Shri Ramachandra Kripaalu Bhajman
This is a devotional hymn by the 16th-century poet Tulsidas, praising Lord Rama and calling the mind to worship him. It describes Rama's divine beauty, his role as a protector, and asks for his grace.
Verses
O mind, worship Lord Shri Ramachandra, the embodiment of compassion, who removes the terrible fear of worldly existence. His eyes are like newly bloomed lotuses, His face is like a lotus, and His lotus feet are as beautiful as a red lotus.
Verse 1
He possesses infinite beauty, surpassing even that of the god of love, and His exquisite form is adorned with a fresh, blue-hued radiance. He wears yellow garments that shine like lightning, and I bow to Him, the flawless protector of King Janaka’s daughter, Sita.
Verse 2
Worship the Lord, who is the friend of the humble and the sun-like dispeller of darkness. He is the destroyer of the demon dynasty, the source of bliss, the moon of the Raghu clan, and the beloved son of King Dasharatha.
Verse 3
He wears a crown on His head, earrings, a sacred mark on His forehead, and His limbs are adorned with beautiful, noble ornaments. His arms extend to His knees, He holds a bow, and in battle, He vanquished the demon Khara and his ilk.
Verse 4
Thus speaks Tulasidasa: May the Lord, who delights the hearts of sages like Shankara and the serpent Shesha, and who is the ointment that cleanses the wicked weeds of lust and other passions, make His permanent abode in the lotus of my heart.
Verse 5
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 hymn is part of the broader Hindu devotional tradition centered on Lord Rama, particularly associated with the Rama bhakti movement in North India. It is traditionally sung during morning or evening prayers, and is widely recited by devotees of Rama. The poet Tulsidas is best known for his epic Ramcharitmanas, and this bhajan remains one of his most beloved compositions. In textual terms it is a pad of Tulsidas's Vinaya Patrika (no. 45 in common editions), composed in the Harigitika metre in Sanskrit-laden vernacular verse, and not a part of the Ramcharitmanas.
About this Text
Composed by: Goswami Tulsidas · Medieval Bhakti Poet-Saint · 16th century, Awadh & Varanasi (North India)
A Sanskrit and Awadhi poet-saint best known for the Ramcharitmanas, his Awadhi retelling of the Ramayana. Tradition holds he faced years of hardship and wandering before settling in Varanasi, where he composed most of his other major works, including the Hanuman Chalisa and Vinaya Patrika, as devotional offerings to Rama and Hanuman.
Did You Know?
Author and Era
This hymn was composed by the 16th-century poet-saint Tulsidas in the Awadhi language, a vernacular of Hindi. Tulsidas is most famous for his epic Ramcharitmanas, a retelling of the Ramayana that shaped North Indian devotional practice.
Poetic Structure
The verses follow a classical meter called “Chhand” (specifically the Harigitika meter), with a fixed rhyme scheme and rhythmic pattern. This structure makes the hymn ideal for melodic recitation and congregational singing.
Imagery of Divine Beauty
The first two verses use lotus similes to describe Rama’s eyes, face, hands, and feet. The second verse asserts that his beauty surpasses even that of Kandarpa (the god of love), emphasizing that Rama’s charm is infinite and beyond ordinary comparison.
Heroic Deeds
Verse 4 references Rama’s victory over the demons Khara and Dushana, a key episode from the Ramayana where he single-handedly defeats a vast demon army. The phrase “ājānu bhuja” (arms reaching to the knees) is a traditional mark of an extraordinary hero in Indian iconography.
Devotional Prayer
The final verse contains a direct plea from Tulsidas: he asks Rama to dwell in the “lotus of his heart” and destroy inner enemies like desire (kama) and other vices. This mirrors the Bhakti tradition’s focus on personal, heartfelt surrender and inner purification.
Rama
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