Sri Rama is presented to us as the IDEAL…
the IDOL to hold onto…follow…
for He stood by dharma…righteousness
No matter how severe…
the trial or tribulation.

EVEN if it caused personal pain…
He faced each one…
with faith…
with courage…
YET…remained righteous.

Rama did not follow dharma.
DHARMA was his nature.
His actions set
the standards for dharma.
Dharma being right came first…

ABOVE ALL ELSE
He RESPECTED mother Kaikeyi’s wish…
KEPT his father’s word

He affirmed to his people
that a word given…
is a promise kept…
There can be…

           NO compromise.

Duty towards the people
was paramount…
The ruler’s character must
remain above reproach.
Rama would not ascend
the throne by foul means…

Nor return to comfort
by tweaking the law.

No action was
for personal gain…
All HIS actions were
for the people of Ayodhya.
Even while grieving…

he performed his duties.
During victory…
Instead of celebrating…
He instructed Vibhishana
on the last rites of his brother!
He lifted up the small and the meek…
By nourishing their latent potential.
Be it a squirrel…Hanuman…
Sabari…Vibhishan…Bharat
We know about
BECAUSE Rama glorified them.
DHARMA always came first…
That was his worship
Hence HIS names:
Aadarsha Purusha
Maryada Purushottama

– – Swami Tejomayananda