Rama Navami Celebrations in Guntur, April 12th 2011

SRI RAMA NAVAMI CELEBRATIONS IN VISWAMANDIRAM

Seetha Rama Kalyanam

Devotees of Bhagawan Sri Sri Sri Viswayogi Viswamjee Maharaj, the head of Viswaguru Peetham, celebrated, with the utmost devotion and dedication, the Kalyanam (wedding) of Lord Rama and his consort Seetha on Sri Rama Navami (April 4, 2011) in the grandest, most beautiful and colourful fashion in the divine presence of, and with the blessings of, Swamijee at Viswamandiram, Krishnanagar, Guntur under the able guidance of Sri Akula Koteswara Rao and Srimathi Kameswari, the devout couple who dedicated Viswamandiram for the service of Swamijee.  The object of the celebration is the promotion of universal peace and the welfare of all the worlds.

The dais where the ceremony was to take place was tastefully decorated with floral festoons and strings of illumined electric bulbs of different colours. Likewise the idols of Lord Rama, Seetha, Lakshmana and Anjaneya too were decorated with garlands of flowers and bedecked with silken robes presented by Sri Akula Koteswara Rao and Srimathi Kameswari. This was a real treat to the eyes of the onlookers. The various religious rites relating to the kalyanam were performed by a team of vedic pundits led by Sri Dhanakudaram Seetharamacharyulu, well-known literary figure and an eminent vedic scholar. The kalyanam was solemnized while the pundits chanted the sacred mantras and the musicians played auspicious tunes on their musical instruments. Sri Seetharamacharyulu, who provided explanatory running commentary of the ceremony, at the very outset, made the devotees recite Sri Nama Ramayana and Hanuman Chaleesa.

The main rites of kalyanam that included placing a paste of jaggery and cumin seeds on the heads of the bride and bridegroom, tying of the mangalasutra (tying of a string round the neck of the bride by the groom), throwing of talambralu (grains of rice) by the groom and the bride over each other’s head were preceded by abhisekham (ceremonial bathing) of the idols with panchamrita accompanied by the recital of Purusha Suktamu and Sree Suktamu, worship of Vishawaksena, some purificatory procedures and wearing of Yajnopaveetha (the sacred thread). The kalyanam performed thus in accordance with Vedic tradition filled the hearts of the devotees with joy to the brim.

Speaking on the occasion, Sri Seetharamacahryulu described Sri Viswayogi Viswamjee Maharaj as Datta, the unified incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. Mentioning that worshipping Guru will dispel ignorance, he advised the devotees to keep worshipping Viswamjee and be blessed. He added that the performance of the kalyanam in Abhijit lagna in Viswamandiram indeed transported all to Rama’s temple in Bhadrachalam where at the same time Seetharama Kalyanam was being performed. Performing the kalyanam on Tuesday, a very auspicious day, and one very dear to Anjaneya Swami, Sri Acharya pointed, boded well for the good of all. He added, “The Lord incarnated in human form as Rama at 12 noon and as Krishna at 12 midnight with the goal of promoting the welfare of all the worlds; and Rama strove to protect all people. Yogis have a secure place in the hearts of the divine incarnations like Rama and Krishna. Lord Rama pleased with the deep devotion of Anjaneya embraced him lovingly and began to dwell in his heart.” During his running commentary of the ceremony’s proceedings, Sri Acharyulu described the devotional songs composed by Ramadas, Annamacharya and Thyagaraja as peerless pearls in the devotional literature of the world and he rendered a few of them, as are appropriate to the occasion, much to the delight of the assembled devotees.

In his divine discourse delivered on the occasion, Sri Viswayogi Viswamjee Maharaj said, “Sri Ramachandra is a total embodiment of perfect humanity and of unparalleled righteousness (dharma). By the example of his personal conduct in daily life, he exemplified to the world how a king, a son, a husband, a brother and a disciple should behave. From the era of Treta to the present era of Kali, he remains enshrined in the hearts of all Indians and continues to be worshipped in accordance with vedic tradition. He is a divine incarnation worthy of dedicated devotion of one and all. On being urged by Brahma and other gods and goddesses, Lord Narayana descended to the earth in human form as Rama to protect the world from evil and ensure the well-being of all people. The Kalyanam of Rama and Seetha symbolizes the union of the individual soul (jeevatma) with the supreme soul (paramatma), the union being known as “yoga”. Brahma grandhi is the instrument that brings about and sustains the union of the bride and the bridegroom. For this reason at the predetermined auspicious moment (muhurtham) the paste of jaggery and cumin seeds is placed by the bride groom on the bride’s head and the bride on the bridegroom’s. This vitalizes each other’s nervous system.

Continuing Sri Viswamjee said, “Rama stands out as the most idealistic divine incarnation who has always adhered steadfastly to the principle of “one arrow, one word and one wife.” Rama’s obedience to his father’s directions in letter and spirit and his adherence to dharma are indeed very sublime.  Rama is an embodiment of justice, righteousness and truth. By performing the last rites of Jatayu he showed how gratitude should be expressed to those who rendered help to the society.”

Drawing attention to Ravana’s inglorious end, Sri Viswayogi mentioned, “Despite his being very powerful and being the recipient of Siva’s divine grace in abundance, Ravana met with a tragic end because of his enormous ego. By killing Ravana, Rama demonstrated to the world that, in the life of every individual, being humane, truthful and following dharma are more important than being egocentric and these qualities ensure success in one’s life. Many sages and seers have transferred the benefits of their penance to Rama and thereby made him very powerful and transformed him into a divine being.

Referring to the power of Rama Nama, Sri Viswayogi told the devotees, “The name of Sri Rama is the most unique and powerful and it reverberates in each and every nerve of every Indian. The belief in the efficacy of chanting Rama Nama pervades the psyche of all Indians. However, it must be remembered that chanting Rama Nama with complete faith in its power will alone ensure the desired results. With love and devotion one can certainly attain divinity.” 

“Rama is an ideal to be followed by the whole of humanity. He is securely established in the hearts of all Indians and so today we find temples of Rama even in the very remote villages of India; indeed every Indian heart is a temple of Rama. It is the responsibility of everyone to protect our many sacred temples and holy centers dotting the country. Rama is not merely an incarnation of Lord Vishnu; he is Lord Vishnu himself. True humanity can be seen in every aspect of Rama’s life whereas Raavana personified devilish traits. Rama performed many miracles though he never claimed to perform any,” Sri Viswamjee added.

Adverting to the age old system of marriage prevailing in India Sri Viswayogi Viswamjee said, “Its greatness is appreciated by other countries in the world. The married life of Sri Ramachandra and Seethamma is unique in many respects and has to be held as an ideal to be followed by the married couples in the present day society everywhere in the world. “

A few couples including Sri Akula Koteswara Rao and Srimathi Kameswari deputized for Rama and Seetha on the marriage altar. Men and women in large numbers from Guntur, Hyderabad and other parts witnessed the grand ceremony and received the divine blessings of Swamijee.

When Swamijee rose to offer harathi at the conclusion of the ceremony, interestingly Sri Acharyulu began singing the mangala harathi song of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Though this came as a surprise to the gathered devotees, Swamijee and Kameswari (Amma) instructed the song to be continued. This was followed by the singing of Swamijee’s harathi song. This incident was considered by the devotees to have happened according to Swamijee’s will, as a special prayer for Baba’s speedy recovery.                                

At the conclusion of the celebration teertham and prasadam were distributed.

Sri RAMA PATTAHISEKHAM

Sri Rama Pattahisekham (installation of Sri Rama on the throne and proclaiming him as king) was celebrated on April 13, 2011 with gaity in the divine presence of Sri Viswayogi Viswamjee Maharaj and with his blessings. Swamijee declared that the celebration was intended to promote universal welfare and peace. The devotees present felt overjoyed to witness Sri Ramachandra’s idol being installed on a silver throne and hailed the event shouting Jai Sree Ramachandra.

While the devotees under the guidance of Sri Akula Koteswara Rao and Srimathi Kameswari carried out the celebration, the religious rites were performed by a team of vedic pundits ably led by Sri Dhanakudaram Seetharamacharyulu, a renowned vedic scholar and commentator. As the ceremony took place in accordance with the sastric directions amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras and the auspicious sounds of musical instruments, Sri Acharyulu explained the glory, significance and importance of Rama’s ascension to the throne.

Initially worshipping of Ganapathi and Navagrahas (the gods representing nine planets) and purificatory pujas were carried out. This was followed by the worship of Vishwaksena, the commander-in-chief of the divine forces. Thereafter abhisekham (ceremonial bathing) of Sree Ramachandra with the holy waters from the rivers of Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri and Ganga as also the water from the Manasa Sarovar lake and with panchamrita was performed by Swamijee personally. Seeing Swamijee doing the abhisekaham filled the devotees with indescribable joy.

Sri Acharyulu, speaking on the occasion, described the performance of the pattabhisekham as willed by Sri Viswayogi for promoting universal welfare and peace as a very happy event. He advised all the devotees to keep serving Guru’s feet and become worthy rcipients of Guru’s grace and kindness. That will fill their lives with happiness and joy. He suggested that everyone must keep chanting the great and powerful Rama nama whereby their lives could become truly blessed.

Continuing his speech Sri Acaryulu described India as the land of action (karma bhoomi), the land of yoga (yoga bhoom) and the land of virtue (punya bhoomi). The great epics of Ramayana, Maha Bharata and Bhagavata had as their foundation India’s enduring culture. Bhagavadgita, though an integral part of Maha Bharata, had acquired special spiritual importance. So did Vishnu Sahasra Namavali. Sri Acaryulu advised constant study of these great books by all. He said that such a study would make their lives truly fulfilled.

Before the actual cereony began, Sri Acharyulu made all the devotees gathered to repeat with him Sri Lakshmi Ashtotthara Sata namavali and Vishnu Sahasra Namavali. In his sonorous voice he sang a few poems from Dasaradhi Satakam and a few krtanas of Annamayya and this enlivened the proceedings and transported the devotees into realms of ecstasy.

The vedic pundits dressed the idols of Rama, Seetha, Lakshmana and Anjaneya with new silk clothes presented by Sri Akula Koteswara Rao and Srimathi Kameswari and decorated the idols with garlands of flowers, golden necklaces and strings of pearls as also crowns of flowers. This was indeed a treat to the eyes of the onlookers. The idols of Rama and Seetha were then placed on the silver throne. Sri Rama Padukas (silver replicas of Lord Rama’s feet) were placed  at the foot of the throne. The royal staff and sword were kept near the idols. The exquisite beauty of the decorations exalted the devotees into higher regions of joy.

Sri Viswayogi personally sprinkled sandalwood paste and rose water on the idols and offered worship and harathi to the idols. All the devotees then offered salutations to the idols and then to Swamijee and received his divine blessings.

                                                                                    

  P.Subba Rao
Spokesperson of Viswamandiram