Ramaraksha Stotram
Lyrics
अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य । बुधकौशिक ऋषिः । श्रीसीतारामचन्द्रो देवता । अनुष्टुप् छन्दः । सीता शक्तिः । श्रीमद् हनुमान कीलकम् । श्रीरामचन्द्रप्रीत्यर्थे रामरक्षास्तोत्रजपे विनियोगः ॥
asya śrīrāmarakṣāstotramantrasya | budhakauśika ṛṣiḥ | śrīsītārāmacandro devatā | anuṣṭup chandaḥ | sītā śaktiḥ | śrīmad hanumāna kīlakam | śrīrāmacandraprītyarthe rāmarakṣāstotrajape viniyogaḥ ||
ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्मासनस्थं पीतं वासो वसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम् । वामाङ्कारूढ सीतामुखकमलमिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभं नानालङ्कारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामण्डनं रामचन्द्रम् ॥
dhyāyedājānubāhuṃ dhṛtaśaradhanuṣaṃ baddhapadmāsanasthaṃ pītaṃ vāso vasānaṃ navakamaladalaspardhinetraṃ prasannam | vāmāṅkārūḍha sītāmukhakamalamilallocanaṃ nīradābhaṃ nānālaṅkāradīptaṃ dadhatamurujaṭāmaṇḍanaṃ rāmacandram ||
चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटि प्रविस्तरम् । एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातकनाशनम् ॥
caritaṃ raghunāthasya śatakoṭi pravistaram | ekaikamakṣaraṃ puṃsāṃ mahāpātakanāśanam ||
ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम् । जानकीलक्ष्मणोपेतं जटामुकुटमण्डितम् ॥
dhyātvā nīlotpalaśyāmaṃ rāmaṃ rājīvalocanam | jānakīlakṣmaṇopetaṃ jaṭāmukuṭamaṇḍitam ||
सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तञ्चरान्तकम् । स्वलीलया जगत्त्रातुमाविर्भूतमजं विभुम् ॥
sāsitūṇadhanurbāṇapāṇiṃ naktañcarāntakam | svalīlayā jagattrātumāvirbhūtamajaṃ vibhum ||
रामरक्षां पठेत्प्राज्ञः पापघ्नीं सर्वकामदाम् । शिरो मे राघवः पातु भालं दशरथात्मजः ॥
rāmarakṣāṃ paṭhetprājñaḥ pāpaghnīṃ sarvakāmadām | śiro me rāghavaḥ pātu bhālaṃ daśarathātmajaḥ ||
कौसल्येयो दृशौ पातु विश्वामित्रप्रियः श्रुती । घ्राणं पातु मखत्राता मुखं सौमित्रिवत्सलः ॥
kausalyeyo dṛśau pātu viśvāmitrapriyaḥ śrutī | ghrāṇaṃ pātu makhatrātā mukhaṃ saumitrivatsalaḥ ||
जिह्वां विद्यानिधिः पातु कण्ठं भरतवन्दितः । स्कन्धौ दिव्यायुधः पातु भुजौ भग्नेशकार्मुकः ॥
jihvāṃ vidyānidhiḥ pātu kaṇṭhaṃ bharatavanditaḥ | skandhau divyāyudhaḥ pātu bhujau bhagneśakārmukaḥ ||
करौ सीतापतिः पातु हृदयं जामदग्न्यजित् । मध्यं पातु खरध्वंसी नाभिं जाम्बवदाश्रयः ॥
karau sītāpatiḥ pātu hṛdayaṃ jāmadagnyajit | madhyaṃ pātu kharadhvaṃsī nābhiṃ jāmbavadāśrayaḥ ||
सुग्रीवेशः कटी पातु सक्थिनी हनुमत्प्रभुः । ऊरू रघूत्तमः पातु रक्षःकुलविनाशकृत् ॥
sugrīveśaḥ kaṭī pātu sakthinī hanumatprabhuḥ | ūrū raghūttamaḥ pātu rakṣaḥkulavināśakṛt ||
जानुनी सेतुकृत्पातु जङ्घे दशमुखान्तकः । पादौ बिभीषणश्रीदः पातु रामोऽखिलं वपुः ॥
jānunī setukṛtpātu jaṅghe daśamukhāntakaḥ | pādau bibhīṣaṇaśrīdaḥ pātu rāmo'khilaṃ vapuḥ ||
एतां रामबलोपेतां रक्षां यः सुकृती पठेत् । स चिरायुः सुखी पुत्री विजयी विनयी भवेत् ॥
etāṃ rāmabalopetāṃ rakṣāṃ yaḥ sukṛtī paṭhet | sa cirāyuḥ sukhī putrī vijayī vinayī bhavet ||
पातालभूतलव्योमचारिणश्छद्मचारिणः । न द्रष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभिः ॥
pātālabhūtalavyomacāriṇaśchadmacāriṇaḥ | na draṣṭumapi śaktāste rakṣitaṃ rāmanāmabhiḥ ||
रामेति रामभद्रेति रामचन्द्रेति वा स्मरन् । नरो न लिप्यते पापैर्भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ॥
rāmeti rāmabhadreti rāmacandreti vā smaran | naro na lipyate pāpairbhuktiṃ muktiṃ ca vindati ||
जगज्जैत्रैकमन्त्रेण रामनाम्नाभिरक्षितम् । यः कण्ठे धारयेत्तस्य करस्थाः सर्वसिद्धयः ॥
jagajjaitraikamantreṇa rāmanāmnābhirakṣitam | yaḥ kaṇṭhe dhārayettasya karasthāḥ sarvasiddhayaḥ ||
वज्रपञ्जरनामेदं यो रामकवचं स्मरेत् । अव्याहताज्ञः सर्वत्र लभते जयमङ्गलम् ॥
vajrapañjaranāmedaṃ yo rāmakavacaṃ smaret | avyāhatājñaḥ sarvatra labhate jayamaṅgalam ||
आदिष्टवान् यथा स्वप्ने रामरक्षामिमां हरः । तथा लिखितवान् प्रातः प्रबुद्धो बुधकौशिकः ॥
ādiṣṭavān yathā svapne rāmarakṣāmimāṃ haraḥ | tathā likhitavān prātaḥ prabuddho budhakauśikaḥ ||
आरामः कल्पवृक्षाणां विरामः सकलापदाम् । अभिरामस्त्रिलोकानां रामः श्रीमान् स नः प्रभुः ॥
ārāmaḥ kalpavṛkṣāṇāṃ virāmaḥ sakalāpadām | abhirāmastrilokānāṃ rāmaḥ śrīmān sa naḥ prabhuḥ ||
तरुणौ रूपसम्पन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ । पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ ॥
taruṇau rūpasampannau sukumārau mahābalau | puṇḍarīkaviśālākṣau cīrakṛṣṇājināmbarau ||
फलमूलाशिनौ दान्तौ तापसौ ब्रह्मचारिणौ । पुत्रौ दशरथस्यैतौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥
phalamūlāśinau dāntau tāpasau brahmacāriṇau | putrau daśarathasyaitau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau ||
शरण्यौ सर्वसत्त्वानां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वधनुष्मताम् । रक्षः कुलनिहन्तारौ त्रायेतां नो रघूत्तमौ ॥
śaraṇyau sarvasattvānāṃ śreṣṭhau sarvadhanuṣmatām | rakṣaḥ kulanihantārau trāyetāṃ no raghūttamau ||
आत्तसज्जधनुषाविषुस्पृशावक्षयाशुगनिषङ्गसङ्गिनौ । रक्षणाय मम रामलक्ष्मणावग्रतः पथि सदैव गच्छताम् ॥
āttasajjadhanuṣāviṣuspṛśāvakṣayāśuganiṣaṅgasaṅginau | rakṣaṇāya mama rāmalakṣmaṇāvagrataḥ pathi sadaiva gacchatām ||
सन्नद्धः कवची खड्गी चापबाणधरो युवा । गच्छन्मनोरथोऽस्माकं रामः पातु सलक्ष्मणः ॥
sannaddhaḥ kavacī khaḍgī cāpabāṇadharo yuvā | gacchanmanoratho'smākaṃ rāmaḥ pātu salakṣmaṇaḥ ||
रामो दाशरथिः शूरो लक्ष्मणानुचरो बली । काकुत्स्थः पुरुषः पूर्णः कौसल्येयो रघूत्तमः ॥
rāmo dāśarathiḥ śūro lakṣmaṇānucaro balī | kākutsthaḥ puruṣaḥ pūrṇaḥ kausalyeyo raghūttamaḥ ||
वेदान्तवेद्यो यज्ञेशः पुराणपुरुषोत्तमः । जानकीवल्लभः श्रीमानप्रमेयपराक्रमः ॥
vedāntavedyo yajñeśaḥ purāṇapuruṣottamaḥ | jānakīvallabhaḥ śrīmānaprameyaparākramaḥ ||
इत्येतानि जपन्नित्यं मद्भक्तः श्रद्धयान्वितः । अश्वमेधाधिकं पुण्यं सम्प्राप्नोति न संशयः ॥
ityetāni japannityaṃ madbhaktaḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ | aśvamedhādhikaṃ puṇyaṃ samprāpnoti na saṃśayaḥ ||
रामं दूर्वादलश्यामं पद्माक्षं पीतवाससम् । स्तुवन्ति नामभिर्दिव्यैः न ते संसारिणो नराः ॥
rāmaṃ dūrvādalaśyāmaṃ padmākṣaṃ pītavāsasam | stuvanti nāmabhirdivyaiḥ na te saṃsāriṇo narāḥ ||
रामं लक्ष्मणपूर्वजं रघुवरं सीतापतिं सुन्दरम् । काकुत्स्थं करुणार्णवं गुणनिधिं विप्रप्रियं धार्मिकम् । राजेन्द्रं सत्यसन्धं दशरथतनयं श्यामलं शान्तमूर्तिम् । वन्दे लोकाभिरामं रघुकुलतिलकं राघवं रावणारिम् ॥
rāmaṃ lakṣmaṇapūrvajaṃ raghuvaraṃ sītāpatiṃ sundaram | kākutsthaṃ karuṇārṇavaṃ guṇanidhiṃ viprapriyaṃ dhārmikam | rājendraṃ satyasandhaṃ daśarathatanayaṃ śyāmalaṃ śāntamūrtim | vande lokābhirāmaṃ raghukulatilakaṃ rāghavaṃ rāvaṇārim ||
रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे । रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः ॥
rāmāya rāmabhadrāya rāmacandrāya vedhase | raghunāthāya nāthāya sītāyāḥ pataye namaḥ ||
श्रीराम राम रघुनन्दन राम राम श्रीराम राम भरताग्रज राम राम । श्रीराम राम रणकर्कश राम राम श्रीराम राम शरणं भव राम राम ॥
śrīrāma rāma raghunandana rāma rāma śrīrāma rāma bharatāgraja rāma rāma | śrīrāma rāma raṇakarkaśa rāma rāma śrīrāma rāma śaraṇaṃ bhava rāma rāma ||
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ मनसा स्मरामि श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ वचसा गृणामि । श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शिरसा नमामि श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥
śrīrāmacandracaraṇau manasā smarāmi śrīrāmacandracaraṇau vacasā gṛṇāmi | śrīrāmacandracaraṇau śirasā namāmi śrīrāmacandracaraṇau śaraṇaṃ prapadye ||
माता रामो मत्पिता रामचन्द्रः । स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचन्द्रः । सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालुः । नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने ॥
mātā rāmo matpitā rāmacandraḥ | svāmī rāmo matsakhā rāmacandraḥ | sarvasvaṃ me rāmacandro dayāluḥ | nānyaṃ jāne naiva jāne na jāne ||
दक्षिणे लक्ष्मणो यस्य वामे तु जनकात्मजा । पुरतो मारुतिर्यस्य तं वन्दे रघुनन्दनम् ॥
dakṣiṇe lakṣmaṇo yasya vāme tu janakātmajā | purato mārutiryasya taṃ vande raghunandanam ||
लोकाभिरामं रणरङ्गधीरं राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम् । कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरं तं श्रीरामचन्द्रं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥
lokābhirāmaṃ raṇaraṅgadhīraṃ rājīvanetraṃ raghuvaṃśanātham | kāruṇyarūpaṃ karuṇākaraṃ taṃ śrīrāmacandraṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye ||
मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् । वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥
manojavaṃ mārutatulyavegaṃ jitendriyaṃ buddhimatāṃ variṣṭham | vātātmajaṃ vānarayūthamukhyaṃ śrīrāmadūtaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye ||
कूजन्तं रामरामेति मधुरं मधुराक्षरम् । आरुह्य कविताशाखां वन्दे वाल्मीकिकोकिलम् ॥
kūjantaṃ rāmarāmeti madhuraṃ madhurākṣaram | āruhya kavitāśākhāṃ vande vālmīkikokilam ||
आपदामपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसम्पदाम् । लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम् ॥
āpadāmapahartāraṃ dātāraṃ sarvasampadām | lokābhirāmaṃ śrīrāmaṃ bhūyo bhūyo namāmyaham ||
भर्जनं भवबीजानामर्जनं सुखसम्पदाम् । तर्जनं यमदूतानां रामरामेति गर्जनम् ॥
bharjanaṃ bhavabījānāmarjanaṃ sukhasampadām | tarjanaṃ yamadūtānāṃ rāmarāmeti garjanam ||
रामो राजमणिः सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नमः । रामान्नास्ति परायणं परतरं रामस्य दासोऽस्म्यहं रामे चित्तलयः सदा भवतु मे भो राम मामुद्धर ॥
rāmo rājamaṇiḥ sadā vijayate rāmaṃ rameśaṃ bhaje rāmeṇābhihatā niśācaracamū rāmāya tasmai namaḥ | rāmānnāsti parāyaṇaṃ parataraṃ rāmasya dāso'smyahaṃ rāme cittalayaḥ sadā bhavatu me bho rāma māmuddhara ||
रामरामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे । सहस्रनामतत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥
rāmarāmeti rāmeti rame rāme manorame | sahasranāmatattulyaṃ rāmanāma varānane ||
इति श्रीबुधकौशिकविरचितं श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
iti śrībudhakauśikaviracitaṃ śrīrāmarakṣāstotraṃ sampūrṇam ||
Meaning of Ramaraksha Stotram
The Ramaraksha Stotram is a classical Sanskrit hymn of protection composed by the sage Budhakaushika, containing 38 verses dedicated to Lord Rama. Historically popular in Maharashtra and across India, this stotram invokes the protective power of Rama to shield devotees from all forms of fear, illness, and spiritual obstacles. The text begins with the traditional invocation formula and proceeds through verses that praise Rama's divine qualities, his universal lordship, and his protective grace.
The stotram systematically addresses different categories of affliction: physical ailments (pañcha-ganda—five types of bodily suffering), planetary influences (graha), internal enemies (like fear and ignorance), and the fundamental human anxiety of rebirth (bhava-bhaya). Each verse reinforces that meditation on Rama's name, remembrance of his lotus feet, and devotional recitation dissolve these sufferings. The hymn emphasizes that Lord Rama, the supreme consciousness, naturally protects those who take sincere refuge in him through bhakti (devotion).
The spiritual significance lies in its dual approach: Rama is simultaneously presented as the inner divine principle that liberates consciousness and as the personal deity who responds to devoted worship. Verses 19-22 particularly highlight that simply remembering Rama's name grants all perfections (siddhis) and eternal liberation (moksha). The concluding verses attribute all benefits—protection, health, prosperity, and ultimate salvation—to Rama's grace alone, making this stotram both a protective invocation and a meditation on non-dual truth.
How to Recite This Stotram
- 1
Purify Your Space and Body
Begin in a clean, quiet location. Wash your hands and face with water. Sit facing east or north in a comfortable cross-legged position. Light a lamp or candle if possible to create a sacred atmosphere conducive to devotional practice.
- 2
Invoke Divine Presence
Mentally bow to Lord Rama. Chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' or 'Om Sri Ramaya Namah' three times to center your consciousness. Offer flowers, water, or incense symbolically if available. Set a clear intention for protection and spiritual benefit.
- 3
Recite the Stotram with Devotion
Recite the full 38 verses of the Ramaraksha Stotram aloud or in a melodic chant. Pronounce each Sanskrit word carefully, focusing on their meaning. Maintain steady breathing and allow the sacred sounds to resonate within your heart. Pace yourself to complete without rushing.
- 4
Meditate on Rama's Protective Form
After recitation, sit silently for 5-10 minutes. Visualize Lord Rama's luminous form, radiating blue light, sitting in your heart. Feel his loving protection surrounding you. Internalize the protective grace conveyed through the verses you've just recited.
- 5
Seal with Gratitude and Resolution
Bow respectfully and express sincere gratitude to Lord Rama for his blessings. Chant 'Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti' (peace) three times. Carry the protective intention throughout your day, knowing Rama's grace accompanies you always.
Benefits of Ramaraksha Stotram
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Protection from all forms of fear, including existential anxiety and the fear of death
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Relief from physical ailments and chronic diseases through divine intervention and grace
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Victory over enemies and removal of obstacles in material and spiritual life
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Attainment of all four life goals: dharma (righteousness), artha (prosperity), kama (fulfillment), and moksha (liberation)
Story & Symbolism
The Ramaraksha Stotram was composed by the sage Budhakaushika (also known as Budhakaushika Rishi), a revered figure in Hindu philosophical tradition. According to traditional accounts, this hymn arose from the sage's profound meditative vision of Lord Rama's transcendent form and his spontaneous overflow of devotional love expressed through 38 crystalline Sanskrit verses. The composition represents not merely intellectual poetry but the direct transmission of spiritual experience into language—each verse encodes both protective power and liberating wisdom simultaneously.
Historically, this stotram gained tremendous prominence in Maharashtra and across North India, becoming a cornerstone of household devotional practice particularly among communities following the Rama-centered bhakti tradition. The text appears in various Purana collections and Stotra anthologies, often cited as authoritative by renowned Hindu scholars and spiritual teachers. Its popularity intensified during challenging historical periods when communities sought divine protection through concentrated devotional practice. The stotram's effectiveness transcends cultural boundaries; it has been adopted by millions worldwide seeking refuge from fear, illness, and spiritual confusion.
The composition's enduring power derives from its precise integration of Vedic principles, Tantric protection syllables, and Puranic narrative wisdom. Budhakaushika, drawing from profound realization of Advaita (non-duality), crafted verses that work simultaneously on multiple levels: as practical protective magic for immediate problems, as devotional bhakti that cultivates emotional intimacy with the divine, and as philosophical gnana that reveals ultimate truth. This multi-layered approach explains why the Ramaraksha Stotram remains relevant across centuries and continues serving seekers at all spiritual levels.
How to Use in Daily Life
Morning Protection Ritual
Begin each day by reciting the Ramaraksha Stotram before sunrise. This establishes a protective energetic boundary around your consciousness that persists throughout the day, shielding you from negativity, fear, and spiritual obstacles you may encounter in daily life.
During Times of Stress
When facing anxiety, conflict, or overwhelming situations, pause and recite even three verses of the stotram with focused devotion. This instantly reconnects you with Rama's protective presence and dissolves the fear response, restoring clarity and inner strength.
Bedtime Protection
Chant the stotram before sleep to invoke Rama's protection over your subconscious mind and dream state. This safeguards against negative dream experiences and ensures you wake refreshed, carrying spiritual benefits gained during night-time when the veil between dimensions is thinner.
Family Blessing Practice
Recite the stotram while visualizing loved ones surrounded by Rama's golden protective light. This extends the stotram's protective power to your entire family network, creating a sacred boundary that shields collective wellbeing and spiritual evolution.