Sri Rama Navami

Today is Sriramanavami. I have never celebrated Ramanavami before, not because i don't like/believe in Rama. It's just that while growing up all i know about Rama was from the good-old-ramayanam serial, that was telecasted in TV. So i always thought of him as a star rather than god figure. Since Ram is one among the eight incarnations of lord krishna , technically am a devotee. This year i had given it a try and did the pooja in the morning after doing my fair share of googling and collecting all the related slokams .I'm posting it here - just in case someone else is interested.

Reading sundarakandam on Ramanavami is supposed to be very good. Reading the whole sundarakandam needs some time, So one can just read the 9 verses on ramanavami day- which is also equally good.{I have a hard time in understanding the meaning of slokams . I found a document where it provides the meaning and background message in detail for each verse - which i found very helpful.Unfortunately i didn't find any option to upload docs here. If anyone is interested , do drop a line i'll be glad to send it over.}

Also, it's auspicious to keep the Ram Parivar snap at home.Parippu payasam / panakam can be offered to lord as Nivedyam.

Below is set of simple sri rama slokams

1 - Aapadaam apaharthaaram daathaaram sarvasampadaam
Lokaabhiraamam s(h)ri ramam bhooyo bhooyo namaamyaham

Meaning: We bow to Rama who removes dangers & problems for the individual & the family; one who bestows all forms of wealth again & again

2 - Aarthaanaam aarthihanthaaram bheethaanaam bheethi naas(h)anam
dvishadaam kaala dandam tham raamachandram namaamyaham

Meaning : He will destroy all distresses of the distressed

3 - Sannaddha kavachee khadgee chaapa baana dharo uvaa
Gachchan mamaagratho nithyam raamah paathu salakshmanah

Meaning - - Rama, you should always be fully dressed ( & ready with bow & arrow) and prepared - go in front of me ( to ward off danger before I am attacked !)

4 - Namah kothanda hasthaaya sandhee kr(u)tha s(h)araaya cha
khandithaakhila daithyaaya raamaayaapan nivaaranae

5 - Raamaaya raamabadraaya raamachandraaya vaedhasae
Ragunaathaaya naathaaya seethaayaah pathayae namah

6 - agrathah pr(u)shtathaschaiva paars(h)vathascha mahaabalow
Aakarnapoornadhanvaanow rakshaethaam raama lakshanow

Image Courtesy: Sanadan Hindu centre
Slokam Courtesy : Chithra Vishwanathan