Why Lord Rama is the incarnation of a perfect human being?

The Pious soul

The saintly character of Lord Rama continues to inspire millions of people worldwide through his story and teachings. Many Hindus worship him as a symbol of divine love and devotion, considering him an ideal human being who is often portrayed as 'Maryada Purushottam,' which means the perfect man. He is believed to possess all the virtues that a human being should have, such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and respect for elders. He is revered for his exemplary character and virtues. His story, as described in the Hindu epic Ramayana, is a glorious tale of his victory over evil and his resolute adherence to Dharma (righteousness) in the face of insurmountable challenges and unbearable hardships. His pious life and teachings have been a constant source of inspiration and guidance for generations. In short, he embodies many qualities and virtues that are highly cherished in the religion.

Dharma

Lord Rama is known for his adherence to Dharma, which means righteousness or moral duty. He always followed the path of Dharma as a prince, a brother, a husband, a son, and a human being, never wavering from his moral principles even in the face of great adversity. He always stood for what was right. When he was unable to convince his people of his beloved wife Sita's purity, he banished her from his kingdom, causing him enormous personal pain. It is important to note that Lord Rama did not abandon Sita willingly but was compelled to do so by the societal norms and expectations of his time. In ancient India, a woman's chastity was considered paramount, and any doubts about it could bring shame to the entire family. Lord Rama was faced with a difficult choice and chose to uphold the societal norms and expectations of his time rather than risk bringing shame to his kingdom. Lord Rama's decision to abandon Sita was an act of selflessness and a demonstration of his commitment to upholding the social order. As a king, he was duty-bound to act in the best interests of his subjects, and he believed that his actions were necessary to preserve the integrity of the royal lineage and the social order.

Empathy

He is also known for his compassion and empathy towards all living beings. He is shown to be kind and just to everyone, including his enemies. After he was exiled from his kingdom, Lord Rama met many poor and needy people on the way to the forest. He showed great compassion towards them and helped them in whatever way he could. Lord Rama always empathized with the common people and was just and fair in his dealings with them. He was known for his love for his subjects and always put their welfare first. Of course, his love for his brother and Sita is legendary. When Ravana kidnapped his beloved wife, he was full of agony and sorrow but did not lose heart. He left no stone unturned to rescue her from the clutches of Ravana and even fought a fierce battle with the demon king to save her. When the monkey king Sugriva, whose kingdom had been taken over by his brother Vali, approached Lord Rama, he felt great sympathy towards him. He helped Sugriva by defeating Vali and restoring his kingdom to him. Even though Lord Rama was engaged in a fierce battle with Ravana, he never forgot his compassion toward him. After defeating Ravana and killing him, Lord Rama even gave him a proper funeral and ensured that he received moksha or liberation.

Bravery

Lord Rama fought and defeated the demons Tataki, Mareechu, and Subahu on the instructions of his guru, Vishwamitra. These demons had been causing trouble for the rishis in the forest. Being the brave and courageous warrior that he was, Lord Rama fought against them and saved the yagna of the rishis. He demonstrated his strength by lifting and stringing the heavy bow of Lord Shiva, a feat considered the ultimate test of power at that time. He won the hand of Sita in marriage as a result. The divine bow of Lord Shiva was incredibly heavy and required immense physical strength to lift. Many princes who attempted to lift the bow lacked the necessary strength, skill, virtue, and humility necessary to win the hand of Sita. He also defeated the demon king Vali, who had been oppressing his brother Sugriva and his people. When the demon king Ravana abducted his beloved wife Sita and held her captive in Lanka, Lord Rama had to cross the vast ocean to reach Lanka and rescue her. He prayed to the sea god, who granted him a boon that allowed him to construct a bridge of stones across the ocean. Leading his army across the bridge, he successfully reached Lanka and engaged in a fierce battle, ultimately securing his wife's release from Ravana's clutches

Humility

Despite being a prince and later a king, Lord Rama is portrayed as unassuming and down-to-earth. He was a humble and modest leader. When Rama was exiled to the forest, he accepted his fate with humility. Whenever he sought help from others, he gave something in return. He listened to Sugriva's story patiently and offered to help him regain the kingdom --that was snatched away by his brother Vali-- in return. When Rama and his army built a bridge to Lanka, he did not take credit for the feat. Instead, he gave credit to his army and Hanuman, the monkey god, saying, "It was the strength and determination of my army that made this bridge possible. And it was Hanuman who led the way." After defeating Ravana, he did not celebrate his victory. Instead, he gave full credit to his allies and friends who helped him along the way, saying, "It was thanks to the loyalty and bravery of my allies that we were able to defeat Ravana and save Sita." In a nutshell, Lord Rama's humility and modesty are evident throughout the Ramayana. He is a leader who leads by example, never boasting or seeking glory for himself, but always giving credit to those around him.

Forgiveness

Lord Rama was known for his forgiveness towards those who wronged him. He never held grudges and always gave people a second chance. For instance, when Rama's stepmother, Kaikeyi, demanded that Rama be exiled to the forest and her own son, Bharata, be crowned king, Rama accepted the punishment without anger or resentment towards her. He forgave her and even asked Bharata to rule in his place until he returns. Similarly, when the demoness Shurpanakha tried to seduce him and attacked Sita, he ordered his brother Lakshmana to spare her life, even though she had caused them harm. He told her to go back to her brother Ravana and tell him to make peace with Rama. Additionally, when he finally defeated Ravana and rescued Sita, he welcomed his wife back without any reservations or questions. Overall, Lord Rama always valued peace and reconciliation in place of revenge and resentment.

Patience

Lord Rama is an embodiment of monumental patience and admirable emotional balance. There are many examples that illustrate his calm demeanor even in difficult situations. When he was exiled to the forest for 14 years, he accepted his fate without blaming anyone for his misfortune. When Rama's wife Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, Rama remained calm and focused on his pursuit to rescue her. He did not allow his emotions to cloud his judgment or deter him from his mission. When Rama's ally, Jatayu, was killed while trying to save Sita from Ravana's clutches, Rama did not lose his temper or seek revenge. Instead, he mourned the loss of his friend and honoured his bravery. The battle with Ravana revealed the best in Lord Rama, who was not swayed by fear nor distracted by the enemy's powerful army. He confronted Ravana in a calm and composed manner, exhibiting fierce determination to rescue his wife. Almost always, Lord Rama was able to handle difficult situations with grace and composure, inspiring those around him to follow his example.

Leadership

Lord Rama is indeed regarded as a compassionate and virtuous leader in Hindu mythology. He is known for his compassion towards all beings, including animals. In the Ramayana, he is shown saving a squirrel from being crushed under a boulder while building a bridge to Lanka. This demonstrates his respect for all life forms. His respect for his elders, peers, and subordinates is a well-known fact. He loved his father King Dasharatha and his teacher, Sage Vashistha, and always listened to their advice. After obliging his father’s commands voluntarily and subjecting himself to a 14-year exile, he renounced his throne and decided to live in the forest to uphold his dharma as a son and as a leader. When his subjects expressed doubts over the integrity of his beloved wife Sita, he decided to send her to the forest. He even refused to take Sita back without her proving her purity—despite being his beloved wife. He led by example and encouraged people to stick to a path of righteousness always.

Conclusion

Thus, despite being a human being, Lord Rama possessed all the divine qualities and attributes of the Almighty, the supreme God. He lived his life according to the principles of dharma (righteousness), and his life serves as a guide for humanity to lead a virtuous and purposeful life. By following the path of righteousness, like Lord Rama, humans can imbibe divine, sublime qualities that can transform them into a supreme being and enable them to become part of God.