Rama

Rama Character is a deity and the central protagonist in a Ramayana story, depicted as the ideal hero and an incarnation of the deity Vishnu.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be a symbol of virtue and righteousness, embodying the principles of Dharma.
  • It can (often) be represented as the ideal King, who follows the path of duty and justice.
  • It can (often) be depicted as deeply devoted to Sita, his wife, showcasing ideal marital fidelity and loyalty.
  • It can embody qualities of compassion, valor, and selflessness, inspiring various characters within and outside of the Ramayana.
  • It can illustrate the struggle between good and evil, especially in his battle against Ravana to rescue Sita.
  • It is especially important to Vaishnavism (where he is revered as an avatar of Vishnu and a model for dharmic living).
  • It can be celebrated in the Ramlila festival]].
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • a Valmiki Ramayana's depiction of Rama as the prince of Ayodhya, devoted to duty and virtue.
  • a Ramcharitmanas interpretation, where Rama is celebrated as a compassionate and divine figure in the Awadhi language.
  • a portrayal of Rama in the Luang Prabang Ballet, where he is represented by the character of Phra Lam.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Lakshmana Character, the loyal brother of Rama, who accompanies him into exile but is a distinct figure in the story.
  • Hanuman Character, a devoted ally of Rama, known for his strength and loyalty but not central to Rama's divine incarnation.
  • Ravana Character, the antagonist in the Ramayana, embodying pride and ego, in opposition to Rama's virtues.
• See: Dasam Granth, Dashavatara, HarperCollins, India, Dharma, The Hindu, Avatar, Vishnu, Brahman, Vaishnavism, Ramanandi Sampradaya, Thursday, Ramayana Story, Phra Lak Phra Lam, Ayodhya, Sita Character.

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References

2024

• (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama Retrieved:2024-1-22.
  • 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 was born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the capital of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, Rama's life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes, such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, and challenges of ethical questions and moral dilemmas. Of all his 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 avatars of Vishnu in the Chaubis Avtar in Dasam Granth.

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