Witnessing Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratishtha- Some Reflections

I have just returned to the USA via Karnavati (Amdavad) after attending Pran Pratistha ceremony of Bhagwan Ram Lalla at newly constructed temple in Ayodhya on January 22nd.

A little background will be in order. Because of a large number of dignitaries to be invited for this momentous occasion, Pran Pratishtha committee had to restrict invitation to volunteers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh from countries outside of Bharat. Yet, it was important that these countries be represented as they all had contributed one way or another to the struggle to liberate Ram Janmabhoomi.

So, it was decided that one member from each of the fifty-three countries where Vishwa Hindu Parishad and/or Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh has presence would be invited. It was also desired that they would have been  involved with the liberation movement for a long time.

I was informed that I was selected to represent the USA since I had been associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement from its inception in 1984. I had wished that some other people be selected as I have had other opportunities during my long association with VHP of America, but the decision was made.

Though later on about twenty-eight people from VHP of America, primarily members of its governing council were allowed to participate as an exception (no other country had that privilege), I was part of a special delegation of representatives from fifty-three countries. There were fourteen countries from Africa, 12 from Europe, eight from Americas, 15 or so from countries East to Bharat, etc. From Botswana to Egypt, Kenya to Ghana, Finland to France, Hungary to UK, Canada to Suriname, Vietnam to Australia, it was a genuine confluence of nationalities present.

These delegates stayed in the same hotel and traveled by same bus so there was an intense sense of affinity and enthusiasm were contagious.

नवधा भक्ति

• प्रथम भगति संतन्ह कर संगा।

The first kind of devotion is to make friendship with good and honest people don’t be in a company of bad people.

2. दुसरि रति मम कथा प्रसंगा॥ 

The second kind of devotion is to read the story of various incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

All of us had reached Lucknow by 20th evening as instructed. We were welcomed at the airport with chanting of Vedic mantras, a tilak and offering of a colorful yellow scarf, with the picture of Bhagwan Ram, known as “khes.”)   

We were bused to Ayodhya next day, a distance of about eighty miles. On both sides of the highway, there were saffron flags with imprint of Bhagwan Ram and Hanuman everywhere- at individual homes as well as businesses. There were hoardings by the dozen welcoming Ram Lalla as well as Modiji and yogi Adityanathji. There were colorful lightings everywhere- from a small roadside dhaba to big corporate offices. As we entered Ayodhya’s outskirts, we noticed trees that were lighted, railings on the side of highways decorated with strings of marigold flowers and bridges ablaze with chains of lights.

Five-star hotels had full size cutouts of Bhagwan Ram at the door and inside. Instead of pop music elevator songs, they were playing bhajans extolling shree Ramchandraji’s virtues. Door attendants and hotel staff greeted you with Jay Siyaram. 

Newspapers were full of color supplements giving all tidbits of preparation to  welcome Ram Lalla back after 495 years  and minute details of how communities were gearing up for the grand celebration. Every ounce of Ayodhya had become Ram-may, that is, immersed in Shree Ram. I was reminded of a couplet from Sant Tulsidas’s Ram Charit Manas-  सियराम मय सब जग जानी, करहु प्रणम जोरी जुग पानी।  (I see the universe as immersed in Sita and Ram, I offer them salutation with folded hands.)

3. गुरु पद पंकज सेवा तीसरि भगति अमान।

The third kind of devotion is to be always ready in service of Guru that is spiritual teacher or great devotee of God.

4. चौथि भगति मम गुन गन करइ कपट तजि गान॥ 

The fourth kind of devotion is to speak about God’s greatness wherever you go, leaving all false ego and habit of dishonesty.

5. मंत्र जाप मम दृढ़ बिस्वासा। पंचम भजन सो बेद प्रकासा॥

The fifth kind of devotion is to always chant the name of God (e.g. Hare Krishna Hare Ram) with full faith and no sign of doubt in his existence.

All invitees were given colorful invitations with a unique code number, and all had registered ahead of time giving vital information. We were told clearly that there would be multiple security checkpoints and unless we had approved ID -Aadhar card or passport- and the invitation, we would not be allowed in.

6. छठ दम सील बिरति बहु करमा। निरत निरंतर सज्जन धरमा॥

The sixth kind of devotion is to take renunciation from bad habits and always maintain good character e.g. celibacy, obedient son/daughter, self-control, honesty, true and faithful relationships, helping needy people.

7. सातवँ सम मोहि मय जग देखा। मोतें संत अधिक करि लेखा॥

The seventh kind of devotion is to see me (Lord Ram) in everything like people, animal, tree, universe, etc. and give saintly or innocent people respect like me (Lord Ram) or even more respect than me.

We were bused on Monday morning to the entrance gate about one mile from the temple. We had reached there by about quarter after nine. There was no other public transportation and Ayodhya was sealed at all boundaries so that no one could get in without an entry pass. From there on, we walked with spring in our feet and unexplainable excitement in our hearts. There were wide walkways with walls with nicely carved windows.

There were an innumerable number of helpful staff dressed in blue jackets, mostly young ladies. They all knew that they would not be attending the event, though being so close to it but they were carrying out their duty with a smile on their lips. 

We must have passed through five or six checkpoints, then through a metal detector and physical frisking.

We were allowed to carry our mobile phones but nothing else. Women were not allowed to carry even a purse. I had a single cough lozenge in my pocket which the detector picked out and out it went in a trash can.

There were young girls as well as ladies and some men who were standing on both sides as we passed through and they were applying sandalwood paste on our foreheads, some chanting mantras; we reciprocated with loud Jai Shri Ram. Then there were volunteers who adorned us with a beautiful scarf with painting of Shri Ram with his bow and arrow.

9. नवम सरल सब सन छलहीना। मम भरोस हिय हरष न दीना॥

The ninth kind of devotion he says is very simple, always be honest to others don’t cheat anybody and whatever circumstances comes in your life don’t lose your faith in me (Lord Ram) and never worry keeping in mind Lord Ram is always there with you.

Finally, we arrived in the Mandir Parisar or temple compound and our heads automatically bowed when we saw the magnificent structure. It was decorated with real flowers using hundreds of thousands of them. 

While proceeding further I saw Sadhwi Uma Bharati being escorted and I remembered the hey days of Ram Janmabhoomi movement in early nineties when Uma Bharati ji played a very important role in awakening Hindus. I remembered how she shaved off her beautiful long hair to sneak into Ayodhya incognito when then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had boasted that not a sparrow would be able to enter Ayodhya to perform Karseva (volunteer work at the Ram Janmabhoomi.) Then I saw Pujya Morari Bapu surrounded by entourage. Later I spotted ex law minister Ravi Prasad Ji who also represented Bhagwan Ram Virajman in Supreme Court case.

The administration had divided sitting arrangements into 30 blocks and everyone was preassigned the block numbers. Before getting there, we had to remove footwear and deposit it with volunteers at several tents, aptly named Paduka Seva. Everything was seamless and volunteers would not allow us to remove footwear by ourselves but took pride in removing them.

I felt so embarrassed and when I said thank you, they instead thanked me for giving them the opportunity to serve. What humility! It reminded me of Kevat (boatman) who took Bhagwan Ram across Saryu River after washing his feet.

And after depositing our footwear they sprayed sanitizer in our hands. Talk of superb service and consideration of minor details!

Each block accommodated anywhere from 100 to 300 delegates. The 53 foreign delegates (some with spouses) were seated in block number one. Other VHPA colleagues were seated in block 4. We were just in front of the South facing side of the temple. Temple’s entrance is east facing and that is where all saints and religious heads as well as select dignitaries like Ambanis and Amitabh Bachchan were seated.

There was about an hour and a half wait before Modiji arrived, so people were greeting each other, trying to find friends and renew old acquaintances which was truer for NRIs like me. 

प्रबिसि नगर कीजै सब काजा। हृदय राखि कौशलपुर राजा।।

Do all that needs to be done after entering the city, keeping in your heart the king of Kaushalpur, Ramchandra.

हो, जाकी रही भावना जैसी

प्रभु मूरति देखी तिन तैसी॥

One sees Ishwar in the form according to his feeling (contemplation.)

रघुकुल रीत सदा चली आई   प्राण जाए पर वचन न जाई॥

It is  the tradition of Raghu dynasty in which one can let go of life but not of his word.

 हरि अनन्त हरि कथा अनन्ता   कहहि सुनहि बहुविधि सब संता॥

Ram is eternal and so is his fame; Saints have described his fame in various ways.

बंदउँ संत समान चित हित अनहित नहिं कोइ।

अंजलि गत सुभ सुमन जिमि सम सुगंध कर दोइ॥

Meaning: I salute the saints, who are stable in their mind, who have no friend and no enemy. The way the flowers spread their same fragrance to the hands which pluck them out and to those which hold them, similarly a saint does same good to friend and enemy.

I spotted Vivek Oberoi and Sonu Nigam a few rows ahead of us. Someone told us that just before we arrived Kangna Ranaut had come and raising her hand cried Jai Shri Ram. 

Later I saw Anupam Kher and Manoj Joshi, my favorite actors in the first row. 

Just ahead of me was sitting Anu Malik, with whom I had a lengthy conversation at Lucknow airport lounge the next day. 

Anup Jalota Ji came later and had to sit in the back. There were no reserved seats except a few. 

I also met Shefali Vaidya- those who follow social media would know her- She is strong and firebrand Hindu warrior who also appears in TV debates and is an exceptional writer. Besides, she is an avid traveler, and her travelogues are a joy to read. She also has a veritable collection of beautiful sarees.

I also saw Khana Khazana fame chef Sanjeev Kapoor. 

In block 2, I spotted Dr. Pravinbhai Togadia former General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad with whom I had worked at the height of Ram Janmabhoomi movement. I went and gave my respect

Though he is now estranged from Vishwa Hindu Parishad, his contribution to movement comes only second to swargiya Ashok Singhal Ji.

At some point, they served boxed snacks. Distribution and removal of used boxes was a case study in management itself. These were all volunteers of RSS who are known for selfless Seva and discipline.

All this time devotional singing was going on where Sonu Nigam, Anuradha Paudwal and her daughter Kavita Tulpule and Shankar Mahadevan enthralled the audience.

Coincidently gentleman sitting next to me was one by the name of Mohammed Faiz Khan. He was from Raipur, Chhattisgarh and is a leader of Gau Rakshak (saving cows from slaughterhouse) movement. In 2018 he had taken out a Gau Seva Sadbhavana Padayatra of 12,000 KM from Kanyakumari to Amritsar. Also, in 2020 he undertook 800 KM Padayatra with soil from Mata Kaushalya’s village in Chhattisgarh to reach Ayodhya on August 5 for Shri Ram Mandir’s foundation. Along with us, he also was lustily cheering Jai Shri Ram. I had a good and productive talk with him

There were about 6000-7000 attendees, but everything worked out like clockwork. Later during the program boxed lunch was also served.

On all sides of the temple on the main floor there were dozens of plainclothes security personnel in blue outfit as well as commandos in their camouflage uniform were visible. A few of them were on the roof top too.

I will not dwell into the description of the program as everyone has watched it on TV and read about it. But one of the hi-lights was the profuse showering of rose petals on the delegates and the temple by two military helicopters just around the time of Pran Pratishtha. Many of us including me collected the petals as a souvenir and prasad to share with folks at home. Just before the helicopters arrived two eagles were seen in the sky circling the temple, which is considered very auspicious,

Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi Ji, Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj who introduced Narendrabhai Modi and param Pujya Sarsanghchalak of RSS, Dr. Mohan Bhagwat Ji all spoke very well. I noticed these key takeaways from their talks.

Yogi Adityanathji: Those who said Temple cannot be built may come and see that the temple is built and is built where it was supposed to be built. during 500 years of struggle, we never gave up. People rose above differences of caste, ideology, philosophy and method of worship and sacrificed themselves for the cause of Ram. Construction of the temple marked a cultural renaissance in Bharat. Now there will be no sound of bullets in the streets of Ayodhya; there will be sound of bhajans.

Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj: Modiji is a Tapasvi. He is like Shivaji Maharaj. He was destined to do this Pran Pratishtha and that is why he is here today. Bharat is fortunate that it has Modiji as the Prime Minister. Pran Pratishtha is the symbol of Bharat’s identity, self-respect and self-confidence.

Dr. Mohan Bhagwat Ji: It is time to work together. Restrain ourselves. Temple is built. But now what? What will you do? Now is the time to work for raising a new, inclusive Bharat. Bhagwan Ram had to go for 14 years of exile because of discordance in the family but when Bhagwan Ram ji came back, he had solved issues of disharmony in Sri Lanka and in Kishkindha. Shun ego, stay united and lead a disciplined life. We will have to let go of minor differences. Only by collective Tapsya we can make Bharat Vishwa Guru. “The very first requirement of Dharma is mutual understanding.”

They all gave the audience points to ponder. If we do not understand the deep meaning of what they have said, we will not be able to bring Ram Rajya.

Modiji spoke for about 40 minutes. Like many others I have listened to him several times and every time there is something new, something out of the box. However, his talk today was a talk coming from the inner recesses of a highly spiritual being. When he said that अभी भी मैं स्पंदित हो रहा हुं। (I am still feeling the vibrations of the experience of performing puja for Pran Pratishtha), I got goose bumps. Here we were sitting outside and watching the ceremony on a screen and yet  we felt overwhelmed by the weight of realization that we were becoming part of an epoch-making moment, part of a history that would be written years after we would be gone, then what kind of divine vibration Modiji, who was being an instrument in the process of unveiling divine चेतना (consciousness) in the murti of Ram Lalla would have been feeling? And only an individual spiritually purified can feel that स्पंदन, vibration. For a few moments I felt that Modiji was speaking in a trance. It is hard to encapsulate so many things Modiji said but a few have been etched in our collective consciousness. These are: Ram is not conflict but resolution, this time is not only for Vijay but also for Vinay, Ram is not fire Ram is energy, Ram is not Vivad (dispute), Ram is Samvad (dialogue) and finally the most critical is from Dev to Desh and Ram to Rashtra.

Each  one of these requires deep introspection. If we as a society follow it in letter and spirit, Ram Rajya is not too far; however, if we fall back on old habits, Ram Rajya will remain only a distant dream and empty slogan.

I was reflecting on what I had read and heard that the Mandir is built to last 1000 years. What does that mean in practical terms? Mandir will not disintegrate for a long time with proper maintenance and care. But what if there was a war where it becomes a target? What if there is an attack by an enemy or a war?

So, the onus is on us to ensure we become so strong that  other countries would think twice before going to war with Bharat and that none would dare to think of invading Bharat. 

We also have to educate the younger generation on the importance of protecting our heritage and institutions like Shri Ram Mandir that represent our age-old heritage and history.

We also need to ensure the idea of respecting all religious thoughts becomes a norm in society; that would eliminate or minimize incidences of attacks on places of worship.

The percentage of Hindus in Bharat has been decreasing with every census. This is a matter of concern which needs to be addressed by implementing suitable measures. An awakened and vigilant Hindu society can help in preserving and protecting icons of our culture and dharma.

While doing all this, we have to continue building bridges with other communities to eradicate any doubts they might harbor and develop trust as our destinies are tied together, only when we understand history and take corrective steps, Shri Ram Mandir could be assured of a 1000-year life.

कोमल चित अति दीनदयाला। कारन बिनु रघुनाथ कृपाला॥

गीध अधम खग आमिष भोगी। गति दीन्ही जो जाचत जोगी॥

Ramji is very kind and bestows his grace without any reason. Jatayuji (vulture) was a non-vegetarian, but he gave him that high place which even the yogis keep asking.

मंगल भवन अमंगल हारी

द्रवहु सुदसरथ अजिर बिहारी

 “O Lord Ram your name is good and auspicious for all causes and destroyer of all bad omens, take compassion on me ,of Dasharatha beloved (Shri Ram) who is an eternal player (of the illusion of this world).”

After Modiji left, plans were to call delegates block by block. This would have ensured quick and orderly darshan for all but that was not to be. Old habits die hard. This was supposed to be an elite assemblage. But they betrayed trust in them, and everyone rushed to be the first. Of course, they stood in line but at times there was push from behind, some people formed their own lines. Of course, a strong security cordon did not allow people to go even near temple steps. There was constant request on P.A. system for people to sit in chairs and wait for 30 to 45 minutes, that there were already a thousand people in nritya mandapam and sanctum sanctorum, but it had little effect. We decided to wait it out. As we were waiting, we met a young couple that had come from Gujarat. We found out that that lady’s father and grandfather burned to death when Muslim mobs torched a coach of Sabarmati Express carrying karsevaks at Godhra station on 27th February 2002. She said at that time she was only six months old, so she did not remember anything. It was heartening to see that organizers did not forget the families of those who gave their lives for the cause of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. Purnima Kothari, sister of two Kothari brothers who were dragged from an akhada and shot in head at point blank range by police of Mulayam Singh Yadav during October 1990 Karseva, was also invited.

Finally, after waiting in line for two and a half hours, we got our turn at five PM. I could just get a glimpse of intricate carvings and sculptures as we were constantly asked to keep moving. It is a glorious temple of which we all can be proud.

What added to the difficulty was people taking selfies and photos of the Murti and coming in the way of other devotees. Though normally you would expect to absorb the grace of sanctified Murti in front of you, I can understand the sentiments of people to take photos and videos for everlasting memory and sharing with families and friends. Many temples have a ban on photography, and I do hope that the temple management here will find a practical way to serve the interests of all devotees.  I would need to go back there in a year or two when the rush wouldn’t be as great, and I could sit in front of Bhagwan Ram and feel His divine presence. There were awe inspiring massive Gold-plated doors for the Sacrosanctum  besides wooden doors elsewhere. We had barely a few seconds to do darshan and experience the blessings of shree Ram from the murti bedecked with splendid looking ornament before we were literarily pushed out by the security. Those who watched it on TV screen would have had  better darshan!

Later on, we went to a tent outside the  Mandir complex where  they were distributing prasad in a jute bag. It was another fast and efficient operation.

At this point, let me acknowledge and appreciate unimaginable seva performed by volunteers from Rashtriya Sevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and many allied organizations. Right from the time of sending out invitation, to updated communications, welcome at Lucknow airport and transportation to hotel, to looking after every small or not so small need (e.g., I had to buy warm cloths in a hurry in Lucknow in a hurry as I was not prepared for the extreme cold there), to arranging bus transport to Ayodhya and reserving hotel rooms, to making sure we all had proper documents and passes to be at the Pran Pratishtha to bringing us back to Lucknow and seeing us off, everything was so meticulous and done with grace and real warmth that we felt as if we were Baratis (wedding party from the other side) at a wedding! Not to mention the leadership of Swami Vigyananand Ji, Joint General Secretary of VHP and Shri Saumitra Gokhale, International coordinator of RSS. It is not possible to name all RSS and VHP volunteers from Lucknow and Delhi but Abhas Agrawal, Vipul Sharma, Saurabh Sharma, Sandip Chopra, Harsu Tiwari, etc. were on their feet all throughout.   thank you would be enough but as we say in many big RSS functions, a big OM to one and all.

We took in darshan of Hanumanji at the famous Hanumangarhi which is hardly 2000 feet from Shri Ram Mandir. 

Darkness had descended and the air was getting chilly as we strived to return to the hotel. There was a sea of people no matter where you looked. There were throngs of impatient locals, and they were pleading with the security forces to let them in so that they could have a glimpse of their own Ram Lalla but that was not possible. These inhabitants of Ayodhya who seemed to be of meager means were the true and rightful owners of the temple. They had suffered personally through 30+ years’ struggle. Some had lost their dear one. I remembered a humble middle-aged man, Ram Narain Singh whom I had met and interviewed in July 1991 when I visited Babri structure to get firsthand information about October 1990 indiscriminate firing on Karsevaks by the state police. He had lost one eye and part of nose in police firing. I remember his indomitable spirit when he told me, “I will go again and again for Karseva, even if I die doing so, because we have to build Ram Mandir.” 

And many others like him deserved to have the first chance to have that darshan, not us who jetted in from outside. My VHPA colleague Smt. Vallabha Tantry and I felt guilty that we had usurped their right to be the first to have the darshan. But then we had to take solace thinking this was the wish of Bhagwan Ram.

It took us a long walk and a few hours to get to our bus which could not cross the bridge because of

traffic regulations imposed that day. Though we are extremely tired by physical exertion as well as a sense that a magnificent thing had happened, a struggle of 495 years of which I was active participant from 1984 to 2014 had come to an end and that we had a lot more responsibility now as enumerated by Modiji and Bhagwatji, it was a blessing in disguise as We were privileged to witness to unbridled enthusiasm of people of Ayodhya. we saw people dancing in the streets, waving flags, playing Ram bhajans, breaking into incessant chants of Jai Shri Ram and सब। के राम, सब में राम, बोलो जय सियाराम, जय सियाराम। (Ram is everyone’s and Ram is in everyone. Say, victory to Sitaji and Bhagwan Ram.) 

Half of the main road was taken over by crowds. Every home, every commercial place has lit innumerable earthen lamps and places them in front of their homes/shops right on the footpath where everyone was walking. and then there were firecrackers booming in every direction. This itself was more than a Diwali celebration. We later came to know that there was a light and sound show on the banks of Saryu River too. My pen feels inadequate to describe the environment and joy- it cannot be expressed; it could be only experienced. 

I feel that it was only grace of Ishwar that I got this opportunity to be there for the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla who suffered being outside his abode for close to five centuries, because in the scheme of things, I am too insignificant, a spec of dirt on the tapestry of time.

As I was returning to the hotel, I remembered with reverence Ashok Singhal ji who led Ram Janmabhoomi liberation movement from the front, stayed focused on the ultimate goal and did not give into pressure or compromised. He enthused thousands of people to take up the cause and till his death in 2015 lived every moment for seeing Ram Lalla seated in His rightful home. 

Along with Ashokji, Sw. Sarsanghchalaks Bhaurao Deoras and Rajju Bhaiya, Moropant Pingle Ji and Omkarnath Bhave JI, Rajmata Scindia of Gwalior and Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, Vishnu Hari Dalmia Ji and Acharya Giriraj Kishore ji, Brahmleen Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji, Anjleebahen Pandya and Dr. Mahesh Mehta (both from USA) all had a significant role to play in keeping the issue alive. I felt that though they were not there in physical form, they were very much with us. I fondly remembered how huge efforts of Sadhwi Ritambhara Ji, Sadhwi Uma Bharati Ji, Dr. Pravinbhai Togadiya, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi Ji and Lal Kishan Advaniji helped mold public opinion in favor of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement and brought it in forefront of national conscience. 

देत लेत मन संक न धरई।     बल अनुमान सदा हित करई॥

बिपति काल कर सतगुन नेहा।  श्रुति कह संत मित्र गुन एहा॥

Do not doubt while giving or receiving; Keep doing good according to your capacity.

During difficult times, increase your love hundred-fold; According to Veda, that is the characteristic of a best friend.

गुन अवगुन जानत सब कोई। जो जेहि भाव नीक तेहि सोई॥

Everyone knows good and bad, but a person accepts what he likes.

बंदउँ प्रथम महीसुर चरना।    मोह जनित संसय सब हरना॥

सुजन समाज सकल गुन खानी।  करउँ प्रनाम सप्रेम सुबानी॥

First, I offer salutations to the Brahmins, Gods on earth because they remove all ignorance generated doubts. Then I bow to saints with affection who are repository of all virtues. 

This booklet lists 290 places between Ayodhya and Rameshwaram where Shri Ram stayed or passed through during his exile in the forest. It took 40 years of research by Dr. Ram Avatar. The Ashok Singhal Foundation has pledged to install Shri Ram Stambh as each of the 290 locations that will last 1000 years. 

Each pillar will be 15 fit tall weighing 12 tons. The pillars will have inscription related to the particular place and verses from Valmiki Ramayan. Number of pillars: U.P. 72, Bihar 16, Chhattisgarh 56, Jharkhand 1, Madhya Pradesh 23, Maharashtra 51, Karnataka 24, Tamil Nadu 24, Andhra Pradesh 6, Odisha 7, Nepal 9, other 1.

श्री गुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि।

बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि॥

I am cleaning my mind’s mirror with the soil of Guru’s feet; I am describing Ram ji’s untainted glory which gives fruits of Dharma, Artha, Kam, Moksha.

No doubt, this is a moment to  rejoice for occasions like Pran Pratishtha of Bhagwan Shri Ram at the very spot where he was born after a struggle of 500 years come once in a lifetime. However, this is also a sober moment, a moment to remember close to 180,000 people who have sacrificed their lives over five centuries to reclaim Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. 

We do not know names of most of them, but they have lived by the highest ideal,  माँ तेरा वैभव अमर रहे, हम दिन चार रहे न रहे। (Mother, may your glory remain eternal, may we last only four days or not.) It is these unnamed warriors whose sacrifices have built the foundation for the edifice that we call Shri Ram Mandir today.

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः, सर्वे सन्तु निरामया सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु, मा कश्चिद दुःख आप्नुयात्॥(May All be Happy, May all stay Healthy, May all see good/positive things, May no one suffer.)

Jai Shri Ram!

About the Author

Gaurang G. Vaishnav, based in Tampa, FL, USA is a Member of  VHPA Advisory Board and former General Secretary, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA).