In honour of Śrī Rām Navamī today, we are presenting an excerpt from a lecture Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj gave on this day in which he explains in brief the character of Rāmachandra.
Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
There are many stories about Rāmachandra in the Rāmāyaṇa, and the Rāmāyaṇa is so long. It is not possible to explain everything about Rāmachandra in a short time. Everything, however, is explained about Rāmachandra in gist form in His praṇām mantra.
rāmaṁ rājīva-lochanaṁ raghu-varaṁ sīta-patiṁ sundaraṁ
kākuthsaṁ karuṇāmayaṁ guṇa-nidhiṁ vipra-priyaṁ dhārmikam
rājendraṁ satya-sandhaṁ daśaratha-tanayaṁ śyāmalaṁ śānta-mūrtim
vande lokābhirāmaṁ raghu-kula-tilakaṁ rāghavam rāvaṇārim
Rāmaṁ Rājīva-lochanam Raghu-varaṁ, Rāma was born in the Raghu dynasty and His eyes are like lotus petals. Sātā-Patiṁ, He is the husband of Mahālakṣmī, Śrī Sītā Devī. Sundaraṁ, He is very beautiful looking. Kākuthsaṁ, He is very respectable. Karuṇāmayaṁ, He is very merciful to everyone. Guna-nidhiṁ, we cannot say how many beautiful qualities He has. Vipra-priyaṁ, all the brāhmaṇs give great respect and affection to Him. Dhārmikam Rājendraṁ, He shows the ideal of perfect religion, and He is the king of kings. Satya-sandhaṁ, He does whatever He thinks, that is, everything He thinks and does is truthful and honest. Daśaratha-tanayaṁ, He is the son of Rāja Daśarath. Śyāmalaṁ, His complexion is a beautiful śyāma-varṇa. Krishna is tamāla-śyāma, bluish black, but Rāmachandra’s complexion is greenish like a lotus leaf. Śānta-mūrtiṁ, His mind is always peaceful. Whether He is facing many disturbances or He is feeling great happiness, He always remains peaceful like an ocean. Lokābhirāmaṁ, everyone likes to see Him and everyone respects Him. Raghu-kula-tilakaṁ Rāghavam, He is the jewel of Raghu family and is thus called Rāghava. Rāvaṇārim, He is the enemy and rescuer of Rāvaṇ.