The Heart of DhaRama

To navigate conflicts in our families, at work, and even in one’s own mind, what can anchor us? Our sages declared that it can only be Sanatana Dharma.

धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः l

Dharma protects those who protect it.

In this series of 9 talks by Swamini Brahmaprajnananda for nine days  we offer our worship to Bhagavan Sri Rama by anchoring Dharma in our hearts such that we are Dharmi-s – Dharma flows from the inside out into all of our karma. Each class has teachings on Dharma, reflections on Sri Rama’s life through the original verses of Valmiki Ramayana and bhajan/meditation.

These talks were recorded from Gudi Padwa to RamaNavami in 2022. 

If you wish to contribute for the course, please click contribute

Responses from participants – 

The Heart of DhaRama course was great because it helped me to reflect on the importance of धर्म in my life, through श्री राम’s demonstration of धर्म in His लीला |

When I practice values (सामान्य धर्म), I feel a sense of peace, satisfaction and happiness. Also, living a life based on values brings good results (पुण्य) into my life. Yet, the value of values is not taught nor emphasized in our day to day living. Therefore, this course was instrumental in highlighting all values that I need to nurture so that they can blossom in my heart.

And, with a full, happy heart, one can approach the study of वेदान्त with focus and ease. 

Priya G, Trinidad and Tobago

This DhaRama course helped to fall in love with Rama and Ramayana…. !!

Couple of times in past I tried to read Ramcharitmanas but could never continued. With this short learning series and daily connect supported me to connect the dots. In fact it actually triggered me to go dipper and understand the difference between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas…!! 

The first day exercise of inviting Maryadapurshotam Ram in my heart and be with me, this helped me to spent time with him and stay connected all the time same as my beloved Lord Shiva..!!

Also, another exercise to list up the qualities of Rama, connecting those for oneself which you have it or would like to enhance, helped to introspect ‘Who am I’ and ‘What I am capable of being’…! This helped to discover the abundance I carry and to connect me with my myself ..!! 

Dipti T, Pune

Reading aloud the excerpts everyday from Sage Valmiki’s Ramayana was really wonderful, as was tackling the controversies head on. The japa has been wonderful for me too. I have felt the blessings and grace from Bhagavan Rama flowing over these 9 days.

I loved the assignment where we drew the values in our heart (of dharma). That allowed us to ‘own’ our values. 

 Another concrete takeaway was something you said with regard to the homework assignment: You indicated that we choose particular values that we already have a little of—because of this, we are able to see the value of that particular value. I felt this was a very important framing of the message in a positive way. Otherwise, we may end up beating ourselves up or feeling like a failure for not being anywhere near as dharmic or perfect as Shri Ram!

I feel blessed that I signed up for this course. Thanks to your various courses, I feel deeply connected to the differerent Saguna aspects of Ishwara (Bhagavan Krishna, Devi, Shiva and now Rama).  I am able to connect to my nirguna nature through my saguna bhakti.  

Anu S, USA

Thank you is a small word for The Heart Of The DhaRama Course that you conceived for us. I was never a Rama fan,because I grew up in a house where my mother had her own reservations against Rama. When i joined Sonali to learn chanting,Rama Raksha Stotra was a part of it and I was not keen on learning the same,as I had my own inhibitions but was hesitant to share it with Sonali. She told us to chant the stotra everyday as it is known to dispel fear in the person chanting it and I did so religiously and I must share that it really helped me during tough times.Then when this course came up I jumped in happiness but the timings were such that it would be difficult to manage, but I silently prayed to Rama for his grace, that I should not miss a single class and that I should get to know more about him. And it was his grace that for the first time I could pay full attention to the course and what I learnt in these nine days was an eye opener on Dharma and why Rama is called maryada purushotthama. The course has made me want to know more about him.

Neethi R, Mumbai

The course was one that gave me immense joy within. The best part was your picking up some verses from the Ramayana and explaining them in class. I feel Ramayana chanting itself brings in a certain peace of mind and joy.

It was a never before way of going through the essential part of the Ramayana. Also major clarity happened on Bhagwan Ramas dharma towards wife and the discussion we had about Sita ji and I no more doubt / or think again about this. You connected the dots and clarified all my apprehensions. 

Also the meditations of bringing in Bhagwan Rama inside and visualizing him was very calming. 

Gunjan S, Delhi