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Ram is a common name in India, derived from the Sanskrit word Rama, which means "pleasing" or "charming". Ram is also the name of the seventh avatar of Vishnu, the supreme god in Hinduism, who is revered for his righteousness, courage and devotion. Ram is the hero of the epic Ramayana, which narrates his life story and his struggle to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.
In this blog post, I will explore some of the aspects of Ram's personality and character that make him an inspiring figure for many Hindus and people of other faiths. I will also discuss some of the lessons that we can learn from Ram's example and apply to our own lives.
Ram's Personality and Character
Ram is often described as a maryada purushottama, which means "the best of upright men". He is a model of virtue, morality and dharma (duty). He is loyal to his family, friends and subjects. He is respectful to his elders, teachers and mentors. He is compassionate to the weak, poor and oppressed. He is brave in the face of danger, adversity and temptation. He is humble in his achievements, successes and victories. He is faithful to his wife, Sita, who is his equal partner and companion.
Ram's personality and character are shaped by his upbringing and education. He is born as the eldest son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, a prosperous and righteous kingdom. He is trained in various arts, sciences and skills by the sage Vashishta, who teaches him the values of wisdom, justice and service. He is also influenced by the examples of his father, who loves him dearly and trusts him completely, and his mother, Kausalya, who nurtures him with affection and care.
Ram's personality and character are also tested by his experiences and challenges. He faces many trials and tribulations throughout his life, such as being exiled from his kingdom for 14 years, fighting against various enemies and demons, losing his wife to Ravana's abduction, searching for her across different lands and oceans, battling against Ravana's army in Lanka, proving his wife's purity after her rescue, ruling over his kingdom with righteousness and benevolence, and finally renouncing his worldly attachments and returning to Vishnu's abode.
Ram's personality and character are not flawless or perfect. He makes mistakes and errors in judgment at times. He suffers from doubts, fears and sorrows. He faces dilemmas and conflicts between his personal desires and his social obligations. He sometimes acts impulsively or harshly. He also has human emotions such as anger, jealousy and grief. However, he always tries to correct his faults and learn from his mistakes. He always seeks guidance from his elders, teachers and mentors. He always strives to follow his dharma (duty) and uphold his ideals.
Lessons from Ram's Example
Ram's personality and character offer many lessons for us to learn from and apply to our own lives. Here are some of them:
- Be loyal to your family, friends and subjects. They are your support system and your responsibility. Treat them with respect, kindness and gratitude.
- Be respectful to your elders, teachers and mentors. They are your sources of wisdom, knowledge and guidance. Learn from them, listen to them and honor them.
- Be compassionate to the weak, poor and oppressed. They are your fellow beings who need your help and protection. Serve them, help them and uplift them.
- Be brave in the face of danger, adversity and temptation. They are your opportunities to grow stronger, wiser and better. Face them with courage, confidence and determination.
- Be humble in your achievements, successes and victories. They are your gifts from God or fate or nature. Acknowledge them with gratitude, modesty and generosity.
- Be faithful to your wife or husband or partner. They are your soulmates who share your joys and sorrows. Love them with devotion, fidelity and respect.
- Be a model of virtue, morality and dharma (duty). They are your principles that guide your actions and decisions. Follow them with honesty, integrity
and righteousness.
