Rama (Sanskrit:राम) (also Shri Ram, Ramchandra) is considered as one of the most important figure in Hinduism and is considered as the the 7th avatar of Vishnu.[1] Besides Hinduism, he has also significance presence in Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.[2][3][4] He is considered as an iconic character in India and Nepal due to his influence on Hinduism.

Rama was born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas.[5] Of all their travails, the most notable is the kidnapping of Sita by demon-king Ravana, followed by the determined and epic efforts of Rama and Lakshmana to gain her freedom and destroy the evil Ravana against great odds. The entire life story of Rama, Sita and their companions allegorically discusses duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual.

References edit

  1. Tulasīdāsa (1999). Tulasīdāsa's Śrī Rāmacaritamānasa: The Holy Lake of the Acts of Rāma (in en). Motilal Banarsidass Publ.. pp. 871. ISBN 978-81-208-0762-4. 
  2. Bose, Director of the Center for India and South Asia Research and the Institute of Asian Research Mandakranta; Bose, Mandakranta (2004-09-30). The Ramayana Revisited (in en). Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-516832-7. https://books.google.com/books?id=2Ar2Qfr-UeQC. 
  3. Shah, Natubhai (2004). Jainism: The World of Conquerors (in en). Motilal Banarsidass Publishe. ISBN 978-81-208-1938-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=qLNQKGcDIhsC. 
  4. Jakobsh, Doris R. (2010). Sikhism and Women: History, Texts, and Experience (in en). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-806002-4. https://books.google.com/books?id=NBJPAQAAIAAJ. 
  5. Brackney, William H. (2013-10-01). Human Rights and the World's Major Religions, 2nd Edition: Condensed and Updated Edition (in en). ABC-CLIO. pp. 238. ISBN 978-1-4408-2812-6.