Ramachandra

Lord Ramachandra | Who is Lord Ramachandra as per Vedic literature?

Lord Ramachandra is one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities and is the embodiment of chivalry and virtue.

is a major deity in Hinduism. He is the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Being.

Rama was born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the capital of the Kingdom of Kosala.

His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. Rama also had a sister, Shanta, from his mother Kaushalya. She was the eldest of Dasharatha’s children and was married to Rishi Shreengi.

Though born in a royal family, Rama’s life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes, such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, and challenges of ethical questions and moral dilemmas.

Of all his travails, the most notable is the kidnapping of his wife Sita by demon-king Ravana, followed by the determined and epic efforts of Rama and Lakshmana to gain her freedom and destroy the evil Ravana against great odds.

The word Rama appears in ancient literature in reverential terms for three individuals:

1. Parashu-rama, as the sixth avatar of Vishnu. He is linked to the Rama Jamadagnya of the Rigveda fame.
2. Ramachandra is the seventh avatar of Vishnu and of the ancient Ramayana fame.
3. Balarama, also called Halayudha, is the elder brother of Krishna both of whom appear in the legends of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

The Vishnu avatar named Rama is also known by other names. He is called Ramachandra (beautiful, lovely moon), Dasarathi (son of Dasaratha), or Raghava (descendant of Raghu, solar dynasty in Hindu cosmology). He is also known as Ram Lalla (the infant form of Rama).