Sri Ayodhya Dharma Yatra
Sri Ayodhya Dharma Yatra
Situated on the banks of the beautiful Saryu River, Ayodhya, also known as Saket, is the birthplace of Lord Rama and was the capital of the ancient Kosala Kingdom. Here, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His quadruple expansion as Lord Rama, Laksmana, Bharata and Satrughna appeared as sons of Maharaja Dasaratha in Raghu dynasty in Treta-yuga.
Ayodhya was originally built by Vaivasvata Manu, who is the descendant of Svayambhur Manu, the ruler of the entirety of mankind. Ayodhya was his capital city. Thereafter, Dasaratha developed Ayodhya to such glorious proportions that the kingdom of Indra could hardly compare to it. Ayodhya is one of the seven most sacred cities (sapta-puri) as described in Garuda Purana. The whole tract of Ayodhya spanning 84 kos (nearly 275-km-long pilgrimage route) is smeared with the footprints and pastimes of Lord Ramacandra. There are many important holy places to visit here. Ayodhya Mahatmya of Skanda Purana mentions that Ayodhya city sits on Lord Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra (disc), rising above the earth and the shape of Ayodhya Dhama resembles Matsya (fish).
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says, “Ayodhya is not bound up with any material worlds. Just like Vrindavana, it is not bound up with any material limitations, as much as Krishna is not bound up by any material limitations. So the kingdom of Ayodhya was historical the tract of land as we see at the present moment, but at that time the king of Ayodhya was the emperor of the world.” (Letter to Satsvarupa, Montreal, 16 June 1968)
Ayodhya Dhama Yatra traditionally begins by visiting the revered Sri Hanuman Garhi temple and offering obeisances to Hanuman Ji, who is the protector of the Dhama. Main temple altar has a magnificent deity of Hanuman Ji sitting on the lap of his mother Anjana, flanked with silver and gold maces, and a silver garland inscribed with the name of Lord Rama. The Vijaya Stambha (victory pillar) that was brought by Hanuman from Lanka, and erected here in celebration of the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana can also be seen.
Sri Kale Ram Mandir, situated on
the banks of the Saryu River, is the most important temple to visit. Unique
deity of Sri Kale Ram Ji has the whole family of Lord Rama carved out on a
Saligrama sila. Sri Kale Ram Ji was originally installed and worshiped by
Maharaja Vikramaditya at Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple before Babar attacked. Just
before the attack, the pujaries immersed Them in the Saryu River. Many
years later, a brahmana from Maharashtra had a dream of Sri Rama and
found the deities submerged in Saryu. He established Them at this present
temple.
Dasaratha Mahal is the royal palace where Maharaja Dasaratha resided with his kith and kin. Childhood pastimes of Lord Rama were enacted here. At Dasaratha Mahal there are beautiful deities of Maharaja Dasaratha along with Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna and their respective families. Near Dasaratha Mahal is Kanak Bhawan. It is an exceptionally beautiful palatial house that was gifted by Lord Rama’s step-mother Kaikeyi to Sita immediately after the marriage. Lord Rama lived here after marriage. The main temple altar has three sets of gorgeous deities of Sri Sri Sita, Rama and Lakshmana. As per the inscription on the walls of Kanak Bhawan, one set of deities was installed by Lord Krishna.
Ayodhya is beautified by the river Saryu. Saryu originates from Mansarovar Lake in Mt Kailash in Tibet (China). Bordering Ayodhya to one side, Saryu is like a golden bracelet of Ayodhya Dhama. In Ramayana there are repeated mentions of the hallowed Saryu where Lord Rama performed numerous pastimes. At Saryu riverfront, there is Ram ki Pairi, a large stretch of ghats and gardens, skirted by a row of ancient temples. Every evening, a beautiful Arati ceremony takes place on the banks of Saryu River. On Diwali, there is a stunning display of millions of oil lamps that are lit to mark Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya, and pay homage to Him and His family. Ayodhya bagged a Guinness World Record when it witnessed the largest display of oil lamps at the Ram Ki Pairi, with the lighting of 6,06,569 lamps on November 14, 2020 during the Deepavali celebrations.
Sri Ram Janmabhoomi is the transcendental birthplace of Sri Rama Lala or baby Rama as called affectionately. As per Skanda Purana, this was the location of the palace of mother Kaushalya where Lord Rama took birth. At the main altar, exquisitely beautiful deities of Sri Rama Lala and His brothers Bharata, Lakshmana and Satrughna are worshipped here with great devotion and fervour. One can have the darshans of Sri Rama Lala at the current make-shift temple, even as the new temple is being constructed. In 1528 AD, unfortunately, the Mughal emperor, Babar, demolished the ancient temple that was originally built by Maharaja Vikramaditya. Indeed, it is extremely heartening to see a magnificent Temple coming up at this place! Ram Janmabhoomi Karyalaya is the workshop of the new temple construction site. One can see here rare photos and descriptions of all the places where Lord Rama visited and performed His pastimes. It is worthwhile to spend time here and immerse oneself in Lord Rama’s pastime places. The model of the new Sri Ram Janmabhoomi temple is also displayed here.
Nandigram is 22 km from Ayodhya and has reference in the Valmiki Ramayana. Bharata, the brother of Lord Rama, spent a very austere and remorseful time here while Rama was in exile for 14 years. There are three significant places to visit – Bharata Kunda, Bharata Gufa (cave) and Sri Bharata Hanuman Milap Temple. Bharata took his bath at Bharata Kunda, which is a huge lake. At Bharata Gufa (cave), Bharata spent his time when Rama was in exile and worshiped the padukas (honourable sandals) of Lord Rama. Nearby is Sri Bharata Hanuman Milap Temple, where we can have the darshan of beautiful deities of Bharata and Hanuman embracing each other. Nandigram is a quiet and serene place.
Makhauda Dhama is 19 km from Ayodhya, on the banks of Manorama river. This significant landmark has importance equal to Ram Janmabhoomi. Maharaja Dasaratha, on the advice of sage Vasistha, did the Putra-Kameshti yajna here, along with sage Rishyasringa to beget sons. There are two temples for Sri Rama Janaki here that are the site of putra-kameshti yajna. A ghee drain was laid from Ayodhya to Makhauda Dhama to bring in the huge quantities of ghee required for the yajna. The remains of this ghee drain can be seen starting from the borders of Ayodhya to the Ghaghova bridge till Makhauda Dhama. The renowned Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama (84 Kosi) of Ayodhya starts on the Purnima day of Chaitra month from Makhaura Dhama. Sri Ramrekha Temple is at Makhauda Dhama. This was the resting place for the attendees of the Vivaah (marriage) of Sri Rama and Sita.
Revered Lakshmana Qila temple is on the banks of the holy Sahasradhara Tirtha. This ancient temple is the spot where Lakshmana concluded his manifest earthy pastimes. Dasaratha Samadhi is 14 km from Ayodhya. Dasaratha left his body amid immense aggrievement at separation from his beloved son Rama. He was cremated at this place and a temple was built as a memorial to him in Bilva Hari ghat. Sacred Guptar Ghat is situated on the banks of the Saryu River, 10 km from Ayodhya. Lord Rama concluded His manifest pastimes by taking ‘Jal Samadhi’ here along with His two brothers, Bharata and Satrughna and all the inhabitants of Ayodhya.
Mani Parvat, implying the divine hillock of jewels, was brought from Janakpur after the marriage of Lord Rama with Sita. Mani Parvat was Sita Devi’s favourite location. Every year, Sita Rama’s Jhulan Utsava is observed throughout Ayodhya during the month of Sravana, which starts from here. Sita Kunda, one of the holiest sites in Ayodhya, is located in the Kami Ganj area near Mani Parvat. Just like Lord Rama would take a daily bath at Saryu river, Sita took the bath here. Sita Kunda was created by Sita herself.
Sri Valmiki Ramayana Bhawan is a unique multi-story temple that has the entire 24000 Sanskrit slokas in Valmiki Ramayana inscribed on all the walls. One can have rare and wonderful darshans of sage Valmiki with Lord Rama’s sons, Luv and Kusa standing side by side. Celebrated Surya Kunda is on the outskirts of Ayodhya while returning from Nandigram.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has a temple in Ayodhya Dhama. Ayodhya had seven famous ancient Vishnu Murtis, each with a different prefix and with a unique pastime. Sapta-Hari Murtis include - Guptahari, Chakrahari, Vishnuhari, Chandrahari, Bilvahari, Dharmahari and Punyahari. Punyahari and Bilvahari temples do not exist anymore. These temples existed even before Lord Rama descended Himself and are located at various ghats on the banks of Saryu river.
Besides these places, there are many other holy places of Lord Rama’s pastimes spread in 84 kos of Ayodhya that can be covered while undertaking the Parikrama. Traditionally, there are four types of Parikramas (circumambulation) undertaken to cover Ayodhya Dhama - Antargrahi Parikrama, Panchkoshi Parikrama (16 km circuit), Chaturdashkoshi Parikrama (a circular journey of 45 km done once a year on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Navami in the Kartik month) and Chaurasi Koshi Parikrama that starts on Rama Navami.
Rama Navami, Deepavali, Rama Vivah (the day marking the marriage of Sri Rama and Sita), Sravana Jhula festival (July-August), Kartik Purnima and the folk theatre of a traditional Rama Lila performance during Dussehra are the major festivals celebrated with tremendous jubilation in Ayodhya. Throughout Ayodhya, one can hear the continuous vibrant chants of Lord Rama’s kirtan – ‘Jai Ram Sri Ram Jai Jai Ram’.
Places to visit in and around Ayodhya:
1. Sri Hanuman Garhi
2. Sri Kale Ram Mandir
3. Dasaratha Mahal
4. Kanak Bhawan
5. Saryu River Ghat
6. Sri Ram Janmabhoomi
7. Ram Janmabhoomi Karyalaya
8. Nandigram (22 km from Ayodhya)
9. Makhauda Dhama (19 km from Ayodhya)
10. Sri Valmiki Ramayana Bhawan
11. Lakshmana Qila Temple at Sahastradhara
12. Sri Guptar Ghat
13. Mani Parvat and Sita Kunda
14. Sri Nageshwarnath Temple
15. ISKCON Ayodhya
16. Sapta Hari Temples
17. Dasaratha Samadhi
18. Surya Kunda
Ayodhya is a 135 km (2½ hour) drive from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya is well connected by rail from throughout India. Ayodhya airport, Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport will soon be serving flights from Ayodhya.
1. Sri Hanuman Garhi
Constructed in the shape of a fort, Sri Hanuman Garhi is situated at the centre of Ayodhya. It is a cave temple approachable by climbing 76 steps. After Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya from exile, Hanuman Ji stayed in Ayodhya to serve his dear-most Lord. Hanuman lived here in a cave and guarded the Janmabhoomi or Ramkot. Main temple has a magnificent 6-inch deity of Hanuman Ji sitting on the lap of his mother Anjana. Deity is adorned completely with flower garlands and vermillion. Hence, one can only have the darshan of his orange-coloured lotus face. Deity is flanked with silver and gold maces gifted by the devotees. A silver garland inscribed with the name of Lord Rama always adorns Hanuman. Across the courtyard, there are beautiful deities of Sri Sri Sita Rama Lakshmana. At the back, there is a deity of Lord Nrsimhadeva. Inside the temple, there is a Vijaya Stambha (victory pillar) that was brought by Hanuman from Lanka, and erected here in celebration of the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.
The temple architecture is unique, engraved with splendid designs. Atmosphere here is devotional. Lord Rama’s name is inscribed on every wall of the temple. One can hear the loud chants of Sri Rama’s kirtan – ‘Jai Ram Sri Ram Jai Jai Ram’ by the devout devotees singing from a hall at the side of the temple. Traditionally, the Ayodhya Dhama Yatra starts by offering obeisances and seeking the blessings of Hanuman Ji. Hanuman Garhi is mentioned in the Skanda Purana.
2. Sri Kale Ram Mandir
Sri Kale Ram Mandir is one of the most important temples of Ayodhya. The unique deity of Sri Kale Ram Ji has the whole family of Lord Rama carved out of a Saligrama sila. This deity was originally installed by Maharaja Vikramaditya and worshiped at Sri Rama Janmabhoomi temple, before Babar attacked the temple. Just before the attack, the pujaries immersed the deity in the Saryu River. Many years later, a brahmana from Maharashtra had a dream of Sri Rama and found the deities submerged in Saryu. He established Them in this present temple, which was built in 1782. Since then, Sri Kale Ram Ji is worshipped with great fervour and devotion by the lineage of pujaries of the Maharashtrian brahmana.
4. Kanak Bhawan
Inscription on the wall of Kanak Bhawan: “Kanak Bhawan was a Gilded Palace where Lord Rama and mother Sita dwelt in Treta-yuga. In the beginning of Dwapar-yuga, it was restored as a memorial for Lord Rama by Maharaja Kush, the Lord’s elder son. In the middle of Dvapara-yuga, it was rebuilt by Maharaja Rishabha Deo. It was visited by Lord Krishna by the end of Dvapara-yuga. During Kali-yuga, it was first reconstructed by Maharaja Vikramaditya in Yudhisthira Era 2431, which was subsequently expanded and repaired by Maharaja Samudra Gupta in Vikram Samvat 444. Unfortunately, it was laid to ruin by S.Salarjung in Vikram Samvat 1084.
The present magnificent ‘Kanak Bhawan Temple’ was built by Maharani Vrishbhanu Kunwar of the royal state of Orccha. In the main sanctum, there are 3 pairs of deities of Lord Rama and Sita. The first pair of deities on right-side was consecrated by Maharani Vrishbhanu Kunwar; the pair on left-side was installed in the ancient temple constructed by Maharaja Vikramaditya; and the small pair of deities was consecrated by Lord Krishna during His visit to this holy place. This inscription was installed on Rama Navami, 13th April 2019 on the instructions of Maharaja Saheb Tikamgarh Shri Madhukar Shah Ju Deo and Raja Saheb Ayodhya Shri Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra.”
On Diwali, there is a stunning display of millions of oil lamps
that are lit to mark Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya and pay homage to Him and
His family. Ayodhya bagged a Guinness World Record when it witnessed the
largest display of oil lamps at the Ram Ki Pairi, with the lighting of 6,06,569
lamps on November 14, 2020 during the Deepavali celebrations.
7. Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Karyalaya (workshop)
8. Nandigram
9. Makhauda Dhama
Renowned Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama (84 Kosi) of Ayodhya starts on the Purnima day of Chaitra month from Makhaura Dhama. Makhauda Dhama is the starting point as well as the ending point. All devotees converge here to participate in this Parikrama. The 275 km long parikrama route is being upgraded with excellent roads and facilities as part of the Ramayana circuit project.
10. Sri Valmiki Ramayana Bhawan
11. Lakshmana Qila Temple at Sahastradhara
Lakshmana Qila Temple is located on the banks of Sahasradhara Tirtha, 2.2 km from the Ram Janmabhoomi. This ancient temple is at the spot where Lakshmana concluded his earthly pastimes. Ayodhya Mahatmya of Skanda Purana describes the formation of Sahasradhara Tirtha. After the killing of the demons headed by Ravana, Lord Rama ruled from Ayodhya for 11,000 years, setting the example of an ideal King for whom He is famed as Maryada Purusottama.
After having completed the mission of His incarnation, Brahma wanted to remind Lord Rama to wind up His earthly pastimes as the time set by the Lord Himself was over. He sent Time personified (Kala) as a messenger instructing him to remind the Lord and at the same time inform Him that if He so desires, He could remain as long as He wished. Time personified arrived in Ayodhya in the guise of a wandering ascetic. Before the meeting could begin, he requested Lord Rama for privacy, for his words were not meant for others. Anyone who overhears their conversation will soon meet with death. Lord Rama declared that whoever interrupted His meeting with Kala, would be punished immediately. He ordered Lakshmana to guard the entrance of the meeting hall against any visitors.
During the course of the meeting, the belligerent sage Durvasa arrived and insisted on meeting Rama. Lakshmana conveyed the orders of Lord Rama. However, Durvasa became furious and told Lakshmana, "O son of Sumitra, go quickly and report to Rama that I am here on a mission. It does not behove you to disobey this. If you do so, I shall burn the entire city of Ayodhya." Afraid of Durvasa’s curse, Lakshmana felt that it was better to be punished by His own brother than be cursed by Durvasa. Compared to the city of Ayodhya and its citizens, His life was insignificant. Lakshmana then entered Lord Rama’s room and interrupted the meeting. Rama sent Kala away and attended to sage Durvasa. Keeping His words, Lord Rama after consultation with His ministers, disowned Lakshmana as punishment for violating His orders. Disowning was as good as death for Lakshmana.
Devoted Lakshmana accepted Lord Rama's punishment without resentment. He
knew that it was time to wind up his manifest pastimes now that the mission of
Lord Rama on earth had been achieved. He went to the banks of Saryu river at
this very place and meditated deeply in trance and in His self-same body
ascended to the transcendental abode. At Lakshmana Qila temple there are
gorgeous deities of Sri Sri Sita Rama Lakshmana. The atmosphere at this temple
is very devotional. Sahastradhara is an important pilgrimage place on the Saryu
riverfront in Ayodhya, visited by the devotees with great devotion.
12. Sri Guptar Ghat
After Lakshmana’s disappearance, Rama decided to install Bharata upon the royal throne so that He could be free to follow Lakshmana’s path. However, Bharata refused to take the throne, for He preferred to accompany Rama to the forest rather than enjoy the kingdom without Him. Rama then divided the kingdom between His sons, giving Kusa the northern part of Kosala and Lava the southern part. After the coronation, He decided to leave for the forest.
When citizens heard of Rama’s intention to retire to the forest, they became determined to follow Him. Their grief due to the impending separation was unbearable. Satrughna was also intent upon following Rama, and thus, when the Lord finally came out of the city, there was a great procession following Him. Indeed, because of their love and devotion, every living entity followed Rama to the forest, so that not even an animal could be seen in Ayodhya. While Rama silently walked along, everyone could see that He was exhibiting a mood of complete detachment and indifference, as if preparing to give up the world. All of Rama’s potencies appeared in personified form to accompany Him. His innumerable energies followed Rama. Satrughna and His family followed Bharata. Behind the brahmanas walked all the citizens. Following them came all the animals.
When He arrived at the banks of Saryu river, Rama paused. At that time Brahma and the demigods appeared overhead in their celestial chariots. The sky was thus lit with a transcendental radiance, and gentle, sweet fragrant breezes began to blow. As Lord Rama entered the water, Brahma offered his prayers as follows: “O Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are now concluding Your earthly pastimes and are preparing to return to Your transcendental abode beyond this material world. You are the eternal Supreme Lord and although You appear in various incarnations, Your body is unchanging and original. It is You alone who are the cause of all causes and the support of all existence. Everything is thus part and parcel of You, for You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, the source of all emanation. O Lord, You have so kindly appeared to remove the burden of the earth. Thus, let us offer our respectful obeisances unto You, again and again.” Followed by Bharata and Satrughna, Lord Rama thus returned to His eternal abode in the spiritual sky. Indeed, not only the sons of Dasaratha, but all of Their followers, attained the Vaikuntha planet where Lord Rama eternally resides.
13. Mani Parvat and Sita Kunda
Satrughna believed that He should not be utilising these jewels as his brothers never used them, so he gave them to Sita at her lotus feet. Sita learned that Lord Rama had abandoned them because He was unable to connect them together. King Dasaratha was shown the jewels by Queen Kaikeyi, who advised them to get the gems strung together because King Janaka had married off his daughters to their four sons. Later, with Sita’s favour, Janakpur saw a great increase in the production of jewels. King Janaka sent all of these gems to Ayodhya, where they were housed in the southern part of Ramkot, considering them to be his daughter’s treasure. These jewels were used to create a palace and a hill that measured one yojana in height. Mani Parvat became the name of this hill. Every year, Sita Rama’s Jhulan Utsava is observed throughout Ayodhya during the month of Sravana. As Mani Parvat was Sita Devi’s favourite location, the jhulan yatra starts there. Atop Mani Parvat, there is a temple with beautiful deities of Sri Sri Sita Rama Lakshmana.
15. ISKCON Ayodhya
Website: https://IskconAyodhya.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ayodhya.iskcon/
Chakrahari and Guptahari temple is located at the Guptar Ghat. Both Lord Chakrahari and Lord Guptahari are present in one deity here. As per the Skanda Purana, Lord Vishnu mediated here secretly to award the demigods enough strength to defeat the asuras. As the Lord mediated here secretly, He came to be called Guptahari. When Lord Vishnu’s chakra fell here from His lotus hand as He arrived in Ayodhya, He came to be known as Chakrahari. After winning over the asuras, the demigods came to meet Lord Guptahari. They requested that the Lord stay back in Ayodhya to protect the demigods. Lord Guptahari agreed to do so.
Chandrahari temple was consecrated by Chandradeva, the moon-god, who was attracted by the glory of Ayodhya Dhama. This temple is located on the banks of Saryu river near Ram Ki Pairi. Dharmahari temple is located near Chandrahari temple. The deity was consecrated by Dharmadeva or Yamaraja, who had gone to Ayodhya on a pilgrimage. Dharmadeva was surprised to see and experience the glories of Ayodhya. In that state, he started dancing jubilantly. Seeing this and being compassionate, Lord Vishnu appeared before him and asked him to take a boon. Yamaraja requested that he be allowed to install Lord Vishnu’s deity, prefixing it with his own name. Lord Vishnu agreed to the request and hence, the deity of Lord Dharmahari was installed.
Vishnuhari temple is non-existent currently. It is said to have been washed away by the Saryu river. The deity of Lord Vishnuhari was consecrated by a brahmana named Vishnu Sharma, who had come to Ayodhya on pilgrimage. The brahmana was mesmerised by the glories of Ayodhya and started doing penances thinking that Lord Vishnu is personally present in Ayodhya. He performed extreme penances for 3 years. Lord Vishnu appeared in front of him, seated on Garuda. When Vishnu Sharma said that he desired unflinching devotion to Lord Vishnu, it was granted along with the instruction to install a deity of Lord Vishnu prefixed with brahmana’s name. Thus, the deity was consecrated with the name Vishnuhari. Vishnu dug a tirtha with his chakra (disc), causing the sacred waters of Ganges to manifest. This tirtha came to be known as Chakra tirtha.
18. Other Places in Ayodhya
Sugriva Mount is situated near Ram Janmabhoomi. Sugriva, the chief of Vanara army and friend of Lord Rama, stayed here during the coronation of Lord Ramacandra after His return from Lanka.
Brahma Kunda: When Brahma came to know that Hari Himself is residing in Ayodhya, he too landed here and performed the parikrama of the dhama. Then Brahma created a large pond and gave it his name and this excellent pond became famous as Brahma Kunda. He invited all the demigods over here. In the year 1556, Sikh’s first Guru Nanak on his way from Haridwar to Jagannatha Puri visited Ayodhya and sermonized local pandits under a Bel tree here. Since then a Gurudwara has been constructed to commemorate his visit. Ninth Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur also came here in 1670. Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh also came here.
How to reach Ayodhya:
Compiled from A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s translation and commentary of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Ninth Canto
The Personality of Godhead Sri Rama assumed the form of a human being and appeared on the earth for the purpose of doing some pleasing work for the demigods to maintain the order of the universe. Sometimes great demons and atheists like Ravana and Hiranyakasipu and many others became very famous due to advancing material civilization by the help of material science and other activities with a spirit of challenging the established order of the Lord. For example, the attempt to fly to other planets by material means is a challenge to the established order. The conditions of each planet are different, and different classes of human beings are accommodated there for particular purposes mentioned in the codes of the Lord. But, puffed up by tiny success in material advancement, sometimes the godless materialists challenge the existence of the Supreme Lord. Ravana was one of them, and he wanted to deport ordinary men to the planet of Indra by material means without consideration of the necessary qualifications. He wanted a staircase to be built up directly reaching the heavenly planet so that people might not be required to undergo the routine of pious work necessary to enter that planet.
He even challenged the authority of Sri Rama, the Personality of Godhead, and kidnapped His wife, Sita. Of course, Lord Rama came to chastise the atheist, answering the prayer and desire of the demigods, He therefore took up the challenge of Ravana, and complete activity is the subject of the Ramayana. Because Lord Ramacandra was the Personality of Godhead, He exhibited superhuman activities which no human being, including the materially advanced Ravana, could perform. Lord Rama prepared a royal road on the Indian Ocean with stones that floated on the water. Modern scientists have done research in weightlessness, but it is not possible to bring weightlessness anywhere and everywhere. But because weightlessness is the creation of the Lord by which He can make the gigantic planets fly and float in the air. He made the stones even within this earth to be weightless and prepared a stone bridge on the sea without any supporting pillar. That is the display of power of the Supreme Lord.
Due to His causeless mercy upon all living entities, the Supreme Lord, along with His plenary extensions, appeared in the family of Maharaja Iksvaku as the Lord of Sita, His internal potency. Under the order of His father, Maharaja Dasaratha, He entered the forest and lived there for 14 years with His wife and younger brother.
Lord Rama is the Personality of Godhead, and His brothers, Bharata, Lakshmana and Satrughna, are His plenary expansions. All four brothers are Visnu-tattva. There are many unscrupulous and ignorant commentators on Ramayana who present the younger brothers of Lord Rama as ordinary living entities. But Srimad-Bhagavatam, the most authentic scripture on the science of Godhead, clearly states that His brothers were His plenary expansions. Lord Rama is the incarnation of Vasudeva, Lakshmana is the incarnation of Sankarsana, Bharata is the incarnation of Pradyumna, and Satrughna is the incarnation of Aniruddha, all expansions of the Personality of Godhead. Laksmiji Sita is the internal potency of the Lord. She is neither an ordinary woman nor the incarnation of Durga. Durga is the external potency of the Lord, and she is associated with Lord Siva.
The question may be asked why the Lord, who is omnipotent, comes here to diminish the burden created upon the world by the unscrupulous kingly order. Certainly, the Lord does not need to come here personally for such purposes, but He descends to exhibit His transcendental activities in order to encourage His pure devotees, who want to enjoy life by chanting glories of the Lord. In the Bhagavad-Gita 9.13-14 it is stated that the mahatmas, great devotees of the Lord, take pleasure in chanting the activities of the Lord. All Vedic literatures are meant for turning one’s attention towards the Lord and His transcendental activities. Thus, the activities of the Lord, in His dealings with worldly people, create a subject matter for discussion by His pure devotees. When the Lord appears in this universe in the form of a human being, He has two purposes, as stated in Bhagavad-Gita 4.8 – paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam: to destroy the demons and protect the devotees. To protect the devotees, the Lord not only satisfies them with His personal presence but also teaches them so that they will not fall down from devotional service.
As described in Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 9 chapter 10 verse 11, by His personal example, Lord Rama taught us the tribulations that certainly follow upon entering married life and attachment to the opposite gender. "When Ramacandra entered the forest and Lakshmana was also absent, the worst of the Raksasas, Ravana, kidnapped Sītadevi, the daughter of the King of Videha, just as a tiger seizes unprotected sheep when the shepherd is absent. Then Lord Rama wandered in the forest with His brother Lakshmana as if very much distressed due to separation from His wife. Thus, He showed by His personal example the condition of a person attached to women."
In this verse, the words stri-sanginam gatim iti indicate that the condition of a person attached to women was shown by the Lord Himself by His personal example. Whether in the forest or at home, if one is attached to the opposite gender, this attachment is always troublesome.
Of course, this is the material side of stri-sangi, but the situation of Lord Rama is spiritual, for He does not belong to the material world. Narayanah paro vyaktat: Narayana is beyond the material creation. Because He is the creator of the material world, He is not subject to the conditions of the material world. The separation of Lord Rama from Sīta is spiritually understood as vipralambha, which is an activity of the hladini potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead belonging to the srngara-rasa, the mellow of conjugal love in the spiritual world. In the spiritual world the Supreme Lord has all the dealings of love, displaying the symptoms called sattvika, sancari, vilapa, murccha and unmada. Thus, when Lord Rama was separated from Sita, all these spiritual symptoms were manifested. The Lord is neither impersonal nor impotent. Rather, He is sac-cid-ananda-vigraha, the eternal form of knowledge and bliss. Materially those who are attached to women suffer, but spiritually when there are feelings of separation between the Lord and His pleasure potency the spiritual bliss of the Lord increases.
As confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.45, Krpanas, those who are not advanced in spiritual knowledge and who are therefore just the opposite of brahmanas, generally take to family life, which is a concession for sex. Thus, they enjoy sex again and again, although that sex is followed by many tribulations. This is a warning to devotees. To teach this lesson to devotees and to human society in general, Lord Rama, although the Supreme Lord Himself, underwent a series of tribulations because He accepted a wife, mother Sita. Lord Rama underwent these austerities, of course, only to instruct us; actually, He never has any reason to lament for anything.
Another aspect of the Lord’s instructions is that one who accepts a wife must be a faithful husband and give her full protection. Human society is divided into two classes – those who strictly follow the religious principles and those who are devotees. By His personal example, Lord Rama wanted to instruct how to fully adopt the discipline of the religious system and how to be a beloved and dutiful husband. Otherwise, He had no reason to undergo apparent tribulations. One who strictly follows religious principles must not neglect to provide all facilities for the complete protection of his wife. There may be some suffering because of this, but one must nevertheless endure it. That is the duty of a faithful husband. By His personal example, Lord Rama demonstrated this duty. Lord Rama could have produced hundreds and thousands of Sitas from His pleasure energy, but just to show the duty of a faithful husband, He not only rescued Sita from the hands of Ravana, but also killed Ravana and all the members of his family.
Another aspect of the teachings of Lord Rama is that although the Supreme Lord and His devotees apparently suffer from material tribulations, they have nothing to do with such tribulations. They are mukta-purusas, liberated persons, under all circumstances. A Vaishnava is always firmly situated in transcendental bliss because of engagement in devotional service. Although he may appear to suffer material pains, his position is called transcendental bliss in separation. The emotions a lover and beloved feel when separated from one another are actually very blissful, although apparently painful. Therefore, the separation of Lord Rama from Sitadevi, as well as the consequent tribulation they suffered, is but another display of transcendental bliss.
The recitation of the great epic, Ramayana, composed by the great rsi and devotee, Valmiki, grants one all the fruits of dharma, artha, kama and moksa. Beyond that, it helps one to advance toward life’s ultimate goal, the development of love of Godhead. The readers of this book become blessed and inspired in Krishna Consciousness. May the transcendental forms of Lord Ramacandra and Sita forever remain situated in their hearts!Useful Resources:
Pastimes of Lord Ramacandra (Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 9):
https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/9/10/ (chapter 10)
https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/9/11/ (chapter 11)
https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/9/12/ (chapter 12)
Ayodhya Dhama Yatra 1999 lectures by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj:
Construction of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple (3D movie): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyFazCoV7UI
Ramayana: https://vedabase.io/en/library/rkd/
Ramayana: The Story of Lord Rama (by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj):
https://www.amazon.com/Ramayana-Story-Bhakti-Vikasa-Swami/dp/8190829262
https://books.bvks.com/book/view/Ramayana-the-story-of-Lord-Rama.html
https://ebooks.iskcondesiretree.com/pdf/Picture_Stories/Ramayana_Story_-_Picture_Form.pdf (Children book)
Mayapur TV: http://Mayapur.tv / Vrindavana TV: http://Vrindavan.tv
Holy Pilgrimages – Journey to Holy Dhamas: www.Holy-Pilgrimages.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolyPilgrimages
Holy Dham: www.HolyDham.com
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare |
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ||
Comments
Post a Comment