Avatar – Ram Navmi

Ram – the name itself is synonymous with life.

Ram – the name signifies “Maryada” (limitations)

Ram – an ideal for every relationship…

Last year on Ram Navmi I shared about Ram being an ideal son. There are many facets to His life but today let’s talk about Ram being an Ideal Brother.

It is well known that Ram had 3 other siblings namely Bharat, Laxman and Shatrughna. But very few people know that Ram had a sister too, Shanta. But the great poet philospher Rishi Valmiki too has not tried to describe the relation between the brothers and their sister. So I too rest my words by just acknowledging her presence.

Regarding the brothers we all know how well knit their relationship was. When Ram learns about his father wishing to install Bharat as the king of Ayodhya, he happily accepts the decision as he has never considered himself different from Bharat. Even in the jungle, when Bharat comes to Chitrakoot to take him back to Ayodhya and Laxman castes aspersions over Bharat’s coming, it is Ram who has calmed Laxman with his belief in Bharat. He clearly states that Bharat has come to take them back. The trust which He had in his brothers is remarkable and needs to be emulated in these new times.

His love for Laxman is unparalleled.

They both are inseparable.

They live for each other.

They listen to each other.

They compliment each other.

They breathe for each other.

When Laxman fell unconscious by an arrow fired by Indrajeet, the way Ram has lamented is something which everyone needs to read. It clearly shows how much he loved his brother. He is ready to fight with the whole world for his brother. His anger, his grief, his anguish are nothing but out of love for Laxman.

Another instance which makes things crystal clear is when Laxman has to give up his life for breaking a rule. Will not go into the whole story, but Ram was not ready to order Laxman to give up his life. But it was a rule, and in Ram Rajya, even if Ram breaks the rule then he has to undergo punishment. So he does tell Laxman likewise, but he cannot take this idea if separation from his brother. And he too gives up his life by immersing himself in Sarayu river.

Such love between siblings is difficult to find and understand.

So on this Ram Namvi day, let us pray to Ram to give us the understanding about our relationships with our siblings and bless us all with the same.

Wishing you all and everyone at home a very Happy Ram Navmi.