New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday has begun observing ‘strict vows and sacrifice’ as prescribed in scriptures to prepare himself for the Ram Temple consecration ceremony on January 22.
PM Modi in a 10-minute video message on X said he has become emotional ‘for the first time in my life’ as he started the 11-day rituals ahead of the ceremony, NDTV reported
Calling it a good fortune to be able to witness the ‘ Pran Patishtha’ of infant Ram or Ram Lalla, he said God has chosen him as an instrument to represent all Indians.
To prepare for the ‘historic and scared moment’ he said he would follow, as guided by saints, the strict rules as prescribed in the scriptures.
‘As our scriptures say, for the yajna (sacrifice) of God, for worship, we must awaken the divine consciousness within ourselves. For this, the scriptures prescribe vows and strict rules that need to be followed before the consecration. Therefore, following the guidance I have received from saints on this spiritual journey... They have suggested the principles of conduct (yam-niyam), and I am starting a special observance of 11 days from today,’ he was quoted as saying.
As the day of his observance falls on Vikekanada’s birth anniversary, the Prime Minister said it is ‘ joyous coincidence’ as well as citing the birth anniversary of Jijabai, the mother Chhatrapati Shivaji today.
PM Modi sought the blessings of Indians through his Namo app, saying ‘I seek blessing from people’ and added that : ‘Even though I want to, I cannot capture the depth, vastness, and intensity of it in words.’
‘You can understand my state. The dream that many generations have cherished for years, I am fortunate to be present at its fulfilment. The Lord has made me a representative of all Indians. I am just an instrument. This is a huge responsibility’, he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, a political row is roiling over the Ram Temple event after the BJP criticised the Opposition parties for skipping the event.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge declined the invitation calling the event a "political project" of the BJP and its Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying ‘religion is a personal matter’.
The Left and the Trinamool Congress declared they will not take part in the ceremony.