Rama is depicted as an ordinary human in the Valmiki Ramayana most of the time. The appealing part to readers is the character and the qualities that Rama possesses. Sage Valmiki describes Lord Rama as intellectual, the knower of ethics, an expert in vocal skills, the one who is wealthy, and the one who is the destroyer of enemies.
He is full of all the shubha lakshanas and is the knower of righteousness. Rama is true to His vows. He is the knower of the Vedas, Vedangas, and Tattvas, and is an expert in Dhanurvidya (archery). His seriousness, or gaambheerya, is as deep as the ocean. In terms of courage, He is like the Himavan Mountain. His valour is equal to the valour of Lord Vishnu Himself (He is Vishnu Himself), and His beauty is like the beautiful moon without any spots on it.
His anger is like the doomsday, and in forgiveness He is like the earth. Like this, there are infinite gunas of the one who provides joy to Kausalya (Rama). So, these are the qualities of Rama which made people more appealing towards Him. Sage Valmiki describes Lord Rama as having a symmetrical body, with a broad chest and a stomach like that of a lion.
His thighs were like an elephant’s trunk, and His hands which touched the thighs. His neck was like a conch shell. His eyes were like the petals of a lotus, His lips resembled the red color of the Bimba fruit. His teeth resembled those of pearls. Sage Valmiki describes Him as “The one who is always looking handsome and beautiful.” This was part of Rama’s description and qualities that appeal to readers and devotees a lot.
But coming to the next point, His actions and decisions. Rama never in His life, made the wrong decision or acted wrongly. He acted correctly as per the Dharma. Do you know why Rama acted like a simple human being? One of the reasons, I think, is that, in the next avatar, that is Krishna avatara, the same Rama as Krishna would be giving the Gita Upadesha to Arjuna and Uddhava.
Plus, the shaastras say that one should not be a hypocrite. And the Shaastras are the instructions of Bhagavan Himself (as said in the Padma Purana itself). If Bhagavan Himself doesn’t demonstrate it, then how could we ordinary people learn? So, before giving Upadesha, that same Bhagavan as Rama implemented the Gita by living it perfectly and excellently, and then in the Dwapara Yuga, Rama as Krishna gave the Upadesha of the Gita to Arjuna and Uddhava.
So, Rama’s decisions and actions were perfect and excellent. Another thing is, though Sage Valmiki describes Rama as a human being, he also describes Rama as Lord Vishnu Himself. But Sage Valmiki did not describe Rama as a normal human being all the time. If you see the Valmiki Ramayana, Sarga 117, of the Yuddha Kanda, then it tells us who Rama really is.
Another thing is that, though Rama was Bhagavan Himself, He acted as a human being. His body is full of pure knowledge and bliss, and is even harder than vajra. Then also, in the Yuddha Kanda, He is described as bloodied, as if arrows struck Him and all. What is all this, then? Let me explain with an example. For example, in a movie, the hero fights the villain. It is sure that the hero will win at last. But then, in that action sequence, the hero also gets hurt, even bleeds. But is that blood real? No.
That’s not real. When the actor is acting, he/she knows who he/she is in real life. They don’t reveal their real identity while acting, but stay in the character. Similarly, Rama also knew who He was: Bhagavan Himself in reality. He was just acting an act which He Himself had directed and produced. That’s why the injuries that appear to be on Rama’s body are also not literal, but Rama just shows them as if He is hurt.
So, in a nutshell, I would like to say that Lord Rama’s beauty and handsomeness, His auspicious qualities, His behaviour, His personality and character, His actions, His decisions at each step of His life, are what appeal to the devotees and the readers of the Valmiki Ramayana the most.
Hope this helps!
Jay SriRam!
ShriRaama Abhinna ShriKrishnarpanamastu!