The Ram Raksha Stotra is a ┬лkavacha┬╗ (armour) тАФ in it, a different name and form of Ram is invoked to protect each part of the body, from head to foot. By tradition Lord Shiva revealed it in a dream to Rishi Budhakaushika, who wrote it down on waking (verse 15). The famous verses ┬лRam Rameti Rameti┬╗ and ┬лManojavam Marutatulyavegam┬╗ come at its end.
ЁЯУЦ Full text тАФ with meaning
Tap ┬лRoman (English) script┬╗ to see the original Devanagari text.
Viniyoga: of this Ram Raksha Stotra mantra the rishi is Budhakaushika, the deity Shri Sita-Ramachandra, the metre Anushtup, the shakti Sita and the kilaka Shri Hanuman; it is used in japa for the pleasure of Shri Sita-Ramachandra.
Meditation: one should meditate on Shri Ramachandra тАФ arms reaching to the knees, holding bow and arrows, seated in padmasana, wearing yellow garments, with joyful eyes lovelier than fresh lotus petals, his eyes meeting the lotus-face of Sita seated on his left lap, dark as a rain-cloud, shining with many ornaments and wearing a crown of matted locks.
May Kausalya's son protect my eyes, Vishvamitra's beloved my ears, the protector of the yajna my nose, and the one affectionate to Sumitra's son my mouth.
May the treasure of learning protect my tongue, the one honoured by Bharata my throat, the bearer of divine weapons my shoulders, and the breaker of Shiva's bow my arms.
May the builder of the bridge protect my knees, the slayer of the ten-headed one my shins, the one who gave Vibhishana his kingdom my feet, and Ram my whole body.
Whoever remembers this Ram-kavacha called ┬лVajrapanjara┬╗ (cage of diamond) тАФ his command is never thwarted and he attains victory and auspiciousness everywhere.
Attasajjadhanushavishusprishavakshayashuganishangasanginau | Rakshanaya Mama Ramalakshmanavagratah Pathi Sadaiva Gachchhatam ||20 ||
With bows strung, touching their arrows, carrying quivers of inexhaustible arrows тАФ may Ram and Lakshmana always walk ahead of me on the path to protect me.
I bow to Raghava, enemy of Ravana тАФ elder brother of Lakshmana, best of the Raghus, Sita's lord, handsome, of the Kakutstha line, ocean of compassion, treasure of virtues, dear to the learned, righteous, king of kings, true to his word, son of Dasharatha, dark, the image of peace, the most beautiful in the world, jewel of the Raghu clan.
Mata Ramo Matpita Ramachandrah Svami Ramo Matsakha Ramachandrah |
Sarvasvam Me Ramachandro Dayalurnanyam Jane Naiva Jane Na Jane ||30 ||
Ram is my mother, Ramachandra my father, Ram my master, Ramachandra my friend; compassionate Ramachandra is my everything тАФ I know no other, none at all.
I take refuge in Shri Ramachandra тАФ the most beautiful in the world, steadfast on the battlefield, lotus-eyed, lord of the Raghu dynasty, compassion embodied, the storehouse of mercy.
I take refuge in Shri Ram's messenger тАФ swift as the mind, fast as the wind, master of his senses, foremost among the wise, son of the Wind, chief of the monkey army.
Ramo Rajamanih Sada Vijayate Ramam Ramesham Bhaje Ramenabhihata Nishacharachamu Ramaya Tasmai Namah |
Ramannasti Parayanam Parataram Ramasya Daso'smyaham Rame Chittalayah Sada Bhavatu Me Bho Rama Mamuddhara ||37 ||
Ram, jewel among kings, is ever victorious; I worship Ram, lord of Lakshmi; by Ram the demon army was slain тАФ salutations to that Ram. There is no refuge higher than Ram; I am Ram's servant; may my mind always be absorbed in Ram тАФ O Ram, uplift me.
(Shiva says to Parvati) O fair-faced one, chanting ┬лRama, Rama, Rama┬╗ I delight in the delightful Ram; the one name of Ram equals a thousand names (the Vishnu Sahasranama).
ЁЯУ┐ Japa counter (mala of 108)
Tap the button for each repetition; every 108 counts as one mala (your phone vibrates). The count is saved on this device/browser.
ЁЯУЕ Next auspicious days (from our panchang)
29 Oct (Thursday)
5 Nov (Thursday)
12 Nov (Thursday)
19 Nov (Thursday)
26 Nov (Thursday)
3 Dec (Thursday)
Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.
ЁЯкФ How to chant / recite
Time: Morning after bath or at dusk; traditionally also before a journey.
Method: Light a lamp before the Ram Darbar; first the viniyoga and dhyana, then the 38 verses.
Count: Once daily; 11 times for a special sankalpa; continuous recitation on Ram Navami is a tradition.
Along with it: At the end, one mala of ┬лShri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram┬╗.
ЁЯЫХ Puja vidhi (step by step)
ЁЯз║ Items needed
Picture of Shri Ram Darbar
Yellow/red flowers, tulsi
Sandalwood, akshata, roli
Ghee lamp, incense
Fruits, panchamrit or sweets as bhog
ЁЯк╖ Procedure
Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the puja place and spread a fresh cloth on the altar (chowki).
Do achamana (sip water three times) and purify hands and mouth; sit on an asana and calm the mind.
Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil тАФ by tradition the lamp is kept to the deity's right.
Take water, akshata (unbroken rice) and a flower in the right hand and make the sankalpa тАФ your name, gotra, place, date and the purpose of the puja, spoken or in the mind; then let the water fall to the ground.
First remember Shri Ganesha (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah).
Meditate on the Ram Darbar (Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman) and offer water, sandalwood, akshata, flowers and tulsi.
Offer bhog and chant ┬лShri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram┬╗ or recite Ramcharitmanas / Ram Stuti.
Sing ┬лAarti Kijai Shri Raghubar Ji Ki┬╗ or ┬лShri Ramchandra Kripalu Bhaju Man┬╗.
Finally perform aarti, offer pushpanjali (flowers) and do parikrama (or turn around in your place).
Ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja, distribute the prasad and take it yourself.
тЪая╕П Rules & precautions
Ram Navami, every Thursday and (by custom) Tuesday are popular days for Ram-bhakti.
If a Ramayana recitation must pause, finish the episode before stopping.
ЁЯМЯ Benefits (as per tradition)
A prayer for the protection of body and family тАФ as a kavacha (verses 4тАУ9).
Phalashruti: long life, happiness, children, victory and humility (verse 10); the glory of Ram's name (verse 38).
These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.
тЭУ Frequently asked questions
Who wrote the Ram Raksha Stotra?
By tradition Rishi Budhakaushika, at Shiva's instruction in a dream (verse 15).
What does ┬лRam Rameti Rameti┬╗ mean?
Shiva tells Parvati that chanting the one name of Ram equals a thousand names (the Vishnu Sahasranama).
Can children recite it?
Yes; in Maharashtra there is an old tradition of children learning the Ram Raksha by heart.