Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Sri Ramayan Aarathi – Initial Prayers

 

Chapter – 1 – Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Ramayan Aarathi – Initial Prayers

 

I shall offer humble salutations to the glorious legend Sri Ramayan, which was sung in praise of Lord Sri Seetha Ramachandra, in elegant and nectar-like verses. It was eulogized by Lord Bhrama, Sanakadhi, Maharishi Narada, Balmiki, intellectuals, Shuka, Sanakadhis, Adhi Shesha, and Devi Sarada, and highly praised the fame of Pavanasutha/Sri Hanuman. The Veda, Purana, Shasthra, Munigana, Santh, Mahathma, highly rejoiced and praised listening to it. It is frequently eulogized by Lord Shambhu and Goddess Bhavani, the Ghatasambhava Sage Agasthya, Byasa/Maharishi Vyasa, Sage Kakabhusundi and Garuda. It is superior among all the scriptures which removes the impurities and sins of the Kali era and provides Mukthi to the Jeeva whoever sings in praise of it. Moreover, it removes the Thapathrya/Adhidheivik, Adhibhauthik, Adhyathmik, grief, and sufferings of worldly existence and vicious cycles of rebirth as well.

Initial Prayers –

I shall reverentially prostrate before the supreme ascetic/Shuchivratha Saint Tulsidas Maharaj, kindly take your seat on the South-west, and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before the ascetic Balmiki who is highly auspicious, kindly take your seat on the north-east, and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before Lord of Gauri/Gauripathi, Oh! Maheshwara, kindly take your seat on the southeast and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before Lakshman, kindly take your seat along with Devi Urmila, on the southern quarter of the alter, and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before Shathrughna, kindly take your seat along with Devi Shruthikeerthi, on the western quarter of the alter, and accept our oblations. I shall reverentially prostrate before Bharatha, kindly take your seat along with Devi Mandavi, on the northern quarter, and accept our oblations.  I shall reverentially prostrate before Lord Hanuman, Oh! Kripanidhe, kindly take your seat on the eastern quarter and accept our oblations.

 

The principal veneration of Lord Seetha Rama conducted with the flowers along with the recitation of the following verses “ I shall reverentially prostrate before the supreme Lord Sri Ramachandra along with Devi Seetha. He has beautiful eyes that resemble red lotus flower petals, attired in majestic yellow silk garment, he has lovely limbs of rain cloud complexion, he has attractive long hands, a pleasing smile on his face. He is Karunasamudra/ocean of mercy, he is beloved of Bharatha, Lakshman, and Shathrughna, worshiped by Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and deities, and fulfills all the desires of the worshiper. Oh! Janakinatha, Oh! Raghava, kindly take a seat with Devi Seetha on the center of the altar and accept our oblations along with the Vayuputhra. Oh! Rama, kindly take a seat on the marvelous throne decorated with the gold and gem.”

 

The glorious verses of Sri Ramacharitha Manas is known as ‘Manasa Ramayana’, the Rishis are Lord Shiva, Sage Kakabhusundi, and Sri Goswami Tulsidas, the Principal deity is Lord Sri Ramachandra along with Devi Seetha, the Beeja is ‘Rama’, devotion is the Shakthi that cures the Thrividhathapa, and the purpose of the recitation of this sacred scripture to get rid of Thapathraya and achieve an abundance of devoutness at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Seetharama. The Shodasha Upacharas are conducted to the principle deity, such as 1)Padhya, 2)Arghyam 3)Achamaniya 4)Snaniya 5)Vasthra 6)Abhushana 7)Gandha 8) Pushpa, 9)Dhupa 10) Deepa 11)Naivedhya 12) Achamaniya 13)Thambula 14)Sthavapatha 15) Tharpana 16) Namaskara.

 

Sri  Ramayan Aarathi

 

Aarathi Sri Ramayanji Ki | Keerathi Kalith Lalitha Siya Pi Ki || Gavath Bhramadhika Muni Naradh | Balmika Bigyan Bisaradh || Suka Sanakadhi Sesha Aru Saradh | Barani Pavanasuth Keerathi  Neeki || Gavath Bedh Puran Ashtadhas | Cchau Sasthra Sab Granthan Ko Rasa || Munijan Dhan Santhan Sarbas | Sar  Amsa Samath Sabahi Ki || Gavath  Santhath Sambhu Bhavani | Aru  Ghat Sambhava Muni Bigyani || Byas Aadhi Kabibarj Bakhani | Kagabhusundi Garuda Ke  Hi Ki || Kalimala Harani Bishaya Rasa Pheeki | Subhaga Singar Mukthi Jubathi Ki || Dhalan Roga Bhava Bhoori Ami Ki | Thatha Matha Sab Bidhi Tulasi Ki ||

Initial Prayers –

||Om Tulasidasaya Nama: ||

Tulasika Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Shuchivratha | Nairuthya Upavishyedham Poojanam Prathigrihyatham ||

||Om Valmikaya Nama: ||

Sri Valmika Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Shubhapradha | Uththara Poorvayormadhye Thishta Griheeshva Me Archanam ||

||Om Gauripathaye Nama: ||

Gauripathe Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Maheshwara | Poorva Dhakshinayor Madhye  Thishta Poojam Grihaname||

 

||Om Srisapathnikaya Lakshmanaya Nama: ||

Sri Lakshmana Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Sahapriya: | Yamyabhage Samathishta Poojanam Sagrihanam Me ||

|| Om Srisapathnikaya Shathrughnaya Nama: ||

Sri Shathrughna Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Sahapriya: | Peedasya Pashchimebhage Poojanam  Sveekurushvame ||

 

||Om Srisapathnikaya Bharathaya Nama: ||

Sri Bharatha Namasthubhyamihagaccha  Sahapriya: | Peedakasthyoththare Bhage Thishta Poojam Grihaname ||

 

|| Om Hanumathe Nama: ||

Sri Hanuman Namasthubhyamihagaccha Kripanidhe | Poorvabhagam Samathishta Poojanam Sweekuru Prabho ||

 

Atha Pradhanapooja Cha  Karthavya Vidhipoorvakam | Pushpanjjalim Griheethva Thu Dhyanam Kuryathparasya Cha ||

Rakthambhojadhalabhirama Nayanam Peethambaralankritham Shyamangam Dhvibhujam Prasannavadhanam Sriseethaya Shobhitham |Karunyamrithasagaram Priyaganair Mathradhibhirbhavitham Vandhe VishnuShivadhisevyam Anisham Bhaktheshta Sidhdhipradham ||Aagaccha  Janakinatha Janakya Saha Raghava | Grihanam Mama Poojam Cha  Vayuputhradhibhiryutha: ||Suvarnnarachitham Rama Dhivyastharana Shobhitham| Asanam Hi Maya Dhaththam Grihana Manichithritham ||

Om Asya Sriman Manasa Ramayana Sreeramacharithasya |Sri Shivakakabhushundi Yajjavalkya Goswami Tulasidasa Rishaya:| Sri Seetharamo Dhevatha| Sriramanama Beejam |Bhavarogahari Bhakthi: Shakthi: Mama Niyanthrithasheshavighnathaya Sri Seetharama Preethipoorvakam Sakalamanoratha Sidhdhyarththam Pade Viniyoga: ||