Observing Ramayana Masam

       The torrential South West Monsoon rain floods Kerala with in the month of  Karkitakam (mid July). It is the period when the farmers have already harvested their paddy crop and set aside the grain for sale/use and find time for rest and rejuvenation (Ayurvedic therapy).

      It is interesting to note that both the mind and the body is rejuvenated in this period.   The body is cleansed by the popular Karkataka Medicinal Kanji (rice gruel) for rejuvenation of health. The Kanji Kit is for 7 days and generally consists of the herbal ingredients cumin seeds (Jeerakam), Jathikka, Jathipatri, Karayambu, Perumjeerakam, Vizhaalari, Elam, Chukku, Kothambalayari, Ayamodakam, Vayambu, Amukkuram, Kakkumkaya.  50 grams of the total mix of the herbs are used with  400 gm of Njavarai ( Rice of variety Njavara - deep brown in colour).

       The procedure is boiling the content of 23 herb's powder with in one liter of water for 5 minutes, settle and filter through a cloth. Use this liquid extract of medicines for cooking the rice as Kanji (gruel). While starting to cook rice add 7gms of Asali and Uluva as well. When well cooked remove from flame and add a portion of spices like black pepper and coriander seeds. For taste, add fried red onions (sliced) and coconut milk.  Karaitaka Kanji is exclusively used for dinner in the month of Karkatakam ( Aadi) from mid-July to mid-August every year.

      The mind is cleansed by remembering the heroic deeds of Sri Rama of another India's great epic. This epic also symbolizes the struggle of the ego, mind and senses with the Self. So the inner struggle is strengthened  by reading Sundara kandam of  Ramayana every day at sunset before the lighted lamp. Sundara kandam is a chapter in Ramayan, as the name suggest is the most beautiful and awareness strengthening aspect in the epic. It deals with Hanuman (symbol of seeking awareness) connecting the Self (Rama) with his wife (Sita), the symbol of mind,  who is kept captive in the Ashoka garden (shoka means sorrow). The villan who abducts Sita, the mind  is the ten headed Ravana, who represents the five senses of perception and five senses of action. 

      Sundara Kandam is the journey of the uniting Awareness meeting the challenges of struggles, oppositions, temptations etc. With the qualities of intellect, faith, dedication and fearlessness he does his job. Reading this part of the Ramayan again and again instills in us these qualities which is required in our journey too.

      This above observing Ramayana month festival / ritual  is an example of cultural means of life style through which the mind and body is taken care to be  purified at least once every year.

Adapted from the articleby Dr.R.S.Aiyer (http://www.keralaonline.com/storydisplay.asp?folder=TVReviews&file=9_133.xml)

 Please click here to go back to rituals page