Rama is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu and is an important deity of Hinduism. He is also known as Ramachandra and Ram. According to Jain texts, among the 63 salakapurusas, Rama is the eighth balabhadra. He is believed to be the Supreme Being in Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism.
Rama’s parents were King Dashratha of the Kingdom of Kosala and Kausalya. Born in Ayodhya his siblings included Shatrughna, Bharata and Lakshmana. Sita was his beautiful wife. Both Rama and Sita lived a challenged life filled with moral dilemmas, difficult, unexpected and impoverished circumstances, especially their going to exile for 14 long years.
One of the biggest difficulty experienced, was Sita being kidnapped by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Efforts put in against all odds, by Rama and his brother Lakshama to free Sita and destroy Ravana were truly epic. The life of Rama, Sita and rest of their companions illustrate dharmic living, dharma, social responsibilities, rights and duties of an individual.
In the Ramayana, the ancient Hindu epic, Rama is a central figure. In India, the Ramlila festival is celebrated with inspiring performances by artists. Buddhism and Jainism texts also have mention of legends of Rama. These texts mention him as Padma or Pauma, on some occasions.
The name Rama is a Vedic Sanskrit word meaning ‘black’, ‘dark colored’, ‘dark’, in one context while the other meaning is ‘lovely, pleasing, beautiful, charming, delightful’.
Vedic literature has mention of Rama. His name is associated with Aupatasvini and Margaveya – two patronymic names and different individuals. Rama is the 394th name of Vishnu according to Vishnu Sahasranama. He is connoted as a spiritual, blissful Supreme Brahman in some texts inspired by the Advaita Vedanta.
