Celebrating Rām Navami

I did not encounter this gem of Hindu scripture earlier in my education. But since I came across this superlative example of bhakti, it has become a part of my daily reading and contemplation. And what a joy the morning hours have been.

In this one phrase, Tulsidās succinctly summarizes the essence of Hindu faith. Dwell on this and you can skip the Vedas, Upanishads and all else. Pure bliss!

Notes:

• Verse above is from Gosvāmi Tulsidās’ Rāmcharitamānas: Bāl kānd, doha 115, chaupai 1; my translation from the original Awadhi.
• You can download a PDF (~5MB) of the entire Ramcharitamanas from GitaPress.org, from where the crop of the mantra is taken.
• 13th century Chola bronze of Śri Rām. Arthrur M Sackler Museum / Harvard Art Museum, Cambridge, MA. Picture taken by me.

More On Śri Rām:

• Śri Rām – The Holy Name. (with more quotes from Tulsi Ramayan)
• Celebrating Ram Navami-2008; Includes an excerpt on Rama from my book, Prarthana.
• Ram Navami – battle against terror continues to this day
• Agniteertham in Rāmeshwaram