5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Read Ramayana

Ramayana is a great Indian Epic book, which along with Mahabharata forms the Hindu history. Moreover, considered a Hindu religious text, this great story everyone should read including the people who are not from the Hindu religion. In the following paragraphs, we will be discussing the 5 reasons why everyone should read Ramayana.

1.     It is an entertaining story: In India, everyone knows that Ramayana is an entertaining story. But people outside India, think that Ramayana being a religious text might be boring. But the fact is that without even considering the religious significance the story in itself can be an entertaining novel to read.

2.     It gives you an essence of how life used to be in ancient India: Ramayana provides you a window to look at life in ancient India. Ramayana also gives you a glimpse of the values on which the Indian culture.

3.     Knowledge of the details of Ramayana is a sign of a learned person: Ramayana is a foundational text on Indian culture. Ramayana helps you in appreciating your culture and also makes you appear more learned.

4.     Teaches you ideal behavior: Ramayana teaches men how to be an ideal son, husband, father, brother, friend, and king and women on how to be an ideal daughter, sister, wife, mother, and queen.

5.     It helps you in facing the challenges in life calmly: Both lord ram and Sita Mata spend their 14 years in the forest. Lord Ram’s father died due to separation. The life of Lord Ram, Lord Laksham, and Sita Mata was tough but they manage everything very calmly.

Mahatma Gandhi used to say that the name of Ram gives him strength during the bad days of his life. If Mahatma Gandhi found inspiration in Ramayana, then we can also learn a lot from this great book.

Bhaktirus

MAHA-LAKSHMI, THE GREAT GODDESS

In tantric texts, Lakshmi place the supreme importance, she was Maha-Lakshmi, The Supreme Goddess.

Lord Lakshmi is differentiated from Maha-Lakshmi. Maha-Lakshmi is an autonomous entity and the supreme embodiment of the mother-goddess.

Lakhmi is not visualized as a beautiful goddess seated on a lotus, pot in hand, but she was like a virginal warrior-goddess riding a lion, much like goddess Durga. Maha-Lakshmi is a form of the goddess is especially popular in the region of Maharashtra.

As per ancient Pancharatra, Maha-Lakshmi considers being the root of all creation. In the beginning, they consider, the cosmic soul- the unfathomable unmanifest Narayana- desired to create the cosmos.

In the Lakshmi tantra, the goddess says that I am inherent in existence, I am inciter.

Lakshmi is the divine power that transforms dreams into reality.

Lakshmi is the consort of Vishnu and married his incarnations Rama (as Sita), Krishna (as Rukmani), and Venkateshwara (as Alamelu).

Goddess Lakshami is the god of wealth, affluence and ruling power. As per astrology, planet venus represents Lakshmi, Goddess Durga, Santoshi Maa, and Shiva-Parvati.

The Appearance of Goddess Lakshmi:

Goddess Lakshmi is described as a fair lady, with four arms, seated on a lotus, dressed in beautiful clothes and precious jewelry. Her expression is always loving and calm.

Vehicle of goddess Lakshmi:

The vehicle of goddess Lakshmi is the owl.

There are eight kinds of wealth are established, that are associated with goddess Lakshmi, and they are:

Adi Lakshmi

Dhanya Lakshmi

Dhairya Lakshmi

Gaja Lakshmi

Santana Lakshmi

Vijaya Lakshmi

Vidya Lakshmi

Dhana Lakshmi

Prayers Of Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi

There are two most famous prayers for worshipping goddess Lakshmi: Sri Lakshmi Stuti by Indra and Sri Sukta. Another popular prayer pronounced by the great sage Agasti: Agasti Lakshmi Strota.

Krishna’s and Sudama’s Friendship

We all know about Krishna’s and Sudama’s Friendship. Sudama belongs to a poor Brahmin family. He did not have enough money to feed his children. Sudama’s wife told him with a tear in her eyes, “it doesn’t matter if we are hungry but we should at least feed our children.”

After hearing this Sudama felt very hurt, and said, “What can we do? We cannot take help from anyone.”

Sudama’s wife replied, “You talk of Krishna. You have been saying that you have a great bond of friendship with him. He is the king of Dwarka, so why don’t you go to his place?

Sudama found light in the words of his wife. He decided to go to Dwarka & said to his wife that I will definitely go to Krishna and what I take along for his children?”

Sudama’s wife borrows some rice snacks from their neighbor. She wraps the food in a piece of torn cloth, Sudama took the bundle and left for Dwarka.

Sudama reached Dwarka and was amazed to see that place. The entire town was built with gold. He asked the direction from someone and finally, he reached there. The guards of the palace restrict Sudama and asked, why have you come here?”

Sudama answered I want to meet my friend Krishna. Go and tell Krishna that his friend Sudama has come to meet you.”

The guard hesitantly went and informed Krishna of Sudama’s arrival. On hearing Sudama’s name Krishan ran to meet him.

Krishna took Sudama into the palace. After seeing all the wealth of Krishna, Sudama felt ashamed of the rice snacks that he had brought and tried to hide but Krishna snatched it from him.

After that, they sat to have their meal which was served in gold plates. Sudama felt sad as he remembered his hungry children who are at home. He stayed for two days. On the third day, he got ready to leave the palace. Krishna embraced and escorted him out as he bid him farewell.

On the way back, Sudama thinks, “what shall I say when my wife asks me what I have brought back.

As Sudama reached their place, he could not find his hut! Instead, his wife came out from a beautiful palace & dressed in elegant clothes. She told Sudama, “Krishna did all this.”

The friendship of Krishna and Sudama is remembered all over the world as a symbol of true love.

BIRTH STORY OF PAWANPUTRA HANUMAN

Hanuman was the son of Kesari and Anjana. He was the incomparable devotee of Lord Rama. Hanuman had won the love of Lord Rama with his selfless service and devotion.

Birth Story:

Once upon a time, there was a mountain named “Meru” there was a great sage named Gautam. Kesari and Anjana were the monkey couple and they lived nearby the ashram. Anjana was the heavenly maiden, who was cursed and transform into a monkey woman. She would be freed from the cursed when she gave birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

The Reason Anjana was cursed:

Once Anjana was wandering on earth, she saw a monkey who is meditating deeply in a forest. She thinks monkey acting like a holy sage, she was unable to control her laughter. She made fun of monkey but monkey ignored her foolish behavior. Moreover, she threw some stones on the monkey and continued until the monkey lost his patience. He opened his eyes that sparkled with anger and he was a powerful holy sage who transformed himself into a monkey to do his spiritual meditation. He cursed Anjana, that she will be relieved only when she gives birth to a mighty son, an incarnation of Shiva.

Anjana blessed with a son:

Anjana’s dedicated meditation and prayers to Shiva without any food and water soon gave her fruitful results. Lord Shiva was impressed with the prayers and bless her with a son who will be immortal.

Soon Anjana gave birth to a monkey-faced child and they named him Anjaneya. Anjana was released from the curse and also wished to return to heaven. Hanuman’s father took care of Anjaneya.

Anjaneya has been named by many names like hanuman, Maruti, Pawanputra, etc.

Hanuman played a vital role in Ramayana and was a great devotee of Lord Rama and Sita.