Ram Raksha Stotra

Om, salutations to Lord Ganesha.

For this Sri Rama Raksha Stotra mantra, the sage is Budhakaushika. The deity is Sri Sita Ramachandra. The meter is Anushtup. The power is Sita. The pin (key) is Hanuman. The recitation of this hymn is for the pleasure of Lord Ramachandra.

One should meditate on Lord Ramachandra, whose arms reach his knees, holding a bow and arrow, seated in the lotus position, wearing yellow garments, with eyes competing with fresh lotus petals, who is cheerful. His eyes meet the lotus-like face of Sita seated on his left thigh. He has the hue of a dark cloud, is shining with various ornaments, and wears a large crown of matted hair.

The story of Lord Rama is of vast expanse, consisting of a billion verses. Each and every letter of it destroys the greatest of sins of mankind.

Having meditated upon Rama, who is dark like a blue lotus, with lotus-like eyes, accompanied by Janaki (Sita) and Lakshmana, and adorned with a crown of matted hair.

Holding a sword, quiver, bow, and arrows in his hands, the destroyer of demons (night-wanderers), the unborn and all-pervading Lord who manifested by his own divine play to protect the world.

A wise person should read this Ramaraksha (protection of Rama), which destroys sins and grants all desires. May Raghava protect my head; may the son of Dasharatha protect my forehead.

May the son of Kausalya protect my eyes; may the beloved of Vishwamitra protect my ears. May the protector of sacrifices protect my nose; may the one affectionate to Lakshmana (Saumitri) protect my mouth.

May the ocean of knowledge protect my tongue; may the one revered by Bharata protect my throat. May the bearer of divine weapons protect my shoulders; may the one who broke the bow of Shiva protect my arms.

May the husband of Sita protect my hands; may the conqueror of Parashurama (Jamadagnya) protect my heart. May the destroyer of Khara protect my middle (waist); may the refuge of Jambavan protect my navel.

May the master of Sugriva protect my hips; may the Lord of Hanuman protect my pelvic region. May the best of the Raghus, the destroyer of the demon race, protect my thighs.

May the builder of the bridge protect my knees; may the destroyer of the ten-headed (Ravana) protect my shins. May the giver of wealth to Vibhishana protect my feet; may Rama protect my entire body.

The virtuous one who reads this protective hymn, endowed with the power of Rama, will become long-lived, happy, blessed with children, victorious, and humble.

Those beings who wander in the netherworld, on earth, and in the sky, and those who wander deceptively (demons), are not even able to look at the one protected by the names of Rama.

Remembering 'Rama', 'Ramabhadra', or 'Ramachandra', a person is not tainted by sins, and attains both worldly enjoyment and liberation.

He who wears around his neck this protection by the name of Rama, which is the single mantra to conquer the world, has all perfections (siddhis) in his hand.

He who remembers this Rama armor known as the 'adamantine cage' (Vajra-panjara), his commands will be unobstructed, and he will obtain victory and auspiciousness everywhere.

Just as Lord Shiva commanded this Ramaraksha in a dream, so did the sage Budhakaushika write it down upon waking in the morning.

He who is a garden of wish-fulfilling trees, the end of all calamities, the most beautiful in the three worlds: that glorious Rama is our Lord.

The two youths, full of beauty, delicate yet possessing great strength, with wide eyes like white lotuses, wearing bark and dark deer skin.

Eating fruits and roots, self-controlled, ascetics, observers of 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 the demon race: may those two best of the Raghus protect us.

With bows strung and ready, touching their arrows, and carrying quivers with inexhaustible arrows, may Rama and Lakshmana always walk ahead of me on my path for my protection.

Fully equipped, wearing armor, holding a sword, bow, and arrows, the young Rama, accompanied by Lakshmana, may protect us, moving as our very desire.

Rama, the son of Dasharatha, the valiant one, followed by Lakshmana, the strong one, descendant of Kakutstha, the complete Supreme Person, son of Kausalya, the best of the Raghus.

Known through Vedanta, the Lord of sacrifices, the ancient Supreme Person, the beloved of Janaki, the glorious one of immeasurable valor.

My devotee who constantly chants these (names/verses) with faith, undoubtedly attains merit greater than an Ashwamedha (horse) sacrifice.

Those who praise Rama, who is dark like Durva grass, lotus-eyed, and wearing yellow garments, with these divine names, those men are no longer bound to the cycle of worldly existence.

I bow to Rama, the elder brother of Lakshmana, the best of Raghus, husband of Sita, the handsome one, descendant of Kakutstha, ocean of compassion, treasure of virtues, beloved of the brahmins, the righteous one, the king of kings, devoted to truth, son of Dasharatha, dark-complexioned, embodiment of peace, the delight of the worlds, the ornament of the Raghu dynasty, Raghava, the enemy of Ravana.

Salutations to Rama, Ramabhadra, Ramachandra, the Creator, the Lord of the Raghus, the Master, the husband of Sita.

Sri Rama, Rama, joy of the Raghus, Rama, Rama. Sri Rama, Rama, elder brother of Bharata, Rama, Rama. Sri Rama, Rama, fierce in battle, Rama, Rama. Sri Rama, Rama, be my refuge, Rama, Rama.

I remember the feet of Sri Ramachandra with my mind. I praise the feet of Sri Ramachandra with my words. I bow to the feet of Sri Ramachandra with my head. I take refuge in the feet of Sri Ramachandra.

Rama is my mother, Ramachandra is my father. Rama is my master, Ramachandra is my friend. The compassionate Ramachandra is my everything. I know of no other, truly I know of no other, I know not.

On whose right is Lakshmana, and on whose left is the daughter of Janaka (Sita), and in front of whom is Maruti (Hanuman): to that joy of the Raghus, I bow.

The delight of the worlds, steadfast in the battlefield, lotus-eyed, Lord of the Raghu dynasty, the embodiment of compassion, the source of compassion: in that Sri Ramachandra, I take refuge.

Swift as the mind, with speed equal to the wind, conqueror of the senses, the foremost among the wise, the son of the wind god, the chief of the monkey army: in that messenger of Sri Rama (Hanuman), I take refuge.

Singing 'Rama, Rama', the sweet, sweet syllables, having climbed the branch of poetry: I bow to the cuckoo named Valmiki.

The destroyer of calamities, the giver of all wealth, the delight of the worlds: to Sri Rama, again and again I bow.

The roasting of the seeds of worldly existence, the acquisition of happiness and wealth, the frightening away of the messengers of death (Yama): that is the roaring chant of 'Rama, Rama'.

Rama, the jewel among kings, is always victorious. I worship Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi. By Rama, the army of demons was destroyed; to that Rama, salutations. There is no higher refuge than Rama; I am the servant of Rama. May my mind always be absorbed in Rama; O Rama, please uplift me.

Lord Shiva to Parvati: 'Rama, Rama, Rama' - by chanting this, I rejoice in the beautiful Rama. O lovely-faced one, the name of Rama is equal to the thousand names (of Vishnu).