Qualities of Raama

The following is a direct translation from the original Valmeeki Raamayana

||shreeH||

shreemadvaalmeeki raamaayaNam

ayOdhyaa kaaMDaH

prathama sargaH

He [King Dasharatha] was very fond of his four sons who were the foremost among men; they were like four arms of his physical self

Among them, he was particularly fond of the resplendent Raama, who with his excellent qualities was as Brahma was to his subjects

He {Rama} was indeed the ancient Vishnu himself, beseeched by the devas and born on this earth to destroy Raavana

Kausalya was glowing with her brilliant son as Aditi shone with Indra adorned with the thunderbolt

He was her courageous and handsome son; unenvious of others.  As a son, he was unparalleled on this earth and was in qualities, like Dasharatha

He was always peaceful by nature, and spoke softly of his own accord; even if others spoke harshly to him, he wouldn't return it in kind. 

Even a small favour he would be happy with; and he wouldn't remember any disfavour even if they were in hundreds.

Even though he was regularly engaged in training in the arms, he would when time permitted, speak [in a manner befitting a king] to those of established character, the knowledgeable, the aged and the good people.  

He was intelligent and his language was sweet; he greeted first and spoke endearingly.  Even though he was bravest among the brave, his greatness did not make him proud.

He never lied; he was well read and respected the elderly.  He was admired by the people and in turn he endeared himself to them

He was compassionate and had conquered anger and duly respected the Brahmins;  He was sympathetic towards the poor, was always established in the knowledge of Dharma and was clean in what he accepted

He always kept in mind what was appropriate for his lineage; he treated the kshaatra dharma as his own and respected it very much.  He had faith that it would yield fame in this life and the great heavens afterwards

He was not in the least bit interested in things that were not meritorious nor was he interested in talking of distasteful things. 

He was free of any disease, with a youthful and healthy persona, adept in speech with appropriateness in timing and place.  He could make out the mind of the people by just looking.  In the whole world only one such was ever created [by Brahma]  

The son of the king being thus endowed with excellent qualities, was thought of by the people as if he were their very life walking externally. 

Having been trained properly under his guru, he had studied the vedas and the vedangas systematically.  In the expertise of the astras, the elder brother of Bharata was even superior to the king  [shastra = weapon; astra = weapon with mantra]

Born of auspicious descent, he was magnanimous and never needy, spoke the truth and was sincere in his faith.  He had seen the way of dharma and artha from brahmins who knew of their true import and from experienced elders.  [saadhu = apakaariShu yaH saadhuH, sa saadhuriti keertitaH ]

He knew the essence of dharma, artha and kaama, had outstanding memory and was of an intense consciousness.  Of the worldly duties he was adept at its timely application, was creative in its execution and learned in their ways.  [pratibhaa = praj~jaaM navanavOnmEShashaalineeM pratibhaaM viduH - he    whose awareness is present every moment like the blinking of the eye]

He was humble, never expressed his inner feelings outwardly, kept the secrecy of mantras, and had able supporters.  If he was pleased or angry with something, then he wouldn't rest until the effect could be seen on that object; he was aware of the times to give and the times to accumulate wealth.  

His devotion was firm and he was of an established consciousness; he would not touch anything prohibited by the shaastras nor would he speak ill of others.  He was never lazy nor was he ever caught unawares.  He knew well of his own faults as well as that of others. 

He knew the shaastras well, was of a grateful disposition; he was an expert in understanding the nature of people.  When it came to having to punish or reward someone, he would act with discretion and according to the neeti and nyaaya shaastras.

He was adept at bringing good people together and protecting them.  He would bide for the appropriate time to discipline the evil doers.  He was also adept at knowing how to accumulate wealth and of expending it

He had great expertise in traditional knowledge as well as in the arts.  He would accumulate wealth as well as meritorious work and was involved in his endeavours with a pleasant mind and no lethargy.

He also had great expertise in the entertaining arts such as music and sculpting.  Knowing their relative worth, he was also an expert in taming elephants and horses as well as in riding them.  

In archery he was unparalleled and was acknowledged as such by his peers.  In the battlefield, he would himself lead the charge and defeat the enemy, and was an expert at battle formations.

Even an army of angered devas and asuras could not conquer Raama in battle.  Devoid of jealousy and having subdued the emotion of anger, he had no intolerance towards the well being of others nor any malice.            {Note:  spardhaa = competition; envy = irshyati ; jealousy = asooyaH ; malice =   matsaraH}

He would never treat any being with rejection; nor would he follow those who are in the grip of fate.  With such superior qualities, that son of the king had endeared himself to all the subjects

He was adored and duly respected in all the three worlds and equal to the earth in forgiveness.  In intelligence he was equal to Brihaspati himself and in bravery, to {Indra} the husband of Shachee 

Even as the sun dazzles surrounded by brilliant rays, Rama shone with his magnficent qualities in a manner pleasing to his people and to his father. 

In his work and in his ways he conformed to the highest character.  He possessed a bravery that could not be faced by any enemy.  Of such a one who was equal to the divine protectors of the world, even the Goddess of Earth desired to have him as her lord.

Then the king Dasharatha looking at his extraordinary son endowed with numerous excellent qualities, started thinking thus.

I have aged.  I have lived long.  How can my beloved Rama become king in front of my eyes, during my own lifetime?

Such a desire has completely filled my heart and is now saying: When will I see my beloved son ascend the throne?

He wishes the well being of the subjects and is compassionate towards all living creatures.  He is even dearer to the people than I am; seeing him, they feel the same as they do when they see the rain bearing clouds.

In courage he is equal to Yama and Indra, and in intelligence he is equal to Brihaspati;  In steadfastness, he is equal to the mountain; indeed as far as merit is concerned, he is more qualified than me!