|
Lord Rama on the left with his devotee Shree
Hanuman. |
Lord Ram was the seventh Avatar of Lord
Vishnu.He was born as Ramachandra the eldest son to
King Dashratha, who ruled the kingdom of Ayodhya in
north India. Early in his life, a sage called
Vishwamitra recognised Rama as an avatar of Vishnu
and sought his help in the slaying of a female
demon, Taraka. Right from his fight against evil
Rama was victorious. This victory foreshadowed the
great battle with the demon, Ravana.
The life of Rama, ideal man and great
warrior is the story of India’s second epic, ‘The
Ramayana.’ The seventh avatar of Vishnu Rama brings
to life a quality known as ‘Maryada Purush’ ideal
man. In the 3rd century BC, Valmiki wrote the epic
‘Ramayana’, immortalising the life of Rama. However
his step mother Kaikeyi obstructed his path to the
throne. She wanted her son, Bharat to inherit the
kingdom and conspired against Rama. Rama was sent
into exile for fourteen years.
Sita and Lakshmana (Rama's brother), went
with him into the forest where trouble soon
followedduring their stay in forest. Ravana was the
ten headed demon King of Lanka, As wily as he was
vicious, Ravana tricked Rama and Lakshmana and
kidnapped Sita.To rescue Sita a bridge was built to
reach Ravana’s kingdom. Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman and
an army of warriors crossed the bridge and flooded
into Lanka. In the war between good and evil, all
the demons were killed. Ravana was killed by Rama
and Sita was rescued. Together Ram, Sita and
Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya. Rama was crowned king
and the era when he governed was called ‘Ramrajya’
in recognition of a time when democracy was given
the highest dignity. |
