The virtues Shri Ram reflected in each Kand of Ramayan

Shri Ram is worshipped as the Maryada Purushottam for his virtues which are reflected in each of the Kands of Ramayan. Each of the Kand reflects how man faces joys and sorrows in life, and how Shri Ram balances them through his virtues.

The Bal Kand essentially teaches as to how a human can shape his individuality in the growing years through the values of humility and discipline in the Gurukul Ashram. When Shri Ram accompanies Rishi Vishwamitr, he shows service and gratitude and how knowledge and power shine through them which shape the personality of an individual.

The Ayodhya Kand teaches the unity in a family is strength. Not only Shri Ram, but all his family stands up to Dharma and pull down the ill minded ideas of Queen Kaikeyi and Manthara. However, it is not through a rebellion that they challenge it, but through sacrifice valuing promises and standing up to them teaching the most valuable lesson of the unity of the family.

The Aranya Kand is all about duty and devotion. As a person who knows to strike balance between joy and sorrow, Shri Ram teaches how a person can make his adversities to his own benefit and also for the others. Through his various visits to the Ashrams of great Rishis Shri Ram gives them the fruits of their devotion through his darshan and also helps them out in getting rid of the demons of the Dandak forest, this proving his duty as a follower of Dharma.

The Kishkinda Kand teaches the most valuable possession of a human is friendship. It is only in friendship that one forgets his own sorrows and comes ahead to remove the grief of his friend. Shri Ram keeps up his promise of regaining back Kishkinda for Sugriv while putting aside his sorrow of separation from Mata Sita. Shri Ram is a patient friend while waiting for Sugriv to keep his promise and also a forgiving friend, when Sugriv temporarily forgets his promise of his search for Mata Sita thus fulfilling all traits of friendship.

Hanuman’s courage, faith and strength beautifully come out in the Sundar Kand. While Angad, Jambavan prove motivation and team work in achieving a quest is important, Hanuman proves that faith is the greatest strength. If a person is courageous and truthful, then all obstacles and worries are temporary just as the hurdles Hanuman faces in the Ocean.

Through Yuddh Kand, Shri Ram teaches courage and strength, much needed for a human to fight the challenges of life. While motivating his Vanar army in the right way, Shri Ram defeats great warriors of Lanka and wins the battle even without armour on or a chariot to ride only with the virtue of courage.

The Uttar Kand is all about duty above emotions. When Lakshman asks Shri Ram why he needs to desert Mata Sita, Shri Ram answers that he is a king first, and the duty of a king comes first before the duty towards his family. Keeping the unending grief to themselves, Shri Ram and Mata Sita get separated, but never lost the love and respect for each other. Shri Ram teaches that love is not all about being together, but sometimes being apart and working together towards duty.Shining with the virtues of Shri Ram, the seven Kands are the seven steps which lead to a complete life of a human.