Lord Rama - Honoring Promise.

Lord Rama - Honoring Promise.

On Sunday, 10-April-2022, millions of Hindus will celebrate Ram Navami - Lord Rama's birthday. On the auscipious occassion of Ram Navami, it will be valuable to reflect on Lord Rama's values & virtues that makes him the most popular deity in India.

Hindu seers and saints have made extraordinary efforts to preserve India's sacred text. Ramayan - Sacred story of Lord Rama is one such text which is preserved, read and respected throughout India. Lord Rama's life and his personality is deeply woven into Indian culture. Lord Rama has set benchmark and norms for Indian family system, relationships, social structure and concept of ideal Indian ruler.

Lord Rama is held in highest esteem as an ideal son, just warrior, compassionate leader, great brother & effective king.

One intriguing aspect of Ramayan, Raghuvansh (Raghu's clan) and Lord Rama is passionate commitment towards fulfilling promise. In Ramayan and Indian culture in general, Promise is given highest value. There are numerous stories that demonstrate Indian sacred text's preference to fulfill promise even at the cost of losing family or losing one's own life.

Consider following two verses from Valmiki Ramayan.

RAMAYANA 6.101.52

Those who always adhere to truth do not make false promises. Keeping one’s promises is, surely, the mark of one’s greatness.

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Nahi pratijnaam kurvanti vithathhaam satyavaadinah

Lakshanam hi mahattwasya pratijnaaparipaalanam

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Lakshmee chandrat apeyaadwaa himavaan vaa himam tyajet

Ateeyaat saagaro velaam na pratijnaamaham pituh

2.112.18

Beauty may leave the moon, Himavaan may become bereft of snow, the ocean may transgress its shores but I will never violate the promise given by my father.

[Context: Rama’s words to Bharata when he requests him to return to Ayodhya and rule the Kingdom.]

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Ramo dwir naabhibhaashate

2.18.30

Once Rama gives his word, that is final and it is kept at any cost. There is no question of repetition of the same a second time.

[Context: Rama’s words to Kaikeyi : tat broohi vachanam devi raajno

yadabhikaangkshitam Karishye pratijaane cha ramo dwir naabhibhaashate

“O Devi! Please tell me what the King wants of me. I promise that I will carry out whatever is his wish. What Rama says once he carries out; there is no looing back.”

How will be our lives, society and nation if we treat our promise with the same sacred strength as taught by Lord Rama?

What changes will become natural and effortless if we remember, track and fulfill our promise?

Ram Navami is the festival of fulfilling promise.

List down all your promises in the area of health, family, career, social contribution, spiritual practice and hobbies.

Discover whether you have honored and fulfilled all promise.

If not, create the action plan to fulfill the promise. Best way to honor Lord Rama is the fulfill your promise.

Happy Rama Navami!