Lord Rama is often described as the embodiment of 16 divine qualities (Ṣoḍaśa-kalā-pūrṇa). Below are 16 short poems, each celebrating one of his virtues:
1. Compassion (Karuṇā)
In every tear, he feels the pain,
A heart so vast, like gentle rain.
To all who seek, he gives his hand,
A prince of love in every land.
2. Truthfulness (Satya-vākya)
His word, a vow that never sways,
A shining light in darkest days.
Deception, falsehood—none he knew,
His speech was pure, his promise true.
3. Righteousness (Dharma-niṣṭhā)
Dharma was his guiding star,
Leading him through war and scar.
Not for throne nor selfish gain,
But for justice, bore the pain.
4. Valor (Parākrama)
In battle fierce, he stood so tall,
His arrows swift, his foes would fall.
Yet in his might, no pride arose,
For dharma’s sake, he faced all woes.
5. Patience (Kṣamā)
Through exile’s path and trials deep,
He bore all loss, yet did not weep.
No anger ruled, no wrath took hold,
His patience vast, his heart was gold.
6. Self-control (Dama)
Desires never clouded his way,
Like still waters, he’d never sway.
A prince of wisdom, calm and bright,
His soul untouched by fleeting light.
7. Gratitude (Kṛtajñatā)
One kind act, he’d ne’er forget,
A debt repaid with love’s duet.
For friendship, service, help or trust,
His heart stayed true, his soul was just.
8. Purity (Śaucam)
In mind and deed, so bright, so clear,
A heart that held no trace of smear.
His life, a lotus on the tide,
Untouched by sin, in truth his guide.
9. Humility (Vinaya)
Though king of kings, his head bent low,
Respect for all, he’d always show.
No pride could taint his noble grace,
Humility adorned his face.
10. Wisdom (Jñāna)
Beyond the stars, beyond the mind,
A deeper truth in him you’d find.
Not mere words, but insight deep,
A wisdom vast, a soul so steeped.
11. Determination (Sthairyam)
No storm nor loss could shake his stand,
He walked his path, with steady hand.
Through trials fierce, through fate’s cruel game,
He held his ground, his will the same.
12. Kind Speech (Mṛdu-bhāṣitā)
His words were soft, like honey sweet,
A voice that made all hearts repeat.
No harsh command, no cruel refrain,
He spoke with love, he eased all pain.
13. Leadership (Naya)
A king who ruled with justice bright,
Who led with love, with guiding light.
Not sword nor fear, nor greed nor chain,
But wisdom’s hand did bear his reign.
14. Heroism (Vīrya)
Against the odds, he fought so bold,
His heart like fire, his stance like gold.
No foe too strong, no fear too deep,
A warrior fierce, his vows to keep.
15. Forgiveness (Anasūyā)
Though wronged by fate and men unjust,
He bore no hate, no burning dust.
Like earth that holds the rain and sun,
Forgiveness made his heart as one.
16. Devotion to Dharma (Dharma-bhakti)
Not for kingdom, not for fame,
His life was bound to dharma’s name.
Through joy and pain, through loss and gain,
For truth alone, his path remained.
These sixteen qualities make Lord Rama the ideal man—Maryādā Puruṣottama—a guiding light for all time.
Yet again. One cango on. But with limited ..... even one understood properly is more than one can ask for.
17. Unwavering Faith (Bhakti)
To Shiva’s feet, he bowed so low,
To Vishnu’s path, his heart would glow.
Devotion pure, his soul so bright,
A beacon strong in dharma’s light.
18. Generosity (Dāna)
He gave with joy, with open hand,
To rich and poor across the land.
Not wealth alone, but love so wide,
A king whose heart was none denied.
19. Justice (Nyāya)
Each case he judged with even sight,
No bias swayed him left or right.
The low, the high, the weak, the strong,
All found in him a judge of song.
20. Fearlessness (Abhaya)
No demon’s wrath, no tyrant’s reign,
Could make his heart know doubt or pain.
For truth, for right, he stood so tall,
A fearless soul, revered by all.
21. Love for His People (Praja-vātsalya)
Not just a king upon a throne,
He loved each life as if his own.
His people's joy, his highest prize,
A ruler kind, divinely wise.
22. Mastery of Weapons (Astra-Vidyā)
His arrows sang with golden fire,
To break the chains of dark empire.
A warrior skilled, yet never vain,
He fought for truth, he fought for gain.
23. Friendliness (Maitrī)
A friend in need, a friend so true,
Through joys and storms, he’d stand with you.
Not wealth, not rank, nor birth he prized,
But love that made all hearts arise.
24. Equanimity (Samatvam)
Through joy or loss, through rise or fall,
His mind stayed calm, the same in all.
No pride in gain, no grief in pain,
Like ocean vast, in peace he reigned.
25. Simplicity (Ārjava)
Though prince of earth, he walked so plain,
No need for pomp, no greed for gain.
His truth was clear, no hidden guise,
A soul unmasked before all eyes.
26. Steadfastness (Dr̥ḍhata)
No threat, no lure could change his way,
His vows stood firm, come what may.
Like mountain strong, like roots so deep,
His word, once given, he would keep.
27. Non-attachment (Vairāgya)
A kingdom lost, a throne denied,
Yet no regret within him sighed.
Not wealth nor power could chain his soul,
For dharma’s path was his one goal.
28. Tenderness (Mārdavam)
So soft his heart, so kind his hand,
To weeping souls, he'd gently stand.
A touch so light, a word so sweet,
Made pain dissolve, made joy complete.
29. Respect for Elders (Gurubhakti)
He bowed before his mother’s will,
His father’s word, he followed still.
Through exile dark, through bitter fate,
He held their love, so true, so great.
30. Justice to Enemies (Śatru-Nyāya)
Even to foes, he gave their due,
No cruel hand, no heart untrue.
For even those who raised the blade,
He offered peace before the fray.
31. Fear of Sin (Pāpa-Bhīti)
No lie, no theft, no deed unkind,
Could ever stain his noble mind.
For dharma’s light, his path was made,
No sin could tempt, no truth could fade.
32. Love for Sita (Pativrata-Anurāga)
To her alone, his heart was tied,
Through loss and war, through fate denied.
No other thought, no fleeting sight,
His love for Sita shone so bright.
33. Loyalty to Brothers (Sodara-Bhakti)
For Lakshman’s love, for Bharat’s grace,
His heart held them in warm embrace.
Not blood alone, but bond so true,
A brother’s faith in all he’d do.
34. Love for Nature (Prakr̥ti-Priya)
The trees, the rivers, hills so grand,
He walked with love upon the land.
He spoke to birds, he smiled at deer,
For every life, his heart was near.
35. Healing Presence (Arogya-Dāyaka)
One word from him, one touch so light,
Could heal all wounds, make dark turn bright.
Not just in war, but hearts he cured,
With love so pure, with faith assured.
36. Mastery of Arts (Kalā-Jña)
In war he shone, in speech so bright,
His wisdom vast, his skills took flight.
The arts, the songs, the sacred lore,
He knew them all, and yet sought more.
37. Power to Unite (Saṅgati-Kartā)
In him, all hearts would find their space,
No caste, no land, no pride, no race.
From saints to kings, from poor to wise,
He brought them close, he made them rise.
38. Fearless Protector (Rakṣaṇa-Śīla)
For all who wept, for all who feared,
He stood like fire, his bow was reared.
No harm could touch, no evil tread,
Where Rama’s name in faith was said.
39. Unshakable Will (Avyaya-Saṅkalpa)
No hardship bent his iron mind,
No sorrow made his soul unwind.
A vow once made, a path once set,
He walked it firm, without regret.
40. Blessings to Devotees (Bhakta-Vātsalya)
One prayer, one call, one name so dear,
And Rama’s grace would soon appear.
To rich, to poor, to weak, to wise,
He gave his love without disguise.
41. Knowledge of Scriptures (Śāstra-Jñāna)
The Vedas flowed within his mind,
Each sacred verse, each truth refined.
Not just in words, but deeds so bright,
He lived the law, he walked the light.
42. Master of Time (Kāla-Jita)
Though years may pass, his name remains,
Beyond all deaths, beyond all reigns.
The past, the now, the days to be,
Are but a breath in his decree.
43. Ocean of Forgiveness (Kṣamā-Sāgara)
Even to those who caused him pain,
He held no grudge, no wrath, no chain.
Like earth that bears the sun and storm,
His love was vast, his heart was warm.
44. Strength to End Evil (Dusta-Nāśaka)
No tyrant strong, no demon wild,
Could stand before his justice mild.
Yet when the wicked crossed the line,
His arrows struck with wrath divine.
45. Joy in Simplicity (Alpa-Santōṣa)
No wealth he sought, no crown he prized,
No golden throne could tempt his eyes.
A hut, a smile, a friend so dear,
Were treasures vast, his heart held near.
46. Bearer of Sweet Speech (Madhura-Bhāṣita)
His words, like nectar, soothed the soul,
They made the lost again feel whole.
No anger flared, no harshness stayed,
His voice, a song, in love arrayed.
47. Endowed with Infinite Patience (Ananta-Kṣamā)
Though fate was cruel, though times were tough,
His patience vast was more than enough.
Like earth that waits for seeds to grow,
He bore each trial with steady glow.
48. Strength Beyond Limits (Apramēya-Bala)
With single hand, he broke the bow,
With single glance, he struck the foe.
Yet strength in him was not for show,
But used for dharma’s righteous flow.
49. Divine Beauty (Rūpa-Sampanna)
A form so bright, like golden hue,
His eyes, the lotus kissed with dew.
A warrior strong, a king so grand,
Yet soft as moon, his touch, his hand.
50. Everlasting Fame (Ananta-Kīrti)
From age to age, his name resounds,
In temples, books, and sacred grounds.
The hero great, the heart so wide,
His glory flows like endless tide.
51. Unbreakable Promise (Śapatha-Pālana)
A word he spoke was carved in stone,
Not once was it undone or thrown.
His vow stood tall, through storm or tide,
A truth that fate could not divide.
52. Lord of Peace (Śānti-Mūrti)
A heart so still, like waters deep,
No anger rose, no grudge could keep.
His presence calmed both beast and man,
A silent wave, a soothing span.
53. Kindness to the Helpless (Dīna-Dayālu)
The weak, the lost, the ones in pain,
He gave them hope, like cooling rain.
No wealth, no power, did he require,
A gentle word, their hearts to fire.
54. Supreme Self-Control (Atīndriya-Jaya)
No thirst, no taste, no lure could bind,
His senses bowed before his mind.
Like ocean deep, so vast, so free,
No storm could shake his mastery.
55. Celestial Glow (Divya-Tejas)
A glow that shone, yet not from gold,
But light that sages oft foretold.
His face, the dawn, his eyes, the skies,
A radiance that never dies.
56. Provider of Shelter (Śaraṇāgata-Vatsala)
One step toward him, a thousand he’d take,
To shield the soul that sought his wake.
No past, no flaw, no sin too vast,
If one but called, his grace held fast.
57. Endearer of Hearts (Hṛdaya-Vallabha)
His smile could melt the hardest stone,
His love could make the lost feel home.
Not just by might, but tender grace,
He ruled each heart in every place.
58. Slayer of Fear (Bhaya-Hārī)
In war, in night, in exile far,
His name alone removed each scar.
For those who wept, for those who prayed,
His touch made all their terrors fade.
59. Granter of Boons (Varada-Hasta)
No sage or saint returned in vain,
His hand would bless, relieve their pain.
He gave with love, with boundless cheer,
To all who called, he stood so near.
60. Eternal Protector of Dharma (Sanātana-Dharma-Rakṣaka)
Through endless yugas, he returns,
To light the lamp that ever burns.
Where right is crushed, where wrong takes flight,
He stands again to set things right.
61. Eternal Youth (Nitya-Yauvana)
Though ages pass and years may fly,
His charm remains, like moonlit sky.
A face so bright, a form so strong,
Forever young, forever long.
62. Divine Patience (Adbhuta-Kṣamā)
No insult stirred, no loss could break,
His patience vast, like ocean’s wake.
No wound or word could make him fall,
He bore it all and smiled through all.
63. Purifier of Sins (Pāpa-Nāśana)
One thought of him, one whispered name,
Could wash all guilt, could burn all shame.
No sin so deep, no fault so wide,
Could stay where Rama’s grace abides.
64. Celestial Charioteer (Divya-Ratha-Pati)
His chariot shone with golden might,
Through war and peace, through day and night.
No foe could stand, no army last,
Before his wheels that rolled so fast.
65. Rescuer of the Fallen (Pātita-Pāvana)
The lost, the low, the ones in pain,
He raised them high, like drops in rain.
No soul too small, no hope too weak,
His mercy touched all those who seek.
66. Embodiment of Truth (Satya-Svarūpa)
No lie could stain his lips so pure,
His path was straight, his heart so sure.
Truth shone in him like morning light,
A beacon strong, forever bright.
67. Bestower of Victory (Vijaya-Prada)
No war he waged for selfish gain,
Yet fate ensured he’d never wane.
For dharma’s cause, for right alone,
Each battle won, each foe was gone.
68. Destroyer of Suffering (Dukha-Hārī)
A tear he saw, he wiped away,
With love that turned the night to day.
A king, a friend, a god so kind,
Who soothed the wounds of humankind.
69. Friend of the Good (Sat-Saṅgati-Kāraka)
He walked with saints, he stood with wise,
With noble souls, his heart would rise.
Where virtue shone, where truth was found,
His love would always hover round.
70. Upholder of Promise (Pratijñā-Pālaka)
No pledge he broke, no vow he changed,
No duty left, no task exchanged.
His word was firm, his path so high,
A prince who’d rather choose to die.
71. Wielder of the Divine Bow (Kōdaṇḍa-Dhārī)
His mighty bow, so vast, so grand,
Could break the sky and shake the land.
Yet never once did pride arise,
His strength was known, but hid from eyes.
72. Ocean of Grace (Kṛpā-Sindhu)
A river flows, a stream so wide,
Yet greater was his love inside.
No man too small, no beast too weak,
All felt his touch, all heard him speak.
73. Supreme Intelligence (Parama-Mati)
Not just in war, not just in speech,
His mind could grasp the truths so deep.
A single glance, a simple word,
Could pierce through lies, could clear the blurred.
74. Knower of Hearts (Hṛdaya-Jña)
No need for words, no need for plea,
He knew the thoughts of all who’d see.
A silent cry, a wish unmade,
To Rama’s heart, was clear displayed.
75. Unmatched in Splendor (Anupa-Tejas)
Like rising sun, like moonlit glow,
His presence made the heavens bow.
A king who walked yet shone so high,
A god who lived beneath the sky.
76. Gentle yet Mighty (Mṛdu-Bala)
A touch so soft, yet arms so strong,
His love was deep, his wrath was long.
To friends, a breeze; to foes, a storm,
In love and war, his strength took form.
77. One Who Grants Liberation (Mukti-Prada)
No chains could bind, no fate could tie,
To those who sought, he’d make them fly.
Beyond all birth, beyond all pain,
He led the souls to bliss again.
78. Source of All Bliss (Ānanda-Dāyaka)
A single thought of him could bring
A joy that made the spirit sing.
Like hidden gold, like morning dew,
His bliss would fill both old and new.
79. Ever-Conquering Hero (Jaya-Kāraka)
No war he fought was ever lost,
For truth was firm, for dharma crossed.
Each arrow flew, each foe would flee,
For victory walked eternally.
80. One Beyond Description (Agōcara)
No words could frame, no song convey,
The depth of Rama’s boundless way.
Yet hearts that love, and eyes that see,
Would find in him all mystery.
81. Master of Speech (Vākya-Pati)
Each word he spoke was pure and bright,
Like sacred hymns in golden light.
No falsehood touched his noble tongue,
His voice like Veda’s echoes sung.
82. The Eternal Refuge (Sanātana-Gati)
For those who roam, for those astray,
His feet became the only way.
No door was shut, no soul denied,
In Rama’s care, all fears subside.
83. Granter of Fortune (Bhāgyadāyaka)
His glance could turn the low to high,
A barren land to fields of sky.
One touch, one word, one look so kind,
Could change the fate of humankind.
84. The Unparalleled Archer (Śara-Cāpadhārī)
His arrows flew like streaks of fire,
They struck with fate’s divine desire.
No evil stood, no wrong remained,
When Rama’s bow in battle reigned.
85. Knower of All Paths (Sarva-Mārga-Jña)
Through dharma’s road, through wisdom’s flight,
Through love and war, through dark and light.
No path was lost, no way unknown,
To him, all fates were clearly shown.
86. The Ever Smiling One (Nitya-Hasita)
His lips held joy, yet deep and wise,
Like morning’s glow in lotus eyes.
No sorrow broke his gentle grace,
His smile could light the darkest place.
87. Bringer of Rain (Megha-Sannibha)
Like cooling clouds that kiss the land,
His mercy fell on every hand.
The parched in heart, the lost in way,
Found Rama’s grace like monsoon’s play.
88. Leader of the Brave (Vīra-Naṅdana)
The mighty ones in battle’s call,
Would rise in strength when they saw all—
His fearless form, his warrior’s stand,
The king who led with guiding hand.
89. Compassionate to Women (Strī-Karuṇākara)
No harm, no scorn, no word unkind,
Would cross his lips, would touch his mind.
For all who wept, for all who prayed,
He gave them strength, he lent them shade.
90. Endower of Longevity (Āyuṣya-Prada)
His name alone, when called with faith,
Could stretch one’s life beyond its fate.
A whispered Rama, once or twice,
Could turn all pain to paradise.
91. Supporter of the Devout (Satya-Bhakta-Vatsala)
The saints, the wise, the ones so true,
Were held in Rama’s loving view.
Their lives he blessed, their paths he paved,
Their souls he cherished, their faith he saved.
92. Beauty Beyond Compare (Sundara-Mūrti)
No artist’s brush, no poet’s line,
Could frame the grace of form divine.
A warrior bright, a king so tall,
Yet soft as moon, yet loved by all.
93. Lord of All Virtues (Guṇa-Sāgara)
A sea of traits, so vast, so wide,
With love and truth on either side.
No flaw, no stain, no fault so slight,
Could touch his soul of endless light.
94. The Mighty Warrior (Mahā-Vīra)
No fear he knew, no foe could stand,
Before the might of Rama’s hand.
Yet mercy flowed from him so free,
A lion’s heart, yet soft as sea.
95. Essence of All Scriptures (Sarva-Śāstra-Maya)
The Upanishads, the Vedas bright,
The truths that shine in wisdom’s light.
All knowledge deep, all paths so vast,
In Rama’s form were held so fast.
96. Uplifter of the Downtrodden (Dīna-Rakṣaka)
The ones in dust, the ones ignored,
The ones whom fate had oft deplored—
To them he walked, to them he gave,
A hand so strong, a love so brave.
97. Granter of Peace (Śānti-Prada)
A glance from him, a word so light,
Could end all wars, could heal all fight.
Where Rama stood, no fear could grow,
For peace was all he’d let them know.
98. Knower of the Unseen (Adr̥śya-Jña)
What hearts would hide, what minds would feign,
To him was clear, like drops in rain.
No veil could blind, no trick deceive,
For Rama knew what all believe.
99. The Ever Kind (Anukampā-Mūrti)
No pain in others could he bear,
No tear would fall without his care.
To rich, to poor, to beast, to man,
His kindness spread like grains of sand.
100. The Giver of Joy (Ānanda-Kāraka)
Not gold, not wealth, nor kingdom’s claim,
Could match the joy within his name.
A song of bliss, a tune so free,
His grace was like eternity.
101. Savior from the Ocean of Birth (Bhava-Sāgara-Tāraṇa)
Through birth, through death, through life’s cruel spin,
He lifts the soul and clears all sin.
A boat so vast, a bridge so wide,
That leads all hearts to Rama’s side.
102. The Selfless King (Nisvārtha-Rāja)
No throne he craved, no rule he sought,
Yet all the world to him was brought.
A crownless king, a lord so high,
Whose kingdom stretched beyond the sky.
103. The Supreme Witness (Sākṣī-Bhūta)
He sees the acts, he knows the past,
He holds the truth that forever lasts.
No deed so small, no crime so slight,
Could pass beyond his boundless sight.
104. He Who Exists in All Hearts (Sarvāntaryāmī)
In temple grand, in fields so wide,
In each small home, in hearts inside.
No place where he does not abide,
For Rama walks in every stride.
105. The Limitless One (Ananta-Mūrti)
No end to him, no final shore,
No time when he shall be no more.
Beyond all stars, beyond all days,
Yet near to those who chant his praise.
106. The Destroyer of Ego (Ahaṅkāra-Hārī)
No pride in him, no claim so vain,
No word of self, no boastful gain.
For those who bowed, for those who sought,
He crushed their ego, cleared their thought.
107. The Eternal Lord (Sanātana-Īśvara)
Before the dawn, before the light,
He ruled the worlds, so vast, so bright.
No start he had, no end shall be,
He lives through all eternity.
108. The Ultimate Shelter (Parama-Gati)
When all seems lost, when roads are gone,
His feet remain to walk upon.
No greater home, no safer stay,
Than Rama’s name, than Rama’s way.
