Ram Navami is a a special reminder of the noble ideals for which Lord Ram stood.
RAM NAVAMI
http://www.bawarchi.com/festivals/ramnavami.html
--->(Source: Free Press Journal)---->Ram Navami commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh reincarnation of Lord Vishnu
Ram Navami -- Celebrations
Lord Rama was born on the ninth day of the Hindu month Chaitra and that is why that day is called Ram Navami. Ram Navami is one of the most important festivals of the Vaishnav sect of Hindus. In some parts of India, it is a nine-day festival known as Vasanta Navratri.
Ram Navami is celebrated with religious fervour. On this day, people observe a fast. Many devotees fast for nine days. In all the Ram mandirs, Aarti and Pooja are performed during the noon hours, the time of Lord Rama's birth. At the end of the rites and rituals, which includes abhishek of Lord Rama and Shiva and chanting of Bhajans, the priest performs the peace chant with sprinkling of consecrated water. Prasad of sweets and fruits is given to people attending the pooja.
Many devotees stay awake on the previous night, in anticipation of Lord Ram's birth. A havan is performed and they sing devotional songs in praise of Lord Ram and rock his image in cradles to celebrate his birth. On Ram Navami day, all the Ram temples are beautifully decorated. the idols of Lord Ram, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman are adorned with new clothes, jewellery and flowers. Devotees visit various Ram mandirs and offer sweets, flowers and fruits. Selected chapters on Ramlila of Ramayan are read, the most popular
version being Tulsidas's Ramacharitmanas.
A huge fair is held in Ayodhya on Ram Navami day, where thousands of devotees gather to celebrate this festival. Pondicherry is another place where many pilgrims visit the Ram temples. Processions accompanied by splendid floats of Rama, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshman and his monkey-general, Hanuman are carried out with great zest.
RAM NAVAMI LEGEND
Lord Vishnu took the seventh avatar as Lord Ram to destroy the demon King Ravana. Ravana was very powerful and his tyranny knew no bounds. Sages were not able to perform their rituals under his reign. So, to destroy Ravana, Lord Vishnu took his seven avtaar as the son of Kaushalya, the first queen of king Dasharath. The king had two other queens, Kaikeyi and Sumitra and three children from them - Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughna.
In course of time, Ram married Sita. Dasharath planned to declare Ram as the crown prince of Koshal. Being the eldest son and rightful heir to his father, he stepped down for his step-brother, Bharat, Kaikeyi's son, to please his foster-mother. He was banished to the forest for 14 long years. His wife Sita and brother Lakshman followed with him during the banishment period.
In the forest, Sita was abducted by Ravana, which resulted in a great war between Ram and Ravana.
At the end, aided by a band of monkeys, the most loyal of whom is Lord Hanuman, Ram, killed Ravana.
Ram completed his period of exile and came back to Ayodhya to rule the kingdom.
Ram’s life, as described in Ramayana, sets an example of a dutiful virtuous life for an Indian. The legend is cited to prove how Lord Rama always lived a life of righteousness (dharma). Lord Rama is known as Maryaada Purushottam. His life exemplifies the ideal son, ideal husband and ideal ruler. Lord Ram was the true embodiment of humanity. Ram Navami is a therefore a special reminder of the noble ideals for which Lord Ram stood.
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Listen to MILK BABA chant RAM music at http://milkbaba.com/
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More good articles on Ram's Birthday by doing a search on http://www.google.com/ for RAM NAVAMI
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Baba leaving the Universal Healing Center in New York after a 3 month stay. Onto new worlds.
As Baba set out on his next world tour stop, he helped compose this statement about himself and his work of bringing the message of RAM to people everywhere.
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Baba is currently visiting the United States, performing sacred chants with harmonium, performing and presiding over pujas and other ceremonies and bestowing his shakipat and blessings upon all sincere aspirants who seek his darshan. Please feel welcome to bring family and friends.
Donations may be made directly to Baba to cover his travel or donate to his charities.
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As Baba set out on his next world tour stop, he helped compose this statement about himself and his work of bringing the message of RAM to people everywhere:
MILK BABA, a 77 year old Hindu sadhu (ascetic) and Sakshatkar (master of sacred Sanskrit Vedic scriptures) is currently touring the United States. A Ram Bhakta - one who follows the path of love and devotion to God - enchants and transports listeners of his musical programs and talks into highest realms of joy, happiness and light with his magical and lyrical weaving of the stories of Ram, Sita, and Hanuman into everyday life. Each program is unique and adapted to the listeners at each program. His immense reportoire never fails to amaze and delight his audience.
Baba, or Babaji as he is affectionately called, is known for for his gentlessness, sweetness, immense knowledge of Ram, plus many austerities and siddhis. He tried many of the classical and ancient Indian sadhanas (spiritual paths of discipline under a guru), such as maintaining silence for six months. Finally, Baba chose the Milk Austerity path - living solely on milk for 25 years. This austerity includes no water or any other food. Only 3 of the approximately half a million sadhus choose this very rigorous and disciplined pathway to spiritual mastery.
Following many classical Indian traditions, Baba walked barefoot 12 years throughout India and the Himalayas, touring and performing tapas (spiritual practices) at the great Indian sacred sites, temples and power places. He is famous for his trips to Mt Kailas, Lake Manasarova in Tibet, three times of which he walked barefoot through the Himalayas, taking over 6 months to cross the high Himalayan passes.
Today, the mahatmas (great souls) say "Ramayena" is coming - the one who awakens, imparts and reveals the secret and sacred inner power of the stories of Ram. He also holds many official titles such as Paramahamsa, an extrememly high, rare and honored title, which is awarded by a committe of a Mahamandaleshwar (head of a lineage) plus a group of Naga Babas (a group following a particular discipline and learning) at the Kumbha Mela. The title Paramahamsa is awarded after observing one who has maintained a steady state of consciousness for over 12 years.
He is also recognized as a master chef at the Kumbha Mela gatherings - where he cooks for the thousands and thousands and hundred thousands and millions of souls who gather for these great spiritual festivals regularly in India! He likes to say he cooks with Lakshmi (Goddess of Abundance) and Sita (consort of RAM) in the kitchen!
In his US programs, Baba blends chanting of the million year old Ramayana in Sanskit, with the modern Indian languages of the 400 year old Tulsidas version. He weaves in bhajans (devotional hymns) by the greatest of Indian poet saints such as Mirabai, Tulsidas, Kabirdas and Surdas. Plus his own lyrical outpourings of the divine love in beautiful heart-rending melodies he creates fresh within himself.
Now, Baba accompanies himself on harmonium with an electronic tabla (from Dehli!) In the past, he has given full programs just accompanying himself on the ectar. Satsang (discussion of the great truth), darshan (seeing a great soul), sacred music (bhajans and kirtans), classical mantra initiation rituals, shaktipat (bestowing of his spiritual energy), amazing stories of his spiritual travels and adventures in the Himalayas, India with the great masters, plus blessing ceremonies are all part of his offering as he travels throughout the west.
Baba's messages for the world include: "Do your duty. Remember God whenever you have leisure. Remove your mind from worldly pleasures."
People ask how they can express their appreciation of Baba's gifts. He charges no set fees. Donations are sincerely appreciated. A donation for Milk Baba's feeding program in Pashupathinath Ram Mandir, Nepal for the homeless, widowed and orphaned is deeply appreciated. In addition to a regular feeding program, Baba also regularly helps distressed people and families who have lost their homes to rebuild and make a new life for themselves. This support includes giving the funds to buy bricks and other building materials to rebuild. Please consider $10 and up as an offering, as your heart indicates.
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If you would like to bring an additional gift for Baba, he uses:
* 7 day candles (blue if possible)* Dried NUTS* Dried fruits
* Fresh organic fruits and vegetables. (Nothing canned or bottled.)
* Fruit Juice
* Raw Sugar
* Ghee
* Virgin Olive oil
* Indian spices
* Flowers
* Etc.
The above items are for the devotees to share as prasaad (blessed food) and for puja (ceremonial worship).
copyright 2005, Pat Crosby. All rights reserved.
Three happy yogis: Baba, Hari (ashram trustee), and Pandit S. N. Charka - dance master extraordinaire.
Check this link to see all the incredible dances Charka Ji performs.
http://anandaashram.org/e-w.school.of.dance/
copyright 2005, Pat Crosby. All rights reserved.
BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY FOR A GOLDEN WALK
Today is such a golden beautiful spring day. We decide to take a walk - the first after a very long and cold winter. The Catskill mountains of New York are famous for their beauty and magnificent color leaves in the autumn time. People travel from all over the world just to see these spectacular colors. Here, we iinvite you to take our walk with us - together - and enjoy these magnificent sites of nature!
copyright 2005, Pat Crosby. All rights reserved.
Baba has been watching us all take pictures of him and the satsangs. So now, he has decided to take pictures of us. Here am I, your noble photographer and blogger, Anjani - meaning the mother of Hanuman, embodiment of devotion - being photographed by Babaji on our nature walk.
copyright 2005, Pat Crosby. All rights reserved.
It is real clear! These three strips of Shiva's bhasma were painted on the road we were walking. Normally, there are 1 or 2 stripes. But these 3 strips here clearly showed that Shiva is everywhere with us! And we were enjoying the bliss of Shiva this day!
copyright 2005, Pat Crosby. All rights reserved.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
EASTER SUNDAY AT ANANDA ASHRAM
EASTER SUNDAY at ANANDA (Supreme Bliss) Ashram!
copyright 2005, Pat Crosby. All rights reserved.
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