The geographical and spiritual connection of Lord Shri Ram with Punjab and Punjabiyat is so deep as all the poets, philosophers, scholars and historians associated with Punjabiyat have already talked about it. But, the greatest authentic spiritual fact is from ‘World Guru’ Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, wherein Lord Ram is described as incarnation of Treta Yug”, said Acharya Swami Rajeshwaranand, while sharing his view on the topic ‘Sarv Sanjhi Punjabiyat’.
The special lecture was organized by Joshi Foundation in Chandigarh on Sunday, in which Chancellor of Central University of Himachal Pradesh Professor Harmohinder Singh Bedi and Major General I.P. Singh (VSM) were special guests, accompanied by Joshi Foundation Chairman Vineet Joshi and President Saurabh Joshi.
While sharing the geographical relationship between Lord Ram and Punjab, Swami Rajeshwaranand said that there are many places in Punjab which have connections with Lord Ram. “The village ‘Ghuram’ on Pehowa Road, about 30 kilometers from Patiala, is known as ‘Kaushalyapuram’ as it is the maternal village of Lord Ram (birthplace of his mother Kaushalya).
Also in Kharar, there is ‘Ajj Sarovar’, which is named after Maharaja Ajj, the grandfather of Lord Ram. Luv-Kush’s education in scriptures and weapons took place in Maharishi Valmiki's ashram in Punjab’s Amritsar and also, it is said that the author of Ramayana Maharishi Valmiki had spent most of his life in Punjab”, Swami Rajeshwaranand said.
The connection of the city of Ayodhya with Sikhism becomes even deeper as three Sikh Gurus had visited the place. “Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru, had in 1557 sat at Brahmakund Ghat on the banks of river Saryu and did satsang under a nearby Bel tree.
That tree is adorned even today in the Gurudwara Brahmakund Sahib in Ayodhya. After that, ninth Guru Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who is known as Hind-ki- Chadar also visited Ayodhya during his visit to Assam and at that time, he had given his Charan Paduka (Khadau) to a Brahim devotee and people still visit to pay obeisance.
Thereafter, tenth Guru Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, while going from Patna to Anandpur Sahib, along with Mata Gujri Ji and maternal uncle Kirpal Chand Ji, came to this place and also fed the monkeys, the tradition which continues even today. Guru’s weapons, arrows, daggers and whirligigs are seen even today in the Gurudwara Brahmakund where handwritten BEED is also present”, he added.
Confirming his spiritual point, Swami Rajeshwaranand referred to a Gurbani verse “Tretey Tey Maneyo Ram Raghuvansh Kahaeyo”. Great Gur Sikh Bhai Gurdas ji has said in his VAAR “Tere Satguru Ram Ji Ram Ram Jape Sukh Pave”.
Even in Sri Dasam Granth, Guru Gobind Singh Ji described Lord Ram as incarnation of Treta in his great composition “Rama Avtaar”. Guru Gobind Singh Ji wrote that: “Tai hee durga saajake daintaan da naas karaaya. Taitho hee bal raam lai baana dehasar ghaaya. Taitho hee bal krishan lai kans kesee pakad giraaya.”
It is noteworthy that Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Babar were contemporaries. Guru Sahib has described the atrocities of Babar, whose army had demolished the Ram temple and built the Babri Masjid, in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He had said that: ‘Eti Maar Payi Kurlane Tain Ki Dard Na Aaya’, which described detailed information about the atrocities of Babar.
While concluding his speech, Swami Rajeshwaranand said that on the basis of evidences, it is clear that Lord Ram has a geographical and spiritual connection with Punjab. Therefore, people must come together on the historical day of 22 January, by lighting a lamp (diva) in their homes to remember Shri Ram Ji. “Light the lamp in your mind and bring his messages to life so that love and brotherhood get strengthened in Punjab and the world”, he concluded.