Ram is the seventh avatar of Vishnu, and he is born as a mortal. In our Hindu tradition, Ram is a divine human, a mortal god incorporating both into the exemplar who transcends both humans and gods. The story of his life is in the Ramayana and the Ramayana is an allegory for the duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. He is a superior being and does not render evil for evil.

Ram is considered a deity by Hindus and the epitome of virtue and royal conduct. He places his responsibilities and duties before his own family and interests. We consider him a God and all our Gurus try to emulate his conduct as a mortal. Ram follows the principle of Dharma. Rama was never aware that he was a God, who had come as a mortal to save the universe.

It was everyone else around him, who were aware that he was a Super being and that he had powers. Hanuman on meeting with Rama, had his Prana awakened, which led him to fly across the ocean, carry a mountain on the palm of his hand, setting fire to Sri Lanka and finding Sita.

Ram is represented as a standing figure holding an arrow in his right hand and a bow in his left. He is never alone in a temple. He is accompanied by Sita (his wife, who is an incarnation of Lakshmi), his brother Lakshman and Hanuman. He is blue in color, which shows his affinity to Vishnu. He wears princely adornments and Kiriti mukuta (conical crown).

Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha

Dear ones, we can attempt to follow Ram in his footsteps by following the path of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Dharma means righteousness and moral values. Artha means prosperity and economic values. Kama means pleasure, love and psychological values. Moksha means liberation, spiritual values and self-realization.

If we are on the path of Yoga Sadhana, we are already following Ram and Swami Sivananda, who constantly invoked his name. Thursday is considered the day for Ram and Guru.

Hindus use Jai Sri Ram, or Ram, Ram as a greeting and his name is also most often invoked at death.

Aim Hrim Klim