Rama Raksha Stotram

Rama Raksha Stotram: Mantra with Meaning

Rama Raksha Stotram is a Sanskrit stotra, hymn of praise, used as a prayer for protection to Lord Rama, written by a saint Budha Kaushika during the Vedic period. Literal meaning of Rama Raksha means 'Protection given by Lord Rama (to us)'. One who sincerely recites it and understands its meaning, he receives faith that Lord Rama protects his mind & prepares it to know the Ultimate Truth. Lord Shiva came into Saint Budha Kaushika's dream and sung these 38 stanzas, which is mentioned in the Stotra itself (verse 15).

Composed By: Shri Budha Kaushika

Shree Rama, surrounded by His wife, brothers and Hanuman

Play the music, and sing the stotra along with it

॥ श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रम् ॥

श्रीगणेशायनम: ।
अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य ।
बुधकौशिक ऋषि: ।
श्रीसीतारामचंद्रोदेवता ।

Salutations to Lord Ganesha (Lord of knowledge).
Thus begins the hymn of Lord Rama for protection.
The author of this hymn is Sage Budha Kaushika.
The deity is Shri Sita-Ramachandra.

अनुष्टुप् छन्द: ।
सीता शक्ति: ।
श्रीमद्हनुमान कीलकम् ।
श्रीरामचंद्रप्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोग: ॥

The meter is eight syllables in a quarter.
Power (energy of Mother Nature) is Sita.
Limit (protector) is Hanuman.
The usage is recitation for (devotion to) Shri Ramachandra.

॥ अथ ध्यानम् ॥

ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्मासनस्थं ।
पीतं वासोवसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम् ॥

May He be meditated upon, Who has arms reaching His knees, Who is holding a bow and arrows, and Who is seated in a lotus pose,
Who is wearing yellow clothes, Whose eyes compete with petals of a fresh lotus, and Who looks contented.

वामाङ्कारूढ-सीता-मुखकमल-मिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभं ।
नानालङ्कारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामण्डनं रामचंद्रम् ॥

Whose sight is fixed on the lotus face of Sita, sitting on His left thigh, and Whose color is like that of a rain cloud (bluish-dark),
Who shines in various ornaments and has matted hair reaching till thighs. Salutations to You, O Ramachandra!

॥ इति ध्यानम् ॥

चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटि-प्रविस्तरम् ।
एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातक-नाशनम् ॥१॥

The life story of Shri Rama has a vast expanse (epical),
Recitation of even a single word is capable of destroying the greatest sins.

ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम् ।
जानकी-लक्ष्मणोपेतं जटा-मुकुट-मण्डितम् ॥२॥

Let us meditate upon the bluish-dark complexioned, lotus-eyed Rama,
Who is accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, and is well-adorned with crown of matted hairs.

सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तं चरान्तकम् ।
स्वलीलया जगत्त्रातुमाविर्भूतमजं विभुम् ॥३॥

Who has sword, bow and arrows, Who destroyed the demons,
Who is birthless (beyond birth and death) but is incarnated by His Own will to protect this world.

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 sins and grants all desires,
May Rama, Raghu's descendant, protect my head. May Rama, Dasharatha's son, protect my forehead.

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 Lord of sacrificial fire protect my nose, May the One affectionate to Lakshmana protect my mouth.

जिव्हां विद्यानिधि: पातु कण्ठं भरतवंदित: ।
स्कन्धौ दिव्यायुध: पातु भुजौ भग्नेशकार्मुक: ॥६॥

May ocean of wisdom protect my tongue, May He Who is saluted by Bharata protect my neck,
May bearer of celestial weapons protect my shoulders, May He Who broke (Lord Shiva's) bow protect my arms.

करौ सीतापति: पातु हृदयं जामदग्न्यजित् ।
मध्यं पातु खरध्वंसी नाभिं जाम्बवदाश्रय: ॥७॥

May the husband of Sita protect my hands, May He Who conquered Parasurama protect my heart,
May the slayer of Khara (demon) protect my abdomen, May He Who gave refuge to Jambavad protect my navel.

सुग्रीवेश: कटी पातु सक्थिनी हनुमत्प्रभु: ।
ऊरू रघुत्तम: पातु रक्ष:कुलविनाशकृत् ॥८॥

May the master of Sugriva protect my waist, May the master of Hanuman protect my hips,
May the best of Raghu scions and destroyer of the lineage of demons protect my thighs.

जानुनी सेतुकृत्पातु जङ्घे दशमुखान्तक: ।
पादौ बिभीषणश्रीद: पातु रामोऽखिलं वपु: ॥९॥

May the builder of bridge (Ramasetu) protect my knees, May the slayer of ten-faced (Ravana) protect my shins,
May the consecrator of wealth to Vibhishana protect my feet, May Shri Rama protect my all body.
[Note: Ravana was called ten-faced, because he was the master of the four Vedas and the six Shastras.]

एतां रामबलोपेतां रक्षां य: सुकृती पठॆत् ।
स चिरायु: सुखी पुत्री विजयी विनयी भवेत् ॥१०॥

Those good men who read this (hymn) equable to all the power of Rama,
Would live long, be blessed with children, and be victorious and possess humility.

पातालभूतलव्योम चारिणश्छद्मचारिण: ।
न द्रष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभि: ॥११॥

They who travel in the hell, earth and heaven 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 the name of Rama).

रामेति रामभद्रेति रामचंद्रेति वा स्मरन् ।
नरो न लिप्यते पापै भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ॥१२॥

One who remembers Rama, Rambhadra or Ramachandra (these are the names for the same Lord Rama),
Sins never get attached, he gets good life and salvation.

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 around his neck, would get all the powers on his hand.

वज्रपंजरनामेदं यो रामकवचं स्मरेत् ।
अव्याहताज्ञ: सर्वत्र लभते जयमंगलम् ॥१४॥

He who recites or remembers this armor (shield) of Rama called Vajrapanjara,
Would be obeyed by everyone (everywhere) and he will get victory in all things.

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 the enlightened Budha Kaushika the very next morning.

आराम: कल्पवृक्षाणां विराम: सकलापदाम् ।
अभिरामस्त्रिलोकानां राम: श्रीमान् स न: प्रभु: ॥१६॥

One Who is like a wish giving tree and Who stops all obstacles,
And Who is the praise of all the three worlds, Shri Rama, is our 'Lord'.

तरुणौ रूपसंपन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ ।
पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ ॥१७॥

Ones Who are young, full of beauty, clever and very strong,
Who have broad eyes like lotus, Who wear the deer skin and hides of trees,

फलमूलाशिनौ दान्तौ तापसौ ब्रह्मचारिणौ ।
पुत्रौ दशरथस्यैतौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥१८॥

Who subsist on roots and fruits and practice penance and celibacy,
Two brothers, sons of Dasharatha, Rama and Lakshmana,

शरण्यौ सर्वसत्वानां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वधनुष्मताम् ।
रक्ष:कुलनिहन्तारौ त्रायेतां नो रघुत्तमौ ॥१९॥

Who give protection to all beings, Who are foremost among all the archers,
And Who destroyed whole race of demons, protect us, O best of scions of Raghu!

आत्तसज्जधनुषाविषुस्पृशावक्षयाशुगनिषङ्गसङिगनौ ।
रक्षणाय मम रामलक्ष्मणावग्रत: पथि सदैव गच्छताम् ॥२०॥

The Ones Whose bows always pulled and ready, Their hands on the arrows, packed in ever full quivers carried on Their backs,
May Rama and Lakshmana always accompany me in my path for my protection.

संनद्ध: कवची खड्गी चापबाणधरो युवा ।
गच्छन् मनोरथोऽस्माकं राम: पातु सलक्ष्मण: ॥२१॥

Young Men, ever 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.

रामो दाशरथि: शूरो लक्ष्मणानुचरो बली ।
काकुत्स्थ: पुरुष: पूर्ण: कौसल्येयो रघुत्तम: ॥२२॥

Valiant Rama, the son of Dasharatha and ever accompanied by powerful Lakshmana,
The scion of Raghu, the son of Kausalya, is all powerful and is the perfect man.

वेदान्तवेद्यो यज्ञेश: पुराणपुरुषोत्तम: ।
जानकीवल्लभ: श्रीमान् अप्रमेयपराक्रम: ॥२३॥

He Who can be perceived through Vedanta, Who is the Lord of sacrificial fire, Who is ancient and best among all men,
Dearest of Sita, and Whose bravery is immeasurable, is Lord Rama.

इत्येतानि जपेन्नित्यं मद्भक्त: श्रद्धयान्वित: ।
अश्वमेधाधिकं पुण्यं संप्राप्नोति न संशय: ॥२४॥

(Thus Lord Shiva said) My devotee who recites these names of Rama with faith,
He, without any doubt, is blessed more than the performance of Aswamedha (sacrifice of white horse) etc.

रामं दूर्वादलश्यामं पद्माक्षं पीतवाससम् ।
स्तुवन्ति नामभिर्दिव्यै न ते संसारिणो नर: ॥२५॥

Rama, Who is dark-complexioned like a leaf of green grass, Who is lotus-eyed and dressed in yellow clothes,
Whoever sing the praise of Him are no longer ordinary men trapped in the world.

रामं लक्ष्मण-पूर्वजं रघुवरं सीतापतिं सुंदरम् ।
काकुत्स्थं करुणार्णवं गुणनिधिं विप्रप्रियं धार्मिकम् ।
राजेन्द्रं सत्यसंधं दशरथतनयं श्यामलं शान्तमूर्तिम् ।
वन्दे लोकाभिरामं रघुकुलतिलकं राघवं रावणारिम् ॥२६॥

Rama, the elder brother of Lakshmana, best of the scions of the Raghu, the husband of Sita, handsome,
Ocean of compassion, treasure of virtues, the most beloved of the devotees,
Lord Emperor of kings, embodiment of truth, the son of Dasharatha, dark-complexioned, and personification of peace and tranquility,
Salutations to the cynosure of eyes of all people, the crown jewel of the Raghu dynasty and the enemy of Ravana.

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचंद्राय वेधसे ।
रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीताया: पतये नम: ॥२७॥

I salute to Rama, beloved Rama, moon-like peaceful Rama,
To Lord of Raghu scion, Lord of all, husband of Sita, I salute.

श्रीराम राम रघुनन्दन राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम भरताग्रज राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम रणकर्कश राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम शरणं भव राम राम ॥२८॥

Shri Rama, Who is the delight of the Raghus,
Shri Rama, Who is the elder brother of Bharata,
Shri Rama, Who is the tormentor of His enemies,
I come under Your refuge, O Rama!

श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ मनसा स्मरामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ वचसा गृणामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शिरसा नमामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥२९॥

I remember the feet of Shri Ramachandra in my mind,
I praise the feet of Shri Ramachandra by my speech,
I salute the feet of Shri Ramachandra by bowing down my head,
I take refuge on the feet of Shri Ramachandra by bowing myself down.

माता रामो मत्पिता रामचन्द्र: ।
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचन्द्र: ।
सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालुर् ।
नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने ॥३०॥

Mother is Rama, my father is Ramachandra,
Lord is Rama, my dearest friend is Ramachandra,
My everything is merciful Ramachandra,
I know of no other like Him, I really don't!

दक्षिणे लक्ष्मणो यस्य वामे तु जनकात्मजा ।
पुरतो मारुतिर्यस्य तं वन्दे रघुनंदनम् ॥३१॥

One Who has Lakshmana on His right and daughter of Janaka (Sita) on the left,
And Who has Hanuman in His front, I salute that Rama, the delighter of the Raghus.

लोकाभिरामं रणरङ्गधीरं राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम् ।
कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरन्तं श्रीरामचन्द्रं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥३२॥

One Who is the cynosure of eyes of all people, always courageous in war, Who is lotus-eyed, and the Lord of the Raghu race,
Personification of compassion, and Who shows His compassion to all creatures, I surrender to (that) Lord Shri Ramachandra.

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् ।
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥३३॥

One Who is as fast as the mind, Who is equal to His father (Wind) in speed, Who is the master of the senses, and foremost amongst brilliants,
Son of the Wind, leader of the Monkey forces and messenger of Shri Rama, I bow down to Him (Lord Hanuman).

कूजन्तं राम-रामेति मधुरं मधुराक्षरम् ।
आरुह्य कविताशाखां वन्दे वाल्मीकिकोकिलम् ॥३४॥

The One Who sings the sweet name of Rama as,
A cuckoo sings sitting atop a tree, I salute to that Valmiki.

आपदामपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसंपदाम् ।
लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम् ॥३५॥

The One Who is the 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.

भर्जनं भवबीजानां अर्जनं सुखसंपदाम् ।
तर्जनं यमदूतानां रामरामेति गर्जनम् ॥३६॥

Destructs the cause of rebirth, generates happiness and wealth,
Scares Yama's (Lord of Death) messengers, the roar of the name of Rama.

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 the jewel (among kings), Who is ever victorious and Who is the Lord of Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth),
Through Whom the hordes of demons who move at night have been destroyed, I salute that Rama,
There is no place of surrender greater than Rama, (and thus) I am a servant of Rama,
My mind is totally absorbed in Rama. O Rama, please lift me up (from lower to higher self)!

राम रामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।
सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥३८॥

(Lord Shiva tells to Parvati) Fair-faced lady! My mind enjoys saying Rama Rama,
Uttering once the name of Rama is equal to the uttering of Sahasranama (the thousand names of Lord Vishnu).

इति श्रीबुधकौशिकविरचितं श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रं संपूर्णम् ॥

Thus ends hymn (of Lord) Rama (for) Protection composed by Shri Budha Kaushika.

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NOTE:
You may find that some texts do not match the words from the song. Know that, the texts written here is the correct and complete one (except some of the letters are not displayed properly in Unicode format when combining with another half-letter, for example, त्र in the word 'मन्त्र', 'जगत्त्रातु' etc., although it sounds same while chanting). For easy reading, dash sign (-) is placed in the middle of texts, leaving space as it is. If you want the original format, just remove dash sign from all the verses.