Lord Rama Essay, Research Paper

Lord Rama was said to be the perfect being, as well as the perfect man, husband, brother, king, and obedient son. He is usually portrayed holding a bow and arrow, as an indicator that he is ready to fight off any evil or demons that he may come across or are put in his path. Along with his wife Sita, and his obedient brother Lakshmana, beside him. And one of his great disciples, Hanuman, bowing at his feet. Rama and Sita have been leaders and role models of character for many thousands of generations. To citizens of India and believers of the Hindu religion.

Hanuman, who is the leader of the monkey tribe, allied with Rama to help destroy Ravana. Together they demonstrate strong courage and bravery so they are able to destroy Ravana. The gods are depending on Rama to be able to stop Ravana, although Rama doesn’t know what his purpose is. Only a human can kill Ravana.

“Rama, the ancient idol of the heroic ages, the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king, this Rama has been presented before us by the great Sage Valmiki. No language can be purer, none chaster, none more beautiful, and at the same time, simpler, than the language in which the great poet has depicted the life of Rama.” Quoted from Swami Vivekananda.

Hinduism as a culture was very much impacted as a result of this fifty thousand-line poem, so beautifully written by Sage Valmiki. Having the story of Ramayana passed on sort of like a balled, has really inspired believers to have faith in their religion and culture because they have this idol, that they can, and do, imagine them selves to be like. Rama is highly honored and respected, not to mention idolized by all who believe. Rama is definitely a powerful leader, not only because he was a king, but because of his duty and desire for his beliefs.

It is known that the Ramayana has been a source of spiritual, cultural, and artistic encouragement for people not only in India, but also from all places in the world. This story played a big part in molding the religion Hinduism. Rama is the seventh incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu. He is the son of King Dasaratha. Of Dasarathas four sons, Rama was the one to follow closely in his fathers’ footsteps. Rama is also internally the Lord Vishnu, created to slay Ravana. Rama must find out that he is the one to kill Ravana on his own. But Vishnu has faith in him, as well as the other gods and believers. Even though most do not know why they so strongly believe in him. “He was a son unequalled in the world, and resemblance Dasaratha in the possession of good qualities. He never spoke an untruth, He offered all respect to the learned and the elderly; the people adored him, and He loved the people. His transcendental body was free from disease and the influence of old age. He was eloquent, beautiful, and adaptable to circumstances. He knew the heart of every man on earth (being omniscient), and He alone was aloof from the world of matter. He alone was possessed of all conceivable qualities who was the kings son, and was so dear to people as their own hearts,? (John Hoskins).

One of the most famous stories is Ramayana. It explains the adventures of the hero-god Rama. Ramas father King Dasaratha, had no sons. One day, he had a sage to visit. From the sage, emerged this huge, supernatural being from the fire. With it was a plate of rice that was distributed among the kings’ four wives, so they could bare children. Three of the four wives had sons. They were Rama, Kaikeyi, Sumithra and the twins, Lakshmana and Shathrughna. Of the four sons, Rama is chosen to be crowned king. One of the wives is unhappy about that and somewhat blackmails the king into crowning her son, Bharata, king and banishing Rama to the forest for fourteen years. When it comes time to crown the new king, Bharata begs Rama to reconsider his turning down the throne. But it is Ramas’ strong belief in duty over desire that he decides to go to the forest for fourteen years. After Rama is gone, Dasharatha is overwhelmed with sadness and resorts to death, as the only way to solve this. But Bharata will not accept the throne. Instead, he places Ramas’ sandals there to symbolize Ramas’ place until he returns fourteen years later. During his experience in the forest, his wife Sita disappears. Rama and Hanuman find her in Ravanas’ garden and destroy him to save Sita.

The entire story Ramayana was to help teach duty over desire. Believers get a lot from this story. Imagine what could have happened if Rama was disobedient to his fathers order and didn’t enter the forest for fourteen years. It is helpful to see and under stand the religion with this story. It has a really great impact on all believers live, and Hinduism as a culture and way of life. It was Ramas’ duty, given by his father, to disappear into the forest. He could have chosen what he desired, which was to become king. Instead, he chose his duty as a son. And with this decision became a greater outcome than he would’ve ever received. He received the throne when he returned, due to his discipline and will to choose duty over desire.

Hinduism, also referred to as Santana Dharma, is the eternal faith. Which is what most believers base their lives upon. This is such a unique religion as well as culture and way of life. Hindus visit many holy places in India. The Ganges River is the most important in all of India. Bathing in this, or any, sacred water it said to wash away any impure sins. Also, those who have their ashes thrown in sacred water will go to heaven (The New Book of Knowledge, p.132). Hindus believe in reincarnation. Which is how Rama came about, he is the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu (more info).

Rama definitely had very much courage and support to survive fourteen years in a forest. His characteristics as a son and citizen are to the point, and beyond, worthy oh being king. He is the perfect being, in the eyes of many. Hopefully Ramas’ theory about duty over desire can impact everyone as much as it does the believers of the Hindu religion.