Rama

The Story of Rama

Rama was born in Ayodhya to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra, the day celebrated as Rama Navami. His brothers were Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. Travelling to the forest with the sage Vishvamitra, he protected the sages' sacrifices, and at King Janaka's court in Mithila he broke the great bow of Shiva and won Sita's hand. The primary source of his story is the Ramayana of the sage Valmiki, and Tulsidas's Awadhi retelling, the Ramcharitmanas, carried it into homes across North India. On the eve of his coronation, Queen Kaikeyi claimed two boons from Dasharatha — the throne for her son Bharata and a fourteen-year forest exile for Rama. To keep his father's word, Rama accepted the exile without protest, and Sita and Lakshmana went with him. Bharata refused the throne; he placed Rama's sandals on it and ruled only as his regent. Late in the exile, Ravana, the king of Lanka, abducted Sita. Searching for her, Rama formed an alliance with Sugriva, the vanara king of Kishkindha, and his minister Hanuman. Hanuman leapt across the ocean and found Sita in the Ashoka grove, the vanara army built a bridge across the sea, and in a fierce war Rama slew Ravana. He returned victorious to Ayodhya — the homecoming linked with the Diwali tradition — and his just reign became the byword "Ram Rajya". With Sita he had twin sons, Lava and Kusha. Rama's life is held up as the model of dharma in every role — as son, brother, husband, friend and king. Chanting "Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram" or simply the name "Rama" is the simplest form of his devotion, and the Rama Raksha Stotra is his best-known hymn of protection.

Iconography & Symbols

Dark-complexioned, bearing a bow and arrows, wearing a royal crown and yellow garments — usually shown with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman seated at his feet (the Ram Darbar).

Other Names

• Raghunandana
• Raghupati
• Dasharathi
• Sitapati
• Kosalendra
• Ramachandra