The Inauguration of the Ram Mandir: A Historic and Controversial Event
On January 22nd, the Ram Mandir was inaugurated in Ayodhya during the Pran Pratishtha event.
Understanding Pran Pratishtha
Pran means life, and Pratishtha means establishment. This ceremony involves installing an idol inside the temple and infusing it with life.
Media Coverage and Controversies
In recent weeks, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony has been extensively covered in newspapers and media, stirring numerous controversies. Devotees nationwide eagerly awaited the moment when Ram Lala's life would be established in the temple.
Who Attended and Who Didn't?
Senior BJP leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, pivotal figures in the Ram Mandir Agitation Movement since the 1990s, were notably absent from the grand inauguration. According to the general secretary of the Ram Temple Trust, their absence was due to their advanced age.
Conversely, Bollywood celebrities such as Katrina Kaif, Rohit Shetty, Ranbir Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt received special invitations.
Political Parties and Leaders
Many political figures received invitations but declined for various reasons:
Sitaram Yechury (CPI(M) General Secretary): Rejected the invitation on secular grounds, emphasizing that religion is a personal matter and that the government should not affiliate with any particular religion.
Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena): Received the invitation just two days before the event and rejected it. His party member, Sanjay Raut, criticized the BJP, stating that while they worship Ram, they rule like Ravan. Thackeray visited the Kalaram Temple in Nashik instead.
Congress Party Leaders: Declined the invitation, arguing that the temple was being inaugurated despite being incomplete. They accused the BJP of politicizing the event, using Ram's name for political gain.
Shankaracharyas' Absence
All four main Shankaracharyas of the principal mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya over 1,200 years ago did not attend the event.
- Nischalananda Saraswati (Puri Shankaracharya): Stated that the ceremony did not follow Hindu scriptures.
- Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati (Uttarakhand Matha): Explained that a temple without a proper structure, such as eyes or a head, should not have its idol's life established, as it goes against the scriptures.
The absence of these Shankaracharyas led to a wave of defamatory fake news on social media, falsely accusing them of anti-Hindu sentiments and accepting bribes.
Defamation and Fake News
Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati was falsely accused of visiting Ajmer Sharif, a claim he denied, stating he had never been to Ajmer city. He clarified that the photo in question was from a Hindu Ashram, Ramdev Pir's court, not a Muslim place of worship. Despite this clarification, defamatory news continued to circulate.
Ram's Principles and Contemporary Politics
In today’s world, questioning decisions made by BJP or PM Modi can result in defamation and insults. The narrative often politicizes Lord Ram’s name without understanding his principles.
Shri Ram’s Exemplary Qualities
To understand Shri Ram's virtues, consider the incident from the Ayodhya Kand in Valmiki's Ramayana. When Ram was denied kingship and exiled to the jungle for 14 years, he responded with humility and composure. Despite the harsh words from Kaikeyi, Ram remained unruffled and accepted his fate without resentment.
Ram's reaction teaches us the values of humility, compassion, and forgiveness. Unlike historical figures who resorted to violence for power, Ram relinquished his claim to the throne peacefully, demonstrating true strength of character.
Applying Ram’s Principles Today
In modern society, many pursue power at the expense of morality and values. Ram’s story encourages us to uphold our principles, even in the face of adversity. True victory lies in maintaining integrity, not merely in acquiring power.
Final Thoughts
This event surrounding the Ram Mandir’s inauguration and the controversies it sparked provide a backdrop to reflect on Shri Ram's timeless virtues. As we discuss these principles, it is essential to apply them in our lives, regardless of our religious beliefs
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