The new idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at the grand Ram Mandir in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya on Monday at an event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was watched by lakhs of people on television at their homes and in temples across the country.
After the mega event, PM Modi addressed the nation and underlined that it is not just the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram’s idol but also the consecration of the unwavering faith in Indian culture manifested in the form of the deity.
In his speech, he also mentioned several characters– including Shabri, Nishad king Guh, a squirrel and Jatayu– from Valmiki’s Ramayan and their significance in Lord Ram’s life. With these characters, PM Modi stressed how every Indian’s efforts can contribute to the rise of the nation.
Ramayana Characters Mentioned In PM Modi’s Speech & Their Significance in Lord Ram’s Journey
Shabri
The incident of ‘Shabri Ke Ber’ is one of the most-loved episodes of Ramayan. As per the spiritual text, Shabari was a tribal princess from a hunter’s family, who grew up seeing animals being killed for food. She was against this idea and left her paternal home to seek noble virtues in life.
Shabri wandered for days in the forest and her search for a guru ended at the ashram of Sage Mathanga. She rendered her selfless services at Sage Mathanga’s ashram for years. Seeing her devotion, Sage Mathanga before his death, blessed Shabri and told her that her good deeds and penance shall help her seek the darshan of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu.
After years of waiting, Lord Ram, and Lakshman reached very old Shbri’s doorstep, while they were searching for Sita during their exile from Ayodhya.
Shabari welcomed Lord Ram to her hut and offered some wild fruits she gathered for him. To check whether they were ripe and sweet, she bit the fruits before offering them to Lord Ram.
It is said that Lakshman took exception to this, but Lord Ram saw this as an expression of the old woman’s devotion and blessed her.
In his speech, the Prime Minister said that the spirit behind Mata Shabri’s trust that ‘Ram will Come’ in every Indian’s heart will be the basis of a capable and divine India.
Jatayu
As per Ramayan, Jatayu, a giant bird fought the mighty Ravan while he was taking Mata Sita to his abode in Lanka after abducting her.
Jatayu was defeated by Ravana after a valiant fight. Lord Ram, who was searching for his wife, met the injured Jatayu on his way. Jatayu told Lord Ram about Ravana, who headed south after abducting Sita. He then died in Lord Ram’s arms. Lord Ram performed his last rites.
Throwing light on the Jatayu’s integrity who knew about his imminent defeat when he fought Ravan, PM Modi said that the culmination of such duty is the basis of a capable and divine India.
In the southwestern part of the Ram Mandir complex, at Kuber Tila a statue of Jatayu has been installed in Ayodhya.
Nishad King Guha
PM Modi also mentioned the Nishad King Guha in his speech. The Guha was the king of a tribal kingdom on the bank of the Ganga. Guha befriended Lord Ram when he set out for exile from Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshman. He helped the trio cross the River Ganga near Shringiverapura.
On his way back to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, Lord Ram again met his friend, the Nishad King.
Referring to the depth and originality of Ram’s affection for Nishadraj, PM Modi said that it shows that all are one and this feeling of oneness and cohesiveness will be the basis of capable, grand and divine India.
The Squirrel
When the army of monkeys was building a bridge over the sea to reach Lanka for war with Ravana and rescue Sita, Lord Rama one day saw a small brown squirrel going up and down the seashore with little pebbles in his mouth.
The squirrel came in the way of lord Hanuman while he was carrying a heavy stone. Lord Hanuman shouted at the small creature asking it to step aside.
The little squirrel apologised and said it was just helping my lord Rama build the bridge. Hearing this, all the monkeys laughed.
It was then that Lord Ram came forward and told them to see the love in the squirrel’s heart.
Highlighting the story of the squirrel, the Prime Minister said that those considering themselves to be small and ordinary must remember the contributions of the squirrel and get rid of any hesitancy.
He noted that every effort, big or small, has its strength and contribution.
“The spirit of Sabka Prayas will become the basis of a strong, capable, grand and divine India. And this is the expansion of the consciousness of the country from God and the consciousness of the nation from Ram”, the Prime Minister exclaimed.
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