Ram sita

Rama also know as Ramachandra is a major deity in Hinduism. He is the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Being.Rama is said to have been born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas all their travails, the most notable is the kidnapping of Sita by demon-king Ravana, followed by the determined and epic efforts of Rama and Lakshmana to gain her freedom and destroy the evil Ravana against great odds. The entire life story of Rama, Sita and their companions allegorically discusses duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. It illustrates dharma and dharmic living through model characters.Rama is especially important to Vaishnavism. He is the central figure of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, a text historically popular in the South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures.His ancient legends have attracted bhasya (commentaries) and extensive secondary literature and inspired performance arts. Two such texts, for example, are the Adhyatma Ramayana – a spiritual and theological treatise considered foundational by Ramanandi monasteries the Ramcharitmanas – a popular treatise that inspires thousands of Ramlila festival performances during autumn every year in India Rama legends are also found in the texts of Jainism and Buddhism, though he is sometimes called Pauma or Padma in these texts and their details vary significantly from the Hindu versions. Rama a Vedic Sanskrit word with two contextual meanings. In one context as found in Atharva Veda, as stated by Monier Monier-Williams, means “dark, dark-colored, black” and is related to the term ratri which means night. In another context as found in other Vedic texts, the word means “pleasing, delightful, charming, beautiful, lovely” The word is sometimes used as a suffix in different Indian languages and religions, such as Pali in Buddhist texts, where -rama adds the sense of “pleasing to the mind, lovely” to the composite word Rama as a first name appears in the Vedic literature, associated with two patronymic names – Margaveya and Aupatasvini – representing different individuals. A third individual named Rama Jamadagnya is the purported author of hymn 10.110 of the Rigveda in the Hindu tradition.The name Rama appears repeatedly in Hindu texts, for many different scholars and kings in mythical stories The word also appears in ancient Upanishads and Aranyakas layer of Vedic literature, as well as music and other post-Vedic literature, but in qualifying context of something or someone who is “charming, beautiful, lovely” or “darkness, night The Vishnu avatar named Rama is also known by other names. He is called Ramachandra (beautiful, lovely moon Additional names of Rama include Ramavijaya (Javanese), Phreah Ream (Khmer), Phra Ram (Lao and Thai), Megat Seri Rama (Malay), Raja Bantugan (Maranao), Ramudu (Telugu), Ramar (Tamil) the Vishnu sahasranama, Rama is the 394th name of Vishnu. In some Advaita Vedanta inspired texts, Rama connotes the metaphysical concept of Supreme Brahman who is the eternally blissful spiritual Self (Atman, soul) in whom yogis delight nondualistically.  The ancient epic Ramayana states in the Balakhanda that Rama and his brothers were born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, a city on the banks of Sarayu River The Jain versions of the Ramayana, such as the Paumacariya (literally deeds of Padma) by Vimalasuri, also mention the details of the early life of Rama. The Jain texts are dated variously, but generally pre-500 CE, most likely sometime within the first five centuries of the common era Balakhanda These were Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna The extant manuscripts of the text describes their education and training as young princes, but this is brief. Rama is portrayed as a polite, self-controlled, virtuous youth always ready to help others. His education included the Vedas, the Vedangas as well as the martial arts  The years when Rama grew up are described in much greater detail by later Hindu texts, such as the Ramavali by Tulsidas. The template is similar to those found for Krishna, but in the poems of Tulsidas, Rama is milder and reserved introvert, rather than the prank-playing extrovert personality of Krishna The Ramayana mentions an archery contest organised by King Janaka, where Sita and Rama meet. Rama wins the contest, whereby Janaka agrees to the marriage of Sita and Rama. Sita moves with Rama to his father Dashratha’s capital While Rama and his brothers were away, Kaikeyi, the mother of Bharata and the second wife of King Dasharatha, reminds the king that he had promised long ago to comply with one thing she asks, anything. Dasharatha remembers and agrees to do so. She demands that Rama be exiled for fourteen years to Dandaka forest Dasharatha grieves at her request. Her son Bharata, and other family members become upset at her demand. Rama states that his father should keep his word, adds that he does not crave for earthly or heavenly material pleasures, neither seeks power nor anything else. He talks about his decision with his wife and tells everyone that time passes quickly. Sita leaves with him to live in the forest, the brother Lakshmana joins them in their exile as the caring close brother.

Rama heads outside the Kosala kingdom, crosses Yamuna river and initially stays at Chitrakuta, on the banks of river Mandakini, in the hermitage of sage Vasishtha.During the exile, Rama meets one of his devotee, Shabari who happened to love him so much that when Rama asked something to eat she offered her ber, a fruit. But every time she gave it to him she first tasted it to ensure that it was sweet and tasty as a testament to her devotion. Rama also understood her devotion and ate all the half-eaten bers given by her. Such was the reciprocation of love and compassion he had for his people. This place is believed in the Hindu tradition to be the same as Chitrakoot on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The region has numerous Rama temples and is an important Vaishnava pilgrimage site The texts describe nearby hermitages of Vedic rishis (sages) such as Atri, and that Rama roamed through forests, lived a humble simple life, provided protection and relief to ascetics in the forest being harassed and persecuted by demons, as they stayed at different ashrams After ten years of wandering and struggles, Rama arrives at Panchavati, on the banks of river Godavari. This region had numerous demons (rakshashas). One day, a demoness called Shurpanakha saw Rama, became enamored of him, and tried to seduce him Rama refused her. Shurpanakha retaliated by threatening Sita. Lakshmana, the younger brother protective of his family, in turn retaliated by cutting off the nose and ears of Shurpanakha. The cycle of violence escalated, ultimately reaching demon king Ravana, who was the brother of Shurpanakha. Ravana comes to Panchavati to take revenge on behalf of his family, sees Sita, gets attracted, and kidnaps her to his kingdom of Lanka (believed to be modern Sri Lanka Rama and Lakshmana discover the kidnapping, worry about Sita’s safety, despair at the loss and their lack of resources to take on Ravana. Their struggles now reach new heights. They travel south, meet Sugriva, marshall an army of monkeys, and attract dedicated commanders such as Hanuman who was a minister of Sugriva.Sita refuses him. Ravana gets enraged and ultimately reaches Lanka, fights in a war that has many ups and downs, but ultimately Rama prevails, kills Ravana and forces of evil, and rescues his wife Sita. They return to Ayodhya The return of Rama to Ayodhya was celebrated with his coronation. It is called Rama pattabhisheka, and his rule itself as Rama rajya described to be a just and fair rule.Upon Rama’s accession as king, rumors emerge that Sita may have gone willingly when she was with Ravana; Sita protests that her capture was forced. Rama responds to public gossip by renouncing his wife and asking her to undergo a test before Agni (fire). She does and passes the test. Rama and Sita live happily together in Ayodhya, have twin sons named Luv and Kush, in the Ramayana and other major texts.[However, in some revisions, the story is different and tragic, with Sita dying of sorrow for her husband not trusting her, making Sita a moral heroine and leaving the reader with moral questions about Rama Rama’s legends vary significantly by the region and across manuscripts. While there is a common foundation, plot, grammar and an essential core of values associated with a battle between good and evil, there is neither a correct version nor a single verifiable ancient one. According to Paula Richman, there are hundreds of versions of “the story of Rama in India, Southeast Asia and beyondThe composition of Rama’s epic story, the Ramayana, in its current form is usually dated between 7th and 4th century BCE He has broad shoulders, mighty arms, a conch-shaped neck, a charming countenance, and coppery eyes;

he has his clavicle concealed and is known by the people as Rama. He has a voice (deep) like the sound of a kettledrum and glossy skin,

is full of glory, square-built, and of well-proportioned limbs and is endowed with a dark-brown complexion Rama iconography shares elements of Vishnu avatars, but has several distinctive elements. It never has more than two hands, he holds (or has nearby) a bana (arrow) in his right hand, while he holds the dhanus (bow) in his left The most recommended icon for him is that he be shown standing in tribhanga pose (thrice bent “S” shape). He is shown black, blue or dark color, typically wearing reddish color clothes. If his wife and brother are a part of the iconography, Lakshamana is on his left side while Sita always on the right of Rama, both of golden-yellow complexionRama’s life is more complex than the Western template for the battle between the good and the evil, where there is a clear distinction between immortal powerful gods or heroes and mortal struggling humans. In the Indian traditions, particularly Rama, the story is about a divine human, a mortal god, incorporating both into the exemplar who transcends both humans and gods As a person, Rama personifies the characteristics of an ideal person (purushottama He had within him all the desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire, and he fulfils all his moral obligations. Rama is considered a maryada purushottama or the best of upholders of Dharma. The Ramayana is a Sanskrit text, while Ramacharitamanasa retells the Ramayana in a vernacular dialect of Hindi language The popular text is notable for synthesising the epic story in a Bhakti movement framework, wherein the original legends and ideas morph in an expression of spiritual bhakti (devotional love) for a personal god Rama’s life story in the Ramacharitamanasa combines mythology, philosophy, and religious beliefs into a story of life, a code of ethics, a treatise on universal human values Yoga Vasistha is a Sanskrit text structured as a conversation between young Prince Rama and sage Vasistha who was called as the first sage of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy by Adi Shankara. The complete text contains over 29,000 verses The Yoga Vasistha text consists of six books. The first book presents Rama’s frustration with the nature of life, human suffering and disdain for the world. The second describes, through the character of Rama, the desire for liberation and the nature of those who seek such liberation. The third and fourth books assert that liberation comes through a spiritual life, one that requires self-effort, and present cosmology and metaphysical theories of existence embedded in stories Rama Navami is a spring festival that celebrates the birthday of Rama. The festival is a part of the spring Navratri, and falls on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra month in the traditional Hindu calendar. This typically occurs in the Gregorian months of March or April every year. The community organises charitable events and volunteer meals. The festival is an occasion for moral reflection for many Hindus Rama Navami day also marks the end of the nine-day spring festival celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh called Vasanthothsavam (Festival of Spring), that starts with Ugadi. Some highlights of this day are Kalyanam (ceremonial wedding performed by temple priests) at Bhadrachalam on the banks of the river Godavari in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana, preparing and sharing Panakam which is a sweet drink prepared with jaggery and pepper, a procession and Rama temple decorations The oldest surviving Rama temple is near Raipur (Chhattisgarh), called the Rajiva-locana temple at Rajim near the Mahanadi river. It is in a temple complex dedicated to Vishnu and dates back to the 7th-century with some restoration work done around 1145 CE based on epigraphical evidence Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu, God of Protection. Vishnu is one of a trinity of the three most important Hindu gods – Brahma the creator, Vishnu the protector, and Shiva the destroyer. Vishnu has had nine incarnations on earth as different beings. One of these is as Rama. Vishnu will have ten incarnations in all, the tenth is yet to happen!

Sita is an incarnation of Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Lakshmi is Vishnu’s wife and whenever Vishnu incarnates she incarnates with him.

Teachers might like to look at paintings of Vishnu and Lakshmi, as both gods have specific attributes which are always included in the paintings. The Ramayana begins in heaven as Vishnu and Lakshmi look down and see the earth overrun with demons. They decide to come down to earth to get rid of the demons. They are born as Rama and Sita.The marriage of Rama and Sita.

Rama’s banishment in the forest for 14 years. Sita and Lakshman (Rama’s brother) go with him into the forest.

Ravana, King of Demons, falls in love with Sita.

Ravana kidnaps Sita and takes her to the Demon Kingdom, Lanka.

Rama and his brother Lakshman enlist the help of the monkeys and the bears to search for Sita. Hanuman the monkey heads the band as its General.The band discover that Lanka is an island in the middle of the ocean. Hanuman leaps to the island. He finds Sita, gives her Rama’s ring and promises she will be saved. Hanuman is captured. His tail is set alight by Ravana. Hanuman escapes.

The bears and monkeys build a bridge to Lanka.

Battle ensues.

Lakshman is fatally wounded.

Hanuman flies to the Himalayas to get the magic healing herb to save Lakshman. Hanuman brings back the whole mountain. Lakshman is saved.

Ravana is killed.

Sita is set free.

Rama doesn’t believe that Sita has been faithful to him.

Sita proves her innocence by walking through fire and the flames turn to flowers.

The band go home, crossing the whole of India. As they walk, people leave lamps on their doorsteps to light the path. This is still celebrated today as Diwali Wherever there is the union of purity and depth it produces blue color. The water of the seas and the sky are seen to be blue. Hence, the color blue is also called aasmani or sky colorThe blue color that indicates his all-pervasive nature, blue being the color of the infinite sky as well as the infinite ocean on which he resides. The color blue, therefore, symbolizes the infinite and Vishnu is represented as an infinite force. It also symbolizing his vastness as deep as the heavens.

Symbolism and the meaning of the color Blue is a very wide category for which numerous interpretations exist. The most relevant ones are that :

The blue stands for the vertical and the spatial, in other words height and depth of the blue sky above and the blue sea below. It symbolizes that Masonry is as wide as these dimensions.

It is also interesting to note that blue is considered to be “between black and white”, also commonly identified with two opposing forces, good (white) and evil (black). Thus blue is considered the most neutral of all the colors.

For this reason, the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, Rama are shown with blue skin color.Tamil Sangam literature, which is about 2,000 years old, has The stories (or events) described in Valmiki Ramayana, and M Lakshman, son of King Dasharatha and Sumitra, is Lord Ram’s younger brother. Ram is the considered to be the 7th incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu and Lakshman is considered to be Sesha, the multiple-headed naga (serpent) upon whom Lord Vishnu rests. When Ram marries Sita, Lakshman marries Sita’s younger sister Urmila.

Lakshman, a highly skilled archer who could loose five hundred arrows in a single shot. He lived all his life serving his elder brother Ram and accompanied him everywhere he went, be it to Mithila to kill demons or the 14 year long exile (vanvas) of Ram or to free Sita from Ravan’s custody. When Kaikeyi, brainwashed by her maid Manthara, asks King Dasharatha to honour a vow he had made to her promising the fulfillment of one boon she wants from him, Dasharatha had to exile Ram for 14 years instead of crowning him the king of Ayodhya. Sita and Lakshman to accompanies him to the forest.

To ensure the safety of his elder brother and sister-in-law, Lakshman decides to stay awake all throughout the exile. Lakshman approached the Goddess of sleep – Nindra – and requested her to overlook him for the next 14 years. Nindra agreed but said someone else should sleep on behalf of Lakshman to keep the balance, to which he nominates his wife Urmila.

Urmila readily agrees, letting Lakshman stay awake and serve his brother for 14 years. It is also because Lakshman defeated sleep that he was able to slay Meghnath, Ravan’s son, who had got a boon he could be killed only by someone who has defeated sleep. Rama is a broad shouldered and a long armed man. He has a shell-like neck. He has handsome countenance. He has a hidden collar-bone. He has beautiful red eyes. His fame is heard about by people.

He has a voice like the sound of a kettle-drum. He has a shining skin. He is full of splendour. He is square-built. His limbs are built symmetrically. He is endowed with a dark-brown complexion.

He is ever firm in three limbs (viz. the breast, waist and fist), long in three (viz. the eyebrows, arms and soles), uniform in three (viz. his locks, testical and knees. elevated in three (viz. his breast, rim of his navel and lower abdomen), coppery in three (viz. the rims of his eyes, nails, palms and soles), soft in three (viz. the lines on his soles, hair and the end of the membrane virile. and always deep in three (viz. the voice, gait and the navel).

He has three folds in the skin of his neck and belly. He is depressed at three places (viz. the middle of his soles, the line on his soles and the nipples). He is undersized at four places ( viz. the neck, the membrane virile, the back and the shanks). He is endowed with three spirals in the hair of his head. He has four lines at the roots of his thumb ( denoting his proficiency in the four Vedās). He has four line on his forehead ( indicating longevity). He is four cubits high (96inches). He has four pairs of limbs (viz. the cheeks, arms, shanks and knees) equally matched.

He has fourteen other pairs of limbs( viz. the eye brows, nostrils, eyes, ears, lips, nipples, elbows, wrists, knees, testicles, loins, hands, feet and thigh) equally matched. The four large teeth at both the ends of his upper and lower jaws are very sharp. He walks in four gaits (resembling the walks of a lion, a tiger, an elephant and a bull). He is endowed with excellent lips, chin and nose. He has five glossy limbs (viz. the arms, finger and toes, eyes and ears, thighs and shanks).

Rama has ten lotus-like limbs (viz. the countenance, the mouth, the eyes, the tougue, lips, palate, breasts, nails, the hands and the feet). He has ten ample limbs (viz. the chest, the head, the forehead, the neck, the arms, the heart, the mouth, the feet, the back and the ears). He is spread through by reason of three ( viz. splendour, renown, and glory). He is doubly pure ( on father’s and mother’s side). He is elevated in six limbs ( viz. the flanks, the abdomen, the breast, the nose, the shoulder and the forehead). He is small, thin, fine or sharp in nine (viz. the hair, the moustache and the beard, nails, the hair on the body, the skin, the finger-joints, the membrane virile, acumen and perception). He persues religious merits, worldly riches and the sensuous delight Ram’s effulgent like the sun;

forbearing like the Mother Earth; in fame outruns

Indra, the Lord of devatas and in knowledge

Brihaspati, the most revered of the sages.”

176 Finding the Mother

6. “He treats with love this whole of universe;

a Messiah to the good and virtuous.

He knows no bias; an ant or a giant the same

for him; he helps the poor, distressed and lame.”

7. “With devotion performs he time-honoured mundane duties

and makes others perform; unlike the common royalties

who consider scruples as obsessions of hoi polloi

and gad around in an eternal search of virgin joys.”

8. “An expert he’s in regal skills and strategies.

Respects brahmins; follows age-old customs

explains the four Vedas to pundits’ eulogies.

Yet so humble and diffident remains our Ram.”

9. “He’s broad-shouldered; his hands as long as they touch knees.

His eyes with ruddy tinge exude enamouring

ardour for friends and scary fire to enemies.

His neck a conch; his voice the swash of ocean springs.”

10. “Like skies, blue-skinned he is,

with vast benign expanse inside.

Well-built with fine chiselled features;

his walk reminds of lion’s strides.”

11. “Ram’s every limb, aspect and mien display

superior royal traits and noble sway.”

12. “His chest, his wrists and fists are diamond-strong

His hands, eye-brows and testicles are long.

His hair-ends, testicles and knees again

in equal size, emblazon regal signs.”

13. “His convex chest, rich navel region

his slightly bulged belly muscles, curved throat;

his thunderous voice and manly walk, connote

so well that he’s a true patrician.

His rubicund eye-corners, palms and feet;

his rosy nails confirm he’s from elite.”

Finding the Mother 177

14. “His hair, penis and lines on his foot soles

are smooth and indicate he’s rich and bold.

His voice, his walk and navel are sublime;

the marks of glory, fame and life of prime.”

15. “He has three folds on his belly; his breasts,

nipples and lines on his two soles are squat;

his neck; penis, his back and calf muscles

are short. He has three hair-whorls on vortex.”

16. “He has four lines each on his thumb, forehead,

on palms and soles; the signs of a well-read

of one who’s an expert in four Vedas

who has long life and whose renown ageless.”

17. “At ninety-six inches in height, with even shape,

with lovely lips, sharp nose, firm chin and sparkling eyes

he looks a demigod in super human drape;

as men goggle agape and lovely women vie.”

18. “The vital pairs of limbs fourteen of his body

namely, eye-brows, nostrils, the ears, the lips, the breasts

elbows, the wrists, the knees, the testicles, buttocks,

the hands, the feet, the brawn on his buttocks are all

equal in size, denoting signs of royal life.”

19. “He has four long and strong canine teeth; his imperial strides

remind of the treads of four imposing animals of pride;

the lion, tiger, a bull and elephant; unique and odd.

His style and appearance make him look like a Living God.”

20. “And lo, O’ Mother, Lakshmana, the brother dear

of Ram and Ma Sumitra’s son is Ram’s alike,

by looks and character, by walk and talk, from front and rear

by love and raging ire; by likes and gross dislikes.”

178 Finding the Mother

21. “But Ram in nimbus blue, looks like an ebony statue

and Lakshmana is like a large nugget in golden hue.”

Rama, one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue. Although there are three Ramas mentioned in Indian tradition—Parashurama, Balarama, and Ramachandra—the name is specifically associated with Ramachandra, the seventh incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu. His story is told briefly in the Mahabharata (“Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty”) and at great length in the Ramayana (“Rama’s Journey”).

References to Rama as an incarnation of Vishnu appear in the early centuries CE. There was, however, probably no special worship of him before the 11th century, and it was not until the 14th and 15th centuries that distinct sects appeared venerating him as the supreme god (notably that of the followers of the Brahman Ramananda). Rama’s popularity was increased greatly by the retelling of the Sanskrit epics in the vernaculars, such as Tulsidas’s celebrated Hindi version, the Ramcharitmanas (“Sacred Lake of the Acts of Rama”), and the Tamil Ramayana by Kampan as well as innumerable oral variants and dance dramas.

Rama and Krishna (also an incarnation of Vishnu) were the two most-popular recipients of adoration from the bhakti (devotional) groups that swept the country during that time. Whereas Krishna is adored for his mischievous pranks and amorous dalliances, Rama is conceived as a model of reason, right action, and desirable virtues. Temples to Rama faced by shrines to his monkey devotee Hanuman are widespread throughout India. Rama’s name is a popular form of greeting among friends (“Ram! Ram!”), and Rama is the deity most invoked at death.

In sculpture, Rama is represented as a standing figure, holding an arrow in his right hand and a bow in his left. His image in a shrine or temple is almost invariably attended by figures of his wife, Sita, his favourite half brother, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. In painting, he is depicted dark in colour (indicating his affinity with Vishnu), with princely adornments and the kirita-makuta (tall conical cap) on his head indicating his royal status. Rama’s exploits were depicted with great sympathy by the Rajasthani and Pahari schools of painting in the 17th and 18th centuriesIt is a sight that is etched in everyone’s minds. Every year on Dasera, an effigy of Ravana is burnt to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Ravana had abducted Rama’s wife Sita and kept her captive in Lanka. Accordingly, Dasera celebrates the defeat of Ravana, representing evil, by Lord Rama, a symbol of virtue.

The Ramayana has been told in a thousand different ways over the centuries. In most versions of the Ramayana, Rama is treated as a hero with many good qualities. Ravana, on the contrary, is the demon with negative traits. However, in parts of south India — as well as in Southeast Asian countries — it is Ravana who is worshipped as a hero.

In Kanpur, the doors of what is perhaps North India’s lone Ravana temple, on the Kailash Mandir campus, are thrown open for devotees on Dasera. The 140-year-old temple opens only on this day, when devotees also pay obeisance to Ravana. In Jodhpur, people claiming to be descendents of Ravana, are apparently building a temple dedicated to the demon king.

“In Indian mythology, Ravana is considered a great Brahmin scholar,” explains Devdutt Pattanaik, a mythologist with over 12 books to his credit. “He had one flaw — that he went after a married woman. However, all deities have flaws. In fact, it is believed that Rama even performed penance because he killed a Brahmin in Ravana.”

“Ravana was a great warrior of immeasurable courage. The gods feared him, he had won strategic boons by practising tough austerities, but he had no control over his senses,” says Prof Vidya Vencatesan, who has done a comparative study of the Valmiki Ramayana and the French epic, Le Cycle de Guillaume d’Orange at the University of Sorbonne, Paris. “The character of Ravana travels a long way from Valmiki’s version, where he is a demon king drunk with power. The Tamil Ramavataram composed by Kamban stands out as an exception. Kamban imagines Ravana to be a very erudite scholar, keen musician, a very good looking man with good taste in clothes and jewellery, a much sought-after lover. In fact, he woos Sita in such style — falling at her feet, pleading, cajoling and literally begging her — that Rama pales in comparison,” Vencatesan observes.

There are several instances in literature and the arts where the positive and docile Ravana is brought to the fore. Periyar, the Tamil political leader of the 20th century, made him the ultimate Dravidian hero.

Creole ballads from the Reunion islands have Ravana sing out his love for Sita. During the 1950s, Snehalata Reddy wrote the play Sita, in which Sita is shocked when Rama rejects her after the Lanka war. She reflects on Ravana’s caring attitude and the fact that he never forced himself on her.

In 2002, Realising Rama, a collaborative venture involving ASEAN’s 10 member countries, was performed at the NCPA, Mumbai. The dance presentation was a metaphor for the battle of good over evil within oneself, where the silhouettes of Rama and Ravana merged at the end.

Ravana is unfortunately remembered only for his misdemeanours. Pattanaik rues that “In India, we are able to forgive people. We accept positives along with negatives. However, in the Western scheme of things, heroes have to be perfect. Ravana will always be portrayed as a fallen hero When King Janaka saw Rama and Lakshmana, he asked Viswamitra who the two handsome boys were. The Tamil poet Kambar wondered why Janaka, even after seeing Rama, did not give up the challenge he had put in place for those who aspired for marriage to Sita. What was the sense in insisting on the breaking of a bow, even after seeing Rama? Janaka, upon seeing Rama, should have immediately got Sita married to Rama, without insisting on the breaking of the bow Rama and Lakshmana had the bearing of warriors, and yet they had the sleekness of royals. And this had Janaka wondering if they were mortals. Their eyes were like lotus petals, and Janaka observed that they looked like the Sun and the Moon. Narada was rendered speechless when he saw Rama’s good looks. The citizens of Ayodhya described Him as being superior to the Gandharvas in beauty. Rama had good looks, courage and youth, and to find all three in one person is a rarity. He was as strong as an elephant in rut; and yet He was gentle.Seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu

Lord Rama is considered to be the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu in 10 incarnations. Before Lord Rama, Lord Vishnu avatars are Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (man and lion), Vamana (dwarf), and Parshurama while later as Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki (to be incarnate).

2. Oldest human deity

Lord Rama is known to be the oldest deity worshipped in human form, as Lord Rama was born in Treta Yuga and it is believed that Treta Yuga has ended 1,296,000 years before today. In addition to Lord Rama in Treta Yuga, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Vamana and Parashurama.Lord Rama was born in the “Ikshvaku” dynasty, which was founded by “King Ikshvaku”, son of Lord Surya. That is why Lord Rama is also called “Suryavanshi”Lord Rama was named by the Guru of Raghuvanshi, Maharishi Vashistha. According to Vasishtha, the word “Rama” is made up of two spores (bijakshara), “Agni Beej” and “Amrit Beej”. These letters provide strength to the mind, body, and soul.

6. Three times the pronunciation of the name Rama is like remembering thousands of gods.

It is mentioned in the Mahabharata that once Lord Shiva said that reciting the name of Rama thrice gives the grace equal to pronouncing the names of thousand deities. You will be surprised to know that Lord Shiva is also the name of Lord Rama in meditation. Let’s spell it out.Lord Hanuman fought with Lord Rama to protect “Yayati”, the king of Kashi. On the orders of Rishi Vikramaditya, Lord Rama came to kill the King of Kashi. To help the King of Kashi in the battle, Lord Hanuman started reciting Lord Rama. Because of this, Lord Rama’s arrows had no effect on Hanuman and Lord Rama had to accept his defeat THE gods, the Gandharvas, Siddhas and holy Rishis approached Brahma and said, “O venerable Lord! The demon Ravana is harassing us in various ways through his power on account of Your boon to him. We are not able to check him. Please protect us.”

In the meanwhile, Lord Hari arrived. He said to the gods, “O gods! Be not afraid. I shall incarnate on earth to protect you all and destroy the wicked Ravana.”

Lord Vishnu divided Himself into four portions and chose King Dasaratha for His father.King Dasaratha who was endowed with good fortune, who was devoted to truth, who vas brave and famous, was without a son. He was very much troubled in his heart. He approached his family preceptor Vasishtha and said, “O my venerable master! I have no issue to carry on the line. I am troubled with the sorrow of being childless.”

Vasishtha said, “O righteous king! You will beget four mighty sons. Bring Rishya Sringa. Perform at once the sacrifice called the Putrakameshti.”

Dasaratha brought the Rishi to Ayodhya and performed the sacrifice. The God of Fire appeared from the fire of the sacrifice. He had a golden vessel full of divine Payasa. He said, “O best of kings! Take this Payasa made by the gods in heaven. Give it to your worthy wives. You shall beget by them mighty sons.”

Dasaratha obtained the permission of Vasishtha and Rishya Sringa and gave the Payasa half and half to his queens Kausalya and Kaikeyi. Sumitra also went there. She also wanted to take a portion of the Payasa. Kausalya joyfully gave her half of her share. Kaikeyi also gave her half of her share with immense joy. All the queens became pregnant.

In the tenth month, Kausalya gave birth to a son of superhuman form. On the ninth lunar day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra, under the star Punarvasu, and Lagna Karkata (the auspicious zodiacal sign of cancer), the five constellations in the ascendent, appeared on earth the great and prosperous Sri Rama with mighty arms, the eternal Lord, the Master of the world, the joy of Dasaratha. He bore all the auspicious marks on His fair body. His form was effulgent like a thousand suns.

Bharata was born to Kaikeyi. Sumitra gave birth to two sons, twins, Lakshmana and Satrughna. At their birth, the Gandharvas sang and the Apsaras danced in joy. There was a shower of flowers from above.

King Dasaratha gave to Brahmins a thousand villages, gold, clothes, jewels and cows. He performed the birth ceremony of Jatakarma.

Vasishtha conferred the names. Kausalya’s son was named Rama, because He gave joy and happiness to all, because the Munis found in Him delight through Knowledge in order to cross this ocean of ignorance.

Bharata was so named, because he protected all. Lakshmana was so named, because he was endowed with auspicious attributes. Satrughna was given that name, as he was the destroyer of enemies.

Sri Rama was an Avatara of Lord Hari; Lakshmana was an Avatara of Adisesha; Bharata and Satrughna were Avataras of Conch and Discus. Sita was an Avatara of Sri Lakshmi.

All the sons of Dasaratha were heroic and virtuous. They were well-versed in the Vedas. They were also very well trained in horsemanship, in encounters with sword and shield, in warcraft and kingcraft.

These princes were extremely handsome, strong, virtuous, holy and contented from their very boyhood. They were patient, brave, truthful and firm. They soon captivated the heart of the public.

Sri Rama excelled His brothers in bravery and truthfulness. Of all the four brothers, Sri Rama was a paragon of virtues. Lord Rama was Maryada Purushottama. He was a Prema Murti. He was an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal husband, an ideal friend, and an ideal king. He can be taken to embody all the highest deals of man. He led an ideal life of a householder to teach humanity. He ruled His people so nicely that His rule came to be called Rama Rajya, meaning the rule of righteousness, the rule which bestows on all happiness and prosperity.

Rama was an ideal king. He ruled the kingdom in a wonderful way. He was just and righteous. He was courageous and kind. He was endowed with a gentle and generous disposition. He was civil and courteous.

Therefore His subjects loved Him immensely. Not a single man was unhappy during His regime. He often used to say, “I will do anything and everything to please My subjects; and, if necessary, I can even abandon My dear wife for their sake.” That is the reason why His reign was called “Rama Rajya.” There were not dacoits during His regime. All led a virtuous life. Nobody spoke any untruth. Anybody could place a bag of gold or jewels even in the main street. No one would touch it even.

Rama Rajya was based on truth. Dharma was its foundation. Shastras were the guiding principles. Rishis, Yogis, Munis and Brahma Jnanis were the guiding lights. The Vedas were respected and followed. Therefore, Rama Rajya endured and prospered. And it is even now spoken of as the most perfect form of government.

The government of Sri Rama was an ideal one. Rama’s kingdom was free from evil-doers, thieves and dacoits. People did not put locks to the doors, nor bars to their windows. A bag of gold could be kept quite safe even in the highways. No calamity ever befell anyone. The aged people never performed the funeral rites of the young. No one injured another. Everyone was devoted to Dharma, righteousness or duty. All the people always narrated Sri Rama’s stories. They always uttered Rama, Rama. The whole world reverberated with the Name of Rama.

In due season, rain and shine came. The air was fresh and cool. The trees were laden with plenty of fruits. There were abundant flowers of sweet fragrance. There were plenty of crops in the fields.

Every man had a long life. He had children and grandchildren. Wives were devoted to their husbands. They were chaste and pure.

All the people were hale and hearty. They were rich, contented and virtuous. They were free from disease, greed and sorrow. They were truthful, righteous and self-controlled. They led a pure and taintless life.

The Brahmins were well-versed in the Vedas. They were virtuous. They stuck to their own duties. The Kshatriyas were brave. The Vaishyas and Sudras did their Svadharma. They were free from passion, greed and envy. The twice-born were faithful to the rites and scriptures. They were truthful in their words and deeds. They had God-fearing nature. They had love for all creatures.

The troops were very strong and brave. They were fierce like fire. They never retraced their steps in battle. They guarded the ramparts well.

There were neither want nor fear nor pain anywhere. The sons were noble and manly. The daughters were handsome, modest and pure.

Every town and province had plenty of gold and corn. Fathers never lost their children, nor did wives their husbands.

Poverty was unknown in Rama’s kingdom. Everybody had horses, cattle, gold and grain. Nobody spoke falsehood. No one envied others’ wealth. The poorest man was richly blessed with wealth and knowledge.

Sri Rama’s dominion was free from fire, flood, storm, fever, famine and disease.

Who can describe the glory of Rama’s empire? Hence it was called Rama Rajya. Rama Nama or the Name of Lord Rama is a blessing which millions of Hindus have treasured in their hearts since ages past. It is the supreme purifier of the mind of man, the bestower of perennial joy, the giver of peace and the key to the gate of immortality.

You must learn to take the Name of Rama with full devotion and faith. When you study the Ramayana of Tulsidas, you will learn how great the divine power of that blessed Name is.

Rama’s Name, form and conduct have all been the objects of constant remembrance, contemplation and emulation for people since ages. The word Rama is interpreted in the Ramarahasyopanishad as the combination of the essence of the Narayana-Ashta-Akshara and the Siva-Pancha-Akshara, i.e., Ra and Ma, without which the Ashtakshara and the Panchakshara not only do not give their proper meaning, but give the opposite meaning. Rama Nama is also considered as the essence of the Thousand Names of the Lord. It is the Taraka Mantra, the vessel which takes the mortal across the ocean of Samsara or death. The power of the Name is well realised when it is known that even the incorrect pronunciation thereof turned rogue Ratnakara into sage Valmiki.

Rama Nama burns ignorance, passion and sin. With knowledge or without knowledge, correctly or incorrectly, when the word Rama is pronounced, it showers a rain of good on the devotee. Sri Rama Brahma Tarakam.: Sri Rama is Brahman who takes one across Samsara. Rama is one in whom Yogins sport (Ramante) i.e., the Self within. Once you take refuge in Him, your welfare becomes His responsibility.

Gandhiji writes: “You might ask me why I tell you to use the word Rama and not one of the many other Names of the Creator. True; His Names are as many as and more than the leaves on a tree, and I might, for instance, ask you to use the word God. But what meaning, what associations, would it have for you here? In order to enable you to feel anything when repeating the word God, I should have to teach you some English. I should have to explain to you foreign people’s thoughts and associations.

“But in telling you to repeat the Name of Rama, I am giving you a Name worshipped since countless generations by the people of this land,—a Name familiar to the very animals and birds, the very trees and stones of Hindusthan, through many thousand years. You will learn from Ramayana how a stone by the roadside sprang to life at the touch of Rama’s foot as He passed by. You must learn to repeat the blessed Name of Rama with sweetness and such devotion that the birds will pause in their singing to listen to you, that the very trees will bend their leaves towards you, stirred by the divine melody of that Name.

Kabir sent Kamal to Tulsidas. In the presence of Kamal, Tulsidas wrote Ram Nam on a Tulasi leaf and sprinkled the juice over five hundred lepers. All were cured. Kamal was quite astonished. Then Kabir sent Kamal to blind Surdas. Surdas asked Kamal to bring the corpse that was floating in the river. The corpse was brought. Surdas repeated ‘Ram’ (not the full name Rama) only once in one ear of the corpse, and it was brought back to life. Kamal’s heart was filled with awe and wonder. Such is the power of God’s Name.

The Name of Sri Rama is sweeter than the sweetest objects. It is the haven of peace. It is the very life of pure souls. It is the purifier of all purifying agencies. It quenches the consuming fire of worldly desires. It awakens the knowledge of God which is dormant in our hearts. It bathes the aspirant in the ocean of divine bliss. Glory to Sri Rama and His Name.

The means by which Sri Rama can be reached is to take His Name and to remain saturated in it. Always remain drunk, imbibing the Lord’s sweet Name. Let no ideas of purity or impurity enter your mind. There is no unholy object in this world. Should there be any, it becomes the holiest of the holy by contact with the Lord’s Name. Illusion, notwithstanding all her efforts, fails to get hold of him who remains deeply absorbed in the Lord’s Name and love.Some people say: “Sri Rama is only an ordinary man. He is not an Incarnation of God. He wept bitterly when He lost His wife. His bewailings rent the clouds when Lakshmana fell down on the ground in an unconscious state, being struck with the arrow of Indrajit. Why did Rama, the Supreme Being, forget His real divine nature? He was sunk in the ocean of sorrow at the ordeal of Sita. If Rama always knew His true Self, why did He grieve for the loss of Sita?”

The answer to this question is that verily Rama was the Supreme Self. He never moved or did anything. He was never subject to joy or sorrow, birth or death, pleasure or pain. Through His life, Sri Rama behaved like an ordinary man only. He had to do that, because Ravana had a boon that he could not be killed by Devas, Asuras, Rakshasas, Yakshas, serpents, bears, etc. He belittled the strength of man in his pride. Ravana could only be killed by a man. So Sri Rama had to show that He was an ordinary man only. Otherwise, He would be disqualified for destroying Ravana, if He exhibited Himself to be a God, according to the boon of Brahma.Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright half of the month Chaitra (March-April). This is the birthday of Sri Rama, the seventh divine Incarnation. This is the most important festival of the Vaishnava sect of Hindus. All Saivites also do the celebration. Some keep strict fast. Temples are decorated and the image of Rama adorned with costly ornaments. The Ramayana is read in the temples. At Ayodhya in Fyzabad, a big bathing fair is held on this day.

In the south of India, Sri Rama Navami Utsava is celebrated for nine days with great fervour and devotion by the devotees of Lord Rama.

May you all attain the final beatitude of life through intense devotion towards Rama! May you live immersed in the ecstasy of divine love and Suddha Prem! May Sri Rama, who is effulgent like million suns, who is adored by the gods and devotees, protect you all!

May Lord Rama bestow His choicest blessings on you all! May you all live drowned in the ocean of divine ecstasy through constant repetition of Lord Rama’s Name. He was well accomplished, beautiful and endowed with royal marks. He was the foremost of those who were skilled in bows and arrows. He had His sway all over the world.

He had eyes like lotus-petals and a countenance like full moon. He had a deep voice. He had equally proportionate limbs. His gait was slow and majestic. It was that of a lion. He had four lines on His thumb. He had a pointed nose. He had high forehead.

Sri Rama possessed red eyes and arms that were sinewy. His steps were like those of an elephant. He had long arms, broad shoulders, and black and curly hair. He was valiant and glowing with splendour. He was in no way inferior to Indra himself in battle. He was well-versed in holy scriptures and equal to Brihaspati in wisdom. He was skilled in every science. He was an object of love and reverence with all people. He had His senses under perfect control. Even His enemies were pleased to see Him. He was the terror of the wicked and the protector of the virtuous. He was endowed with keen intelligence. He could never be vanquished by anyone.

Sri Rama’s glory and powers were unlimited. He was peerless on earth. He was free from malice. He was gentle and was the protector of His people. He always addressed the people in gentle words. He never used any harsh words even when somebody addressed Him rudely.

Rama was not only kind and affectionate, but generous and considerate for the feelings of all around Him. He had a splendid physique and winning manners. He had a magnanimous personality. He was extremely noble, generous, chivalrous and fearless. He was very simple and absolutely free from ostentation.

Sri Rama was wise and virtuous. He was effulgent like the sun, in forgiveness like the earth, in intelligence like Brihaspati, in frame like Vasava, in prowess like Indra. He observed ascetic vows and honoured saints. He would forget hundreds of evils done to Him, but would gratefully remember a single act of kindness ever shown.

In the leisure when He was not engaged in His martial exercises, He had discussions on the Shastras with the wise and the aged people. He always followed the right in every walk of His life and never swerved from His royal duties.

If anybody would approach Him, He would talk to him first. He was exceedingly powerful, but never haughty for that. He was the upholder of the four castes. He conferred honour upon people. He was worshipped by all. He was well-versed in polity and was greatly devoted to the Brahmins.

Rama was a friend of the poor and chastiser of the wicked. He was a cosmic benefactor. He was well-versed in religion, social customs and laws. He looked after the welfare of His subjects, and the people too loved Him immensely. He never indulged in profane and irrelevant talks. He had mastery over Yajurveda, Dhanur Veda, the Vedangas, etc. Whenever people put a question to Him, He answered them wisely, like Brihaspati. He was skilful in the use of all arms. He was honoured by the scholars of the Vedas. He was proficient in philosophy and poetry.

Sri Rama never spoke a lie even in extreme danger or peril. He was brave, candid and modest. He was the source of all good. He always respected His superiors. He was free from idleness. He was ever vigilant. He sought no evil. He had perfect control over anger.

He was ever ready to keep a vigilant watch over His own faults. He had aged and pious Brahmins for His guide.

He was an expert rider, a great warrior, a valiant general. He had great skill in the military manoeuvres. He was unconquered even by the gods. He was free from the evil habit of carping.

Sri Rama was happy in adversity, calm in miseries, intrepid in dangers.

Rama was a mighty hero. He was the hero of heroes. He killed single-handed great and renowned warriors like Khara and Dushana. He vanquished the invincible Vali. Sri Rama, the hero of Valmiki’s Ramayana, is an embodiment of every social and domestic virtue. His sense of filial duty is unparalleled in the history of the world.

He kicked off the throne and the pleasures of the senses and the world to fulfil the words of His father.

If Rama would have longed for the throne, it was quite easy for Him to get it. He was very popular. He was the mightiest of heroes; He destroyed the Rakshasas and bent the tremendous bow of Lord Siva. But, He did not show the least physical force. He gladly accepted what was dictated by the cruel and wicked Kaikeyi. Throne possessed less fascination for Him than the obedience to His father’s behests. He kicked off the kingdom and the comforts of a king. He gladly accepted the exile. The laudable virtues of Sri Rama cannot be adequately described.

Sri Rama’s life was a life of holy obedience, of stainless purity, of matchless simplicity, laudable contentment, commendable self-sacrifice, and remarkable renunciation. He paid equal respect to His mother and His step-mothers, and revered His Guru.

Sri Rama is known as Maryada Purushottama. He adhered to the injunctions of the Shastras. He led the life of an ideal householder to teach the world the Dharmas of a Grihastha. He never swerved an inch from truth and duty.

His adherence to duty was remarkable and illustrious. He even abandoned His wife who was His life, heart and soul to ensure the good of His subjects, and sacrificed His personal happiness. He was prepared to sacrifice His very life even to secure the contentment of His people and to stick to His duty. He lived for His people.

Sita once told Rama to seek shelter in a safe place and to let the forest dwellers alone, as there was much danger there. Rama’s reply revealed His firm determination to adhere to truth and to His duty, as a king, to protect those who took shelter under Him. Sri Rama said, “O Sita, I may even give up life, or you, or Lakshmana; but can never give up the performance of My word, given particularly to helpless Brahmins. Rama speaks but once and never fails to keep up His promiseLord Rama is revered for his compassion, valor, and devotion to religious values and duty, He is venerated as the seventh avatar of lord Vishnu who descended to Earth in human form to restore righteousness and dharma. He is the central figure in the epic Ramayana and the embodiment of virtue and selflessness. He is considered a Maryada Purushottama or the upholder of Dharma and hailed as an exemplary human who excelled in self-control withstanding all the vagaries of life. Lord Rama exemplifies all the virtues of an ideal son, an upright husband, a righteous King, and a loving brother and even an ideal man with traits worthy of being emulated by all. Lord Rama is depicted with a dark complexion wielding a bow and arrow, with sita and Lakshman by his side, and Hanuman prostrating before him. Sage Valmiki’s Ramcharitmanas extolls His virtues and speaks of the greatness of his Godly attributes. Lord Rama will be forever venerated in Hinduism as the epitome of a selfless and ideal human being. Lord Rama is hailed as the seventh incarnation of the preserver of the Universe, Vishnu Himself and one of the Dashavatars. Vishnu descended to Earth as Lord Rama when the world was rife with evil forces and demonic forces were terrorizing the inhabitants of Earth. Thus, Vishnu assumed human form and vanquished the evil restoring righteousness and dharma. Lord Rama is the son of King Dasaratha, a prince of the Solar race and Queen Kausalya. Born at the end of the Second Age or Treta-yuga, He descended into the world at the bidding of the Gods to vanquish the fearsome multi-headed demon Ravana, the King of Lanka. The Divine drama is enacted and eventually culminates in the demise of the king of Lanka This event is widely celebrated as “Dussehra” and His return to Ayodhya was welcomed joyously by the citizens who lit up the entire city with lamps and hence this day is celebrated as Diwali (The festival of lights) throughout the length and breadth of the country and many parts of the world. Lord Rama is considered by many Hindus as a historical figure who, along with his wife Sita are depicted in Hindu mythology as a picture of purity and marital devotion. The attributes of Rama illustrate his commitment towards fulfilling one’s pious duty of dharma. On the occasion of Ram Navami devotees offer flowers, Neer mor (butter milk) and vadai paruppu (made out of moong dhal). Specially prepared Naivedyam or Panagam made of jaggery, musk melon and ginger is considered to appease Lord Rama and invoke His blessings. Along with these offerings, payasam, panchamirtham and methi pulao are also offered. All these offerings bear significance to the hardships Lord Rama faced during his vanavasam or sojourn in the forest When King Dasharatha decided to crown Rama as his successor, every subject of the kingdom was happy with news. However, a day before his crowning, Kaikeyi is brainwashed by her wicked maid Manthara regarding the insecurity of the future of her son, Bharata. Kaikeyi, who was initially pleased for Rama, now gets highly jealous, and asks Dasharatha to fulfill her two boons that was given to her by Dasharatha, after the birth of Rama, and rest of the siblings. The first boon that she asked for was to send Rama away to banishment into the forests for fourteen years, and the second was to crown Bharata as the king of Ayodhya, in place of Rama. Dasharatha was in a state of turmoil, while at the same time he was known to be a king of his words. Rama, at once solves the crisis of his father, by willingly accepting the term of the exile and also gives up his title without the blink of an eye, so that his father won’t have to go back on his promise given to Kaikeyi. Rama, then leaves for his exile, joined by Sita and Lakshmana. Dasharatha couldn’t bear the grief after his son left, and dies thereafter. Rama, even after his father’s death decides not to return to Ayodhya till the completion of his term, as promised by him to his father. Thus, we see the amount of dedication that he had to fulfill his promise that he gave to his father, even after his death. Rama, therefore, symbolizes the ideal devoted son, who can sacrifice anything for his parents. Rama’s natural soul was that of an obedient son. Rama passed the test of Shiva and broke the arrow with ease to win over the eternally beautiful Sita. He respected Sita’s choice to join him in the forests, and gave her equal authority and decision making power, though at the same time he was trying to dissuade Sita to join him, as he did want Sita to lead the life in the forest wrapped with difficulties and uncertainties at each step. He tried his best to insist her to stay and not sacrifice her comfortable life at the palace, but finally he respects Sita’s decision, who supported her decision as to fulfill her duty to him as his wife, thus proving that he did not dominate his wife and respected her decisions at all phases. Unlike the modern day couples, their arguments did not have a shred of ego or attitude. His dialogues with his wife were based on a calm and peaceful tone After Rama gets to know that Sita is kidnapped by Ravana, we get to see the emotional side of Rama. He was overcome with emotions, and was deeply upset at the kidnapping of his wife. He then channelized these emotions to bring out his skills of being the perfect man. He showed strength of character and will power. He started gathering all the resources he could, and all that help that was needed to conquer the evil Ravana and rescue Sita from Lanka. He even helped Sugriva kill King Vali in exchange for his help to find Sita, as promised by Sugriva. This is how he gathered the army of monkeys, the vanarsena, ready to help him. He was also helped by his greatest devotee, Hanumana, who was willing to go to all extents to find and save Sita. After gathering all his forces, when he reached Lanka, he successfully vanquished the evil Ravana. After Sita returned to the kingdom, Rama orders Sita to perform the Agni pariksha, the test of fire, to prove her purity, and to shut the murmurings in Ayodhya, once and all. Rama orders Sita to perform the test, as he knew that Sita is pure, even after staying with the lustful Ravana for over months. He had absolute and irrevocable faith in Sita’s loyalty, even when she was far away from her, with another man, on another land. His trust was reaffirmed, when Sita successfully passes the test of fire. Following this, they return to the kingdom for Rama’s coronation, and Sita becomes pregnant after that.

What happens after this in Valmiki’s Ramayana raises questions over him being the perfect husband when he had to send Sita away to exile as the people in his kingdom still did not trust Sita’s chastity after her stay with Ravana. He was torn between his duty as a King, and his duty as a husband. All of his subjects and advisors in the kingdom believed that Sita should be sent into exile again. Rama as king could not accompany Sita to exile as he was forsworn to execute his duties as a King. So, with a heavy heart, he had to send Sita away to exile. However, in Sita’s absence he did not even look at other women or marry again. He was always eternally devoted to Sita. His loyalties to her never wavered. Rama was the perfect husband and the perfect man who had to stick to his commitment of serving the people in his kingdom, as their King. Even though he was physically separated from Sita, his soul was always with her. They were bounded by eternal love, and were still husband and wife, even after being separated. Till the very end, Rama belonged to Sita, and will always belong to her.

 

 Lord Rama’s Abilities as a King and Warrior

Rama was known to be a great warrior and noble king. He was blessed with exceptional qualities and had mastery over the scriptures, the Vedas, warfare. He also possessed excellent administration skills, and was also very clever. Vishwamitra chose Rama to defeat the demons that were interfering with his sacrificial prayers. Rama, along with Lakshmana used the celestial weapons to defeat the demons that were disturbing sage Vishwamitra. His skills were also displayed in the test of Shiva to win over Sita, where he easily lifts his mighty bow that required almost 5000 men to pull it.

In the Great War against Ravana and his army, Rama killed some of the most powerful rakshasa warriors in Ravana’s kingdom, including Kumbhkarna, Ravana’s brother, along with thousands of rakshasa soldiers. In his final face off with Ravana, Ravana invoked all his magical powers, even his boons, granted to him by Brahma and Shiva, along with all the magical warfare possessed by the rakshasas. This battle between Rama and Ravana is one of the fiercest battles in the history of ancient Hindu mythology. They inflicted serious injuries on one another, as both possessed highly potent weapons, capable of destroying the entire universe. Finally, after a long and tiring battle, Rama decimated Ravana’s central head, the source of all Ravana’s powers. Rama, proves that he is one of the most gifted warriors, as he was successful in defeating one of the strongest and most resourceful devils of all time, who had gained all his powers by his years of devotion and tapasya to Lord Brahma.

Lord Rama is one of the essential deities of Hinduism. He is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu and was born in Ayodya. Apart from Hinduism, we can find references to Lord Vishnu in Jainism and Buddhism, as well. Here, you can find him represented as Padma or Pauma. Along with that, Rama is a name that plays a significant role in different Hindu scriptures. In the Atharva Veda, Rama means someone dark in color and has a connection with the night. In other parts of the same text, you can see Rama concerning someone pleasing and lovely. Here, we will look at Lord Rama’s origin concerning ancient texts, significance, and weapons.

Rama, as mentioned earlier, is a name of great importance in Indian tradition. You might have noticed that the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu is Parashu Rama and the seventh avatar as Rama Chandra. Bala Rama, the brother of Lord Krishna, is also yet another name that refers to Rama.

Ancient 

Rama is a central figure of many texts and legends in Hinduism. He is part of the Vaishnavism tradition as well. Apart from Ramayana, we can find his reference in works that came as an adaptation of Ramayana. They are Ramacharitam and Adhyatma Ramayanam. The poetic collection by Tulsi Das, Ramavali, is a work that delves into detail Rama’s life in his youth. Tulsi Das represents him as an introvert and a reserved person. From the different texts, we can find that Rama is a figure who prioritized Dharma in his life. He is also a Supreme Being.

Ramayana is a work by Valmiki that revolves around the life of Rama. It focuses on the different stages of His life. As per Ramayana, Rama was born on the 9th day of Chaitra, and we celebrate it as Ram Navami nowadays. He was born in Ayodya, a city located on the banks of the River Sarayu. Rama was born to Kautaliya and Dasharatha. Dasharatha was the king of Kosala. As per the epic, he has three brothers. They are Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. As a young man, Rama was polite and virtuous. He met with Sita during an archery competition organized by King Janaka. After winning, King Janaka decides to let Rama marry Sita.

Ramayana explains in detail the reasons that led to the 14 years of exile of Rama. It was because Kaikeyi, the second wife of Dasharatha, asked him to send Rama away. Rama decided to leave to the Dandaka Forest. As he left, Lakshmana and Sita joined him. As they traveled, many incidents came their way. Shurpanaka, the sister of Ravana, tried to seduce Rama when they were in Panchavati. Rama refused to accept her as he was loyal to his wife. Lakshmana found Shurpanaka’s behavior as displeasing and cut off her ears as well as her nose in anger. Ravana, who came to know about the incident, came to Panchavati to take revenge on Rama. When Ravana found Sita, he kidnapped her and took her to Lanka. Though he tried to convince Sita to marry him and be his queen, Sita did not comply with Ravana’s desire. After Rama reached Lanka, he killed Ravana in a war and rescued Sita. On his return to Ayodya, he became the king of his country. Sita underwent Agni Pariksha to prove that she was not morally corrupt. After she succeeded in the test, Rama and Sita lived in their kingdom happily. They had two sons as well. They were Luv and Kush.

Having made themselves comfortable in the dense forest, Rama and Sita continued to live as man and wife, enjoying all the pleasures that attend to a married and devoted couple.

Once after a particularly exhausting session of sport among the perfumed jungles on the banks of the full and flowing Ganges, Sita settled down on Rama’s lap. Just then a mischievous crow came and nibbled at Sita with his beak. Disturbed, Sita flung at him a pebble, trying to scare him away. But the unscrupulous scoundrel would have none of it and continued with his irritating activity. Angered she got up, attempting to chase it away. In the awkwardness of the situation, Sita’s lower garment slipped off, prompting a derisive laughter from her husband. Ashamed and sullen, she hurried back to rest her head on Rama’s chest, her only refuge, and shed tears. Rama is one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue. The name is specifically associated with Ramachandra, the seventh incarnation avatarof Vishnu. His story is told in the epic poems the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

Rama’s role is to be a warrior

Both Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are considered to be human avatars of Vishnu, who was a blue skinned God 

As an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, Rama possesses the power of flight, and in battle he wields a sword and the bow of Vayu, which shoots flaming arrows

Rama is said to have been born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas Shri Ram is an expression in Indic languages, translating as “Glory to Lord Rama” or “Victory to Lord Rama”. The proclamation has been used by Hindus as an informal greeting, as a symbol of adhering to Hindu faith, or for projection of varied faith-centered emotions Rama is one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue. 

Rama’s role is to be a warrior, which he does exceptionally well. By always remaining on the path, he succeeds in fulfilling his dharma.

Ramachandra (beautiful, lovely moon), or Dasarathi (son of Dasaratha), or Raghava (descendant of Raghu, solar dynasty in Hindu cosmology). He is also known as Ram Lalla (Infant form of Rama).The return of Rama to Ayodhya was celebrated with his coronation. It is called Rama pattabhisheka, and his rule itself as Rama rajya described to be a just and fair rule. It is believed by many that when Rama returned people celebrated their happiness with diyas (lamps), and the festival of Diwali is connected with Rama’s return.

Upon Rama’s accession as king, rumors emerge that Sita may have gone willingly when she was with Ravana; Sita protests that her capture was forced. Rama responds to public gossip by renouncing his wife and asking her to undergo a test before Agni (fire). She does and passes the test. Rama and Sita live happily together in Ayodhya, have twin sons named Luv and Kush, in the Ramayana and other major texts. Rama is a major deity in Hinduism. He is the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Being Rama is one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue. 

Rama’s role is to be a warrior, which he does exceptionally well. By always remaining on the path, he succeeds in fulfilling his dharma.

Ramachandra (beautiful, lovely moon), or Dasarathi (son of Dasaratha), or Raghava (descendant of Raghu, solar dynasty in Hindu cosmology). He is also known as Ram Lalla (Infant form of Rama).The return of Rama to Ayodhya was celebrated with his coronation. It is called Rama pattabhisheka, and his rule itself as Rama rajya described to be a just and fair rule. It is believed by many that when Rama returned people celebrated their happiness with diyas (lamps), and the festival of Diwali is connected with Rama’s return.

Upon Rama’s accession as king, rumors emerge that Sita may have gone willingly when she was with Ravana; Sita protests that her capture was forced. Rama responds to public gossip by renouncing his wife and asking her to undergo a test before Agni (fire). She does and passes the test. Rama and Sita live happily together in Ayodhya, have twin sons named Luv and Kush, in the Ramayana and other major texts. Rama is one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue. The name is specifically associated with Ramachandra, the seventh incarnation avatarof Vishnu. His story is told in the epic poems the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

Rama’s role is to be a warrior

Both Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are considered to be human avatars of Vishnu, who was a blue skinned God 

As an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, Rama possesses the power of flight, and in battle he wields a sword and the bow of Vayu, which shoots flaming arrows

Rama is said to have been born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas Shri Ram is an expression in Indic languages, translating as “Glory to Lord Rama” or “Victory to Lord Rama”. The proclamation has been used by Hindus as an informal greeting, as a symbol of adhering to Hindu faith, or for projection of varied faith-centered emotions Rama is said to have been born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas.Of all their travails, the most notable is the kidnapping of Sita by demon-king Ravana, followed by the determined and epic efforts of Rama and Lakshmana to gain her freedom and destroy the evil Ravana against great odds. The entire life story of Rama, Sita and their companions allegorically discusses duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. It illustrates dharma and dharmic living through model characters

Rama is especially important to Vaishnavism. He is the central figure of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, a text historically popular in the South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures.His ancient legends have attracted bhasya (commentaries) and extensive secondary literature and inspired performance arts. Two such texts, for example, are the Adhyatma Ramayana – a spiritual and theological treatise considered foundational by Ramanandi monasteries, and the Ramcharitmanas – a popular treatise that inspires thousands of Ramlila festival performances during autumn every year in India Rama legends are also found in the texts of Jainism and Buddhism, though he is sometimes called Pauma or Padma in these texts,and their details vary significantly from the Hindu versions. Jain Texts also mentioned Rama as the eighth balabhadra among the 63 salakapurusas. In Sikhism, Rama is mentioned as one of twenty four divine incarnations of Vishnu in the Chaubis Avtar in Dasam Granth Rāma is a Vedic Sanskrit word with two contextual meanings. In one context as found in Atharva Veda, as stated by Monier Monier-Williams, means “dark, dark-colored, black” and is related to the term ratri which means night. In another context as found in other Vedic texts, the word means “pleasing, delightful, charming, beautiful, lovely”.The word is sometimes used as a suffix in different Indian languages and religions, such as Pali in Buddhist texts, where -rama adds the sense of “pleasing to the mind, lovely” to the composite word.Rama as a first name appears in the Vedic literature, associated with two patronymic names – Margaveya and Aupatasvini – representing different individuals. A third individual named Rama Jamadagnya is the purported author of hymn 10.110 of the Rigveda in the Hindu tradition. The word Rama appears in ancient literature in reverential terms for three individuals The name Rama appears repeatedly in Hindu texts, for many different scholars and kings in mythical stories. The word also appears in ancient Upanishads and Aranyakas layer of Vedic literature, as well as music and other post-Vedic literature, but in qualifying context of something or someone who is “charming, beautiful, lovely” or “darkness, night

The Vishnu avatar named Rama is also known by other names. He is called Ramachandra (beautiful, lovely moon),or Dasarathi (son of Dasaratha), or Raghava (descendant of Raghu, solar dynasty in Hindu cosmology). He is also known as Ram Lalla (Infant form of Rama Additional names of Rama include Ramavijaya (Javanese), Phreah Ream (Khmer), Phra Ram (Lao and Thai), Megat Seri Rama (Malay), Raja Bantugan (Maranao), Ramudu (Telugu), Ramar (Tamil). In the Vishnu sahasranama, Rama is the 394th name of Vishnu. In some Advaita Vedanta inspired texts, Rama connotes the metaphysical concept of Supreme Brahman who is the eternally blissful spiritual Self (Atman, soul) in whom yogis delight nondualistica The root of the word Rama is ram- which means “stop, stand still, rest, rejoice, be pleased This summary is a traditional legendary account, based on literary details from the Ramayana and other historic mythology-containing texts of Buddhism and Jainism. According to Sheldon Pollock, the figure of Rama incorporates more ancient “morphemes of Indian myths”, such as the mythical legends of Bali and Namuci. The ancient sage Valmiki used these morphemes in his Ramayana The ancient epic Ramayana states in the Balakhanda that Rama and his brothers were born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, a city on the banks of Sarayu River. The Jain versions of the Ramayana, such as the Paumacariya (literally deeds of Padma) by Vimalasuri, also mention the details of the early life of Rama. The Jain texts are dated variously, but generally pre-500 CE, most likely sometime within the first five centuries of the common era.Moriz Winternitz states that the Valmiki Ramayana was already famous before it was recast in the Jain Paumacariya poem, dated to the second half of the 1st century CE, which pre-dates a similar retelling found in the Buddha-carita of Asvagosa, dated to the beginning of the 2nd century CE or prior. His mother’s name Kaushalya literally implies that she was from Kosala. The kingdom of Kosala is also mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts, as one of the sixteen Maha janapadas of ancient India, and as an important center of pilgrimage for Jains and Buddhists. However, there is a scholarly dispute whether the modern Ayodhya is indeed the same as the Ayodhya and Kosala mentioned in the Ramayana and other ancient Indian text

Rama had three brothers, according to the Balakhanda section of the Ramayana. These were Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. The extant manuscripts of the text describes their education and training as young princes, but this is brief. Rama is portrayed as a polite, self-controlled, virtuous youth always ready to help others. His education included the Vedas, the Vedangas as well as the martial arts The years when Rama grew up are described in much greater detail by later Hindu texts, such as the Ramavali by Tulsidas. The template is similar to those found for Krishna, but in the poems of Tulsidas, Rama is milder and reserved introvert, rather than the prank-playing extrovert personality of Krishna Rama heads outside the Kosala kingdom, crosses Yamuna river and initially stays at Chitrakuta, on the banks of river Mandakini, in the hermitage of sage Vasishtha During the exile, Rama meets one of his devotee, Shabari who happened to love him so much that when Rama asked something to eat she offered her ber, a fruit. But every time she gave it to him she first tasted it to ensure that it was sweet and tasty as a testament to her devotion. Rama also understood her devotion and ate all the half-eaten bers given by her. Such was the reciprocation of love and compassion he had for his people. This place is believed in the Hindu tradition to be the same as Chitrakoot on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The region has numerous Rama temples and is an important Vaishnava pilgrimage site. The texts describe nearby hermitages of Vedic rishis (sages) such as Atri, and that Rama roamed through forests, lived a humble simple life, provided protection and relief to ascetics in the forest being harassed and persecuted by demons, as they stayed at different ashrams.

After ten years of wandering and struggles, Rama arrives at Panchavati, on the banks of river Godavari. This region had numerous demons (rakshashas). One day, a demoness called Shurpanakha saw Rama, became enamored of him, and tried to seduce him. Rama refused her. Shurpanakha retaliated by threatening Sita. Lakshmana, the younger brother protective of his family, in turn retaliated by cutting off the nose and ears of Shurpanakha. The cycle of violence escalated, ultimately reaching demon king Ravana, who was the brother of Shurpanakha. Ravana comes to Panchavati to take revenge on behalf of his family, sees Sita, gets attracted, and kidnaps her to his kingdom of Lanka (believed to be modern Sri Lanka)Rama and Lakshmana discover the kidnapping, worry about Sita’s safety, despair at the loss and their lack of resources to take on Ravana. Their struggles now reach new heights. They travel south, meet Sugriva, marshall an army of monkeys, and attract dedicated commanders such as Hanuman who was a minister of Sugriva.Meanwhile, Ravana harasses Sita to be his wife, queen or goddess.Sita refuses him. Ravana gets enraged and ultimately reaches Lanka, fights in a war that has many ups and downs, but ultimately Rama prevails, kills Ravana and forces of evil, and rescues his wife Sita. They return to Ayodhya.Upon Rama’s accession as king, rumors emerge that Sita may have gone willingly when she was with Ravana; Sita protests that her capture was forced. Rama responds to public gossip by renouncing his wife and asking her to undergo a test before Agni (fire). She does and passes the test. Rama and Sita live happily together in Ayodhya, have twin sons named Luv and Kush, in the Ramayana and other major texts.However, in some revisions, the story is different and tragic, with Sita dying of sorrow for her husband not trusting her, making Sita a moral heroine and leaving the reader with moral questions about Rama. In these revisions, the death of Sita leads Rama to drown himself. Through death, he joins her in afterlife.Depiction of Rama dying by drowning himself and then emerging in the sky as a six-armed incarnate of the lord Vishnu is found in the Burmese version of Rama’s life story called Thiri Rama.Rama’s legends vary significantly by the region and across manuscripts. While there is a common foundation, plot, grammar and an essential core of values associated with a battle between good and evil, there is neither a correct version nor a single verifiable ancient one. According to Paula Richman, there are hundreds of versions of “the story of Rama in India, Southeast Asia and beyond”. The versions vary by region reflecting local preoccupations and histories, and these cannot be called “divergences or different tellings” from the “real” version, rather all the versions of Rama story are real and true in their own meanings to the local cultural tradition, according to scholars such as Richman and Ramanujan.

The stories vary in details, particularly where the moral question is clear, but the appropriate ethical response is unclear or disputed.For example, when demoness Shurpanakha disguises as a woman to seduce Rama, then stalks and harasses Rama’s wife Sita after Rama refuses her, Lakshmana is faced with the question of appropriate ethical response. In the Indian tradition, states Richman, the social value is that “a warrior must never harm a woman”. The details of the response by Rama and Lakshmana, and justifications for it, has numerous versions. Similarly, there are numerous and very different versions to how Rama deals with rumours against Sita when they return victorious to Ayodhya, given that the rumours can neither be objectively investigated nor summarily ignored. Similarly the versions vary on many other specific situations and closure such as how Rama, Sita and Lakshmana die.

The variation and inconsistencies are not limited to the texts found in the Hinduism traditions. The Rama story in the Jain tradition also show variation by author and region, in details, in implied ethical prescriptions and even in names – the older versions using the name Padma instead of Rama, while the later Jain texts just use Rama. In some Hindu texts, Rama is stated to have lived in the Treta Yuga that their authors estimate existed before about 5,000 BCE. A few other researchers place Rama to have more plausibly lived around 1250 BCE,based on regnal lists of Kuru and Vrishni leaders which if given more realistic reign lengths would place Bharat and Satwata, contemporaries of Rama, around that period. Archaeologist H. S. Sankalia, who specialised in Proto- and Ancient Indian history, find such figures to be “pure speculation” and dates various incidents of Ramayan to have taken place as early as 1,500 BCE.The composition of Rama’s epic story, the Ramayana, in its current form is usually dated between 7th and 4th century BCE. According to John Brockington, a professor of Sanskrit at Oxford known for his publications on the Ramayana, the original text was likely composed and transmitted orally in more ancient times, and modern scholars have suggested various centuries in the 1st millennium BCE. In Brockington’s view, “based on the language, style and content of the work, a date of roughly the fifth century BCE is the most reasonable estimate Rama iconography shares elements of Vishnu avatars, but has several distinctive elements. It never has more than two hands, he holds (or has nearby) a bana (arrow) in his right hand, while he holds the dhanus (bow) in his left.The most recommended icon for him is that he be shown standing in tribhanga pose (thrice bent “S” shape). He is shown black, blue or dark color, typically wearing reddish color clothes. If his wife and brother are a part of the iconography, Lakshamana is on his left side while Sita always on the right of Rama, both of golden-yellow complexion the life of Rama as told in the Indian texts is a masterpiece that offers a framework to represent, conceptualise and comprehend the world and the nature of life. Like major epics and religious stories around the world, it has been of vital relevance because it “tells the culture what it is”. Rama’s life is more complex than the Western template for the battle between the good and the evil, where there is a clear distinction between immortal powerful gods or heroes and mortal struggling humans. In the Indian traditions, particularly Rama, the story is about a divine human, a mortal god, incorporating both into the exemplar who transcends both humans and gods. As a person, Rama personifies the characteristics of an ideal person (purushottama).He had within him all the desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire, and he fulfils all his moral obligations. Rama is considered a maryada purushottama or the best of upholders of Dharma. Rama’s life combines the ethics with the aesthetics of living. Rama’s life and comments emphasise that one must pursue and live life fully, that all three life aims are equally important: virtue (dharma), desires (kama), and legitimate acquisition of wealth (artha). Rama also adds, such as in section  of the Ramayana, that one must also introspect and never neglect what one’s proper duties, appropriate responsibilities, true interests, and legitimate pleasures are The primary source of the life of Rama is the Sanskrit epic Ramayana composed by Rishi Valmiki. The Ramayana is a Sanskrit text, while Ramacharitamanasa retells the Ramayana in a vernacular dialect of Hindi language, commonly understood in northern India.Ramacharitamanasa was composed in the 16th century by Tulsidas.The popular text is notable for synthesising the epic story in a Bhakti movement framework, wherein the originally legends and ideas morph in an expression of spiritual bhakti (devotional love) for a personal god. Few works of literature produced in any place at any time have been as popular, influential, imitated and successful as the great and ancient Sanskrit epic poem, the Valmiki Ramayana. a professor at Oxford and Boden scholar of Sanskrit, Rama’s ideas as told in the Indian texts are secular in origin, their influence on the life and thought of people having been profound over at least two and a half millennia.Their influence has ranged from being a framework for personal introspection to cultural festivals and community entertainment.His life stories, states Goldman, have inspired “painting, film, sculpture, puppet shows, shadow plays, novels, poems, TV serials and plays.”

Rama Navami is a spring festival that celebrates the birthday of Rama. The festival is a part of the spring Navratri, and falls on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra month in the traditional Hindu calendar. This typically occurs in the Gregorian months of March or April every year. The day is marked by recital of Rama legends in temples, or reading of Rama stories at home. Some Vaishnava Hindus visit a temple, others pray within their home, and some participate in a bhajan or kirtan with music as a part of puja and aarti. The community organises charitable events and volunteer meals. The festival is an occasion for moral reflection for many Hindus.Some mark this day by vrata (fasting) or a visit to a river for a dip Rama Navami day also marks the end of the nine-day spring festival celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh called Vasanthothsavam (Festival of Spring), that starts with Ugadi. Some highlights of this day are Kalyanam (ceremonial wedding performed by temple priests) at Bhadrachalam on the banks of the river Godavari in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana, preparing and sharing Panakam which is a sweet drink prepared with jaggery and pepper, a procession and Rama temple decorations.

Rama’s life is remembered and celebrated every year with dramatic plays and fireworks in autumn. This is called Ramlila, and the play follows Ramayana or more commonly the Ramcharitmanas. It is observed through thousands of Rama-related performance arts and dance events, that are staged during the festival of Navratri in India.After the enactment of the legendary war between Good and Evil, the Ramlila celebrations climax in the Dussehra (Dasara, Vijayadashami) night festivities where the giant grotesque effigies of Evil such as of demon Ravana are burnt, typically with fireworks. Rama’s return to Ayodhya and his coronation is the main reason for celebrating Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights.

In Guyana, Diwali is marked as a special occasion and celebrated with a lot of fanfare. It is observed as a national holiday in this part of the world and some ministers of the Government also take part in the celebrations publicly. Just like Vijayadashmi, Diwali is celebrated by different communities across India to commemorate different events in addition to Rama’s return to Ayodhya. For example, many communities celebrate one day of Diwali to celebrate the Victory of Krishna over the demon Narakasur.Rama’s life story, both in the written form of Sanskrit Ramayana and the oral tradition arrived in southeast Asia in the 1st millennium CE.Rama was one of many ideas and cultural themes adopted, others being the Buddha, the Shiva and host of other Brahmanic and Buddhist ideas and stories. In particular, the influence of Rama and other cultural ideas grew in Java, Bali, Malaya, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Rama is a major deity in Hinduism. He is the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Being Rama is one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue. 

Rama’s role is to be a warrior, which he does exceptionally well. By always remaining on the path, he succeeds in fulfilling his dharma.

Ramachandra (beautiful, lovely moon), or Dasarathi (son of Dasaratha), or Raghava (descendant of Raghu, solar dynasty in Hindu cosmology). He is also known as Ram Lalla (Infant form of Rama).The return of Rama to Ayodhya was celebrated with his coronation. It is called Rama pattabhisheka, and his rule itself as Rama rajya described to be a just and fair rule. It is believed by many that when Rama returned people celebrated their happiness with diyas (lamps), and the festival of Diwali is connected with Rama’s return.

Upon Rama’s accession as king, rumors emerge that Sita may have gone willingly when she was with Ravana; Sita protests that her capture was forced. Rama responds to public gossip by renouncing his wife and asking her to undergo a test before Agni (fire). She does and passes the test. Rama and Sita live happily together in Ayodhya, have twin sons named Luv and Kush, in the Ramayana and other major texts. Rama is one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue. The name is specifically associated with Ramachandra, the seventh incarnation avatarof Vishnu. His story is told in the epic poems the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

Rama’s role is to be a warrior

Both Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are considered to be human avatars of Vishnu, who was a blue skinned God 

As an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, Rama possesses the power of flight, and in battle he wields a sword and the bow of Vayu, which shoots flaming arrows

Rama is said to have been born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas Shri Ram is an expression in Indic languages, translating as “Glory to Lord Rama” or “Victory to Lord Rama”. The proclamation has been used by Hindus as an informal greeting, as a symbol of adhering to Hindu faith, or for projection of varied faith-centered emotions Rama is said to have been born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas.Of all their travails, the most notable is the kidnapping of Sita by demon-king Ravana, followed by the determined and epic efforts of Rama and Lakshmana to gain her freedom and destroy the evil Ravana against great odds. The entire life story of Rama, Sita and their companions allegorically discusses duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. It illustrates dharma and dharmic living through model characters

Rama is especially important to Vaishnavism. He is the central figure of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, a text historically popular in the South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures.His ancient legends have attracted bhasya (commentaries) and extensive secondary literature and inspired performance arts. Two such texts, for example, are the Adhyatma Ramayana – a spiritual and theological treatise considered foundational by Ramanandi monasteries, and the Ramcharitmanas – a popular treatise that inspires thousands of Ramlila festival performances during autumn every year in India Rama legends are also found in the texts of Jainism and Buddhism, though he is sometimes called Pauma or Padma in these texts,and their details vary significantly from the Hindu versions. Jain Texts also mentioned Rama as the eighth balabhadra among the 63 salakapurusas. In Sikhism, Rama is mentioned as one of twenty four divine incarnations of Vishnu in the Chaubis Avtar in Dasam Granth Rāma is a Vedic Sanskrit word with two contextual meanings. In one context as found in Atharva Veda, as stated by Monier Monier-Williams, means “dark, dark-colored, black” and is related to the term ratri which means night. In another context as found in other Vedic texts, the word means “pleasing, delightful, charming, beautiful, lovely”.The word is sometimes used as a suffix in different Indian languages and religions, such as Pali in Buddhist texts, where -rama adds the sense of “pleasing to the mind, lovely” to the composite word.Rama as a first name appears in the Vedic literature, associated with two patronymic names – Margaveya and Aupatasvini – representing different individuals. A third individual named Rama Jamadagnya is the purported author of hymn 10.110 of the Rigveda in the Hindu tradition. The word Rama appears in ancient literature in reverential terms for three individuals The name Rama appears repeatedly in Hindu texts, for many different scholars and kings in mythical stories. The word also appears in ancient Upanishads and Aranyakas layer of Vedic literature, as well as music and other post-Vedic literature, but in qualifying context of something or someone who is “charming, beautiful, lovely” or “darkness, night

The Vishnu avatar named Rama is also known by other names. He is called Ramachandra (beautiful, lovely moon),or Dasarathi (son of Dasaratha), or Raghava (descendant of Raghu, solar dynasty in Hindu cosmology). He is also known as Ram Lalla (Infant form of Rama Additional names of Rama include Ramavijaya (Javanese), Phreah Ream (Khmer), Phra Ram (Lao and Thai), Megat Seri Rama (Malay), Raja Bantugan (Maranao), Ramudu (Telugu), Ramar (Tamil). In the Vishnu sahasranama, Rama is the 394th name of Vishnu. In some Advaita Vedanta inspired texts, Rama connotes the metaphysical concept of Supreme Brahman who is the eternally blissful spiritual Self (Atman, soul) in whom yogis delight nondualistica The root of the word Rama is ram- which means “stop, stand still, rest, rejoice, be pleased This summary is a traditional legendary account, based on literary details from the Ramayana and other historic mythology-containing texts of Buddhism and Jainism. According to Sheldon Pollock, the figure of Rama incorporates more ancient “morphemes of Indian myths”, such as the mythical legends of Bali and Namuci. The ancient sage Valmiki used these morphemes in his Ramayana The ancient epic Ramayana states in the Balakhanda that Rama and his brothers were born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, a city on the banks of Sarayu River. The Jain versions of the Ramayana, such as the Paumacariya (literally deeds of Padma) by Vimalasuri, also mention the details of the early life of Rama. The Jain texts are dated variously, but generally pre-500 CE, most likely sometime within the first five centuries of the common era.Moriz Winternitz states that the Valmiki Ramayana was already famous before it was recast in the Jain Paumacariya poem, dated to the second half of the 1st century CE, which pre-dates a similar retelling found in the Buddha-carita of Asvagosa, dated to the beginning of the 2nd century CE or prior. His mother’s name Kaushalya literally implies that she was from Kosala. The kingdom of Kosala is also mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts, as one of the sixteen Maha janapadas of ancient India, and as an important center of pilgrimage for Jains and Buddhists. However, there is a scholarly dispute whether the modern Ayodhya is indeed the same as the Ayodhya and Kosala mentioned in the Ramayana and other ancient Indian text

Rama had three brothers, according to the Balakhanda section of the Ramayana. These were Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. The extant manuscripts of the text describes their education and training as young princes, but this is brief. Rama is portrayed as a polite, self-controlled, virtuous youth always ready to help others. His education included the Vedas, the Vedangas as well as the martial arts The years when Rama grew up are described in much greater detail by later Hindu texts, such as the Ramavali by Tulsidas. The template is similar to those found for Krishna, but in the poems of Tulsidas, Rama is milder and reserved introvert, rather than the prank-playing extrovert personality of Krishna Rama heads outside the Kosala kingdom, crosses Yamuna river and initially stays at Chitrakuta, on the banks of river Mandakini, in the hermitage of sage Vasishtha During the exile, Rama meets one of his devotee, Shabari who happened to love him so much that when Rama asked something to eat she offered her ber, a fruit. But every time she gave it to him she first tasted it to ensure that it was sweet and tasty as a testament to her devotion. Rama also understood her devotion and ate all the half-eaten bers given by her. Such was the reciprocation of love and compassion he had for his people. This place is believed in the Hindu tradition to be the same as Chitrakoot on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The region has numerous Rama temples and is an important Vaishnava pilgrimage site. The texts describe nearby hermitages of Vedic rishis (sages) such as Atri, and that Rama roamed through forests, lived a humble simple life, provided protection and relief to ascetics in the forest being harassed and persecuted by demons, as they stayed at different ashrams.

After ten years of wandering and struggles, Rama arrives at Panchavati, on the banks of river Godavari. This region had numerous demons (rakshashas). One day, a demoness called Shurpanakha saw Rama, became enamored of him, and tried to seduce him. Rama refused her. Shurpanakha retaliated by threatening Sita. Lakshmana, the younger brother protective of his family, in turn retaliated by cutting off the nose and ears of Shurpanakha. The cycle of violence escalated, ultimately reaching demon king Ravana, who was the brother of Shurpanakha. Ravana comes to Panchavati to take revenge on behalf of his family, sees Sita, gets attracted, and kidnaps her to his kingdom of Lanka (believed to be modern Sri Lanka)Rama and Lakshmana discover the kidnapping, worry about Sita’s safety, despair at the loss and their lack of resources to take on Ravana. Their struggles now reach new heights. They travel south, meet Sugriva, marshall an army of monkeys, and attract dedicated commanders such as Hanuman who was a minister of Sugriva.Meanwhile, Ravana harasses Sita to be his wife, queen or goddess.Sita refuses him. Ravana gets enraged and ultimately reaches Lanka, fights in a war that has many ups and downs, but ultimately Rama prevails, kills Ravana and forces of evil, and rescues his wife Sita. They return to Ayodhya.Upon Rama’s accession as king, rumors emerge that Sita may have gone willingly when she was with Ravana; Sita protests that her capture was forced. Rama responds to public gossip by renouncing his wife and asking her to undergo a test before Agni (fire). She does and passes the test. Rama and Sita live happily together in Ayodhya, have twin sons named Luv and Kush, in the Ramayana and other major texts.However, in some revisions, the story is different and tragic, with Sita dying of sorrow for her husband not trusting her, making Sita a moral heroine and leaving the reader with moral questions about Rama. In these revisions, the death of Sita leads Rama to drown himself. Through death, he joins her in afterlife.Depiction of Rama dying by drowning himself and then emerging in the sky as a six-armed incarnate of the lord Vishnu is found in the Burmese version of Rama’s life story called Thiri Rama.Rama’s legends vary significantly by the region and across manuscripts. While there is a common foundation, plot, grammar and an essential core of values associated with a battle between good and evil, there is neither a correct version nor a single verifiable ancient one. According to Paula Richman, there are hundreds of versions of “the story of Rama in India, Southeast Asia and beyond”. The versions vary by region reflecting local preoccupations and histories, and these cannot be called “divergences or different tellings” from the “real” version, rather all the versions of Rama story are real and true in their own meanings to the local cultural tradition, according to scholars such as Richman and Ramanujan.

The stories vary in details, particularly where the moral question is clear, but the appropriate ethical response is unclear or disputed.For example, when demoness Shurpanakha disguises as a woman to seduce Rama, then stalks and harasses Rama’s wife Sita after Rama refuses her, Lakshmana is faced with the question of appropriate ethical response. In the Indian tradition, states Richman, the social value is that “a warrior must never harm a woman”. The details of the response by Rama and Lakshmana, and justifications for it, has numerous versions. Similarly, there are numerous and very different versions to how Rama deals with rumours against Sita when they return victorious to Ayodhya, given that the rumours can neither be objectively investigated nor summarily ignored. Similarly the versions vary on many other specific situations and closure such as how Rama, Sita and Lakshmana die.

The variation and inconsistencies are not limited to the texts found in the Hinduism traditions. The Rama story in the Jain tradition also show variation by author and region, in details, in implied ethical prescriptions and even in names – the older versions using the name Padma instead of Rama, while the later Jain texts just use Rama. In some Hindu texts, Rama is stated to have lived in the Treta Yuga that their authors estimate existed before about 5,000 BCE. A few other researchers place Rama to have more plausibly lived around 1250 BCE,based on regnal lists of Kuru and Vrishni leaders which if given more realistic reign lengths would place Bharat and Satwata, contemporaries of Rama, around that period. Archaeologist H. S. Sankalia, who specialised in Proto- and Ancient Indian history, find such figures to be “pure speculation” and dates various incidents of Ramayan to have taken place as early as 1,500 BCE.The composition of Rama’s epic story, the Ramayana, in its current form is usually dated between 7th and 4th century BCE. According to John Brockington, a professor of Sanskrit at Oxford known for his publications on the Ramayana, the original text was likely composed and transmitted orally in more ancient times, and modern scholars have suggested various centuries in the 1st millennium BCE. In Brockington’s view, “based on the language, style and content of the work, a date of roughly the fifth century BCE is the most reasonable estimate Rama iconography shares elements of Vishnu avatars, but has several distinctive elements. It never has more than two hands, he holds (or has nearby) a bana (arrow) in his right hand, while he holds the dhanus (bow) in his left.The most recommended icon for him is that he be shown standing in tribhanga pose (thrice bent “S” shape). He is shown black, blue or dark color, typically wearing reddish color clothes. If his wife and brother are a part of the iconography, Lakshamana is on his left side while Sita always on the right of Rama, both of golden-yellow complexion the life of Rama as told in the Indian texts is a masterpiece that offers a framework to represent, conceptualise and comprehend the world and the nature of life. Like major epics and religious stories around the world, it has been of vital relevance because it “tells the culture what it is”. Rama’s life is more complex than the Western template for the battle between the good and the evil, where there is a clear distinction between immortal powerful gods or heroes and mortal struggling humans. In the Indian traditions, particularly Rama, the story is about a divine human, a mortal god, incorporating both into the exemplar who transcends both humans and gods. As a person, Rama personifies the characteristics of an ideal person (purushottama).He had within him all the desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire, and he fulfils all his moral obligations. Rama is considered a maryada purushottama or the best of upholders of Dharma. Rama’s life combines the ethics with the aesthetics of living. Rama’s life and comments emphasise that one must pursue and live life fully, that all three life aims are equally important: virtue (dharma), desires (kama), and legitimate acquisition of wealth (artha). Rama also adds, such as in section  of the Ramayana, that one must also introspect and never neglect what one’s proper duties, appropriate responsibilities, true interests, and legitimate pleasures are The primary source of the life of Rama is the Sanskrit epic Ramayana composed by Rishi Valmiki. The Ramayana is a Sanskrit text, while Ramacharitamanasa retells the Ramayana in a vernacular dialect of Hindi language, commonly understood in northern India.Ramacharitamanasa was composed in the 16th century by Tulsidas.The popular text is notable for synthesising the epic story in a Bhakti movement framework, wherein the originally legends and ideas morph in an expression of spiritual bhakti (devotional love) for a personal god. Few works of literature produced in any place at any time have been as popular, influential, imitated and successful as the great and ancient Sanskrit epic poem, the Valmiki Ramayana. a professor at Oxford and Boden scholar of Sanskrit, Rama’s ideas as told in the Indian texts are secular in origin, their influence on the life and thought of people having been profound over at least two and a half millennia.Their influence has ranged from being a framework for personal introspection to cultural festivals and community entertainment.His life stories, states Goldman, have inspired “painting, film, sculpture, puppet shows, shadow plays, novels, poems, TV serials and plays.”

Rama Navami is a spring festival that celebrates the birthday of Rama. The festival is a part of the spring Navratri, and falls on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra month in the traditional Hindu calendar. This typically occurs in the Gregorian months of March or April every year. The day is marked by recital of Rama legends in temples, or reading of Rama stories at home. Some Vaishnava Hindus visit a temple, others pray within their home, and some participate in a bhajan or kirtan with music as a part of puja and aarti. The community organises charitable events and volunteer meals. The festival is an occasion for moral reflection for many Hindus.Some mark this day by vrata (fasting) or a visit to a river for a dip Rama Navami day also marks the end of the nine-day spring festival celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh called Vasanthothsavam (Festival of Spring), that starts with Ugadi. Some highlights of this day are Kalyanam (ceremonial wedding performed by temple priests) at Bhadrachalam on the banks of the river Godavari in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana, preparing and sharing Panakam which is a sweet drink prepared with jaggery and pepper, a procession and Rama temple decorations.

Rama’s life is remembered and celebrated every year with dramatic plays and fireworks in autumn. This is called Ramlila, and the play follows Ramayana or more commonly the Ramcharitmanas. It is observed through thousands of Rama-related performance arts and dance events, that are staged during the festival of Navratri in India.After the enactment of the legendary war between Good and Evil, the Ramlila celebrations climax in the Dussehra (Dasara, Vijayadashami) night festivities where the giant grotesque effigies of Evil such as of demon Ravana are burnt, typically with fireworks. Rama’s return to Ayodhya and his coronation is the main reason for celebrating Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights.

In Guyana, Diwali is marked as a special occasion and celebrated with a lot of fanfare. It is observed as a national holiday in this part of the world and some ministers of the Government also take part in the celebrations publicly. Just like Vijayadashmi, Diwali is celebrated by different communities across India to commemorate different events in addition to Rama’s return to Ayodhya. For example, many communities celebrate one day of Diwali to celebrate the Victory of Krishna over the demon Narakasur.Rama’s life story, both in the written form of Sanskrit Ramayana and the oral tradition arrived in southeast Asia in the 1st millennium CE.Rama was one of many ideas and cultural themes adopted, others being the Buddha, the Shiva and host of other Brahmanic and Buddhist ideas and stories. In particular, the influence of Rama and other cultural ideas grew in Java, Bali, Malaya, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.Lord Ram was commanding an army of ‘Monkeys’ who were not professional warriors and had no idea how to plan large-scale battles, so they were always searching for guidance. Lord Krishna, on the other hand, was leading Arjuna, who was one of the greatest archers of his time. He is the best at what he does Rama had gone to Panchavati (present day) Nashik for vanvas for 14 years with his wife Sita and younger brother, Lakshmana

7,000 years ago, Ayodhya’s king Rama travels to the island of Lanka with the help of Hanuman’s army with an aim to rescue his wife Sita, who has been abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka janak creature could cross to protect Sita, but tells Sita not to cross it or the power would go. Lakshman leaves. Ravan disguises as a sage and tricks Sita to cross the Lakshmana Rekha line. Sita tries to run, but he ends up abducting her.

On the way to Lanka, Jatayu tries to save Sita, but Ravan cuts off both his wings. Sita then throws her jewellery to the ground hoping Ram will see it as a sign. Sita tells Ravan to kill her and avenge himself. Ravan kidnaps Sita and takes her to Lanka. Surpanakha is delighted to see Sita in Lanka. Later, Ravan stops Surpanakha from attacking Sita. He tells her to keep Sita alive until he avenges her insult.

Ravan’s mother Kaikesi, tells him that he should marry Sita as she is a powerful woman instead of treating her badly. Sita finds her place in the garden of Lanka (Ashoka Vatika) and refuses Ravan’s proposal saying that she is always going to love Ram and never be unfaithful to him. She decides to wait for him until her death. Meanwhile, Ram learns about the abduction from the bird Hanuman Raghu as punishment for Sita’s undeserving plight. Sita requests her mother not to destroy them and promises her that the day she has completely fulfilled all her duties, she would seek refuge from her and return to her. Later, Sage Valmiki provides shelter to Sita in his hermitage, where she gives birth to Ram’s twin boys Lava and Kusha. Sita raises them as a single mother but incognito under the name of Vanadevi. After 12 years, Ram decides to perform the Ashwamedha Yagna, and the twins catch the horse of the Yagna after which a terrible battle ensues. After defeating Lakshman, Bharata, and Shatrughna as well as Hanuman, the twins are about to battle with their father, but Sita stops them and requests Ram to forgive them. She then reveals to the twins that Ram is their father, and they realize that their mother is the very Sita herself who they fought for, to give her justice.

Ram decides to bring Sita back and asks the people of Ayodhya if he could do so. He proceeds with the entire family to bring Sita back, and there Luva and Kusha are united with Ram. Sita refuses to return to Ayodhya as it was that society who doubted her character, and she cannot return to it as it would be wrong on her part and betray all those other women who have suffered the same plight as her. As a final testament to her purity . Sita returns to her celestial abode by going back to her mother, Bhumi, after confronting Ram. Ram is left heartbroken at this and returns to Ayodhya. He then promotes woman rights on Sita’s behalf. After some years, Ram crowns Luva and Kusha as Kings of Ayodhya and along with his brothers – Bharat and Shatrughan drown themselves in the Sarayu river. Lakshman precedes his brothers, being the incarnation of Sheshnaag.

At the bottom of the lake, Ram turns to Vishnu. Shatrughan transforms into the conch shell Panchajanya and Bharat to the Sudarshan Chakra of Vishnu’s. They go back to Vishnu, and Vishnu sees Lakshmi coming towards him, telling him that he took a long time to join her and then said that they should return to their abode. Meanwhile, Hanuman says to the populace of Ayodhya that Ram and Sita live forever in them all, and he tears open his chest to show Ram and Sita in his heart King Dashrath followed by his grave for not having a son. Guru Vashisht suggests him to go to rishi shringi. King Dashrath goes in search for rishi Shringi, After many hardships, he convinces Rishi Shring for Santati Yagya. After completion of the yagya, King Dashrath has four sons, Ram, Bharat, Laxman and Shatrughan. It covers several scenes from the Maharishi Valmiki’s Ramayana. Scenes of Ram going to gurukul and coming back are shown. Sita’s swayamwar and Ram-Sita Marriage is also shown here. Along with them , the brothers of Ram – Lakshman , Bharat and Shatrughn got married to the sister and cousins of Sita – Urmila , Mandavi and Shrutakirti respectively . The brides were welcomed in Ayodhya . Shortly after that Dasharath desired to crown Ram as the king of Ayodhya . Manthara poisoned Kaikeyi’s mind against Dasharath’s idea . Recalling that Dasharath had once promised to grant kaikeyi any two boons that she asked of him, she demanded first that Ram should be exiled to the forest for 14 years and second that Bharat should be crowned ruler instead. Although heartbroken, Dasharath is compelled to keep his word. Reluctantly, he asks Ram to leave for the forest. Ram happily accepts the exile and leaves for the forest. Ram reluctantly accepts the company of his wife, Sita, and his younger brother, Lakshman. When Bharat learns that his mother is responsible for Ram’s exile, he follows Ram and begs him to return with him to Ayodhya. However, Ram refuses, bound by his duty to carry out his father’s promise. Bharat decides instead to bring back to the palace Rama’s paduka and places them on the throne as a gesture that Ram is the true king. He decided to spend an ascetic life like Ram and Lakshman staying in Nandigram at the outskirts of Ayodhya till the end of exile . Upon his insistence , Shatrughn ruled as his proxy over Ayodhya throughout the 14 year exile. Ram, Sita, and Lakshman wandered in the forests, combating evil wherever they encounter it. They gained the blessings of numerous wise men and sages along the way. Thirteen years into the exile, Ravan, the King of Lanka, abducts Sita. In their search of her, Ram and Lakshman meet Hanuman, Sugriv, Jamvanta, and the Vanar Sena. When they reach Lanka, Rama battles Ravan and ultimately kills him, signifying triumph of good over evil. Lord Ram returns back to Ayodhya and is declared the King of Ayodhya. The series end with incrownation of Lord Ram.the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, the series follows the journey of Ram who goes to an exile of 14 years along with Sita and Lakshman.

Shri Vishnu decides to incarnate on earth as Ram, the son of King Dashrath and Queen Kaushalya of Ayodhya to kill Ravan, the evil king of Lanka and establish dharma whereas Goddess Lakshmi would incarnate as his wife Sita. In Ayodhya, a childless Dashrath conducts a yagna for children and as a result, his three wives gives birth to 4 sons. Kaushalya to Ram, Kaikeyi to Bharat and Sumitra to Lakshman and Shatrughan. The 4 boys grow up to be excellent warriors under Guru Vashista’s training. Ram is an ideal and perfect son and brother and is a role model to his three younger brothers and always respects his parents and their affection towards him.

After the brothers return after completing their education, Rishi Vishvamitra arrives at Ayodhya for help as his yagna is disturbed by some demons and asks Dashrath to send Ram to him to kill those demons. Dashrath reluctantly agrees and Lakshman also accompanies Ram. Shri Ram succeeds in killing Taraka and her son Subahu and also protects the yagnas. Rishi Vishvamitra later teaches him about many things required for future.

Later, he takes the two brothers to Mithila to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva’s bow at the swayamvar of Princess Sita. Rishi Vishvamitra tells them about the birth of Sita from earth. On their way Ram frees Ahalya of her curse by her husband Rishi Gautama What are some mind blowing facts about Lord Ram?

• s certainly one’s duty to fulfill his mother’s wishes but dharma also has it that when there is a contradiction between mother’s wish and father’s wish, the son must follow the father’s wish. This is a dharma sookshma.

• Shot by arrows in chest, Vali questions, “Rama! You are renowned as the embodiment of dharma. How is it that you being such a great warrior have failed to follow the conduct of dharma and shot me from behind the bushes?” Rama explains so, “My dear Vali! Let me give you the reasoning behind it. Firstly, you acted against dharma. As a righteous kshatriya, I have acted against evil which is my foremost duty. Secondly, In accordance with my dharma as a friend to Sugreeva, who has taken refuge in me, I lived up to my promise I made to him and thus fulfilled dharma again. Most importantly, you are the king of monkeys. As per the rules of dharma, it is not unrighteous for a Kshatriya to hunt and kill an animal either straight ahead or from behind. So, punishing you is totally justifiable according to dharma, more so because your conduct is against the tenets of laws.”

During the initial days of exile, Seetha asks Rama detailing the dharma of exile. She tells, “During the time of exile one has to conduct himself peacefully like an ascetic, So is it not against dharma that you carry your bows and arrows during exile?” Rama replies with further insights into the dharma of exile, “Seetha! One’s swadharma (own dharma) takes higher priority than the dharma that has to be followed according to the situation. My foremost duty (swadharma) is to protect people and dharma as a kshatriya, so according to the tenets of dharma, this takes the top most priority in spite of the fact that we are in exile. In fact, I am even ready to give up on you, who are my most beloved, but I will never give up on my swadharmanushtana. Such is my adherence to dharma. So it is not incorrect for me to carry bows and arrows in spite of being in exile.” This episode happened during the vanvas. These words of Rama show his steadfast devotion to dharma. They also give us an insight into what could have been Rama’s mental state when he was forced to place his duty as a king even higher than his duty as a husband (i.e during the times of agnipareeksha and Seetha’s exile later) as per the rules of dharma. (It is easy for any Tom, Dick and Harry to judge him but to understand his heart’s suffering while going through all these phases of life demands a thorough understanding of Ramayana)

These are some instances in Ramayana that depict that Rama’s every single move was taken after considering all the subtleties of dharma which is often obscure and misunderstood by most of the people Whatever, is happening today in India and world over is theprediction of Bhagwaan Sri Ram in Treta Yug. Lord Sri Ramdid likea common human being, but he was SupremeLord omnipotent himself. I underline here two examples of his Superamcy over demons and rivals in thewar, which proves that he is SupremeLord, not common human.

When Shumparanakha nose was chocked off by Lakshman Ji, she went to her cousin brothers

Khar-Dushan and Trishira for revengefromSri Ram. Khar Dushan sent 14 mighty army to kill Lord Sri Ram, but in the war, Lord Sri Ram single in thewar, killed all 14 army in singlewar and later arrow returned to his quivers also. When Khar Dushan was informed that all 14 mighty army were killed by Sri Ramin single shot, hewas utmost surprised.

He arranged his mighty army tomarch with his mighty army who werecapable to defeat even God Indra in the war. The all 14000 warriors marched past to attack Lord Sri Ram. But Lord decided to face all mighty warriors single handed. He even ordered Lakshman jee totake care of Sita near by cave and he came straight in thewar toface Khar-Dushan and Trishira. Bhagwaan killed all 14,000 army and Khar Dushan with his brother alsoin singleshot with his unique Maya. It is said in Dharma Grantha that Lord generally does not takehis Sharang Dhanush and if hetakes Sharang Dhanush in the hand, it means the destruction of whole cosmos or flushing out all demons. He is single person whole army.

As per Hindu literature, Lord Sri Ramis ‘Ajaya’ means who can not be won by any power or divine powers of even several groups of demons and Gods jointly attacked on Single Sri Ram.

So, he is Supreme Lord himself, which every oneis not aware of this fact. All cosmos and creations arerunning under his own supervision. He took three forms likeGhrbhashai Vishnu, Sheshshaiy Vishnu and Asaan Vishnu. These all arehis own forms for creations. He is known as Maha-Vishnu also. This can bechecked in Ramayan. Vishnu Puran and Sri Mad Bhagvatam also.

He is thecauseof all causes and he is the main supplier of divinepowers to every embodiment and even Gods goddess. Nothing is superior to lord Sri Ram. Heis not born nor died but appeared in his original four armed Vishnu formbefore his Mata Kaushalaya. But he took a tiny child form also at the request of his Mata for further next programfor Sanatan Dharma. eternal truth. He also did not die but he had marched tosaryug river which is his own tear. He had simply changed his formand took Vishnu formbefore Lord Brahma Ji, Lord Shiva and all demi gods and goddess who weregathered in sky towatch Lord Hari/Sri Ram departurefrommaterial world. Lord Brahma Ji and Lord Shiva all praised himand Lord Sri Ramrodeon his Gadud Ji and went back tohis Param Dham which is beyond one thought and imaginations.

Lord Sri Ramas Embodiment of Sanatan Dharma –

It is said in Hindu Texts that Sri Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmaha- Lord Sri Ramis himself the manifestation of Dharma. So, Sri Ramor Dharma is equal in real sense.

When Lord Sri RamShot Vaali behind thebushes of trees, Vaali fallen to the soil and surprised to watch Lord Sri Raman arrow in his hand with his brother Lakshaman Ji and Hanuman came beforeVaali. Hewas seriously wounded by arrow, sohe was utmost pained and questioned Sri Ramas why he had killed himas a like of hunter as he is theembodiment of Dharma?. You are a great warrior and symbol of Dharma and killed me like a hunter is is suitable for him tokill such way by tricks, he asked Lord Sri Ram?

Lord Sri Ramexplained himpolitely that what Vaali was doing and did was against the code of Dharma. Vaali had forcibly snatched his younger brother Sugriva wife Ruma to his own wife, which was totally against Dharma. It was the act of like animal and animal is killed or shot by behind the tree. Lord Ram further explained to himthat as Kshatriya hehas right to shot himdue to his action likeanimal. On this, Vaali was enraged and asked Lord Sri Ramas if he was likean animal, whohad given right to him(Sri Ram) tokill Vaali in such tricks of cheating?

Lord Sri Ramscolded Vaali with his angry mood and said that being like animal would preach the codes of Dharma tohim? He is as a righteous kshatriya, heis duty bound topreach all evils and unrighteous people on the earth. He incarnates only for the Sanatan Dharma, so heis duty bound to preach a lesson to Vaali. Lord Ram said that he killed himbehind thetree, as hemaintained the values of Lord Brahama Ji, other wise, noonewas able to face himin thewar. Bhagwaan said that whole earth, with mountains, ocean, rivers and the different types of embodiment, who are living are under his own powers. It is up to him(Sri Ram) tokill or preach anyone his right.

So, he is the symbol of Dharma also. Sanatan Dharma or Sri Ram is same matter. India can not exist without himanyway. /Jai Sri Ram/

Lion on thebattlefield

Rama is often depicted as a very soft-natured person but on the battlefield his shourya-parakrama are unbeatable. He is truly a warrior at heart. After Shoorpanaka’s episode, 14000 warriors march past toattack Rama. Instead of seeking help fromLakshmana in thewar, hegently asks Lakshmana to takeSeetha and relax in the nearby cave. Seetha on the other hand is quite stunned, for she has never seen Rama’s dexterity at war. With enemies all around him, he fights the whole

war himself standing at the center battling 14000 warriors, while Seetha who watches all this fromIn the epics of India, why is Lord Ram not worshipped during the time of Lord Krishna? Lord Ramexisted long before Lord Krishna. When did Rambecome Lord Ram? Did people start worshipping Ramin later years?

What are some lesser known/interesting facts about Lord Rama?

In the Ramayana, does Sri Rama knows he is God?

Jai Shri Ram:

He’s theSupremepersonality of Godhead, theall prevading Parabrahama, Who is The Lord of All existing and non existing Creations and everything.

His original abode is theAyodhya dhaam, which is also known as The “Saketha” dham, which is said tothe foremost amongst all Abodes of TheGods. Here, He resides with Mother sita, All the Vanar warriors, other soldiers and As the normal people, there are those whowere a great devotee of TheLord.

He incarnated himself on the planet to establish dharma, todecimate evil forces and to teach us various important aspects of lifeas a human being.

According to Uttarkand of Valmiki Ramayan, during the creation of thr universe, it was lord Ram who left his original twoarmed form, and assumed the formof Lord Hari narayan vishnu.

He defeated And Killed khara, along with the entire 14,000 troops hebought, and all their weapons, elephants, horses and chariots. Even Ravan was amazed At his Feat.

While still being a lad, He killed TheFearsome demoness called Tadka, Who was a cause of fear even for theDemiGods. All her illusions proved worthless infront of him, and she Was killed by Lord Ram.

He flung the skeleton of Dundhubi, to a distance of ten yojans, with his big toe, without even lifting his Foot. He also pierced seven sala trees with a single arrow.

He Broke theMighty Bow of Lord shiva which even The DemiGods, celestials or anyone else were able to string. Everyone present at the spot swooned after the Breaking of bow.

He showed his universal form toLord Parashurama, which Completely stunned the latter. He used the Vaishnavastra toNullify all the ascetic merits of Lord Parashurami.e TheDivinepowers.

He had all the celestial weapons and Powerful missiles in his arsenal, which includeThe Trident, TheVaishnavastra, The Pashupatastra, the Sudarshan, The Narayanastra etc but he never used most of them, because Only his normal darts wereenough to Achieveany feat.

When Mother sita was Kidnapped by Sriman Nanguraj, He Felt extremely distressed and at one point of them, He even threatened that if Hedoesn’t sees her, he’ll shower the universewith his arrows.

He would’ve dried up the entire ocean with his Brahmastra, Had varuna dev not appeared before him.

He’s alsocalled the Maryada purushottam, The ideal man, because he was The perfect one in all cases, be it as a Son, as A husband,as a brother,as a Lord or as a father and especially as a person. He was really Loving and kind hearted one, who Was The Absolute master in not only All modes of warfare, wepaons, archery but alsoTexts, and other such stuff.

In the war of lanka, Hedefeated many powerful demons like Mahaparsva, mahodra, virupksa etc and made themrun away fromthe battlefield. Even Indrajeet had toRun away when He heard that Lord Ram was about touse Divyastra on him.

He Smashed themighty spikeof Lord Shiva, which he gifted to Makraksha, with normal darts. The very same spike, by only it’s appearance caused the celestials and Gods to flee in all directions.

He butchered Kumbhakarna in the battle, and alsokilled Vali, by hitting himwith a single normal dart, right on his chest ( not from behind). Healsodefeated Ravan 4 times, humiliating him and Making himRun away.

He Massacred the entirearmy of Lanka, consisting of 2 lakh well equipped demons, who were equal to Ravan, along with all their horses, weapons, chariots. Theentire army was routed within 3 hours, and The demons were absolutely helpess against him. His moments were Sofast that it felt like a thousand Rams attacking himat the sametime.

Lord Mahadev took Birth as Lord Hanuman, Just for the sake of Shri Ram. He is known to always mediate on Ramnaam, and even performed a penanceto Shri Ram at Varanasi. Lord Ram appeared beforehim, and Granted hima boon that Whosoever worships himthere, even his gravest Sins will be nullfied.

He worshipped Lord Shiva at Rameshwaram, and established a ShivLing there. Rameshwaram literally means “The eshwar of Ram” i.e Lord Shiva.

TheNameof Shri Ramis at times is said to be more powerful Than Lord Ramhimself, Hence it Rightly called as Parabrahma itself.

His appearance was extremely charming, somuch that Even men used toget lured by his looks. When they asked himto embracehim, then Lord Rampromised themthat In his next avatar, he will come as Lord krishna and They’ll come as Gopis. Then they can embrace him. This is given in the Krishna upanishad.

There is nothing such as “Agni pareeksha” in the Ramayan, As Lord Ramnever asked Mother sita to do one. It was “Agni pravesh” which mother sita herself Decided tocarry out. According tothe Dohavali and adhytama Ramayan of Ved vyas, He never asked mother sita toleave, Rather she herself left the palace for thesake of her Upcoming children. Even in Uttarkand of VR, he never left her helpless, She was sent away fromthe taunts of the people, in Valmiki ashram, whereshe herself wanted to go once. Her children got proper warrior like upbringing there.

He actually never needed the help of anyone toDefeat Ravan, becausehe was morethan capable enough to blowaway lanka infinite times, over and over again. He did this just as a part of his pastime, and the love he has for his devotees.

Many casuals say he wasn’t awareof his divinity, which is absolutely false. There are many instances to prove heknewof his divinity, Like Showing universal formtoParashuram etc. He even said he can wipe away a demons and evil entities with a littlefinger’s tip. Heeven threatened to vanquish theuniverse, which ofcoursea mortal can’t give. According to theSri

Ramcharitmanas of Lord Shiva, he showed his universal form tohis mother also, where She saw infinite universes in a single pore of his skin, along with billions of Rudras, Brahmas, Indras etc.

He acted as theGatekeeper of Goswami Tulsidasji, while hewas asleep at night. He even came down fromsaketha, topay thedebt of His devotee, Shri Ramdas ji. Rama is a major deity in Hinduism. He is theseventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, heis considered the SupremeBeing Rama is one of themost widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue.

Rama’s role is tobea warrior, which he does exceptionally well. By always remaining on thepath, he succeeds in fulfilling his dharma.

Ramachandra (beautiful, lovely moon), or Dasarathi (son of Dasaratha), or Raghava (descendant of Raghu, solar dynasty in Hindu cosmology). He is alsoknown as RamLalla (Infant formof Rama).Thereturn of Rama to Ayodhya was celebrated with his coronation. It is called Rama pattabhisheka, and his rule itself as Rama rajya described tobe a just and fair rule. It is believed by many that when Rama returned people celebrated their happiness with diyas (lamps), and the festival of Diwali is connected with Rama’s return.

Upon Rama’s accession as king, rumors emerge that Sita may havegone willingly when shewas with Ravana; Sita protests that her capture was forced. Rama responds topublic gossip by renouncing his wife and asking her toundergo a test before Agni (fire). Shedoes and passes the test. Rama and Sita live happily together in Ayodhya, have twin sons named Luv and Kush, in the Ramayana and other major texts. Rama is oneof the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue. The nameis specifically associated with Ramachandra, the seventh incarnation avatarof Vishnu. His story is told in the epic poems the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

Rama’s role is tobea warrior

Both Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are considered tobehuman avatars of Vishnu, whowas a blue skinned God

As an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, Rama possesses thepower of flight, and in battle hewields a sword and thebow of Vayu, which shoots flaming arrows

Rama is said tohave been born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the ruler of the

Kingdomof Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas Shri Ramis an expression in Indic languages, translating as “Glory to Lord Rama” or “Victory to Lord Rama”. Theproclamation has been used by Hindus as an informal greeting, as a symbol of adhering to Hindu faith, or for projection of varied faith-centered emotions Rama is said to have been born toKaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, theruler of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas.Of all their travails, the most notable is the kidnapping of Sita by demon-king Ravana, followed by thedetermined and epic efforts of Rama and Lakshmana togain her freedomand destroy theevil Ravana against great odds. The entire life story of Rama, Sita and their companions allegorically discusses duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. It illustrates dharma and dharmic living through model characters

Rama is especially important toVaishnavism. Heis the central figure of theancient Hindu epic Ramayana, a text historically popular in the South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures.His ancient legends have attracted bhasya (commentaries) and extensive secondary literatureand inspired performancearts. Two such texts, for example, are theAdhyatma Ramayana –a spiritual and theological treatise considered foundational by Ramanandi monasteries, and the

Ramcharitmanas – a popular treatise that inspires thousands of Ramlila festival performances during autumn every year in India Rama legends are also found in the texts of Jainismand Buddhism, though he is sometimes called Pauma or Padma in thesetexts,and their details vary significantly fromthe Hindu versions. Jain Texts also mentioned Rama as theeighth balabhadra among the63 salakapurusas. In Sikhism, Rama is mentioned as one of twenty four divine incarnations of Vishnu in the Chaubis Avtar in DasamGranth Rāma is a VedicSanskrit word with two contextual meanings. In onecontext as found in Atharva Veda, as stated by Monier Monier-Williams, means “dark, dark-colored, black” and is related to the termratri which means night. In another context as found in other Vedic texts, the word means “pleasing, delightful, charming, beautiful, lovely”.The word is sometimes used as a suffixin different Indian languages and religions, such as Pali in Buddhist texts, where -rama adds thesenseof “pleasing to themind, lovely” to the composite word.Rama as a first name appears in the Vedicliterature, associated with two patronymic names –Margaveya and Aupatasvini –representing different individuals. A third individual named Rama Jamadagnya is thepurported author of hymn 10.110 of the Rigveda in the Hindu tradition. The word Rama appears in ancient literaturein reverential terms for three individuals The name Rama appears repeatedly in Hindu texts, for many different scholars and kings in mythical stories. The word also appears in ancient Upanishads and Aranyakas layer of Vedicliterature, as well as music and other post-Vedic literature, but in qualifying context of something or someone whois “charming, beautiful, lovely” or “darkness, night

TheVishnu avatar named Rama is also known by other names. He is called Ramachandra

(beautiful, lovely moon),or Dasarathi (son of Dasaratha), or Raghava (descendant of Raghu, solar dynasty in Hindu cosmology). He is also known as RamLalla (Infant formof Rama Additional names of Rama includeRamavijaya (Javanese), Phreah Ream(Khmer), Phra Ram(Lao and Thai), Megat Seri Rama (Malay), Raja Bantugan (Maranao), Ramudu (Telugu), Ramar (Tamil). In the

Vishnu sahasranama, Rama is the 394th name of Vishnu. In some Advaita Vedanta inspired texts,

Rama connotes themetaphysical concept of SupremeBrahman who is the eternally blissful spiritual Self (Atman, soul)in whomyogis delight nondualistica The root of theword Rama is ramwhich means “stop, stand still, rest, rejoice, be pleased This summary is a traditional legendary account, based on literary details fromtheRamayana and other historicmythology-containing texts of Buddhismand Jainism. According toSheldon Pollock, the figure of Rama incorporates more ancient “morphemes of Indian myths”, such as the mythical legends of Bali and Namuci. Theancient sageValmiki used these morphemes in his Ramayana The ancient epic Ramayana states in the Balakhanda that Rama and his brothers wereborn to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, a city on thebanks of Sarayu River. The Jain versions of theRamayana, such as the

Paumacariya (literally deeds of Padma) by Vimalasuri, also mention thedetails of the early lifeof Rama. TheJain texts aredated variously, but generally pre-500 CE, most likely sometime within the first five centuries of thecommon era.Moriz Winternitz states that theValmiki Ramayana was already famous beforeit was recast in the Jain Paumacariya poem, dated to the second half of the 1st century CE, which pre-dates a similar retelling found in the Buddha-carita of Asvagosa, dated to the beginning of the 2nd century CE or prior. His mother’s name Kaushalya literally implies that she was fromKosala. Thekingdom of Kosala is alsomentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts, as oneof the sixteen Maha janapadas of ancient India, and as an important center of pilgrimagefor Jains and Buddhists. However, thereis a scholarly dispute whether the modern Ayodhya is indeed the same as theAyodhya and Kosala mentioned in the Ramayana and other ancient Indian text

Rama had three brothers, according to theBalakhanda section of the Ramayana. These were Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. The extant manuscripts of thetext describes their education and training as young princes, but this is brief. Rama is portrayed as a polite, self-controlled, virtuous youth always ready to help others. His education included the Vedas, the Vedangas as well as the martial arts Theyears when Rama grewup are described in much greater detail by later Hindu texts, such as the Ramavali by Tulsidas. Thetemplate is similar tothose found for Krishna, but in the poems of Tulsidas, Rama is milder and reserved introvert, rather than the prank-playing extrovert personality of Krishna Rama heads outside the Kosala kingdom, crosses Yamuna river and initially stays at Chitrakuta, on the banks of river Mandakini, in the hermitage of sage Vasishtha During the exile, Rama meets one of his devotee, Shabari who happened tolovehim somuch that when Rama asked something to eat she offered her ber, a fruit. But every timeshe gaveit to himshe first tasted it to ensure that it was sweet and tasty as a testament to her devotion. Rama alsounderstood her devotion and ateall the half-eaten bers given by her. Such was the reciprocation of love and compassion he had for his people. This place is believed in the Hindu tradition to be thesame as Chitrakoot on theborder of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The region has numerous Rama temples and is an important

Vaishnava pilgrimage site. The texts describe nearby hermitages of Vedic rishis (sages) such as Atri, and that Rama roamed through forests, lived a humble simple life, provided protection and relief to ascetics in the forest being harassed and persecuted by demons, as they stayed at different ashrams.

After ten years of wandering and struggles, Rama arrives at Panchavati, on the banks of river Godavari. This region had numerous demons (rakshashas). One day, a demoness called

Shurpanakha saw Rama, became enamored of him, and tried toseduce him. Rama refused her.

Shurpanakha retaliated by threatening Sita. Lakshmana, the younger brother protective of his family, in turn retaliated by cutting off the nose and ears of Shurpanakha. Thecycleof violence escalated, ultimately reaching demon king Ravana, who was the brother of Shurpanakha. Ravana comes to Panchavati totake revengeon behalf of his family, sees Sita, gets attracted, and kidnaps her tohis kingdomof Lanka (believed to be modern Sri Lanka)Rama and Lakshmana discover thekidnapping, worry about Sita’s safety, despair at the loss and their lack of resources to takeon Ravana. Their struggles nowreach new heights. They travel south, meet Sugriva, marshall an army of monkeys, and attract dedicated commanders such as Hanuman whowas a minister of Sugriva.Meanwhile, Ravana harasses Sita to be his wife, queen or goddess.Sita refuses him. Ravana gets enraged and ultimately reaches Lanka, fights in a war that has many ups and downs, but ultimately Rama prevails, kills Ravana and forces of evil, and rescues his wife Sita. They return to Ayodhya.Upon Rama’s accession as king, rumors emerge that Sita may have gonewillingly when she was with Ravana; Sita protests that her capture was forced. Rama responds topublic gossip by renouncing his wife and asking her toundergo a test before Agni (fire). She does and passes the test. Rama and Sita live happily together in Ayodhya, have twin sons named Luvand Kush, in theRamayana and other major texts.However, in some revisions, the story is different and tragic, with Sita dying of sorrow for her husband not trusting her, making Sita a moral heroine and leaving the reader with moral questions about Rama. In these revisions, the death of Sita leads Rama to drown himself. Through death, he joins her in afterlife.Depiction of Rama dying by drowning himself and then emerging in the sky as a six-armed incarnateof the lord Vishnu is found in the Burmeseversion of Rama’s life story called Thiri Rama.Rama’s legends vary significantly by the region and across manuscripts. While there is a common foundation, plot, grammar and an essential core of values associated with a battle between good and evil, there is neither a correct version nor a singleverifiable ancient one. According to Paula Richman, there are hundreds of versions of “the story of Rama in India, Southeast Asia and beyond”. The versions vary by region reflecting local preoccupations and histories, and these cannot be called “divergences or different tellings” from the”real” version, rather all the versions of Rama story are real and true in their own meanings to thelocal cultural tradition, according to scholars such as Richman and Ramanujan.

Thestories vary in details, particularly where themoral question is clear, but the appropriate ethical responseis unclear or disputed.For example, when demoness Shurpanakha disguises as a woman toseduce Rama, then stalks and harasses Rama’s wifeSita after Rama refuses her, Lakshmana is faced with the question of appropriate ethical response. In the Indian tradition, states Richman, the social value is that “a warrior must never harm a woman”. Thedetails of the response by Rama and Lakshmana, and justifications for it, has numerous versions. Similarly, there are numerous and very different versions tohowRama deals with rumours against Sita when they return victorious toAyodhya, given that the rumours can neither be objectively investigated nor summarily ignored. Similarly theversions vary on many other specificsituations and closure such as howRama, Sita and Lakshmana die.

Thevariation and inconsistencies are not limited to thetexts found in the Hinduismtraditions.

TheRama story in theJain tradition also showvariation by author and region, in details, in implied ethical prescriptions and even in names –the older versions using the name Padma instead of Rama, while the later Jain texts just useRama. In some Hindu texts, Rama is stated to have lived in the Treta Yuga that their authors estimate existed beforeabout 5,000 BCE. A few other researchers place Rama tohavemoreplausibly lived around 1250 BCE,based on regnal lists of

Kuru and Vrishni leaders which if given more realistic reign lengths would place Bharat and Satwata, contemporaries of Rama, around that period. Archaeologist H. S. Sankalia, who specialised in Proto- and Ancient Indian history, find such figures to be “pure speculation” and dates various incidents of Ramayan to have taken place as early as 1,500 BCE.The composition of Rama’s epic story, the Ramayana, in its current formis usually dated between 7th and 4th century BCE. According toJohn Brockington, a professor of Sanskrit at Oxford known for his publications on theRamayana, the original text was likely composed and transmitted orally in more ancient times, and modern scholars have suggested various centuries in the 1st millennium BCE. In Brockington’s view, “based on the language, styleand content of the work, a date of roughly the fifth century BCE is the most reasonable estimateRama iconography shares elements of Vishnu avatars, but has several distinctive elements. It never has more than two hands, he holds (or has nearby) a bana (arrow) in his right hand, whilehe holds the dhanus (bow) in his left.Themost recommended icon for himis that he be shown standing in tribhanga pose (thrice bent “S” shape). He is shown black, blue or dark color, typically wearing reddish color clothes. If his wife and brother are a part of the iconography, Lakshamana is on his left sidewhile Sita always on the right of Rama, both of golden-yellowcomplexion the life of Rama as told in the Indian texts is a masterpiece that offers a framework torepresent, conceptualiseand comprehend the world and thenature of life. Like major epics and religious stories around the world, it has been of vital relevance becauseit “tells the culture what it is”. Rama’s life is more complex than the Western templatefor the battlebetween the good and the evil, where there is a clear distinction between immortal powerful gods or heroes and mortal struggling humans. In the Indian traditions, particularly Rama, the story is about a divinehuman, a mortal god, incorporating both into theexemplar whotranscends both humans and gods. As a person, Rama personifies the characteristics of an ideal person (purushottama).He had within himall the desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire, and he fulfils all his moral obligations. Rama is considered a maryada purushottama or the best of upholders of Dharma. Rama’s life combines the ethics with theaesthetics of living. Rama’s lifeand comments emphasisethat onemust pursue and live life fully, that all three life aims are equally important: virtue (dharma), desires (kama), and legitimateacquisition of wealth (artha). Rama also adds, such as in section of the Ramayana, that one must also introspect and never neglect what one’s proper duties, appropriate responsibilities, true interests, and legitimate pleasures areThe primary source of the lifeof Rama is the Sanskrit epic Ramayana composed by Rishi Valmiki. The Ramayana is a Sanskrit text, while Ramacharitamanasa retells theRamayana in a vernacular dialect of Hindi language, commonly understood in northern India.Ramacharitamanasa was composed in the 16th century by Tulsidas.Thepopular text is notable for synthesising theepic story in a Bhakti movement framework, wherein the originally legends and ideas morph in an expression of spiritual bhakti (devotional love)for a personal god. Few works of literature produced in any placeat any time have been as popular, influential, imitated and successful as thegreat and ancient Sanskrit epic poem, the Valmiki Ramayana. a professor at Oxford and Boden scholar of Sanskrit, Rama’s ideas as told in theIndian texts are secular in origin, their influence on the life and thought of people having been profound over at least two and a half millennia.Their influence has ranged frombeing a framework for personal introspection to cultural festivals and community entertainment.His life stories, states Goldman, have inspired “painting, film, sculpture, puppet shows, shadow plays, novels, poems, TV serials and plays.”

Rama Navami is a spring festival that celebrates the birthday of Rama. Thefestival is a part of the spring Navratri, and falls on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra month in the traditional Hindu calendar. This typically occurs in the Gregorian months of March or April every year. The day is marked by recital of Rama legends in temples, or reading of Rama stories at home. Some Vaishnava Hindus visit a temple, others pray within their home, and some participatein a bhajan or kirtan with music as a part of puja and aarti. The community organises charitable events and volunteer meals. The festival is an occasion for moral reflection for many Hindus.Some mark this day by vrata (fasting) or a visit to a river for a dip Rama Navami day also marks the end of thenineday spring festival celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh called Vasanthothsavam (Festival of Spring), that starts with Ugadi. Somehighlights of this day are Kalyanam(ceremonial wedding performed by temple priests) at Bhadrachalamon the banks of the river Godavari in Bhadradri Kothagudemdistrict of Telangana, preparing and sharing Panakamwhich is a sweet drink prepared with jaggery and pepper, a procession and Rama temple decorations.

Rama’s lifeis remembered and celebrated every year with dramaticplays and fireworks in autumn.

This is called Ramlila, and the play follows Ramayana or more commonly the Ramcharitmanas. It is observed through thousands of Rama-related performancearts and dance events, that are staged during the festival of Navratri in India.After the enactment of the legendary war between Good and Evil, the Ramlila celebrations climax in theDussehra (Dasara, Vijayadashami) night festivities wherethe giant grotesque effigies of Evil such as of demon Ravana are burnt, typically with fireworks. Rama’s return to Ayodhya and his coronation is themain reason for celebrating Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights.

In Guyana, Diwali is marked as a special occasion and celebrated with a lot of fanfare. It is observed as a national holiday in this part of theworld and some ministers of the Government also takepart in the celebrations publicly. Just like Vijayadashmi, Diwali is celebrated by different communities across India to commemorate different events in addition to Rama’s return to Ayodhya. For example, many communities celebrate one day of Diwali tocelebrate the Victory of

Krishna over the demon Narakasur.Rama’s lifestory, both in the written formof Sanskrit Ramayana and the oral tradition arrived in southeast Asia in the 1st millennium CE.Rama was one of many ideas and cultural themes adopted, others being the Buddha, the Shiva and host of other Brahmanic and Buddhist ideas and stories. In particular, the influence of Rama and other cultural ideas grew in Java, Bali, Malaya, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.Lord Ram was commanding an army of ‘Monkeys’ who were not professional warriors and had noidea howto plan large-scale battles, sothey were always searching for guidance. Lord Krishna, on the other hand, was leading Arjuna, who was oneof the greatest archers of his time. He is the best at what he does Rama had gone toPanchavati (present day) Nashik for vanvas for 14 years with his wife Sita and younger brother, Lakshmana

7,000 years ago, Ayodhya’s king Rama travels to theisland of Lanka with the help of Hanuman’s army with an aimto rescue his wife Sita, who has been abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka janak creature could cross to protect Sita, but tells Sita not tocross it or the power would go. Lakshman leaves. Ravan disguises as a sage and tricks Sita tocross the Lakshmana Rekha line. Sita tries to run, but he ends up abducting her.

On the way to Lanka, Jatayu tries to save Sita, but Ravan cuts off both his wings. Sita then throws her jewellery to theground hoping Ramwill see it as a sign. Sita tells Ravan to kill her and avenge himself. Ravan kidnaps Sita and takes her toLanka. Surpanakha is delighted to see Sita in Lanka. Later, Ravan stops Surpanakha fromattacking Sita. He tells her tokeep Sita alive until he avenges her insult.

Ravan’s mother Kaikesi, tells him that heshould marry Sita as she is a powerful woman instead of treating her badly. Sita finds her place in the garden of Lanka (Ashoka Vatika) and refuses Ravan’s proposal saying that sheis always going to loveRamand never be unfaithful to him. She decides to wait for himuntil her death. Meanwhile, Ram learns about the abduction fromthe bird Hanuman Raghu as punishment for Sita’s undeserving plight. Sita requests her mother not to destroy themand promises her that theday she has completely fulfilled all her duties, she would seek refuge fromher and return toher. Later, SageValmiki provides shelter to Sita in his hermitage, where shegives birth to Ram’s twin boys Lava and Kusha. Sita raises themas a single mother but incognitounder the nameof Vanadevi. After 12 years, Ram decides to perform the Ashwamedha Yagna, and thetwins catch the horse of theYagna after which a terriblebattle ensues. After defeating Lakshman, Bharata, and Shatrughna as well as Hanuman, the twins are about tobattle with their father, but Sita stops them and requests Ramtoforgive them. She then reveals to the twins that Ramis their father, and they realize that their mother is thevery Sita herself who they fought for, togive her justice.

Ramdecides tobring Sita back and asks the peopleof Ayodhya if he could doso. He proceeds with theentire family to bring Sita back, and thereLuva and Kusha are united with Ram. Sita refuses toreturn toAyodhya as it was that society whodoubted her character, and shecannot return toit as it would be wrong on her part and betray all those other women who have suffered the same plight as her. As a final testament toher purity . Sita returns toher celestial abode by going back to her mother, Bhumi, after confronting Ram. Ramis left heartbroken at this and returns toAyodhya. He then promotes woman rights on Sita’s behalf. After some years, Ram crowns Luva and Kusha as Kings of Ayodhya and along with his brothers – Bharat and Shatrughan drown themselves in theSarayu river. Lakshman precedes his brothers, being theincarnation of Sheshnaag.

At the bottomof the lake, Ramturns to Vishnu. Shatrughan transforms into theconch shell

Panchajanya and Bharat tothe Sudarshan Chakra of Vishnu’s. They goback to Vishnu, and Vishnu sees Lakshmi coming towards him, telling himthat he took a long time tojoin her and then said that they should return to their abode. Meanwhile, Hanuman says to thepopulace of Ayodhya that Ramand Sita live forever in themall, and he tears open his chest to show Ramand Sita in his heart King Dashrath followed by his grave for not having a son. Guru Vashisht suggests himto go to rishi shringi. King Dashrath goes in search for rishi Shringi, After many hardships, he convinces Rishi Shring for Santati Yagya. After completion of the yagya, King Dashrath has four sons, Ram,

Bharat, Laxman and Shatrughan. It covers several scenes fromtheMaharishi Valmiki’s Ramayana. Scenes of Ramgoing to gurukul and coming back are shown. Sita’s swayamwar and Ram-Sita

Marriage is alsoshown here. Along with them, the brothers of Ram- Lakshman , Bharat and Shatrughn got married to thesister and cousins of Sita – Urmila , Mandavi and Shrutakirti respectively . The brides were welcomed in Ayodhya . Shortly after that Dasharath desired to crown Ram as theking of Ayodhya . Manthara poisoned Kaikeyi’s mind against Dasharath’s idea .

Recalling that Dasharath had once promised to grant kaikeyi any twoboons that she asked of him, she demanded first that Ramshould be exiled tothe forest for 14 years and second that Bharat

should be crowned ruler instead. Although heartbroken, Dasharath is compelled tokeep his word. Reluctantly, heasks Ramtoleavefor the forest. Ram happily accepts theexile and leaves for the forest. Ram reluctantly accepts the company of his wife, Sita, and his younger brother, Lakshman. When Bharat learns that his mother is responsible for Ram’s exile, he follows Ramand begs him to return with himto Ayodhya. However, Ramrefuses, bound by his duty to carry out his father’s promise. Bharat decides instead tobring back to the palace Rama’s paduka and places themon the throne as a gesturethat Ram is the true king. He decided to spend an ascetic lifelike Ramand Lakshman staying in Nandigram at theoutskirts of Ayodhya till the end of exile. Upon his insistence , Shatrughn ruled as his proxy over Ayodhya throughout the 14 year exile. Ram, Sita, and Lakshman wandered in the forests, combating evil wherever they encounter it. They gained the blessings of numerous wise men and sages along the way. Thirteen years into the exile, Ravan, the King of Lanka, abducts Sita. In their search of her, Ramand Lakshman meet Hanuman, Sugriv, Jamvanta, and the Vanar Sena. When they reach Lanka, Rama battles Ravan and ultimately kills him, signifying triumph of good over evil. Lord Ram returns back to Ayodhya and is declared the King of Ayodhya. The series end with incrownation of Lord Ram.theancient Hindu epicRamayana, the series follows the journey of Ramwho goes to an exileof 14 years along with Sita and Lakshman.

Shri Vishnu decides toincarnateon earth as Ram, theson of King Dashrath and Queen Kaushalya of Ayodhya to kill Ravan, the evil king of Lanka and establish dharma whereas Goddess Lakshmi would incarnateas his wife Sita. In Ayodhya, a childless Dashrath conducts a yagna for children and as a result, his three wives gives birth to4 sons. Kaushalya to Ram, Kaikeyi toBharat and Sumitra to Lakshman and Shatrughan. The 4 boys grow up to be excellent warriors under Guru Vashista’s training. Ramis an ideal and perfect son and brother and is a role model to his three younger brothers and always respects his parents and their affection towards him.

After the brothers return after completing their education, Rishi Vishvamitra arrives at Ayodhya for help as his yagna is disturbed by somedemons and asks Dashrath to send Ramtohimtokill those demons. Dashrath reluctantly agrees and Lakshman also accompanies Ram. Shri Ram succeeds in killing Taraka and her son Subahu and alsoprotects the yagnas. Rishi Vishvamitra later teaches himabout many things required for future.

Later, he takes the two brothers to Mithila toseek the blessings of Lord Shiva’s bow at the swayamvar of Princess Sita. Rishi Vishvamitra tells themabout the birth of Sita fromearth. On their way Ramfrees Ahalya of her curse by her husband Rishi Gautama Whatever, is happening today in India and world over is theprediction of Bhagwaan Sri Ramin Treta Yug. Lord Sri Ramdid likea common human being, but he was SupremeLord omnipotent himself. I underlinehere two examples of his Superamcy over demons and rivals in thewar, which proves that heis Supreme Lord, not common human.

When Shumparanakha nose was chocked off by Lakshman Ji, she went to her cousin brothers

Khar-Dushan and Trishira for revengefromSri Ram. Khar Dushan sent 14 mighty army to kill Lord Sri Ram, but in the war, Lord Sri Ram single in thewar, killed all 14 army in singlewar and later arrow returned to his quivers also. When Khar Dushan was informed that all 14 mighty army were killed by Sri Ramin single shot, hewas utmost surprised.

He arranged his mighty army tomarch with his mighty army who werecapable to defeat even God Indra in the war. The all 14000 warriors marched past to attack Lord Sri Ram. But Lord decided to face all mighty warriors single handed. He even ordered Lakshman jee totake care of Sita near by cave and he came straight in thewar toface Khar-Dushan and Trishira. Bhagwaan killed all 14,000 army and Khar Dushan with his brother alsoin singleshot with his unique Maya. It is said in Dharma Grantha that Lord generally does not takehis Sharang Dhanush and if hetakes Sharang Dhanush in the hand, it means the destruction of whole cosmos or flushing out all demons. He is single person whole army.

As per Hindu literature, Lord Sri Ramis ‘Ajaya’ means who can not be won by any power or divine powers of even several groups of demons and Gods jointly attacked on Single Sri Ram.

So, he is Supreme Lord himself, which every oneis not aware of this fact. All cosmos and creations arerunning under his own supervision. He took three forms likeGhrbhashai Vishnu, Sheshshaiy Vishnu and Asaan Vishnu. These all arehis own forms for creations. He is known as Maha-Vishnu also. This can bechecked in Ramayan. Vishnu Puran and Sri Mad Bhagvatam also.

He is thecauseof all causes and he is the main supplier of divinepowers to every embodiment and even Gods goddess. Nothing is superior to lord Sri Ram. Heis not born nor died but appeared in his original four armed Vishnu formbefore his Mata Kaushalaya. But he took a tiny child form also at the request of his Mata for further next programfor Sanatan Dharma. eternal truth. He also did not die but he had marched tosaryug river which is his own tear. He had simply changed his formand took Vishnu formbefore Lord Brahma Ji, Lord Shiva and all demi gods and goddess who weregathered in sky towatch Lord Hari/Sri Ram departurefrommaterial world. Lord Brahma Ji and Lord Shiva all praised himand Lord Sri Ramrodeon his Gadud Ji and went back tohis Param Dham which is beyond one thought and imaginations.

Lord Sri Ramas Embodiment of Sanatan Dharma –

It is said in Hindu Texts that Sri Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmaha- Lord Sri Ramis himself the manifestation of Dharma. So, Sri Ramor Dharma is equal in real sense.

When Lord Sri RamShot Vaali behind thebushes of trees, Vaali fallen to the soil and surprised to watch Lord Sri Raman arrow in his hand with his brother Lakshaman Ji and Hanuman came beforeVaali. Hewas seriously wounded by arrow, sohe was utmost pained and questioned Sri Ramas why he had killed himas a like of hunter as he is theembodiment of Dharma?. You are a great warrior and symbol of Dharma and killed me like a hunter is is suitable for him tokill such way by tricks, he asked Lord Sri Ram?

Lord Sri Ramexplained himpolitely that what Vaali was doing and did was against the code of Dharma. Vaali had forcibly snatched his younger brother Sugriva wife Ruma to his own wife, which was totally against Dharma. It was the act of like animal and animal is killed or shot by behind the tree. Lord Ram further explained to himthat as Kshatriya hehas right to shot himdue to his action likeanimal. On this, Vaali was enraged and asked Lord Sri Ramas if he was likean animal, whohad given right to him(Sri Ram) tokill Vaali in such tricks of cheating?

Lord Sri Ramscolded Vaali with his angry mood and said that being like animal would preach the codes of Dharma tohim? He is as a righteous kshatriya, heis duty bound topreach all evils and unrighteous people on the earth. He incarnates only for the Sanatan Dharma, so heis duty bound to preach a lesson to Vaali. Lord Ram said that he killed himbehind thetree, as hemaintained the values of Lord Brahama Ji, other wise, noonewas able to face himin thewar. Bhagwaan said that whole earth, with mountains, ocean, rivers and the different types of embodiment, who are living are under his own powers. It is up to him(Sri Ram) tokill or preach anyone his right.

So, he is the symbol of Dharma also. Sanatan Dharma or Sri Ram is same matter. India can not exist without himanyway. /Jai Sri Ram/

Lion on thebattlefield

Rama is often depicted as a very soft-natured person but on the battlefield his shourya-parakrama are unbeatable. He is truly a warrior at heart. After Shoorpanaka’s episode, 14000 warriors march past toattack Rama. Instead of seeking help fromLakshmana in thewar, hegently asks

Lakshmana to takeSeetha and relax in the nearby cave. Seetha on the other hand is quite stunned, for she has never seen Rama’s dexterity at war. With enemies all around him, he fights the whole

war himself standing at the center battling 14000 warriors, while Seetha who watches all this fromIn the epics of India, why is Lord Ram not worshipped during the time of Lord Krishna? Lord Ramexisted long before Lord Krishna. When did Rambecome Lord Ram? Did people start worshipping Ramin later years?

What are some lesser known/interesting facts about Lord Rama?

In the Ramayana, does Sri Rama knows he is God?

Jai Shri Ram:

He’s theSupremepersonality of Godhead, theall prevading Parabrahama, Who is The Lord of All existing and non existing Creations and everything.

His original abode is theAyodhya dhaam, which is also known as The “Saketha” dham, which is said tothe foremost amongst all Abodes of TheGods. Here, He resides with Mother sita, All the Vanar warriors, other soldiers and As the normal people, there are those whowere a great devotee of TheLord.

He incarnated himself on the planet to establish dharma, todecimate evil forces and to teach us various important aspects of lifeas a human being.

According to Uttarkand of Valmiki Ramayan, during the creation of thr universe, it was lord Ram who left his original twoarmed form, and assumed the formof Lord Hari narayan vishnu.

He defeated And Killed khara, along with the entire 14,000 troops hebought, and all their weapons, elephants, horses and chariots. Even Ravan was amazed At his Feat.

While still being a lad, He killed TheFearsome demoness called Tadka, Who was a cause of fear even for theDemiGods. All her illusions proved worthless infront of him, and she Was killed by Lord Ram.

He flung the skeleton of Dundhubi, to a distance of ten yojans, with his big toe, without even lifting his Foot. He also pierced seven sala trees with a single arrow.

He Broke theMighty Bow of Lord shiva which even The DemiGods, celestials or anyone else were able to string. Everyone present at the spot swooned after the Breaking of bow.

He showed his universal form toLord Parashurama, which Completely stunned the latter. He used the Vaishnavastra toNullify all the ascetic merits of Lord Parashurami.e TheDivinepowers.

He had all the celestial weapons and Powerful missiles in his arsenal, which includeThe Trident, TheVaishnavastra, The Pashupatastra, the Sudarshan, The Narayanastra etc but he never used most of them, because Only his normal darts wereenough to Achieveany feat.

When Mother sita was Kidnapped by Sriman Nanguraj, He Felt extremely distressed and at one point of them, He even threatened that if Hedoesn’t sees her, he’ll shower the universewith his arrows.

He would’ve dried up the entire ocean with his Brahmastra, Had varuna dev not appeared before him.

He’s alsocalled the Maryada purushottam, The ideal man, because he was The perfect one in all cases, be it as a Son, as A husband,as a brother,as a Lord or as a father and especially as a person. He was really Loving and kind hearted one, who Was The Absolute master in not only All modes of warfare, wepaons, archery but alsoTexts, and other such stuff.

In the war of lanka, Hedefeated many powerful demons like Mahaparsva, mahodra, virupksa etc and made themrun away fromthe battlefield. Even Indrajeet had toRun away when He heard that Lord Ram was about touse Divyastra on him.

He Smashed themighty spikeof Lord Shiva, which he gifted to Makraksha, with normal darts. The very same spike, by only it’s appearance caused the celestials and Gods to flee in all directions.

He butchered Kumbhakarna in the battle, and alsokilled Vali, by hitting himwith a single normal dart, right on his chest ( not from behind). Healsodefeated Ravan 4 times, humiliating him and Making himRun away.

He Massacred the entirearmy of Lanka, consisting of 2 lakh well equipped demons, who were equal to Ravan, along with all their horses, weapons, chariots. Theentire army was routed within 3 hours, and The demons were absolutely helpess against him. His moments were Sofast that it felt like a thousand Rams attacking himat the sametime.

Lord Mahadev took Birth as Lord Hanuman, Just for the sake of Shri Ram. He is known to always mediate on Ramnaam, and even performed a penanceto Shri Ram at Varanasi. Lord Ram appeared beforehim, and Granted hima boon that Whosoever worships himthere, even his gravest Sins will be nullfied.

He worshipped Lord Shiva at Rameshwaram, and established a ShivLing there. Rameshwaram literally means “The eshwar of Ram” i.e Lord Shiva.

TheNameof Shri Ramis at times is said to be more powerful Than Lord Ramhimself, Hence it Rightly called as Parabrahma itself.

His appearance was extremely charming, somuch that Even men used toget lured by his looks. When they asked himto embracehim, then Lord Rampromised themthat In his next avatar, he will come as Lord krishna and They’ll come as Gopis. Then they can embrace him. This is given in the Krishna upanishad.

There is nothing such as “Agni pareeksha” in the Ramayan, As Lord Ramnever asked Mother sita to do one. It was “Agni pravesh” which mother sita herself Decided tocarry out. According tothe Dohavali and adhytama Ramayan of Ved vyas, He never asked mother sita toleave, Rather she herself left the palace for thesake of her Upcoming children. Even in Uttarkand of VR, he never left her helpless, She was sent away fromthe taunts of the people, in Valmiki ashram, whereshe herself wanted to go once. Her children got proper warrior like upbringing there.

He actually never needed the help of anyone toDefeat Ravan, becausehe was morethan capable enough to blowaway lanka infinite times, over and over again. He did this just as a part of his pastime, and the love he has for his devotees.

Many casuals say he wasn’t awareof his divinity, which is absolutely false. There are many instances to prove heknewof his divinity, Like Showing universal formtoParashuram etc. He even said he can wipe away a demons and evil entities with a littlefinger’s tip. Heeven threatened to vanquish theuniverse, which ofcoursea mortal can’t give. According to theSri

Ramcharitmanas of Lord Shiva, he showed his universal form tohis mother also, where She saw infinite universes in a single pore of his skin, along with billions of Rudras, Brahmas, Indras etc.

He acted as theGatekeeper of Goswami Tulsidasji, while hewas asleep at night. He even came down fromsaketha, topay thedebt of His devotee, Shri Ramdas ji. Ramrespected his parents and worship themlike God .

He fought against many evil forces .

He fought for women right.

He married to only one .

He was a dotting father .

He consider himself tobethe servant of his kingdom. He ruled for approx 30 year .Period of his rule is called as RamRajya ,means in his kingdom all citizen were happy.

He fought epic battlein Sri Lanka’s with king Ravana ,who kidnapped his wife .

Finally Ravana was defeated and killed by Ramin a fierce battle.

Ravana at that time was purehindu king. Ravana had two wives- Mandodari and

Dhanyamalini.They were very fierce fighter and fought with Rama army and put them on their knee. Finally they injured Ram’s brother Laxman .When they weregoing tokill Ram,Sita came in between and saved RamLord Rama’s biological mother was extremely fond of her child. She loved him and treated himfor what she was to him- his mother. There was a very strong sense of belonging and responsibility in her relationship with the Lord.

Mata Kaikeye: Lord Rama’s step mother, whowas not just fond of Lord Rama but was also very proud of him. She loved himand treated himfor what he was to her – a beloved but stepson! Both Mata Kaushalya and Mata Kaikeyi loved Lord Rama but thereis a subtleand significant difference in their love. There was a strong senseof pride and ownership.

Lord Rama returned their feelings accordingly and that defines twoaspects of who Lord Rama actually is. For Mata Kaushalya, he is a loving and affectionate son while for Mata Kaikeyi, he is a duty bound son. Interestingly, his relationship with thethird mother – his second stepmother brings out another aspect. And that actually is themost important one!

Mata Sumitra: She loved the Lord with all her devotion and faith for who he really is – the Almighty, the Ultimate, theGod! Hence, she asked her biological son Laxmana toservehis elder brother with completedevotion and dedication. She knewthat Lord Rama is thehumanly embodiment of the Parmatma and the Parbrahman! And that’s why sheis said tohaveuttered what has become the lifemantra of many Rambhakts – “सव श मतेपरमामने ी रामायनमः” That’s who Lord Rama really is! thewill of kaikeyi, king Dashrath sent Lord Rama to exile, it is believed that Rama spent his exilelife at Panchayati near Nashik and today it has a lot of temples there.When Sita Devi was abducted by Ravana, it was Jatayu who attacked Ravana. He chopped Jatayu wings and fell down about todie. Then Rama uttered the Telugu word “lePakshi” which means risebird. There is a place in Andhra Pradesh called Lepakshi and people believe it is the sameplace whereJatayu fell down Rama chosen Lord Hanuman to rescue Sita Devi, Hanuman has the ability to maximize and minimize his size. Therehavebeen footprints recorded near the Ashokvanamwhich differ in size and people strongly believe these foot impressions are of Lord Hanuman What are some mind blowing facts about Lord Ram?

Whatever, is happening today in India and world over is theprediction of Bhagwaan Sri Ram in Treta Yug. Lord Sri Ramdid likea common human being, but he was SupremeLord omnipotent himself. I underline here two examples of his Superamcy over demons and rivals in thewar, which proves that he is SupremeLord, not common human.

When Shumparanakha nose was chocked off by Lakshman Ji, she went to her cousin brothers

Khar-Dushan and Trishira for revengefromSri Ram. Khar Dushan sent 14 mighty army to kill Lord

Sri Ram, but in the war, Lord Sri Ram single in thewar, killed all 14 army in single

Jai Shri Ram

Here’re some amazing facts about The Supreme Lord :

He’s theSupremepersonality of Godhead, theall prevading Parabrahama, Who is The Lord of All existing and non existing Creations and everything.

His original abode is theAyodhya dhaam, which is also known as The “Saketha” dham, which is said tothe foremost amongst all Abodes of TheGods. Here, He resides with Mother sita, All the Vanar warriors, other soldiers and As the normal people, there are those whowere a great devotee of TheLord.

He incarnated himself on the planet to establish dharma, todecimate evil forces and to teac

In the epics of India, why is Lord Ramnot worshipped during the time of Lord Krishna? Lord Ram existed long before Lord Krishna. When did RambecomeLord Ram? Did peoplestart worshipping Ramin later years?

What are some lesser known/interesting facts about lord ram

Rama is often depicted as a very soft-natured person but on the battlefield his shourya-parakrama are unbeatable. He is truly a warrior at heart. After Shoorpanaka’s episode, 14000 warriors march past toattack Rama. Instead of seeking help fromLakshmana in thewar, hegently asks

Lakshmana to takeSeetha and relax in the nearby cave. Seetha on the other hand is quite stunned, for she has never seen Rama’s dexterity at war. With enemies all around him, he fights the whole

war himself standing at the center battling 14000 warriors, while Seetha who watches all this fromthe caveeventually realizes that her husband is a one-man-army, One has to read the Ramayana to enjoy the beauty of this episode.

Embodiment of Dharma – Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmaha!

He is a manifestation of dharma. He knows not just the codeof conduct but alsothe dharma-sookshmas (subtleties of dharma). Hequotes themmany a times to various people,

While leaving Ayodhya, Kausalya requests himin various ways to stay back. With lot of affection, she even tries to take advantage of his nature of adhering to dharma by saying that it is the son’s duty according todharma tofulfill the wishes of his mother. In this manner, she asks himthat isn’t it against dharma for Rama toleave Ayodhya? Rama replies detailing further dharma that it is certainly one’s duty tofulfill his mother’s wishes but dharma alsohas it that when there is a contradiction between mother’s wish and father’s wish, the son must follow thefather’s wish. This is a dharma sookshma.

Shot by arrows in chest, Vali questions, “Rama! You are renowned as the embodiment of dharma. Howis it that you being such a great warrior have failed tofollowthe conduct of dharma and shot me from behind the bushes?” Rama explains so, “My dear Vali! Let me give you thereasoning behind it. Firstly, you acted against dharma. As a righteous kshatriya, I haveacted against evil which is my foremost duty. Secondly, In accordance with my dharma as a friend toSugreeva, who has taken refugein me, I lived up to my promise I made tohim and thus fulfilled dharma again. Most importantly, you are the king of monkeys. As per therules of dharma, it is not unrighteous for a Kshatriya to hunt and kill an animal either straight ahead or frombehind. So, punishing you is totally justifiableaccording to dharma, moreso because your conduct is against the tenets of laws.”

During theinitial days of exile, Seetha asks Rama detailing the dharma of exile. She tells, “During the time of exile one has to conduct himself peacefully like an ascetic, So is it not against dharma that you carry your bows and arrows during exile?” Rama replies with further insights into the dharma of exile, “Seetha! One’s swadharma (own dharma) takes higher priority than the dharma that has to be followed according to thesituation. My foremost duty (swadharma) is toprotect peopleand dharma as a kshatriya, soaccording to the tenets of dharma, this takes the top most priority in spite of thefact that weare in exile. In fact, I am even ready to give up on you, who are my most beloved, but I will never giveup on my swadharmanushtana. Such is my adherence to dharma. Soit is not incorrect for me to carry bows and arrows in spite of being in exile.” This episodehappened during the vanvas. Thesewords of Rama show his steadfast devotion to dharma. They alsogive us an insight into what could have been Rama’s mental statewhen he was forced to place his duty as a king even higher than his duty as a husband (i.eduring the times of agnipareeksha and Seetha’s exilelater) as per the rules of dharma. (It is easy for any Tom, Dick and Harry to judge himbut tounderstand his heart’s suffering whilegoing through all these phases of life demands a thorough understanding of Ramayana)

These aresomeinstances in Ramayana that depict that Rama’s every singlemove was taken after considering all the subtleties of dharma which is often obscure and misunderstood by most of the people.

Embodiment of Compassion

Even when Vibheeshana took refuge in Rama, Some of the vanaras were sohot blooded that they insisted Rama tokill Vibheeshana because he was fromthe enemy side. Rama sternly replied back to them, “I will never forsake theone who has taken refugein me! Forget Vibheeshana! I will even save Ravana if he takes refugein me.” (And thus follows thequote, Sree Raama Raksha, Sarva Jagath Raksha)

Devoted Husband

Rama was deeply in love with Seetha by heart, mind and soul. Despitehaving the option to marry again, he choseto remain with her forever. He was so in love with Seetha that when she was kidnapped by Ravana, he writhed in pain wailing Seethaa Seethaa falling on ground crying like a mad man even in front of the vanaras totally forgetting all his stature as a king. In fact, In Ramayana it is mentioned many times that Rama often shed somany tears for Seetha that helost all his strength in crying and often fell down unconscious.

Finally, Efficacy of Rama Nama

It is said that chanting the nameof Rama burns away the sins and confers peace. There is alsoa hidden mysticmeaning behind this connotation. According to mantra shastra, Ra is an Agni beeja which embeds within it the fireprinciple when uttered burns (sins) and Ma corresponds to the Soma principle which when uttered cools (confers peace).

Chanting Rama nama accounts tochanting the wholeVishnu Sahasranama (1000 names of Vishnu). According to Sanskrit scriptures, there is a principlein which sounds and letters are associated with their corresponding numbers. According to it, : Rama strictly followed Dharma and Satya (Truth) till the end of his life.

He was dispassionatefor designations . He left his kingdomfor the words of his father.

He was dispassionatefor riches. Even after defeating Ravana, he was not attracted to theGolden City ‘Lanka’. He said, Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargaadapi Gareeyasi – Birthplace( earth )is even greater than the heaven.

He would have got Sita instantly if he had befriended Vali.(Ravana is nothing infront of Vali). But he stood only for Dharma.

According to Valmiki Ramayan, He didn’t marry Sita immediately after breaking the Siva Dhanu. When king Janaka asked him tomarry Sita, heasked, “Whoam I tomarry? My parents will decide, to whomI should bemarried.” Today, many youngsters feel that parents’ permission not at all necessary tomarry.

: Solar dynasty: Lord Rama belongs to Surya vansh or solar dynasty. According to vedic astrology; those afflicted with any sun related problemmust worship Lord Rama toeasily appease Lord Sun.

: Bow: Lord Rama always carry Kodanda also known as Saranga . Helearnt vedic education fromsage Vashishta and martial arts fromSage Vishwamitra. This divine bowwas gifted tohim by Lord Parusu Ramji.

: Devotion : Lord Rama epitomizes real devotion. In shakta sampradaya or sect dedicated to Goddess Shakti or Durga ji; Lord Rama is depicted as one ;who offered his own eye as a substitute to 108th neel kamal -bluelotuses – a part of sacred ritual

: King maker: Lord Rama defeated Baali and anointed Sugreeva as King of Pampa . He defeated Lankapati Ravana but madehis younger brother Vibhishan king of Lanka. He willingly abdicated kingdom of Ayodhya for his younger brother Bharat.

: No one can defeat Lord Rama. Meghnad could Prevail Twicebecause of Boons from Brahma and Shiva. Shri Rama had immense respect for boons so he didn’t countered Serpant arrows and Brahmastra of Meghnad which were infallible due toBoons of Brahma and Shiva.

Beloware Feats of Shri Rama which makes himGreatest Warrior.

He gained Knowledge of Weapons Fromtwo Brahmarishi’s Vashishta and Vishwamitra.

Vishwamitra gave himevery weapon Including Sudarshan chakra as well as Trishul of shiva.

He was Expert in Sonic archery. With Sonic archery killed Demoness Tadaka.

He Stuck Mareecha 100 yojanas away in sea with Manav astra and Killed Subahu with Agneyastra.

Strung and Brokethe Bowof Mahadeva.

Killed Demons like Viradha and Kabandha along with his Brother Lakshman.

Rama’s Brahmastra which he invoked fromBlade of grass followed Jayanta in all threeworlds and no one could savehimand he had to seek apology fromRama.

He eleminated Khara, dushana, trishira and 14000 demons in oneand half hour standing on ground.

Rama Flipped the Skeleton of Demon Dundubhi with just his toetill 10 yojanas without even lifting his Foot.

Rama Pierced 7 Sala Trees with a single arrow.

His one arrow killed Mighty Vanara Vali.

Rama’s anger even made Sea god tremblein Fear.

Rama’s Brahmastra destroyed drumatulya and made it a desert of Maru.

He defeated Ravana in battlefiled By riding in back of Hanuman.

He killed Mighty Kumbhakarna with Spell of 3 Divine Astra Raudra, vayavya and Indrastra.

When Rama decided tokill Meghnad with his higher weapons Meghnad realising his intensions fled insidethe gates of Lanka.

Rama broke the Trishul of Rudra hurled by Makraksha with his arrows. He killed makraksh with Agneyastra.

Rama fought the 7 days non stop battle with Ravana and finally killed himwith a Special Brahma Weapon by breaking his Brahma armour and piercing his chest.

He brought back all dead vanaras tolife with Indra’s boon.

Shri Rama is ultimate and greatest warrior and no one can defeat him.

: Lord Rama’s hands are solong , that can extend upto the knees.

RAMA is broad Shouldered.

Rama’s eyes arewide, and his neck is like a conch.

Rama is well built and muscular and his walk reminds that of a lion.

Rama’s chest , fist and wrists are diamond strong.

According to Valmiki Ramayana , Lord Rama is 12 feet in height.

Rama killed demons namely Taraka /Tataka, Kabandha, Maricha, Haradhanu, Kumbhakaran, Ravana etc.

: It is said on thesixth day of the Yajna, Maricha and his brother Subahu, with a hoard of rakshasas (demons) tried to destroy the yajna fire by showering it with blood and flesh. Lord Rama fired his manavastra (which could send its entire target miles away) fromhis bow. The arrow struck Maricha’s chest and threw hima hundred leagues away, intothe ocean. In another version, Maricha fled to theocean just by hearing the sound of Rama’s bow.

: Sita’s swayamvara, thecontest was to lift the Shiva Dhanush which had been otherwise lifted by a combined effort of 300 men. Lord Ram lifted it with one hand and in a attempt to string it, the bowgot broken at themiddle. It is said the entirescene appeared similar toa baby elephant breaking a stick of sugarcane.

 Surpanakha saw the fourteen warriors being killed and reported thesame back toher brothers. Khara got his chariot prepared and selected fourteen thousand warriors toaccompany himalong with Dushana.

Sensing danger, Rama asked Lakshmana to takeSita off to a safe spot and bewith her. Lakshmana found a cave and kept her inside.

: TheGods and other celestial beings cameout tosee this fight, of Rama alone with the fourteen thousand rakshashas. The battlebegan. The enemies charged fromall directions and Rama hit back with his powerful arrows . He destroyed the entirearmy. Finally, with one final shot he knocked down Khara, Dushana , and their friend Trisara . Meanwhile , one demon called Akampana, who survived the attack , rushed toLanka toinformRavana.

: Sugriva gavetwotests to Lord Rama to see if he was strong enough to kill Vali. Onehad been to lift Dundubhi’s skeleton and throwoneyojana away. Lord Rama lifted it with one hand and effortlessly flung it into theair. It vanished into the sky, falling beyond the horizon ten yojanas away  The second test was toshoot a arrowthrough one of theseven sala trees. Rama bent his bow in a circle and shot onearrowof uncanny trajectory through all the seven trees.

It is said thearrowalso pierced a mountain, entered earth, made a circle and came through the other sideand went back intoRama’s quiver.

: the first battle with Ravana, the demon king could not stand the mighty power of Lord Rama. Ravana was deeply wounded, his bow fell down fromhis hands, his chariot was smashed, and he stood helplessly before Rama. At this junctureLord Rama took pity on Ravana and asked himto comethe next day tofight in a newchariot with fresh weapons.

Ravana was devastated. He was not only ashamed, but his pride was humbled

Ramacandra’s reputation for having killed Ravana with showers of arrows at the request of the demigods and for having built a bridge over theocean does not constitute the factual glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Ramacandra, whose spiritual body is always engaged in various pastimes. Lord Ramacandra has no equal or superior, and therefore He had no need to take help fromthe monkeys togain victory over Ravana : The formless being, Who’s glory is sung throughout thevedas, Upanishads, Purans, epics, the oneFromwhom everything originates, FromThe smallest Quark particle toBillions of universes, And again dissolves in him, That formless being, within whom Countless existences reside, The one whois Life and death personified, Theonewho resides above all, In The Highest abode in spiritual realms (saketha), Theonewho is higher than thehighest, He’s none other than Shri Ram.

: Rāmāyana, the first epic poemof world. Noonecan find any such hero in any other history of world. Only followers of Vedic-Dharma can proudly claim that they have maryada-Purushottam Shri Rāma who has nomatch in whole world.

: Howpowerful was Lord Rama?

He was strongest of all of them. There are numerous incidents mentioned in the Bala kand,

Aranya Kanda, Kishkindha kand and the Yuddha kand describing Rama’s strength, valor, and skill.

Vishvamitra’s yajna (Bala Kand) :

It is said on thesixth day of the Yajna, Maricha and his brother Subahu, with a hoard of rakshasas (demons) tried todestroy theyajna fire by showering it with blood and flesh. Lord Rama fired his manavastra (which could send its entire target miles away)fromhis bow. The arrow struck Maricha’s chest and threw hima hundred leagues away, into theocean. In another version, Maricha fled to the ocean just by hearing thesound of Rama’s bow.

Sita’s Swayamvara (Bala Kand) :

In Sita’s swayamvara, the contest was tolift theShiva Dhanush which had been otherwise lifted by a combined effort of 300 men. Lord Ramlifted it with one hand and in a attempt to string it, the bowgot broken at themiddle. It is said the entirescene appeared similar toa baby elephant breaking a stick of sugarcane.

Khara and Dushana (Aranya Kand) :

Surpanakha sawthe fourteen warriors being killed and reported thesame back toher brothers. Khara got his chariot prepared and selected fourteen thousand warriors toaccompany himalong with Dushana.

Sensing danger, Rama asked Lakshmana to takeSita off to a safe spot and bewith her. Lakshmana found a cave and kept her inside.

TheGods and other celestial beings cameout to see this fight, of Rama alone with the fourteen thousand rakshashas. Thebattle began. The enemies charged fromall directions and Rama hit back with his powerful arrows . Hedestroyed theentire army. Finally, with onefinal shot he knocked down Khara, Dushana , and their friend Trisara . Meanwhile , onedemon called Akampana, who survived the attack , rushed toLanka toinformRavana.

Sugriva’s Test (Kishkindha kand) :

Sugriva gavetwotests to Lord Rama to see if he was strong enough to kill Vali. One had been to lift Dundubhi’s skeleton and throwoneyojana away. Lord Rama lifted it with one hand and effortlessly flung it into theair. It vanished into the sky, falling beyond the horizon ten yojanas away.

Thesecond test was to shoot a arrow through oneof the seven sala trees. Rama bent his bow in a circle and shot one arrow of uncanny trajectory through all the seven trees. It is said the arrow also pierced a mountain, entered earth, made a circleand came through the other sideand went back into Rama’s quiver.

Rama vs Ravana (Yuddha Kand):

In the first battle with Ravana, the demon king could not stand the mighty power of Lord Rama. Ravana was deeply wounded, his bow fell down fromhis hands, his chariot was smashed, and he stood helplessly before Rama. At this junctureLord Rama took pity on Ravana and asked him to comethe next day tofight in a newchariot with fresh weapons.

Ravana was devastated. He was not only ashamed, but his pride was humbled.

Thus Rama’s real strength was his character.

Obstacles arethings a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.

~ Lord Rama Who is Lord Ram Lord Rama is the 7th incarnation of ShreeVishnu. He is supreme god

Who is morepowerful than Lord Rama?

Only Prabhu Shri Ramis more powerful than Himself.. Becausehe is anantkoti brahmaand nayak..

In the epics of India, why is Lord Ramnot worshipped during the time of Lord Krishna? Lord Ram existed long before Lord Krishna. When did RambecomeLord Ram? Did peoplestart worshipping Ramin later years?

Howstrong is Rama?

Is it truethat even an ordinary arrow shot by Lord Rama is morepowerful than Brahmastra and Pashupatastra?

Ókay! Directly questioning the power of Sriman Narayan ?

Here you go!

Shri Rama liberated Ahilaya just by the divine touch of his feet, this showed thenature of being supremeone.

Who elseis capable of making a person curse free with just a touch of his feet ?

Rama took out theVaishnavi-Splendor fromParashu-Rama, and ParashuRama was rendered vigorless. This is the practical example fromthe pastimes of Bhagvan which shows Rama is the original source & cause of all incarnations.

After this, ParashuRama, prayed Rama as theoriginal Supreme personality of godhead.

(In Maha-Bharata, it is mentioned that Rama even showed his universal formtoParashuRama)

Rama is theonly personality in history whohavemukti towhole Ayodhya and brought all citizens of Ayodhya in Santanik-Lok which is onepart of Saket-Lok.

Such divinepastimeis not seen in any god or the god of gods or in any other Incarnation.

This is thesupreme lordship of lord Shri Ram. Hail to Glorious Lordship of Sri Ram!

Shri Ram’s Yasha was sowidely spread that even his enemies were praising his righteousness (Dharma) vlrya ( Supreme valour) and param- madhurya- guna and thus even enemies and demons were enchanted by him.

Valmiki Ji WroteIn Valmiki Ramayan that Rama is said tobeonly personality in whole world who deserves tobe famous.

When Rama ruled this earth ( he still rules) whole earth became Shri Rama’s world.

No one was interested in anything other than Rama and his glorious exploits.

All talks of people werecentered and centered around Rama alone!

Is there anyone who has not heard the name of Rama?

Is there anyone who doesn’t feel thrilled after listening the glorious pastimes of Lord Rama?

Shri Rama has been thelegend of this universe, and undeclared Rastra-Purusa in heart of all.

Rama has been proclaimed as Vigrahvan Dharmah means who is the embodiment of Dharma.

Sri Rama had already given his words toVibhishana and Sugreeva and even before killing Ravana or Bali, he declared them king of Lanka and Kishkindha. This shows Rama had supreme control over time.

Thus we see all qualities are full and complete in Lord Rama,

He accepts everyonebe it Human, demon, animal, bird or any living being.

If Rama is not Bhagvan, then no one qualifies to be called as Bhagvan as per Sanatan-Vedic Dharma.

Therefore, we seethe inner meaning and purpose of Sita-Tyaag-Leela where the divine mother of universe, Sita completely revealed the Param-Vairagya-Guna of Paratpar-Paripurntamam Parabrahman Bhagvan Shri Rama.

A devotee can feel thesorrow of both divinecouple, it was a calamity befallen on both, it was all for stirring the hearts and arousing thedivineloveand sympathy and praise for the divine couple, who remained always loyal and loving towards each other even in separation.

Bharat Ke Nayak Raghunayak Kaushalya Nandan RamHain! 

Prabhu! 

Lord rama is the most powerful warrior of ramayana.

I will mentioning the feats of Lord rama.

1) Lord rama with Lord laxman defeated yakshi tataka.

While Rama is still speaking that way, convulsed in anger Tataka roaringly rushed towards Rama alone, swinging her arms. But the Brahma-sageVishvamitra daunted sounded her off and said to

Rama and Lakshmana, “

Jai Shri Ram

His powers arebeyond description, becausehis powers are beyond infinity. He is thesource of all creations, and he can destroy any number of creations according to his own will :

“Completely destroying all theworlds along with all the elements and all themoving and non-moving beings, thehighly glorious Rāma can createthemonceagain exactly as they were.”

[Valmiki Ramayan]

His powers can’t be scaled :

[Ramcharitmanas]

Here’s what lord Parashuramji said :

“O’ Śrī Rāma, You are the primeval god of universe, You are Parabrahmhimself, You are the supremeimperishable element of the c

Purusha, whois glorified in Veda with purusha suktamwritten by Brahmaji is Lord Shri Ram.

Shri suktamin Rig Veda glorifies Shri Devi is Devi mahamaya jagatjanni maa sita. Ramis the parampurusha. Shiva meditates on himin yog samadhi, Brahma chants his name and creates this universe with his powers.

Measuring lord Rama powers by mortal human beings like us is similar tomeasure the depth of ocean by throwing brick inside it.

Rama is all powerful, source of all and it’s his Maya only that creates doubts in our mind and binds us to this earth and resists us to attain moksha.

What is the best demat account in India in terms of charges, services, and facilities? 3 years agoI had a similar question and these were the parameters I used tofinalize on the one There area number of instances toLord Rama’s supreme prowess.

Lord Rama invoked a weapon known as Manavastra to kill a demon named Subahu who attacked Vishwamitra’s hermitage. The force of theweapon flung Subahu one hundred miles away into the ocean. Lord Rama was less than sixteen years old when he performed that feat.

Lord Rama effortlessly broke the gigantic bow of Lord Shiva in Sita’s swayambara.

Thegigantic demon Kabandha was in the formof a largecreeper and grasped Lord Rama with all his might. However Lord Rama cut off all the branches of the creeper with his sword which were actuall

Howpowerful is the name of Lord Rama?

Thename of Rama is even more powerful than the Lord himself!

Hanuman flew across theocean toLanka and back by thepower of the holy name, but Rama had to get a bridge built to cross himself.

What are the mind-blowing glories of Lord Rama?

Rama strictly followed Dharma and Satya (Truth) till the end of his life.

He was dispassionatefor designations . He left his kingdomfor the words of his father.

He was dispassionatefor riches. Even after defeating Ravana, he was not attracted to theGolden City ‘Lanka’. He said, Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargaadapi Gareeyasi – Birthplace( earth )is even greater than the heaven.

He would have got Sita instantly if he had befriended Vali.(Ravana is nothing infront of Vali). But he stood only for Dharma.

According to Valmiki Ramayan, He didn’t marry Sita immediately after breaking the Siva Dhanu. When king Janaka asked him tomarry Sita, heasked, “Whoam I tomarry? My parents will decide, to whomI should bemarried.” Today, many youngsters feel that parents’ permission not at all necessary tomarry.

Howis Rama Namammorepowerful than Lord Ram? Why?

It is verily a figureof speech to highlight the greatness of the Rama Nama.

Kakutstha Dasharathi himself is exalted, adored and worshipped by the chant of Rama Nama.

When Rama shoots an arrow it is a Rama Bana, similarly when a devotee of the caliber of Lakshmana shoots an arrow invoking the name of theSupremeRama, then too the arrow transforms into a Rama Bana.

Always remember that there is no greater God than Lord Rama and no greater mantra than Rama Nama.

Does Lord Ramever get angry?

Rama’s anger caused theearthquakes , oceans trembled and even Ravan becameterrified :

This incident happened during their final fight whereRavan momentarily gained upperhand for fewseconds . Rama’s anger caused all thegods totremble in fear

Theenraged Rama, knitting his eye-brows and with his eyes turned slightly blood-red, was provoked tofierce anger, as though he would burn out the demons.

Seeing the face of thesagacious Rama getting provoked of anger, all the living beings got frightened. Theearth too began to tremble.

Themountain, with lions, tigers and swaying trees, was trembled. Even the ocean, the lord of rivers, becameagitated.

Dense clouds, emitting harsh sounds and assuming a stern aspect, roamed all over in thesky, thundering.

Seeing the very much enraged Rama and also theterrific portents, all theliving beings were frightened. Fear seized Ravana too.

Beholding that great spear that emitted flames, theGods, struck with terror fled on all sides whilst that ranger of the night, lifting it up, hurled it with fury against the magnanimous Raghava. As it fell flaming fromthe hand of the son of Khara, Raghava, with four arrows, severed it in its flight and, broken at many points, that spear with its celestial gilding, having been destroyed by Rama’s shafts, fell to earth like a great meteor.

Indra’s Vajra and Brahmashira couldn’t scratch Kumbhakarna whereas Rama’s normal arrows Injured himand Even crescent arrows Chopped His Legs..

Is Karna a devotee of Lord Vishnu as some peoplesay?

No, according to Authentic texts Karna has devoted toLord Surya. he would dohours of pooja to Lord Surya till his back was burnt.

And Lord Krishana(Vishnu) and Karna were friends of each other during their conversation. Lord Krishna praised Karna for his qualities and Karna toopraised lord Krishna for his divinity. Sri Krishna and Karna even hug each other:

‘Sanjaya said, “Saying this, Karna embraced Madhava tightly. Having obtained Keshava’s permission, hedescended fromthe chariot. Having ascended his own chariot, decorated with gold, Radheya returned with us, 46 dejected in his mind. Together with Satyaki, Keshava then left at a greater speed, repeatedly urging his charioteer, ‘Go! Go!’”’

I didn’t knowabout others But Karna is a devote of Surya dev, not Lord Vishnu.

Was Lord Rama really the greatest warrior ever born? Whois thewarrior whocan defeat him?

Is there even a doubt about that ? Yes he is Greatest Warrior. His name comes with Noneother than Adi Dhanurdhar Mahadev Shiva.

No one can defeat Lord Rama. Meghnad could Prevail Twice because of Boons fromBrahma and Shiva. Shri Rama had immenserespect for boons sohe didn’t countered Serpant arrows and Brahmastra of Meghnad which were infallible due toBoons of Brahma and Shiva.

Beloware Feats of Shri Rama which makes himGreatest Warrior.

He gained Knowledge of Weapons Fromtwo Brahmarishi’s Vashishta and Vishwamitra.

Vishwamitra gave himevery weapon Including Sudarshan chakra as well as Trishul of shiva.

He was Expert in Sonic archery. With Sonic archery killed Demoness Tadaka.

He Stuck Mareecha 100 yojanas away in sea with Manav astra and Killed Subahu with Agneyastra.

Strung and Brokethe Bowof Mahadeva.

Killed Demons like Viradha and Kabandha along with his Brother Lakshman.

Rama’s Brahmastra which he invoked fromBlade of grass followed Jayanta in all threeworlds and no one could savehimand he had to seek apology fromRama.

He eleminated Khara, dushana, trishira and 14000 demons in oneand half hour standing on ground.

Rama Flipped the Skeleton of Demon Dundubhi with just his toetill 10 yojanas without even lifting his Foot.

Rama Pierced 7 Sala Trees with a single arrow.

His one arrow killed Mighty Vanara Vali.

Rama’s anger even made Sea god tremblein Fear.

Rama’s Brahmastra destroyed drumatulya and made it a desert of Maru.

He defeated Ravana in battlefiled By riding in back of Hanuman.

He killed Mighty Kumbhakarna with Spell of 3 Divine Astra Raudra, vayavya and Indrastra.

When Rama decided tokill Meghnad with his higher weapons Meghnad realising his intensions fled insidethe gates of Lanka.

Rama broke the Trishul of Rudra hurled by Makraksha with his arrows. He killed makraksh with Agneyastra.

Rama fought the 7 days non stop battle with Ravana and finally killed himwith a Special Brahma Weapon by breaking his Brahma armour and piercing his chest.

He brought back all dead vanaras tolife with Indra’s boon.

Shri Rama is ultimate and greatest warrior and no one can defeat him.

Jai Siya Ram.

Did Lord Rama Exist?

Before starting I want totell you onething, A person cannot declarehimself as God it’s the people who declare and Lord Rama is no exception. So I believe a great person like himhad walked around this country.

Proofs

Mysterious cobra cave :

Archaeologists found these caves dateback to more than 1000 years back without any source of origin and insidethe caves, they are pictures representing capturing of Sita Devi.

Exile location :

On the will of kaikeyi, king Dashrath sent Lord Rama to exile, it is believed that Rama spent his exilelife at Panchayati near Nashik and today it has a lot of templ

If Lord Rama is sopowerful, then why can’t he place India on thetop of the world?

He did place India on top of theworld.

That’s why Ramarajya (Rama’s rule )is always thebest.

Its said that during his rule, people were content, healthy and happy with their lives. Agriculture boomed, there was no corruption.Everyone got equal treatment irrespectiveof caste, creed and

He has set very high standards for a leader, husband, son,student etc..

Does this happen in India now? (99% it does not)

But peoplewho came after himand peoplewho are nowliving- Do we really followRama?

Do we adhere to his teachings?

May be1% of thepopulation does.

Are Rama and Krishna the same

Hare Krishna hareRama

Howstrong is Rama?

Lord Rama is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, so, Rama is very strong.

Two lines fromValmiki Ramayana ( Sundarkand) ::

Icchamo hi mahabaahumRaghuveeram mahabalam

Ram_mindheevar_Shyamam, Sarva_shatrunibarhanam

Lord Rama’s hands are solong , that can extend uptothe knees.

RAMA is broad Shouldered.

Rama’s eyes arewide, and his neck is like a conch.

Rama is well built and muscular and his walk reminds that of a lion.

Rama’s chest , fist and wrists are diamond strong.

According to Valmiki Ramayana , Lord Rama is 12 feet in height.

Rama killed demons namely Taraka /Tataka, Kabandha, Maricha, Haradhanu, Kumbhakaran, Ravana etc.

Howstrong is Rama as compared to Krishna?

lord rama is equal to lord krishna , both are complete incarnations of vishnu and lord rama has power tokill parashurama , lord rama lifted bowof shiva which no one in triloka was able tolift , and he put arrowinside his bowand pointed it towards varuna devwith just small amount of his might , and that’s it !! lord varuna was scared as hell and cameout and pleaded lord rama , that is the might of sri rama , he swallowed a crow named kak bhushundi into his mouth and showed that entire universeis present inside lord rama to kak bhushundi. that is lord rama and he is called maryada purush

Howstrong was Lord Ram?

He was strongest of all of them. There are numerous incidents mentioned in the Bala kand, Aranya Kanda, Kishkindha kand and the Yuddha kand describing Rama’s strength, valor, and skill. Vishvamitra’s yajna (Bala Kand) :

It is said on thesixth day of the Yajna, Maricha and his brother Subahu, with a hoard of rakshasas (demons) tried todestroy theyajna fire by showering it with blood and flesh. Lord Rama fired his manavastra (which could send its entire target miles away)fromhis bow. The arrow struck Maricha’s chest and threw hima hundred leagues away, into theocean. In another version, Maricha fled to the ocean just by hearing thesound of Rama’s bow.

Sita’s Swayamvara (Bala Kand) :

In Sita’s swayamvara, the contest was tolift theShiva Dhanush which had been otherwise lifted by a combined effort of 300 men. Lord Ramlifted it with one hand and in a attempt to string it, the bowgot broken at themiddle. It is said the entirescene appeared similar toa baby elephant breaking a stick of sugarcane.

Khara and Dushana (Aranya Kand) :

Surpanakha sawthe fourteen warriors being killed and reported thesame back toher brothers. Khara got his chariot prepared and selected fourteen thousand warriors toaccompany himalong with Dushana.

Sensing danger, Rama asked Lakshmana to takeSita off to a safe spot and bewith her. Lakshmana found a cave and kept her inside.

TheGods and other celestial beings cameout to see this fight, of Rama alone with the fourteen thousand rakshashas. Thebattle began. The enemies charged fromall directions and Rama hit back with his powerful arrows . Hedestroyed theentire army. Finally, with onefinal shot he knocked down Khara, Dushana , and their friend Trisara . Meanwhile , onedemon called Akampana, who survived the attack , rushed toLanka toinformRavana.

Sugriva’s Test (Kishkindha kand) :

Sugriva gavetwotests to Lord Rama to see if he was strong enough to kill Vali. One had been to lift Dundubhi’s skeleton and throwoneyojana away. Lord Rama lifted it with one hand and effortlessly flung it into theair. It vanished into the sky, falling beyond the horizon ten yojanas away.

Thesecond test was to shoot a arrow through oneof the seven sala trees. Rama bent his bow in a circle and shot one arrow of uncanny trajectory through all the seven trees. It is said the arrow also pierced a mountain, entered earth, made a circleand came through the other sideand went back into Rama’s quiver.

Rama vs Ravana (Yuddha Kand):

In the first battle with Ravana, the demon king could not stand the mighty power of Lord Rama. Ravana was deeply wounded, his bow fell down fromhis hands, his chariot was smashed, and he stood helplessly before Rama. At this junctureLord Rama took pity on Ravana and asked him to comethe next day tofight in a newchariot with fresh weapons.

Ravana was devastated. He was not only ashamed, but his pride was humbled.

Thus Rama’s real strength was his character.

Obstacles arethings a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.

~ Lord Rama.

In Ramayana, why does a male Vanara look like an ape and a female like a human?

Theword “Vanar” has been very poorly understood by most of thepeople. “ vanar” is constructed fromtwo words I.e“ vana +nara “, i.e humans residing in forests.

Soin fact “ vanara” does not mean monkeys but instead “forest dwelling humans” whose looks werelittle differnet fromthenormal humans residing in cities like ayodhya or Lanka.

Why is Lord Rama theSupremeLord?

Because he is.

Valmiki Ramayana says :

Lord Brahmā Ji prays “O’ Rāghava Śrī Rāma ! You are the immutableBrahm, the Supreme

Absolute truth abiding in thebeginning, the middle and the end.”

Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 6.117.14

Lord Brahmā Ji tells “O’ Śrī Rāma ! Whole cosmos is Your body.”

Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 6.117.26

“Śrī Rāma is the foremost (greatest)among all those who delight (give bliss to) others.” Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.53.1

Lord Ramacandra’s reputation for having killed Ravana with showers of arrows at the request of the demigods and for having built a bridge over the ocean does not constitute thefactual glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Ramacandra, whose spiritual body is always engaged in various pastimes. Lord Ramacandra has no equal or superior, and therefore Hehad no need to take help fromthe monkeys togain victory over Ravana. SB9.11.20 Goswami Tulsidas Ji says in Sri Ramcharitmanas :

“Thereare two aspects of God : theoneunqualified (Nirguna, the latent onewhokept his qualities hidden, therefore beyond all description of qualities) and the other qualified (Saguna, themineof all auspicious qualities). Both theseaspects areunspeakable, unfathomable, without beginning and without parallel. Tomy mind, greater than both is the Name(Rama), that has established Its rule over both (Saguna and Nirguna) by its might.

Friends should not takethis as a bold assertion on the part of this servant; I record my mind’s own conviction, partiality and liking. The two aspects of Brahm(Rama) should be recognized as akin to fire: the one (viz., theAbsolute) represents fire which is latent in wood; whilethe other (qualified Divinity)corresponds tothat which is externally visible.

Though both are inaccessible by themselves, they are easily attainable through the Name (Raam राम) ; therefore I have called the Name ‘Rama’ greater than Nirguna Brahman and Saguna Brahman (Rama) both.

Even though such immutable Brahman (Nirguna aspect) is present in every heart, all beings in this world are nonetheless miserable and unhappy. Through the practice of theNamepreceded by Its true appraisement, however, the same Brahmreveals itself even as thevalue of a jewel is revealed by its correct knowledge.”

“The Parabrahman which is infinite, immeasurable, pureconsciousness, eternal and forever blissful, on which Yogis devote themselves and meditatecontinuously; that Parabrahman Itself is denoted by theword ‘Rāma’ directly in Abhidhaa Vritti (means The word Rāma is Parambrahman

Itself).”

[Rampurvatapiniya upanishad]

“O’ Śrī Rāma! You arethe Supreme Being, TheParambrahman, of thenature Sat (real, eternal), Chit

(consciousness) and Ananda (bliss)! I pay my obeisancein your lotus feet again and again.”

[Muktika Upanishada 1/4,5a]

No one can defend Lord Rama’s enemy :

“O king of demons, even devas, daityas, gandharvas, vidyadharas, nagas, and yakshas are incompetent to faceRama thelord of the threeworlds in wars. Even the selfborn, fourfaced Brahma, the threeeyed Siva who destroyed Tripura, Mahendra, the king of suras do not havethe power tosaveonewhomRama decides tokill”. (sunderkanda)

“I greet the name Rama of the chief of Raghus,which is composed of seed-letters representing the fire-god, the sun-god and the moon-god (viz., Ra, Å andMa respectively). It is the sameas Brahmå (the creative aspect of God), Visnu (His preservative aspect) and Siva (His disintegrating aspect), and the vital breath of the Vedas ; It is attributeless, peerless and a mineof virtues. It is the great spell which Lord Maheavara mutters and which, when imparted by Him at Kåshi (the modern Vårånasi) leads to emancipation. Its glory is known to Lord Ganesa, whois worshipped before all others as a glary of the Name. The oldest poet (Vålm∂ki) is acquainted with the glory of theName, in as much as he attained topurity by repeating It in the reverseorder. Hearing the verdict of Lord siva that the name is as good as a thousand other names of God, Goddess Bhavåni dined with Her consort after uttering It only once. Noticing such partiality of Her heart for the Name, Hara (Lord aiva) made that lady, who was the ornament of Her the ornament of His own person (i.e., made Her a part of His own being by assigning to Her theleft half of His body). siva knows full well the power of the Name, dueto which deadly poison served the purposeof nectar toHim.” FromKamba Ramayanam:

“O righteous one,’ the sage replied, ‘do not beangry. I knownow that you arethe First, the one with garland and discus. Howcould that bowwhich Siva wielded not break in your hand? ‘That the arrow you aimshould not govain, I concede readily. Let it destroy all my penances,’ he said. Rama’s hand released the arrow, and it promptly gathered all of the rishi’s penances and came back.‘O lord with the hue of the purest gem, garlanded with the basil, you are the refuge of all!”

‘Wisdom, thesinless benefit of yagas, and theabiding boons of honest penance, are all on his side. And if you want toknow the reason why, it is that this bowman is the one trueGod, recognized by both the vedas and Dharma. ‘I am his slave, Hanuman my name

“O you ancient God! O Creator’s creator! What is this play-acting you areengaged in? You who assuage thesorrows of all humanity, nowsit and cry in deep distress! You whose names the gods, and the gods they worship, chant all the time, how can you feel grief and destroy yourself in this fashion? ‘You, the beginning, themiddle and the end, the one whocan grant any wish in the world, are pretending to seek favours fromothers! In the guise of a man, you worship other gods, make pleas for help and cry in distress. What mystery lies behind this strange play you are enacting? ‘You are theWord and the Thing, you exist beyond the vedas. Bow, arrowand shining conch in hand, you arethe killer and the killed.”

“You appear in all created beings in the cattle and in brahmanas. You exist in all quarters, in the sky, in mountains and in rivers.”

“With thousand feet, with hundred heads and with thousand eyes along with Lakshmi the goddess of wealth, you bear theearth with all its created beings along with its mountains.”

“O Rama! You appear as Sesha, a largeserpent in water, at the earth’s bottom, bearing thethree worlds, gods, Gandharvas, the celestial musicians and the demons.”

“O Rama! I (brahma) amyour heart. Saraswathi, the goddess (of learning) is your tongue. O lord! Thegods created by Brahma arethe hair on all your limbs.”

“Night has been recognized as the closing of your eye-lids and the day, as the opening of eye-lids. Thecorrect usages of your words are theVedas. Bereft of you, this visible universedoes not

exist.”

“Theentire cosmos is your body. The earth constitutes your firmness. Fire is your anger. The moon constitutes your placidity. You areLord Vishnu (who bears themark Srivatsa – a curl of white hair on his breast).”

“In the past, the three worlds were occupied by you in your three strides, after binding the exceptionally formidable Bali (the ruler of thethreeworlds)and Indra was made the king (by you).”

“Seetha is no other than Goddess Lakshmi (the divineconsort of Lord Vishnu), while you are Lord Vishnu. You are having a shining dark-blue hue. You are theLord of created beings. For the destruction of Ravana, you entered a human body here, on this earth.”

Source : Valmiki Ramayana Yuddha Kanda Sarga 117

that is about Hinduismor Sanathan dharma. There is nodate when Hinduismoriginated so it is as good as swayambhu. All other religion has the date of origin so Hinduismis as good as mother of all other religion. Buddhism, Jainismand Sikhism was born in India sothesereligion has got someessense of Hinduism. LORDRAMA.

As of nowLord Hanuman is saving the Hindu religion and at end of this Kaliyuga LORD RAMA will comeagain in this earth as LORD KALKI to save HINDUISMtotake it forward to thenext YUGA. LORDRAMA was there billions of billion years before and he will bethere trillions of trillion years after. JAI SHRI RAM.

What was impossiblefor Lord Rama?

It was impossible for Lord Rama to-

Disrespect his elders.

Insult women.

Quarrel for throne or riches.

Not love some one(He loves all).

Do Adharma .

Lord Rama is full of virtues and it was impossible for himto quarrel with any one, hateany oneor to disrespect women unlikeRavana who possessed all vices.

Did Lord Shiva worship Lord Rama?

Yes lord shiva worshipped rama , one day parvati devi asked shiva that on whom he meditates ? then lord shiva replies , “sri rama rama raameti rameraame manoramesahsranama tattulyam rama nama varanane” , this is called as rama taraka mantra , lord shiva meditates on lord rama and his taraka mantra , he is constantly thinking about rama (vishnu) only , heis considered as adi vaishnava (first devotee of vishnu) , he is also called vaishnavottama (best among devotees of vishnu) , he even remembered the wholeramayana and explained it toparvati devi , this version of ramayana explained by shiva is called as ADHYATMA RAMAYANA

Among theseven manifestations of Brahman, Vishnu is the one and only manifestation who incarnates. Among all manifestations only Vishnu symbolizes the wholeAtman.

Vishnu is known as Preserver. He maintains status quowhen our lifechanging chaotically. When our lifestarts tochangechaotically Vishnu incarnates in us and restores the status quo maintaining mechanism.

However, it is supposed that every god, goddesses and even birds and animals incarnateas someone or something else.

Shiva and Hanuman are totally unrelated god. Hanuman is related toRig Vedic god Vayu.

Shiva and Shakti are combined with thehope that thepower of Shakti and thereliability of Shiva will add up.

It is for thesame reason that Durga was made theconsort of Shiva.

Therefore, Vishnu is the one and only Hindu god whoincarnates and Shiva and Hanuman are totally unrelated gods.

Is it truethat Ravana showed his Viswaroop to Lakshmana whilegiving Gyan to him?

Keeping jokes aside,no such incident is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayan;this is folktale lateral addition

I edited my answer bcz it was offensive 🙂

Is Lord Rama parabrahman?

Jai Siya Ram

Theformless being, Who’s glory is sung throughout the vedas, Upanishads, Purans, epics, the one Fromwhomeverything originates, From The smallest Quark particle to Billions of universes, And again dissolves in him, That formless being, within whomCountless existences reside, The one who is Lifeand death personified, The one who resides above all, In The Highest abodein spiritual realms (saketha), The onewhois higher than thehighest, He’s none other than Shri Ram.

While giving a Disclosure toLord Hanuman, Mother sita says :

“Dear son Hanuman, look at me. I amso pleased with you that I would like tointroduceyou to ourselves. Listen, Sri Rama is beginning less, endless, eternal, and imperishable. He is inconceivable and indescribable. He is beyond the reach of thought and action” [source: Hanumad geeta]

He’s the supremecreator, Preserver and Destoryer of all creations :

“Annihilating all the worlds including the elements, their created beings, as well as the entire mobile and immobilecreation, thehighly illustrious Shri Rama is capable of creating themover again and again in exactly the same way. Hecan createand destroy everything according to his own wish.” [source : Valmiki Ramayan 5.51.39]

He’s got no equal or Superior, Because He stands aboveall, Being thesupreme personality of Godhead :

“Lord Ramacandra’s reputation for having killed Ravana with showers of arrows at the request of the demigods and for having built a bridge over the ocean does not constitute thefactual glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Ramacandra, whose spiritual body is always engaged in various pastimes. Lord Ramacandra has no equal or superior, and therefore Hehad no need to take help fromthe monkeys togain victory over Ravana.” [source: Bhagwat puran 9.11.20] He’s addressed as theHighest Lord :

“You are theonly Puruṣa (i.e. theSupreme Being) actually rising above Prakṛti (i.e. Nature). With a portion of you, you createand destroy the universe. You who areformless, are thehighest cause of the entire world. Endowed with Māyā you who areonly one, take up threeforms: At the time of creation (you exist) in the formof Brahmā, In protecting (the world) you are full of your lustre; and at the time of the final destruction of theworld (you are) I known as Śarva (i.e. Śiva)…….” [Source : Padma Puran, Patal khand]

Theentire universe is activated by His prowess :

“The Maha-Siva went tothe abode of Śrī Rāma i.e. Saket loka, which is beyond the reach of sensual organs. Reaching there thegreat Siva found Raghava (Lord Rama) thesupreme soul possessed of eternal body. Śrī Rāma who is the lord of all powers, was seated along with Sita. This entire universeis activated by theprowess of eternal Raghava (Lord Rama), with two arms.” [source : Sundari Tantra]

He’s praised as parabrahama in all scriptures :

“Lord Śrī Rāma, the best among theRaghus, is the original personality of Godhead, among all the incarnations; and themoonlight coming fromthe nails of Śrī Rāma’s feet is praised as Parabrahman by the scriptures.” [source : Agastya samhita]

“Śrī Rāma’s name, form, Liilaa (pastimes) and abode are all Suprememly divine, higher than the highest (परापरम्) and sat-chit-aananda-vigrah, the very manifestations of truth, conciousness and bliss!” [source : Vasistha Samhita]

During thebeginning of the Creation, Heassumed the formof Mahavishnu :

“O lord of the universe! Having taken up the burden invested on me, I worshipped you. Because you aremoreenergetic than me, I asked you to protect creatures. Since that time, for the sake of protecting all creatures, you gave given up your eternal and invincible formand assumed the form of Vishnu. Having been born as Aditya’s valiant son, you delighted your brothers.” [source : Valmiki Ramayan by Bibek debroy ]

He came back in dwapar Yuga, As Lord Krishna. In Bhagwad geeta, He says :

“Knowthat all living beings aremanifested by these two energies of mine. I amthesource of the entirecreation, and intome it again dissolves.” [source: BG 7.6]

“There is nothing higher than myself, O Arjun. Everything rests in me, as beads strung on a thread.” [source : BG 7.7]

“O Arjun, knowthat I am theeternal seed of all beings. I amthe intellect of the intelligent, and the splendor of the glorious.” [source : BG 7.10]

Theentire existence exists in theseed of His name :

“Theword ‘Rama’ on which yogis devote themselves is immeasurableand forever joyful and indicates Para Brahman itself. The body has been ascribed toPara Brahman which is holy, without any second, which does not have any blemishes and which is bodiless, so that the worshippers are shown the path. Similar to thewhole banyan tree existing in theseed of the banyan tree, the entireworld exists in the seed “Rama”. [source : Rampurav tapniya upanishad] TheNarayan sooktamcalls himthe eternal parabrahama, who is the supremegoal :

“I worship thee whois theSelf and the Lord of the Universe, theEternal Isvara, the benign and undecaying Narayana, the Supreme Being whois tobeknown, the Self of all, theSupremeGoal.

Narayana is theSupreme Brahman, Narayana is theSupremeReality, Narayana is theSupreme

Light, Narayana is the Supreme Self, Narayana is theSupremeMeditator, Narayana is the

Supreme Object of Meditation. Narayana abides pervading whatever is seen or heard in this Universe, whatever is within and without.” [source : narayan sooktam]

His nameis parabrahma itself, which is capableof Granting moksha by simple chanting, Which is Sacred than Thousand Holy Places combined :

“The Parabrahman which is infinite, immeasurable, pureconsciousness, eternal and forever blissful, on which Yogis devote themselves and meditatecontinuously; that Parabrahman Itself is denoted by theword ‘Rāma’ directly in Abhidhaa Vritti (means The word Rāma is Parambrahman Itself).” [Source : Ram purva tapniya upanishad]

in the Adbudh Ramayan, The Lord says :

“I am that attributeless, unmanifest, indefinable, invisible1 and maverick SupremeSoul/Atma called Parmeshwar (literally meaning the supremeLord). I amthe entity called theall-pervading, omnipresent and immanent Atma4 that is famous in all theVedas and which is endowed with all-round virtues (such as being omniscient, all-knowing, well versed in everything and every knowledge). I amtheface of and the mouth for the whole creation and thecreatures that inhabit it” [source: Canto11, Adbudh Ramayana]

“My excellent, supreme, divine, glorious, majestic and stupendous form that is subtle, without any attributes, pristine pure, untainted,uncorrupted, faultless and flawless is not even known to the divine celestial Gods because they areunder the spell of my magical wand which has created a veil of ignorance and delusion around them(preventing themto realiseand see the truth)” [source : canto11 Adbudh Ramayana]

Ending with a verse fromThePadma Puran :

“All Veda-s and all scriptures reveal the mystery in onevoice for all human-beings -if peopleare eager to cross the ocean of mundane existencejust like mere crossing a foot-print of cow, then Let therebeonly one God for whole world – Śrī Rāma; (why? because Rama alone is themost superiour) Only onereligious vow – worship of Śrī Rāma, alone; Only one hymn (Mantra) for prayer –

Śrī Rāma’s name i.e. ‘Rāma’ Naam; and Only one scripture- where Śrī Rāma is the main subject and his exploits are sung i.e. Rāmāyanam; Therefore, all human-beings should always sing [the nameof] Bhagavan Shri Rama theprince charming of Ayodhya.”[source: Padma Puran 5.35.51]

All glories to The Universal Father, TheGods of Gods!

Why was Lord Rama’s character socalmand peaceful? What doyou like in Lord Ramas to adapt and follow in your life?

(

Sowetooshould remember God not just in bad times but good times too 💙💛

Is lord Rama equal tolord Vishnu?

Without a shadowof doubt Lord Rama is Lord Vishnu himself.

This is what Lord Parashurama said about Lord Rama

I have realized your touch of nature as that of the ImmutableSupremeBeing, God of Gods, the Exterminator of the demon Madhu, namely Vishnu, by the touch of your handling that bow… oh, enemy-inflamer, blessedness alonebetides you

Lord Hanumana also said that Lord Rama is equal to Lord Vishnu

Therenowned Rama, whois equal in prowess to Vishnu the lord of the preservation and among celestials, demons or the foremost of men, or among hordes of Yakshas the semi-divine being

Is Arjuna more powerful than Lord Rama?

Arjuna is no wherenear Rama . I’mnot trying to lowball or downplay Arjuna . I’mjust stating the facts here :

Remember when Rama destroyed khara and fourteen thousand demons singlehandedly .

Even Ravan was shocked and asked akampana whether Rama was aided by Indra and his entire army to defeat themthat shows the level of power hepossessed :

“Evoking indignation in me it is really impossible for Indra to be happy; even for Kubera – no; for Yama – no; why them, even Vishnu cannot behappy.”

“Thequestion is whether that Rama arrived at Janasthaana associated with Indra and along with all of the

Lord Rama is original source of all Avtaara-s (incarnations of Lord Hari) and He is himself Supreme Personality, known as Purusa in Veda-s whois always situated in original ultimate form of Śrī Rāma-Rupa in the divine spiritual planet Saketa ( Nitya Ayodhya) which is full of Supreme bliss of Brahman i.e. BrahmAnanda.

Out of infinite incarnations or major 10 incarnations, there are 3 Poorna-avtaar-s (पूणावतार ) or Purna-Brahman.

Those 3 Poorna-Avtaar of Bhagavān Ramare:

NrisimhAvtAra (Narsimha Avtar)

Shri RamAvtAra (Shri-Mad RAmachandra) 3) Shri KrishnAvtAra (Krishna)

Out of aforementioned 3 PoornAvtAra-s (पूणावतार ), both Shri Rama and Shri Krishna are glorified as Sarva-Karan-Karanam(means the cause of all cause) and Swayam-Bhagavān (God himself) in Vedic-scriptures. Thus these twoare more perfect than NrisimhAvtara (Half man-lion incarnation). Soboth, Shri Rama and Shri Krishna are known as Purtamam-Brahman (पूणतमम् ), superior than Purn-Brahman (पूण- ).

SoPurntamam-ParaBrahman (पूणतमम्परम ) are:

Shri RAma

Shri Krishna

Out of above two Purtamam-Brahman, in all vedic- scriptures only one personality i.e. Shri Rama alone is glorified as Hero(means the real original Purusa)whohas never shown his back tohis enemies as Shri Rama has complete Valour to infinite degree. Complete Valour to infinitedegree is oneof the six qualities on basis of which weknowwho is Bhagavān.

Thus Paripurntamam-ParaBrahman (प रपूणतमम्परम ), the original Purusa or supreme personality of godhead is 1) Shri Rama

Thats why Valmiki-Ramayana declares lord Rama tobe Ishta-Deva of all worlds (iShta sarvasya Lokasya Ramah, इ : सवय लोकयरामः ). There is alsoanother kind of speciality with Lord Rama alone that his name “Rama” is said tobePara-Brahman itself in Vedicscriptures. This kind of speciality is never found tobeassociated with any other personality.

Shri Krishna is called tobeKrishna because heis all attractive supreme personality, who attracts everyone. But Shri Rama is the personality whonot only attracts everyone by his natural beauty but he is somuch exceedingly attractivethat even Krishna is found tobeattracted towards Lord Rama. Shri Krishna himself accepts this fact in BrahmAnda-PurAna.

Our Vedic scriptures say “there is no one even equal to Rama so what to talk of anyone being superior tohim.”

Shri Ram, supreme personality of godhead as well as the ideal man

Ram(Rāma)is celebrated as the ideal heroin Rāmāyana, the first epic poemof world. No onecan find any such hero in any other history of world. Only followers of Vedic-Dharma can proudly claim that they have maryada-PurushottamShri Rāma who has nomatch in whole world.

In Valmiki Ramayana and Vedic-scriptures, Shri Ramis not just celebrated as ideal herobut also as the original personality of godhead who himself descended as prince charming of Ayodhya to show theworld how tolead a righteous life, to establish the highest formof Dharma, toliberate the earth fromevil demons and toimpart the supreme bliss to his devotees. Rāma as Bhagavān (भगवान्)

1) took out theVaishnavi-Splendor fromParashu-Rama and thus ParashuRama was rendered vigor-less. So even an incarnation of Shri Rama or Maha-Vishnu can’t stand in front of SwayamBhagavān Shri Rama. This shows Rama is the original source of all incarnations. After this, ParashuRama prayed Shri Rama as theoriginal Supreme personality of godhead. (In Maha-Bharata, it is mentioned that Rama even showed his universal formto ParashuRama)

2) Rama killed the mighty demon king Ravana who was not even killed by Vishnu’s Sudarshan

Chakra. Thus after killing Ravana, Rama restored the glory of Vishnu again in universe. Thats why Ramayana says, Rama is Vishnorardhamarthat “Vishnu ko Bhi Riddhimaan Karne Vala” which means Rama is the only personality whorestores the glory of Vishnu or gives glory toeven Vishnu.

3) Rama is theonly personality in history whogave Liberation (Mukti)to whole Ayodhya and brought all citizens of Ayodhya in Santanik-Loka which is near to the supremeabode of Para-Brahman i.e. Saket Loka. This is thesupreme lordship of Lord Rama. Hail to glorious lordship of Rama!!!

1) Shri Rama has not been just famous for being thesupreme god of followers of Vedic-Dharma, but more popular for his purespotless character. Padma-Purana says: ‘च रतं रघुनाथय शतकोट वतरम | ‘(CharitamRaghunathasya Shatkoti Pravistaram- Padma Purana, Patal Khand) means ‘the spotless fame of Lord Rama’s exploits has been sung in 100 crore (1 billion) Ramayana-s’. Though dueto evil effect of Kaliyuga, only fewRamayana-s are available for human beings in this age of Kali, however, even the number of those available Ramayana-s exceed the number of scriptures which may be credited toall other deities. Is there any such personality or deity whose fame is somuch widely celebrated and sung as like that of Lord Rama? Certainly no!

2) It has been clear declaration of Śrīmad Vālmiki Rāmāyan which is self-sufficient authority (Pramāna), the very incarnation of all four Veda-s that Śrī Rāma is theonly personality who deserves tobe famous:

yah (Possesor of all wealth) :-

1)Lord Śrī Rāma is possessor of all wealth (all attractive beauty, Youngness, pure character, Dharma, riches, etc) in full degree. He is the perfection of all pure auspicious qualities one may have.

– All attractive beauty:

Shri Rama has all attractive beauty which attracts even men, then what tosay about general woman-folk. Leave asidecommon men-women, Rama is even attraction of all attractive Lord Krishna who attracts whole world.

Just behold for one second theeternally young handsome princeRama in his princely attire, one may forget very own self.

– He is eternally young handsome prince, even demoness have been seen falling in lovewith all handsome prince, isn’t it?

– His character is spotless and that cany purify all kind of griveous sins a person can do.

2) Śrī Rāma is the consort of Śrī (Bhagvati Sita). So when Śrī Rāma was ruling this world, whole world transformed into Rama’s world. All talks were centered around Śrī Rāma alone. While Rama was ruling, the peoplewere engaged in virtue and lived without telling lies, without having greed, and thus totally satisfied in Rama’s rule. Obviously when supreme personality himself ruled this earth, ] earth was fully satisfied. That’s why all give example of Rama-Rajya (ruleof Rama on this earth).

3) As per Valmiki-Ramayana, when Aadi-Purusa Śrī Rāma himself incarnated as princeof Ayodhya.

All primeforms (भाग forms) of Vishnu incarnated as younger brothers of Lord Rama to do service of their supeior, the original personality of godhead (Śrī Rāma). This shows that Aadi-Purusa (the primeval god) is the most superior and served by his expansions.

Fromvarious scriptures, it can be established that Rama’s brothers : Lakshamana, Bharata and

Shatrughna arenone but Sesha (Sankarshana), Pradyumana, and Aniruddha (the Vyuha formof

Vishnu, expansion of Vasudeva whois Rama). One may think that only Krishna is told to be Vasudeva. However, Shri Rama is also told as Vasudeva in Shri-Mad BhagvatamMahapurana as well as in other scriptures. Vasudeva means Maha-Vishnu as well as the primeval lord who pervades everything. In Shri Krshna-avtaar of Lord Rama, Sankarshana became the elder brother of Krishna. So only Rama-avtar shows that Rama is theonriginal personality of godhead being served by all prime forms of Vishnu.

4) Rama is not only the lord of lord Shiva, but he is theeven the lord of Lord Vishnu too, that’s why Shri-mad Valmiki Ramayana declares Rama being Prabhoh Prabhu (Lord of even Vishnu). The primeformof Lord Sada-Shiva is Hanuman Ji who is the best friend as well as thebest servant of Lord Rama. Thus being thesupreme master of all deities, Rama has complete Śrīyah. No deity or god except Lord Rama has servant like Hanuman ji and devoteelike Lord Shiva. In Padma-Puran, Lord Shiva himself accepts Lord Śrī Rāma to be his only Ishta-Deva and completely surrendered in his lotus feet. Isn’t Rama who has devotee like Lord Shiva and servant Like lord Hanuman, the possessor of supreme wealth? Param-J~nAna Guna:-

1) Rama has been proclaimed as Vigrahvan Dharmah means who is the embodiment of Dharma. It means Rama was the knower of the subtle formof J~nAna, Howcould he use his Dharma, no one can understand apart fromhim, thats why heis the supreme J~nAna-Guna-Dharma Swarupa.

2) Rama had already given his words to Vibhishana and Sugreeva and even beforekilling Ravana or Bali, he declared them king of Lanka and Kishkindha respectively. This shows Rama had supremecontrol over time.

Param-Vairagya-Guna:-

Thesupreme personality of godhead has nature of being completely unattached towards any material desire. So Param-Vairagya Guna has been clearly seen or predominantly visiblein Lord Rama aloneamong all his incarnations.

1) There are many instances where Rama showed his Param-Vairagya Guna like happily leaving the kingdomof Ayodhya just for keeping promise of his father towards his step mother. He left the greatest and richest kingdomon earth of that time, leaving all his luxury and comforts in just hours without any regret likea mere old cloth .

Can anyone imagine that very next morning Rama is going to be coronated as theprince (heir) of Ayodhya and even all citizens, courtiers, ministers, brothers are in favour of Rama and want tosee himcoronated as soon as possible but when Rama heard the wish of his step mother and the promises madeearlier by his father, Rama decided without any regret to leave ayodhya to keep the promises of his father towards his step-mother. Rama sarificed all his comforts as well as throne for younger brother Bharata and decided to spend 14 years of hard life in forests as per the wish of his step mother. Definitely he could live with all luxury and comfort in Ayodhya as hewas not responsible for the promises madeto his step mother yet he choseto keep the promise of his father towards his step-mother. Such was the greatness of Shri Ram!!!

2) Shri Rama happily gifted the golden-Kingdom-Lanka toVibhishana like a mere golden-ring and kingdomof Kishkindha toSugreeva.

3) In whole14 years of exile, Rama never entered in any city and always lived a life of an ascetic.

Sowhocan showsuch Param-Vairagya-Guna in any other personality apart from Rama???

Thus we see all 6 qualities are full and complete in Lord Rama alone, He accepts everyone be it Human, demon, animal, bird or any living being. If Rama is not Bhagavān , then no one qualifies to be called as Bhagavān as per Sanatan-Vedic Dharma principles.

Apart from all above attributes which can be found to full degreein Bhagavān (God) alone, there is an another attribute (virtue) of Rama which makes himvery unique among his all incarnations.

That attribute is his pure character which makes him”Maryada Purushottam”. Apart fromRama, noonecan hold the title of being “Maryada Purushottama”.

Maryada-purushottama

Shri Rama is famous for one word (keeping his promoises at any cost), one arrow(Rama-Baan, the infalliable weapon of Rama which can eliminate anyone)and one wife(ek-patni Vrata i.e. devoted towards one wife only). Rama was the king of thegreatest empire of that era and that time it was a customamong kings to keep many wives in their palace. Even Rama could have married many princess, but Rama was solely devoted tohis consort Sita alone. Such pure character of being Ek-Patni-Vrata (devoted to one wife even in dreams) can’t be found in any other personality of any other incarnation of Shri Rama as only Shri Rama has established the highest formof Dharma. In other words, one can say “Whatever Rama did, it became the highest formof Dharma”.

Shri Rama never ever spoke any lie. Henever cheated any man or woman. If someone has no character then how can one claimthat he is protector of Dharma? Whatever Shri Rama promised to someone, he delivered it. Shri Rama never ever thought of any second thing if someone is weak (Sugriva) or a demon (Vibhishana) beforegiving protection toa person.

Rammanifested himself as VishNu

He is Śrī Rāma who transformed himself as Vishnu in starting of the creation.