Sita Ram Sita Ram Kahiye
Jahi Vidhi Rakhe Ram
A Ram bhajan of surrender: chant 'Sita Ram' and stay content however Ram keeps you ('Jahi vidhi rakhe Ram').
Verses
Call out “Sita Ram, Sita Ram, Sita Ram.” In whatever way Rama keeps you, live in that way.
Verse 1
Let Rama’s name be on your lips and Rama’s service be in your hands. You are not alone, dear one — Rama is with you. Knowing the ordinance of fate, bear both loss and gain. In whatever way Rama keeps you, live in that way.
Verse 2
If you become proud, you will not truly find honor. Whatever pleases Sri Ramaji, dear one, shall come to pass. Giving up all longing for results, keep doing good works. In whatever way Rama keeps you, live in that way.
Verse 3
Entrust the thread of your life into the hands of the Lord of the lowly. Whether He keeps you in palaces or gives you shelter in a hut, with unquestioning gratitude say, “Ram, Ram.” In whatever way Rama keeps you, live in that way.
Verse 4
Place your one hope only in Ramaji; let go of every other hope. Keep your one bond only with Ramaji; break every other bond. In the company of the holy, let every limb be dyed in the color of Rama. In whatever way Rama keeps you, live in that way.
Verse 5
Call out “Sita Ram, Sita Ram, Sita Ram.” In whatever way Rama keeps you, live in that way. Call out “Sita Ram, Sita Ram, Sita Ram.” In whatever way Rama keeps you, live in that way.
Verse 6
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This bhajan belongs to the wider tradition of Ram bhakti (devotion to Lord Ram), which is especially prominent in North India. It is often sung in kirtans and devotional gatherings, and is used as a form of meditation and mental repetition (japa). The exact authorship is not confirmed, but it reflects the spirit of saints like Tulsidas, who emphasized complete surrender to God's plan. Its surrender theme echoes the spirit of Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, but the bhajan itself is not a verse of that text and its author is not documented.
Did You Know?
Core Refrain
The repeated line "Jahi vidhi rakhe Ram, tahi vidhi rahiye" means "In whatever way Ram keeps you, in that way you should remain." This is a powerful call for complete surrender to God's will, encouraging the listener to accept life's circumstances without complaint.
Chanting Sita Ram
The bhajan opens and closes with "Sita Ram" rather than just "Ram." This dual name invokes both the divine feminine (Sita) and masculine (Ram), symbolizing the union of devotion and strength, and is a common chant in the Ram tradition.
Letting Go of Pride
Verse 2 warns that pride leads to loss of respect, and says only what pleases Ram will happen. It echoes the Bhagavad Gita's teaching of nishkama karma — acting without attachment to results, a key Hindu concept of selfless action.
Surrender of Life's Thread
Verse 3 uses the metaphor of handing over the "thread of life" to Deenanath (a name for Ram meaning "lord of the humble"). It teaches that whether one lives in a palace or a hut, the devotee should simply be grateful and keep chanting Ram's name.
Exclusive Devotion
Verse 4 instructs to give up all other hopes and relationships except Ram. This radical single-pointed devotion, known as ananya bhakti, is a hallmark of many Hindu devotional paths, emphasizing that total focus on God leads to inner peace.
Rama
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