ADARSH PURUSH SHRI RAM

Rishi Naarad sang devotedly: Ram has broad shoulders and long powerful arms. He has a beautiful neck spiralling like a smooth conch above which is a firm chin.’

Tradition records that Rishi Valmiki heard the story of Ramayana from the great Rishi Naarad. Valmiki asked Naarad if he could name a single human being in the wide world who personified all the virtues along with an unblemished character. "Is there anyone who is well versed in Dharma, who is grateful, truthful and of firm resolve? Who is possessed of right conduct and who is friendly to all living beings. Who is a man of knowledge and also powerful. Who has an exceptionally loving appearance.

Who is self-controlled, who has conquered anger, who is full of splendour and who is above fault-finding and whom the very Gods fear when his wrath is provoked in battle." So saying, Valmiki bowed to Naarad and said, "I wish to hear this, O Eminent Seer! For you alone are capable of knowing such a man." (Valmiki Ramayan, Balakand, 1-5).

Naarad Rishi, who was known as the Trailokyagyata, one who has knowledge of the three worlds, was happy to relate the glories of Shri Ram. But he told Valmiki, that "the qualities and virtues that you have mentioned are very rare, and extremely difficult to find in any one person.

However, I shall meditate deeply and tell you of such a person." So saying, sage Naarad contemplated, and then in a stream of inspired, run on lines, he sang the glories of this unique, divine embodiment of perfection in a human form: "known by the