Shri Ram: The Divine Ideal of Virtue and Grace – Maryada Purushottam

By Vinay Nalwa

On April 6, 2025, Hindus across the world will celebrate Ram Navami, the sacred festival that marks the birth of Shri Ram, the seventh incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu, the divine preserver in the Hindu trinity of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (transformer). This occasion falls on the ninth day (Navami) of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra, according to the Hindu lunar calendar, and is observed with great reverence throughout India and the global Hindu diaspora.

This festival is not merely a commemoration of a birth—it is the reaffirmation of Dharma, compassion, and the timeless presence of the Maryada Purushottam.

Across temples and homes, from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram, the air resonates with bhajans, Ramayana recitations, and Rath Yatras. Devotees fast, sing kirtans, and offer prayers, immersing themselves in remembrance of Shri Ram, who is not only worshipped as God incarnate, but revered as the ideal man, the one who lived every moment in complete alignment with truth, humility, valor, and restraint.

The very title Maryada Purushottam means “the Supreme Being who exemplifies righteous conduct.” Shri Ram is that divine form who, while holding the fullness of divinity, chose to walk the earth as an ideal son, husband, king, and warrior—not to assert power, but to demonstrate the possibility of living in complete surrender to Dharma even amidst the most difficult challenges.

His life is not just a story of the past—it is a guiding light for all ages.

Sri Ram in Itihasa and Bhakti Literature

The ideals of Sri Ram have been lovingly preserved by saints, poets, and sages for millennia. Maharishi Valmiki, the Adikavi, gave the world the Ramayana, a poetic scripture infused with valor, love, sorrow, and cosmic Dharma. Later, Sant Tulsidas brought those divine leelas to every household through the Ramcharitmanas, kindling Bhakti in the hearts of even the simplest devotees.

From Kamban's Tamil Kamba Ramayanam to Madhava Kandali’s Assamese Ramayana, from Pothana in Andhra to Ezhuthachan in Kerala, and Krittibas Ojha in Bengal—every corner of Bharat echoed the sacred narrative. These works are not just regional adaptations but living spiritual traditions, weaving the divine character of Shri Ram into the cultural and emotional fabric of the land.

Lord Ram, was born in the ancient Ikshvaku Dynasty, often regarded as one of the most virtuous royal lineages in Hindu tradition. He is described as the perfect embodiment of Dharma—a Sanskrit term meaning righteous living, moral order, and duty.

According to the Ramayana, the revered Hindu sage Valmiki once asked the celestial seer Narad Muni (a divine messenger known for his deep wisdom and musical devotion) if there existed any man on earth who possessed all the noble qualities that define ideal character. In response, Narad listed sixteen divine qualities—such as truthfulness, courage, compassion, and integrity—and declared that all these were perfectly manifested in one person: Shri Ram.

Inspired by this revelation, and guided by Brahma (the Creator god in Hinduism) as well as his own teacher (Guru), Valmiki composed the Ramayana, one of the greatest epics in world literature.

The conversation describing the divine qualities (gunas) of Shri Ram unfolds as follows:

Valmiki inquires:

को न्वस्मिन् साम्प्रतं लोके गुणवान्कश्च वीर्यवान् | धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च सत्यवाक्यो दृढव्रतः ||

ko nvasmin sāmprataṁ loke guṇavān kaśca vīryavān |dharmajñaś ca kṛtajñaś ca satyavākyo dṛḍhavrataḥ ||

Translation: "Who really is that person in this present world, who is virtuous and vigorous, a conscientious one, one who is mindful of good deeds done to him, and also a speaker of truth and who is determined in his deed?"

चारित्रेण च को युक्तः सर्वभूतेषु को हितः | विद्वान् कः कः समर्थश्च कश्चैकप्रियदर्शनः ||

cāritreṇa ca ko yuktaḥ sarvabhūteṣu ko hitaḥ |vidvān kaḥ kaḥ samarthaś ca kaścaika priyadarśanaḥ ||

Translation: "Who is appropriate in disposition? Who is interested in the welfare of all beings? Who is an adept one, an able one, and uniquely pleasant to look at?"

आत्मवान् को जितक्रोधो द्युतिमान् को'नसूयकः | कस्य बिभ्यति देवाश्च जातरोषस्य संयुगे ||

ātmavān ko jitakrodho dyutimān ko'nasūyakaḥ |kasya bibhyati devāś ca jātarōṣasya saṁyugē ||

Translation: "Who is that self-composed one, who has controlled his ire, who is brilliant, non-jealous, and whom even the gods fear when provoked to war?"

एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे | महर्षे त्वं समर्थो'सि ज्ञातुमेवंविधं नरं ||

etadicchāmy ahaṁ śrotuṁ paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me |maharṣe tvaṁ samartho'si jñātum evaṁvidhaṁ naraṁ ||

Translation: "I wish to hear all this, as my curiosity is immense. O Great Sage, you are competent to know about such a person."

The 16 Values that Define an Ideal Human – As Inquired by Valmiki and Embodied by Sri Ram 

• Guṇavān (Virtuous) – Noble qualities such as kindness, honesty, humility.

• Vīryavān (Vigorous) – Courageous and mentally resilient.

• Dharmajñaḥ (Knower of Dharma) – Understands and follows Dharma unwaveringly.

• Kṛtajñaḥ (Grateful) – Remembers and repays kindness.

• Satyavākyaḥ (Truthful) – Speaks only the truth, earns trust.

• Dṛḍhavrataḥ (Steadfast) – Unshakeable in vows and duties.

• Cāritravān (Of Good Character) – Morally sound, ethical in all actions.

• Sarvabhūteṣu Hitaḥ (Well-Wisher of All) – Compassionate and just toward all

• Vidvān (Wise) – Knowledgeable with practical wisdom.

• Samarthaḥ (Capable) – Resourceful and successful in actions.

• Ekapriyadarśanaḥ (Pleasing Personality) – Graceful and magnetic presence.

• Ātmavān (Self-Controlled) – Balanced and disciplined within.

• Jitakrodhaḥ (Anger Conqueror) – Calm, patient and in control of temper.

• Dyutimān (Radiant) – Charismatic and inspiring.

• Anasūyakaḥ (Non-Jealous) – Encourages others without envy.

• Bibhyaṭi Devāḥ Saṃyuge (Even Gods Fear Him in Battle) – Supreme valor and power.

In response, Devrishi Narad says:

बहवो दुर्लभाश्चैव ये त्वया कीर्तिता गुणाः |मुने वक्ष्याम्यहं बुद्ध्वा तैर्युक्तः श्रूयतां नरः ||

Bahavo durlabhāścaiva ye tvayā kīrtitā guṇāḥ |Mune vakṣyāmyahaṁ buddhvā tairyuktaḥ śrūyatāṁ naraḥ ||

Translation:  "Oh, Sage Valmiki! The virtues you have mentioned are rare and difficult to find. However, I will describe a man who possesses them. Listen carefully."

This verse sets the stage for the description of Shri Ram's divine qualities. Narada acknowledges that these virtues are difficult to find in one person, yet Shri Ram embodies them all.

1.1.8इक्ष्वाकुवंशप्रभवो रामो नाम जनैः श्रुतः |नियतात्मा महावीर्यो द्युतिमान् धृतिमान् वशी ||

Ikṣvāku-vaṁśa-prabhavo Rāmo nāma janaiḥ śrutaḥ |Niyatātmā mahāvīryo dyutimān dhṛtimān vaśī ||

"Born in the Ikshvaku dynasty, known as Rama, he is self-controlled, highly valorous, radiant, steadfast, and a master of his senses."

Explanation:This verse highlights Ram’s noble lineage and supreme self-discipline. His steadfastness (धृतिमान्) and mastery over his senses (वशी) reflect his supreme self-control and unwavering commitment to Dharma.

1.1.9बुद्धिमान्नीतिमान्वाग्ग्मी श्रीमान् शत्रुनिबर्हणः |विपुलांसो महाबाहुः कम्बुग्रीवो महाहनुः ||

Buddhimān nītimān vāgmī śrīmān śatru-nibarhaṇaḥ |Vipulāṁso mahābāhuḥ kambugrīvo mahāhanuḥ ||

Explanation: "He is wise, righteous, eloquent, prosperous, and a destroyer of enemies. He has broad shoulders, long arms, a conch-like neck, and a strong jaw."

In today’s world, where the younger generation is often overwhelmed by confusion, distractions, and moral ambiguity, it is vital to remember that Sri Ram is not merely an ideal man—He is Bhagwan Himself, descended on earth to restore Dharma and guide humanity. His life was not just a story of virtue, but a divine leela—a cosmic play through which He demonstrated how to live with truth, devotion, compassion, and courage.

Every action of Sri Ram, whether as a son, a king, a husband, or a warrior, is infused with divine wisdom meant to uplift souls and guide them toward righteous living. His divine qualities are not just moral benchmarks—they are eternal truths revealed through the life of a God who walked this earth.

This Ram Navami, let us not merely admire Bhagwan Ram’s character as an ideal; let us worship Him as the Supreme Being, whose leelas illuminate the Dharma Marga—the path of righteousness—for all beings in all times.

Let His divine presence dwell in our hearts and inspire us to walk in the light of Sanatan Dharma, with humility, strength, and unwavering devotion.

Jai Shri Ram!

(The writer is an author and columnist, and co-author of the book Ramjanmabhoomi: Truth, Evidence, Faith.)

References and Suggested Readings :

1.  Valmiki Ramayana – Translated by Bibek Debroy, Gita Press editions, and various regional versions.

2.   Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas – Critical edition by Gita Press, Gorakhpur.

3.   Kamba Ramayanam by Kamban – Tamil version of the Ramayana, widely revered in South India.

4.   Assamese Ramayana by Madhava Kandali – One of the earliest regional Ramayana translations.

5.   Bengali Ramayana by Krittibas Ojha – A devotional retelling celebrated in Bengal.

6.  Bhakti and the Bhakti Movement by Krishna Sharma – Insight into the devotional literature around Ram.

7.  The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version by R.K. Narayan – Accessible retelling based on Valmiki.

8.  Ramayana in Regional and Vernacular Traditions – Collected essays, Sahitya Akademi publications.

9.     Shri Ramcharitmanas Saar – Gita Press, for philosophical and moral reflections.

10.  The Idea of Ram: Reflections on the Cultural Symbolism of Ram – Various essays in Indian philosophy and Dharma studies.