Global chanting on January 22, 2024; Special Registration for New Zealanders
Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 15, 2023
Devotees of the Hindu faith have been advised to chant the ‘Rama Nama’ (the name of Lord Rama) a billion times (100 Crores) as a part of a marathon ‘Japa Yagna,’ leading up to the opening of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, stated to be the birthplace of the Hindu God.
The appeal, made by Sringeri Jagadguru Sannidanam, the Head of the Sringeri Mutt in Karnataka, has been circulated by the Auckland-based Bhajan Satsangh Prayer Group Trust.
Venkat Subramanian and Kavitha Venkat of the Trust described this as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to the Japa Yagnya initiated under the auspices of the Sringeri Mutt.
“His Holiness Jagadguru Sannidanam has appealed to devotees all over the world to chant Sri Rama Taraka Mantra, ‘Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama,’ as many times as possible and contribute to the ‘100 Crore (One Billion) Japa Count’ before the proposed Lord Rama Prathish Tapana at the Punya Janmabhoomi Ayoydhya no January 22, 2024,” they said.
They have requested devotees keen on participating in this Yagna to register in the prescribed form.
“Details will then be sent to all registered devotees on how to add their count to the database every day. The Japa Count, with the names of all people who have chanted them, will be sent to the Sringeri Mutt on January 22, 2024, to seek the blessings of Jagadguru Sannidanam,” Mr Subramanian said.
Please click here for the Registration Form: https://forms.gle/NPYhXfabpSfHak2fA
About Japa Yagna
According to the Hindu scriptures, Japa Yajna is the sacrifice of the silent repetition of the Holy Name (in this case, the name of Lord Rama). “Participating in the Japa Yajna is an opportunity for devotees who have received initiation from the Gurus of a Hindu Order to perform the Japa (repetition of God’s Name) continuously. Japa Yagna is conducted occasionally to commemorate a significant event or festival.
Japa can be practised aloud. by whispering, or mentally. Mental recitation is said to be the most powerful but beginners are sometimes taught to audibly voice the mantra or alternate between loud and whispered recitation. Hearing the mantric sound gives the brain helpful feedback for staying mindful and focused.
About Taraka Mantra
Every Mantra in the ancient Hindu scriptures has its own name. However, Rama Nama is the only Mantra called, the ‘Taraka Mantra.’ ‘Taraka means ‘crossing.’ Taraka Mantra is recited to help people cross the “Ocean of Samsara,’ and the ‘Cycle of Brith and Death.’ It is also recited to promote peace and harmony among all beings of the Universe.
We have learnt that Taraka Mantra was first revealed to Goddess Parvati by Lord Shiva. While imparting the Taraka Mantra to His Spouse, Lord Shiva said that chanting the Taraka Mantra is equivalent to chanting Sahasranama or 1000 names of Lord Vishnu. In Taraka Mantra,
Shri stands for Shakti or Goddess Sita; Ra symbolises the fire that burns our Karma; Ma represents water, which means the peace that surpasses all understanding; Jaya means victory to the spirit over the flesh. Thus, the Mantra denotes Victory to God.
The significance of Rama Nama
Millions of devotees all over the world recite the Taraka Mantra (Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama) or write ‘Sri Rama Jayam’ (Victory to Lord Ram) on notebooks and donate them to dedicated Temples in India. Over the years, the name of the Lord has been written billions of times and according to a source, millions of these were used at a special prayer by Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal, who was the 68th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham from 1907 to 1994.
Reciting the name of Lord Ram in solitary or congregational chanting and writing instils confidence and promotes peace and harmony.
Rama Nama derives importance in Saguna Upasana (worshipping the Absolute Truth as a Being with a form) as does the Pranava (‘Om’) Mantra in Nirguna Upasana (worshipping the Absolute Truth as formless).
Rama Nama has also been mentioned as the essence of all the Vedas, Shastras, Itihasas (written descriptions of important events in Hinduism) and Puranas.
Ram Mandir in Ayoydhya
The Construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a small city of about 60,000 people in Uttar Pradesh, is considered to be the ‘most significant event in 1000 years,’ and a ‘legacy that will shine through Bharat (India) for at least the next 1000 years.’
According to records, Ayoydhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama, an Avatar of Lord Vishnu, of Raghuvamsa (Raghuvanshi), whose lineage includes Mandhatr, Purukutsa, Trasadasyu, Harishchandra, Sagara, Bhagiratha, Ambarisa, Raghu and Dasaratha (the great grandfather and father of Lord Rama). Gautama Buddha and Vardhamana Mahavira, who founded respectively Buddhism and Jainism were also born in this lineage.
The Main Deity at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will feature ‘Young Rama,’ which has been preserved over the years. The site of the Temple is auspicious and has stood the test of time and a historic court case, the verdict on which was given by the Supreme Court of India on November 9, 2019 directing the Indian government to create a Trust to build the Temple.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is the ultimate authority and comprises officials of the Federal and Uttar Pradesh governments. The Project has had the special attention and dedication of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The Temple is fast nearing completion and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of at least 5000 invited guests from all over the world, including political, business, religious and community leaders.
Hindu Council of New Zealand President Guna Magesan will represent the New Zealand Hindus.
Trust Chairman and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India Nripendra Misra said in a recent interview that the Temple is being built entirely with the financial contributions of the people from all the States of India.
“We have so far collected about Rs 3500 Crores ($670 million) through contributions made by people in large cities, towns and villages. Prime Minister Modi was keen that the Temple should have the participation of the entire country and hence we have gone to some extraordinary lengths to ensure such participation. This has been one of the most satisfying projects,” he said.
According to Mr Mishra, the Temple occupies 2.7 acres of land and will have a built-up area of 57,400 Sq Ft, with 366 columns on three floors. The Temple will 235 feet (72 m) wide, 360 feet (110 m) long and 161 feet (49 m) high and when completed, will be the third largest Hindu shrine in the world.
Ayoydhya International Airport
As a part of the Ram Mandir and in line with the development plans of Uttar Pradesh, an international airport called ‘Maryada Purshottam Sri Ram International Airport’ is nearing completion in Ayodhya. The airport will have a unique design and comply with the requirements of an international airport. With connections to major cities in India and the world, it is poised to place Ayoydhya on the global map. A Bullet Train is also being built to connect major cities.
Maryada Purushottam is a Sanskrit phrase The first word means honour and righteousness, and the second denotes the Supreme. It glorifies Lord Ram as the Supreme and Honourable. It also means the best man who practised righteousness until he perfected it.
