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In the beginning of Raamaayan, the storyline is explained to poet Vaalmeeki Jee by Sage Naarad.

Naarad Jee once visits the hermitage of Vaalmeeki Jee who was doing penance after getting transformed into an ascetic from a cruel robber by the turn of fate. The sage Vaalmeeki had come across the name Raam and the very word had become a Mantra for him and he was curious to know what the person bearing that name would be like. So, as if by the bounty of divine Grace, when the great sage Naarad visits him, Vaalmeeki asks him with such questions as to who would be the greatest person who has ever lived on this Earth who was virtuous, powerful, knowledgeable, truthful, grateful, with utmost self-control, who has anger under control, who emits splendor, whose fame is beyond any cloud, and who will be terrible even to gods if provoked in battle.

Naarad Jee is very pleased by this query and takes this opportunity to recount briefly the whole story of Raam in about ninety couplets. This is the essence of Raamaayan or the short Raamaayan. The sublime qualities of Raam are described here.

The king popularly called Raam, who is ruling the world today would answer all the requirements of Vaalmeeki. He is born in the illustrious race of Ikshwaaku. Raam has absolute control over his mind, thoughts and actions. He is very powerful, radiates splendor, very determined, and has all his senses under full control. He is intelligent, sagacious, eloquent, is
bathing in glory and is the complete exterminator of his enemies. He has broad shoulders, powerful arms, attractive neck in the shape of a conch, and has a stout chin. He has a broad chest, a mighty bow and a collar bone covered with hard flesh, and he is always capable of subduing any enemy in combat. His unusually long arms when put down reaches up to his knee and his head is well formed, the forehead is attractive and his gait is majestic. He is of medium build, neither too tall or too short, neither too fat or too lean, His limbs are well-proportioned, His complexion is unctuous, He possesses rounded chest, large eyes, is full of splendor and He carries in his body auspicious and divine marks.

He knows the crux of the virtues and is always good to his words. His eternal lookout is for the welfare of his people. He is illustrious and wise, honest and steadfast in his dealings and his absolute control of his own self embellishes him like an aura. His thoughts are concentrated to the point, so sharp and acute. He is like the Prajaapati in protecting the creations, He is endowed with great wealth, He is the annihilator of his enemies, and He is the protector of virtues. He is the vindicator of his own ordained duties and looks after his own people with equal alacrity.

He possesses the ultimate knowledge in the four Ved and six Shaastra. He is the last word in the knowledge of the science of archery. Having the deep knowledge in the real import of Ved and Shaastra and endowed with a very sharp memory and quick wit, He is the icon for all the world. He is pious minded. As the rivers find their final destination in the ocean all high minded people seek Him and are blessed with His company. He is noble, and exhibits equal favor to all and is always of a very pleasant countenance. He is the ultimate in all that is excellent in the universe and his fame is always an eternal source of great pleasure to his blessed mother Kaushalyaa.

He vies with the ocean in profundity and the great Himaalaya in firmness. He is the replica of Vishnu in valor and resembles the moon in pleasantness. When he is provoke to anger, he would be like the Kaalaagni or the insatiable fire at the time of destruction of all creations (Pralaya). At the same time He resembles the earth in forbearance. He is equal to the lord of wealth, Kuber, in liberality and is synonymous with Dharm Raaj when it comes to the question of protecting and upholding of Truth.

Raam is the benchmark for all that is splendid.

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