Ramachandra, "the reservoir of all pleasure"), as well as being a
historical figure in Indian and Sri Lankan history, is also regarded by
Hindus as the seventh avatara of Vishnu and his eighteenth
purusha incarnation. He is described
in the Srimad Bhagavatam, thus:
"nara-devatvam apannah
sura-karya-cikirshaya
samudra-nigrahadini
cakre viryany atah param
In the eighteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as King Rama. In order
to perform some pleasing work for the demigods, He exhibited superhuman
powers by controlling the Indian Ocean and then killing the atheist
King Ravana, who was on the other side of the sea."
Bhag., Canto 1, Ch. 3, Text 22
"asmat-prasada-sumukhah kalaya kalesha
ikshvaku-vamsha avatirya guror nideshe
tishthan vanam sa-dayitanuja avivesha
yasmin virughya dasha-kandhara artim arcchat...
Due to His causeless mercy upon all living entities within the universe, the
Supereme Personality of Godhead, along with His plenary extensions, appeared in
the family of Maharaja Ikshavaku as the Lord of His internal potency, Sita. Under
the order of his father, Maharaja Dasaratha, He entered the forest and lived there
for considerable years with His wife and younger brother. Ravana, who was very
materially powerful, with ten heads on his shoulders, committed a great offense
against Him and was thus ulimately vanquished..."
Bhag., Canto 2, Ch. 7, Text 23, et. seq.
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