The Humility of Shri Rama

विद्या विवादाय धनं मदाय शक्ति: परेषां परिपीडनाय 

खलस्य साधोर्विपरीतमॆतज्ज्ञानाय दानाय च रक्षणाय

The wicked use knowledge for arguments, wealth for arrogance, and strength for oppressing others. The righteous use knowledge for self-upliftment, wealth for charity, and strength for protection.

Punishment is essential in human society.

दण्ड: शास्ति प्रजा: सर्वा:

'Punishment governs all people.'
The rule of law maintains order and peace in society. Among all means of control, punishment is the most effective - दण्डो दमयतामस्मि  (Bhagavad Gita).
It is through those who administer punishment that Bhagavan Himself acts.
The use of force is necessary to deliver punishment. A punishment given without the display of anger often fails to have its intended effect. It is not just physical pain; the behaviour and expressions of the one administering punishment add to its impact.

अमर्षशून्येन जनस्य जन्तुना न जातहार्देन न विद्विषादार: (किरातार्ज्जुनीयं) - A person who does not display anger will neither be respected by friends nor feared by enemies. Therefore, the display of anger by the punisher is essential.

However, Bhagavan Shri Rama, even while striking like a storm on the battlefield, always maintained a heart filled with compassion and gentleness. Force was never His first approach. He only aimed an arrow at the ocean after His humble request for a path was ignored. He sent Hanuman and Angada with peace proposals, and only when those efforts failed did He attack Lanka.

Bhagavan had no arrogance in His strength and valor. He never engaged in self-praise. When Parashurama confronted Him, Shri Rama simply said, 'I am just an ordinary Rama, but you are the world-renowned Parashu-Rama.'

• A rose plant gives only flowers, not fruit.
• A mango tree gives both flowers and fruits.
• A jackfruit tree gives only fruit, not flowers.

Likewise, people fall into three categories:

• Some only talk but do not act.
• Some talk and act.
• Some act without speaking about it.

Bhagavan belonged to the third category.

Shri Rama inherited this virtue of humility from His mothers. When He protected Vishvamitra’s yajna by defeating the rakshasas, His mothers told Him, 'Your victory is only due to the blessings of Maharshi Vishvamitra.'
After slaying Ravana, Bhagavan told the Vanara army, 'It is not I who killed Ravana; it is all of you.'
Upon winning the war, while returning to Ayodhya in the Pushpaka Vimana, He praised only Lakshmana and Hanuman's valor, never once speaking of His own achievements.
Upon reaching Ayodhya, He worshiped the feet of Sage Vashishta and said, 'This victory is due to your blessings.'
About the Vanaras, He said, 'These friends are the ones who helped me.'

Despite possessing immeasurable strength, no one equaled Shri Rama in humility. He did not claim credit for conquering Lanka or slaying Ravana but attributed it to His Gurus, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and the Vanara army. Bhagavan saw war as His duty and responsibility, not as an opportunity for fame. He teaches us how to maintain humility even when endowed with immense power.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi