Ram the epitome of virtue
LONG ago, in the kingdom of Ayodhya, King Dasharatha ruled with justice and compassion. He had three queens: Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra.
Despite having three queens, Dasharatha was troubled as he had no heir to the throne. Seeking a solution, he performed a yagna (ritual sacrifice) and was blessed by the gods with four sons, the eldest being Ram, followed by Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughna.
Ram, the epitome of virtue and righteousness, was loved and admired by all in Ayodhya. He was skilled in archery, wise beyond his years, and deeply devoted to his duty as a prince.
He married Sita, a princess of Mithila, after breaking the divine bow of Lord Shiva in a competition. However, their happiness was short-lived.
Kaikeyi, influenced by her maid Manthara, who harbored a grudge against Ram, demanded that Dasharatha fulfill a promise he made to her years ago. This promise granted her the boon of fulfilling two wishes of her choosing. She asked Dasharatha to exile Ram to the forest for 14 years and crown her son Bharat as the king instead.
Despite Dasharatha's anguish, he was bound by his word and had to comply. Ram, ever the obedient son, accepted his fate without hesitation. Sita and Lakshman, unwilling to leave Ram's side, insisted on accompanying him into exile. Thus, the royal family left Ayodhya and ventured into the forest, where they lived a simple life, devoted to righteousness and duty.
Along the way, they encountered various stages, demons, and divine beings, facing challenges and trials that tested their resolve.
One day, while Ram and Lakshman were away, the demon king Ravana, disguised as a holy man, approached Sita and abducted her, taking her to his kingdom of Lanka.
Distraught by the loss of his beloved wife, Ram vowed to rescue her at any cost. With the help of Hanuman, the mighty monkey warrior, and an army of monkeys and bears, Ram waged a war against Ravana and his demon forces.
The battle was fierce and legendary, with both sides displaying immense courage and valor. In the climactic battle, Ram slew Ravana, freeing Sita from captivity and restoring honor to her name. With Lanka liberated from tyranny, Ram and Sita reunited and prepared to return to Ayodhya. Upon their return, the people of Ayodhya rejoiced at the sight of their beloved prince and princess.
Ram was welcomed back with open arms, and Dasharatha's kingdom was once again filled with prosperity and joy.
Ram's exile and triumphant return symbolise the victory of righteousness over evil, duty over desire, and love over adversity.
His story continues to inspire countless generations, serving as a timeless reminder of the power of faith, courage, and devotion.
The story of Lord Ram's exile and return resonates deeply with Indo-Fijians, serving as a reminder of resilience, perseverance, and the triumph of good over evil.
As Indo-Fijians remember their homeland, they find solace and inspiration in the timeless values of courage, unity and faith embodied in Lord Ram's journey.
Just as Lord Ram's return brought joy and prosperity to Ayodhya, their journey symbolises a homecoming filled with hope and renewal, strengthening cultural ties and reaffirming their shared heritage.
THE 51-inch idol of Ram Lalla (five-year-old deity), which was consecrated at a grand ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, was carved out of a three billion old rock reports The Times of India..
The idol, chiseled by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj who belongs to a family of five generations of sculptors, was selected from among the three murtis commissioned by the temple trust. It took him six months to craft the Ram Lalla statue.
According to reports, this particular stone has a black look and is named "Krishna Shila" because it is the same color as that of Lord Krishna. It is a fine-to-medium-grained, skyblue metamorphic rock and has a delicate texture when it is first quarried before it gets harder over the course of two to three years. The stone does not absorb water or react with carbon.
Sculptors can easily sculpt complicated patterns in it thanks to the fact that calcite makes up majority of the stone. Creating the desired pattern on the stone and then shaping it with different-sized chisels to achieve fine details are the steps involved in the sculpting process. The stone is then painstakingly carved with the help of instruments like sharp chisels and hammers. Due to the meticulous crafting, an idol with remarkable aesthetic appeal is guaranteed.
The 200 kg idol now sits at the sanctum sanctorum at the Aydodhya Ram Mandir which now open to all devotees around the world.
As stated by the Prime Minister of India Narenda Modi in his opening address at the consecration ceremony on January 22, 2024, he emphasised the worship of Shri Ram should be special and should rise above the self and be for the collective.
" The offerings made to the Lord will also be the reward for our dedication towards the development of a 'Viksit Bharat'. We need to present Lord Ram with the offerings of consistent valour, effort, and dedication. By consistently worshipping Lord Ram in this manner, we will be able to make Bharat prosperous and developed," says Mr. Modi.
The largest Hindu organisation Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji (SSDPSF) had partnered with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre – High Commission of India to celebrate the auspicious occasion of the Pran Prathishtha of Lord Ram which took place in Ayodhya Ram Mandir in India on January 22, 2024.
National President Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji Dhirendra Nand said the event was very close to the heart of all Hindus. "This event marks the return of Lord Ram into his birth place and we would celebrate it as a miniature Diwali whereby I had encouraged all Hindu followers to light up diyas, recite Ramayan, bhajan, kirtan and make offerings to Lord Ram to celebrate his return. " says Mr Prathistha.
There was also another celebration of the Shree Ram Lalla Utsav held at Rishikul Sanatan College in Nasinu on Sunday, January 21 organised by the Sanatam Dharam Purohit Braham Sabha Fiji.
Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said at the celebrations that only when every home achieves prosperity and peace will the nation be peaceful and prosperous.
"As celebrations for consecration of a temple of Lord Rama in Ayodhya continues in the coming week, let us be reminded of the many lessons in the Holy Ramayana," she said.
"I take this opportunity to call on each of us to try and live the principles and imbibe the teachings of the Lord." says Ms Kiran.
THERE were special spiritual ceremonies leading up to the Prana Pratishtha function in Ayodhya Ram Mandir which started on Tuesday, January 16 and went on for six days until January 22, reports The Times of India,. The ceremonies were listed as follows;
1. January 16
The Temple Trust organised a special religious event called Prayaschita and Karmakuti Poojan. The priest appointed by the trust conducted a ceremony known as the ' Dasvidh' bath ritual on the banks of the Saryu River. This ritual involved worshipping Lord
Vishnu and performing Godan, a practice of giving up offerings in the form of a cow to a Brahmin.
2. January 17
The 'Parisar pravesh' or entry of the idol into the temple premises took place. This ceremony was of great spiritual significance for the idol, which was later consecrated and visted the premises of the Ram Mandir for the first time.
3. January 18
Three important events took place which was the Aushadhadhivas, Kesaradhivas, and Ghritadhivas. On the same day, the idol of Ram Lalla, crafted by Arun Yogiraj, was placed on its designated seta in the sanctum sanctorum or the ' Garbha Griha' of the Ram Temple in Ayodha. In the evening, there were Teerth Poojan, Jal Yatra, and Gandhadhivas ceremonies.
4. January 19
Agni Sthapana, Navagraha Sthapana, and Hawan were scheduled for the Ram Mandir. A grand ' hawan' ceremony took place where a large fire pit was prepared , along with the chanting of hymns and sacred vedic mantras which filled the atmosphere with positive energies and spiritual power.
5. January 20
Sharkaradhivas and Phaladhivas had been scheduled. The sanctum sanctorum or ' Garba griha' of the Ram Mandir was washed and cleaned with water of the Sarayu River. The water from Sarayu is said to be holy and thus was used to purify the temple.
6. January 21
The idol of Ram Lalla which was placed in the temple was washed with holy water and 125 urns, after which it was said that the idol was laid down for resting before the grand ceremony took place on the next day. 7. January 22 Worship of the deity of Ram Lalla was done in the morning and it was consecrated In Mrigashira Nakshatra in the afternoon.
After the January 22 event, the Ram Mandir was opened for worship by the devotees.