CharacterRaghuvamsha
Rama: FAQ & Sources
रामPrince and king of Ayodhya; seventh avatar of Vishnu. Also called Raghava, Raghunandana, Dasharathi, Ramachandra, Kausalyanandana, Maryada Purushottama, Kodandapani.
Rama, prince of Ayodhya and seventh avatar of Vishnu, is the hero of the Ramayana. Exiled for fourteen years, he lost his wife Sita to Ravana, allied with Hanuman and the vanaras, won her back in the war of Lanka and ruled as the ideal king. He is honoured as Maryada Purushottama.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Rama?
Rama is the prince of Ayodhya, the hero of the Ramayana and the seventh avatar of Vishnu, honoured as Maryada Purushottama.
Who were Rama's parents?
King Dasharatha of Ayodhya and Queen Kausalya.
Why was Rama exiled?
Queen Kaikeyi claimed two boons from Dasharatha: that her son Bharata be crowned and Rama be sent to the forest for fourteen years.
When was Rama born?
On the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra, celebrated as Rama Navami.
What is the name of Rama's bow?
Kodanda; he also strung Vishnu's bow Sharanga and broke Shiva's bow Pinaka.
Who were Rama's sons?
The twins Lava and Kusha, born to Sita in Valmiki's hermitage.
Sources
- Valmiki Ramayana, Bala to Uttara Kanda
- Tulsidas, Ramcharitmanas
- Adhyatma Ramayana
- Bhagavata Purana, Book 9, chs. 10-11
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Continue exploring
Open the explorerConnected to Rama
Related figuresHanumanहनुमान
Appears inRamayanaरामायण
ConsortSitaसीता
SiblingsLakshmanaलक्ष्मण
Stories & mythsThe Breaking of Shiva’s Bowशिव धनुष भंग
Places & templesAyodhyaअयोध्या
FestivalsRama Navamiराम नवमी
Aartis & mantrasShri Ramchandra Kripaluश्रीरामचन्द्र कृपालु भजु मन
Stories & mythsWhy Diwali Is Celebrated: Rama’s Return to Ayodhyaदीपावली क्यों मनाई जाती है: राम का अयोध्या आगमन
Stories & mythsThe Exile of Ramaराम का वनवास
Stories & mythsAhalya Freed by Ramaअहल्या का उद्धार
Stories & mythsShabari’s Berriesशबरी के बेर