Shri Rama Raksha Stotram

Invocation and Meditation: Of this Shri Rama Raksha Stotra hymn, Sage Budha Kaushika is the seer (Rishi), Shri Sita-Ramachandra is the presiding deity, Anushtubh is the meter, Sita is the divine power (Shakti), Hanuman is the pin (Kilaka), and it is chanted for the loving grace of Lord Ramachandra. Meditation: One should meditate on Lord Ramachandra whose arms reach down to His knees, holding arrows and bow, seated in the lotus posture, robed in yellow silk, with gracious serene eyes rivaling fresh lotus petals, His compassionate gaze meeting the lotus face of Mother Sita seated on His left lap, radiant with the blue lustre of a raincloud, adorned with diverse divine jewels and a majestic crest of matted locks.

The sacred life and exploits of Lord Raghunatha expand across a hundred crore (one billion) verses. Even a single syllable of this holy narrative destroys the greatest sins of humanity.

Having meditated upon Lord Rama, dark-complexioned like the blue lotus, lotus-eyed, accompanied by Janaki (Sita) and Lakshmana, and crowned with matted hair;

Who holds a sword, quiver, bow, and arrows in His hands, the destroyer of demons, the unborn and all-pervading Lord who manifested through His own divine sport to protect the universe;

The wise should recite the Rama Raksha stotra, which annihilates all sins and fulfills all pure desires: May Raghava protect my head, and may the son of Dasharatha protect my forehead.

May the son of Kausalya protect my eyes, may the beloved of Sage Vishvamitra protect my ears, may the protector of the Vedic sacrifice protect my nose, and may the affectionate brother of Lakshmana (Saumitri) protect my mouth.

May the repository of all knowledge protect my tongue, may He who is revered by Bharata protect my throat, may the wielder of celestial weapons protect my shoulders, and may the breaker of Shiva's bow protect my arms.

May the Lord of Sita protect my hands, may the conqueror of Parashurama (Jamadagni's son) protect my heart, may the slayer of the demon Khara protect my torso, and may the refuge of Jambavan protect my navel.

May the master of Sugriva protect my waist, may the lord of Hanuman protect my hips, may the foremost of the Raghus, who destroyed the demonic lineage, protect my thighs.

May the builder of the bridge protect my knees, may the slayer of ten-headed Ravana protect my shins, may the bestower of sovereignty upon Vibhishana protect my feet, and may Lord Rama protect my entire body.

The virtuous devotee who recites this protective armor imbued with Rama’s power attains long life, happiness, noble offspring, victory, and modesty.

Evil spirits, roaming invisible in the netherworld, upon the earth, or in the sky, are powerless even to look upon one who is shielded by the names of Rama.

Remembering the Lord as Rama, Ramabhadra, or Ramachandra, a human being is never tainted by sins and attains both worldly enjoyment and spiritual liberation.

He who wears upon his throat this stotra protected by the single world-conquering mantra of Rama’s name holds all accomplishments (siddhis) in the palm of his hand.

Whoever meditates upon this Rama Kavacha, known as the Adamantine Cage (Vajra Panjara), finds his commands obeyed everywhere and attains victory and auspiciousness.

Just as Lord Shiva (Hara) instructed this Rama Raksha hymn in a dream, so did Sage Budha Kaushika write it down verbatim upon waking in the morning.

He who is the garden of wish-fulfilling trees, the termination of all misfortunes, and the delight of the three worlds—that glorious Lord Rama is our Sovereign Master.

Ever-youthful, endowed with supreme beauty, tender yet of mighty strength, with large eyes like blooming lotuses, clad in garments of bark and black deerskin;

Living on fruits and roots, self-controlled, dedicated ascetics observing celibacy—these two sons of Dasharatha, the brothers Rama and Lakshmana;

The refuge of all living beings, the foremost among all archers, the destroyers of demonic hordes—may these two exalted descendants of Raghu protect us!

With strung bows in hand, touching their arrows, equipped with quivers containing inexhaustible shafts—may Rama and Lakshmana ever walk ahead on my path for my protection.

Ever prepared, armored, sword-bearing, armed with bow and arrows, youthful—may Rama, accompanying Lakshmana, protect our heartfelt aspirations as we journey.

Rama, son of Dasharatha, valiant hero, served faithfully by Lakshmana, mighty, scion of Kakutstha, the Perfect Cosmic Person, son of Kausalya, foremost of Raghus;

Known through Vedanta, Sovereign Lord of sacrifices, the ancient Supreme Person, the beloved of Janaki, radiant and glorious, endowed with immeasurable valor;

My devotee who recites these sacred names daily with pure faith obtains merit greater than performing an Ashvamedha sacrifice, of this there is no doubt.

Those who praise with these divine names Lord Rama—complexioned like green durva grass, lotus-eyed, and robed in yellow garments—are no longer bound by worldly transmigration.

I bow unto Rama, elder brother of Lakshmana, foremost of Raghus, beloved of Sita, supremely beautiful, scion of Kakutstha, ocean of compassion, treasury of virtues, dear to the wise, righteous, king of kings, true to His pledge, son of Dasharatha, dark-complexioned, embodiment of peace, delight of the universe, crest-jewel of Raghu's clan, and slayer of Ravana.

Salutations unto Rama, unto Ramabhadra, unto Ramachandra, the Creator, the Lord of the Raghus, the Supreme Master, and the Lord of Sita.

Shri Rama, Rama, delight of the Raghus, Rama, Rama! Shri Rama, Rama, elder brother of Bharata, Rama, Rama! Shri Rama, Rama, invincible in battle, Rama, Rama! Shri Rama, Rama, be my refuge, Rama, Rama!

I remember the holy feet of Shri Ramachandra with my mind; I praise the holy feet of Shri Ramachandra with my speech; I bow down to the holy feet of Shri Ramachandra with my head; I take unconditional refuge in the holy feet of Shri Ramachandra.

Rama is my mother, Ramachandra is my father; Rama is my master, Ramachandra is my intimate friend; the compassionate Ramachandra is my all in all. I know of no other; no other do I know; truly, I know no other!

On whose right stands Lakshmana, on whose left is the daughter of Janaka (Sita), and before whom bows Maruti (Hanuman)—unto that Joy of the Raghu dynasty I bow in devotion.

The delight of all worlds, steadfast in the arena of battle, lotus-eyed, lord of Raghu's race, the embodiment of compassion, and ocean of mercy—unto that Shri Ramachandra I surrender myself.

Swift as thought, possessed of speed rivaling the wind, master over all senses, foremost among the intelligent, son of the Wind God, chief of the monkey troops, and devoted messenger of Shri Rama—unto him (Hanuman) I take refuge.

Sitting upon the lofty branch of poetic inspiration, singing melodiously the sweet syllables 'Rama, Rama'—unto that cuckoo-like sage Valmiki I bow with deepest reverence.

The remover of all distress, the giver of all spiritual and material wealth, the joy of all creation—unto that glorious Lord Rama I bow again and again.

The thunderous roar of the holy chant 'Rama! Rama!' roasts the seeds of rebirth and worldly entrapment, gathers all true happiness and spiritual wealth, and strikes terror into the messengers of death.

Rama, the jewel among kings, is ever victorious (Nominative: Rama); I worship Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi (Accusative: Ramam); by Rama the armies of nocturnal demons were destroyed (Instrumental: Ramena); salutations unto that Rama (Dative: Ramaya); there is no refuge higher than Rama (Ablative: Ramat); I am the devoted servant of Rama (Genitive: Ramasya); may my mind forever merge in Rama (Locative: Rame); O Lord Rama, uplift and deliver me (Vocative: Bho Rama)!

Lord Shiva said unto Parvati: O beautiful-faced goddess! Repeating 'Rama, Rama, Rama', I delight in that enchanting name of Rama; the single holy name of Rama is truly equal to the entire Thousand Names of God (Vishnu Sahasranama)!