Sri Rama Navami Celebrations @ JIVA Campus on 15th April, 2016
The festivities for Sri Rama Navami started yesterday itself. Yesterday evening, Edurkolu function was held where elders representing the bride Sitha Devi and bridegroom Sri Ramachandra Swamy extolled their greatness. Sri U. Ve. Sriman Nepal Krishnamacharya who hails from Janakapuri, motherland of Sithadevi and Sriman Venkatesh Iyengar from Srivilliputtur represented Mother Sitha devi while Sri U. Ve Sriman Raghavacharya from Simhachalam, Sri U.Ve. Sriman Raghavan from Kanchipuram represented Lord Rama. Each party glorified the One they represented quoting Sri Ramayanam, Prabandham and other scriptures. The exchange of words soon became a battle of words. HH Ahobila Jeeyar Swamiji played the role of a pacifier. The wit, wisdom and quick repartees trying to prove the greatness of their respective parties were enjoyed by HH.Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji and the devotees. Purnakala Music group sang melodious songs during the program filling the whole environment with devotional fervour. Later all the ladies participated in the Kotnam program. The program concluded with Mangalasasanam, thi:rttha goshti and prasada goshti.
Today morning the program started with sevakalam and thi:ttha goshti in Divya Saketham. Vishwaksena puja and punyahavachanam were conducted in the temple. Then the lord was brought to Saketha Mandapam in a procession. Mother Sitha was seated on Hamsa vahana decked up in colorful silk garments and precious jewellery while Lord Rama sat majestically on a throne. The auspicious bonding of Mother Sitha and Lord Rama was celebrated grandly. Sri U. Ve. Sriman Rangaramanujacharya Swamy spoke on this occasion elaborating on the greatness of the Lord.
HH Swamiji recited the thaniyan of Sri Rama
“thathascha dwa:dase: ma:se: chaitre: na:vamike:thithau
nakshathrye: adithi daivathye: svo:chcha samasthe:shu panchashu
grahe:shu karkate: lagne: va:kpatha: vinduna:saha
pro:dyama:ne: jaganna:tham sarvalo:ka namaskrutham
kausalya: janayad ra:mam sarvalakshana samyutham
vishno:rartham maha:bha:gam puthram aikshva:ku vardhanam
lo:hitha:ksham maha:ba:hum raktha o:stham dundubhi svanam”
The One who has no birth had to take birth. At the end of 12th month, during the month of Chaithra, on a navami day in the constellation of mesha, in karkataka lagnam during the noon, when 5 planets were in exaltation. Sri Rama was born to Kausalya to set an example of righteous living to one and all. HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji explained how Lord took four forms – four brothers to show how a man should behave. While Rama showed the behavior of man in external world, Bharatha and Sathrughna showed how one should behave towards devotees.
Later the rare books Sri Bhashyam (Volume 2) was released. Book 1 was released in February. The book was printed after a long period of 100 years on the advice of Sri U. Ve. Sriman Raghunatthacharya Swamy along with Sruthaprakasika by Sri Sudarsana Swamy in Telugu script. Both books were distributed to Dr. Rameswar Rao and other dignitaries. The first and last publication of the book was released in 1891. HH asked everyone to procure the holy scripture and not be discouraged that it is in Sanskrit. ‘It is our duty to save such scriptures. If we cannot read, place them in the place of worship and offer our prayers to the scriptures’, said Swamiji.
Sundarakanda with Govindarajeeyam commentary was also released. Previously Bala, Ayodhya, Aranya, Kishkindha Kandas with Govindarajeeyam commentary were already released. Audio CD with songs on Sri Rama padukalu were also released.
Later, HH Swamiji gave an update on Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi project and asked everyone to come forward as volunteers to protect our rich heritage and pass it on to the future generations.
All devotees showed their enthusiasm and pledged to come forward for the cause.
The program concluded with thi:rttha and prasada goshti.
In the evening at 6:30 pm, Darbar Seva started under the supervision of Sri Ahobila Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji. Ahobila Swamiji started the seva followed by Thiruchanda Viruttham.
