Lord Rama has been the epitome of righteousness and gold standard while judging one’s devotion towards parents, the truth, and his words. The fact that he left his kingdom for 14 years to wander off in the woods just for the sake of a promise to his father and stepmother Kaikei goes on to show his faith and respect to his elders.
His 14 years of exile or vanvaasa was not uneventful either. Defeating the mighty ruler of Lanka – Ravana, for taking away his wife, Sita, with the help of the monkey army he gathered by helping King Sugriva marked the end of his exile.
Many accuse the Lord of listening to his subjects rather than showing faith in his wife and sending her for exile after being captured by Ravana. His importance towards maintaining an image of a King for his subject to follow Lord Rama only cost him the joy of raising his sons- Lava and Kusha, and eventually losing his love, Sita.
His ability to separate his personal life from his duty as a King, a just and fair king, has made his rule a role. Let’s learn more about Sri Rama Rajya.
Rama Rajya for Ayodhya
Ram Rajya, according to many scholars, meant that the state (Rajya) was the sole legitimate agency wielding power (force), which imposes limits upon its exercise of power, either for the greater happiness of the people or to evade a greater tyranny that could be caused by moral outrage or self-righteousness.
Ram Rajya, where peace, prosperity, and tranquility reigned, for there was no one to challenge the seat of Ayodhya, literally the land without wars. Incidentally, in Hindi, “Ayodhya” means “a place where there is no war.” Hence “Ram Rajya” is described as an ideal society.
Palace of Lord Rama
The breathtaking palace of Lord Rama, also known as the Ram Darbar, was a grand and magnificent structure located in the city of Ayodhya. It was built by the architect Vishwakarma and was one of the most beautiful and opulent palaces of its time.
The palace was made of gold, silver, precious stones, and other fine materials. It had several floors and was adorned with intricate carvings, sculptures, and paintings. The palace was surrounded by lush gardens and fountains, which added to its beauty.
The main hall of the palace was called the Sabhagarh, which was used for royal meetings and gatherings. It was decorated with colorful paintings and intricate carvings, and was large enough to accommodate a large number of people.
The palace also had separate living quarters for Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brothers. Each room was decorated with fine fabrics, beautiful carpets, and luxurious furnishings.
Shri Rama Rajya (श्री राम राज्य) Varnan
These slokas from Yudhakanda, Valmiki Ramayana describes the rule of supreme leader Lord Rama.
न पर्यदेवन्विधवा न च व्यालकृतं भयम् ।
न व्याधिजं भयन् वापि रामे राज्यं प्रशासति ॥निर्दस्युरभवल्लोको नानर्थः कन् चिदस्पृशत् ।
न च स्म वृद्धा बालानां प्रेतकार्याणि कुर्वते ॥सर्वं मुदितमेवासीत्सर्वो धर्मपरोअभवत् ।
राममेवानुपश्यन्तो नाभ्यहिन्सन्परस्परम् ॥आसन्वर्षसहस्राणि तथा पुत्रसहस्रिणः ।
निरामया विशोकाश्च रामे राज्यं प्रशासति ॥रामो रामो राम इति प्रजानामभवन् कथाः ।
रामभूतं जगाभूद्रामे राज्यं प्रशासति ॥नित्यपुष्पा नित्यफलास्तरवः स्कन्धविस्तृताः ।
कालवर्षी च पर्जन्यः सुखस्पर्शश्च मारुतः ॥ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा लोभविवर्जिताः ।
स्वकर्मसु प्रवर्तन्ते तुष्ठाः स्वैरेव कर्मभिः ॥आसन् प्रजा धर्मपरा रामे शासति नानृताः ।
Yudha Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana
सर्वे लक्षणसम्पन्नाः सर्वे धर्मपरायणाः ॥
The depiction of Rama Rajya
During the reign of श्री राम, the kingdom was free from widows lamenting, wild animals threatening, and diseases causing fear. The realm was devoid of thieves and robberies, and no one felt worthless or had to perform obsequies for the young.
Every creature was content, and the focus was on virtue. People did not harm each other, as their attention was solely on श्री राम. The kingdom prospered, and people lived for thousands of years with their progeny, all healthy and free from sorrow.
The talks of the people centered around श्री राम, and his world became theirs. The trees bore fruit and flowers regularly, without being harmed by pests or insects supported by pleasant weather, with timely rain and delightful winds.
All four castes- Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras -performed their duties satisfactorily and without any greed. During श्री राम’s rule, the people were focused on virtue and lived truthfully with excellent character.
Culture of Rama Rajya
According to Mr. M Veerappa Moily, who is also an eminent poet, writer, and thinker who was also awarded the prestigious 20th Moortidevi Award for his outstanding five-volume magnum opus ‘Shri Ramayana Mahanveshanam’ ‘At the heart of the epic there are three distinct cultures:
- The Lankan culture of acquisition, pleasure, and power;
- The Ayodhya culture of artistic and academic progress and
- The culture of Kiskindha… mostly tribal and backward in terms of development in the modern sense.
Initially, there is friction among these three cultures. However, when Vibhishana, the Rakshasa King, and Hanuman, the Vaanara noble, become allies of Rama, the King of Ayodhya, all the three cultures come together and fuse into one great culture– the culture of Rama Rajya.
Dr. Moily recited a stanza describing King Dashrath’s attitude in treating even the poorest of the poor as ”equal,” saying ”his feelings reflect true Rama Rajya.” Another stanza he cited dwelt on the education Vishwamitra imparted to Rama and Lakshmana by ordering the brothers to walk instead of covering a distance on a chariot. ”Unless the rulers, administrators, experience the pain and suffering of the poorest and weakest, they cannot be good for their jobs,” he said.
A lot could be learned and utilized to make the country a better place if we could take this Rajya as an example.
Whenever we listen to Rama Nama, there is serene feeling of constant remembrance of epitome of truth and justice. The birth of Sri Rama (Rama Navami), his marriage with Maa Sita (Vivah Panchami), and killing Ravana for world peace (Navaratri), all teaches us significance of Dharma. The representation of Rama Rajyam by Sage Valmiki is result of perseverance that Lord Rama had going through exile, dilemmas, near death of brother and fierce battle.