The Ramayana, one of the two major Sanskrit epics, centres on the principle of unity in diversity.

This was the comment by Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Veena Bhatnagar.

She highlighted this during the Ram Naumi celebration at the Fiji Brahma Kumaris Rajyog Meditation Centre in Suva yesterday.

Ram Naumi is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Shri Ram who is considered to be the seventh incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu.

Ram Naumi indicates the victory of goodness and defeat of evil power and establishment of the Dharma and removal of Adharma.

“Festivals are an integral part of every culture. They provide a welcome break from the humdrum routine of daily life and are meant to be celebrated in such a way as to help everyone come joyfully closer to God,” said Ms Bhatnagar.

“The story of Lord Shri Ram teaches us threefold Dharma pertaining to individual, family and society. One has to make every effort to understand the duties of the individual, family and society.”

Ms Bhatnagar said there was a need for a unity in diversity and divinity behind this unity.

“It is possible to understand his divinity only through the path of love. Love is the undercurrent of human life,” she said.

“A self-check whether we are embracing the principles enshrined in our holy books. The Ramayan teaches the importance of human values. It explains in detail the relationship that should exist between brothers, the father and the son, the preceptor and the discipline.”

Ram Naumi celebrations will end on April 14.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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