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How to Read This Raamaayan

There are many methods to read this Raamaayan, but there is one very popular method, that is Navaanh Paaraayan (reading in nine days) method, which is given here in brief and with minimum requirements.

It should be read from Shukl Paksh Panchamee to Trayodashee of Chaitra, Maagh, or Kaartik Maas. It may be read in 27 days from Punarvasu Nakshatra to Ardraa Nakshatra, or in 40 days also. Both Nav Raatri are the popular periods to do its Paath.

It should be read either in a holy place, or in a temple or in one's own house. If it is to be read in the house, the place should be cleaned properly and kept clean during the nine days till the end of the Paath.

One should prepare a Mandap (canopy) to establish Raam's picture or idol whatever you have. The reader and the listener should sit in south-west area of the Mandap. The reader's sitting place should be higher than listener's sitting place; and the book's sitting place should be higher than reader's sitting place. The book's sitting place should be in front of the reader. Other people may sit down anywhere with a distance from the reader and the listener.

After the preparation of Mandap and sitting places, one should cleanse himself, and establish Raam's idol or picture in the Mandap. One should arrange Rolee, Chandan (sandalwood paste), rice, Deepak (lamp), flower, fruit, Agar Battee (fragrance stick), Tulasee leaves, and a small water pitcher full of water with a betel leaf in a plate. Deepak should be of Ghee (clarified butter). It should be lit during the whole reading time. It will be used for Aartee after the Paath is over everyday.

It is a good idea to have something for Prasaad. Some sweets, or fruits or dry fruits may serve the purpose but no savory items.

All Devtaa, then family of Raam, and then Raam should be invited into that Paath. Both the reader and the listener should worship all Devtaa and Raam with the items kept in plate.

One should not stop after starting the Paath. If you have to stop, one should read that Kaand again. The Paath should be done in medium pitch, with devotion, not like singing or shaking head, or in hurry, or without understanding the text.

One should take a halt on the following spots in Raamaayan:

1st Day at the end of 6th Sarg of Ayodhyaa Kaand
2nd Day at the end of 80th Sarg of Ayodhyaa Kaand
3rd Day at the end of 20th Sarg of Aranya Kaand
4th Day at the end of 46th Sarg of Kishkindhaa Kaand
5th Day at the end of 47th Sarg of Sundar Kaand
6th Day at the end of 50th Sarg of Yuddh Kaand
7th Day at the end of 96th Sarg of Yuddh Kaand
8th Day at the end of 36th Sarg of Uttar Kaand
9th Day one should read the last Sarg of Yuddh Kaand again after reading the last Sarg of Uttar Kaand. Then the Raamaayan should be regarded as finished.

There is one other method also in which Uttar Kaand is not read, its halt spots are like this:

1st Day at the end of 77th Sarg of Baal Kaand
2nd Day at the end of 60th Sarg of Ayodhyaa Kaand
3rd Day at the end of 119th Sarg of Ayodhyaa Kaand
4th Day at the end of 68th Sarg of Aranya Kaand
5th Day at the end of 49th Sarg of Kishkindhaa Kaand
6th Day at the end of 56th Sarg of Sundar Kaand
7th Day at the end of 50th Sarg of Yuddh Kaand
8th Day at the end of 111th Sarg of Yuddh Kaand
9th Day at the end of 131st Sarg of Yuddh Kaand

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