APPEARANCE OF MARYADAPURSHOTTAMMA SHRI RAMA

To keep his promises to the devotees and establish the Dharma (religion) God takes various incarnations time and again in Bharatavarsha (the pious land of India). Among the various incarnations, one is that of Maryada (morals). That is why Lord Shri Rama is also said as Maryada Purushottama (The great man of moral par excellence). Here it would be better to have a understanding of the word Bhagwan (God).

MEANING OF BHAGAWANA (GOD)

AISHVARYASYA SAMAGRASYA DHARMASYA YASHASAH SHRIYAH
GYANA VAIRAGYAYOSHCHAIVA SHANNAM BHAGA ITI RANA ||

Meaning: All the luxuries, Dharma (religion), honor, wealth, knowledge and detachment, These six can be defined by just one word - Bhaga and wana - means the owner or the holder. Thus Bhagawana i.e. Bhaga & Wana, means one who has all these are virtues, very much like Dhanawana (rich), Gyanawana (Knowledgeous), Putravana (having sons), Vidyawana (having skills) etc.

SCRIPTUARAL APPEARANCE OF SHRIRAMA
NEELAMBUJA SHYAMALA KOMALANGA,
SITA SAMAROPITA VAM BHAGAM |
PANO MAHASHAYAKA CHARU CHAPAM,
NAMAMI RAMAMRAGHUVANSHA NATHAMA ||

Meaning : I bow before the jewel of Raghukula, Lord Shri Rama, who has colour like blue - lotus, who has Sita on his left side, who holds the grand arch in his hand, I bow before such Lord Shri Rama, the jewel of Raghukula

In this scriptural description of Lord Shri Rama, Sita is present on his left side. It thus preaches that the better half of the society i.e. the women, must be given their appropriate honor and position. It also implies that without woman a man is incomplete. Hence, if a man wishes to become complete, he must give the women her proper place.

REASON FOR HOLDING BOW & ARROW IN HANDS

Bow and arrow are the traditional weapon. Even the missiles, as we know about them today, could be launched by the simple-looking bow. Among them, the bow of Maryadapurushottama Shri Rama (Ramabana) had excellent and unique virtues. The bow of Shri Rama was infallible i.e. it never missed its target. Once it was trained on the bow, it completed the purpose for which it was trained, Hence apparently the bow and arrow of Shri Rama depict strictness. Isn't it a unique paradox that softhearted Shri Rama and very strict bow and arrow. With his bow and arrow, Maryada Purushottama preaches that the people longing to abide by the morals, will have to take hard decisions despite having soft corners and have to follows these decisions. Once taken even Shri Rama had to pass acid tests in keeping his words and following his decisions. At the time of his Vanagahana (exile to the forest) his father King Dashratha passed away.Even then he did not change his decision.At the time of deserting Sita also, Lord Rama followed his decision strictly.

Thus from his strictness Lord Rama preaches that if one wishes to follow morals, he must be prepared to adopt strictness in life, and be prepared to take hard decisions.