The 191st birth anniversary of Ramkrushnadev was observed with immense devotion and spiritual enthusiasm at Ramkrushna Ashram in Rajkot. The pious event saw the gathering of saints, devotees, and followers to mark the celebration of his immortal words. Right from the Mangala Aarti and Vedic recitation to the bhajans, havan, and special discourse, the ashram observed a day of immense faith and oneness. In a move to mark the spirit of seva, food prasad was distributed among 2,000 devotees.
The Spiritual Importance of the 191st Birth Anniversary of Ramkrushnadev
The 191st birth anniversary of Ramkrushnadev was marked with utmost reverence and devotion at Ramkrushna Ashram, Rajkot, and also at various Ramkrushna Math and Mission branches around the globe. The life of Ramkrushnadev symbolizes spiritual awakening, brotherhood, and devotion to humanity. His teachings include that all religions lead to the same truth, and he promoted harmony and unity among various communities. On this pious occasion, devotees assembled not only to mark the birth anniversary but also to re-establish their connection with the eternal message of faith, simplicity, and selfless service. These occasions remind one of his spiritual contributions and motivate his devotees to inculcate compassion, discipline, and purity of heart in their day-to-day lives. The event marked how his principles are still inspiring millions to live their lives with purpose and spiritual awareness in today’s rapidly moving world.
A Day of Devotion: Rituals, Aarti & Sacred Procession at Ramkrushna Ashram
On May 30, 2017, there were many occasions of devotion and service that took place at Ramkrushna Ashram, including processions, ritual offerings (Aarti), devotional celebrations.
A brief description of all the events that took place that day follows below:
1) The day began with Mangala Aarthi (aarti means to awaken God) which provided the Ashram with divine energy and spiritual energy to uplift everyone present.
2) Following Mangala Aarthi, Vedic chants were conducted to create an environment that was filled with peace and holiness so that everyone could prepare spiritually for the activities of the day.
3) Worshipping and praying for Ramkrushnadev took place with a special puja that day.
4) The procession that occurred around the Ashram to honour the sacred sandals (or “Paduk”) of Ramkrushnadev, Maa Sharadadevi, and Swami Vivekananda was a special procession and attracted large numbers of devotees that day. The devotees sang bhajans (devotional music) and kirtans (chanting) to add to the sense of devotion and joy experienced by everyone.
5) At the end of the procession, a Havan (fire ceremony) was performed to purify the spirits of all of the devotees who attended this Great Day. The presence of many pilgrims and saints created an overwhelming sense of unity and devotion among the devotees, and transformed the Ashram into a “living”, vibrant, and active place of spiritual and devotional celebration through their shared faith.
Message for Modern Times: Discourse on Life & Teachings
A significant part of the weekend’s events was a talk on spiritual issues given by Swami Nikhileshanandji Maharaj, the President of the Ramakrishna Ashram. The focus of the lecture was on Ramkrushnadev, his life and values, & his teachings that apply to us daily. He emphasized inner peace & self-discipline as important elements to build our devotion to God & to assist us with the challenges of daily living. It is well documented that we live in a world marked by stress, divisions, & materialism. The teachings of Ramkrushnadev are still totally applicable today, as they lead us towards achieving universal peace & spiritual enlightenment. Devotees of Ramkrushnadev were urged to practice patience, compassion, & selfless service (known as ‘seva’) on a regular basis.
It is well documented that we live in a world marked by stress, divisions, & materialism. practising rituals &/or performing certain tasks; but also living our day-to-day lives with integrity, humility, & kindness. Through this session, participants were offered support in achieving personal growth & strength of character, as well as encouragement for adopting higher standards of behaviour & contributing positively to society. All who attended this event departed inspired spiritually & encouraged.
Chey, Seva In Action: Devotees of 2000 Served with Food, Or Prasad
The unselfishness of giving oneself to help others, or seva, is seen in the distribution of food prasad to approximately 2000 devotees at the ashram. Sharing a meal in a group setting has been a part of spiritual organizations since ancient times to show that all people are equal and in harmony with each other. Volunteers at the ashram came together this day to ensure that each devotee was served with kindness and care. The act of sharing food allows people to demonstrate compassion, kindness and togetherness from various backgrounds. Distributing prasad at such a large scale creates social ties and further demonstrates the principle of helping people, without regard to who they are, is how Ramkrushnadev teaches us to be. The arrangements made for thousands of devotees to receive prasad demonstrate the commitment of the ashram to organized service and spirituality through hospitality. The day ended with a sense of gratitude and peace, which reflects the true meaning of faith in action.
Conclusion
The observation of the 191st birth anniversary of Ramkrushnadev at Ramkrushna Ashram was a wonderful amalgamation of devotion, spirituality, and unselfish service. Whether it was the sacred rituals and motivating speech or the distribution of prasad to 2,000 devotees, the entire event was a true manifestation of the essence of faith. Such events not only pay a glorious tribute to a great spiritual heritage but also help in fostering unity and compassion in society.
