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- This article is about the incarnation of God Vishnu and king of ancient India, for other meanings see Rama (disambiguation).
Rāmachandra, simply known as Rama (rāma in IAST, राम (or Sri Rama: श्रीराम) in Devanagari) is the Seventh Avatara of Vishnu, and one of the most popular and important manifestations of God in Hinduism. Beyond religion, he is a major character in legends of Hindu mythology and folktales in South Asia and South East Asia. Born as the eldest son of Kousalya and Dasaratha, king of Ayodhya, he is the embodiment of the Supreme Brahman and Dharma. Rama is Mariyada Purshottama, literally The Perfect Man. He is the hero of the ancient Hindu epic poem, The Ramayana (from Sanskrit, The Journey of Rama). Rama is the husband of Sita Devi, who is the Avatara of Lakshmi, and the embodiment of perfect womanhood. Rama's life and journey is one of perfect adherence of dharma despite harsh tests of life and time. For the sake of his father's honour, Rama abandons his claim to Ayodhya's throne to serve an exile in the forest. The kidnapping of his wife Sita by Ravana, the Rakshasa monarch of Lanka leaves him helpless. After a long and arduous search that tests his personal strength and virture, Rama fights a colossal war against Ravana's armies. In a war of powerful and magical beings, greatly destructive weaponry and battles, Rama defeats and slays Ravana, and liberates Sita. Having completed his exile, Rama returns to be crowned King of Ayodhya and Emperor of the World, where he reigns for eleven thousand years - an era of perfect happiness, peace, prosperity and justice known as Rama Rajya. Rama's courage in searching for Sita and fighting a terrible
war to rescue his wife and their honour is complimented by Sita's absolute devotion to her husband's love, and perfect chastity despite being Ravana's captive. Rama's younger brothers, namely Lakshmana, Shatrughna and Bharata strongly complement his piety, virtue and strength, believed by many to belong to the Mariyada Purshottama and the Seventh Avatara, mainly embodied by Rama. Rama's piety and virtue attract powerful and devoted allies such as Hanuman and the Vanaras of Kishkindya, with whose help he rescues Sita. The legend of Rama is deeply influential and popular in the societies of the Indian subcontinent and across South East Asia. Rama is revered for his unending compassion, courage and devotion to religious values and duty.Etymology of RamaRāmá in the Rigveda and the Atharvaveda is an adjective meaning "dark, black", or a noun meaning "darkness", e.g. RV 10.3.3 (trans. Griffith): - 10.3.3cd Agni, far-spreading with conspicuous lustre, hath compassed Night with whitely shining garments.
As 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 hs and Hindus celebrate Diwali at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India.
Rama's day and time of birth, as well as marriage to Sita are celebrated by Hindus across the world as Rama Navami. It falls on the ninth day of a Hindu lunar year, or Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami. This day is observed as the marriage day of Rama and Sita as well as the birthday of Rama. People normally perform Kalyanotsavam (marriage celebration) for
small statues of Rama and Sita in their houses and at the end of the day the idols are taken in a procession on the streets. This day also marks the end of nine day utsavam called Vasanthothsavam (Festival of Spring), that starts with Ugadi. Some highlights of this day are:- Kalyanam (Ceremonial wedding performed by temple priests) at Bhadrachalam on the banks of the river Godavari in Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh.
- Panakam, a sweet drink prepared on this day with jaggery and pepper.
- Procession of idols in the evening that is accompanied with play of water and colours.
- For the occasion, Hindus are supposed to fast (or restrict themselves to a specific diet).
- Temples are decorated and readings of the Ramayana take place. Along with Rama, people also pray to Sita, Lakshmana and Hanumana.
The occasion of victory over Ravana and the rakshasas is celebrated as the 10-day Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra. The Ram Leela is publicly performed in many villages, towns and cities in India. Rama's return to Ayodhya and his coronation are celebrated as Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights. The latter two are the most important and popular festivals in India and for Hindus across the world. In Malaysia, Diwali is known as Hari Deepavali, and is celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu solar calendar. It is a federal public holiday. In many respects it resembles the traditions followed in the Indian subcontinent. In Nepal, Diwali is known as Tihar and celebrated during the October/November period. Here, though the festival is celebrated for five days, the traditions vary from those followed in India. On the first day, cows are worshipped and given offerings. On the second day, dogs are revered and offered special food. On the third day, celebrations follow the same pattern as in India, with lights and lamps and much social activity. On the fourth day Yama, the Lord of Death, is worshipped and appeased. On the fifth and final day, brothers sisters meet and exchange pleasantries. In Trinidad and Tobago, Diwali is marked as a special occasion and celebrated with a lot of fanfare. It is observed as a national holiday in this part of the world and some ministers of the Government also take part in the celebrations publicly. InspirationMohandas Gandhi, the Indian spiritual and political leader was deeply inspired by Rama's strict adherence of satya (truth) and dharma despite hardship and personal travails. Gandhi was encouraged by Rama's example when he faced personal crises and crucial difficulties. A chapter in his autobiography is titled the same: Nirbal ke Bal Ram (Rama is the strength for the weak). When Gandhi was shot three times in the chest on January 30, 1948, his dying words were He Ram, He Ram. On religious occasions, Hindus often chant the name of Rama to express their devotion to God and invoke the holy. Ram Naam Jhaapo (Chant the name of Rama) is a popular bhajan, devotional song and a meditative mantra. In the ceremony of cremating the dead, Hindus often chant Ram Nam Satya Hai (Rama's name is Truth).
Rama Rama (Religion) R?ma Rāma 라마 (신화) राम Rama Rama Ramamr:राम Rama ラーマ Rama (bóg) Râma Рамаsa:राम Ramata:ராமர்
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