Ram(/rm/;[1] Sanskrit: Rma) or Sr

Rmachandra (Sanskrit : ) is
the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu. He is the
central figure of the Hindu epic Ramayana,
which is the principal narration of the events
connected to his incarnation on Earth, his
ideals, and his greatness. Rama is one of the
many deities in Hinduism and especially of the
various sects of Vaishnavism. Religious texts
and scriptures based on his life have been a
formative component in numerous cultures
of South Asia and Southeast Asia.[2]Along
with Krishna, Rama is considered to be one of
the most important avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-
centric sects, he is considered the Supreme
Being, rather than an avatar.
Born as the son of Kaushalya and Dasharatha,
ruler of the Kingdom of Kosala (now in Uttar
Pradesh), Rama is referred as Maryada
Purushottama[3] within Hinduism, which literally
means the Perfect Man or Lord of Self-
Control or Lord of Virtue. His wife Sita is
considered by Hindus to be an avatar
of Lakshmi and the embodiment of a great
woman.[3][4]
Rama and his brothers Lakshmana, Bharata,
and Shatrughna were
the chaturvyuha expansions of Vishnu
(Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna,
and Aniruddha). Rama's life and journey is one
of adherence to dharma despite harsh tests and
obstacles and many pains of life and time. For
the sake of his father's honour, Rama abandons
his claim to Ayodhya's throne to serve an exile
of fourteen years in the forest.[5] His wife Sita
and brother Lakshmana decide to join him and
all three spend the fourteen years in exile
together. While in exile, Sita is kidnapped
by Ravana, the king of Lanka.[6] After a long and
arduous search, Rama fights a colossal war
against Ravana's armies. In a war of powerful
and magical beings, greatly destructive
weaponry, and huge battles, Rama slays
Ravana in battle and liberates his wife.[7] Having
completed his exile, Rama returns to be
crowned king in Ayodhya and eventually
becomes emperor, [5] He rules with happiness,
peace, duty, prosperity, and justice, a period
known as Rama Rajya.
 The legend of Rama is deeply influential and
popular in the societies of the Indian
subcontinent and across South East Asia.
Rama is revered for his unending compassion,
[8]
courage, and devotion to religious values and
duty. The deity Hanuman declared Rama to be
a supreme being, and said that, by constant
remembrance of Lord Rama, one will attain His
eternal bliss.
Contents
[hide]

1Etymology
2Literary Sources
3Balakanda
4Rama & Sita
5Maryada Purushottama
o 5.1Bharata & Lakshmana
o 5.2Jatayu, Hanuman & Vibhishana
6Rama In War
 o 6.1Varuna
o 6.2Facing Ravana
o 6.3Rama Rajya
7International Influence
8Rama Worship
o 8.1Festivals
8.1.1Rama Navami
8.1.2Vijayadashmi
8.1.3Diwali
o 8.2Temples
9In Jainism
10See also
11Notes
12References
13Further reading
14External Links
Etymology[edit]
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The name Rama appears repeatedly in Hindu
scriptures. Besides the name of the protagonist
of the Ramayana(subject of the current article),
the name is also given to other heroes
including Parashurama (Bhargava Rama)
and Balarama.
In the Vishnu sahasranama, Rama is the 394th
name of Vishnu. In the interpretation of Adi
Shankara's commentary, translated by Swami
Tapasyananda of the Ramakrishna Mission,
Rama has two meanings: the
supreme Brahman who is the eternally blissful
spiritual Self in whom yogis delight and the One
(i.e., Vishnu, the supreme Brahman) who out of
His own will assumed the enchanting form of
Rama, the son of Dasaratha.[9]
Other names of Rama include Ramavijaya
(Javanese), Phreah Ream (Khmer), Phra Ram
(Lao and Thai), Megat Seri Rama (Malay), Raja
Bantugan (Maranao), Ramudu (Telugu), Ramar
(Tamil) and raam-sin (Iranian)
The greatness of chanting of Rama's name is
mentioned in the Ramacharitamanasa.[10][11][12][13][14]
[15][16]

In Sanskrit, the word Rama()

means charming. It is commonly given as a
name to male children in India and Nepal.
Some of the popular names of Rama are:
Rama - charming
Ramachandra - Rama with a moon
Raghava - of the lineage of Raghu
Raghunandana - scion of Raghu
Siyaavara - husband of Sita
Ayodhyapati - king of Ayodhya
Dasharathaputra - son of Dasharatha
 Maryada-Purushottama - best ideal man
Literary Sources[edit]

Valmiki composing the Ramaya