Rama is considered the ideal man in Hinduism and the seventh avatar of Vishnu. He is depicted as married to Sita with brothers Laksmana, Bharata, and Satrughna. The story of the Ramayana tells of how the demon Ravana kidnaps Sita and Rama's allies help him battle Ravana and rescue her. The characters in the story can represent different aspects of oneself, such as Ravana symbolizing the aggressive ego and Rama the true self. Rama is often shown holding a bow and arrows from defeating Ravana and with symbols of Vishnu and royalty on his head.

1. Rama
“The Perfect Man”

2. Who is Rama?
“Rama is the model of reason, right action, and
commendable virtues.”
He is often depicted with a tall conical cap which symbolizes his royal
status.
• Rama was married to Sita and had three
brothers:Laksmana, Satrughna and Bharata
• Rama = “one who permeates and who is present in everything
and everyone”
• Seventh avatar of Vishnu
• Avatar = the human incarnation of a god

3. The Ramdarbar
The Ramdarbar is the name given to the four characters that are
in the Ramayana, a very popular Hindu story. The characters are
(from bottom left to right) Hanuman, Laksmana, Rama, and Sita.

4. The Ramayana
Ravana, a 10-headed god, was Rama’s enemy. But because
Ravana could do unbelievable acts like stand on one foot for a
thousand years, Brahman gave him a wish. Ravana, being selfish,
asked for protection from defeat from gods, animals, and demons.
Rama had gone into exile with his wife, Sita, after being denied
his father’s throne as king. Ravana then kidnapped Sita and took her
to Sri Lanka. Hanuman and Laksmana, who had gone into exile with
Rama and Sita, agreed to help get Sita back. Hanuman searched for
and found Sita in Sri Lanka. Rama, along with his brother, Laksmana,
Hanuman, an army of monkeys, and other gods went to save Sita. After
a very long battle which ends with Rama killing Ravana, Sita is
rescued. It is then revealed to Rama that he is an avatar of Vishnu and
was sent to earth to kill Ravana. Rama is then offered his brother
Bharata’s throne, but he is not interested and gives the kingdom to
Vibhishana.

5. What Could Someone Learn
from the Ramayana?
• The characters in the legend are symbolic.
• Ravana = rajasic (aggressive, self-assertive) ego
• Sita = cosmic energy (Kundalini)
– So the ego kidnaps the cosmic energy for wrong use.
• Hanuman = rhythmic breathing (Pranayama)
• Rama = Self
– So the rhythmic breathing told the self where to find the cosmic energy
• Death of Ravana = destruction of rajasic ego
• Rama and Sita’s marriage = union between Shakti and consciousness
of True Self.
• Presentation of throne to Vibhishana = establishment of Sattva Guna
(purity) and equanimity (calm and even-tempered) through self-
realization

6. What do the pictures mean?
• Rama is shown in most pictures holding
a bow and arrows for two reasons. First,
he holds the bow because he supposedly
bent a war bow in order to marry Sita.
He holds the arrows because he used
those to kill Ravana.
• Rama has the Vishnu symbol on his head
because he is the avatar of Vishnu.
• Rama has the gold, conical cap on to
symbolize his royalty as prince, and later
king.