times [100 Crore times] through the period of installation.
Shri Rama, Jai Ram, Jai, Jai Ram.”
Om Tat Sat Sri Krishna Arpanam Astu!
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantih
I seek and welcome your responses.
Humbly offered submitted, I am respectfully taking your leave. Namaste Ji.
Velandy Manohar, MD