A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1480

c5.1480

The worship of Rāma still holds its ground, particularly in Oude and Bihār, and he has numerous worshippers. “It is noteworthy,” says Professor Williams, “that the Rāma legends have always retained their purity, and, unlike those of Brahmā, Krishna, Siva, and Durgā, have never been mixed up with indecencies and licentiousness. In fact, the worship of Rāma has never degenerated to the same extent as that of some of these other deities.” This is true; but it may be observed that Rāma and his wife were pure; there was nothing in their characters suggestive of license; and if “the husband of one wife” and the devoted and affectionate wife had come to be associated with impure ideas, they must have lost all that gave them a title to veneration. The name of Rāma, as ‘Rām! Rām!’ is a common form of salutation.