Bhagwan Shri Ram’s return to Ayodhya – A proud moment
While none of us witnessed the unfortunate decimation of the ancient Ram Mandir by the tyrannical invaders, we are fortunate and blessed, nearly five hundred years later, to see the return of Bhagwan Ram to his Divine Home. History teaches and tells us the continuous and constant struggle and centuries-long legal fight.
In post-independent India, the political upheaval in the last decade includes the rise, revival, and renaissance of Dharma and the tragic fall of non-Sanatan political opposition. The most unfortunate of all was the tragic loss of many lives when the kar-sevaks were bulleted in Ayodhya in 1990.
Fast forwarding to historic January 2024, we pay our tributes for the sacrifices of many and celebrate the opening and “Pran Pratishtha” of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. It is a dream come true for every Sanatani, a proud moment of Dharmic Renaissance, and an unprecedented Diwali in January to welcome Ram Lalla to the magnificent Mandir after about five hundred years of exile. How incredible that we are immersed in Reinventing, Attaining, and Meditating in search of our own RAM.
Past to the Present
Sadly, India’s first Prime Minister Nehru and his five generations (5G) oppose the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the Sanatan Dharma Renaissance, in general. The 5G includes- Nehru’s daughter PM Indira Gandhi; grandson PM Rajeev Gandhi and wife Sonia Gandhi; great-grandson Rahul Gandhi (the heir apparent with an unfulfilled dream of being the P.M.) and great-granddaughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and finally Priyanka’s children, the great-great-grandchildren of Nehru.
It is no secret that Nehru objected to the renovation of Somnath Mandir and opposed the participation of the then-President Rajendra Prasad. Nehru called it an attempt at “ Hindu revivalism.” He opposed the Ram Mandir issue in Ayodhya when a Ram Lalla Murti surreptitiously appeared inside the Babri Masjid in December 1949. This kind of opposition to Hindu revivalism continues to this day by Nehru’s five generations and the Nehruvian Congress in boycotting Pran Pratishtha. Important to note is that Gandhi’s Congress perhaps died with him in 1948 who embraced both Ram and Rahim.
A sign of changing times is how Nehru’s India is transforming into Modi’s rising Bharat. Today, we are celebrating many Ds- Dharma, Devotion, Deities to Development, Democracy, Digitization, Demographic Dividends, and Diversity. Add to it many Ps- the “Politics” and “People’s Power” blended with ‘Puja, Prayer, Pran Pratishtha and Prasad’ to the sustained ‘Progress, Peace, and Prosperity’ for all. Incredible Bharat indeed!
Hindu Revitalization
Bharat is ushering in the profound era of Hindu revival and revitalization. Many of India’s former leaders were namesake Hindus while Modi is a devout believer and practitioner of Sanatan Dharma and a true ‘secular’ Hindu. Ever since he was invited to Pran Pratishtha, Modi vowed to follow strict religious, spiritual, or ritual discipline to prove himself to be worthy of it. He is observing an 11-day strict “Anusthan” to includes fasting, prayers, visiting Mandirs, and sleeping on the mat while maintaining all responsibilities as the nation’s Prime Minister. Thus far, he is the only Prime Minister who is not only a Hindy by birth but a true Sanatani by his actions, deeds, and practices.
In fact, Hindu revivalism is taking root beyond Bharat’s soil. For example, proud Hindus like me in Minnesota are witnessing the incredible cultural transformation of Bharat and reimagining our own revitalization as Hindus. It is beyond imagination what we are learning about Ram Lalla and Ram Rajya beyond the Ram Leela on stage or in the infamous TV serial. What is it if not the miraculous blessings by Bhagwan Ram himself to new Bharat and beyond? He is finally returning to His Heavenly abode in Ayodhya. What matters most is the reincarnation of the immortal Ram who lives in our minds, hearts, and souls forever.
Mandirs and communities across America are celebrating Ram Lalla’s return making their own cities Ayodhya-like. There are large billboards on the national highways, car rallies, special chanting, and puja and prasad in the Mandirs. The celebrations are as varied as the mysticism, and regional and ritualistic diversity of Bharat yet a sign of strong unity among the Sanatan followers.
Minnesota celebrations
The celebrations of Ram Lalla in Minnesota, despite the frigid temperatures, were as colorful, dynamic, and full of energy and enthusiasm as by the people in Ayodhya and Bharat at large. It started on January 20 with children staging Ram Leela in the Hindu Mandir of Minnesota. The proud community conducted a 10-km long rally of more than eighty cars with saffron Ram flags. The car rally started with a special puja and concluded at the Mandir with puja, bhajans, and chanting. In the evening, dozens of Tesla owners braved the weather for a light and sound program at the Mandir. It was as much a celebration as perhaps a Tesla promotion. After all, Bhagwan Ram blesses Sanatani with wisdom and wealth to own and enjoy the modern Tesla.
The events continue on January 21. Hindu Mandir hosts special Puja and offerings throughout the day. Devout Sanatani will return to Mandir at night starting around 10:30 PM (Ayodhya’s 10 am). They will chant and sing Ram prayers to join in the live broadcast of Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya. Another Dharmic institution, the BAPS, also has a special event to observe the Pran Pratishtha.
Jai Bharat and Jai Shri Ram (a pathway to Reinvent, Attain, and Meditate toward Him).
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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Formerly, a researcher in Italy, Japan, and France, he has widely travelled and came to the US in 1978. He was a faculty and academic administrator in several different universities in PA, TX, NJ, MN, WI, and NY, and an Executive Fellow in the White House S&T Policy during the Clinton administration.
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