Sri Ram Chandr Ji

Sri Ram Chandr Ji- Translated from Sri Gur Bhagat Mala Steek by Pandi Narain Ji

Shalok, First Mehl:

rovY rwmu inkwlw BieAw ] sIqw lKmxu ivCuiV gieAw ]

Rama wept when he was sent into exile, and separated from Sita and Lakhshman.

Sri Ram Chandr Ji, the son of King Dasharath, was one of the 24 incarnations of Vishnu. In many parts of India, there are Hindu temples, where the statues of Ram and Sita are worshipped.

The word ‘Ram’ is a symbol or name for the Almighty Lord. The word ‘Ram’ as a reference to God is mentioned many times in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The word ‘Ram’ has appeared in Guru Amar Daas Ji’s Bani and in Bhagat Bani.

Bilaaval Fourth Mehl

rwm nwmu rsu rwm rswiexu hir syvhu sMq jnhu ]

The Name of the Lord is the medicine to cure all diseases; so serve the Lord, O humble Saints.

Bilaaval, First Mehl, Chhant, Dakhnee:

sic nvylVIey jobin bwlI rwm ]  Awau n jwau khI Apny sh nwlI rwm ]

Truthfully, O young soul-bride, your youth keeps you innocent. Do not come and go anywhere; stay with your Husband Lord.

Bilaaval, The Word Of Devotee Ravi Daas

qU jwnq mY ikCu nhI Bv KMfn rwm ]

You know, and I am nothing, O Lord, Destroyer of fear.

In Guru Granth Sahib Ji, there is a raag called Raag Ramkalee, and in this raag, approximately the word ‘Ram’ appears in every line. The word ‘Ram’ symbolizes the attribute of God, who is The Omnipresent Being.

Ramkalee, The Word of Bhagat Kabeer Ji

rwm kbIrw eyk Bey hY koie n skY pCwnI ]6]3]

The Lord and Kabeer have become one. No one can tell them apart. ||6||3||

So, Ram, Vaheguru, Satnaam, are all the names or attributes of The Primal Being, the giver, sustainer and destroyer of life. To remember Him, and to know Him, is called devotional worship.

The wives of King Dasharath had no children. He organized a ritualistic sacrifice and from that he received boon of heir. Soon after, four sons were born in his house. During the birth of all four sons, the King celebrated grandly. Ram and Lashman, the two brothers, loved each other very much, despite being born from different mothers. They were the students of Sage Vashist. Vishvamitr, a great sage, took both princes out of the palace. They had wars with many demons. Vishvamitr taught them how to use different type of physical weapons (shastars) and supernatural weapons obtained from mantric powers (ashtar). After killing all the demons, they arrived in the land of King Janak.

When they arrived in King Janak’s palace, the ceremony of groom selection for Sita was going on. The condition stated, was that whoever could string the Dhanush (bow) given to King Janak by Shiv Ji, will be the groom for Sita. No king could carry the bow as it was huge and heavy. Sri Ram Chandr Ji was the only one who could string the bow and while doing so, they broke the bow. This shows that Sri Ram Chandr Ji was mighty and strong.

They won over the heart of Sita Ji. She was a beautiful girl. Sri Ram Chandr Ji alongside his congregation of ministers, kings and sages, arrived in King Janak’s palace for the marriage ceremony. Alongside Sri Ram Chandr Ji’s marriage, the other three princes’ marriage was solemnized as well. Sri Ram Chandr Ji took Sita Ji back to Ayudhya. Everyone celebrated the wedding.

Whatever happens, happens in the will of God, and no one can stop it. King Dasharath was very pleased with the bravery and intelligence of Ram. He discussed with the ministers, and decided to give the throne to Ram. The process of the coronation ceremony began. The news spread very soon. All rituals and prayers began for the coronation ceremony.

But, on the night before the coronation ceremony, Queen Kaikeyi, whose palace King Dasharath lived in, pleaded in front of the king and said, ‘Oh King, you gave me two wishes as a reward for doing your service after your war with King Indra. Today, please fulfill those wishes.’

‘Kaikeyi, ask what you want, I will fulfil it. What do you desire?’ That time, the king was very happy. He didn’t think that the queen’s wished could be a dangerous one.

‘My first wish is that you exile Ram for fourteen years to the forest and second is that you make my son, Bharat the king of Ayudhya.’ She said this in one breath, without thinking about the king, or the people or the society. She showed her true colors as a stepmother.

Hearing this, the happiness on the king’s face faded. He was shocked as he didn’t expect such words from his queen. He didn’t imagine that Kaikeyi would be so selfish and adamant. ‘Kaikeyi! You should not have this much enmity. You should not have hurt my heart.’ The king’s physical and mental state started becoming worse. He was ready to die.

Sri Ram Chandr Ji arrived the palace for the ceremony, but looking at his father, he stopped. Wondering what happened, Kaikeyi spoke and told her about her two wishes. Kaikeyi said, ‘The King couldn’t tell you because he loves you and he is afraid now. You are a good son. You have to adhere to the command of you father.’

‘Alright mother.’ Sri Ram Chandr Ji walked out of the palace, took off the coronation clothes and wore simple clothes. He got ready to go into the forest. Sita and Lashman went alongside him. Leaving the people of Ayudhya restless and anxious, Sri Ram Chandr Ji left Ayudhya. King Dasharath died in agony. When Bharat found out, he became anxious and denied the throne of Ayudhya. He went into the forest to meet his brother. In the end, he brought back the footwear of Sri Ram Chandr Ji and put them on the throne of Ayudhya. He served as a servant and managed the royal matters.

Sri Ram Chandr Ji, after crossing the Ganges river, went south into the forest. Now, the forest is in the state of Odisha. Here, Surphanakha, the sister of Raavan who was the King of Lanka at the time, came to the forest. Recognizing the intention she had in the mind for Ram, Lashman cut off her nose. Due to that, Raavan took the form of a sage and took Sita away.

Sri Ram Chandr Ji and Lashman went looking for Sita. They joined forces with Hanuman, and with his help, they found where Sita was held hostage. They attacked Lanka, in which Raavan and his sons got killed. The throne of Lanka was given to the younger brother of Raavan, Vibhishana, who sought sanctuary from Sri Ram Chandr Ji. Sri Ram Chandr Ji brought Sita back to Ayudhya and became the king. The day of return was celebrated with lighted candles, which is still a practice today called Deepavali. Some say that he ruled for 10000 years.

Ram sets an example of a good son, and how a child should obey and respect their parents.

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