Mystic Mantra: Shri Ram — The epitome of virtue

One of the best places to understand the glory of Shri Ramchandra is the Ramstuti, Sri Ramchandra kripalu bhaja mana..., composed by the Goswami Tulsidas.  It is an extremely beautiful and melodious composition, sung in different ragas and melodies.

In it, Goswami Tulsidas enumerates and praises the Lord’s infinite qualities. Foremost is Shri Ram’s boundless compassion (kripalu). Today the greatest problem is that people do not feel anything for anybody — they display apathy.

In Ramacharitmanas, when Shri Ram first appears before his mother Kaushalya, Tulsidas writes “bhaye prakata kripala” — the gracious Lord, who is compassionate, has manifested. The exceptionally compassionate nature of Shri Ram is pointed out again and again in The Ramayana.

Next, Tulsidas declares that devotees can overcome the dreadful fear of samsara — the world. Everyone is suffering from countless fears: the fear of losing one’s job; the fear for the wellbeing of one’s near and dear ones; the fear of losing one’s wealth and so on. The Lord alone is capable of freeing us from all these dreadful and incapacitating fears.  

Goswami Tulsidas goes on to describe the incomparable beauty of Shri Ram: His eyes are like the newly blossomed lotus. His face is like a lotus. His hands are lotus- shaped and His lotus like feet have reddish soles.

Why does Tulsidas repeatedly use the simile of a lotus? The flower is beautiful, its petals are delicate and it has an enchanting fragrance. Most importantly, even though it lives in the slushy mud, it remains ever pure. Every limb of Shri Ram’s body is pure, beautiful and emanates a delightful fragrance.

Goswami Tulsidas compares Shri Ram’s complexion to a newly-formed bluish hue, water-bearing cloud. Blue is symbolic of infinity — the waters of the ocean, the blue expanse of the sky.  During the summer months, the earth is scorched and dry. The Prasnopanishad states that when the Lord pours down in the form of rain, all creatures rejoice. Similarly, Shri Ram’s beauty elevates us to great heights of love.

Shri Ram alone is our friend, generous and large-hearted. True generosity means giving more than what you have. The Lord is so big-hearted that He gives first, even without taking any service or seva from His devotee.

Shri Ram is always seen wielding a bow and arrow. They represent God’s alertness and readiness. One never knows when the enemies — within and without — may attack. The Lord defeated the demons Khar and Dushan. Khar denotes harshness, cruelty and Dushan is symbolic of impurities and negativities. In this enchanting Ramstuti, the virtues of the Lord have been pointed out along with His abilities and His incomparable beauty.  Each word is significant conveying a treasure of depth and meaning.