Rama
राम
Rāma
Form: Maryada purushottama — the ideal man, prince of Ayodhya
Purpose
To slay the rakshasa-king Ravana of Lanka, who had abducted Sita and terrorised the rishis, and to demonstrate maryada — the perfect adherence to dharma in every relation.
Demon / threat
Ravana — the ten-headed king of Lanka who abducted Sita
Weapons
- • Kodanda (his great bow)
- • Brahmastra
- • Arrows blessed by Agastya
Consort
Sita — Lakshmi incarnate, daughter of King Janaka of Mithila
Associated tirthas
- • Ayodhya Ram Mandir
- • Chitrakoot
- • Panchavati (Nashik)
- • Rameswaram
- • Hampi (Kishkindha)
Story
Born as the eldest son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, Rama was the maryada purushottama — the perfect man in every role: son, brother, husband, king, friend. His life is told in the Valmiki Ramayana across seven kandas. Exiled for fourteen years through filial duty, he wandered the forests with Sita and his brother Lakshmana. When Ravana abducted Sita, Rama, with the help of Hanuman, Sugriva, and the vanara army, built the bridge of stones to Lanka, slew Ravana in single combat, and recovered Sita. He returned to Ayodhya to be crowned king, inaugurating Rama Rajya — the legendary reign of perfect dharma. Of all the avataras he is the one most fully lived as a human being, with every human relationship rendered exemplary.
Key teaching
Dharma is lived in relation. The perfect being is not the one who transcends duty but the one who performs every duty perfectly.
Principal scripture
Valmiki Ramayana, Adhyatma Ramayana, Tulsidas Ramcharitmanas
Modern relevance
Ram Mandir at Ayodhya was consecrated in January 2024. Diwali every autumn celebrates Rama's return to Ayodhya. Rama Navami in spring marks his birth. He remains the central deity of devotional life across north India.