Ramnavami

Ramnavami, the birth celebration of Lord Rama, is an appropriate occasion to examine our faith and beliefs, shaped by our religion, its tenets and philosophy. It is indeed imperative because the times and the context have undergone a complete transformation.

The best way to do so is to understand the life and legacy of the deity who we worship. And to know, analyse and imbibe consciously and clearly what all he stood for. He, in this pursuit, has to be viewed not as a God, but as a human being, though an exceptionally gifted and accomplished one. The so called miracles that he is supposed to have performed are all humanly possible if their symbolic significance is deciphered and understood.

If we strive for establishing Ram Rajya, it is possible only when Ram is understood as such and interpreted in the modern context. The best service that today’s sage and wise teachers of Hinduism can offer is to present such interpretation to common men and women, believers and devotees, whose conduct and thinking can be so constructively recast. And the best service that the so called Ram-Bhaktas can render to Hinduism is to relentlessly propagate it, through one’s own conduct and through influencing others.

But one aspect that needs addressing is the moral and ethical fibre of our conduct, the dimension that deals with our duties and responsibilities towards others in the community. For, this is one aspect that must inhere in us as our articles of faith. It does not emerge as a response to the conduct of others but is innately and inherently part of one’s nature. It is that quality of our personal and communal life where strength lies in forgiveness and accommodation. Where retribution and punishment when necessary, is fast and firm but never unfair and unjust. Where discipline and right conduct is part of our up-bringing. Where success and superiority is established by drawing a longer and stronger line and not by obliterating and crushing another’s misplaced adventure. Where punishment is firm but never unfair and tainted with malice and hatred. Where the women are respected instinctively and the weak and unprivileged never exploited and mis treated. Where one judges the propriety of one’s own conduct before judging and declaring others guilty and put to guillotin.

Such a transformation is not utopian, but it is a formidable challenge far more daunting and difficult and not likely to be taken up easily.
But if it happens it will neither be transient nor ephemeral. And it can certainly be brought about, and when it does, it shall define and sustain the new age Hindus. And then, this religion and its adherents will be universally respected.

Not a proposition, many will readily accept, and decidedly an intractable one. And yet one that must be embraced if we profess that Ram is the focal point of our faith and reestablishment of Ram Rajya, his inheritance, our avowed desire and determination.