The True Hero of VālmīkiRāmāyaṇ: Not Just What Serials Show

I hope you all are happy and doing well. In my last article, I wrote about Lord Hanuman because he is a very special character in the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ. But many people have treated him unfairly by calling him just a monkey or an animal, without understanding how great he truly was. I hope that article helped you learn new things. Now, if we talk about Hanuman, we must also talk about Lord Shri Ram, whom he loved and followed with all his heart. Sadly, in many TV shows, Shri Ram is shown in the wrong way—as someone who looked soft, gave up his wife because of others, and did things that don’t match his true character. We never really tried to know the real Shri Ram. Many people say “Ram Rajya” but don’t even know what it actually means. In this article, I will tell you about the side of Shri Ram that is rarely shown—things you may not have seen in any serial or heard in common stories. Today, you will meet the real Ram: a brave warrior, a man of truth, a peaceful yogi, and a wise king acoording to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ, which literally means "The Journey of Ram."

This question comes to our minds sometimes — why is Bhagwaan Shri Ram such a big name? What makes Him so special? It may feel like He didn’t do anything too extraordinary, just lived a simple life like we see in TV shows. Those shows often shape how we think about Him.
But the real answer is found right at the beginning of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ. In the very first chapter, Maharishi Valmiki asks the great sage Narad Muni:

को न्वस्मिन् साम्प्रतं लोके गुणवान् कश्च वीर्यवान् | धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च सत्यवाक्यो दृढव्रतः ||

Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ 1.1.2: Who is the person living today in this world, full of good qualities? Who is brave, knows what's right, and always speaks the truth?

चारित्रेण च को युक्तः सर्वभूतेषु को हितः | विद्वान् कः कः समर्थश्च कश्चैकप्रियदर्शनः

Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ 1.1.3: Who is strong and kind to everyone? Who is wise, controls his anger, shines like the sun, and makes people feel safe just by being there?

आत्मवान् को जितक्रोधो द्युतिमान् कोऽनसूयकः | कस्य बिभ्यति देवाश्च जातरोषस्य संयुगे

Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ 1.1.4: Who is loved by all living beings? Who is humble but powerful? Who has perfect control over his mind, and has conquered his senses?

एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे | महर्षे त्वं समर्थोऽसि ज्ञातुमेवंविधं नरम्

Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ 1.1.5: All this I wish to listen from you, oh! Great Sage, Who is full of knowledge, skilled in everything, always speaks sweetly and clearly? Who is beautiful to look at, brave, and shines like a god among men?
After hearing all these questions, do you know what happened? Narad Muni didn’t even stop to think twice —He immediately said just one thing to Maharishi Valmiki.

इक्ष्वाकुवंशप्रभवो रामो नाम जनैः श्रुतः | नियतात्मा महावीर्यो द्युतिमान् धृतिमान् वशी

Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ 1.1.8: Narad Muni said, “This amazing person was born in the famous Ikshvaku dynasty. People lovingly call him Ram. He has great control over himself — he doesn’t let anger, greed, or pride rule him. He is very brave and strong, and his presence shines like the sun. He always sticks to what is right and never runs away from his duties. Most importantly, he knows how to control his mind and senses — he never does anything wrong, even when no one is watching.”

Many people think Narad Muni was just a funny character who spread gossip. But this is wrong. He was a great sage, a wise scientist, and a true devotee of God. He was called Devarshi – a god among sages – and he travelled freely between earth, heaven, and other worlds to share truth and knowledge.

नारदः भगवो मन्त्रविदोऽस्मि, नात्मविद्।

In the Chandogya Upanishad 7.1.3, Narad Muni tells Sage Sanatkumara that he knows everything from Vedas, science, music, math, and more—but still feels something is missing because he does not know the truth of the soul (Atma-gyan). This shows how humble and honest he was, even after learning so much.

आकाशे चरति नित्यं तपसा धारितव्रतः। सर्वभूतगुहावासी सर्वभूतज्ञ ईश्वरः॥

According to Mahābhārat, Sabha Parva 5.11-12, Narad Muni used to travel through the sky. Only few of the highly educated scientists of that time used to travel through sky and space.

नारदस्तु महातेजा देवर्षिः सर्वधर्मवित् । त्रैलोक्ये विदितः ख्यातः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः

According to Mahābhārat, Shanti Parva 320.14, Narad is described as a master of all shastras (scriptures) and known in all three worlds. This proves that his words were not jokes—they came from wisdom.

तपःस्वाध्यायनिरतं तपस्वी वाग्विदां वरम् । नारदं परिपप्रच्छ वाल्मीकिर्मुनिपुङ्गवम्

According to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ 1.1.1, Narad Muni was the best among sages—who was always engaged in tapasya (penance) and self-study (swādhyāya), and who was the greatest among those who knew the power of speech.
 
When Narad spoke to kings, sages, or even demons, it was not to gossip but to help them change for the better. His words had power, because they were based on truth and dharma. Narad is also mentioned in Jaiminīya Brāhmaṇa (also known as Talavakāra Brāhmaṇa) — one of the important Brāhmaṇa texts of the Sāmaveda. Acoording to Jaiminīya Brāhmaṇa 2.122, he is shown as a teacher of sacred knowledge and a figure deeply connected with brahmacharya (celibacy), tapas (austerity), and vidyā (wisdom).

Lord Shri Ram was born into the Ikshvaku dynasty, also known as the Suryavansh, which traces its origin to King Ikshvaku, the son of Vaivasvata Manu, the Great Grandson of Great Sage Lord Brahma. This sacred lineage includes great kings like Harishchandra, Sagara, Bhagiratha, and Dasharatha. King Dasharatha ruled the kingdom of Ayodhya and was known for his bravery, dharma, and devotion to truth. Here I have listed all his ancestor's name according to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ 1.70.20-45.

ततो यज्ञे समाप्ते तु ऋतूनां षट् समत्ययुः । ततश्च द्वादशे मासे चैत्रे नवम्यां तिथौ ॥ नक्षत्रेऽदिति दैवत्ये स्वोच्चसंस्थेषु पंचसु । ग्रहेषु कर्कटे लग्ने वाक्पतः सिद्धकाङ्क्षिणः ॥

According to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ 1.18.8-10, Lord Ram was born on the ninth day (Navami) of the bright half of the month of Chaitra, under the Punarvasu Nakshatra, when five planets were in exaltation—a rare and divine planetary alignment that marked the birth of a divine being.

Maharishi Vālmīki, in the very beginning of the Rāmāyaṇa 1.1.2–5, asks Narad Muni to describe the perfect man, the one who has all noble qualities. In response, Narad Muni describes Shri Ram in a detailed way. According to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ 1.1.9-16:

इक्ष्वाकुवंशप्रभवो रामो नाम जनैः श्रुतः | नियतात्मा महावीर्यो द्युतिमान् धृतिमान् वशी

His body was well-proportioned, strong, and radiant. He had long arms that extended down to his knees, a sign of royal stature and strength. His chest was broad, and he had a beautifully shaped head. His eyes were large and lotus-like, filled with compassion and power. He was always dressed in yellow garments and carried a bow and arrows, symbolizing his warrior spirit.
His body was tender yet strong, with every limb beautifully shaped and matching in symmetry. His complexion was like dark clouds or blue lotus petals, making him shyama varna – deep, divine, and captivating. He had a soft voice, like the sound of a large bell, and his gait resembled that of a mighty elephant.

Shri Ram and Mata Sita are not just a king and queen, but the ideal couple—Maryada Purushottam and Pativrata Nari. Their bond is filled with love, respect, and unwavering commitment. The Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ, especially, gives us precious insights into Shri Ram's heartfelt love for Mata Sita.

अमन्यन्त तदा नार्यः सीताम् रामस्य भारत | हृदयानुगतां प्राणैः प्रियतमानां यथा

According to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ, Ayodhya Kanda 16.40, shows that everyone around could see how deeply Shri Ram loved Mata Sita—not just as a companion, but as his life's most precious part.

न हि तेन विना शक्यम् अहम् जीवितुम् अप्य् अयम् | अतीव जनकस्य आर्ता दुहिता मे जनप्रियाम्

According to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ, Aranya Kanda 58.5, when Mata Sita was abducted, Shri Ram’s pain was clear. He declared that he didn’t care for the kingdom, wealth, or fame—he just wanted his beloved wife back.

भृशम् आव्रजमानस्य तस्य अधो वाम लोचनम् | प्रास्फुरच्च अस्खलद् रामो वेपथुश्चास्य जायते

According to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ, Aranya Kanda 60.1, reflects his inner turmoil—his heart already knew something was wrong with Mata Sita. This subtle connection between them shows a deep spiritual bond.

शोकसन्तापदीनाङ्गी सीता भर्तृहिते रता | रजोध्वस्ता तथा एकवासा संवृता

According to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ, Sundara Kanda 59.29, Mata Sita, though sorrowful and in pain, covered in dust, wearing a single cloth, remained fully devoted to the welfare of her husband.
 
Even in the Ashoka Vatika, surrounded by demons and fear, Mata Sita never stopped thinking about Shri Ram. And Shri Ram, too, crossed oceans and destroyed Lanka just to bring her back—without question, without doubt.
 
The love between Shri Ram and Mata Sita is not just emotional—it’s spiritual. It's about loyalty, sacrifice, and an unbreakable promise. Shri Ram never took another woman’s name, nor did Mata Sita ever look at another man. Their divine love teaches us how sacred and pure a relationship can be when it's based on truth and dharma. Let us remember them not just as characters in a story, but as ideals to look up to—of love that goes beyond time, pain, and even separation.

We have often heard in TV serials and stories that Ravan was extremely powerful and a great warrior. It is said that if Shri Ram had not received the powers of the gods and help from King Vibhishan, he would never have been able to defeat Ravan. According to these tales, King Vibhishan told Shri Ram that Ravan had a pot of nectar (amrit kalash) in his stomach, and that hitting it would lead to Ravan’s death. But is this really true? Let’s find out.

तः संस्मारितो रामस्तेन वाक्येन मातलेः | जग्राह स शरं दीप्तं निःश्वसन्तमिवोरगम् || यं तस्मैन् प्रथमं प्रादादगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः | ब्रह्मदत्तं महाबाणममोघं युधि वीर्यवान् || स शरो रावणं हत्वा रुधिरार्रीकृतच्छविः | कृतकर्मा निभृतवत्स्वतूणीं पुनराविशत्

According to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ, Yuddh Kanda 108.3-20, Lord Shri Ram took the powerful, divine arrow originally created by Great Sage Lord Brahma and given to him by Sage Agastya. This celestial arrow, glowing like fire and swift as the wind, was adorned with gold and feathers of Garuda. It carried the power of all elements, capable of destroying armies, gates, mountains, and striking terror like Yama, the god of death. Shri Ram sanctified it with Vedic mantras and, with immense focus, shot it at Ravana. The arrow pierced Ravana’s heart, killed him, and then silently returned to Shri Ram’s quiver, its mission fulfilled. The arrow pierced Ravana’s heart—not his navel—instantly ending his life. This shows clearly that Ravana was killed by an arrow to the heart.

मित्राणि धनधान्यानि प्रजानां सम्मतानि च | जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी

After the victory, King Vibhishan invited Shri Ram to rule Lanka. But Shri Ram politely refused and said "Friends, riches, and grains are highly esteemed by people. But mother and motherland are superior even to heaven". This shows Shri Ram’s deep love for his motherland, Ayodhya.

न पर्यदेवन्विधवा न च व्यालकृतं भयम् | न व्याधिजं भयन् वापि रामे राज्यं प्रशासति || सर्वे लक्षणसम्पन्नाः सर्वे धर्मपरायणाः

According to Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇ, Yuddh Kanda 128.99-106, In the golden era of Ram Rajya, Lord Ram ruled with such righteousness that the kingdom blossomed into an ideal society. People lived long, healthy lives, free from sorrow, disease, theft, and fear. There were no widows crying, no premature deaths, and no injustice. Everyone, from Brahmins to Shudras, followed their duties without greed, and mutual love and respect prevailed. The name of Ram was on every tongue, and his presence was deeply felt in every heart. Nature too rejoiced—trees bore fruits and flowers year-round, rains arrived on time, and the wind blew gently. It was a time when truth, peace, and dharma ruled the land, making Ram’s reign a symbol of perfect governance and divine harmony.

In a time when ancient wisdom is often distorted or dramatized for entertainment, it is crucial to return to the original scriptures and authentic references to rediscover the truth. This article is not just about Lord Shri Ram—it is about reclaiming our heritage with clarity, devotion, and intellect. Shri Ram is not merely a character in a tale, but an eternal guide of righteousness, love, and strength. If we truly wish to understand Ram Rajya, we must first understand Ram—as Vālmīki saw him, as Narad described him, and as the ideal we all can learn from and live by.