Shri Raam, with a radiant blue complexion and Mother Sita beside him on his left, holding the bow and arrow, I bow to you, the noble Lord of the Raghu Dynasty.
Shri Raam is the incarnation of God as the Maryada Purushottam—the ideal upholder of duty. Through His life, He exemplified the teachings of the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas. He taught us reverence for parents through his dedication to fulfilling his family’s wishes. As a devoted student, He embodied the highest virtues of learning, discipline, and respect for the Guru, showing the way for all students. By defending sages and protecting their sacred rituals, He demonstrated the duty of upholding Hindu dharma and respecting our Acharyas, Gurus, and Brahmanas. When Sita chose him as her husband, He modelled the ideal spouse, showing men the importance of caring for one’s wife. In his friendships with Sugreeva and Hanuman Ji, He illustrated the value of good company and loyalty.
In establishing the Rameshwaram shrine in honour of Lord Shiva, Shri Raam taught us profound devotion. His friendship with Vibhishana taught us to look for good even among the seemingly wicked and not to judge hastily. By defeating Ravana, He taught us the need to overcome our inner demons. Sending the pregnant Mother Sita to the ashram demonstrated the importance of raising children in spiritual surroundings and with a worthy Guru, to ensure they become exemplary individuals. His sons, Luv and Kush, learned the wisdom of the universe from their Guru rather than merely palace life. Shri Raam’s life is a timeless example of righteousness.
As an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Shri Raam descended to earth with Mother Lakshmi, manifest as Sita, the daughter of King Janak. Lord Lakshman, the devoted brother, is an incarnation of Shesha Naag, the divine serpent on which Vishnu rests. He serves as the eternal protector, similar to Lord Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother, and remains inseparable from Shri Raam. Hanuman Ji, a partial incarnation of Lord Shiva, desired to serve the Divine and thus incarnated as Shri Raam’s loyal devotee, playing a central role in his journey.
Mother Sita, as an incarnation of Lakshmi, embodies purity, chastity, and unwavering devotion to her husband. She joined Shri Raam in exile, remaining steadfast by His side through every hardship. Her dedication as a wife was unshakable, even undergoing a trial by fire to uphold the honour of her husband and kingdom.
Shri Lakshman represents the Sankarshana expansion of the Divine, as further described in sacred texts. Just as Balarama was to Krishna, Lakshman was to Raam—inseparable and devoted. He exemplified the ideal love between brothers, standing by Shri Raam in unwavering loyalty, and teaching mutual support, respect, and love to all siblings. The lives of Shri Raam, Mother Sita, and Shri Lakshman continue to offer timeless guidance and inspiration.