त्यक्ता जीर्णदुकूलवद्वसुमतिर्बद्धोऽम्बुधिर्बिन्दुवद्
बाणाग्रेण जरत्कपोतक इव व्यापादितो रावणः ।
लंकाऽपि विभिषणाय सहसा मुद्रेव हस्तेऽर्पिता
श्रुत्वैवं रघुनन्दनस्य चरितं को वा न रोमांचति ।। (रसतरंगिणी, ७।२१)
who stormed whole ocean like a mere drop;
by the tip of an arrow, who killed Ravana resembling like an old Pigeon in front of him;
who gave Lanka, the golden kingdom to Vibhishana like a mere ring,
So who would not be thrilled upon listening such illustrious exploits of Lord Rama?
So Lets start listening the virtues of Lord Rama which will certaininly make one thrilled
Divine Sage Narada says to Sage Valmiki:-
स च सर्व गुणोपेतः कौसल्य आनंद वर्धनः |
समुद्र इव गाम्भीर्ये धैर्येण हिमवान् इव || [VR 1-1-17]
Shri Ram is an embodiment of all noble merits, who betters the happiness of his mother Kausalya, in profundity he is like an unfathomable ocean, and by fortitude he is unalterable like the kingly Himalayan mountain.
Sage Valmiki has described the innumerable virtues of Lord Rama in the 1st Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda. So Verses are taken from Valmiki Ramayana to see the various virtues of Lord Rama. Since Shri Rama is Purushottama, the best among men or say the perfect Human-incarnation, His virtues are unlimited. Valmiki in last concluded that Those virtues of lord Rama are uncountable and those virtues are the best.(For translation, Help of official website of Valmiki-Ramayana is taken.)
स हि देवै रुदीर्णस्य रावणस्य वधार्थिभिः |
अर्थितो मानुषे लोके जज्ञे विष्णुः सनातनः || [VR 2-1-7]
Lord Rama - is the eternal Vishnu i.e. Maha Vishnu (MahaVishnu is eternal Vishnu because only this Vishnu is eternal, all Vishnu-Murtis are originated from this Vishnu only) (here स हि is used for emphasizing that Rama himself is eternal Vishnu / MahaVishnu) who was born on earth as prayed by celestials to kill the egoistic Ravana.
स हि रूपोपपन्नश्च वीर्यवाननसूयकः |
भूमावनुपमः सूनुर्गणैर्धशरथोपमः || [VR 2-1-9]
Rama was beautiful in form, a hero of valor and without envy. By virtues, he was like Dasaratha. In this way, he was an incomparable son on earth.
स च नित्यं प्रशान्तात्मा मृदुपूर्वं तु भाषते |
उच्यमानोऽपि परुषं नोत्तरं प्रतिपद्यते ||[VR 2-1-10]
That Rama was always peaceful in mind and spoke softly. He did not react to the hard words spoken by others.
कथंचिदुपकारेण कृतेनै केन तुष्यति |
न स्मरत्यपकाराणां शतमप्यात्मवत्तया ||[VR 2-1-11]
That Rama, because of his good bent of mind, feels glad even by whatever way a good thing is done to him. He does not remember any number of bad things done to him.
शीलवृद्धै र्ज्ञानवृद्धैर्वयोवृद्धैश्च सज्जनैः |
कथयन्नास्त वैनित्य मस्त्रयोग्यान्तरेष्वपि || [VR 2-1-12]
Whenever he finds some time even while practising archery, Rama used to converse with elderly people, elder by way of conduct or wisdom or age or with good- natured people.
बुद्धिमान् मधुराभाषी पूर्वभाषी प्रियंवदः |
वीर्यवान्न च वीर्येण महता स्वेन विस्मितः ||[VR 2-1-13]
Rama was a wise man. He used to speak sweetly. He was the first man to initiate a talk. His speech was compassionate. He was valorous. But he was not arrogant of his mighty valor.
न चानृतकथो विद्वान् वृद्धानां प्रतिपूजकः |
अनुरक्तः प्रजाभिश्च प्रजाश्चाप्यनुरज्यते ||[VR 2-1-14]
He did not speak untruth. He was all knowing. He used to be receptive and worshipful to the elders. People used to love him and he used to love the people.
सानुक्रोशो जितक्रोधो ब्राह्मणप्रतिपूजकः |
दीनानुकम्पी धर्मज्ज़्नो नित्यं प्रग्रहवान् शुचिः ||[VR 2-1-15]
He had compassion. He conquered anger. He used to be receptive and worshipful to the wise. He had mercy towards the meek. He knew what was to be done. He had always self-control. He was clean (in conduct).
कुलोचितमतिः क्षात्रं धर्मं स्वं बहुमन्यते |
मन्यते परया कीर्त्य महत्स्वर्गफलं ततः ||[VR 2-1-16]
That Rama, having an attitude suitable for his social rank, giving due respect to righteousness of warrior-class, believed that by following the righteousness he would attain great fame and through it the fruit of heaven.
नाश्रेयसि रतो विद्वान्न विरुद्धकथारुचिः |
उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पति र्यथा ||[VR 2-1-17]
Rama was not interested in actions, which were not beneficial. He was a scholar. He had no taste in tales opposing righteousness. Like Vachaspathi, his eloquent speech contained a series of strategies for action.
अरोगस्तरुणो वाग्मी वपुष्मान् देशकालवित् |
लोके पुरुषसारज्ञस्साधुरेको विनिर्मितः ||[VR 2-1-18]
Rama was a young man without any disease. He was a good speaker. He had a good body. He knew both time and place. He could grasp the essence of men. He was the one gentleman born on earth.
स तु स्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः |
बहिश्चर इव प्राणो बभूव गुणतः प्रियः ||[VR 2-1-19]
People loved the virtuous prince Rama and treated him as their spirit moving outside.
सम्यग्विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत्साङ्गवेदवित् |
इष्वस्त्रे च पितुः श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः || [VR 2-1-20]
After completing his education properly, Rama, after knowing the science of archery as prescribed, was better than his father in the use of bow and arrows.
कल्याणाभिजनः साधुरदीनः सत्यवागृजुः |
वृद्धैरभिविनीतश्च द्विजैर्धर्मार्थदर्शिभिः ||[VR 2-1-21]
Rama, having born in a good clan, was gentle minded. He was not feeble. He spoke truth. He was straightforward. He was properly trained by elderly wise men that knew righteousness.
धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मृतिमान् प्रतिभानवान् |
लौकिके समयाचारे कृतकल्पो विशारदः ||[VR 2-1-22]
Rama knew the real form of desire, wealth and righteousness. He had a good memory power. He had a spontaneous wisdom. He had skills in arranging customs useful to society prevalent at that time.
निभृतः संवृताकारो गुप्तमन्त्रः सहायवान् |
अमोघक्रोधहर्षश्च त्यागसंयमकालवित् ||[VR 2-1-23]
Rama was humble. He did not let his feelings appear outwardly. He kept his thoughts to himself. He helped others. His anger and pleasure were not wasteful. He knew when to give and when not to give.
दृढभक्तिः स्थिरप्रज्ञो नासद्ग्राही न दुर्वचाः |
निस्तन्द्रिरप्रमत्तश्च स्वदोषपरदोषवित् || [VR 2-1-24]
Rama had a firm devotion and steadfast mind. He was not stubborn nor did he speak evil words. He was free from idleness and was ever alert. He recognized his own errors and those of others.
शास्त्रज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च पुरुषान्तरकोविदः |
यः प्रग्रहानुग्रहयोर्यथान्यायं विचक्षणः ||[VR 2-1-25]
Rama knew the theory and practice of sciences. He understood the differences among men. He could judiciously discriminate whom to protect and whom to punish.
सत्संग्रहप्रग्रहणे स्थानविन्निग्रहस्य च |
आयकर्मण्युपायज्ञः संदृष्टव्ययकर्मवित् ||[VR 2-1-26]
He identified good men and protected them. He knew the people worthy of reprimand. He knew the ways and means of getting income as well as the system of spending, as perceived by economic sciences.
श्रैष्ठ्यं शास्त्रसमूहेषु प्राप्तो व्यामिश्रकेषु च |
अर्थधर्मौ च संगृह्य सुखतन्त्रो न चालसः ||[VR 2-1-27]
Rama could obtain great skill in the groups of sciences along with their subsidiaries. He was interested in enjoying comforts only after understanding the economic realities. He never remained inactive.
वैहारिकाणां शिल्पानां विज्ञातार्थविभागवित् |
आरोहे विनये चैव युक्तोवारणवाजिनाम् ||[VR 2-1-28]
Rama was acquainted with the fine arts useful for entertainment. He knew how to distribute the wealth. He was efficient in riding and taming of elephants and horses.
धनुर्वेदविदां स्रेष्ठो लोकेऽतिरथसंमतः |
अभियाता प्रहर्ता च सेनानयविशारदः ||[VR 2-1-29]
Rama was the best of persons knowing the science of archery in the world; and was well appreciated by the champions of archery. He attained skills in marshalling the army. He faced and killed the enemies in battle.
अप्रधृष्यश्च संग्रामे क्रुद्धैरपि सुरासुरैः |
अनसूयो जितक्रोधो न दृप्तो न च मत्सरी |
न चावमन्ता भूतानां न च कालवशानुगः || [VR 2-1-31]
Even enraged celestials and demons could not defeat Rama in battle. He had no jealousy. He conquered anger. He had no arrogance and envy. He had not humiliated any living being. He had not surrendered to time.
एवं श्रेष्ठगुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः |
संमतस्त्रिषु लोकेषुवसुधायाः क्षमागुणैः ||[VR 2-1-31]
बुद्द्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्येणापि शचीपतेः |
That Prince Rama, with these good virtues, was fair to the people. He was agreeable to the three worlds. By patience and the related virtues, he was equal to earth, by wisdom to Brihaspathi and by valor to Devendra.
तथा सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसंजननैः पितुः || [VR 2-1-32]
गुणैर्विरुरुचे रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवांशुभिः |
Rama, by his virtues, was a source of happiness to all the people and a spring of joy to his father. As the sun shines with his rays, Rama was shining, thus, with his virtues.
तमेवंव्रतसंपन्नमप्रधृष्यपराक्रमम् || [VR 2-1-33]
लोकपालोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी |
The earth wished Rama to be her Lord as he was adorned with self -control and norms of behavior bearing undefeatable valor equal to that of universal lords like Indra.
एतैस्तु बहुभिर्युक्तं गुणैरनुपमैः सुतम् ||[VR 2-1-34]
दृष्ट्वा दशरथो राजा चक्रे चिन्तां परंतपः |
Dasaratha, who annihilates enemies, started thinking as follows after observing his son with his many incomparable virtues.
यमशक्रसमो वीर्ये बृहस्पतिसमो मतौ ||[VR 2-1-38]
महीधरसमो धृत्यां मत्तश्च गुणवत्तरः |
"Rama is equal to Yama and Devendra in valor, to Brihaspati in wisdom and to a mountain in courage. He is more virtuous than me."
इत्येतै र्विविधै स्तैस्तै रन्यपार्थिवदुर्लभैः || [VR 2-1-40]
शिष्टैरपरिमेयैश्छ लोके लोकोत्तरैर्गुणैः |
तं समीक्ष्य महाराजो युक्तं समुदितैः शुभैः ||[VR 2-1-41]
निश्चित्य सचिवैः सार्धं युवराजममन्यत |
Rama had many other virtues beyond hitherto stated virtues not to be seen in other kings. His virtues cannot be counted and those Virtues are the best in the world. Seeing that type of virtuous Rama, Dasaratha along with his ministers, decided to make Rama the prince.
पूर्णचन्द्राननस्याथ शोकापनुदमात्मनः ||[2-1-43]
लोके रामस्य बुबुधे संप्रियत्वं महात्मनः |
DasRatha recognized that if Rama were crowned as king, he would not have worries as Rama had beautiful face as a full moon; was a great wise man; and was liked by the people.
आत्मनश्च प्रजानां च श्रेयसे च प्रियेण च ||[VR 2-1-44]
प्राप्तकालेन धर्मात्मा भक्त्या त्वरितवान् नृपः |
The righteous Dasaratha was hurried with concern in the coronation of Rama as it is for his own benefit and for the benefit of people. Because it is as per his liking and also as the appropriate time has come.
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