A. The ideal son: Though Rama obeyed His parents, at times He also advised the elders. For instance when leaving for the forest He exhorted His parents not to grieve for Him. B. The ideal brother: Even today people quote Rama-Lakshman’s love as the ideal illustration of brotherly love. C. The ideal husband: Rama was devoted singly to His wife. Even after abandoning Sita, Rama lived in detachment. Later when He performed a sacrificial fire (yadnya) He placed Sita’s idol by His side but did not choose another wife. During those days it was a practice for kings to have several consorts. Taking this background into consideration this depicts His faithfulness to only one wife. D. The ideal friend: Rama helped Sugriv, Bibhishan, etc. during catastrophes in their lives. E. The ideal king: When His subjects expressed doubts about the chastity of Sita, ignoring His personal relationship with Her, He abandoned Her in accordance with the code of Righteousness of the ruler (rajdharma). In this context, Kalidas a famous poet has written a meaningful verse (shloka) - ‘कौलिनभीतेन गृहन्निरस्ता न तेन वैदेहसुता मनस्त: ।’ which means ‘fearing social stigma Rama drove Sita out of His home, but not out of His mind’. F. The ideal enemy: After Ravan’s death
