Ram Raksha Stotram
The Ram Raksha Stotram is one of the most revered devotional hymns in Hinduism, dedicated to Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. This powerful Sanskrit composition is believed to offer spiritual protection, mental peace, and divine blessings to those who recite it with devotion. Comprising 38 verses, the stotram is a poetic invocation that extols the virtues of Lord Rama while seeking his divine shield against physical, mental, and spiritual adversities.
Ram Raksha Stotram
॥ Shri Ramarakshastotram ॥
Shri Ganeshaya-namah.
Asya Shri Ramraksha-stotra-mantrasya.
Budhakaushika Rishih.
Shri Sitaramachandro Devata.
Anushtup Chhandah.
Sita Shaktih.
Shrimadhanuman Kilakam.
Shri Sitaramachandra-prityarthe Jape Viniyogah॥
Atha Dhyanama
Dhyayedajanubahum Dhritashara-dhanusham Baddhapadmasanastham.
Pitam Vaso Vasanam Navakamala-dalaspardhinetram Prasannam
Vamankarudha-sita-mukhakamala-milallochanam Niradabham.
Nanalankaradiptam Dadhatamurujata-mandanam Ramachandram॥
Iti Dhyanam
Charitam Raghunathasya Shatakotipravistaram.
Ekaikamaksharam Punsam Mahapataka-nashanam॥1॥
Dhyatva Nilotpalashyamam Ramam Rajivalochanam.
Janakilakshmanopetam Jatamukutamanditam॥2॥
Sasituna-dhanurbanapanim Naktam Charantakam.
Svalilaya Jagattratumavirbhutamajam Vibhum॥3॥
Ramaraksham Pathetpragyah Papaghani Sarvakamadam.
Shiro Me Raghavah Patu Bhalam Dasharathatmajah॥4॥
Kausalyeyo Drishau Patu Vishvamitrapriyah Shruti.
Ghranam Patu Makhatrata Mukham Saumitrivatsalah॥5॥
Jivham Vidyanidhih Patu Kantham Bharata-vanditah.
Skandhau Divyayudhah Patu Bhujau Bhagneshkarmukah॥6॥
Karau Sitapatih Patu Hridayam Jamadagnyajit.
Madhyam Patu Kharadhvansi Nabhim Jambavadashrayah॥7॥
Sugriveshah Kati Patu Sakthini Hanumatprabhuh.
Uru Raghuttamah Patu Rakshah Kulavinashkrit॥8॥
Januni Setukritpatu Janghe Dashamukhantakah.
Padau Bibhishanashridh Patu Ramoskhilam Vapuh॥9॥
Etam Ramabalopetam Raksham Yah Sukriti Pathet.
Sa Chirayuh Sukhi Putri Vijayi Vinayi Bhaveta॥10॥
Patala-Bhutala-Vyoma-Charinashchadmacharinah.
Na Drashtumapi Shaktaste Rakshitam Ramanamabhih॥11॥
Rameti Ramabhadreti Ramachandreti Va Smaran.
Naro Na Lipyate Papaih Bhukti Muktim Cha Vindati॥12॥
Jagajjetraikamantrena Ramanamna-bhirakshitam.
Yah Kanthe Dharayettasya Karasthah Sarvasiddhayah॥13॥
Vajrapanjaranamedam Yo Ramakavacham Smaret.
Avyahatagyah Sarvatra Labhate Jayamangalam॥14॥
Adishtavan Yatha Svapne Ramarakshamima Harah.
Tatha Likhitavan Pratah Prabuddho Budhakaushikah॥15॥
Aramah Kalpavrikshanam Viramah Sakalapadam.
Abhiramastrilokanam Ramah Shriman Sa Nah Prabhuh॥16॥
Tarunau Rupasampannau Sukumarau Mahabalau.
Pundarika-vishalakshau Chirakrishnajinambarau॥17॥
Phalmulashinau Dantau Tapasau Brahmacharinau.
Putrau Dasharatha-syaitau Bhratarau Ramalakshmanau॥18॥
Sharanyau Sarvasatvanam Shreshthau Sarvadhanushmatam.
Rakshah Kulanihantarau Trayetam No Raghuttamau॥19॥
Attasajjadhanusha VishusprishaVakshaya Shuganishanga Sandiganau.
Rakshanaya Mama RamalakshmanavagratahPathi Sadaiva Gachchhatam॥20॥
Sannaddhah KavachiKhadgi Chapabanadharo Yuva.
Gachchhan ManorathoasmakamRamah Patu Salakshmanah॥21॥
Ramo Dasharathih ShuroLakshmananucharo Bali.
Kakutsthah Purushah PurnahKausalyeyo Raghuttamah॥22॥
Vedantavedayo Yagyeshah Puranapurushottamah.
Janakivallabhah Shrimanaprameya-parakramah॥23॥
Ityetani JapennityamMadbhaktah Shraddhayanvitah.
Ashvamedhadhikam PunyamSamprapnoti Na Sanshayah॥24॥
Ramam Durvadalashyam Padmaksham Pitavasasam.
Stuvanti Namabhirdivyairna Te Sansarino Narah॥25॥
Ramam Lakshmana-PurvajamRaghuvaram Sitapatim Sundaram.
Kakutstham KarunarnavamGunanidhim Viprapriyam Dharmikam.
Rajendram Satyasandham Dasharatha-TanayamShyamalam Shantamurtim.
Vande Lokabhiramam RaghukulatilakamRaghavam Ravanarim॥26॥
Ramaya Ramabhadraya Ramachandraya Vedhase.
Raghunathaya Nathaya Sitayah Pataye Namah॥27॥
Shrirama Rama Raghunandana Rama Rama.
Shrirama Rama Bharatagraja Rama Rama.
Shrirama Rama Ranakarkasha Rama Rama.
Shrirama Rama Sharanam Bhava Rama Rama॥28॥
Shriramachandra-charanau Manasa Smarami.
Shriramachandra-charanau Vachasa Grinami.
Shriramachandra-charanau Shirasa Namami.
Shriramachandra-charanau Sharanam Prapadye॥29॥
Mata Ramo Matpita Ramachandrah.
Svami Ramo Matsakha Ramachandrah.
Sarvasvam Me Ramachandro Dayalur.
Nanyam Jane Naiva Jane Na Jane॥30॥
Dakshine Lakshmano Yasya Vame Cha Janakatmaja.
Purato Marutirayasya Tam Vande Raghunandanam॥31॥
Lokabhirama RanarangadhiramRajivanetram Raghuvanshanatham.
Karunyarupam KarunakarantamShriramachandram Sharanam Prapadye॥32॥
Manojavam MarutatulyavegamJitendriyam Buddhimatam Varishtham.
Vatatmajam VanarayuthamukhyamShriramadutam Sharanam Prapadye॥33॥
Kujantam Rama-RametiMadhuram Madhuraksharam.
Aruhya KavitashakhamVande Valmiki-kokilam॥34॥
Apadamapahartaram Dataram Sarvasampadam.
Lokabhiramam Shriramam Bhuyo Bhuyo Namamyaham॥35॥
Bharjanam Bhavabijana-marjanam Sukhasampadam.
Tarjanam Yamadutanam Ramarameti Garjanam॥36॥
Ramo Rajamanih SadaVijayate Ramam Ramesham Bhaje.
Ramenabhihata NishacharachamuRamaya Tasmai Namah.
Ramannasti Parayanam ParataramRamasya Dasoasmyaham.
Rame Chittalayah Sada BhavatuMe Bho Rama Mamuddhara॥37॥
Rama Rameti Rameti Rame Rame Manorame.
Sahasranama Tattulyam Ramanama Varanane॥38॥
॥ Iti Shribudhakaushikamunivirachitam Shriramaraksha Stotram Sampurnam ॥
Origins and Authorship of Ram Raksha Stotram
The Ram Raksha Stotram is traditionally attributed to Sage Budha Kaushika, a revered seer in Hindu scriptures. According to legend, Lord Shiva appeared in the sage’s dream and revealed the hymn to him. The stotram is said to have been composed during the Treta Yuga, the era in which Lord Rama incarnated on Earth, as described in the epic Ramayana by Sage Valmiki. The text is believed to be divinely inspired, carrying the potency of Lord Rama’s name and his protective energy.
The term “Ram Raksha” translates to “the protection of Rama.” The word “Stotram” refers to a hymn or prayer in praise of a deity. Thus, the Ram Raksha Stotram is a prayer that invokes Lord Rama’s divine grace for safeguarding devotees from harm and guiding them toward righteousness.
The Ram Raksha Stotram is a meticulously structured hymn written in Sanskrit, consisting of 38 verses (shlokas). The verses are composed in the Anushtup Chhanda (a poetic meter commonly used in Vedic and classical Sanskrit texts), which gives the stotram a rhythmic and melodious quality when chanted.
Benefits of Reciting the Ram Raksha Stotram
Devotees believe that regular recitation of the Ram Raksha Stotram yields numerous benefits, both material and spiritual. These include:
- Physical and Mental Protection: The stotram is said to shield the body from diseases and the mind from anxiety, fear, and negative thoughts.
- Removal of Obstacles: Chanting the hymn is believed to remove hurdles in personal and professional life, ensuring success and harmony.
- Spiritual Growth: The stotram deepens devotion, enhances focus, and fosters a sense of surrender to the divine.
- Family Well-being: Reciting the stotram is thought to bring peace and prosperity to the devotee’s household.
- Liberation: The ultimate goal of chanting the stotram is to attain moksha by aligning oneself with Lord Rama’s divine will.
The efficacy of the stotram is amplified when recited with sincerity, correct pronunciation, and an understanding of its meaning. Many devotees chant it 11 times, 21 times, or 108 times for specific intentions, often in the morning or during twilight hours.
How to Recite the Ram Raksha Stotram
To recite the Ram Raksha Stotram effectively, devotees are advised to follow these guidelines:
- Purity: Take a bath and wear clean clothes to ensure physical and mental purity.
- Sacred Space: Sit in a quiet, clean space, preferably in front of an image or idol of Lord Rama.
- Focus: Chant the stotram with concentration, visualizing Lord Rama’s divine form and his protective energy.
- Pronunciation: Sanskrit pronunciation is crucial for the stotram’s potency. Beginners can learn from authentic recordings or under the guidance of a priest or teacher.
- Regular Practice: Recite the stotram daily or on auspicious days like Tuesdays and Saturdays, which are associated with Lord Rama and Hanuman, his devoted follower.
- Offerings: Optionally, offer flowers, incense, or a lamp to Lord Rama before chanting.
The Ram Raksha Stotram is more than a hymn it is a spiritual shield, a devotional offering, and a pathway to divine grace.
