Ram Raksha Stotra: Sanskrit Text, Meaning and How It Is Recited

Opening formula (viniyoga)

अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य ।
बुधकौशिकऋषिः । श्रीसीतारामचन्द्रो देवता ।
अनुष्टुप् छन्दः । सीता शक्तिः ।
श्रीमद्धनुमान् कीलकम् ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रप्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः ॥

Asya shriramarakshastotramantrasya
Budhakaushikarishih, shrisitaramachandro devata
Anushtup chhandah, sita shaktih
Shrimaddhanuman kilakam
Shriramachandraprityarthe jape viniyogah

MeaningOf this Ram Raksha stotra mantra, Budha Kaushika is the seer, Sri Sitaramachandra is the deity, anushtubh is the metre, Sita is the shakti (the power of the mantra), and Hanuman is the kilaka (the pin that fixes it). It is used in recitation to please Sri Ramachandra.

Meditation (dhyana)

ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्मासनस्थं
पीतं वासो वसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम् ।
वामाङ्कारूढसीतामुखकमलमिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभं
नानालङ्कारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामण्डनं रामचन्द्रम् ॥

Dhyayedajanubahum dhritasharadhanusham baddhapadmasanastham
Pitam vaso vasanam navakamaladalaspardhinetram prasannam
Vamankarudhasitamukhakamalamilallochanam niradabham
Nanalankaradiptam dadhatamurujatamandanam ramachandram

MeaningLet one meditate on Ramachandra: long-armed, his hands reaching his knees, holding bow and arrows, seated in the lotus posture, wearing a yellow garment, calm, with eyes that rival fresh lotus petals. His eyes meet the lotus face of Sita, seated at his left, and he is dark like a rain cloud, glowing with many ornaments and wearing a crown of matted hair.

Verse 1

चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम् ।
एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातकनाशनम् ॥

Charitam raghunathasya shatakotipravistaram
Ekaikamaksharam pumsam mahapatakanashanam

MeaningThe story of Raghunatha, Rama, is said to run to a hundred crore verses, and even a single syllable of it is said to wash away great sins.

Verse 2

ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम् ।
जानकीलक्ष्मणोपेतं जटामुकुटमण्डितम् ॥

Dhyatva nilotpalashyamam ramam rajivalochanam
Janakilakshmanopetam jatamukutamanditam

MeaningThink of Rama, dark like a blue lotus, lotus-eyed, with Janaki (Sita) and Lakshmana beside him, his hair bound up as a crown of matted locks.

Verse 3

सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तंचरान्तकम् ।
स्वलीलया जगत्त्रातुमाविर्भूतमजं विभुम् ॥

Sasitunadhanurbanapanim naktancharantakam
Svalilaya jagattratumavirbhutamajam vibhum

MeaningHe holds a sword, a quiver, a bow and arrows, and he is the ender of the night-wanderers, the demons. The unborn, all-pervading one appeared in the world by his own play, to protect it.

Verse 4

रामरक्षां पठेत् प्राज्ञः पापघ्नीं सर्वकामदाम् ।
शिरो मे राघवः पातु भालं दशरथात्मजः ॥

Ramaraksham pathet prajnah papaghnim sarvakamadam
Shiro me raghavah patu bhalam dasharathatmajah

MeaningA wise person should recite Rama's protection, which destroys sin and grants every wish. May Raghava guard my head, and the son of Dasharatha my forehead.

Verse 5

कौसल्येयो दृशौ पातु विश्वामित्रप्रियः श्रुती ।
घ्राणं पातु मखत्राता मुखं सौमित्रिवत्सलः ॥

Kausalyeyo drishau patu vishvamitrapriyah shruti
Ghranam patu makhatrata mukham saumitrivatsalah

MeaningMay Kausalya's son guard my eyes, the favourite of Vishvamitra my ears, the protector of the sacrifice my nose, and the one dear to Sumitra's son my mouth.

Verse 6

जिह्वां विद्यानिधिः पातु कण्ठं भरतवन्दितः ।
स्कन्धौ दिव्यायुधः पातु भुजौ भग्नेशकार्मुकः ॥

Jihvam vidyanidhih patu kantham bharatavanditah
Skandhau divyayudhah patu bhujau bhagneshakarmukah

MeaningMay the storehouse of learning guard my tongue, the one honoured by Bharata my throat, the bearer of divine weapons my shoulders, and the breaker of Shiva's bow my arms.

Verse 7

करौ सीतापतिः पातु हृदयं जामदग्न्यजित् ।
मध्यं पातु खरध्वंसी नाभिं जाम्बवदाश्रयः ॥

Karau sitapatih patu hridayam jamadagnyajit
Madhyam patu kharadhvamsi nabhim jambavadashrayah

MeaningMay Sita's husband guard my hands, the victor over Parashurama (Jamadagni's son) my heart, the slayer of Khara my middle, and the refuge of Jambavan my navel.

Verse 8

सुग्रीवेशः कटी पातु सक्थिनी हनुमत्प्रभुः ।
ऊरू रघूत्तमः पातु रक्षःकुलविनाशकृत् ॥

Sugriveshah kati patu sakthini hanumatprabhuh
Uru raghuttamah patu rakshahkulavinashakrit

MeaningMay the lord of Sugriva guard my waist, the master of Hanuman my haunches, and the best of the Raghu line, who ended the demon clan, my thighs.

Verse 9

जानुनी सेतुकृत् पातु जङ्घे दशमुखान्तकः ।
पादौ विभीषणश्रीदः पातु रामोऽखिलं वपुः ॥

Januni setukrit patu janghe dashamukhantakah
Padau vibhishanashridah patu ramo'khilam vapuh

MeaningMay the builder of the bridge guard my knees, the slayer of the ten-headed Ravana my calves, the one who gave Vibhishana his glory my feet, and may Rama guard my whole body.

Verse 10

एतां रामबलोपेतां रक्षां यः सुकृती पठेत् ।
स चिरायुः सुखी पुत्री विजयी विनयी भवेत् ॥

Etam ramabalopetam raksham yah sukriti pathet
Sa chirayuh sukhi putri vijayi vinayi bhavet

MeaningA person of good deeds who recites this protection, filled with Rama's strength, is said by the text to become long-lived, happy, blessed with children, victorious and humble.

Verse 11

पातालभूतलव्योमचारिणश्छद्मचारिणः ।
न द्रष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभिः ॥

Patalabhutalavyomacharinashchhadmacharinah
Na drashtumapi shaktaste rakshitam ramanamabhih

MeaningBeings that move in the underworld, on the earth or in the sky, and those who go about in disguise, cannot even look at one who is guarded by the names of Rama.

Verse 12

रामेति रामभद्रेति रामचन्द्रेति वा स्मरन् ।
नरो न लिप्यते पापैर्भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ॥

Rameti ramabhadreti ramachandreti va smaran
Naro na lipyate papairbhuktim muktim cha vindati

MeaningOne who remembers 'Rama', 'Ramabhadra' or 'Ramachandra' is not stained by wrongdoing, and is said to gain both enjoyment and release.

Verse 13

जगज्जैत्रेकमन्त्रेण रामनाम्नाभिरक्षितम् ।
यः कण्ठे धारयेत्तस्य करस्थाः सर्वसिद्धयः ॥

Jagajjaitrekamantrena ramanamnabhirakshitam
Yah kanthe dharayettasya karasthah sarvasiddhayah

MeaningThe Rama-name is the one mantra that conquers the world. Whoever keeps it guarded at the throat, that is, keeps it in the voice, holds every kind of success in the palm of the hand.

Verse 14

वज्रपञ्जरनामेदं यो रामकवचं स्मरेत् ।
अव्याहताज्ञः सर्वत्र लभते जयमङ्गलम् ॥

Vajrapanjaranamedam yo ramakavacham smaret
Avyahatajnah sarvatra labhate jayamangalam

MeaningThis is called the thunderbolt cage, Rama's armour. One who remembers it finds that his word is never turned back anywhere, and he wins victory and good fortune.

Verse 15

आदिष्टवान् यथा स्वप्ने रामरक्षामिमां हरः ।
तथा लिखितवान् प्रातः प्रबुद्धो बुधकौशिकः ॥

Adishtavan yatha svapne ramarakshamimam harah
Tatha likhitavan pratah prabuddho budhakaushikah

MeaningShiva gave this protection to Budha Kaushika in a dream, and the sage woke at dawn and wrote it down exactly as he had been told.

Verse 16

आरामः कल्पवृक्षाणां विरामः सकलापदाम् ।
अभिरामस्त्रिलोकानां रामः श्रीमान् स नः प्रभुः ॥

Aramah kalpavrikshanam viramah sakalapadam
Abhiramastrilokanam ramah shriman sa nah prabhuh

MeaningRama is the garden of wish-granting trees, the rest after every calamity and the delight of the three worlds. The glorious Rama is our lord.

Verse 17

तरुणौ रूपसंपन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ ।
पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ ॥

Tarunau rupasampannau sukumarau mahabalau
Pundarikavishalakshau chirakrishnajinambarau

MeaningTwo young men, handsome, gentle and very strong, with eyes like white lotuses, dressed in bark and the skin of the black antelope.

Verse 18

फलमूलाशिनौ दान्तौ तापसौ ब्रह्मचारिणौ ।
पुत्रौ दशरथस्यैतौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥

Phalamulashinau dantau tapasau brahmacharinau
Putrau dasharathasyaitau bhratarau ramalakshmanau

MeaningThey eat fruit and roots, they are self-controlled, living as ascetics and students of discipline. These are the two sons of Dasharatha, the brothers Rama and Lakshmana.

Verse 19

शरण्यौ सर्वसत्त्वानां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वधनुष्मताम् ।
रक्षः कुलनिहन्तारौ त्रायेतां नो रघूत्तमौ ॥

Sharanyau sarvasattvanam shreshthau sarvadhanushmatam
Rakshah kulanihantarau trayetam no raghuttamau

MeaningThey are the shelter of all beings, the best of all who carry bows, and the destroyers of the demon clans. May these two best of the Raghus protect us.

Verse 20

आत्तसज्जधनुषाविषुस्पृशावक्षयाशुगनिषङ्गसङ्गिनौ ।
रक्षणाय मम रामलक्ष्मणावग्रतः पथि सदैव गच्छताम् ॥

Attasajjadhanushavishusprishavakshayashuganishangasanginau
Rakshanaya mama ramalakshmanavagratah pathi sadaiva gachchhatam

MeaningWith bows strung and hands on their arrows, with quivers that never run empty at their sides, may Rama and Lakshmana walk ahead of me on the road, always, to protect me.

Verse 21

सन्नद्धः कवची खड्गी चापबाणधरो युवा ।
गच्छन् मनोरथोऽस्माकं रामः पातु सलक्ष्मणः ॥

Sannaddhah kavachi khadgi chapabanadharo yuva
Gachchhan manoratho'smakam ramah patu salakshmanah

MeaningReady, armoured, with sword, bow and arrows, young, and walking as the fulfilment of our wishes, may Rama protect us together with Lakshmana.

Verse 22

रामो दाशरथिः शूरो लक्ष्मणानुचरो बली ।
काकुत्स्थः पुरुषः पूर्णः कौसल्येयो रघूत्तमः ॥

Ramo dasharathih shuro lakshmananucharo bali
Kakutsthah purushah purnah kausalyeyo raghuttamah

MeaningNames of Rama: son of Dasharatha, the hero, the one followed by Lakshmana, the strong, the descendant of Kakutstha, the complete person, Kausalya's son, the best of the Raghus.

Verse 23

वेदान्तवेद्यो यज्ञेशः पुराणपुरुषोत्तमः ।
जानकीवल्लभः श्रीमानप्रमेयपराक्रमः ॥

Vedantavedyo yajneshah puranapurushottamah
Janakivallabhah shrimanaprameyaparakramah

MeaningNames of Rama: the one known through the Vedanta, the lord of sacrifices, the ancient supreme person, the beloved of Janaki, the glorious, of limitless valour.

Verse 24

इत्येतानि जपन्नित्यं मद्भक्तः श्रद्धयान्वितः ।
अश्वमेधाधिकं पुण्यं सम्प्राप्नोति न संशयः ॥

Ityetani japannityam madbhaktah shraddhayanvitah
Ashvamedhadhikam punyam samprapnoti na samshayah

MeaningHere the speaker is Shiva: a devotee of mine who repeats these names daily with faith is said to gain merit greater than an Ashvamedha sacrifice, without doubt.

Verse 25

रामं दूर्वादलश्यामं पद्माक्षं पीतवाससम् ।
स्तुवन्ति नामभिर्दिव्यैर्न ते संसारिणो नरः ॥

Ramam durvadalashyamam padmaksham pitavasasam
Stuvanti namabhirdivyairna te samsarino narah

MeaningThose who praise Rama, dark as durva grass, lotus-eyed and yellow-robed, with these divine names, are not people caught in the wheel of worldly life, so the text says.

Verse 26

रामं लक्ष्मणपूर्वजम् रघुवरं सीतापतिं सुन्दरम् ।
काकुत्स्थं करुणार्णवं गुणनिधिं विप्रप्रियं धार्मिकम् ।
राजेन्द्रं सत्यसन्धं दशरथतनयं श्यामलं शान्तमूर्तिम् ।
वन्दे लोकाभिरामं रघुकुलतिलकम् राघवं रावणारिम् ॥

Ramam lakshmanapurvajam raghuvaram sitapatim sundaram
Kakutstham karunarnavam gunanidhim viprapriyam dharmikam
Rajendram satyasandham dasharathatanayam shyamalam shantamurtim
Vande lokabhiramam raghukulatilakam raghavam ravanarim

MeaningI bow to Rama, elder brother of Lakshmana, best of the Raghus, husband of Sita, handsome, of Kakutstha's line, an ocean of compassion, a store of virtues, a friend of the learned and righteous, a king of kings, true to his word, son of Dasharatha, dark and peaceful, the delight of the world, the jewel of the Raghu family, Raghava, the enemy of Ravana.

Verse 27

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे ।
रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः ॥

Ramaya ramabhadraya ramachandraya vedhase
Raghunathaya nathaya sitayah pataye namah

MeaningSalutation to Rama, to Ramabhadra and to Ramachandra, to the Creator, to the lord of the Raghus, to the Lord, to the husband of Sita.

Verse 28

श्रीराम राम रघुनन्दन राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम भरताग्रज राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम रणकर्कश राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम शरणं भव राम राम ॥

Shrirama rama raghunandana rama rama
Shrirama rama bharatagraja rama rama
Shrirama rama ranakarkasha rama rama
Shrirama rama sharanam bhava rama rama

MeaningO Sri Rama, delight of Raghu; O Rama, elder brother of Bharata; O Rama, fierce in battle; O Sri Rama, be my refuge.

Verse 29

श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ मनसा स्मरामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ वचसा गृणामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शिरसा नमामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥

Shriramachandracharanau manasa smarami
Shriramachandracharanau vachasa grinami
Shriramachandracharanau shirasa namami
Shriramachandracharanau sharanam prapadye

MeaningIn my mind I remember the feet of Sri Ramachandra, in speech I praise them, with my head I bow to them, and at those feet I take refuge.

Verse 30

माता रामो मत्पिता रामचन्द्रः ।
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचन्द्रः ।
सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालुर्नान्यं ।
जाने नैव जाने न जाने ॥

Mata ramo matpita ramachandrah
Svami ramo matsakha ramachandrah
Sarvasvam me ramachandro dayalurnanyam
Jane naiva jane na jane

MeaningRama is my mother and Ramachandra my father. Rama is my master and Ramachandra my friend. The merciful Ramachandra is my all, and I know no other, truly I do not know.

Verse 31

दक्षिणे लक्ष्मणो यस्य वामे तु जनकात्मजा ।
पुरतो मारुतिर्यस्य तं वन्दे रघुनन्दनम् ॥

Dakshine lakshmano yasya vame tu janakatmaja
Purato marutiryasya tam vande raghunandanam

MeaningI bow to the delight of the Raghus, who has Lakshmana at his right, Janaka's daughter at his left, and Hanuman standing before him.

Verse 32

लोकाभिरामं रणरङ्गधीरं राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम् ।
कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरं तं श्रीरामचन्द्रं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥

Lokabhiramam ranarangadhiram rajivanetram raghuvamshanatham
Karunyarupam karunakaram tam shriramachandram sharanam prapadye

MeaningI take refuge in Sri Ramachandra, the joy of the world, steady on the field of battle, lotus-eyed, lord of the Raghu line, compassion itself and a mine of mercy.

Verse 33

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् ।
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥

Manojavam marutatulyavegam jitendriyam buddhimatam varishtham
Vatatmajam vanarayuthamukhyam shriramadutam sharanam prapadye

MeaningI take refuge in Rama's messenger, swift as the mind and equal to the wind in speed, master of his senses, first among the wise, son of the Wind, chief of the monkey host.

Verse 34

कूजन्तं रामरामेति मधुरं मधुराक्षरम् ।
आरुह्य कविताशाखां वन्दे वाल्मीकिकोकिलम् ॥

Kujantam ramarameti madhuram madhuraksharam
Aruhya kavitashakham vande valmikikokilam

MeaningI bow to Valmiki, the cuckoo, who climbed the branch of poetry and sings sweetly the sweet syllables 'Rama, Rama'.

Verse 35

आपदामपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसंपदाम् ।
लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम् ॥

Apadamapahartaram dataram sarvasampadam
Lokabhiramam shriramam bhuyo bhuyo namamyaham

MeaningAgain and again I bow to Sri Rama, the delight of the world, who removes troubles and gives every kind of wealth.

Verse 36

भर्जनं भवबीजानामर्जनं सुखसंपदाम् ।
तर्जनं यमदूतानां रामरामेति गर्जनम् ॥

Bharjanam bhavabijanamarjanam sukhasampadam
Tarjanam yamadutanam ramarameti garjanam

MeaningThe call 'Rama, Rama' roasts the seeds of rebirth, brings comfort and prosperity, and frightens the messengers of Yama.

Verse 37

रामो राजमणिः सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे ।
रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नमः ।
रामान्नास्ति परायणं परतरं रामस्य दासोऽस्म्यहम् ।
रामे चित्तलयः सदा भवतु मे भो राम मामुद्धर ॥

Ramo rajamanih sada vijayate ramam ramesham bhaje
Ramenabhihata nishacharachamu ramaya tasmai namah
Ramannasti parayanam parataram ramasya daso'smyaham
Rame chittalayah sada bhavatu me bho rama mamuddhara

MeaningRama is the crown jewel of kings and is always victorious. I worship Rama, the lord of Rama (Lakshmi). By Rama the army of night-wanderers was struck down, and to that Rama my salutation. There is no refuge higher than Rama. I am Rama's servant. May my mind always be absorbed in Rama. O Rama, lift me up.

Verse 38

रामरामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।
सहस्रनामतत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥

Ramarameti rameti rame rame manorame
Sahasranamatattulyam ramanama varanane

MeaningHere Shiva speaks to Parvati: 'Rama, Rama, Rama', in this name, O delight of my heart, is equal to a thousand names. The name of Rama is as great as the thousand names, O fair-faced one.