In Hindu tradition, Stotram or stotra is a stuti or prayer or a poetic verse about the powers and benevolence of a deity. Stotram is recited by the devotee regularly or on special occasions to gain blessings and pay respect to the god or goddess who is addressed in the Stotra. Among the many powerful Stotram that are a part of traditional Hindu rituals, is the Rama Raksha Stotram- the verses that symbolize the shield offered by Sri Rama against all negative and evil forces, to whoever sings this emotive hymn of Rama.
Rama Raksha Stotra is an ancient hymn dedicated to the Hindu god Sri Rama, who is among the Dashavatara or ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and an embodiment of righteousness or Dharma.
The Rama Raksha Stotram was written by a sage named Budh Kaushik Rishi. It is believed that the writer is none other than Brahmarishi Vishwamitra, who belonged to the Kaushik gotra or clan.
Rama Raksha Stotram is written in the Padma Purana, one of the 18 Maha Puranas of Hindu tradition.
Rama Raksha Stotra begins with evocation to Sri Ganesha, the Prathamapujya Lord-
॥ श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रम् ॥
श्रीगणेशायनम: ।
अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य ।
बुधकौशिक ऋषि: ।
श्रीसीतारामचंद्रोदेवता ।
अनुष्टुप् छन्द: । सीता शक्ति: ।
श्रीमद्हनुमान् कीलकम् ।
श्रीसीतारामचंद्रप्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोग: ॥
I bow down to Sri Ganesha. This is the Rama Raksha Stotra Mantra, whose Rishi is Budh Kaushik, the presiding deity is Sita and Rama, chanda or meter is Anushtup, Shakti is Sita and keelak or central pivot is Lord Hanuman, and this is meant for jap or recitation.
॥ अथ ध्यानम् ॥
ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्दद्पद्मासनस्थं ।
पीतं वासोवसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम् ॥
वामाङ्कारूढसीता मुखकमलमिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभं ।
नानालङ्कारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामण्डनं रामचंद्रम् ॥
Here begins the meditation (on the deity)
Rama is to be seen as Ajanabahu (arms reaching his knees), carrying a bow and arrow, seated in a poised lotus pose, dressed in yellow clothes, whose eyes are as beautiful as the newly blossomed lotuses and whose face carries a content expression. His eyes are focused on Sita, who is seated in the vama or left side on his lap, with his numerous ornamentations and fine hair reaching his thighs.
॥ इति ध्यानम् ॥
चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम् ।
एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातकनाशनम् ॥१॥
This is the dhyana or meditation on RamaThat each alphabet of his story can destroy the greatest sin or Mahapataka of an individual
ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम् ।
जानकीलक्ष्मणॊपेतं जटामुकुटमण्डितम् ॥२॥
Now meditate on the lotus-eyed Rama who is beautiful as a blue lily or Neelotpala, who is adorned with Jatamukuta and accompanied by Janaki (Sita) and Lakshman
सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तं चरान्तकम् ।
स्वलीलया जगत्त्रातुमाविर्भूतमजं विभुम् ॥३॥
Meditation on Rama who carries a sword, bow, and arrow in his hands to annihilate the demons, who is not born but incarnated on the earth to save the human realm with his divine acts.
रामरक्षां पठॆत्प्राज्ञ: पापघ्नीं सर्वकामदाम् ।
शिरो मे राघव: पातु भालं दशरथात्मज: ॥४॥
May the one with great wisdom or Pragya recite this stotram. May Raghava protect my head, and the son of Dasharatha (Rama) guard my forehead.
कौसल्येयो दृशौ पातु विश्वामित्रप्रिय: श्रुती ।
घ्राणं पातु मखत्राता मुखं सौमित्रिवत्सल: ॥५॥
May the son of Kaushalya protect my eyesight, the beloved of Vishwamitra protect my ears, the protector of sacrificial fire or Yagya protect my nose and he who loves Sumitra’s son (Lakshman) protect my mouth.
जिव्हां विद्दानिधि: पातु कण्ठं भरतवंदित: ।
स्कन्धौ दिव्यायुध: पातु भुजौ भग्नेशकार्मुक: ॥६॥
May the ocean of knowledge guard my tongue, he who is revered by Bharata protect my neck, he who carries divine weapons or ayudhas protect my shoulders and Rama who broke the bow of Shiva guard my upper arms.
करौ सीतपति: पातु हृदयं जामदग्न्यजित् ।
मध्यं पातु खरध्वंसी नाभिं जाम्बवदाश्रय: ॥७॥
The Lord of Sita please guard my hands. He who conquered Parashurama may protect my heart, he who vanquished the demon Khara protect my midriff, and Rama who gave shelter to Jamavanta, the king of Reecha, protect my navel.
सुग्रीवेश: कटी पातु सक्थिनी हनुमत्प्रभु: ।
ऊरू रघुत्तम: पातु रक्ष:कुलविनाशकृत् ॥८॥
Rama who saved Sugreeva protect my waist, Rama the lord of Hanuman protect the hips, Rama who is the best among the Raghu clan and who ended the lineage of Rakshasa, protect my thighs.
जानुनी सेतुकृत्पातु जङ्घे दशमुखान्तक: ।
पादौ बिभीषणश्रीद: पातु रामोSखिलं वपु: ॥९॥
Rama who built the bridge please protect my knees, who annihilated Dashamukha (Ravana) protect my shins, Rama who bestowed Vibheshana with abundance protect my feet. Thus, Rama is the protector of my entire being.
एतां रामबलोपेतां रक्षां य: सुकृती पठॆत् ।
स चिरायु: सुखी पुत्री विजयी विनयी भवेत् ॥१०॥
May who reads this Stotra which contains all the potencies of Rama, be blessed with longevity, bliss, children, success, and humbleness.
पातालभूतलव्योम चारिणश्छद्मचारिण: ।
न द्र्ष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभि: ॥११॥
The man protected by the name of Rama may not be seen or harmed by anyone wandering below, on, or above the earth, or by those who change their shapes secretly.
रामेति रामभद्रेति रामचंद्रेति वा स्मरन् ।
नरो न लिप्यते पापै भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ॥१२॥
The man who sings the glories of Lord Rama will prosper in this world and will be saved from sin
जगज्जेत्रैकमन्त्रेण रामनाम्नाभिरक्षितम् ।
य: कण्ठे धारयेत्तस्य करस्था: सर्वसिद्द्दय: ॥१३॥
He who wears (dhaarna) this great name of Rama (that has won overall in this world) around his neck, will have all the Siddhi (achievements and abilities) in whatever he does.
वज्रपंजरनामेदं यो रामकवचं स्मरेत् ।
अव्याहताज्ञ: सर्वत्र लभते जयमंगलम् ॥१४॥
It is said that whoever wears this armor of Rama will receive a shield of protection from Sri Rama called Vajrapanjarnamedam and will be successful in all his undertakings.
आदिष्टवान् यथा स्वप्ने रामरक्षामिमां हर: ।
तथा लिखितवान् प्रात: प्रबुद्धो बुधकौशिक: ॥१५॥
Lord Shiva commanded Budha Kaushika to compose this hymn in a dream. Upon waking up, he did so.
आराम: कल्पवृक्षाणां विराम: सकलापदाम् ।
अभिरामस्त्रिलोकानां राम: श्रीमान् स न: प्रभु: ॥१६॥
It is Rama, who fulfills all desires, removes all obstacles and is the praise of all three worlds, who is truly our true Lord.
तरुणौ रूपसंपन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ ।
पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ ॥१७॥
It is our wish that the two brothers (Rama and Lakshmana) always protect us who are young, handsome, lotus-eyed, dressed in a bark and deer-skin combination.
फलमूलशिनौ दान्तौ तापसौ ब्रह्मचारिणौ ।
पुत्रौ दशरथस्यैतौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥१८॥
They protect us from harm, these two sons of Dasharatha, Rama, and Lakshmana, who eat roots and fruits and practice penance and abstinence.
शरण्यौ सर्वसत्वानां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वधनुष्मताम् ।
रक्ष:कुलनिहन्तारौ त्रायेतां नो रघुत्तमौ ॥१९॥
Among the archers, they are the destroyers of demons and the refuge for all beings. (May they) protect us.
आत्तसज्जधनुषा विषुस्पृशा वक्षया शुगनिषङ्ग सङिगनौ ।
रक्षणाय मम रामलक्ष्मणा वग्रत: पथि सदैव गच्छताम् ॥२०॥
My Lord Rama and Lakshmana (both of them), may they keep their bows drawn and prepared, and may they always be on my side, keeping me safe in my path.
संनद्ध: कवची खड्गी चापबाणधरो युवा ।
गच्छन्मनोरथोSस्माकं राम: पातु सलक्ष्मण: ॥२१॥
Adorned with shields, swords, bows, and arrows, Rama and Lakshman are our auspicious thoughts embodied. May they protect us.
रामो दाशरथि: शूरो लक्ष्मणानुचरो बली ।
काकुत्स्थ: पुरुष: पूर्ण: कौसल्येयो रघुत्तम: ॥२२॥
Rama, the valiant son of Dasharatha and Kaushalya and the mightiest among the Raghu clan, is accompanied by his powerful younger brother Lakshmana.
वेदान्तवेद्यो यज्ञेश: पुराणपुरुषोत्तम: ।
जानकीवल्लभ: श्रीमानप्रमेय पराक्रम: ॥२३॥
Rama who is visible in Vedanta, the Lord of Yagya (Yagyesha) and the most divine Puranapurusha (who presides over the knowledge of Purana), the beloved of Janaki, his valor is unparalleled.
इत्येतानि जपेन्नित्यं मद्भक्त: श्रद्धयान्वित: ।
अश्वमेधायुतं पुण्यं संप्राप्नोति न संशय: ॥२४॥
My devotee (Shiva’s devotee), who chants this Stotra with devotion will gain the merit of performing the sacred Ashwamedha Yagya, this is the truth (there is no doubt about this).
रामं दूर्वादलश्यामं पद्माक्षं पीतवाससम् ।
स्तुवन्ति नामभिर्दिव्यैर्न ते संसारिणो नर: ॥२५॥
Those who rever Rama with this Stotra, seeing him in his lotus-eyed form, dressed in Pitambara (yellow garment), are liberated from the cycle of life and death (Samsara).
रामं लक्शमण पूर्वजं रघुवरं सीतापतिं सुंदरम् ।
काकुत्स्थं करुणार्णवं गुणनिधिं विप्रप्रियं धार्मिकम्
राजेन्द्रं सत्यसंधं दशरथनयं श्यामलं शान्तमूर्तिम् ।
वन्दे लोकभिरामं रघुकुलतिलकं राघवं रावणारिम् ॥२६॥
I bow down to Rama, the beautiful one, the elder brother of Lakshmana, the Lord of Devi Sita, the scion of the Raghu clan, who is the ocean of benevolence, the home of virtues, the protector of Brahmanas and Dharma. He who practices Truth, who is the sovereign among kings, the son of Dasharatha, dark-skinned, the embodiment of tranquility, who is the opponent of Ravana, who is the most beautiful sight for the world.
रामाय रामभद्राय रामचंद्राय वेधसे ।
रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीताया: पतये नम: ॥२७॥
I bow down to Rama who is as sublime as the Moon (mild in his manners), the Lord of Maa Sita.
श्रीराम राम रघुनन्दन राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम भरताग्रज राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम रणकर्कश राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम शरणं भव राम राम ॥२८॥
I surrender myself at the feet of Sri Rama, the elder brother of Bharata, who is ferocious on the battlefield (Ranakarkasha).
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ मनसा स्मरामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ वचसा गृणामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शिरसा नमामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥२९॥
I bow down to Sri Rama’s feet in my mind, I worship them through my speech, I bow my head in his feet and I seek refuge in him.
माता रामो मत्पिता रामचंन्द्र: ।
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचंद्र: ।
सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालु ।
नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने ॥३०॥
Rama is my mother, father, Lord, and friend. He is all I have in this world. I have no one like Rama and I know no one like him.
दक्षिणे लक्ष्मणो यस्य वामे तु जनकात्मजा ।
पुरतो मारुतिर्यस्य तं वन्दे रघुनंदनम् ॥३१॥
Rama who has Lakshaman to his right and Sita to his left, and Hanuman in front of him, I bow down to that Raghunandana.
लोकाभिरामं रनरङ्गधीरं राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम् ।
कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरंतं श्रीरामचंद्रं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥३२॥
Rama who is pleasant to behold, who is most skilled in battlefield, the Lord of Raghu clan, who is the embodiment of compassion and is benevolent to his devotee, I bow down to him.
मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् ।
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥३३॥
I pay respects to Hanuman, who is as fast as the wind (Maarut or Vaayu, the father of Hanuman), who is the master of all senses, the leader among the wise ones, and the head of the army of monkeys, who is the messenger or Duta of Sri Rama.
कूजन्तं रामरामेति मधुरं मधुराक्षरम् ।
आरुह्य कविताशाखां वन्दे वाल्मीकिकोकिलम् ॥३४॥
I bow down to Valmeeki, who sings the name of Sri Rama as sweetly as the Koyala, or a cuckoo bird perched on a tree.
आपदामपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसंपदाम् ।
लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम् ॥३५॥
I bow down to Sri Rama who removes all obstacles, provides all wealth, and is the most beautiful to behold.
भर्जनं भवबीजानामर्जनं सुखसंपदाम् ।
तर्जनं यमदूतानां रामरामेति गर्जनम् ॥३६॥
The roar of Sri Rama’s name breaks the cycle of birth and hence gives Moksha. Rama Nama’s power scares away the messengers of Yama or Lord of Death (protects devotees from untimely death).
रामो राजमणि: सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे ।
रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नम: ।
रामान्नास्ति परायणं परतरं रामस्य दासोSस्म्यहम् ।
रामे चित्तलय: सदा भवतु मे भो राम मामुद्धर ॥३७॥
Rama who is the crown jewel among all rulers, who destroys the armies of Nishachara or demons, beyond him there is nothing, I bow down to him. This line gives all the seven breakdowns of the singular word Rama and provides a single way of remembering them.
राम रामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।
सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥३८॥
Chanting the name of Rama is pleasing to the heart. The name “Rama” is equivalent to a thousand chants of any other name of god.
इति श्रीबुधकौशिकविरचितं श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रं संपूर्णम् ॥
Rama Raksha Stora of Budha Kaushik is thus completed.
॥ श्री सीतारामचंद्रार्पणमस्तु ॥
This hymn is dedicated to goddess Sita and Sri Rama.
Rama Raksha Stotra is narrated by Shiva himself, which makes it a sacred hymn. It is important to chant the Stotra properly, following the rules of Vedic pronunciation. Reciting or listening to Rama Raksha stotra every day, during the daily Puja in the morning and evening is the best way to worship Sri Rama and get the blessings of both Lord Rama and Hanuman.
Reading Rama Raksha Stotra provides the devotee with the protection of Sri Rama. The shield or Kavach of Sri Rama called Vajrapanjarnamedam (वज्रपंजरनामेदं) is bestowed upon anyone who regularly and devotedly reads this Stotram.
Reference -
- Padma Purana
- Chapter 73 - Rāmarakṣā Stotra
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