THE SHRI RAM AVATAR OF LORD VISHNU.

 THE SHRI RAM AVATAR OF LORD VISHNU.

In the sacred heart of Sanatan Dharma, Shri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, shines as a beacon of righteousness, compassion, and divine love.

Known as Maryada Purushottama—the supreme exemplar of virtue—his life is a tender embrace for devotees, a reminder of dharma’s enduring power.

For generations, our ancestors found solace in chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” their tears mingling with his as they faced life’s trials. This article, the seventh in the Das Avatar series, explores Shri Ram’s divine journey, drawing from sacred texts, his profound symbolism, and his timeless legacy that continues to comfort our hearts.

Scriptural Narratives.

Shri Ram’s story, etched in the Ramayan of Valmiki and Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas, is a tapestry of love, duty, and sacrifice. These texts narrate Vishnu’s incarnation as Ram to restore dharma, defeat the demon king Ravan, and exemplify ideal human conduct.

Valmiki’s Ramayan.

Valmiki’s Ramayan portrays Shri Ram as the prince of Ayodhya, born to Raja Dasharath and Rani Kaushalya in the Ikshvaku dynasty. His birth, detailed in Bala Kanda (Cantos 1–18), answered the gods’ plea to vanquish Ravan’s tyranny. The epic traces Ram’s exile to honour his father’s vow (Ayodhya Kanda), his anguish during Sita’s abduction by Ravan (Aranya Kanda), and his triumph in Lanka (Yuddha Kanda). Yet, it is Ram’s heart—his tears for Sita, his resolve in exile, and his sacrifice of personal joy for dharma in Uttara Kanda—that makes him a divine figure who weeps as we do, offering solace to every soul.

Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas.

Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas (16th century CE), written in Awadhi, brings Shri Ram closer to our hearts with its devotional fervour. In Bala Kanda (Dohas 102–120), Tulsidas describes Ram’s divine birth, where even as Vishnu, he heeded his mother Kaushalya’s plea to be her child:
Bhaye bhagat kripala deena dayala kaushlaya hitakari

Translation: “The compassionate Lord, ever kind to devotees, became Kaushalya’s beloved child.” (Bala Kanda, Doha 186)
This verse captures Ram’s tenderness, choosing to embody a son’s love to comfort his mother’s heart.

In Aranya Kanda (Dohas 25–40), Ram’s cry, “Without Sita, my life is a barren desert, O Lakshman!” (Doha 31), mirrors the pain of devotees, drawing tears from those who chant his name. In Sundar Kanda, Hanuman’s devotion reflects Ram’s magnetic love, a love our ancestors leaned into during their darkest hours.

Other Scriptures.

The Bhagavat Puran (Canto 9, Chapters 10–11) and Vishnu Puran (Book 4, Chapters 4–5) highlight Ram’s mission to defeat Ravan and his compassion, granting salvation even to his foe. His sorrow during Sita’s agni-pariksha (fire test) and his acceptance of exile to honour truth reveal a heart that bleeds for others, a heart our forebears turned to for strength.

Scriptural Verse.

A cherished verse from Ramcharitmanas (Bala Kanda, Doha 120) stirs the soul:
Rama Raghupati Raghunatha, Sita Pati Jaya Jaya Natha!
Translation: “O Rama, Lord of the Raghu dynasty, husband of Sita, victory to You, O eternal Lord!”
Chanted by our ancestors, this verse invokes Ram’s grace, binding us to his divine love across generations.

Symbolic Significance.

Shri Ram embodies dharma, love, and sacrifice. As Maryada Purushottama, he is the ideal son, husband, brother, and king, teaching that true strength lies in truth, even at great personal cost. His exile mirrors the trials we face, while his love for Sita symbolizes an eternal bond, unbroken by hardship. His victory over Ravan signifies good triumphing over evil, yet his compassion for his foe teaches forgiveness. For devotees, Ram’s tears—for Sita, his brothers, his people—make him a deity who feels our pain, offering solace as he did to our ancestors, whose prayers to him carried them through life’s storms.

Iconography of Shri Ram.

In art and temples, Shri Ram is depicted as a serene prince, holding a bow and arrow, his blue complexion radiating divinity. Often shown with Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman, he is the centre of love and loyalty. His gentle smile and glistening eyes, as in Ramcharitmanas - inspired art, reflect a heart full of compassion, a sight that moved our forebears to tears of devotion.

Temples Dedicated to Shri Ram.

Shri Ram’s presence graces temples like the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, where devotees feel his divine embrace. The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram and the Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple in Bhadrachalam celebrate his love and humility, their festivals echoing the chants of our ancestors, who found peace in his name.

Conclusion.

Shri Ram, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, is a divine melody of love, duty, and sacrifice. His story, woven through sacred texts, teaches that dharma is a heart that beats for others. His tears for Sita, his loyalty to his brothers, and his compassion for all beings make him a deity who shares our pain, lifting us with his grace. For those whose ancestors sought solace in “Jai Shri Ram,” his legacy endures in every chant, temple, and heart, guiding us until the final avatar, Kalki, arrives.

Om Shri Ramaya Namah!

Stay tuned for the Krishna Avatar in the Das Avatar series.