Rama

Rama

1. Beliefs

   • an avatar of Vishnu and worshipped by Vaishnavites
     • "Rama is one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu" Jamison
   • most glorious character in the Ramayana - story about Vishnu coming to earth in form of Rama to stop Ravana, shows him as a hero & his victory is seen as the triumph of goodness & kindness over anger & pride
     • "Ravana, the ten-headed demon King of Lanka" Jamison
   • believed to have "excellent skill in archery" Smith
   • ideal human & "perfect son, ideal king, true husband, real friend and noble enemy" Voiels
   • he's the perfect example of Dharma in action and a model for all Hindu's to follow and moral of Ramayana is his devotion to Dharma
     • "exemplar of righteous behaviour" Jamison
     • he accepts "personal adversity to ensure the right thing is done and even when it goes against his own interests" Jamison
   • SITA his wife is completely faithful to him & has many good qualities
     • "courage, faithfulness and the ability to abundance of wealth" Voiels

2. Features and Symbols

   • hand held up palm out = represents peace and protection
   • Pretty Face = makes us want to worship him, loveable and admirable god
   • Bow and Arrow = readiness and alertness to protect Dharma and uphold peace
     • "bearing his famous bow, with which he defeats the enemies of Dharma" Jamison
   • Sita = his consort, shows his loving side and the goddesses provide the god with power
   • Lotus Flower = symbolises purity

3. Characteristics & Nature

   • Omnibenevolent, omnipresent, omniscient
   • Tolerant, fair, patient
   • Warrior, fought, did his duty for Dharma
     • "revered for his inherent sense of justice and adherence to the rules of Dharma" Jamison
   • Loyal, kind, loving to Sita and followers
   • "loyal, patient in affliction, obedient to higher authority" Zaehner

4. Practises & Worship

   • Deities in temples of Rama & Sita
   • Role models at Hindu weddings
   • Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Rama's excile
     • Ramayana is acted out "for public entertainment, particularly during the festival of Diwali" Jamison
   • Ramayana is read to children and used as a teaching tool
   • Monday's and Saturday's are considered to be auspicious to Rama and many devotees fast
   • His name is taken for the name for God
     • "his name is used to mean simply 'God'" Zaehner
   • at Rama Navami festivals devotees chant the entire Ramayana
   • in some parts of India, public gathering are organised to celebrate the birth of Rama and it is open to all castes
   • Huge images are made of Rama, Sita, Hanuman and Lakshmana and processed through the towns

5. Popularity & Significance

   • Used as a role model as he has perfect actions and ideals
     • "Rama is the ideal of Indian chivalry, loyalty and patience... and the perfect being" Ling
   • Relatable because he's an avatar so there is a possibility of a relationship between him and his devotees through Bhakti
   • he's attractive, appealing, positive, represents good over evil
   • The Ramayana is used as a teaching tool for children and provides a moral framework for them
   • HIs name is divine - Moksha can be reached by repeating the name - Ghandi repeated it on his death bed = nama japa
   • He destroys evil and preserves Dharma
   • used as ideal couple at weddings - sita represents womanhood and Rama represents ideal husband
   • He brings people together through Diwali which is a fun festival held for Hindus
   • "Rama brings control, justice and righteousness" Kingsley
   • "He is altogether more conventional and respectable than Krishna" Zaehner