• Know briefly about Sri Ram, Sita, why called Maryada Purushottam and importance of Ayodhya.

Lord Sri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born on Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra Masa, which is celebrated as Ram Navami. As per numerology, the number 9 is a complete number. His parents were King Dasharatha and Kausalya. Lord Sri Ram is known as ‘Maryada Purushottam’, meaning the perfect follower of rules and laws. ‘Maryada’ in Sanskrit means righteousness or honour. ‘Purushottam’ means the supreme man. Though Lord Sri Ram was God himself, He was humble and lived like a common man. He had patience and stuck to His word. 

Lord Sri Ram was an ideal son, student, husband, father and king. He always obeyed His mother, father and guru (teacher). He always tried to follow their orders and never rebelled against them. A typical example, He voluntarily went into exile and lived in a forest for 14 years, as per the wish of His stepmother Kaikeyi, just to keep the promise given to her by His father. He showed love and respect to His wife and brothers. He followed the path of truth and Dharma. He was a devotee of Lord Shiva. Being a symbol of Sanatana Dharma, He set an example for people.

First published in Journal of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

According to our Indian culture, Ram-Sita is considered an ideal couple. Sita is Ram’s feminine counterpart, like Shiva and Shakti or Vishnu and Lakshmi. Shri Ram is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born as the eldest son of Dasaratha who was the king of Ayodhya. Sita was the daughter of Mother Earth but was brought up as a daughter by King Janaka of Mithila. 

Their story is the heart of the epic, ‘Ramayana’ (meaning ‘Rama’s journey’ or ‘the path of Ram’) which is an inspirational story of two soul mates. As soon as Ram rests His eyes upon the lovely Sita, He spontaneously falls deeply in love with her. Theirs is divine love, a love-at-first-sight kind of story. They marry and pledge their supreme devotion and love to each other, taking a vow to be together forever. During His exile in the forest, Ram always ensured Sita’s wellbeing as this was more important to him than anything or anyone else in the world. And when Sita was abducted by Ravan, Ram was broken in the grief of separation from His wife. The journey of Ram and Sita was full of insurmountable obstacles. But they confronted all kinds of adverse beings and situations, overcoming them with the strength of their love, the support of devotees and well[1]wishers and above all, the blessings of God.

From their story described in the Ramayana, we learn the values of Dharma and our duty to respect, love and care for our loved ones. We must put the welfare of our loved ones above ours, if we intend to maintain our relationships. Ram was the epitome of the perfect man with all the noble qualities. Sita was a woman of extraordinary beauty and deep patience, a dutiful wife devoted to her husband. Her love is the kind that surrenders to her divine destiny in the end. Whenever there is mention of an ideal husband and wife in our household lives, even today the example of Lord Sri Ram and Sita is given. The festival of Vivah Panchami is considered very sacred due to the auspicious marriage of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram and Sita Mata.

Ayodhya has a long history dating back to 1380 BCE. The city is known for the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. The earliest references to the existence of a temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya can be found in ancient Hindu texts, including the Ramayana.

The construction of the new Ayodhya Ram Mandir is a remarkable feat of architecture, art and devotion. The intricate carvings and sculptures depict episodes from the Ramayana, offering a glimpse into the epic tale of Lord Ram. It represents the fulfilment of a long-standing dream for many Hindus and holds great historical and spiritual significance. The location of the Ram Mandir is referred to as ‘Sankalp Bhumi’, symbolising the collective resolve of the Indian people to see the construction of the temple. The devotees’ unwavering faith played a pivotal role in realising this dream. It not only marks the physical creation of a grand temple but also signifies the resilience and determination of the people involved in the project. The temple’s construction has become a defining moment in the history of Ayodhya and reflects the enduring faith and cultural heritage of India. Ayodhya Ram Mandir is seen as a symbol of faith, unity, spiritual awakening, and our rich cultural heritage. Lord Sri Ram is considered the most perfect, unique, and complete incarnation.      

This article was first published in the Bhavan’s Journal, 1 January 2024 issue. This article is courtesy and copyright Bhavan’s Journal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai-400007. eSamskriti has obtained permission from Bhavan’s Journal to share. Do subscribe to the Bhavan’s Journal – it is very good.

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