Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Journeying through The Ramayana Day 20 @ Srirangam

SRIRANGAM


The first of the 108 Vaishnava Divya desam, Srirangam is considered the bhuloka Vaikuntam. For the Rama Anu Yatra, this was the culmination point. After all the trials and tribulations, and a grand Pattabhishekam. he looked at Vibheeshana with tearful eyes remembering all the help he had rendered in gaining Sita back. Rama then decided that he had to give Vibheeshana something that was very precious to Him. However, when Vibheeshana tearfully pleading with Rama to stay with Him forever at Ayodhya, Rama  reminded Vibheeshana of his duties as the King of Lanka. In order to remember him by, Rama gave the Ashtanga Vimanam and Lord Ranganatha - their temple & family deity, to Vibheeshana. What can be a more valuable gift?! Imagine giving away your chosen deity (Aradhya devata) whom your entire dynasty and family has been praying to over many generations. Rama then gave Vibheeshana instructions on all the utsavams to be conducted. So Vibheeshana flew with his gift towards Lanka. But due to some unforeseen events, he was forced to leave the Lord reclining here amidst the Cauvery river. Even today, Lord Ranganatha is one of the few deities who lies facing the south looking towards his devotee in Lanka. 

Though we were to have a huge procession and festival at Srirangam, celebrating the Lord's arrival atSrirangam as a culmination of the Ramayana, due to political issues, it waas cancelled. However, the sense o fulfillment and joy was no less. 

A NEW AWAKENING
        
The journey of following Rama’s footsteps across the length and breadth of the country took us through 10,000 +kms  of rail & road travel, giving us an opportunity to have a holy dip in 6 tanks, 14 rivers that are the back bone of our spiritual heritage, ending with the final ceremonious bath in the ocean – the point where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean. 

It also gave us an opportunity to explore many towns and villages and receive the warmth and hospitality of simple folk who treated us with reverence and awe because we were following their Rama in his journey.  In the course of our travel we visited scores of pilgrimage centres and innumerable kshetras and temples big and small. 

The one message that came through loud and clear for me, through this yatra was the love that the Lord has for us, his children. – Why else would the Sarvaloka Maheshwaran want to walk barefoot and struggle through a human life just to show us the righteous way of life? Why would he make so much effort to show us his myriad divine qualities?

The physical journey ended many months ago but the spiritual journey in quest of Rama continues for me…..

To view photos of Srirangam in Rama Anu Yatra click on:

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