• Highly qualified (guṇavān) — this opening adjective means he was possessed of
every good quality imaginable and free from all the negative ones.
• Heroic (viryavān) — Rāma was highly motivated and courageous in every undertaking and never
hesitated in doing his duty.
• Grateful (Kritajñaḥ) — When King Dasaratha wanted to perform the coronation ceremony of Sri
Rāma and intimated this to his subjects, their joy knew no bounds. They praised His qualities to
no end. While talking about one of His qualities — kritajñata they exclaimed:—
“Sri Rama’s joy is unlimited when anyone deliberately or inadvertently renders even a
single help. He forgets even 'one hundred' acts of betrayal!” (2:1:12)
• Truthful (satya vākyaḥ) — no matter what the outcome Rāma always spoke the truth but even
unpleasant truths he spoke gently and with consideration for the feelings of the listener.
• Reliable in his promises (dhṛḍha vrataḥ) — he promised Keikeyi that he would follow her
instruction and go to the forest for 14 years for the sake of Bharata, but even when Bharata
relinquished the throne and abrogated what his mother had commanded — still Rāma did not
flinch from his vow. Whenever he promised something he’d always follow through.
• Ethical in his behaviour (cāritravān) — he never hesitated to do the right thing, even though it
was to his own detriment.
• Dedicated to the welfare of all beings (sarva bhūteṣu hitaḥ) — he was always concerned for the
welfare of all beings, not only the citizens but also the aboriginal tribes in the forest as well as all
the creatures that dwelt there.
• Fully in control of his anger (jita krodhaḥ) — the only time Rama was recorded to have lost his
temper was when Rāvana attacked Hanuman who was carrying Rāma on his shoulders. He would
forgive and let go anybody offending Him but would not tolerate anyone who harasses those that
love Him or oppresses others. Rāma pardoned Samudra Rāja for his misbehaviour. He pardoned
Kakasura who had attacked and bitten Sita when the Kakasura apologised and begged his
forgiveness.
• Highly educated (vidvān) — Rāma had studied all the Vedas together with there sub-sections such
as music, art, archery, grammar, poetry, administration etc.
• Skilful (samarthaḥ) — Rāma was generally skilful in everything he did - both in love and war,
administration and adjudication, as a friend, commander, brother and king etc.
• Good-looking (priyadarśana) — not only was he physically handsome but he always appeared
pleasant to the eye.
• Self-controlled (ātmavān) — this term has two meanings:— Rāma was completely Self-realized
and in perfect control of himself, or he saw all living beings as rays or projections of himself and
there felt no difference between himself and them.
• radiant (dyutimān) — Rāma exuded a natural radiance. In his presence one’s ‘dark’ nature would
vanish. ‘Dyuti’ means light. When such a ‘radiant’ person is seen, a feeling of fondness (prīti)
would automatically manifest and all hostility would diminish. Tara, Vali’s wife, came to Sri
Rāma in rage and grief to denounce him for killing her husband, but as soon as she saw him she
forgot her initial intensions and started praising him.
• Free of envy (anasūyakaḥ) — A envious person cannot abide good that another possesses of
wholesome qualities in others. Jealousy can neither admire nor appreciate the good traits of
others and thereby tends to regard the good as bad. The jealous try to project the virtues' of
others as a drawback. But Sri Rama’s nature was to see the good in everyone. Bharata, who was
indirectly responsible for Rama’s exile, came to Chitrakuta along with all his ministers and
army. Watching the approaching troops from a tree top Lakṣmana accused Bharata of evil designs
and wanted to punish him. Rāma prevented Lakṣmana from attacking him and praised
Bharata’s good nature and also his love for him. Srī Rāma said, “Not only to me he would give
the kingdom even to you if I ask him to!” Srī Rāma taught people to live without jealousy
towards all.
• Terrifies even the gods in battle (bibhyati-devāḥ) — although generally gentle, passive and
compassionate, when aroused to do battle through injustice and wickedness Rāma was a
formidable opponent in battle, fighting with courage and tenacity till the end.
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