NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday started a special 11-day fast to prepare himself for the pran pratishtha (consecration ceremony) of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya on January 22, saying that the day will mark realisation of the pledge and the dream of generations which made “tremendous sacrifices” for it.
“As it is said in our scriptures, we have to awaken divine consciousness in ourselves …for the yagya and worship of God. For this, fast and strict rules have been prescribed in the scriptures, which have to be followed before pran pratistha,” the PM said.
In the emotional message, Modi noted the feeling of ‘Ram bhakti’ immersing the whole nation in the run-up to the pran pratishtha.
Calling this moment a blessing of the almighty, a culmination of over 500 years of enduring patience, countless instances of sacrifice and penance, the PM said, “I am overwhelmed with emotion. I am experiencing a different feeling of devotion. This emotional journey of my inner self is not an opportunity for expression but for experience. Even though I want to, I am not able to put into words its depth, expanse and intensity.”
Modi expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “I have the privilege of being present at the time of the fulfilment of the dream which many generations have lived in their hearts like a resolution for years. God has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India. This is a huge responsibility.”
The PM made these remarks in an audio message released just before he headed for Nashik where he offered prayers at Kala Ram Temple at Panchvati where Lord Ram, as the legend goes, spent considerable time during his exile. Expressing happiness about being able to initiate the ritual from Panchavati, he also noted the happy coincidence of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanada and Jijabai (mother of Shivaji).
Modi said Swamiji had stirred the soul and self-confidence of the nation which, he said, is now reflecting in the form of the grand Ram Temple. The Prime Minister remembered his own mother in this moment and said she was always filled with devotion for ‘Sita-Ram’.
“When I am recalling the virtuous memory of Mata Jijabai, it naturally brings back memories of my own mother. My mother used to chant the name of Sita-Ram until the end of her life,” he said.
Paying tributes to the sacrifice of the devotees of Lord Ram, he said, “Physically, I will be a witness to that sacred moment, but in my mind, in every beat of my heart, 140 crore Indians will be with me … Every Ram devotee will be with me. And that moment will be a shared experience for all of us. I will take with me the inspiration of countless personalities who have dedicated their lives to the cause of Ram Mandir.”
The PM asked sought the blessings of the people and asked them to share their expressions with him.
“We all know the truth that God is ‘nirakar’ (formless). But God, even in physical form, strengthens our spiritual journey. I have personally seen and felt that there is a form of God in the people. But when the people who are like God to me express their feelings in words and give blessings, new energy is infused in me. Today, I need your blessings,” he said.
PM Modi spent more than 40 minutes performing rituals at Ramkund and Kala Ram Temple along the banks of Godavari.
“As it is said in our scriptures, we have to awaken divine consciousness in ourselves …for the yagya and worship of God. For this, fast and strict rules have been prescribed in the scriptures, which have to be followed before pran pratistha,” the PM said.
In the emotional message, Modi noted the feeling of ‘Ram bhakti’ immersing the whole nation in the run-up to the pran pratishtha.
Calling this moment a blessing of the almighty, a culmination of over 500 years of enduring patience, countless instances of sacrifice and penance, the PM said, “I am overwhelmed with emotion. I am experiencing a different feeling of devotion. This emotional journey of my inner self is not an opportunity for expression but for experience. Even though I want to, I am not able to put into words its depth, expanse and intensity.”
Modi expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “I have the privilege of being present at the time of the fulfilment of the dream which many generations have lived in their hearts like a resolution for years. God has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India. This is a huge responsibility.”
The PM made these remarks in an audio message released just before he headed for Nashik where he offered prayers at Kala Ram Temple at Panchvati where Lord Ram, as the legend goes, spent considerable time during his exile. Expressing happiness about being able to initiate the ritual from Panchavati, he also noted the happy coincidence of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanada and Jijabai (mother of Shivaji).
Modi said Swamiji had stirred the soul and self-confidence of the nation which, he said, is now reflecting in the form of the grand Ram Temple. The Prime Minister remembered his own mother in this moment and said she was always filled with devotion for ‘Sita-Ram’.
“When I am recalling the virtuous memory of Mata Jijabai, it naturally brings back memories of my own mother. My mother used to chant the name of Sita-Ram until the end of her life,” he said.
Paying tributes to the sacrifice of the devotees of Lord Ram, he said, “Physically, I will be a witness to that sacred moment, but in my mind, in every beat of my heart, 140 crore Indians will be with me … Every Ram devotee will be with me. And that moment will be a shared experience for all of us. I will take with me the inspiration of countless personalities who have dedicated their lives to the cause of Ram Mandir.”
The PM asked sought the blessings of the people and asked them to share their expressions with him.
“We all know the truth that God is ‘nirakar’ (formless). But God, even in physical form, strengthens our spiritual journey. I have personally seen and felt that there is a form of God in the people. But when the people who are like God to me express their feelings in words and give blessings, new energy is infused in me. Today, I need your blessings,” he said.
PM Modi spent more than 40 minutes performing rituals at Ramkund and Kala Ram Temple along the banks of Godavari.