Śrī Rāma (श्रीराम)

First the question arises: who is Śrī Rāma?

When we say 'RAma' (Śrī Rāma), then it means we are talking about the most perfect incarnation of God or God himself in human form as a Young prince of Ayodhya or the Supreme personality of godhead. Madhvacharya says — "Ram literally means the supreme bliss, Ram means the 'Brahman' (the absolute, the supreme element) as well as Ishwara (the god with form) Both". In simple words Ram is the supreme cosmic spirit, all pervading, the embodiment of all souls and thus the ultimate consciousness. And as Ishwara (the qualified Brahman with infinite attributes i.e. Śrī Rāma with form), he is mine of infinite auspicious qualities, the original source of supreme bliss, the original cause of all the causes, the supreme refuge of all Jivas (individual souls) and hence the subject of worship for all Jivas.

Since Ishwara is subject of worship for all Jivas, to be loved most, so Ram as the prince of Ayodhya, the supreme personality unto whom one should take refuge should be main focus.

In whole world people know about Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya (a place in India) and his saga 'Ramayana'. Shri Rama is on the lips of every man, woman, child in the sacred land of Bharatvarsha (India), not only because he is god himself but most prominently as an ideal hero, the role model for everyone in true sense and hence he is popularly known as Maryada Purushottama (the best among men).

Lord Rama is the supreme Purusa, the Supreme personality of godhead eulogized by all Vedic-scriptures in one voice.

राम त्वं परमात्मसि सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहः || इदानीं त्वां रघुश्रेष्ठ प्रणमामि मुहुर्मुहुः | (शुक्लयजुर्वेदीय मुक्तिकोपनिषद् 1/4,5क)

rāma tvaṃ paramātmasi saccidānandavigrahaḥ || idānīṃ tvāṃ raghuśrēṣṭha praṇamāmi muhurmuhuḥ | (śuklayajurvēdīya muktikōpaniṣad 1/4,5ka)

O' Śrī Rāma! You are the Supreme Being, The Parambrahman, of the nature Sat, Chit and Ananda!! I pay my obeisance in your lotus feet again and again. (-Muktika Upanishada 1/4,5a)

In words of Vedavatar Shrimad Valmiki Ramayana — Shri Ram is the sun of sun (Maha-Surya), the fire of fire, the god of god, the supreme unchanging element, perfect, omniscient, omnipresent, incorporeal, supremely independent, the ruler of even those who govern all, Prabhoh-Prabhu, the eternal Maha-VishNu, the supreme Paratpar Brahman. So everything exists in Ram and Ram pervades everything. He is Ishwara as well as Brahman itself. Ram means Brahman, Ram means Ishwara.

Śrī Rāma (श्रीराम) , the Person

Lord Rāma is known as Purushottama which means the best of men or the Supreme Purusa (personality).

Śrī Rāma, the perfect Avatar (incarnation) of the Supreme omnipresent God, is an all-time favorite among Hindu deities. The most popular symbol of chivalry and virtue, Śrī Rāma - in the words of Swami Vivekananda - is "the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king."

Here is one of the excellent declaration about lord Ram in Valmiki Ramayana:-

रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः साधुः सत्यपराक्रमः। राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य देवानामिव वासवः॥ [ वाल्मीकि रामायण ३.३७.१३]

rāmō vigrahavān dharmaḥ sādhuḥ satyaparākramaḥ। rājā sarvasya lōkasya dēvānāmiva vāsavaḥ॥ [ vālmīki rāmāyaṇa 3.37.13]

"Shri Rama is the embodiment of righteousness, he is sadhu (noble, equable person) with truthfulness as his valour and as Indra to all gods, he (Lord Rama) is the king of the entire world.

Anyone can find the tale of Śrī Rāma and his life in Ramayana, which is known as the first epic poem in whole world, written by sage Valmiki.

Śrī Rāma, the all attractive personality

चन्द्रकान्ताननं राममतीव प्रियदर्शनम् ।। रूपौदार्यगुणैः पुंसां दिष्टिचित्तापहारिणम् ।। [वाल्मीकि रामायण २.३.३८-३९]

candrakāntānanaṃ rāmamatīva priyadarśanam ।। rūpaudāryaguṇaiḥ puṃsāṃ diṣṭicittāpahāriṇam ।। [vālmīki rāmāyaṇa 2.3.38-39]

With a moon-like face, Śrī Rāma is an extreme delight to look at. By His form (रूप), qualities (गुणैः) and generosity He steals the vision and hearts of even men! What about women? What a futile question!!!

Be it Naam (name, नाम) or form (रूपं), or Leela (exploits or pastimes, लीला ) or Abode (धाम) of Lord Rama, it is higher than the highest (ParatPar, परात्परम् ). All divine transcendental qualities are found to the full extent in Śrī Rāma and those all divine qualities collectively can't be found to the full extent in any othe personality or God. No one can be as much beautiful or attractive as like Supreme personality of Godhead Lord Śrī Rāma. The all attractive transcendental beauty of Lord Rama is just matchless. Similarly divinity & matchless-glory of his name "RAma" is incomparable to any other name of God.

रामस्य नाम रूपं च लीला धाम परात्परम्। एतच्चतुष्टयं नित्यं सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहम्॥ [वशिष्ठ संहिता]

rāmasya nāma rūpaṃ ca līlā dhāma parātparam। ētaccatuṣṭayaṃ nityaṃ saccidānandavigraham॥ [vaśiṣṭha saṃhitā]

Śrī Rāma’s name, form, Liilaa (pastimes) and abode are all Suprememly divine, higher than the highest (परात्परम्) and sat-chit-aananda-vigrah, the very manifestations of truth, conciousness and bliss!

Valmiki Ramayana, which is the most authentic source to know about Śrī Rāma and his exploits, says that all attractive Śrī Rāma is none other than the most superior God, also known as Maha-Vishnu or Maha-Surya or Maha-Shakti.

Śrī Rāma, the ultimate refuge for all

Lord Rāma is the only personality who desrves to be famous in whole universe. Only he has been glorified as hero or say Purusa in all Vedic scriptures. Śrī Rāma is the ultimate refuge for all Jiva-s (souls), only he should be worshiped by all in universe. This is the clear declaration of Shabd-Prmana from self-sufficient authority Shri Valmiki-Ramayana.

निवासवृक्षः साधूनामापन्नानां परा गतिः। आर्तानां संश्रयश्चैव यशसश्चैकभाजनम्।। [ वाल्मीकि रामायण ४.१५.१९]

nivāsavṛkṣaḥ sādhūnāmāpannānāṃ parā gatiḥ। ārtānāṃ saṃśrayaścaiva yaśasaścaikabhājanam।। [ vālmīki rāmāyaṇa 4.15.19]

He is like a sheltering tree to the virtuous, he is the ultimate (supreme) refuge for the destitutes and a protector of the distressed. He is the only personality who deserves to be famous.

Lord Rama is known by various names like Raghava, Koshlendra, Ramachandra, Ramabhadra etc but his eternal and the most superior , the most divine name is 'Ram' (राम).

Shri Ram, supreme personality of godhead as well as the ideal man

Ram (Rāma) is celebrated as the ideal hero in Rāmāyana, the first epic poem of world. No one can find any such hero in any other history of world. Only followers of Vedic-Dharma can proudly claim that they have maryada-Purushottam Shri Rāma who has no match in whole world.

In Valmiki Ramayana and Vedic-scriptures, Shri Ram is not just celebrated as ideal hero but also as the original personality of godhead who himself descended as prince charming of Ayodhya to show the world how to lead a righteous life, to establish the highest form of Dharma, to liberate the earth from evil demons and to impart the supreme bliss to his devotees.

Rāma as Bhagavān (भगवान्)

वदन्ति तत्तत्त्वविदस्तत्त्वं यज्ज्ञानमद्वयम् ब्रह्मेति परमात्मेति भगवानिति शब्द्यते | [श्रीमद भागवत १.२.११]

vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaḿ yaj jñānam advayam brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate [Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.2.11]

Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān.

If there is god (Bhagavān), then that is Rama, alone. How?
Because only Rama shows all characteristics of being Bhagavān as described in various scriptures. As per Vishnu Purana, Bhagavān is:

aiSvaryasya samagrasya vIryasya yaSasah Sriyah |
j~nAna vairAgya yogaScaiva shaNNAm bhaga itI'nganA ||
(Vishnu Puran.6.5.74)

Vishnu Puran says: - "He Who possesses the six attributes of aiSvaryam or Lordship, vIrya (Valour), Yasha (fame), Śrī (riches) , j~nAna (knowledge) and vairAgya in full (infinite) degree is called bhagavAn".

So now we will see each attribute how they are full in Shri Rama alone:

Param-Aishvaryam (Supreme Opulence):

1) Shri Rama liberated Ahalya just by the touch of his feet, this showed the nature of being supreme one.

2) Rama took out the Vaishnavi-Splendor from Parashu-Rama and thus ParashuRama was rendered vigor-less. So even an incarnation of Shri Rama or Maha-Vishnu can't stand in front of Swayam Bhagavān Shri Rama. This shows Rama is the original source of all incarnations. After this, ParashuRama prayed Shri Rama as the original Supreme personality of godhead. (In Maha-Bharata, it is mentioned that Rama even showed his universal form to ParashuRama)

3) Rama killed the mighty demon king Ravana who was not even killed by Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra. Thus after killing Ravana, Rama restored the glory of Vishnu again in universe. Thats why Ramayana says, Rama is Vishnorardham arthat "Vishnu ko Bhi Riddhimaan Karne Vala" which means Rama is the only personality who restores the glory of Vishnu or gives glory to even Vishnu.

4) Rama is the only personality in history who gave Liberation (Mukti) to whole Ayodhya and brought all citizens of Ayodhya in Santanik-Loka which is near to the supreme abode of Para-Brahman i.e. Saket Loka. This is the supreme lordship of Lord Rama. Hail to glorious lordship of Rama!!!

सुरोऽसुरो वाप्यथ वानरो नरः सर्वात्मना यः सुकृतज्ञमुत्तमम् | भजेत रामं मनुजाकृतिं हरिं यः उत्तराननयत्कोशलान्दिवमिति || [श्रीमद भागवत महापुराण ५.१९.८]

suro 'suro vāpy atha vānaro naraḥ sarvātmanā yaḥ sukṛtajñam uttamam bhajeta rāmaḿ manujākṛtiḿ hariḿ ya uttarān anayat kosalān divam iti [Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 5.19.8]

whether one is a demigod or a demon, a man or a creature other than man, such as a beast or bird, all should worship Lord Rāma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has a form of human being. There is no need of great austerities or penances to worship the Lord Rāma, He becomes easily sastisfied even from a small service done to him (such a compassionate lord he is. Thus He is satisfied, and as soon as He is satisfied, the devotee is successful.). [Indeed, No one can match his compassion towards his devotees, that] Lord Śrī Rāma brought all the citizens of Ayodhyā back to his divine abode Saket Loka, back to Godhead.

Such a great Lord Rama is who accepted everyone be it god, demon, human, beast, bird or anyone and brought all back to supreme abode !!! So if one wants to go back to godhead then worship lord Rama as instructed by Bhagvata-Maha-Puran, with all love.

5) As Hanumana described about the supreme opulence of Rama to Ravana that just don't take Rama mere a human, he is very much capable of annihilating all the worlds again and again and very much capable to create them over again in exactly the same way. Can we find such a highly glorious praise for any other personality apart from the supreme personality of godhead?

सर्वांल्लोकान् सुसंहृत्य सभूतान् सचराचरान्। पुनरेव तथा स्रष्टुं शक्तो रामो महायशाः॥ [वाल्मीकि रामायण - ५.५१.३९]

sarvāṃllōkān susaṃhṛtya sabhūtān sacarācarān। punarēva tathā sraṣṭuṃ śaktō rāmō mahāyaśāḥ॥ [vālmīki rāmāyaṇa - 5.51.39]

Annihilating all the worlds including the elements, their created beings, as well as the entire mobile and immobile creation, the highly illustrious Shri Rama is capable of creating them over again in exactly the same way.

Param-Viryam (Supreme Valour, Heroism):-

1) Param-Viryam Guna is predominantly visible in hero of Ramayana. Shri Rama is the only personality in history (Ramayana and Mahabharata) and even in mythological scriptures, both, who never shown his back in war. See any personality, even incarnations of Rama has shown their backs be it any reason, Vishnu, Lord Krsna (named Rannchhod when he shown his back), Lord Shiva etc all deities have shown their backs in war. Thus Purusa or Paurushatva (Param-vIrya) culminates only in Raghunatha and it is predominantly visible in Lord Rama alone.

2) Shri Rama killed single-handedly 14000 dreaded demons in Dandakaranya in no time.

3) One time in Rama-Ravana Yuddha, when the specially fierce army of Ravana attacked Rama's army of monkeys, the fearful monkeys seek refuge to Rama, then Shri Rama single-handedly killed around 2.5 lacs demons in just hours. That time Rama was so swift in killing those demons, that at a time, thousands of Shri Rama were seen by those demons in the battle field. Such is the supreme valour of Purusa, Swayam Bhagavān Rama!!!

Param-Yasha Guna (Supremely famous):-

1) Shri Rama has been symbol of all auspious qualities a perfect man should have. He is famous for being ideal-son, ideal-disciple, ideal-husband, ideal-brother, ideal-friend, and more than all these, an ideal-king a nation can have. So only Rama is Puroshottama ( पुरुषोत्तम , the best among men) in reality, without a bit of exaggeration. Thus only Rama can be the ideal hero for whole humanity.

2) Sri Rama's Yasha (fame) was so widely spread that even among his enemies, he was celebrated as a righteous ideal man. Even his enemies were praising his righteousness (Dharma), vIrya (supreme valour) and Param-Madhurya-Guna (ultimate sweetness, charm). Even enemies were enchanted by his natural beauty. That's why in Valmiki Ramayana, it is said that Shri Rama is only personality in whole world who deserves to be famous.

3) When Rama ruled this earth, whole earth became the Rama's world. No one was interested in anything other than Rama and his glorious exploits.

4) Is there anyone in whole world who has not heard the name of Rama? (Please note it there is no missionary work behind the popularity of Rama's name in whole world)

5) Shri Rama has not been just famous for being the supreme god of followers of Vedic-Dharma, but more popular for his pure spotless character. Padma-Purana says: ' चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटि प्रविस्तरम | '(Charitam Raghunathasya Shatkoti Pravistaram - Padma Purana, Patal Khand) means 'the spotless fame of Lord Rama's exploits has been sung in 100 crore (1 billion) Ramayana-s'. Though due to evil effect of Kaliyuga, only few Ramayana-s are available for human beings in this age of Kali, however, even the number of those available Ramayana-s exceed the number of scriptures which may be credited to all other deities. Is there any such personality or deity whose fame is so much widely celebrated and sung as like that of Lord Rama? Certainly no!

6) It has been clear declaration of Śrīmad Vālmiki Rāmāyan which is self-sufficient authority (Pramāna), the very incarnation of all four Veda-s that Śrī Rāma is the only personality who deserves to be famous:

निवासवृक्षः साधूनामापन्नानां परा गतिः। आर्तानां संश्रयश्चैव यशसश्चैकभाजनम् ।। [श्रीमद वाल्मीकि रामायण ४.१५.१९]

nivaasa vR^ikSaH saadhuunaam aapannaanaam paraa gatiH || aartaanaam sa.mshrayaH caiva yashasaH ca eka bhaajanam | [Śrīmad Vālmikī Rāmāyana 4.15.19]

Lord Rama is like a sheltering tree to the virtuous, an ultimate (supreme) refuge for the destitutes and a protector of the distressed. He is the only personality who deserves to be famous.

7) Definitely there is no one who doesn't feel thrilled after listening the glorious pastimes of Lord Ram. Shri Ram has been the legend of this universe, and undeclared Rastra-Purusa (national hero) in heart of all.

Śrīyah (Possesor of all wealth) :-

1)Lord Śrī Rāma is possessor of all wealth (all attractive beauty, Youngness, pure character, Dharma, riches, etc ) in full degree. He is the perfection of all pure auspicious qualities one may have.

- All attractive beauty: Shri Rama has all attractive beauty which attracts even men, then what to say about general woman-folk. Leave aside common men-women, Rama is even attraction of all attractive Lord Krishna who attracts whole world.
Just behold for one second the eternally young handsome prince Rama in his princely attire, one may forget very own self.

- He is eternally young handsome prince, even demoness have been seen falling in love with all handsome prince, isn't it?

- His character is spotless and that cany purify all kind of griveous sins a person can do.

2) Śrī Rāma is the consort of Śrī (Bhagvati Sita). So when Śrī Rāma was ruling this world, whole world transformed into Rama's world. All talks were centered around Śrī Rāma alone. While Rama was ruling, the people were engaged in virtue and lived without telling lies, without having greed, and thus totally satisfied in Rama's rule. Obviously when supreme personality himself ruled this earth, ] earth was fully satisfied. That's why all give example of Rama-Rajya (rule of Rama on this earth).

3) As per Valmiki-Ramayana, when Aadi-Purusa Śrī Rāma himself incarnated as prince of Ayodhya. All prime forms (भाग forms) of Vishnu incarnated as younger brothers of Lord Rama to do service of their supeior, the original personality of godhead (Śrī Rāma). This shows that Aadi-Purusa (the primeval god) is the most superior and served by his expansions.

From various scriptures, it can be established that Rama's brothers : Lakshamana, Bharata and Shatrughna are none but Sesha (Sankarshana), Pradyumana, and Aniruddha (the Vyuha form of Vishnu, expansion of Vasudeva who is Rama). One may think that only Krishna is told to be Vasudeva. However, Shri Rama is also told as Vasudeva in Shri-Mad Bhagvatam Mahapurana as well as in other scriptures. Vasudeva means Maha-Vishnu as well as the primeval lord who pervades everything. In Shri Krshna-avtaar of Lord Rama, Sankarshana became the elder brother of Krishna. So only Rama-avtar shows that Rama is the onriginal personality of godhead being served by all prime forms of Vishnu. 4) Rama is not only the lord of lord Shiva, but he is the even the lord of Lord Vishnu too, that's why Shri-mad Valmiki Ramayana declares Rama being Prabhoh Prabhu (Lord of even Vishnu). The prime form of Lord Sada-Shiva is Hanuman Ji who is the best friend as well as the best servant of Lord Rama. Thus being the supreme master of all deities, Rama has complete Śrīyah. No deity or god except Lord Rama has servant like Hanuman ji and devotee like Lord Shiva. In Padma-Puran, Lord Shiva himself accepts Lord Śrī Rāma to be his only Ishta-Deva and completely surrendered in his lotus feet. Isn't Rama who has devotee like Lord Shiva and servant Like lord Hanuman, the possessor of supreme wealth?

Lord Shiva completely surrendering in lotus feet of Śrī Rāma!

Param-J~nAna Guna:-

1) Rama has been proclaimed as Vigrahvan Dharmah means who is the embodiment of Dharma. It means Rama was the knower of the subtle form of J~nAna, How could he use his Dharma, no one can understand apart from him, thats why he is the supreme J~nAna-Guna-Dharma Swarupa.

2) Rama had already given his words to Vibhishana and Sugreeva and even before killing Ravana or Bali, he declared them king of Lanka and Kishkindha respectively. This shows Rama had supreme control over time.

Param-Vairagya-Guna:-

The supreme personality of godhead has nature of being completely unattached towards any material desire. So Param-Vairagya Guna has been clearly seen or predominantly visible in Lord Rama alone among all his incarnations.

1) There are many instances where Rama showed his Param-Vairagya Guna like happily leaving the kingdom of Ayodhya just for keeping promise of his father towards his step mother. He left the greatest and richest kingdom on earth of that time, leaving all his luxury and comforts in just hours without any regret like a mere old cloth .

Can anyone imagine that very next morning Rama is going to be coronated as the prince (heir) of Ayodhya and even all citizens, courtiers, ministers, brothers are in favour of Rama and want to see him coronated as soon as possible but when Rama heard the wish of his step mother and the promises made earlier by his father, Rama decided without any regret to leave ayodhya to keep the promises of his father towards his step-mother. Rama sarificed all his comforts as well as throne for younger brother Bharata and decided to spend 14 years of hard life in forests as per the wish of his step mother. Definitely he could live with all luxury and comfort in Ayodhya as he was not responsible for the promises made to his step mother yet he chose to keep the promise of his father towards his step-mother. Such was the greatness of Shri Ram!!!

2) Shri Rama happily gifted the golden-Kingdom-Lanka to Vibhishana like a mere golden-ring and kingdom of Kishkindha to Sugreeva.

3) In whole 14 years of exile, Rama never entered in any city and always lived a life of an ascetic.

So who can show such Param-Vairagya-Guna in any other personality apart from Rama???

Thus we see all 6 qualities are full and complete in Lord Rama alone, He accepts everyone be it Human, demon, animal, bird or any living being. If Rama is not Bhagavān , then no one qualifies to be called as Bhagavān as per Sanatan-Vedic Dharma principles.

Apart from all above attributes which can be found to full degree in Bhagavān (God) alone, there is an another attribute (virtue) of Rama which makes him very unique among his all incarnations. That attribute is his pure character which makes him "Maryada Purushottam". Apart from Rama, no one can hold the title of being "Maryada Purushottama".

Maryada-purushottama

(मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम)

Shri Rama is famous for one word (keeping his promoises at any cost), one arrow (Rama-Baan, the infalliable weapon of Rama which can eliminate anyone) and one wife (ek-patni Vrata i.e. devoted towards one wife only). Rama was the king of the greatest empire of that era and that time it was a custom among kings to keep many wives in their palace. Even Rama could have married many princess, but Rama was solely devoted to his consort Sita alone. Such pure character of being Ek-Patni-Vrata (devoted to one wife even in dreams) can't be found in any other personality of any other incarnation of Shri Rama as only Shri Rama has established the highest form of Dharma. In other words, one can say "Whatever Rama did, it became the highest form of Dharma".

Shri Rama never ever spoke any lie. He never cheated any man or woman. If someone has no character then how can one claim that he is protector of Dharma? Whatever Shri Rama promised to someone, he delivered it. Shri Rama never ever thought of any second thing if someone is weak (Sugriva) or a demon (Vibhishana) before giving protection to a person when someone asked his refuge be it man, woman, god, demon, animal or any living being. Only supreme being can give full protection from all types of fears. Such combination of all pure qualities and pure character can be found only in Shri Rama, and thus only he is eligible to be called as Bhagavān, the original personality of godhead.

Śrī Rāmāvtāra ( श्री रामावतार : Śrī Rāma, The most superior)

Lord Ramachandra / Rama has innumerous incarnations, and of which ten are upheld as major incarnations, they are:-

1. MatsyAvatAra
2. KoormAvatAra
3. VArAhAvatAra
4. NrisimhAvatAra
5. VAmanAvatAra
6. ParashurAmAvatar
7. Srimad RAmachandra
8. Sri KrishNAvatAra
9. BaudhhAvata
10. Kalki AvatAra

Lord Rama is original source of all Avtaara-s (incarnations of Lord Hari) and He is himself Supreme Personality, known as Purusa in Veda-s who is always situated in original ultimate form of Śrī Rāma-Rupa in the divine spiritual planet Saketa (Ayodhya) which is full of Supreme bliss of Brahman i.e. BrahmAnanda.

Out of infinite incarnations or major 10 incarnations, there are 3 Poorna-avtaar-s (पूर्णावतार ) or Purna-Brahman.
Those 3 Poorna-Avtaar of Bhagavān Ram are:
1) NrisimhAvtAra (Narsimha Avtar)
2) Shri RamAvtAra (Shri-Mad RAmachandra)
3) Shri KrishnAvtAra (Krishna)

Out of aforementioned 3 PoornAvtAra-s (पूर्णावतार ), both Shri Rama and Shri Krishna are glorified as Sarva-Karan-Karanam (means the cause of all cause) and Swayam-Bhagavān (God himself) in Vedic-scriptures. Thus these two are more perfect than NrisimhAvtara (Half man-lion incarnation). So both, Shri Rama and Shri Krishna are known as Purtamam-Brahman (पूर्णतमम् ब्रह्म ), superior than Purn-Brahman (पूर्ण-ब्रह्म ).

So Purntamam-ParaBrahman (पूर्णतमम् परमब्रह्म ) are :
1) Shri RAma
2) Shri Krishna

Out of above two Purtamam-Brahman, in all vedic- scriptures only one personality i.e. Shri Rama alone is glorified as Hero (means the real original Purusa) who has never shown his back to his enemies as Shri Rama has complete Valour to infinite degree. Complete Valour to infinite degree is one of the six qualities on basis of which we know who is Bhagavān.

Thus Paripurntamam-ParaBrahman (परिपूर्णतमम् परमब्रह्म ), the original Purusa or supreme personality of godhead is
1) Shri Rama

Thats why Valmiki-Ramayana declares Rama to be Ishta-Deva of all worlds (iShta sarvasya Lokasya Ramah, इष्ट: सर्वस्य लोकस्य रामः ). There is also another kind of speciality with Lord Rama alone that his name "Rama" is said to be Para-Brahman itself in Vedic scriptures. This kind of speciality is never found to be associated with any other personality.

Shri Krishna is called to be Krishna because he is all attractive supreme personality, who attracts everyone. But Shri Rama is the personality who not only attracts everyone by his natural beauty but he is so much exceedingly attractive that even Krishna is found to be attracted towards Lord Rama. Shri Krishna himself accepts this fact in BrahmAnda-PurAna.

Our Vedic scriptures say "there is no one even equal to Rama so what to talk of anyone being superior to him."

नेदं यशो रघुपतेः सुरयाच्ञयाऽऽत्त-लीलातनोरधिक-साम्य-विमुक्त-धाम्नः । रक्षो-वधो जलधि-बन्धनं अस्त्र-पूगैः किं तस्य शत्रु-हनने कपयः सहायाः ।। [Bhagavat 9-11-20]

nedaḿ yaśo raghupateḥ sura-yācñayātta- līlā-tanor adhika-sāmya-vimukta-dhāmnaḥ rakṣo-vadho jaladhi-bandhanam astra-pūgaiḥ kiḿ tasya śatru-hanane kapayaḥ sahāyāḥ

Killing of demons (Rāvaṇa, Kumbhakarna, etc) with bow and arrows, or building a bridge over the ocean does not constitute the factual glory of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Rāma, whose spiritual body is always engaged in various pastimes. There is no one even equal to Lord Rāma, so there is no question of anyone being superior to him, and therefore He [to such a supreme lord who has no equal or superior] had no need to take help from the monkeys to gain victory over demon Rāvaṇa. [So if someone says even Supreme lord Rama needed help of monkeys such as Sugriva, Angad, Hanumana, etc then it is utter foolishness, nothing else.] (- Shri-Mad BhAgvat MahapurAna 9-11-20)

Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Shiva are mere parts of Śrī Rāma

ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशाद्या यस्यांशा लोकसाधका: । तमादिदेवं श्रीरामं विशुद्धं परमं भजे ।। (स्कन्द पुराण , उत्तर खंड , रामायण महात्म्य प्रथमोध्याय -३ )

brahmaviṣṇumahēśādyā yasyāṃśā lōkasādhakā: । tamādidēvaṃ śrīrāmaṃ viśuddhaṃ paramaṃ bhajē ।। (skanda purāṇa , uttara khaṃḍa , rāmāyaṇa mahātmya prathamōdhyāya -3 )

Salutations to that Rama who is the most superior, the primeval lord of universe, and free from all the vices. Brahman (Brahm), Viṣṇu (VishNu) and Mahesa (Shiva) who are sustainer of the world, are just parts of Lord (Śrī) Rāma . (- Skanda Puran, Uttar Khand, RamayaNa MahAtmya, 1.3)

ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशाद्या यस्यांशा लोकसाधका: । तं रामं सच्चिदानन्दं नित्यं रासेश्वरं भजे ।। (हनुमत-संहिता)

brahmaviṣṇumahēśādyā yasyāṃśā lōkasādhakā: । taṃ rāmaṃ saccidānandaṃ nityaṃ rāsēśvaraṃ bhajē ।। (hanumata-saṃhitā)

Param-Bhāgavat Shri Hanumān says "I worship all times Lord Śrī Rāma, who is eternal and who is very form of Sat 'Existence', Cit 'Consciousness' and Ananda 'Bliss'. Śrī Rāma is an expert in the rāsa leelā, the dance practiced by cowherds, Krishna and gopis. His parts are Brahman (Brahm), Viṣṇu (VishNu) and Mahesa who are the sustainers of the world.

Ram manifested himself as VishNu

He is Śrī Rāma who transformed himself as Vishnu in starting of the creation.

सर्वावतारी भगवान् रामश्चतुर्भुजोऽभवत् ।। [कोशल-खंड ]

sarvāvatārī bhagavān rāmaścaturbhujō'bhavat ।। [kōśala-khaṃḍa ]

Lord Śrī Rāma, the original source of all the other incarnations, transformed himself in his four-armed form of Vishnu!!

सर्वे अवतारा श्री राम नाम शक्ति समुद्भवाः | [स्कन्द-पुराण ]

sarvē avatārā śrī rāma nāma śakti samudbhavāḥ | [skanda-purāṇa]

Lord Shiva tells Pārvati: All incarnations of Lord Hari are originated from Śrī Rām Naam.

(Ram Naam is itself Parambrahman and there is no difference between Lord Shri Ram and his name.- Padma-Purana)

सर्वेषामवताराणामवतारी रघूत्तम: । रामपादनखज्योत्स्ना परब्रह्मेति गीयते ।। [अगस्त्य-संहिता]

sarvēṣāmavatārāṇāmavatārī raghūttama: । rāmapādanakhajyōtsnā parabrahmēti gīyatē ।। [agastya-saṃhitā]

Lord Śrī Rāma, the best among the Raghus, is the original personality of Godhead, among all the incarnations; and the moonlight coming from the nails of Śrī Rāma's feet is praised as Parabrahman by the scriptures.

Now as Lord Rama is the original godhead among all incarnations, Śrī Rāma's Paratva (परत्व Supremacy over other forms of Brahman) is also more evident from the words of scriptures that Lord Rama has two arms in his eternal form residing in his supreme abode Saket-Loka and supreme Purusa of Veda-s is described as two armed Para-Brahman (i.e. Lord Śrī Rāma).

ययौ तथा महाशम्भू रामलोकमगोचरम् । तत्र गत्वा महाशम्भू राघवं नित्यविग्रहम् ।। ददर्श परमात्मानं समासीनं मया सह । सर्वशक्तिकलानाथं द्विभुजं रघुनन्दनम् ।। द्विभुजाद्राघवान्नित्यात्सर्वमेतत्प्रवर्तते । [ सुन्दरीतन्त्र]

yayau tathā mahāśambhū rāmalōkamagōcaram । tatra gatvā mahāśambhū rāghavaṃ nityavigraham ।। dadarśa paramātmānaṃ samāsīnaṃ mayā saha । sarvaśaktikalānāthaṃ dvibhujaṃ raghunandanam ।। dvibhujādrāghavānnityātsarvamētatpravartatē । [ sundarītantra]

The Maha-Siva went to the abode of Śrī Rāma i.e. Saket loka, which is beyond the reach of sensual organs. Reaching there the great Siva found Raghava (Lord Rama) the supreme soul possessed of eternal body. Śrī Rāma who is the lord of all kinds of power, was seated along with me ( Sita ). This entire universe is activated by the prowess of eternal Raghava (Lord Rama), with two arms.

स्थूलं चाष्टभुजं प्रोक्तं सूक्ष्मं चैव चतुर्भुजम् । परं च द्विभुजं रूपं तस्मादेतत्त्रयं यजेत् । [आनंद संहिता ]

sthūlaṃ cāṣṭabhujaṃ prōktaṃ sūkṣmaṃ caiva caturbhujam । paraṃ ca dvibhujaṃ rūpaṃ tasmādētattrayaṃ yajēt । [ānaṃda saṃhitā ]

Sthula-Brahman is the god with eight arms (i.e. 8 armed Vishnu) and is visible, but the form of Vishnu who has 4-arms is subtle i.e. He is Sukshma-Brahman but the God who is of two-armed (i.e. Lord Ram in his eternal form), is the most superior (परं च द्विभुजं रूपं). Therefore, one should worship the god endowed with the assemblage of three forms

Same Lord Śrī Rāma transformed himself into various forms and also into 4 armed Vishnu for sustenance of the universe. There is none in whole universe who is beyond Lord Śrī Rāma. Lord Śrī Rāma is higher than even the highest which means Śrī Rāma is the only person (Purusa) who is superior than himself.

So lord Śrī Rāma comes himself in Treta-Yuga in his original Swayam-Rupa i.e. ultimate form of Para-Brahman, while in various incarnations he assumes different forms like of Matsya (divine fish), Varaha (divine boar), Narsimha (half man-half lion), Krishna etc.

Of the various avatar, Sri RAmavatara is unique and highly glorious. While the earlier avatars only served a limited purpose, namely subduing the wicked and protecting the good, the main purpose of Ramavatara is Dharma -Samsthapana. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the Lord chose the role of a man - an ideal human. The glory of the Ramavatar is the demonstration that the dharmic way of life could be lived by all in thought, word and deed, under all conditions and circumstances.

This has been achieved by Lord Rama in this descent by becoming the son of King Dasaratha.

“वेदवेद्ये परेपुंसि जाते दशरथात्मजे । वेदः प्राचेतसादासीत् साक्षाद् रामायणात्मना ।। तस्माद्रामायणं देवि! वेद एव न संशयः ।।" - अगस्त्य संहिता - मंगलाचरण, श्रीमद वाल्मीकि रामायण

“vēdavēdyē parēpuṃsi jātē daśarathātmajē । vēdaḥ prācētasādāsīt sākṣād rāmāyaṇātmanā ।। tasmādrāmāyaṇaṃ dēvi! vēda ēva na saṃśayaḥ ।।" - agastya saṃhitā - maṃgalācaraṇa, śrīmada vālmīki rāmāyaṇa

Lord Shiva tells Parvati:-

Supreme being is known through only Vedas. When that Supreme being born as son of Dasratha (Śrī Rāma) in Ayodhya, that time all Vedas manifested themselves through the mouth of sage Valmiki, the son of sage Prachetus, directly as the Ramayana.
Therefore O' Devi, there is no doubt that Ramayana is Vedas itself.

"When the Supreme Lord who is sought after and proclaimed by the Vedas was born as the son of Dasaratha, the Vedas became the Ramayana. The Ramayana is Vedas in action".

Lord Śrī Rāma is himself the original Source of All Avtaara-s..

Those all Avtara-s of Lord Śrī Rāma make salutations to him in Saket Loka.

In Aadi-Ramayana, Lord Hanumana says to Garuda:-

Lord Śrī Rāma of Ayodhya is the God of all the Gods ( देवदेवेश ). Lord Krishna and other incarnations are just Amsha-Avatara-s (अंशावताराः कृष्ण:the plenary portions) of Lord Śrī Rāma, those all innumerable (ह्यसंख्यका) incarnations (Krishna, Varaha etc or thousand of Krishna-s too as said by other scriptures) always do salutations (प्रणमन्ति) in Lotus feet of Lord Ram. I don't Know any other Supreme being, the God of all the Gods other than that Lord Ram. All the innumerable incarnations are originated from Lord Ram alone.

Then Garuda asks:- Are all Amsha-Avatara-s like Bala-Rama and Krishna etc eternal?

Again Brihad.Brahm-Samhita says same thing that many incarnations of Shri-Hari make salutations to Supreme Purusa of Veda-s i.e. Lord Rama.

Brihad.Brahm-samhita (बृहद्ब्रह्मसंहिता) :

तस्मिन्साकेतलोके विधिहरहरिभि: सन्ततं , सेव्यमाने दिव्ये सिंहासने स्वे जनकतनयया राघव: शोभमान:। युक्तो मत्स्यैरनेकै: करिभिरपि तथा नारसिंहैरनन्तै: कूर्मै: श्रीनन्दनन्दैर्हयगलहरिभिर्नित्यमाज्ञोन्मुखैश्च ।। यज्ञ: केशववामनौ नरवरो नारायणो धर्मज: श्रीकृष्णो हलधृक् तथा मधुरिपु: श्रीवासुदेवो ऽपर: । एते नैकविधा महेन्द्रविधयो दुर्गादय: कोटिश: श्रीरामस्य पुरो निदेशसुमुखा नित्यास्तदीये पदे ।। इत्यादीनि बृहद्ब्रह्मसंहितावचनानि सङ्गच्छन्ते । अत्र नन्दनन्दनशब्द: नन्दं नन्दयति विविधोक्त्या शोकत्याजनाद्वर्धयतीति मथुरानिवासिपर: । श्रीकृष्णशब्दो द्वारकानिवासिपर इति न विरोध: ।

tasmin sākētalōkē vidhi-hara-haribhih santataṃ , sēvyamānē divyē siṃhāsanē svē janaka-tanayayā rāghavah śōbhamānah। yuktō matsyair-anēkaih karibhirapi tathā nārasiṃhair-anantaih kūrmaih śrīnandanandai-haya-gala-haribhir-nityam-ājñōn-mukhaiśca ।। yajñah kēśava-vāmanau naravarō nārāyaṇō dharmajah śrīkṛṣṇō haladhṛk tathā madhuripuh śrīvāsudēvō 'parah । ētē naikavidhā mahēndravidhayō durgādayah kōṭiśah śrīrāmasya purō nidēśasumukhā nityāstadīyē padē ।। ityādīni bṛhadbrahmasaṃhitāvacanāni saṅgacchantē । atra nandanandana-śabdah nandaṃ nandayati vividhōktyā śōkatyājanādvardhayatīti mathurā-nivāsiparah । śrīkṛṣṇaśabdō dvārakā-nivāsipara iti na virōdhah ।

"RAghava (Śrī Rāma) shines with SitA on the divine throne in world of SAketa (AyodhyA) where BrahmA, Shiva and Vishnu constantly worship him. He (Lord Rāma) is surrounded by many divine fish incarnations, monkeys and also by plentitude of the Narasimhas or Narasimha incarnations, tortoise incarnations, and sons of Sri Nanda, i.e Sri Krishna, Haya, Gala, and Hari. They all are eager to receive the orders of Lord Rama. Keshava, Vamana the foremost persons, Narayana, Yudhisthira, Shri Krishna, Haladhrik BalaRAma and VAsudeva, the enemy of the demon Madhu as well as various kinds of Mahendras and millions of Goddess Durgas, eager for advice, remain always in front of Sri RAma (Śrī Rāma) near His feet" . Here, the epithet Nanda-nandana signifies that form of Lord Krishna, who delights Nanda and dwells in MathurA, while Sri Krisna refers to the one who resides in DwArika.

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॥ श्रीसीतारामचंद्रार्पणमस्तु ॥