I do not have time to repeat what I have written in other posts, so I am going to simply copy and paste the explanations from other sites:🤔
Copied and Pasted from here:
I believe many of you have already responded – in your own way – to the question…so please bear with me if some of the points I make are repetitive and/or paraphrase earlier comments.
The first point is regarding the word "outstanding". I don't have to tell you that the term is subjective, therefore open to different interpretations and to a great extent depends on context…In a limited sense, therefore, Shri Ramchandra's "greatness" can be a matter of perception – depending on whom you ask. Having said that, when a large group of people hold a particular figure as venerable, it is very likely that such a belief stems from at least a few acts of extraordinary significance and not just one single deed.
Second, as you read this post and the earlier discussion, please bear in mind that Shri Ramchandra is an "avatar" in human form and therefore has human traits – some of which we may find "ungodly".
Coming back to the question:
Why is Bhagwaan Shri Ramchandra called Maryaada Purushottam?
If you read the Ramayana in some detail and try to understand the historical context around the narrative, a few things stand out. Specifically:
1] The remarkable geographical spread of the narrative which indicates that if Shri Ramchandra was indeed a historical figure, his kingdom must have been one of the largest (if not the largest) of those times. In particular, he managed to bridge the north and south of the country – reflected in his travels during the "Vanavaas" – which should count as a tremendous achievement (I am deliberately not mentioning the Ashvamedha Yagya he performed after his return to Ayodhya)
2] The respect with which he treats the tribes and "other" people – i.e. non-citizens of Ayodhya – mark him out as a man far ahead of his time – keen on forging alliances and bringing people together rather than subjugating them.
3] The numerous stories of his fights with Asuras & Rakshas and how he emerges victorious in each of them are very likely indicative of his ability as a brilliant warrior and a superb war strategist.
4] There are clear references in the epic to his breaking of numerous social taboos…To cite two specific examples, a] his sharing meals with the Shabaras and b] his freeing Devi Ahilya of her curse. Through his deeds and actions, he exemplified the belief that all men are equal…He of course, shares this "greatness of thought" with other saints and venerated men including Jesus Christ , Gautam Buddha and Prophet Muhammad.
5] His reign – "Ram-Rajya" in popular culture – has become a synonym for a peaceful, harmonious, secure and prosperous state – almost an ideal that every government should strive for.
6] His deeds as a son, as a brother, as a husband (leaving aside the matter of Agni-Pariksha which I will deal with separately) and as a King, exemplified model behaviour and conduct and that is why he is called Maryada Purushottam.
"Maryada" meaning (by extension of the original meaning of a limit or boundary) the intrinsic moral law, ethics, customs or rules and "Purushottam" being – the best amongst men (Note that he is not called the "best amongst Gods"). Also note that "Uttam" may not mean "best" either (that would be "Sarvashreshtha"). Its meaning is closer to exemplar – or worth emulating.
Finally, try and interpret all this in the proper socio-historical context (leaving aside the deification, if you can) and then consider his various deeds and actions.
Shri Ramchandra is often cited as an epitome of "Dharmic" behaviour. But (as one of the commentators has also noted) "Dharma" (i.e. being morally and ethically correct) is contextual and is not disconnected from the socio-political context of the time of these events.
So to view these acts and events from a purely modern, individualistic (or even feminist) perspective may be an interesting intellectual exercise but such an interpretation is likely to lead to erroneous conclusions (and possibly cause offence)
Note that the word "Dharma" itself cannot be appropriately translated in English. There is no single word/phrase in English that can fully capture the various nuances and connotations of the term. As noted by commentators, "…there is no one corresponding English term that fully renders both the denotative and the connotative meanings of the term with maximal sufficiency".
Coming to the matter of Agni-Pariksha.
While it is debatable whether the event actually happened – or it was an embellishment to the original story by later writers (subsequently lodged in popular imagination through Goswami Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas) – the episode highlights (to me) the dilemma faced by Shri Ramchandra when his duties (loosely "Dharma") as a King conflicted with his "Dharma" as a husband.
For a ruler, ancient Hindu society expected that "Raj-Dharma" should come ahead of everything else…Seen from this perspective, it becomes easier to understand why Sita Mata herself asked Shri Ramchandra to send her away (as mentioned in some versions) and why Shri Ramchandra had to do this.
The references mention that Sita Mata herself asked him to do this since she realised and understood the dilemma he was in. As an aside, some sacred stories mention a curse of Rishi Agastya that condemned Bhagwaan Shri Vishnu to living for a long time without his soulmate…this curse was ultimately borne by Shri Ramchandra (one of the ten "avtaars" of Vishnu) – and the sequence of events starting from Sita Mata's agni-pariksha and subsequent departure from Ayodhya were a result of this curse.
Here is another very interesting story that illustrates the dilemma Shri Ramchandra faced when his different duties ("Dharma") came in conflict.
Please read this with an open and sensitive mind:
Bhagwan Ram was seated on his royal throne. DevRishi Narad, Rishi Vishwamitra, Guru Vashishta and many other sages were also present in the court four counseling him. They were all contemplating on some religious issue. Right then DevRishi Narad said, "hey scholars, please let me know who is more powerful. "The God himself or His Name". After a long debate the questions remained unanswered. Then DevRishi Narad himself declared that "His Name" is higher than the person name and went to the extent of proving the fact before the dispersal of the royal court. Then Narad Ji called Shri Hanuman Ji and said, "when everyone was about to leave the court", "You will bid greeting to every Sage but not Vishwamitra because he is a king". Then turn to Rishi and said "He does not deserve the same respect and honor as others present here".
Hanuman Ji agreed and obeyed Maha Rishi Narad. RajRishi Vishwamitra was very upset by seeing this rudeness of Hanuman Ji. As he was trying to compose himself DevRishi appeared before him and said, "Did you notice the arrogance of Hanuman? He know that you have done mare favor for his lord Shri Ram by giving him the knowledge. It was because of you he could marry Devi Sita, still Hanuman ignored you
and paid obeisance to all other saints and sages. He has insulted you intentionally". Provoked by DevRishi Narad, Rishi Vishwamitra became very angry. He went to King Rama and said , "your devotee Hanuman has insulted me publically, so he should get the death penalty before sunset tomorrow for his arrogance. Rishi Vishwamitra was Shri Ram's Guru and Ram could not disobey his Guru at any cost, so he had to punish Hanuman Ji for his disrespect shown to the Guru.
Shri Ram was dumb-founded for a moment because Hanuman was his most beloved devotee. The news of the death penalty of Hanuman by Shri Ram became the talk of the town and it spread like a wild fire. Hanuman Ji was very sad too. He repented for his misdeed and went to DevRishi Narad and request him to protect him from Rishi Vishwamitra's wrath and from the arrows of Shri Ram. I did that because of your suggestion (he said). DevRishi Narad replied very calmly. "Don't worry Hanuman". Don't be dismayed only do what you has been advise to do. Get up early in the morning and take a bath in the Saryu River. Then stand on the banks of the river and start chanting Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. I will guarantee you, that nothing will happen to you. The next day Hanuman Ji did as DevRishi Narad told him. People from all over the kingdom gathered there to see the harvest test of Hanuman's Devotion and Shri Ram's strict values and rules (Maryada Purushottam). Then Shri Ram Ji came and stood at a distance from Hanuman's Ji and started looking at him with kindness, but he is called Maryada Purushottam so against his will he started shooting arrows at Hanuman who was fully engrossed in chanting his name Jai Ram Shri Ram Jai Jai Ram.
None of his arrows could touch Hanuman Ji. Shri Ram was exhausted but Hanuman Ji was only looking at his Lord with total surrender, love and devotion. Shri Ram used the most powerful weapons he had never used before but nothing could not harm Hanuman Ji. Then Shri Ram aimed his Brahmastra on him. Hanuman Ji kept chanting Shri Ram Mantra and did not move at all. The crowd of on-lookers was under a spell. They were calling out loudly victory to Shri Ram Bhakta Hanuman repeatedly. When DevRishi Narad notice the culminating Brahmastra he went to Rishi Vishwamitra and requested him to stop the unique battle. He said oh great sage, Hanuman Ji was very ignorant about your grace but does that make a difference in your greatness in anyway?. However this was a little drama that I directed to show the significance of "Ram Naam". Do you agree now that Naam is more powerful than Shri Ram Himself. Vishwamitra was convinced and ordered Shri Ram to stop. Hanuman Ji came and prostrated himself on the feet of Shri Ram. He expressed his gratitude and apologized from Maharishi Vishwamitra. RajRishi not only forgave him but blessed him too, that his devotion towards Ram will be the loftiest example in time to come. "So the Greatness of Ram Naam was established". [ Source ]
Patriot: I hope this has helped answer your question…I wanted to write more but am seriously short of time…This took over three days to draft and put in a final shape (I am still not fluent in these things) but I feel very satisfied having attempted this.
respect of all beings is benign
Current Affairs
