Swamiji: Hanuman as the Ideal

Disciple: What ideal should we follow now?

Swamiji: You have now to make the character of Mahavira your ideal. See how at the command of Ramachandra he crossed the ocean. He had no care for life or death! He was a perfect master of his senses and wonderfully sagacious. You have now to build your life on this great ideal of personal service. Through that, all other ideals will gradually manifest in life. Obedience to the Guru without questioning, and strict observance of Brahmacharya -- this is the secret of success. As on the one hand Hanuman represent the ideal of service, so on the other hand he represents leonine courage, striking the whole world with awe. He has not the least hesitation in sacrificing his life for the good of Rama. A supreme indifference to everything except the service of Rama, even to the attainment of the status of Brahma and Shiva, the great World - gods! Only the carrying out of Shri Rama's best is the one vow of this life! Such whole - hearted devotion is wanted.

Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume VII

Rama Navami: Victory to you Lord Rama!

Greetings on Rama Navami! May Lord Rama bring harmony and peace to the world. Jai Sri Rama.

शुद्धब्रह्मपरात्पर राम् ॥१॥कालात्मकपरमेश्वर राम् ॥२॥शेषतल्पसुखनिद्रित राम् ॥३॥ब्रह्माद्यामरप्रार्थित राम् ॥४॥     राम् राम् जय राजा राम् ।राम् राम् जय सीता राम् ।

I take refuge in Sri Rama, who is of the nature of pure Brahman and who is superior to the best.

I take refuge in Sri Rama, who is of the nature of Kala (i.e. master of everyone's destiny) and the supreme Lord.

I take refuge in Sri Rama, who sleeps blissfully on the bed of serpent Sesha Naga.

I take refuge in Sri Rama, whose lotus feet is desired by everyone beginning with Brahma to gain immortality.

O Rama, Sri Rama, victory to you king Rama,

O Rama, Sri Rama, victory to you Sita Rama,

(From Nama Ramayanam, Trans./Image: greenmesg(dot)org)