Lord Rama Story and Mantra

Who is Lord Rama?

Lord Rama is one of the most commonly adored gods of Hindus and as an ideal man and hero of the epic Ramayana. Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, took life on earth for the purpose of upholding righteousness and rewarding virtue.

Rama lived he life of perfection and responsibility. Rama and Sita epitomized the devotional relationship between husband and wife. They are the models for all householders and people with family duties.

Other Names of Lord Rama are Ragunath, Rama Chandra, Raghuvir, Hariram.

Lord Rama is the 7th avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. His adventures are recounted in both the Ramayana as well as the Mahabharata. Born to King Dashratha and Queen Kaushalya (as told in the Ramayan), it is said that he came into the world on the behest of the Gods – who needed a warrior to defeat Ravana.

Rama in Religious Scriptures

His presence is not just limited to the Hindu religion, but also extends to Buddhism and Vaishnavism. He features extensively in Hindu art, scriptures and wall paintings. Ram is considered by some to be an incarnation of Budha and his image sometimes appears on the exteriors of Buddhist temples. Ramanandis are are the largest and most strict Vaishnava monastic order.

Symbolic Importance of Rama

Lord Ram is a symbol of many virtues – as seen through his different acts and character traits. He posseses all the desirable virtues one would hope to have and is considered the ‘ideal’ being. His life emphasizes the need to live life to its full extent – with an equal focus on dharma (virtue), karma (love) and artha (purpose).

Chant –

Om Sri Ramaya Namaha

Character –

Lord Rama is always holding a bow and arrow indicating his readiness to destroy evils. He is also called “Shri Rama.”

More commonly he is pictured in a family style, (Ram Parivar) with his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman who is sitting near Lord Rama’s feet.

Story of Rama’s Wedding

Once Sage Vishwamitra took young princes Lord Rama & Lord Lakshmana to Mithila where the King Janaka was conducting a swayamvara for his daughter, Sita. Janaka was a devotee of Lord Shiva who had given him His bow as a gift. As a condition of the swayamvara, Janaka declared that his daughter will marry whoever could lift, set and shoot an arrow from that huge bow that formerly belonged to Shiva.

A great number of princes from all over the land came to claim Sita. They were all handsome and strong but none could even lift the bow up, much less set the string and shoot an arrow from it. One by one they all tried but failed miserably.

Then Vishwamitra encouraged Rama to try the Shiva’s bow. Rama stood up and strolled towards the bow. This handsome young man was immediately noticed by everyone present there.
He approached the platform where the bow was placed and with one hand lifted the bow while with the other he set string on it.

All the princes who were present in the court were astonished at the ease with which Rama handled the bow.

To their amazement, Rama set an arrow in the bow and pulled on it so hard that the bow broke in to two. People in the court were awe-struck. Some clapped their hands, while others bent their heads in shame. Janaka declared Rama to be the winner.

Sita was very happy because the moment she saw Rama, she had fallen in love with Him. She slowly walked to Rama and placed the garland on Rama’s neck. Janaka celebrated the wedding of Rama and Sita with great pomp and grandeur.

Mantra –

Hare Rama Hare Rama!
Rama Rama Hare Hare!!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna!
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!!

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Hare is a glorified form of address for calling upon God. Rama and Krishna were two of the best-known and most beloved incarnations of Vishnu. They took human birth on this earth to lead mankind to eternal salvation.This is the Maha Mantra, the easiest and surest way for attaining God realization in this present age.

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