Yogi Aditya Nath
Jasu Birah Sochahu Din Rati. Rahahu Nirantar Gun gan paati..
Raghukul Tilak sujan sukhdata. Aayau kusal dev muni trata..
‘Separated from the one, who dwells in my thoughts day and night and whose praises I sing – who else can it be but Raghukul Tilak, Lord Ram — the dispenser of happiness to the good and the virtuous’ Centuries gone in waiting and our ancestors struggling endlessly, from one generation to the other, to redeem their pledge and seek fulfilment of their sentiments, the divine image of lord Ram Raghu Nandan Raghav Ram Lala, – the soul of the Snatan Sanskriti (our eternal cultural ethos) is going to be installed on the throne, in his magnificent newly built heavenly temple, his original place of birth in Awadh Puri (Ayodhya). The whole of India is awash in a wave of emotions of divine fervour on this historic and sacred occasion, which has come after a long hiatus of five hundred years.
The eyes of the whole world are riveted today on Ayodhya which gives salvation to human beings from the cycle of birth and death. All paths are leading to Ram Janm Bhumi. All eyes are welled up with tears of joy and fulfilment. The name ‘Ram’ is on the tongue of every one. The entire nation is resonating with the name of Ram. India had been longing for this day with baited breath and a quivering heart. Waiting for this day countless generations have passed from this earth to Saketdham, the abode of Lord Ram. Today, it is not only the consecration of the image of the child Ram Lala, but also a reaffirmation of people’s devotion and faith in their deity.
Having regained its lost pride, Ayodhya today is shining in its newfound splendour. Ecstatic over the combined victory of justice and truth, a new narrative is being scripted, consigning the bitter memories of the past into the background. This auspicious hour is causing an over flow of social harmony in all directions.
Shri Ram Janambhumi Mahayajna (battle for emancipation of the birthplace of Lord Ram) has not only been a severe test of our faith and belief in the Sanatana but also instrumental in awakening the collective consciousness of the nation. Possibly, Shri Ram Janma Bhumi is a unique example in the whole of the world of a nation, where the majority of the country has had to fight such a long battle, at several levels to reclaim the birthplace of its God and deity and build its own temple.
Rising above the distinctions of caste and creed, thought, faith and worship, all sections of the people, including saints and seers, monks, Nagas, Nihangas (Sikhs), intelligentia, political leaders, Vanvasis have dedicated themselves together to the cause of Lord Ram. Blessed by saints, social and cultural organizations, like the RSS and the VHP hit upon a common strategy to unite the people and achieve the desired objective.
What an irony that Ayodhya, which was called paradise and heaven on earth, remained accursed for centuries and was subjected to a well thought-out plan of denigration and vilification. The land where the concept of Ramrajya had emanated as the most ideal form of governance and social order, Ram was challenged to prove his own identity. A land where the name of Ram is the last resort, evidence was sought for Lord Ram’s birth place. Ram’s life is an education in dignified human conduct and teaches us temperance and nobility. Imbued with such thoughts in the mind, the devotees of Lord Ram never gave up and persevered, never crossed the limits of decent behavior. Days, months, years, and centuries rolled by, but with every new dawn, the resolve of the devotees of Lord Ram gained only new strength. With the advent of this day, after waiting for centuries together, the whole of India and Ayodhya are rejoicing.
Blessed is the current generation, which is witnessing the present Lord Ram celebrations and still more fortunate are the ones who have given up their all for Lord Ram and are steadfast still. Our heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for his guidance towards the completion of this historic task. This day of January 22, 2024, is a landmark of great joy in my personal life. Many old memories are coming alive in my mind. Perhaps it was the resolve to emancipate Ram Janma Bhumi that destiny chose to bring me in touch with my spiritual Guru and divine teacher Mahant Advaitnath ji Maharaj. Today, on this holy occasion of consecration of Shri Ram Lala image, my grand Guru, the late (bhahmalin) Mahant Shri Digvijaynath ji Maharaj and venerable Gurudev late Mahant Shri Avaidyanath Ji Maharaj besides other respected saints and seers- while not witnessing the present moment in their physical form, their souls surely must be feeling immensely blessed. I am fortunate that I am being witness to the fulfillment of that resolve to which my respected Gurus had remained committed all their lives.
Ever since the public announcement of the consecration of Ram Lala in Shri Ram Janam Bhumi Temple, every devout Sanatani has been waiting wistfully for this 22nd January. Example of such spontaneous and widespread rejoicing among the people in India has not been witnessed anywhere in the last few centuries. Seldom if ever, a ceremony of such magnanimity and magnitude has been held in the county anywhere with such a diversity of participants like Shavites, Vaishnavas, Shakts, Ganpatyas, Sikhs, Bauddhas, Janis, Dashnami Shankar, Ramanandis, Ramanujas, Nimbarks, Madhvas, Bishnunamis, Ramsanehis, Ghisapanthis, Gharbdasis, Akalis, Nirankaris, Gaudiyas, Kabirpanthis, all Acharyas of Indian schools of spirituality, religions, sects and different modes of worship. Saints, representing more than 150 traditions, eminent vanvasis, exceeding 50, Girivasis, Dwipvasi have never before assembled under one roof along with reputed scholars and persons from different disciplines like politics, science, industry, sports, arts, culture and literature. It is simply unprecedented. Today our illustrious Prime Minister will collectively represent the sentiments of 140 people of India in this great spiritual festival. It is for the first time in the history of India that people living in hills, forests, coastal areas, islands, etc. are taking part in an event of this kind together, at one single location. This is unparalleled. Today, the illustrious Prime Minister of India will represent collectively the sentiments of 140 crore people of our county in this festival. Today, a mini India will be seen emerging in Ayodhya Dham. On behalf of the 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh, I welcome everyone present here on this sacred soil.
Meanwhile, Ayodhya Dham is all set to receive devotees of Ram, tourists, and research fellows from all over the world and all requisite arrangements are being made in conformity with the vision of the Prime Minister. An International Airport, redesigned spacious Railway Station, 4 to 6 lane road connectivity, helipad, convenient hotels, and guesthouses have been made available. While conserving old cultural values, the New Ayodhya will be fully equipped with all necessary urban requirements. Rejuvenation of all religious, ancient, and historic places within the periphery of Panchkosi, Chaudah Kosi, and Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama is progressing at a fast pace. This will lead to the conservation of culture, promotion of tourism, and creation of jobs. The construction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a spritual event of cultural awakening of India. The consecration of Ram Lala’s image is doubtlessly a historic moment of national pride. No one shall now be able to disrupt the traditional parikrama route. No bullets shall fly in the lanes of Ayodhya. The Saryu shall never again be crimson with blood. Ayodhya shall no more confront the curse of curfew. Instead there will be celebrations and the chanting of Lord Ram’s name shall echo from all sides. The consecration of Ram Lala in Awadh Puri is the declaration of Ram Rajya in India – the dream of all people co-existing in harmony and abiding by their respective duties in keeping with the tenets of the Vedas is now meterialising.
The image of ‘Ram the Child’ installed in Shri Ram Janam Bhumi Temple will continue to motivate the people and pave the way for observance of dharma by all devout Sanatanis in their daily life. My hearty congratulations to all on this holy hour of installation of Ram Lala’s image. Our satisfaction is that the temple has come up where we had taken the oath to build it. The redemption of the pledge of our ancestors calls for a mighty congratulation to everyone. May Ram shower His blessing on all! May Lord Ram be my refuge for all time!
Jai Shri Ram!
(The writer is Chief Minister,
Uttar Pradesh).
