Ram Raksha Stotra

Ram Raksha Stotra (Sanskrit: श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रम्) is a Sanskrit stotra, hymn of praise, used as a prayer for protection to Lord Rama, it was written by a saint Budha Kaushika during the Vedic period. Literal meaning of Ram 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. It is said that Lord Shiva came into saint Budha Kaushika's dream and sung these 38 stanzas.

Special public recitation of the stotra is organized during religious festivals, especially during Navaratri celebrations, when continuous recitation takes place from Gudi Padwa till Rama Navami day, the birthday of Lord Rama.[1] In Hindu astrology chanting of the stotra is recommended as a remedial measure for "squabblings, enmity, losses, hurdles".[2]

॥ श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रम् ॥
श्रीगणेशायनम: ।
अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य ।
बुधकौशिक ऋषि: ।
श्रीसीतारामचंद्रोदेवता ।
अनुष्टुप् छन्द: ।
सीता शक्ति: ।
श्रीमद्‌हनुमान् कीलकम् ।
श्रीसीतारामचंद्रप्रीत्यर्थे जपे विनियोग: ॥
॥ अथ ध्यानम् ॥
ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्‌मासनस्थं ।
पीतं वासोवसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम् ॥
वामाङ्‌कारूढ-सीता-मुखकमल-मिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभं ।
नानालङ्‌कारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामण्डनं रामचंद्रम् ॥
॥ इति ध्यानम् ॥
चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम् ।
एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातकनाशनम् ॥१॥
ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम् ।
जानकीलक्ष्मणोपेतं जटामुकुटमण्डितम् ॥२॥
सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तं चरान्तकम् ।
स्वलीलया जगत्त्रातुमाविर्भूतमजं विभुम् ॥३॥
रामरक्षां पठेत्प्राज्ञ: पापघ्नीं सर्वकामदाम् ।
शिरो मे राघव: पातु भालं दशरथात्मज: ॥४॥
कौसल्येयो दृशौ पातु विश्वामित्रप्रिय: श्रुती ।
घ्राणं पातु मखत्राता मुखं सौमित्रिवत्सल: ॥५॥
जिव्हां विद्यानिधि: पातु कण्ठं भरतवंदित: ।
स्कन्धौ दिव्यायुध: पातु भुजौ भग्नेशकार्मुक: ॥६॥
करौ सीतापति: पातु हृदयं जामदग्न्यजित् ।
मध्यं पातु खरध्वंसी नाभिं जाम्बवदाश्रय: ॥७॥
सुग्रीवेश: कटी पातु सक्थिनी हनुमत्प्रभु: ।
ऊरू रघुत्तम: पातु रक्ष:कुलविनाशकृत् ॥८॥
जानुनी सेतुकृत्पातु जङ्‌घे दशमुखान्तक: ।
पादौ बिभीषणश्रीद: पातु रामोSखिलं वपु: ॥९॥
एतां रामबलोपेतां रक्षां य: सुकृती पठॆत् ।
स चिरायु: सुखी पुत्री विजयी विनयी भवेत् ॥१०॥
पातालभूतलव्योम चारिणश्छद्‌मचारिण: ।
न द्र्ष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभि: ॥११॥
रामेति रामभद्रेति रामचंद्रेति वा स्मरन् ।
नरो न लिप्यते पापै भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ॥१२॥
जगज्जेत्रैकमन्त्रेण रामनाम्नाभिरक्षितम् ।
य: कण्ठे धारयेत्तस्य करस्था: सर्वसिद्धय: ॥१३॥
वज्रपंजरनामेदं यो रामकवचं स्मरेत् ।
अव्याहताज्ञ: सर्वत्र लभते जयमंगलम् ॥१४॥
आदिष्टवान् यथा स्वप्ने रामरक्षामिमां हर: ।
तथा लिखितवान् प्रात: प्रबुद्धो बुधकौशिक: ॥१५॥
आराम: कल्पवृक्षाणां विराम: सकलापदाम् ।
अभिरामस्त्रिलोकानां राम: श्रीमान् स न: प्रभु: ॥१६॥
तरुणौ रूपसंपन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ ।
पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ ॥१७॥
फलमूलशिनौ दान्तौ तापसौ ब्रह्मचारिणौ ।
पुत्रौ दशरथस्यैतौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥१८॥
शरण्यौ सर्वसत्वानां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वधनुष्मताम् ।
रक्ष:कुलनिहन्तारौ त्रायेतां नो रघुत्तमौ ॥१९॥
आत्तसज्जधनुषा विषुस्पृशा वक्षया शुगनिषङ्ग सङि‌गनौ ।
रक्षणाय मम रामलक्ष्मणावग्रत: पथि सदैव गच्छताम् ॥२०॥
संनद्ध: कवची खड्‌गी चापबाणधरो युवा ।
गच्छन्‌ मनोरथोSस्माकं राम: पातु सलक्ष्मण: ॥२१॥
रामो दाशरथि: शूरो लक्ष्मणानुचरो बली ।
काकुत्स्थ: पुरुष: पूर्ण: कौसल्येयो रघुत्तम: ॥२२॥
वेदान्तवेद्यो यज्ञेश: पुराणपुरुषोत्तम: ।
जानकीवल्लभ: श्रीमानप्रमेयपराक्रम: ॥२३॥
इत्येतानि जपेन्नित्यं मद्‌भक्त: श्रद्धयान्वित: ।
अश्वमेधाधिकं पुण्यं संप्राप्नोति न संशय: ॥२४॥
रामं दूर्वादलश्यामं पद्‌माक्षं पीतवाससम् ।
स्तुवन्ति नामभिर्दिव्यैर्न ते संसारिणो नर: ॥२५॥
रामं लक्ष्मण-पूर्वजं रघुवरं सीतापतिं सुंदरम् ।
काकुत्स्थं करुणार्णवं गुणनिधिं विप्रप्रियं धार्मिकम् ।
राजेन्द्रं सत्यसंधं दशरथनयं श्यामलं शान्तमूर्तिम् ।
वन्दे लोकभिरामं रघुकुलतिलकं राघवं रावणारिम् ॥२६॥
रामाय रामभद्राय रामचंद्राय वेधसे ।
रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीताया: पतये नम: ॥२७॥
श्रीराम राम रघुनन्दन राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम भरताग्रज राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम रणकर्कश राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम शरणं भव राम राम ॥२८॥
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ मनसा स्मरामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ वचसा गृणामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शिरसा नमामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥२९॥
माता रामो मत्पिता रामचन्द्र: ।
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचन्द्र: ।
सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालुर् - ।
नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने ॥३०॥
दक्षिणे लक्ष्मणो यस्य वामे च जनकात्मजा ।
पुरतो मारुतिर्यस्य तं वन्दे रघुनंदनम् ॥३१॥
लोकाभिरामं रणरङ्‌गधीरं राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम् ।
कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरन्तं श्रीरामचन्द्रं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥३२॥
मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् ।
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥३३॥
कूजन्तं राम-रामेति मधुरं मधुराक्षरम् ।
आरुह्य कविताशाखां वन्दे वाल्मीकिकोकिलम् ॥३४॥
आपदामपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसंपदाम् ।
लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम् ॥३५॥
भर्जनं भवबीजानामर्जनं सुखसंपदाम् ।
तर्जनं यमदूतानां रामरामेति गर्जनम् ॥३६॥
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॥
राम रामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।
सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥३८॥
इति श्रीबुधकौशिकविरचितं श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रं संपूर्णम् ॥
॥ श्री सीतारामचंद्रार्पणमस्तु ॥
बुधकौशिक ऋषि

Meaning of Ramaraksha Stotra

Hymn (of Lord) Rama (for) protection (from spiritual obstacles)

Salutations to the 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 eight syllables in a quarter ।[3] Power (energy of mother nature) is Sita । Limit (protector) is Hanumana । The usage is recitation for (devotion to) Sita-Ramachandra ।

Then meditate

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 Sita, sitting on his left thigh, whose color is like that of rain cloud । Who shines in various ornaments and has matted hair which can reach till thighs, the Ramchandra ॥

Thus meditate

The life story of Sri Rama has a vast expanse । Recitation of each and every word is capable of destroying even the greatest sins ॥1॥

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 hairs ॥2॥

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

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

May Kausalya's son protect my eyes, may favorite (disciple) of Vishvamitra protect my ears । May savior of sacrificial fire protect my nose, may affectionate to Lakshmana protect my mouth ॥5॥

And may ocean of wisdom protect my toungue, may he who is saluted by Bharatha protect my neck । May berear of celestial weapons protect my shoulders, may he who broke (Lord Shiva's) bow protect my arms ॥6॥

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

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

May establisher of the bridge (Ramasetu) protect my knees, may slayer of ten-faced (Ravana) protect my shins । May consecrator of wealth to Bibhishana protect feet, may SriRama protect my all my body ॥9॥

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

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 chant ॥11॥

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

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

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

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

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॥

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

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

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

Who bows 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॥

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

Valiant Rama, the son of Dasaratha and ever accompanied by powerful Lakshmana । The scion of Raghu, the son of Kausalya, is all powerful and is the perfect man ॥22॥

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

(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. ॥24॥

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

Rama, the elder brother of Lakshmana, best of the scions of the Raghu, the husbandof Sita, handsome । Ocean of compassion, treasure of virtues, the most beloved of the religious people । Lord emperor of kings, follower of truth, son of Dasharath, dark-complexioned, idol tranquillity । Salute to cynosure of eyes of all people, the crown jewel of the Raghu dynasty and the enemy of Ravana ॥26॥

I salut to Ram, beloved Ram, moon like peaceful Ram । To Lord of Raghu Scion, Lord (of all), husband of Sita, I salut ॥27॥

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

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

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! ॥30॥

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

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॥

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 Monkey forces and messenger of Sri Rama, I bow down to him ॥33॥

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

Who is destroyer 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॥

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॥

I worship Rama whose jewel (among kings) who always wins and who is lord of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) । Through whom the hordes of demons who move at night have been destroyed, I salut that Rama । There is no place of surrender greater than Rama, (and thus) I am servant of Rama । My mind is totally absorbed in Rama. O Rama, please lift me up (from lower to higher self) ॥37॥

Fair-faced lady (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॥

Thus ends Hymn (of Lord) Rama (for) protection and composed by Budha-koushika ॥

References

[4] [5]

  1. ↑ "Pune gets ready to celebrate Gudi Padwa". The Times of India. Apr 3, 2011.
  2. ↑ Dr. Bhojraj Dwivedi (2000). Astrology And Wealth. Diamond Pocket Books. p. 139. ISBN 817182630X.
  3. ↑ http://ekamsad.blogspot.com/2010/10/anushtup-chandaha-meaning.html
  4. ↑ http://ramnavamiutsav.aniruddhabapu.in/2014/04/ramraksha.html
  5. ↑ http://ramnavamiutsav.aniruddhabapu.in/2014/04/ramrasayan.html