#219 The power and meaning of Sri Ramaraksha stotram

In the battlefield of life, we face arrows of difficult situations, spears of judgments and attacks of challenges. If one does not have a suitable armor in the battlefield, one will be wounded and defeated in the first few moments itself.

In life, one can become listless, have burnout and become bitter. Then, what can be our armor of protection? What can shield us in different kinds of battle encounters such that we live to win in the battlefield of life?

The successful completion of the four fold pursuit of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha would be winning the battle of life. How best to move forward?

We seek protection from the one who offered protection to all not only in his Rama Rajya but the very embodiment of Dharma, and an avataara of Bhagavan Vishnu himself.

Sri Ramaraksha is the protection and power given by Bhagavan Sri Rama to us.

This was revealed by Bhagavan Shiva in 38 verses to Rishi Buddha Kaushika.

Devotees who have chanted this over generations have gained courage, are rooted in Dharma, and have been deeply blessed in many ways.

Don’t take my word for it. Try it for a few days.

I will chant the verses and give a quick translation in English. Click to listen to the entire stotram sung beautifully by Sonali Ambasankar.  

श्रीगणेशायनम: ।

अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य ।

बुधकौशिक ऋषि: ।

श्रीसीतारामचंद्रोदेवता ।

अनुष्टुप् छन्द: ।

सीता शक्ति: ।

श्रीमद्‌हनुमान् कीलकम् ।

श्रीसीतारामचंद्रप्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोग: ॥

Salutations to Lord Ganesh (Lord of knowledge)

Thus begins the hymn of Lord Rama for protection.

The author of this hymn is Budhakaushika.

The deity is Sri Sita-Ramachandra.

The meter is Anusthtup – eight syllables in a quarter.

The shakti is Sita. The Limit (protector) is Hanuman.

The usage is recitation for (devotion to) Sita-Ramachandra ।

॥ अथ ध्यानम् ॥

Then meditate

ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्‌मासनस्थं ।

पीतं वासोवसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम् ॥

वामाङ्‌कारूढ-सीता-मुखकमल-मिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभं ।

नानालङ्‌कारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामण्डनं रामचंद्रम् ॥

May he be meditated upon, who has arms reaching his knees, who is holding a bow and arrows, who is seated in a lotus pose,

Who is wearing yellow clothes, whose eyes compete with petals of a fresh lotus, who looks contented ॥

Whose sight is fixed on the lotus face of Devi Sita, sitting on his left thigh, whose color is like that of the rain cloud,  Ramachandra who shines in various ornaments and has matted hair which can reach till the thighs ॥

॥ इति ध्यानम् ॥

Thus meditate

चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम् ।

एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातकनाशनम् ॥१॥

The life story of Sri Rama has a vast expanse।

  Recitation of each and every word is capable of destroying even the greatest paapa-s ॥1॥

ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम् ।

जानकीलक्ष्मणोपेतं जटामुकुटमण्डितम् ॥२॥

Let us meditate on the dark-complexioned, blue lotus-eyed Rama ।

Who is accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, and is well-adorned with crown of matted hair ॥2॥

सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तं चरान्तकम् ।

स्वलीलया जगत्त्रातुमाविर्भूतमजं विभुम् ॥३॥

Who has sword, bows and arrows, who destroyed nocturnal adharmis। Who is birthless (beyond birth and death) but incarnated by his own leela to protect this world ॥3॥

रामरक्षां पठेत्प्राज्ञ: पापघ्नीं सर्वकामदाम् ।

शिरो मे राघव: पातु भालं दशरथात्मज: ॥४॥

May the wise, read the Hymn (of Lord) Rama (for) protection, which destroys all paapa-s and grants all desires । May Rama, Raghu’s descendant protect my head. May Rama, Dasharatha’s son (Rama) protect my forehead ॥4॥

कौसल्येयो दृशौ पातु विश्वामित्रप्रिय: श्रुती ।

घ्राणं पातु मखत्राता मुखं सौमित्रिवत्सल: ॥५॥

May Kausalya’s son protect my eyes, may the favorite (disciple) of Vishvamitra protect my ears । May the protector of the yajna, fire protect my nose, may the one affectionate to Lakshmana protect my mouth ॥5॥

जिव्हां विद्यानिधि: पातु कण्ठं भरतवंदित: ।

स्कन्धौ दिव्यायुध: पातु भुजौ भग्नेशकार्मुक: ॥६॥

And may the ocean of wisdom protect my tongue, may he who is saluted by Bharata protect my neck । May the bearer of celestial weapons protect my shoulders, may he who broke (Lord Shiva’s) bow protect my arms ॥6॥

करौ सीतापति: पातु हृदयं जामदग्न्यजित् ।

मध्यं पातु खरध्वंसी नाभिं जाम्बवदाश्रय: ॥७॥

May husband of Sita protect my hands, may he who won over Parasurama protect my heart । May slayer of the Khara, an asura protect my abdomen, may he who gave refuge to Jambavad protect my navel ॥7॥

सुग्रीवेश: कटी पातु सक्थिनी हनुमत्प्रभु: ।

ऊरू रघुत्तम: पातु रक्ष:कुलविनाशकृत् ॥८॥

May master of Sugreeva protect my waist, may master of Hanuman protect my hips । May the best of Raghu and destroyer of the lineage of raakshasaas protect my thighs ॥8॥

जानुनी सेतुकृत्पातु जङ्‌घे दशमुखान्तक: ।

पादौ बिभीषणश्रीद: पातु रामोSखिलं वपु: ॥९॥

May establisher of the bridge (Ramasetu) protect my knees, may slayer of ten-faced (Ravana) protect my shins । May consecrator of wealth to Vibhishana protect the feet, may Sri Rama protect my entire body ॥9॥

एतां रामबलोपेतां रक्षां य: सुकृती पठॆत् ।

स चिरायु: सुखी पुत्री विजयी विनयी भवेत् ॥१०॥

May the good person read this (hymn) equable to all the power of Rama. May । live long, be blessed with children, be victorious and possess humility ॥10॥

पातालभूतलव्योम चारिणश्छद्‌मचारिण: ।

न द्र्ष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभि: ॥११॥

They who travel in paatala, the lower realms, the earth and space and who travel secretly (changing forms) । Would not be able to see (the one who reads) the protective chant of Rama by the power of chant ॥11॥

रामेति रामभद्रेति रामचंद्रेति वा स्मरन् ।

नरो न लिप्यते पापै भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ॥१२॥

(The one who) remembers Rama, Rambhadra and Ramachandra (The poet has used these names for the same Lord Rama)। Paapa-s never get attached, he gets a good life and mukti ॥12॥

जगज्जेत्रैकमन्त्रेण रामनाम्नाभिरक्षितम् ।

य: कण्ठे धारयेत्तस्य करस्था: सर्वसिद्धय: ॥१३॥

In all the three worlds, one who wears the hymn of the name of Rama । as a protection round his neck, would get all the powers in his hands ॥13॥

वज्रपंजरनामेदं यो रामकवचं स्मरेत् ।

अव्याहताज्ञ: सर्वत्र लभते जयमंगलम् ॥१४॥

He who recites this hymn of the name of Rama called as armor of diamond । Would be obeyed everywhere and he will get victory in all things ॥14॥

आदिष्टवान् यथा स्वप्ने रामरक्षामिमां हर: ।

तथा लिखितवान् प्रात: प्रबुद्धो बुधकौशिक: ॥१५॥

This protective hymn of Rama, as told by Shiva (Hara) in the dream । Was written down (as told) by Budhakaushika in the morning (upon waking up) ॥15॥

आराम: कल्पवृक्षाणां विराम: सकलापदाम् ।

अभिरामस्त्रिलोकानां राम: श्रीमान् स न: प्रभु: ॥१६॥

Who is like a wish giving tree and who stops all obstacles । And who is the praise of all three worlds, SriRama, is our ‘Lord’ ॥16॥

तरुणौ रूपसंपन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ ।

पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ ॥१७॥

Who are young, full of beauty, clever and very strong । Who have broad eyes like the lotus, who wear the hides of trees ॥17॥

फलमूलशिनौ दान्तौ तापसौ ब्रह्मचारिणौ ।

पुत्रौ दशरथस्यैतौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥१८॥

Ones who are subsisting on roots and fruits and practicing penance and celibacy । Two brothers, sons of Dasharatha, Ram and Lakshmana (protect us) ॥18॥

शरण्यौ सर्वसत्वानां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वधनुष्मताम् ।

रक्ष:कुलनिहन्तारौ त्रायेतां नो रघुत्तमौ ॥१९॥

Who give protection to all beings and who are foremost among all the archers। Who destroy  the whole race of asuras, protect us, O best of the clan of Raghu ॥19॥

आत्तसज्जधनुषा विषुस्पृशा वक्षया शुगनिषङ्ग सङि‌गनौ ।

रक्षणाय मम रामलक्ष्मणावग्रत: पथि सदैव गच्छताम् ॥२०॥

Whose bows are pulled and ready, their hands on the arrows packed in ever full quivers carried on their backs । May Rama and Lakshmana always escort me in my path for my protection ॥20॥

संनद्ध: कवची खड्‌गी चापबाणधरो युवा ।

गच्छन्‌ मनोरथोSस्माकं राम: पातु सलक्ष्मण: ॥२१॥

Young men, prepared and armed with sword, shield, bow and arrows । Rama is like our cherished thoughts come to life. May he, along with Lakshmana, protect us ॥21॥

रामो दाशरथि: शूरो लक्ष्मणानुचरो बली ।

काकुत्स्थ: पुरुष: पूर्ण: कौसल्येयो रघुत्तम: ॥२२॥

Valiant Rama, the son of Dasaratha and ever accompanied by powerful Lakshmana । The descendant of Raghu, the son of Kausalya, is all powerful and is the complete being ॥22॥

वेदान्तवेद्यो यज्ञेश: पुराणपुरुषोत्तम: ।

जानकीवल्लभ: श्रीमानप्रमेयपराक्रम: ॥२३॥

He who can be known by Vedanta, the lord of the sacrificial fire, ancient and best among all men, the dearest of Sita, whose bravery is immeasurable ॥23॥

इत्येतानि जपेन्नित्यं मद्‌भक्त: श्रद्धयान्वित: ।

अश्वमेधाधिकं पुण्यं संप्राप्नोति न संशय: ॥२४॥

(Thus lord Shiva said) My devotee who recites these names of Rama with shraddha। He, without any doubt, is blessed more than the performance of Ashwamedha yajna, which is performed only by emperors. ॥24॥

रामं दूर्वादलश्यामं पद्‌माक्षं पीतवाससम् ।

स्तुवन्ति नामभिर्दिव्यैर्न ते संसारिणो नर: ॥२५॥

Ram, dark-complexioned like leaf of green grass, who is lotus-eyed and dressed in yellow clothes । The ones who sing his praise are no longer ordinary people trapped in the world ॥25॥

रामं लक्ष्मण-पूर्वजं रघुवरं सीतापतिं सुंदरम् ।

काकुत्स्थं करुणार्णवं गुणनिधिं विप्रप्रियं धार्मिकम् ।

राजेन्द्रं सत्यसंधं दशरथनयं श्यामलं शान्तमूर्तिम् ।

वन्दे लोकभिरामं रघुकुलतिलकं राघवं रावणारिम् ॥२६॥

Rama, the elder brother of Lakshmana, best of the Raghus, the husband of Sita, who is handsome । Ocean of compassion, treasure of virtues, the most beloved of the wise and Dharmika people । The Lord emperor of kings, follower of truth, son of Dasharath, dark-complexioned, the form of tranquillity । Worship to the cynosure of eyes of all people, the crown jewel of the Raghu dynasty and the enemy of Ravana ॥26॥

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचंद्राय वेधसे ।

रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीताया: पतये नम: ॥२७॥

Namaskaara to Rama, beloved Rama, moon like peaceful Ram ।

To Lord of Raghu dynasty, Lord (of all), husband of Sita, I do namah ॥27॥

श्रीराम राम रघुनन्दन राम राम ।

श्रीराम राम भरताग्रज राम राम ।

श्रीराम राम रणकर्कश राम राम ।

श्रीराम राम शरणं भव राम राम ॥२८॥

Rama who is the delight of the Raghus । Rama who is elder brother of Bharata । Rama who is the tormentor of his enemies । I come under refuge of God Rama.॥28॥

श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ मनसा स्मरामि ।

श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ वचसा गृणामि ।

श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शिरसा नमामि ।

श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥२९॥

I remember the feet of Sri Ramachandra in my mind । I praise the feet of Sri Ramachandra by my speech । I salute the feet of Sri Ramachandra by bowing down my head । I take refuge in the feet of Sri Ramachandra by bowing down ॥29॥

माता रामो मत्पिता रामचन्द्र: ।

स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचन्द्र: ।

सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालुर् – ।

नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने ॥३०॥

My mother is Rama, my father is Ramachandra । Lord is Rama, my dearest friend is Ramachandra । My everything is compassionate Ramachandra । I know of no other like him, I really don’t! ॥30॥

दक्षिणे लक्ष्मणो यस्य वामे च जनकात्मजा ।

पुरतो मारुतिर्यस्य तं वन्दे रघुनंदनम् ॥३१॥

Who has Lakshmana on his right and daughter of Janaka (Sita) on the left । And who has Hanuman in his front, I worship the delight of the Raghus (Rama) ॥31॥

लोकाभिरामं रणरङ्‌गधीरं राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम् ।

कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरन्तं श्रीरामचन्द्रं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥३२॥

The cynosure of eyes of all people, courageous in war, lotus-eyed, lord of the Raghu race । Personification of compassion, I surrender to (that) Lord Sri Rama ॥32॥

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् ।

वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥३३॥

Who is as fast as the mind, equals his father (wind) in speed, master of senses, foremost amongst brilliants । Son of the Wind, leader of the Vaanara forces and messenger of Sri Rama, I bow down to him ॥33॥

कूजन्तं राम-रामेति मधुरं मधुराक्षरम् ।

आरुह्य कविताशाखां वन्दे वाल्मीकिकोकिलम् ॥३४॥

Who sings the sweet name of Rama as । a cuckoo will sing sitting atop a tree, I salute that Valmiki ॥34॥

आपदामपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसंपदाम् ।

लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम् ॥३५॥

Who is destroyer of all dangers and consecrator of all sorts of wealth। I again and again salute that Rama who is cynosure of eyes of all people॥35॥

भर्जनं भवबीजानामर्जनं सुखसंपदाम् ।

तर्जनं यमदूतानां रामरामेति गर्जनम् ॥३६॥

Who destructs of the cause of rebirth (cause of liberation), generates happiness and wealth । Scares Yama’s (lord of death) messengers, the roar of the name of Rama ॥36॥

रामो राजमणि: सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे ।

रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नम: ।

रामान्नास्ति परायणं परतरं रामस्य दासोऽस्म्यहम् ।

रामे चित्तलय: सदा भवतु मे भो राम मामुद्धर ॥३७॥

I worship Rama who is a jewel (among kings) who always wins and who is lord of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) । Through whom the hordes of asuras who move at night have been destroyed, I salute that Rama । There is no place of surrender greater than Rama, (and thus) I am daasa, a servant of Rama । My mind is totally absorbed in Rama.

O Rama, please lift me up ॥37॥

राम रामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।

सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥३८॥

Beautiful Parvati ! My mind enjoys saying Rama Rama । Uttering once the name of Rama is equal to the uttering of any other name of God, a thousand times ॥38॥

इति श्रीबुधकौशिकविरचितं श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रं संपूर्णम् ॥

॥ श्री सीतारामचंद्रार्पणमस्तु ॥

Thus ends the Stotram (of Lord) Rama (for) protection and composed by Rishi Budha-Kaushika ॥

Shree Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama