॥ श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्र ॥
Thus begins the hymn of Lord Ram for protection.
॥ ॐ श्रीगणेशाय नमः ॥
OM, Salutations to Lord Ganesh.
अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमंत्रस्य । बुधकौशिक ऋषिः । श्रीसीतारामचंद्रो देवता । अनुष्टुप् छंदः । सीता शक्तिः । श्रीमद् हनुमान कीलकम् । श्रीरामचंद्रप्रीत्यर्थे रामरक्षास्तोत्रजपे विनियोगः ॥
The author of this hymn is budhakaushika . The god is sitaaraamachandra . The metre is anushTubh.h . The power is sitaa, central pivot is hanumaan.h and usage is to recite.
॥ अथ ध्यानम् ॥
Thus meditation
ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्मासनस्थम् ।
पीतं वासो वसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम् ।
वामांकारूढ सीतामुखकमलमिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभम् ।
नानालंकारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामंडनं रामचंद्रम् ॥
Thus begins the dhyaana of this mantra - one should meditate raama who has arms reaching his knees, who is holding a bow and arrow, who is seated in a lotus position, who is wearing yellow clothes, whose eyes compete with petals of a fresh lotus, who looks satisfied, whose eyes are fixed on lotus-like (pretty) face of sitaa sitting in his left lap, whose color is like that of rain cloud, who has adorned different jewelery, who is wearing hair reaching upto his thighs.
॥ इति ध्यानम् ॥
Thus ends meditation
चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटि प्रविस्तरम् ।
एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातकनाशनम् ॥ १॥
The life story of Shri Rma has a vast expanse and each and every letter of it is capable of destroying even the greatest sins of mankind . [1]
ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम् ।
जानकीलक्ष्मणोपेतं जटामुकुटमंडितम् ॥ २॥
Let us meditate on the lotus-eyed, dark-complexioned Rama who is well-adorned with a crown of hair and has Sita and Lakshmana alongside . [2]
सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तंचरान्तकम् ।
स्वलीलया जगत्रातुं आविर्भूतं अजं विभुम् ॥ ३॥
(Let us meditate raama) who has a sword in a receptacle and bow, and arrows, who destroyed the demons, who is not born but is incarnated to protect the world with his actions . [3]
रामरक्षां पठेत्प्राज्ञः पापघ्नीं सर्वकामदाम् ।
शिरोमे राघवः पातु भालं दशरथात्मजः ॥ ४॥
May the learned read the Ramaraksha `stotram', which destroys all sins and grants all desires . (Begin listing details of the body to be protected) May raama who is raghu's descendant protect my head . May raama who is dasharatha's son protect my forehead . [4]
कौसल्येयो दृशौ पातु विश्वामित्रप्रियश्रुती ।
घ्राणं पातु मखत्राता मुखं सौमित्रिवत्सलः ॥ ५॥
May the lord raama who is kausalyaa's son, protect my eyes . raama who is favourite of vishvaamitra protect my ears . raama who is savior of yaGYa protect my nose. raama who is affectionate to lakshmaNa protect my mouth . [5]
जिव्हां विद्यानिधिः पातु कंठं भरतवंदितः ।
स्कंधौ दिव्यायुधः पातु भुजौ भग्नेशकार्मुकः ॥ ६॥
May the raama who is a sea of knowledge protect my tongue. May raama who is saluted by bharata protect my neck. May raama who holds divine weapons protct my two shoulders. May raama who broke shiva's bow protect my two upper arms . [6]
करौ सीतापतिः पातु हृदयं जामदग्न्यजित् ।
मध्यं पातु खरध्वंसी नाभिं जाम्बवदाश्रयः ॥ ७॥
May the rama who is the husband of sitaa protect my two hands. May raama who conquered parashuraama protect my heart. May raama who killed rakshasa named khara protect my abdomen. May raama who gave refuge to jambavad.h protect my navel . [7]
सुग्रीवेशः कटी पातु सक्थिनी हनुमत्प्रभुः ।
ऊरू रघूत्तमः पातु रक्षःकुलविनाशकृत् ॥ ८॥
May raama who is master of sugrIva protect my waist. May raama who is master of hanumaama protect my two hips. May raama who is the best of raghus and who destroyed the lineage of raakshasa protect my two thighs . [8]
जानुनी सेतुकृत्पातु जंघे दशमुखान्तकः ।
पादौ बिभीषणश्रीदः पातु रामोखिलं वपुः ॥ ९॥
May raama who built the bridge protect my two knees. May raama who killed ten faced ones protect my two shins. May raama who gave the wealth to bibhIshhaNa protect my two feet. Thus may he protect my entire body . [9]
एतां रामबलोपेतां रक्षां यः सुकृती पठेत् ।
स चिरायुः सुखी पुत्री विजयी विनयी भवेत् ॥ १०॥
May the good man who readeth this `stotra', which has all the power of Rama, be blessed with long life, happiness, children, success and humility . [10]
पातालभूतलव्योमचारिणश्छद्मचारिणः ।
न द्रष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभिः ॥ ११॥
No one, who is wandering below the earth or on the earth or above the earth or those who wander surreptitiously changing their forms, will even be able to see the man protected by raamanaama . (let alone bring any harm to him). [11]
रामेति रामभद्रेति रामचंद्रेति वा स्मरन् ।
नरो न लिप्यते पापैः भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ॥ १२॥
No sin can attach to the man who singeth the praise of the lord and he will prosper in this world and get salvation . [12]
जगजैत्रैकमंत्रेण रामनाम्नाभिरक्षितम् ।
यः कंठे धारयेत्तस्य करस्थाः सर्वसिद्धयः ॥ १३॥
One who wears this mantra of raama naama that has conquered the world around his neck will have all the powers at his beck and call . [13]
वज्रपंजरनामेदं यो रामकवचं स्मरेत् ।
अव्याहताज्ञः सर्वत्र लभते जयमंगलम् ॥ १४॥
He who wears this armour called vajrapa.njara will be unscathed and will win victory everywhere . [14]
आदिष्टवान् यथा स्वप्ने रामरक्षांमिमां हरः ।
तथा लिखितवान् प्रातः प्रभुद्धो बुधकौशिकः ॥ १५॥
Budhakaushika was commanded in his dream by Lord Shiva to compose this hymn and he did so, as soon as he awoke in the morning . [15]
आरामः कल्पवृक्षाणां विरामः सकलापदाम् ।
अभिरामस्त्रिलोकानां रामः श्रीमान् स नः प्रभुः ॥ १६॥
Rama, who grants all desires, removes all obstacles and is the praise of all three worlds, is our `Lord' indeed . [16]
तरुणौ रूपसंपन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ ।
पुंडरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ ॥ १७॥
May the two brothers ever protect us, who are young, handsome, lotus-eyed and bark and deer-skin dressed . [17]
फलमूलाशिनौ दान्तौ तापसौ ब्रह्मचारिणौ ।
पुत्रौ दशरथस्यैतौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥ १८॥
These two sons of Dasharatha, the brothers Rama and Lakshmana, the ones who are subsisting on roots and fruits and practicing penance and celibacy, (continued in the next.) [18]
शरण्यौ सर्वसत्त्वानां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वधनुष्मताम् ।
रक्षः कुलनिहंतारौ त्रायेतां नो रघूत्तमौ ॥ १९॥
these two scions of Raghu protect us, the foremost among the archers, the destroyers of the demons and the refuge of all beings, (may they) protect us . [19]
आत्तसज्जधनुषाविषुस्पृशावक्षयाशुगनिषंगसंगिनौ ।
रक्षणाय मम रामलक्ष्मणावग्रतः पथि सदैव गच्छताम् ॥ २०॥
Rama and Lakshmana (both), their bows pulled and ready, their hands on the arrows (packed) in ever full quivers (carried on their backs), may they always escort me in my path, for my protection . [20]
सन्नद्धः कवची खड्गी चापबाणधरो युवा ।
गच्छन्मनोरथोस्माकं रामः पातु सलक्ष्मणः ॥ २१॥
Ever prepared and armed with sword, shield and bows and arrows and followed by Lakshman , Rama is like our cherished thoughts come to life, may he (along with Lakshman) protect us . [21]
रामो दाशरथिः शूरो लक्ष्मणानुचरो बली ।
काकुत्स्थः पुरुषः पूर्णः कौसल्येयो रघुत्तमः ॥ २२॥
Rama, the scion of Raghu and the son of Dasaratha and Kausalya, and ever , accompanied by Lakshmana, is all powerful and is the perfect man (Lord). [22]
वेदान्तवेद्यो यज्ञेशः पुराणपुरुषोत्तमः ।
जानकीवल्लभः श्रीमान् अप्रमेय पराक्रमः ॥ २३॥
The rama, who is perceived thru vedaanta, who is lord of all yaGYa, is ancient and the best man who is beloved of jaanakii and whose bravery is unmeasurable . [23]
इत्येतानि जपन्नित्यं मद्भक्तः श्रद्धयान्वितः ।
अश्वमेधाधिकं पुण्यं संप्राप्नोति न संशयः ॥ २४॥
My devotee (says Lord Shiva), who recites these (names of raama) with faith, will attain more religious merit than one obtainable by horse-sacrifice . There is no doubt about it. [24]
रामं दुर्वादलश्यामं पद्माक्षं पीतवाससम् ।
स्तुवंति नामभिर्दिव्यैः न ते संसारिणो नरः ॥ २५॥
Those who sing the praise of Raama (who is lotus-eyed, dark-complexioned and dressed in yellow clothes) thro' this hymn, are (no longer) ordinary men trapped in the world (they get liberated!) [25]
रामं लक्ष्मणपूर्वजं रघुवरं सीतापतिं सुंदरम् ।
काकुत्स्थं करुणार्णवं गुणनिधिं विप्रप्रियं धार्मिकम् ।
राजेंद्रं सत्यसंधं दशरथतनयं श्यामलं शांतमूर्तिम् ।
वंदे लोकाभिरामं रघुकुलतिलकं राघवं रावणारिम् ॥ २६॥
I salute that Rama who is handsome, the elder brother of Lakshmana, the husband of Sita and the best of the scions of the Raghu race, Him who is the ocean of compassion, the stockpile of virtues, the beloved of the Brahmans and the protector of Dharma, Him who is the practiser of the Truth, the lord emperor of kings, the son of Dasaratha, dark-complexioned and the personification of Peace and tranquillity, Him who is the enemy of Ravana, the crown jewel of the Raghu dynaty and the cynosure of all eyes . [26]
रामाय रामभद्राय रामचंद्राय वेधसे ।
रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः ॥ २७॥
I salute that Rama who is benevolent and cool as moon, and who is the lord of Sita and the master guardian of all. [27]
श्रीराम राम रघुनंदन राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम भरताग्रज राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम रणकर्कश राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम शरणं भव राम राम ॥ २८॥
I surender to that Rama who is the delight of the Raghus, elder brother of Bharata and the tormentor of his enemies in the war. [28]
श्रीरामचंद्रचरणौ मनसा स्मरामि ।
श्रीरामचंद्रचरणौ वचसा गृणामि ।
श्रीरामचंद्रचरणौ शिरसा नमामि ।
श्रीरामचंद्रचरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ २९॥
The two feet of Rama, I remember them in my mind, I praise them by my speech, I bow to them by my head I take resort in them! [29]
माता रामो मत्पिता रामचंद्रः ।
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचंद्रः ।
सर्वस्वं मे रामचंद्रो दयालुः ।
नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने ॥ ३०॥
Rama is (like) my mother, father, master and friend, indeed the kind-hearted Rama is all I have . I know of no other (like him). [30]
दक्षिणे लक्ष्मणो यस्य वामे तु जनकात्मजा ।
पुरतो मारुतिर्यस्य तं वंदे रघुनंदनम् ॥ ३१॥
I salute that Rama who has Lakshmana on his right and Sita on the left and who has Hanuman in his front . [31]
लोकाभिरामं रणरंगधीरम् ।
राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम् ।
कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरं तम् ।
श्रीरामचंद्रम् शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ ३२॥
I take refuge in that Rama who is quite pleasing to the sight, the master of the stage of war, lotus-eyed, lord of the Raghu race and compassion- personified . [32]
मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगम् ।
जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् ।
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यम् ।
श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ ३३॥
I take refuge in the lord Hanuman who is as fast as the mind, equals his father, the wind-God, in speed, is the master of the senses, the foremost amongst the learned, the leader of the Monkey forces and the great messengerof Shri Rama. [33]
कूजंतं राम रामेति मधुरं मधुराक्षरम् ।
आरुह्य कविताशाखां वंदे वाल्मीकिकोकिलम् ॥ ३४॥
I salute the great sage Valmiki who sings the glorious name of Rama resorting to his Ramayana as sweetly as a cuckoo will sing sitting atop a tree . [34]
आपदां अपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसंपदाम् ।
लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम् ॥ ३५॥
I bow again and again to Ram who removes all obstacles and grants all wealth and pleases all. [35]
भर्जनं भवबीजानां अर्जनं सुखसम्पदाम् ।
तर्जनं यमदूतानां राम रामेति गर्जनम् ॥ ३६॥
The roar of the Ramanama is the destruction of the cause of rebirth (hence cause of liberation), the earning of all wealth and a scare to Yama's messengers. [36]
रामो राजमणिः सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे ।
रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नमः ।
रामान्नास्ति परायणं परतरं रामस्य दासोस्म्यहम् ।
रामे चित्तलयः सदा भवतु मे भो राम मामुद्धर ॥ ३७॥
Rama, the jewel among the kings, Him I worship, by Him the hordes demons have been destroyed, to him is said my prayer, beyond Him there is nothing to be worshipped, His servant I am, my mind is totally absorbed in Him, O Ram, please lift me up. This verse gives all the seven declensions of the singular word raama and gives one way of remembering them! [37]
राम रामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।
सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥ ३८॥
O fair-faced Parvati! I enjoy saying raama raama. Uttering but once the name `Rama' is equal to the uttering of any other `name' of God, a thousand times . [38]
इति श्रीबुधकौशिकविरचितं श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रं संपूर्णम् ॥
Thus ends Ramaraksha Strotram composed by Budhakaushika.
॥ श्रीसीतारामचंद्रार्पणमस्तु ॥
Salutations to Sita Ram
