Rama

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  • Rama appeared as the seventh of the ten incarnations of Vishnu, and one of the two most important (the other is Krishna)
  • Rama represents the monarchical aspect of the Supreme. He is renowned for his devotion to dharma (duty) even in the face of great adversity. He is considered the perfect son, husband, brother and king.
  • Rama was born as the eldest son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya, in Ayodhya, capital of the kingdom of Koshala. Rama had three brothers; Bharata and the twins, Lakshman and Shatrugna.
  • According to tradition, Rama appeared in the second age, the Treta Yuga. Modern historians tend to date him much later, at around 400BCE. Some more recent scholars date him significantly earlier.
  • Rama is usually depicted with either a dark green or dark blue complexion. He wears a yellow robe and usually carries a bow and a quiver of arrows.
  • Rama is often worshipped with his consort, Sita, his brother, Lakshman, and his faithful servant, Hanuman (the monkey warrior). These four are often called “Rama Parivar” (Rama’s family).
  • Sita was the daughter of King Janaka, King of Mithila, and she is therefore known as Janaki. Rama won her in a contest in which he broke the celebrated bow of Lord Shiva.
  • Sita is often considered the emblem of womanhood, and is celebrated for her chastity and faithfulness towards her husband. She later gave birth to two powerful twin sons, Lav and Kush.
  • Sita is considered an expansion of Lakshmi in her form as Vedavati
  • The story of Rama is narrated in the Ramayana, first written by the sage Valmiki. It consists of 24,000 verses, divided into six kandas (books). Tulsidas wrote a famous version in Hindi, the Rama Charita Manas.
  • The story of Rama and Sita is not only known and loved in India but throughout South and South East Asia – and, more recently, in many other parts of the world.
  • Key festivals include: Rama Navami (March /April), marking Rama’s birthday Dussehra (October), celebrating Rama’s victory over Ravana
  • Further references: