Maryada Purushottama Ram

By Dr. Subhash Vedalankar

Professor Emeritus & Head of the department, Sanskrit,

University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (India)

India has many world-famous people. Out of them five are most famous. These are Maryada Purushottama Shri Ram, Yogiraj Shri Krishna, Mahatma Gautama Buddha, Bhagvan Mahaveer and Maharshi Dayanand Sarasvati.

The word, ‘Maryada Purushottama’ is used to describe qualities Shri Ram possesses. Purushottama means superb amongst humans, and Maryada means strictly following social and individual etiquettes. Maryada Purushottama Shri Ram is the Jewel of humanity since antiquity.

Rama is a symbol of courtesy and virtue, a man of values and moral who practiced ethics in daily life, so the title of Maryada Purushottam was bestowed to him by people. He is one of the best amongst the people. Shri Rama was the embodiment of truth, Dharm, the ideal son and above all, the ideal king. He was a paragon of virtues. Rama was not only kind and affectionate but also generous and considerate. He was extremely noble, generous, chivalrous and fearless yet very simple and free from flamboyance. He followed truth throughout his life. He always offered respect to the scholars and elders. People loved him and he adored the people. He was endowed with incredible transcendental qualities. He was fearless, brave and unmatched king. To put succinctly, Shri Rama's life was of holy compliance, impeccable purity, matchless simplicity, praiseworthy contentment, commendable self-sacrifice and filled by remarkable renunciation.

To know real Ram, one needs to read the most authentic of all Ramayans - Vaalmiki’s Ramayan. It was written during Ram's time. Vaalmiki was contemporary of Shri Ram. In short Ram’s attributes per great writer Vaalmiki are summarized below:

The Best King

More than 900,000 years have gone by Ram’s time, yet people remember his rule - Ram-Rajya. Leaders of every political party before election declare that we will bring Ram-Rajya. Scriptures reveal "Raja Prakriti-Ranjanat. राजा प्रकृति-रँजनात्” - King's prime duty is to do his best for the happiness of the common person.

The Vedas say "Vishastva sarva vanchhantu ma tvadrashtramadhibhrisht" विशस्त्वा सर्वा वांछन्तु मात्वद्राष्ट्रमधिभ्रशत् – O king, always think the well-being of your people. Do only useful deeds that are for the progress of common person as they may not disgrace you from your dignity of a sovereign. Shri Ram always thought about the welfare of his people (Praja). The great poet Bhavabhooti quotes Shri Ram in his well-known drama ‘Uttar-Ram-Charitam,’ first chapter, as ‘Sneham dayam ch soukhyam ch Yadi va janakeemapi, Aaradhanaya lokasya munchto nasti me vyanjana,’

स्नेहं दयां च सौख्यं च यदि वा जानकीमपि । आराधनाय लीकस्य मुँचतो नास्ति में व्यथा।।

In other words, ‘for the happiness of my people, I can leave my love, kindness, all kinds of pleasures and even Jaanki (my wife Seeta - daughter of king Janaka). It is said that he actually left Seeta, after hearing some objectionable words of a washer man.

Ram was very popular among his people. All persons of Ayodhya were very happy to hear the news that the Ram will become the king of Ayodhya and all of them were emotionally shedding tears when they heard that Shri Ram is exiled to forest for 14 years. They followed him as his father Dashrath did. People of Ayodhya say

वयमप्यनुयास्याम: ।पुरं चेदं गमिष्यति ।। वाल्मीकि रामायण अयोध्या काण्ड ३१-१५

Sumantra says to Kaikeyi

वयं तत्र गमिष्यामो यंत्र रामों गमिष्यति।। अयोध्या काण्ड -२९-५

The atmosphere was so charged at the time of Shri’s Ram departure that many people of Ayodhya city passed out, as Valmiki narreted in his Ramayana –

प्रतियाते महारण्ये चिररात्राय राघवे | बभूव नगरे मूर्छा बलमूर्छा जनस्य च ।। अयोध्या काण्ड -३३-१३

When Bharata meets Ram in Aranyakanvd of Ramayana than Ram asks several questions about his rule and the people of Ayodhya, it shows his political acumen.

The Greatest Son Shri Ram

Ram was most obedient and faithful son of his parents. He considered his father Dasharath as a biggest Deva – Divine giver - diety, he says in Valmiki Ramayana ‘पिता हि दैवतं तात देवतानामपि स्मृतम् । अयोध्या काण्ड -१८-४०’ For the happiness of his father, he was ready to sacrifice anything.

अहं हि वचनाद्राज्ञ: पतेयमपि पावके ।भक्षयेयं विषं तीक्ष्णं मज्जयेयमपि चार्णवे ।। अयोध्या काण्ड -१५-१५

Ram says - on the command of father, I can submit myself to fire, eat poison, sink in the ocean. He did not want kingdom, pleasures, nor did he want any desire, but by all means he wanted to truthfully fulfill the pledge to his father.

Dasharath never asked Ram to go to forest but he was bound by two pledges he gave to Kaikeyi. Knowing this Ram says to his father in Ayodhya Kand:

नैवाहं राज्यमिच्छामि न सुखं न च मैथिलीम्।नैव सर्वानिमान् कामान् नैव स्वर्गं न जीवितम्।

त्वामहं सत्यमिच्छामि नानृतं पुरुषर्षभ।प्रत्यक्षं तंव सत्येन सुकृतानि च ते शपे ।।

अयोध्या काण्ड -२८-३६,३७

As per Ram, service of father was far better than donation, fame, Yajnyas and truth.

न सत्यं दानमानौ वा न यज्ञाश्चाप्तदक्षिणा:।

तथा बलकरा:सीते यथासेवा पितुर्मता।।

वा-रा-अयोध्या कांड २५-३२

Ram had greatest devotion towards his and the stepmothers and he used to give them full equal honor even though Kaushalya was his birth mother. He says In Ramayana

समा हि मम मातर: | अयोध्या काण्ड २२-१२

All mothers are equal to me. Before leaving for forest he seems to be very much worried about mothers’ and requests Lakshman to always stay in their service. Lakshman at one time harshly addressed Kaikeyi but Ram being resentful to Lakshaman’s behavior stopped Lakshman by addressing: - O Lakshman never frowns at second stepmother

न तेsम्बा मध्यमा गर्हितव्या कदाचन ।

अरण्यकांड-११-१९

The Best Brother:

Ram had great love for his brothers. In all chapters of Valmiki Ramayana, we feel his love towards his brothers. In Ayodhya-Kand he says to the people of his kingdom:

या प्रीतिर्बहुमानश्च मय्ययोध्यानिवासिनाम्।

मत्प्रियार्थं विशेषेण भरताय निवेश्यताम् ।।

अयोध्या काण्ड १५-५

O my people! If you want my happiness then give your love and great honor to Bharata in the same way as you give me.

At the time of war in Lanka, when Lakshman got wounded seriously and became unconscious in the battlefield, Ram was very much perturbed. He says, there is no good person on the earth like my brother Lakshaman and if he dies I will also die, I cannot live without him. Ram was eagerly ready to sacrifice his wife (Seeta), his kingdom, life and all property for his brother. He says to his mother Kaikeyi in Ayodhya Kand –

अहं हि सीतां राज्यं च प्राणानिष्टान्

धनानि च।हृष्टो भ्रात्रे स्वयं दद्यां भरताय प्रचोदित:।।

अयो ११-१५

Lakshaman is like breath of Ram but was living outside of Ram’s body and without him Ram could not enjoy a sound sleep. In Balkand of Valmiki Ramayana, Valmiki says about Lakshman

लक्ष्मणो लक्ष्मि- सम्पन्नो बहि: प्राण इवापर:।

न च तेन बिनां निद्रां लभते पुरुषोत्तम:।।

बाल. ९-१८

The Best Virtuous (Dhaarmik) Person Shri Ram

Maryada Purushottama Ram was the greatest virtuous person of his time. In Aranya-kand of Valmiki Ramayana, Valmiki writes about Shri Ram

राम: सत्पुरुषो लोके सत्यो धर्मपरायण:।

साक्षाद्रामाद्विनिर्वृत्तो धर्मश्चापि श्रिया सह।।

अरण्य कांड २-२०

Shri Ram is a greatest person of the world all the time. He is religious person being embodiment of truthfulness. Ram himself has created Dharm (religion- righteousness) with the prosperity (Shri, Lakshmi)

In several verses Ram is called as Dharmajnya धर्मज्ञ (knower of religion). In Ayodhya Kanda, Ramo dharmbhritam varah रामों धर्मभृतां वर: अयो.३१-११ Dharmbhritam varah means Ram is the best among the righteous people. In several verses Ram is called "Dharamsaya parirakshita"( धर्मस्य परिरक्षिता वा.रा. बालकांड १-१४) We see him busy always in religious deeds. He had great devotion in God. He along with his wife Seeta used to be busy worshiping God. सह पत्न्या विशालाक्ष्या नारायणमुपागम़त् ।।अयो-५-८ He left his bed early morning and he did Sandhya and Aum-Chanting. Valmiki writes in Ayodhya kand –

एकमात्रावशिष्टायां रात्र्यां प्रतिबुध्य स।

पूर्वां सन्ध्यामुपासीनो जजाप यतमानसः ।।

अयो़- ५-९

In the morning and evening daily, he is performing Devayajnya and Brahmayajnya. Maharshi Manu gives ten attributes of Dharm -

धृति: क्षमा दमोंsस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रिय............

…..दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ।।

मनुस्मृति ) ।

All these ten attributes like patience, forgiveness, control on mind, purity etc. are seen in Ram.

सानुक्रोशो जितक्रोधो ब्राह्मणप्रतिपूजक:।

दीनानुकम्पो धर्मज्ञो नित्यं प्रग्रहवान् शुचि:

अयोध्या कांड १-१०

A Great Scholar

Shri Ram was a great scholar. In several verses he is called Sarvashastravita सर्वशास्त्रवित् (scholar of all scriptures). He had very good knowledge of political science. Aranya-Kand of Valmiki Ramayana gives a big picture of Ram's thorough study of politics. Ram was a great scholar and follower of the Vedas. In many verses he is called as Ved-vedaangvit, Ved-vedanga-tatvajnya ( वेदवेदांगवित्, वेदवेदांगतत्वज्ञ:) he was the best archer of his time. When he was going to the ashram of sage Vishamitra, he learned more than 50 Vidyas (knowledges/skills/tactics) of war and warfare.

Protector and Performer of Yajnyas

Ram studied all the Vedas in his childhood. A well-known poet of Sanskrit, Bhatti writes in his Bhattikavyam about Ram – Sodhyaishta Vedantridashanayasht - सोsध्यैष्ट वेदान् त्रिदशानयष्ट--- Ram did study all the Vedas and performed thirty kinds of Yajnyas in his life. Valmiki writes -

तेsस्तंगते दिनकरे स्नात्वा हुतहुताशना: ।।

बाल काण्ड २०-११ ।।

तत: स्नात्वा हुत्वा चैव प्राश्य चामृतवद्धवि: ।।

बाल-२१-६.

In Ayodhya-Kand, in several cantos Ram is seen protecting Yajnyas of sage Vishvamitra. Several times, he is seen living with the sages in their hermitages for the protection of their Yajnyas. Actually, Ram spent whole life in performing and protecting Yajnyas.

Sthitaprajnya A Person Of Transcendental Or Steadfast Wisdom

Ram was a Sthitaprajnya. A man who has equanimity in happiness or sorrows, in gain or loss, in win or defeat, is called Sthitaprajnya. First Ram was called for crown and than he was informed for exile of 14 years. After hearing the news of happiness and grief, neither he was excited nor was he disturbed. On this, poet Bhavabhooti writes in his Uttarramcharitam

आहूतस्याभिषेकाय विसृष्टस्य वनाय च।

न मया लक्षितस्तस्य स्वल्पोsप्याकारबिभ्रम:।।

At the time of calling for crown and at once sending towards forest, I have not seen change on his face. In Ayodhya Kand, Valmiki also writes

तदप्रियममित्रघ्नो वचनं मरणोपमम् ।श्रुत्वा न विव्यथे राम: कैकेयीं चेदमब्रवीत् ।। १६-१

अहं हि सीतां राज्यं च प्राणानिष्टान् धनानि च हृष्टो भ्रात्रे स्वयं दद्यां भरताय प्रचोदित:।। अयो. १६-५

Hearing that painful and deadly news (snatching of the crown and departure for forest), Ram was not worried at all. Maintaining peace of mind, he says to his mother Kaikeyi - On your order I can give Seeta, Kingdom, my breathing, Wealth etc all the things happily for my brother Bharata.

Ram equally respected people of all categories - Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishyasa and Shoodras. He had great respect for his Charioteer. Sumantra, Vibhishana, Sugreeva and Guha were his fast friends. He loved Veer Hanumana very much. Ram had shown his gratefulness towards them several times. He was thankful to Shabari who welcomed Ram Lakshman, and Seeta.

Ram never forgot that person who did any favor to him and on the other hand, he used to forget those men who always did bad deeds to him. Valmiki says in Ayodhya Kand 1-9.

Kathanchidupkarena kritenaikena tushyati.

Na smaratyapkaranam shatampyatmpyattvattmah.

कथमप्यपकारेण कृतेनैकेन तुष्यति ।

न स्मरत्यपकाराणां शतमप्यात्मवत्तम: ।। अयो -१-९

He had control on his mind and senses and was anger-less, merciful to all. "Sanukrosho jitakrodhah. सानुक्रोशो जितक्रोध: ( अयो १-१०). Ram always lived happy, peaceful and used to speak politely. He never used hurtful language even hearing hard words from other side.

A Dedicated Husband

Ram was a dedicated husband. He had great love for his wife Seeta. When Seeta insisted to go with him to the forest, Ram requested her to stay in Ayodhya for the service of her father and mother in law but she says

न पिता नात्मजो नात्मा न माता न सखीजन:।

इह प्रेत्य चनारीणां पतिरेको गतिस्सदा।।

अयोध्या कांड -२३-५

Father, mother, son, self and friends cannot give that happiness as a husband. He is the ultimate destination for the wife. In this context, Valmiki writes showing Seeta's sorrows:

यदि वा दु:खितामेवं वनं नेतुं न वाँछसि।

विषमग्निं जलं वाहमास्थास्ये मृत्यु-कारणात्।।

अयोध्या काण्ड - २५-६

If you do not like me to follow you then I will die by eating poison, will burn myself from fire or sink in the water. After hearing arguments of Seeta, Ram gives permission to Seeta and says

आरभस्व गुरुश्रोणि वनवासक्षमा:क्रिया:।

नेदानीं त्वदृते सीते स्वर्गोंsपि मम रोचते।।

अयोध्या काण्ड - २५-३७

O Seeta do your preparation for all kind of life in the forest. I cannot live without you. If you are not with me than even i would not prefer heaven also.

Ram enjoyed at least 10 years with her. When she was kidnapped from the forest, he was very much disturbed. He was wandering here and there in search of Seeta on mountains and forests. So many times, he was seen crying while remembering his wife. When he saw his house without his beloved he wept loudly again and again

दृष्ट्वा शून्यं निजस्थानं विललाप पुनः पुनः ।।

अरण्य कांड ३५-२

While running in search of Seeta from one place to another, he asked trees, mountains and rivers about whereabouts of Seeta. Valmiki writes in Aranya Kand 35-6

वृक्षात् वृक्षं प्रधावन् सं गिरेश्चाद्रिं नदान्नदीम् ।

बभूव विलपन्राम: शोकपङ्कार्णवाकुलः ।।

When Ram heard in the battlefield of Lanka that Seeta is killed than Ram became unconscious युद्ध काण्ड 4३-९ After the Agni-Pareeksha in Lanka Ram says: अवश्यं त्रिषुलोकेषु, न सीता पापमर्हति । युद्ध ६६-२३

Means in all the three worlds Seeta is the purest lady. Again, he says

अनन्या हि मया सीता भास्करेण प्रभा यथा ।

न हातुमियं शक्या कीर्तिरात्मवता यथा।।

युद्ध काण्ड ६६-२६

Seeta loves only me, therefore I cannot leave her in any case.

For the happiness of people, he was compelled to leave her. Ram sent her to forest when she was pregnant. After leaving her, Ram never lived happy and calm. Sometimes he used to go to the forest and lived there saddened and tearful in memory of Seeta. Great poet Bhavabhooti writes in 3rd chapter of his play Uttarramcharitam

हा हा देवि!

स्फुटति हृदयं स्रंसते देह बन्ध: ।

शून्यं मन्ये जगदविरतज्वालमन्तर्ज्वलामि

O goddess Seeta! My mind is bursting; joints of my organs are weakening. Without you, this world is meaningless for my life.

Before starting Ashvamedha Yajnya, scholars advised Ram to remarry because yajnya becomes fruitless without wife. Ram refused to remarry and then ended up putting gold-idol of Seeta. Again, showing his devotion to his only wife.

Other qualities of ram:

So far, we have seen a few important qualities of Ram. There are other special attributes also in him. He was person of strong determination. Whichever decision he took, he fulfilled that. When he pledged to go to forest, he went even though all people except Kaikeyi were against his departure. He says in Ayodhya Kand –

अर्थितोह्यस्मि कैकेय्या वनं गच्छेति राघव ।

मया चोक्तं व्रजामीति तत्सत्यमनुपलये ।।

अयोध्या काण्ड २८-३९

My mother has asked me to go to the forest that is why I am going. I have to protect my words and pledge.

Ram was not a greedy man. After defeating Ravana in Lanka, Lakshaman wanted to take over the gold-made kingdom of Lanka but Ram refused and said

अपि स्वर्णमयी लंका न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते ।

जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ।।

युद्ध कांड

O Lakshman, I do not like this Lanka made with gold. Mother and motherland are better than heaven.

All these attributes of Ram establish him as Maryada Purushottama. Real worship of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram is to imbibe his virtues and qualities in our life.

Be Devout To Your Parents As Shri Ram Was

Be Faithful And Affectionate To Your Brothers As Shri Ram Was

Be An Embodiment Of Dharma As Shri Ram Was

Be A Seeker Of True Knowledge As Shri Ram Was

Be A Benevolent And Beholden As Shri Ram Was

Be A Great Warrior To Protect Truth And Dharm As Shri Ram Was

Be A Staunch Devout To Almighty, Omnipresent, Ishwar/God As Shri Ram Was

Be A Strong Practitioner Of Ethics As Shri Ram Was

Be In Service Of Parents As Shri Ram Was

Be A Selfless Assertive And Best Administrator As Shri Ram Was

Be Free From Anger And Greed As Shri Ram Was

Be Protector Of Yajnyas – Supreme Selfless Deeds As Shri Ram Was