Ram: The Eternal Light of Self - A Journey Through Devotion and Liberation

Ram – in Sanskrit literally translates to 'The Light of the Self'.

Ram is not just a name or a word. It is an entire prayer in itself; a key to get liberated from the worldly miseries and cycle of re-birth and death.

The only pre-condition being that the heart be full of devotion, love and faith.

So, let’s begin at the beginning, if there is one.

It was the ninth day of the first month of the Hindu calendar, when as pre-destined, Vishnu appeared in the form of little Ram in the Ikshvaku dynasty also known as Suryavansha as the 81st generation. (It is believed that King Ikshvaku was the Son of Sun God)

The eldest prince of Ayodhya, Ram was born after arduous penance, to King Dashrath and his first queen Kaushalya. Along with him were born 3 other princes, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna to Sumitra and Kaikeyi, the other queens.

As per the Institute for Scientific Research on Vedas, Lord Rama was born on 10th January 5114 BC in Ayodhya between 12 noon and 1pm. That is a whopping 7000 years ago. Why then do we see the deep reverence, respect and love even today and which would surely continue into the farthest future, without doubt? What is the phenomenon called Ram? How exactly did he live his life?

Preparing to be crowned king of Ayodhya, he was suddenly ordered to relinquish the royal life and go into Vanavas for 14 long years. Anyone would be shattered, but not Ram. We hear he acquiesced with complete equanimity and accepted to live the difficult life in the forest. That is the major inflection point in his life.

During his Vanavas with queen Sita and brother Lakshman, his loving acceptance of the “Joothe ber” from his devotee Shabari, his liberation of Ahalya from the curse of Gautama Rishi, helping Sugreeva defeat his anarchist brother Bali and crown him king of Kishkindha are some other highlights. It is said that he even paid his genuine respects to the scholar Ravana, before killing him.

The timeless allure of Ram transcends mere historical chronicles; it embodies the essence of devotion, righteousness, and selfless action. Ram, in his unwavering commitment to duty and righteousness, serves as a guiding light for humanity, illuminating the path towards spiritual fulfillment and liberation from the cycles of suffering. His life story resonates through the ages, inspiring countless souls to tread the path of righteousness and cultivate unwavering faith in the divine.

Through his trials and triumphs, Ram exemplifies the profound truth that true strength lies not in the wielding of power, but in the humility to accept divine will and embrace life's challenges with grace and equanimity. As we delve into the depths of Ram's saga, we uncover not just a historical figure, but a timeless archetype of virtue and integrity.

In the hearts of devotees, the name Ram reverberates as a sacred mantra, invoking the divine presence and kindling the flame of devotion. In every retelling of his tale, we find solace, inspiration, and the promise of transcendence. For in Ram, we discover not just a hero of epic proportions, but the very embodiment of the eternal light of the self.