स च सर्व गुणोपेतः कौसल्य आनंद वर्धनः ।
समुद्र इव गाम्भीर्ये धैर्येण हिमवान् इव ॥[VR 1-1-17]

“Shri Ram is an embodiment of all noble merits (qualities and virtues), who betters the happiness of his mother Kausalya, in profundity He is like an unfathomable ocean, and by fortitude, he is firm and unalterable like the kingly Himalayan mountain.”

In Valmiki Ramayana, Sage Valmiki has accepted that there are uncountable infinite virtues of Lord Rama, still he listed many of those virtues so that human beings can relish those virtues of the most perfect personality, Lord Rama, once born on this earth. Sage Valmiki described many virtues of Lord Rama in the 1st Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda. Here, verses are taken from Valmiki Ramayana to have a look on the various virtues of Lord Rama. Since Shri Rama is Purushottama, the best among men or say the perfect Human-incarnation, his virtues are unlimited. In last of the 1st sarga of Ayodhya-Kanda, Valmiki concluded that the virtues of lord Rama are uncountable and those virtues are the best in themselves.

Shri Rama is like the Self-Constituted God among all living beings; The most splendorous, The lord of virtues

तेषामपि महातेजा रामो रतिकरः पितुः ।
स्वयम्भूरिव भूतानां बभूव गुणवत्तरः ॥[VR 2-1-6]

“Shri Rama, like the self-constituted God among all the living beings, the most virtuous and splendorous among all the brothers and the mightiest, was a great source of joy for his father.”

The Eternal Vishnu (Maha-Vishnu)

स हि देवै रुदीर्णस्य रावणस्य वधार्थिभिः ।
अर्थितो मानुषे लोके जज्ञे विष्णुः सनातनः ॥[VR 2-1-7]

“Lord Shri Rama - is the eternal-Vishnu, (here स हि is used for emphasizing that Shri Rama himself is the eternal-Vishnu, the two armed Bhagavan, original Maha-Vishnu) who appeared on the earth in the world of humans after being prayed by celestials to eliminate the egoistic tormentor demon-king Ravana.”

The eternal-Vishnu is the original two armed Bhagavan, the Vishnu of all Vishnus, the supreme eternal nitya Bhagavan, renowned by the name Rama, the Lord of Saketa Loka. From the eternal-Vishnu, all other Vishnu-Murtis (a. the Vishnu of Maha-Vaikuntha, b. the Vishnu of ksheer-sagar, and c. the eight-armed bhuma-Vishnu of shvetdweep, and the incarnations of these three Vishnu-Murtis) are originated.

Having boundless radiance

कौसल्या शुशुभे तेन पुत्रेणामिततेजसा ।
यथा वरेण देवानाम् अदितिर्वज्रपाणिना ॥[VR 2-1-8]

“Even Kousalyā (not just Dasaratha - 2.1.6) shined splendidly because of the boundless radiance of her son, as once Aditi did because of Vamana - Vishnu, the best among the Dēvas, and Indra with Vajra adorning in his hand.”

Abode of beauty, elegance and charm in his form; A hero without envy; Incomparable son on the earth

स हि रूपोपपन्नश्च वीर्यवाननसूयकः ।
भूमावनुपमस्सूनुः गुणैर्दशरथोपमः ॥[VR 2-1-9]

“In his Rupa, Lavanya, Saundarya (beauty, elegance and charm etc), Shri Rama is incomparable (अनुपम - VR 2.1.9; गुणवत्तरः - VR 2.1.6); He is a hero of valor and without envy (towards anyone). By virtues, he was like Maharaj Dasaratha (the renowned king of Sun dynasty from whom even gods used to ask helps in war). In this way, Shri Rama was verily an incomparable son on the earth. ”

A placid soul; Very soft-spoken

स च नित्यं प्रशान्तात्मा मृदुपूर्वं तु भाषते ।
उच्यमानोऽपि परुषं नोत्तरं प्रतिपद्यते ॥[VR 2-1-10]

That Rama is always peaceful in mind and speaks softly and sweetly (does not speak harsh or rude words even in laughs). He does not react to the hard words spoken by others.

Could be easily satisfied; Does not remember any number of offenses done to him by others

कथंचिदुपकारेण कृतेनै केन तुष्यति ।
न स्मरत्यपकाराणां शतमप्यात्मवत्तया ॥[VR 2-1-11]

That Rama, because of his good bent of mind, feels glad even by whatever way a good or little thing is done to him. He does not remember any number of bad things or offenses done to him.

Shri Rama does not think or remember any number of faults or mistakes or bad things done to him by others, he is the sweetest Lord.

Giver of honour to elders and good-natured people

शीलवृद्धै र्ज्ञानवृद्धैर्वयोवृद्धैश्च सज्जनैः ।
कथयन्नास्त वैनित्य मस्त्रयोग्यान्तरेष्वपि ॥[VR 2-1-12]

Whenever he finds some time even while practising archery, Shri Rama used to converse with elderly people, the men of good conducts or wisdom or age or with good-natured people.

Wise; Honey-tongued (sweet-spoken); Initiator of talk; Compassionate; Valorous; No arrogance of might

बुद्धिमान् मधुराभाषी पूर्वभाषी प्रियंवदः ।
वीर्यवान्न च वीर्येण महता स्वेन विस्मितः ॥[VR 2-1-13]

Shri Rama is full with wisdom (बुद्धिमान्) buddhimaana, he is very wise . He speaks sweetly (मधुराभाषी madhuraabhaashii, very sweet to ears and heart). He is the first person to initiate a talk (पूर्वभाषी puurvabhaashii). His speech is full of sweet words only, very dear to heart and ears (प्रियंवदः priyamvadah) and full of compassion. He is valorous. However, he was not arrogant at all of his mighty valor.

Bhagavan speaks sweetly to even his enemies. Even his enemies are full of praise to him, they fall in his love, his everything is so sweet, all sweetness personified he is.

Ever speaker of truth; All knower; Receptive; Enchanter of people; Loved by all

न चानृतकथो विद्वान् वृद्धानां प्रतिपूजकः ।
अनुरक्तः प्रजाभिश्च प्रजाश्चाप्यनुरज्यते ॥[VR 2-1-14]

Shri Rama never speaks untruth. He was himself all knowing learned, but same time He used to be receptive and worshipful to the elders. People used to love him, and he used to love the people.

Compassionate; Conqueror of anger; Merciful for meek; Prompt in duty; Self-controlled, Pure in conduct

सानुक्रोशो जितक्रोधो ब्राह्मणप्रतिपूजकः ।
दीनानुकम्पी धर्मज्ज़्नो नित्यं प्रग्रहवान् शुचिः ॥[VR 2-1-15]

Shri Rama is full of mercy, care and compassion (सानुक्रोशो). He is conquered anger. He used to be receptive and worshipful to the wise and learned peole. He had mercy towards the meek. He knew what was to be done (righteous). He always has self-control, and he is always pure (in conduct).

Knower of duties of his race; Believer of glorious deeds; Having suitable attitude & spirit for everyone

कुलोचितमतिः क्षात्रं धर्मं स्वं बहुमन्यते ।
मन्यते परया कीर्त्य महत्स्वर्गफलं ततः ॥[VR 2-1-16]

That Rama, having an attitude and thoughts befitting to his great Ikshvanku race like maintaining, supporting and protecting the noble and destitute ones etc, always gave high regard for his Kshātra Dharma, and considered that one attains great fame and even the fruit of heaven through such righteousness.

Scholar; Established in good actions; Righteous; Eloquent at speech

नाश्रेयसि रतो विद्वान्न विरुद्धकथारुचिः ।
उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पति र्यथा ॥[VR 2-1-17]

Shri Rama is not interested in the actions, which are not beneficial to people. He is a scholar. He has no interests in the tales opposing righteousness. Like Vachaspathi (the Lord of speech), his eloquent speech contains (full of) a series of something which unfolds one after another.

Youthful; Good speaker; Charming personality; One gentleman on the whole earth; knower of essence

अरोगस्तरुणो वाग्मी वपुष्मान् देशकालवित् ।
लोके पुरुषसारज्ञस्साधुरेको विनिर्मितः ॥[VR 2-1-18]

Shri Rama is Youthful without any disease (Arogah tarunah means Aadhi-vyadhi rahitah tarunah - free from growing old, decreasing strength; eternally ever Youthful). He is a perfect speaker, and eloquent. He has an attractive charming form. He knows both time and place. He grasps the essence of men. He is the one gentleman in whole world (means there is none like Shri Rama in gentleness in whole world, he is an incomparable Sadhu purusha).

Shri Rama was like the soul of all the people, moving outside their bodies

स तु स्रेष्ठैर्गुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः ।
बहिश्चर इव प्राणो बभूव गुणतः प्रियः ॥[VR 2-1-19]

People loved the virtuous prince Rama and loved him as their soul moving outside their bodies.

Now one can just imagine, is there any such personality in whole history who has been loved so much as like Shri Rama has been. Just upon beholding Shri Rama, people were forgetting their very ownself and they were feeling like their own soul is moving in form of Shri Rama, outside their bodies. So much, he was dear to all.

When Janaka saw Rama, the very first time, He felt the bliss of one hundred times of Brahma-Ananda (Brahm-Sukha). Goswami-Tulsidasa also approves this in his Janaki-Mangal.

People felt the Brahman-Sukha as if their own soul in form of Rama moving outside their bodies, It is the pinnacle of love and bliss, even the people likes Janaka and sages of Dandakaranya who had already realised the Nirguna-Brahman and were engrossed in the bliss of Brahman, felt 100 times more bliss and happiness upon seeing Shri Rama. (Hundred times is said in sense of incompare).

Knower of all Vedas; the greatest archer

सम्यग्विद्याव्रतस्नातो यथावत्साङ्गवेदवित् ।
इष्वस्त्रे च पितुः श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः ॥[VR 2-1-20]

After completing his education in high colors, and knowing all the Vedas including all its branches in its entirety like Music and dance (Gandharv veda), Ayurveda (medicines), archery (dhanurveda) etc, that elder Brother of Bharata, Shri Rama was better than even his renowned father in the use of bow and arrows.

(Maharaj Dasaratha was hailed as the most skilled archer of his time, he could destroy the target by mere having a sound from the direction, without even a look, however Shri Rama surpassed the fame of even his illustrious father in archery).

Righteous gentleman; Mighty personality; Ever speaker of truth

कल्याणाभिजनः साधुरदीनः सत्यवागृजुः ।
वृद्धैरभिविनीतश्च द्विजैर्धर्मार्थदर्शिभिः ॥[VR 2-1-21]

Shri Rama was the perfect gentleman of noble descent, always gentle minded. He was not feeble. He spoke truth only. He was Saral-Svabhava (straightforward & simple), honest and uncowed in spirit. He was properly trained by learned-wise Brahminas well versed in dharma and Artha.

Knower of the essence of the real form of Dharma; full of a great memory, spontaneous wisdom and talents

धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मृतिमान् प्रतिभानवान् ।
लौकिके समयाचारे कृतकल्पो विशारदः ॥[VR 2-1-22]

Shri Rama knows the real form of Dharma (righteousness, religiosity), Kama (desires), Artha (worldly fruits) and Parmarth (ultimate fruit in form of Moksha, liberation), thus he is the knower of essence of everything. He is full of a great memory, and full of brilliancy (brilliant intelligence). He He was skilled and knowledgeable in the matters of worldly etiquette, customs, and manners.

From the last word Artha in धर्मकामार्थ, both Artha (worldly fruits) and Parmarth (ultimate fruit in form of Moksha i.e. liberation) are taken.

Humble; Having reserved thoughts and feelings; Helpful to others; Infallible anger and pleasure

निभृतः संवृताकारो गुप्तमन्त्रः सहायवान् ।
अमोघक्रोधहर्षश्च त्यागसंयमकालवित् ॥[VR 2-1-23]

His real self remained covered from Prakrut-People from his humbleness (he did not let know worldly People his real true self). He is the Gupta-mantra (गुप्तमन्त्रः - the one who keeps his thoughts hidden to himself, or the one whose real Svarupa is hidden from Prakrut-People i.e. Sanatan Vishnu who is unknown to others). He always helped others. Neither his anger nor pleasure was never in vain. He knew when to give and when to hold.

Here Valmiki says, If Rama becomes angry then His anger is infallible and if He is pleased on somebody, His pleasure is also infallible. As he is conqered anger, so he does not become angry, but something is done against his dear devotees, he shows his anger which is all auspicious only.

Steadfast will; Firm in his faith; Not stubborn; Not speaker of ill words; Swift in his actions, Ever Alert

दृढभक्तिः स्थिरप्रज्ञो नासद्ग्राही न दुर्वचाः ।
निस्तन्द्रिरप्रमत्तश्च स्वदोषपरदोषवित् ॥[VR 2-1-24]

Shri Rama was firm in his devotion and service towards his guru, mata, pita etc, his mind was steadfast and unwavering. He was not stubborn nor did he speak evil words. He was free from idleness and was ever alert. He could recognize own errors and those of others (means he knows the errors in its entirety, not to make any error ever while serving or bestowing someone or doing justice).

Knower of sciences; Possessor of discriminatory power to protect and punish

शास्त्रज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च पुरुषान्तरकोविदः ।
यः प्रग्रहानुग्रहयोर्यथान्यायं विचक्षणः ॥[VR 2-1-25]

Shri Rama knew the Ṡāstras - the scriptures, the theory and practice of sciences. He knew how to be grateful to others. He had the deep understanding of the variations among people. He was very discreet, could judiciously discriminate whom to protect and whom to punish.

Protector of Good people; Subduer of wicked ones; Knower of economic sciences

सत्संग्रहप्रग्रहणे स्थानविन्निग्रहस्य च ।
आयकर्मण्युपायज्ञः संदृष्टव्ययकर्मवित् ॥[VR 2-1-26]

Shri Rama knows whom to support and protect, and whom to suppress or subdue. He knew the means of earning as well as the system of spending, as perceived by economic sciences.

Well versed in all kinds of sciences and their subsidiaries; Always active

श्रैष्ठ्यं शास्त्रसमूहेषु प्राप्तो व्यामिश्रकेषु च ।
अर्थधर्मौ च संगृह्य सुखतन्त्रो न चालसः ॥[VR 2-1-27]

Shri Rama was proficient in the groups of sciences along with their subsidiaries and interdisciplinary subjects. Shri Rama knew how to pursue Artha and Dharma that would ultimately lead to happiness. He is never lethargic (inactive).

Skilled in the arts of Music, dance, etc; Efficient in riding and taming elephant and horses

वैहारिकाणां शिल्पानां विज्ञातार्थविभागवित् ।
आरोहे विनये चैव युक्तोवारणवाजिनाम् ॥[VR 2-1-28]

For Vihar-Kreeda-Prayojana (disporting and delighting during Vihaar-kreeda), Shri Rama knows the arts of Music, and dance. He also knows painting, playing the instruments, etc. He knows how to distribute the wealth. He is efficient in riding and taming of elephants and horses etc.

गान्धर्वे च भुवि श्रेष्ठो बभूव भरताग्रजः ।
(वाल्मीकि रामायण २.२.३५)

“Shri Rama was best in the world in the arts of music and dance.”

Shri Rama is perfect and complete in every way.

The best archer in the world; The great warrior to lead an army; Skilled to attack and kill the enemies

धनुर्वेदविदां स्रेष्ठो लोकेऽतिरथसंमतः ।
अभियाता प्रहर्ता च सेनानयविशारदः ॥[VR 2-1-29]

“Shri Rama was best among the archers in the world; and was well appreciated by the champions of archery. He knew how to run the armies for annihilating the enemy camps.”

Invincible for even by celestials or demons in battle; Conqueror of time

अप्रधृष्यश्च संग्रामे क्रुद्धैरपि सुरासुरैः ।
अनसूयो जितक्रोधो न दृप्तो न च मत्सरी ।
न चावमन्ता भूतानां न च कालवशानुगः ॥[VR 2-1-31]

“Even enraged gods as well as demons could not contain or defeat Shri Rama in the battle (indicating the leelas of Shri Rama, in which gods, and demons could not contain Shri Rama in war, even Parashurama having Vishnu-amsha failed.). Shri Rama is free from jealousy. He is conquered anger. He has no arrogance and envy. He had not humiliated any living being. Kaala (time) could not control him, He remains always same in his own transcendental virtues (free from anger, envy, jealousy, undefeated, soft and sweet spoken, always righteous, noble, gentle etc) and qualities (ever Youthful, attractive and charming etc).”

Mine of all auspicious qualities, Agreeable to the three worlds (earth, heaven and neither-land)

एवं श्रेष्ठगुणैर्युक्तः प्रजानां पार्थिवात्मजः ।
संमतस्त्रिषु लोकेषुवसुधायाः क्षमागुणैः ॥[VR 2-1-31]
बुद्द्या बृहस्पतेस्तुल्यो वीर्येणापि शचीपतेः ।

That Prince Rama, with these transcendental virtues, was agreeable to all the three worlds. He is like (means comparable) to the earth in forbearance and forgiveness and patience related virtues. He is like the guru of devas, Brihaspathi, in his wisdom, and in his valor, he is comparable to Devendra. (means whatever best virtue and quality is present in others, all those are simultaneously present in Shri Rama, such is the sense.)

The source of happiness to all the people, Shining personality like Sun

तथा सर्वप्रजाकान्तैः प्रीतिसंजननैः पितुः ॥[VR 2-1-32]
गुणैर्विरुरुचे रामो दीप्तः सूर्य इवांशुभिः ।

Shri Rama, by his virtues, was the source of happiness to all the people and a spring of joy to his father. As the sun shines with his rays, Rama always shines, thus, with his virtues.

Earth wanted to make him her Lord

तमेवंवृतसंपन्नमप्रधृष्यपराक्रमम् ॥[VR 2-1-33]
लोकपालोपमं नाथमकामयत मेदिनी ।

The earth wished Rama to be her Lord as he was full with such transcendental virtues and qualities and undefeatable valor and prowess as if being equal to the best of the universal guardians.

Possessor of incomparable virtues

एतैस्तु बहुभिर्युक्तं गुणैरनुपमैः सुतम् ॥[VR 2-1-34]
दृष्ट्वा दशरथो राजा चक्रे चिन्तां परंतपः ।

Dasaratha, who annihilates enemies, started thinking as follows after observing his son with his many incomparable virtues.

(Shri Rama has incomparable virtues, no simile is possible to him, however to give an understanding some of his virtues or qualities are told in terms of the goddess and gods who are best renowned in the world for some specific quality or virtues. Shri Rama is source of all auspicious qualities and virtues, so in him those all are simultaneously found, and in others those are present in parts only.)

Mine of uncountable infinite virtues

इत्येतै र्विविधै स्तैस्तै रन्यपार्थिवदुर्लभैः ॥[VR 2-1-40]
शिष्टैरपरिमेयैश्छ लोके लोकोत्तरैर्गुणैः ।
तं समीक्ष्य महाराजो युक्तं समुदितैः शुभैः ॥[VR 2-1-41]
निश्चित्य सचिवैः सार्धं युवराजममन्यत ।

Shri Rama had many other virtues beyond hitherto stated virtues, rarest to be seen and not seen in the world. Seeing Shri Rama has such innumerable and incomparable supra-mundane (transcendental) qualities Dasaratha along with his ministers, decided to make Rama the prince.

Rama having face like full moon

पूर्णचन्द्राननस्याथ शोकापनुदमात्मनः ॥[2-1-43]
लोके रामस्य बुबुधे संप्रियत्वं महात्मनः ।

Dasaratha felt that the darling of the worlds, with the countenance of a full moon, would relieve him of all his worries.

Thus, Shri Rama has infinite auspicious transcendental qualities, and virtues. Shri Rama has full moon like face which is delight to all the worlds. Though, Sage Valmiki did not address Shri Rama by the name 'Ramachandra', He compared the countenance of Shri Rama with moon at some places in Valmiki Ramayana, so other scriptures like padma purana etc addresses Rama, Ramachandra, Ramabhadra while describing various names of Lord Rama, however his eternal and primary name is Rama. When Shri Rama was born, Sage Valmiki said "Kaushalya gave birth to Rama", not to Vishnu or any other personality. It means Shri Rama himself appeared as the prince charming of Dasharath-Kaushalya.

Shri Rama tells Parashu-rama :

द्विश्शरं नाभिसन्द्धत्ते द्विःस्थापयति नाश्रितान्।
द्विर्ददाति न चार्थिभ्यो रामो द्विर्नाभिभाषते ॥
(श्रीहनुमन्नाटक)

dviśśaraṃ nābhisanddhattē dviḥsthāpayati nāśritān।
dvirdadāti na cārthibhyō rāmō dvirnābhibhāṣatē ॥
(Śrīhanumannāṭaka)

Bhagavan Śrī Rāma tells Parashu-Rāma about himself: Rāma never aims his arrow twice! (means 'in one go, he can destroy his enemy or target completely'), Rāma doesn't establishes his Ashritas (those who are completely dependent on him) twice! (means 'He gives complete-Abhayam [fearlessness and safety] from all beings to his dependents, no god can depose his Ashritas once installed by Rāma), Rāma doesn’t give twice to any seeker! (means Rāma bestows so much in first seeking itself that seeker doesn’t need to look anywhere else thereafter!), Rāma never speaks anything twice! (What is said is said. No one in entire cosmos can change that!).

And Thus there is none like Shri Rama, Shri Rama is Shri Rama in himself. In moola-Ramayana, the very first chapter of Baal-Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana also describes the various auspicious qualities and virtues of Shri Rama, those were narrated by divine sage Narada to sage Valmiki.

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