Ramayanam has always been an integral part of every Hindu's life. Ramayana is a Sanskrit epic describing the deeds of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.
"Ramayana Masam in Kerala is observed in the Malayalam month Karkkidakom (July August).Karkidakam month is dedicated to dead ancestors during when Shraddh ritual or pitru tharpan are offered to them. Karkidaka Vavu Bali (Pitru tharpan rituals) is the major ritual followed in Malayalam month of Karkidakam in Kerala. The sacred scripture Ramayana is recited during the whole month of Karkidam hence it is also known as Ramayana Masam.
"Ramayanamasam or 'the month of Ramayana' begins on the first day of Malayalam month Karkkidakom (July 16, 2012).On all days in the month, the Epic Ramayana is read in traditional Hindu houses.The reading begins on the first day of the month and is completely read by last day of the month. In 2012, the Ramayana Masam begins on July 16 and ends on August 16.
Ramayana Masamstarts from the first ofKarkkidakam(in malayalam era) and will end by the 31st day. In olden days, agriculture was the main source of income of most people in Kerala. During the month of June and July, there used to be heavy rain in Kerala. The fields used to be flooded, and the lay men left without job. ThusKarkkidakamgot another name as "Panjamasam" (poverty-stricken month), followed by Chingam (the first month of Malayalam era), being the harvest month. To have a good harvest during chingamasam, our fore fathers believed that worshippingLord Ramaduringkarkkidakamwill give a good yield. Thus the epic Ramayana was read in their homes. The entire book is read in 31 days, starting the first day of Karkkidakam.
It is believed that Ramayana parayanam (reading of Ramayana) in the 'Ramayana Masam' ('Karkkidaka masam': July-August) is a divine way to worship Lord Rama and attain salvation. On all days in the month, in most of the Kerala Temples as well as in the Malayali Hindu families (traditional Hindu houses) the Epic Ramayana is read. Some people recite in the early hours of dawn and some after lighting the evening lamp, sit before Lamp (nilavilakku) and recite the Ramayanam.
Great Valmiki completed writing the ramayana story in 24,000 verses. The epic is divided into seven kandas(Sections).The seven sections are theBala Kandam, the Ayodhya Kandam,the Aranya Kandam,the Kishkinda Kandam,the Sundara Kandam,the Yudha Kandam,and the uttaraKandam.
There is an elaborating unique message inherent in Ramayana. The Ramayana, truly, is a work that holds out ideals for every home and family. It clearly demonstrates what should be the ideal relationship between a father and a son, a husband and wife, betweensibling, and even between rulers and citizens.It deals with various topic like Administrtation, business management, communication skills, tips to success and family living.In the Yudha Kandam - a dialogue between Rama and Vibheeshana on the war field- describes the qualities that one should have to be successful in life.
Ramayanahas had a great impact on the culture of India. It gave form to the values of its society, reiterating to countless generations models of correct behaviour.The Ramayana is a store house of knowledge. One has to transform such knowledge to wisdom by applying the principles and core values in ones life. Reading and re-reading the Ramayana can be a rewarding experience for people of all ages at all times.
If we can make our children to read The Ramayana, it has a profound impact on their mind; The Ramayana describes the epic battle to wipe out Evil. It not only teaches us dharma, it also sheds light on the human predicament and the choices that lie before us. It teaches us that problems are inevitable in one's life, but if one is filled with wisdom and devotion one can overcome any problem.
The Ramayana can be told in as many as 24,000 verses as in the valmiki Ramayana or in just one verse as in the eka-shloka-ramayaNa which captures all the main events of the epic such as rama's exile to the forest, killing of the golden deer, the kidnapping of sita, the death of jatayu, the meeting with sugriva and the punishment of vaali, the crossing of the ocean and burning of Lanka by Hanuman, and finally the slaying of ravana and kumbhakarna.
TEACHINGS OF RAMAYANA:
Sathyam Bruyath, Priyam Bruyath,
Na Bruyath Sathyamapriyam
(Speak the truth; speak sweetly and softly
and neverUtter truth in an unpalatable way).
"Sathyam Bruyath"Speak the truth is the moral value.
"Priyam Bruyath" speak sweetly and softly is the social value.
"Na Bruyath Sathyamapriyam" neverUtter truth in an unpalatable wayis the spiritual value. So, the moral, social, and spiritual values are all contained in the above statement. TheRamayanateaches these values in the simplest way.
TheRamayanateaches the importance of human values. TheRamayanateaches us the threefoldDharma(code of conduct) pertaining to the individual, the family and the society. You have to make every effort to understand the duties of the individual, the family and the society. The modern society needs to follow theDharma that is contained in the epic Ramayana. Today, children are leaving their parents in old age homes, the students are not having regard for their teachers, and corruption is rampant in all fields such as business, education and politics. Under these circumstances, the principles of the Ramayanaare very important. In such a situation, everyone needs to follow the ideals of theRamayana.
The Ramaayana,also teaches two lessons: the value of detachment and the need to become aware of the Divine in every being. Faith in God and detachment from objective pursuits are the keys for human liberation. Give up sense objects, and you gain Rama. Sitha gave up the luxuries of Ayodhya so she could be with Rama during His exile. When she cast longing eyes on the golden deer and craved it, she lost Rama's presence. Renunciation leads to joy; attachment brings about grief. Be in the world, but not of it.
The Ramayanademonstrates that anything can be achieved through sincerity and devotion. Everyone should cultivate love for God, fear of sin and morality in society. Though Rama and Ravana were equally well versed in all forms of knowledge, Ravana did not followed the knowledge he had acquired and on the contrary he used it for wicked purposes. On the other hand, Rama translated all his knowledge into action and gave joy to one and all and engaged in the welfare of all.
Human life is a long journey. One should lead a divine life, not a mean life. Always be happy. Difficulties do come in life. That is the law of nature. Never get disheartened by them. Difficulties are like passing clouds. Difficulties come and go, and what ever be your difficulties always keep your values positive.Being God, Lord Vishnu could have planned Ram incarnation in such a way that he just wished something to happen and it happened. If he had done that, then there was no way we humans could follow in the footsteps of Lord Ram. We could say that he could do that because he was God and we do not have the power to do all these.Lord Ram, together with many others in Ramayan, underwent various sufferings. They showed with their conduct how we should behave in various situations.Rama stood as a shining example of upholding the moral values in the society.
All of us live on the same earth. The same sky is above all of us. We breathe the same air and drink the same water. Ignoring this underlying principle of unity man visualizes multiplicity, which is a big mistake. The Ramayanacenters on the principle of unity in diversity. Today as man has lost the ability to see unity in diversity, he is immersed in restlessness. What we need today is to see unity in diversity and the divinity behind this unity.
For divinity You do not need to undertake any spiritual practices. Experience the innate divinity in everyone by following the path of love. Love is God. Spend your life in selfless service. This is the teaching of Rama. Bliss is not present in a foreign land; it is present within you. In order to experience bliss, develop love in your heart. Your life itself will become a livingRamayana.
Today many people read the holyRamayana, but few understand its essence. They spend their time in acquiring bookish knowledge and superficial knowledge, but fail to have practical knowledge. There are many people who can explain the teachings ofRamayanain a beautiful way, but very few are following and applying these values in their life. What is the use of reading various texts, if we do not put into practice the message contained in them? Can anyone enjoy the taste of various delicious items by merely repeating their names? No. One can enjoy the taste only when one eats them. Like wise we have to follow the values that contained in the Ramayana.The good characters in Ramayan teach us the proper way not just by preaching but by their own actions.Rather than just reading and preaching good conduct, they lived with good conduct.let us follow.
Eka ShlokaRamayana
Adau Rama-tapo-vanaadi-gamanam Hatva Mrugam Kaanchanam
Vaidehee-haranam Jatayu-maranam Sugreeva-sambhashanam
Balee-nigrahanam Samudra-taranam Lankapuri-daahanam
Paschaat Raavana-kumbhakarna-hananam Etatdhi Ramayanam.
Lord Rama went to the forest in order to fulfill the promise his father had given to one of his wives (Kaikeyi). In the forest, Seeta was attracted by the golden deer and Rama went after it. At that time, the wicked Ravana kidnapped Seeta. Jatayu tried to defend Seeta and save her, but was killed by Ravana. Lord Rama then befriended Sugriva and killed Vali, the unrighteous. He crossed the ocean and entered the city of Lanka. He then destroyed the city of Lanka, killed the wicked demons Ravana and Kumbhakarna and set Seeta free. This is the story contained in the Ramayana.
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