Chilfdhood Of Shri Ram

Shri Hari delighted his subjects by playing all kinds of pranks with them. When the four brothers grew out of infancy, the churamani ceremony was performed by the guru.The Brahmins received substantial presents for officiating in the ceremony. The family was always amused to see the princes' frolicking, and could not comprehend, that the Lord who has no beginning or end is playing in Dashrath's courtyard. When, His father called Him to eat dinner, He would not listen but at His mother's beckoning, He would waddle away. He, whom the Vedas have not figured out, and Shiva is unable to gauge, that Lord is being forcefully brought back by his mother. Besmirched in dirt, the king gladly picks Him up! With His mind set on play, He would run away hither and thither, while eating, with yogurt and rice all stuck on his face.

The most endearing childish pranks of Ram have been sung by the Vedas, Sarasvati, Shiva and Shesh the lord of the serpents. (I might add that we are doing that too!) Those who do not enjoy in these, are begotten and are missing a lot. As soon as the brothers attained boyhood the Guru and the parents did their thread ceremony/Janayo(induction of a Brahmin)

Gurugrah Gayey Parahan Raghuraee

Alp Kaal Vidhya Sub Pahyee

When it was time to go to school, Guru Vashista came to the palace and took all the four brothers to his ashram, for their education. In a very short time they mastered all the different branches of knowledge.

(I have a story to tell about this Chaupai/couplet. You might remember, Sarkar Swami who I have introduced in the beginning. He initiated my family into the study of the Ram ChiritraManas. Well, he was of the opinion, that this epic had the recipe for everything. According to him, if one studied, and then, passed an exam what was the big deal? I would not encourage you to go that far, studying is first and foremost in my books . However I will say that, if you want to do well in education related matters, you must put the above couplet to memory. It will definitely help you in your endeavour, you will most certainly achieve success. All of us in our family knows it by heart, and use it when need be. Good luck!)

It is strange that Shri Hari, whose breath, is a symbol of all the four Vedas had to go to study. Highly proficient in the art of learning, with perfect manners,virtuous and polite, the brothers played different games, even acted as if they were kings.The brothers, with bows and arrows in their hands, gladdened the hearts of the whole creation, both animate and inanimate. When the brothers passed any street while playing , the folks stood spellbound in awe. Truly, those living in Ayodhya, young and old, were dearly in love with the gracious Ram.

Education is a part of our daily lives. No matter how old one is, no one is ever too old to learn! So, learning is a very vital part of Ram Rajya. To make things a bit easier, we have a tool that will help us in our learning. I implore you to memorise the above Chaupai and then you will be in Ram Rajya! JAI HO!