FAQs
1. Who can do the Pārāyaṇam?
The program is open to anyone with an interest in the Rāmāyaṇam. Whether you are well-versed in Sanskrit or a beginner, you are welcome to join this Pārāyaṇam (Reading).
2. Which book should we refer to for the Pārāyaṇam?
While we recommend Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇam books by Gita Press Gorakhpur Publications, any Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇam book that has all the seven Kāṇḍas can be used for the Pārāyaṇam. You can also use some online websites. For more resources click here.
4. Is there any particular time for Pārāyaṇam?
You can do Pārāyaṇam at your convenience, we do not specify any time.
5. Do I need to know Sanskrit to join?
Knowledge of Sanskrit is not mandatory. The sanskrit shlokas of Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyanam is available in many scripts like Kannada, Bengali, Malayalam Telugu etc. You can read in any language that you are comfortable.
6. How will I know if I am reciting the shlokas right?
Audio track of sargas that guides and help you chant the shlokas accurately and with the right pronunciation, will be sent.
7. Can we do Pārāyaṇam during periods(monthly menstrual cycle)?
If you have the practice of not doing pooja related activities during periods, you can skip Pārāyaṇam on those days. When you resume after (3-5 days) you can read extra sargas for the next few days. The program has buffer days and there are many small sargas. So, completing the reading of all seven kandas by next Rama Navami is easily doable.
8. Why two sargas a day?
Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyanam has approximately 648 Sargas. By reading 2 sargas a day, the reading of complete Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyanam can be completed in ~324 days i.e. before the next Rāmanavami. While we suggest a plan to read atleast 2 sargas a day, the number of sargas can vary based on your convenience. You can read even one sarga a day and plan to make it up on other days.
9. What if I am traveling?
You can easily continue your reading while traveling by accessing online resources or mobile-friendly versions of Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyanam.
10. What if I lag behind the schedule of the program or have to take a break?
Due to unavoidable circumstances if you are behind schedule of the program or have to take break, you can always compensate by reading more sargas in the following days. There are ~40 days of buffer. From our experience of running this program, completing the Pārāyaṇam in one year is very doable.
11. Should I report completion?
Every day we post a poll on whatsapp. After you do Pārāyaṇam for the day , you can update the poll. We collect this information to track community progress.
12. What if I cannot start the Pārāyaṇam on Rama Navami?
The program starts on Rama Navami. However, if you cannot start on that day you can start later and plan to catch up with the program by reading a few extra sargas.
13. Is there any deadline to sign up?
You are welcome to join the initiative at any time during the year. However, starting as early as possible will give you more time to complete the Pārāyaṇam.
14. Should we do the Pārāyaṇam every day?
While we recommend everyday Pārāyaṇam, we understand that it may not be feasible sometimes. We believe CONSISTENCY is key to achieve the goal of " Complete Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyanam Pārāyaṇam". Hence our request is for you to be regular and consistent.
15. We have heard of few reservations with regard to the Pārāyaṇam of the Uttarakāṇḍa?
As a program we believe that the Uttarakāṇḍa completes the Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyanam, making it “Sampoorṇa Rāmāyaṇam”. We understand that some people may not prefer to read the Uttarakāṇḍa due to various reasons. In such a case, we give them an option to conclude the Pārāyaṇam with Yuddhakāṇḍa.
16. Can we read only the translation and summary of the shlokas without reading the sanskrit shlokas?
The program is to read the ~24000 sanskrit shlokas of Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyanam. Hence reading the sanskrit shlokas is mandatory.
17. How can I contact the Gruhe Gruhe Ramayanam (GGR)team ? What assistance will they provide during the program?
The GGR team will send day-day messages on which sargas are to be read on that day, along with audio track of the sargas. The group admins of the whatsapp are the GGR team. You can message them for any assistance. Additionally, queries can also be mailed to gruhegruheramayanam@gmail.com.