Rama, the great prophet and ideal of the Hindus, was at the same time the example of a godhead. The character of Rama is said to have been foretold by Valmiki. The training which was given to Rama by a great rishi whose name was Vashishta was to bring out that kingdom of God which is hidden in the heart of man. In this particular respect Rama was not only an ideal for the Hindus of that particular age, but was a model to mold the character of those who tread the spiritual path in any age.

Rama was a prince by birth, but was given to be trained under a sage, where he lived the life of solitude, study, and play all together. He was not only taught to read and write, but he was trained in athletic sports and in all manner of warfare. This shows that the ancient people had education in all directions of life. Rama completed his course of study about the time of the prime of his youth. The story of Rama has been always considered as the most sacred scripture for the Hindus; it is called the Ramayana. The Brahman recites this story in a poetic form to which the devotees of the master listen for hours without tiring. They take it as their religious training.

The most interesting part of Rama's life is his marriage. In ancient times there was a custom that the husband was chosen. This custom came out of the tendency to warfare. At every little trouble the princes of the time were up in arms even in such matters as marriage. In order to avoid war the father of Sita invited all the princes and potentates of his land and gave the right of selection to his daughter. There was a time appointed when they all gathered in the royal gallery adorned in their regal ornaments, decorations, and garbs.

Rama lived a simple life. He had not yet known what princely life means, for he was being trained under a saint, where he ate the same food as the sage did, wore the same simple clothes as the sage, and lived in the woods in solitude. Yet the brightness of the soul shines out even without ornaments.

When Sita entered among this assembly with a garland of flowers in her hands, her first glance fell upon Rama and she could not lift her glance from that ideal of her soul to anyone else, for her soul recognized the pearl in its heart. Sita, without a moment's pause, came immediately and put the garland on the neck of that youth, so simple and unassuming, standing with an innocent expression behind all the shining hosts.

Many marveled at this choice, but many more became as glowing fire with the thought of envy and jealousy. Among them, the one who was most troubled was the king of Lanka, Ravana. For Sita was not only known as the most beautiful princess of the time, but also was called Padmani, the ideal maiden. As Rama was an example in his character, so in Sita the ideal character was born.

Then came the separation of the two. Sita had followed Rama in his twelve years of vandavasa, which means roaming in the forest. Once she was left alone in the woods while Rama had gone to fetch some water, and at that time Sita disappeared. After great difficulty and great grief the trace was found: she had been taken prisoner by Ravana. She steadily lived for Rama in this captivity and would not yield to Ravana's temptations and threatenings. In the end victory was won; Rama fought a battle with Ravana and brought Sita back home.

This story gives the picture of life as a struggle for everyone, in a small way or in a big way. The outer nature of the struggle may be different for everyone but at the same time no one can live in the midst of this world and be without a struggle. In this struggle the one who wins in the end has fulfilled the purpose of his life; who loses in the end has lost.

The life of Rama suggests that, spiritual strife apart, the struggle in the world is the first thing to face. If one keeps to one's own ideal through every test and trial in life, one will no doubt arrive at a stage when he will be victorious. It does not matter how small the struggle, because victory won in the end of every struggle is the power that leads man further on the path towards life's goal. The life of man, however great and spiritual, has its limitations. Before the conditions of life, the greatest man on earth or the most powerful soul will for a moment seem helpless. But it is not the beginning that counts, it is the end. It is the last note that a great soul strikes which proves that soul to be real and true.