Sri Gadadharanji was invited by the Hanuman Mandir of Alpharetta to perform a Ramayanam Navaham at the temple on the occasion of Rama Navami. Sri Gadadharanji provided a Ramayanam Katha shravanam feast to all the devotees of the temple from April 8 to April 17, 2024. The Navaham, culminating on the auspicious day of Rama Navami with Rama Pattabishekam, was attended by 1000s of devotees across the Atlanta area.
On the first day of the Navaham, Sri Gadadharanji explained the significance of the Vedas in the Kali Yuga and the benefits and importance of Srimad Ramayana. He further explained how the Ramayana was composed and spread to the world through Valmiki and told by Lava and Kusha, Rama’s sons, and how Ramayana is eternal.
On the second day, Sri Gadadharanji started the main story of Srimad Ramayanam. He explained the reasons for Rama avatara and then described Rama Jananam. Here, it was wonderful to relish Sri Gadadharanji’s command of both Valmiki and Kamba Ramayanam as he described how Kowsalya matha’s face glowed as she was carrying Ramachandra prabhu in her womb. After describing the birth of Rama and his three brothers, Sri Gadadharanji quickly moved on to Sage Vishwamitra’s request to King Dasharatha for Rama’s help in eliminating the demons that had been disturbing his yagna and the king’s initial reluctance. He then described Rama’s journey with Lakshmana and Sage Vishwamitra, and his annihilation of the demoness Tataka and also the rakshasas disturbing the yagna at Siddhashrama.
On the third day, Sri Gadadharanji described how Sage Vishwamitra suggested to Ramachandra prabhu about going to Mithila. Along the way, Ahalya was blessed by Sri Rama. Sri Gadadharanji beautifully described how, even though Ahalya regained her form by the blessing of Rama’s foot dust(pAda dhULi), Rama put Ahalya at ease by saying that she looked like their mother Kowsalya and both himself and Lakshmana prostrated at the feet of Ahalya. Sri Gadadharanji pointed out that Sri Ramachandra prabhu’s great quality was that he blessed his bhakta, and then again fell at the feet of the same bhakta to get their blessing! After that, Rama, Lakshmana, and Vishwamitra proceeded to Mithila where Janaka Maharaja was holding a Swayamvara for Sita Devi, offering her hand to whoever was able to break the Shiva Dhanush. Once Rama succeeded in breaking the Shiva Dhanush, he married Sita Devi and they were happy for twelve years. Meanwhile, Dasharatha noticed that he was getting old and decided to coronate Rama as the king. Rama, however, was in a dilemma as the four brothers had always done everything together and he felt it unfair that he alone would be coronated the king.
On the fourth day, Sri Gadadharanji spoke about how Kooni (Mantara) came to Kaikayi and told her that Bharata should be the one coronated, not Rama, and that she should use a boon to tell Dasharatha to send Rama to the forest. Eventually, Kaikeyi agreed, and Rama and Dasharatha weremade aware. Sri Gadadharanji eloquently explained how Sri Ramachandra Prabhu is one who was steadfast in the truth, and that he strived to protect his father’s promise to Kaikeyi. Rama had no problem listening to Kaikeyi’s instruction that he was to leave to the forest. Rama, along with with Sita and Lakshmana left for vanavasa. Dasharatha could not endure the separation and attained Bhagavan. Bharata visited Sri Rama at Chitrakootam and obtained His Padukas and ruled the kingdom using Sri Rama’s Padukas.
On the fifth day, Sri Gadadharanji talked about how Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita entered the Panchavati forest and encountered Shoorpanaka, a demoness who wanted to marry Rama but ended up getting her ears and nose cut off by Lakshmana. She told Ravana about Rama. Ravans then formed a successful plan to kidnap Sita. Rama and Lakshmana discover the dying Jatayu while searching for Sita Devi. Sri Gadadharanji beautifully explained Sri Rama doing final rites for Jatayu.
On the sixth day, Sri Gadadharanji introduced Hanumanji and Sugriva and narrated how differently they both viewed Sri Ramachandra Prabhu as he approached Rishyamukha mountain. He described Hanumanji as the mahatma who understands Bhagavan (Rama), while Sugriva is the jeeva who is apprehensive of who Rama really is. Sri Gadadharanji then went on to describe how Hanumanji was picked as the one to go and look for Sita. He crossed the ocean where he faced many obstacles, then went to Lanka and found Sita Devi. He gave her Rama’s ring and then escaped from Ravana while leaving Lanka on fire.
On the seventh day, Sri Gadadharanji described Hanumanji’s return with information about where Sita matha was located.
On the eighth day, Sri Gadadharanji explained Vibheeshana Sharanagati and gave a wonderful exposition of all the different types of Sharanagati, and how Vibheeshana Sharanagati is special. Then Rama and all the monkeys build a bridge of stone to cross the ocean together. Once they arrive, they kill all of Ravana’s demons and then also kill Ravana as Rama gives him darshan as Narayana.
On the ninth and final day (day of Rama Navami), Sri Gadadharanji first described Vibheeshana Pattabhishekam by Lakshmana. Sita Matha is then brought in a palanquin from Ashokavana and did Agni pravesham because Ramachandra Prabhu wanted to show His dear Sita Devi’s greatness to the entire world. Meanwhile, Bharata had made all arrangements for Sri Rama’s Pattabhishekam in Ayodhya. Finally, with chants of “Raja Ramachandra Murthi ki Jai” in the background, with Sri Gadadharanji’s wonderful description, Sri Rama’s Pattabhishekam was performed by the Hanuman Mandir priests.
Srinidhi Vijay Nenmeni
13 yrs
Alpharetta, GA
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