RAMA (RAAM)
In Guru Granth Sahib, Raam word appears at more than 2500 times. Raam word in Guru Granth Sahib has two meanings: 1. Raam (the hero of mythical work Ramayana) who was the son of Dashrath, the king of Ayodhya (Rama, whom Hindus consider a god) and 2. One of the names/attributes of God, i.e. one who is ‘Ramayia’: [Ramaiya means: one who is manifest (everywhere)].
There are references to both the Raam(s) in Guru Granth Sahib: 8 references to the Raam of Ayodhya and more than 2500 are references to God.
The Rama of Ayodhya has been depicted as one who has lost his wife Seeta (abducted by Raavan), his brother has been wounded in battle; and, this Rama seeks the help of Hanumaan, the leader of the ‘vaanar sena’ (monkey brigade), to come out of that crisis. This exiled ruler Rama is a helpless person whose only hope is Hanumaan (and his monkey brigade).
O Pandit, I saw your Raam Chand coming too; he lost his wife, fighting a war against Raawan. (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 875).
Rama weept when he was sent into exile, and separated from Seeta and Lakhshman. (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 954).
Raam Chand, sad at heart, assembled his army and forces. The army of monkeys was at his service; his mind and body became eager for war. Raavan abducted his wife Seeta, and Lachhman was cursed to die. O! Nanak, the Creator (God) is the Doer of everything.
In his mind, Raam Chand mourned for Seeta and Lachhman. Then, he meditated upon Hanuman the monkey-god, who came to him (to help him get his wife back from Raavan and also get his wounded brother saved).
(Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1412).
These references to this helpless (exiled prince) Rama prove that he was not God (or incarnation of God), because God’s wife could not have been abducted (for whatsoever reason and by any power on the earth) and His future could not be dependent upon a monkey brigade. Thus, this Rama was just a prince and not incarnation of God.
Gurbaani says that ignorant people consider these rulers as God; as such they (such people) do not realize God:
In each and every age, He (God) creates the kings, (people) sing of them as His Incarnations. (Guru Granth Sahib p. 423).
Kabeer, it does make a difference, how you chant the Lord’s Name, ‘Raam’. This is something to consider. Everyone uses the same word for the son of Dasrath and the Wondrous Lord. (Guru Granth Sahib p. 1374).
Thus Raam (God) is different from Ayodhya king Rama.
The more than 2500 references to Raam (God) and in all these verses there is no doubt that God (Raam, who manifests Himself everywhere) never ascends on earth in any human form (Guru Granth Sahib p. 1136).
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)