In the interpretation of Adi Sankara'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 or the One (i.e., Vishnu) who out of his own will assumed the enchanting form of Rama, the son of Dasaratha. In the Vishnu sahasranama, Rama is the 394th name of Vishnu. Bala-rāma ("the strong Rama"), also called Halāyudha (Wielder of the Plough in Battle), the older cousin and close companion of Krishna, the Eighth Avatara of Vishnu.Parashu-rāma ("Rama of the Battle-axe"), the Sixth Avatara of Vishnu, sometimes also referred to as Jāmadagnya, or as Bhārgava Rāma (descended from Bhrigu), a "Chiranjeevi" or Immortal.Rāma-candra ("Rama-moon"), son of Dasaratha, descended from Raghu of the Lunar Dynasty, the subject of this article.According to Monier-Williams, three Ramas were celebrated in post-Vedic times, Two Ramas are mentioned in the Vedas, with the patronymics Mārgaveya and Aupatasvini another Rama with the patronymic Jāmadagnya is the supposed author of a Rigvedic hymn. Mayrhofer (1996) suggests a derivation from PIE (H)reh 1-mo-, cognate to OHG rāmac "dirty". The feminine form of the adjective, rāmīˊ is an epitheton of the night ( Ratri), as is kṛṣṇīˊ, the feminine of kṛṣṇa, viz. Griffith): 10.3.3cd Agni, far-spreading with conspicuous lustre, hath compassed Night with whitely shining garments.Īs a personal name it appears in RV 10.93.14: 10.93.14ab This to Duhsima Prthavana have I sung, to Vena, Rama, to the nobles, and the King. Rāmá in the Rigveda and the Atharvaveda is an adjective meaning "dark, black", or a noun meaning "darkness", e.g. Rama is revered for his unending compassion, courage and devotion to religious values and duty. The legend of Rama is deeply influential and popular in the societies of the Indian subcontinent and across South East Asia. Rama's piety and virtue attract powerful and devoted allies such as Hanuman and the Vanaras of Kishkindha, with whose help he rescues Sita. Rama's younger brothers, namely Lakshmana, Shatrughna and Bharata strongly complement his piety, virtue and strength, and they are believed by many to belong to the Mariyada Purshottama and the Seventh Avatara, mainly embodied by Rama.
Rama's courage in searching for Sita and fighting a terrible war to rescue his wife and their honour is complemented by Sita's absolute devotion to her husband's love, and perfect chastity despite being Ravana's captive. Having completed his exile, Rama returns to be crowned King in Ayodhya (the capital of his Kingdom) and eventually becomes Emperor of the World, after which he reigns for eleven thousand years - an era of perfect happiness, peace, prosperity and justice known as Rama Rajya. In a war of powerful and magical beings, greatly destructive weaponry and battles, Rama slays Ravana in battle and liberates his wife. After a long and arduous search that tests his personal strength and virtue, Rama fights a colossal war against Ravana's armies. The kidnapping of his wife Sita by Ravana, the Rakshasa monarch of Lanka leaves him desperate. For the sake of his father's honour, Rama abandons his claim to Kosala's throne to serve an exile in the forest. Rama's life and journey is one of perfect adherence of dharma despite harsh tests of life and time. Rama is the husband of Sita, who is also considered the Avatara of Lakshmi and the embodiment of perfect womanhood. He is the hero of the ancient Hindu epic poem, The Ramayana (from Sanskrit, The Journey of Rama). Rama is Maryada Purushottama, literally The Perfect Man. Born as the eldest son of Kausalya and Dasaratha, king of Kosala, he is the embodiment of the Supreme Brahman and Dharma.
He is one of the most popular heroes of Hindu mythology and folktales in South and Southeast Asia. In Hinduism, he is also considered to be the Seventh Avatara of Vishnu and one of the most important manifestations of God. Rāmachandra, or Rama ( rāma in IAST, राम in Devanāgarī or Śrī Rāma (श्रीराम in Devanagari), was a king of ancient India whose grand story is portrayed in the epic Ramayana, one of the two great epics of India.
HINDU GOD RAMAYANA SKIN
Rama is shown having blue skin which is a characteristic of Vishnu Rama and Lakshmana are always shown to be ready for battle (with bow and arrow) as it is their Kshatriya dharma to fight.
Lord Sri Rama (centre) with wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman.