Sri Rama Raksha Stotram in Sanskrit, English with Meaning

Sri Rama Raksha Stotram

॥ ॐ श्रीगणेशाय नमः ॥
अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य । बुधकौशिक ऋषिः ।
श्रीसीतारामचन्द्रो देवता । अनुष्टुप् छन्दः ।
सीता शक्तिः । श्रीमद् हनुमान कीलकम् ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रप्रीत्यर्थे रामरक्षास्तोत्रजपे विनियोगः ॥

.. oṃ śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ ..
asya śrīrāmarakṣāstotramantrasya . budhakauśika ṛṣiḥ .
śrīsītārāmachandro devatā . anuṣṭup chandaḥ .
sītā śaktiḥ . śrīmad hanumāna kīlakam .
śrīrāmachandraprītyarthe rāmarakṣāstotrajape viniyogaḥ ..

We start with the salutations to the Lord Ganesha.
The author of this hymn (stotra), seeking Lord Rama’s protection, is sage Budhakaushika. The deity is Shri Sita-Ramachandra. The poetic meter is eight syllables in a quarter stanza. The power (energy of mother nature) is Sita. The center is Shri Hanuman. The purpose of reciting this mantra of Ramaraksha stotram is for the devotion to Lord Shri Ramachandra.

अथ ध्यानम् ।
ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्मासनस्थं
पीतं वासो वसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम् ।
वामाङ्कारूढ सीतामुखकमलमिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभं
नानालङ्कारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामण्डनं रामचन्द्रम् ॥
इति ध्यानम् ॥

atha dhyānam .
dhyāyedājānubāhuṃ dhṛtaśaradhanuṣaṃ baddhapadmāsanasthaṃ
pītaṃ vāso vasānaṃ navakamaladalaspardhinetraṃ prasannam .
vāmāṅkārūḍha sītāmukhakamalamilallochanaṃ nīradābhaṃ
nānālaṅkāradīptaṃ dadhatamurujaṭāmaṇḍanaṃ rāmachandram ..
iti dhyānam ..

Thus begins the meditation of this mantra.
One should meditate upon Lord Ramachandra who has arms reaching his knees, who is holding a bow and arrows, who is seated in a lotus pose, who is wearing yellow clothes, whose eyes compete with the petals of a newly bloomed lotus, who looks contented, whose sight is fixed on the lotus-like face of Sita, sitting on his left lap, whose color is like that of the rain cloud, who is shining in various ornaments and has hair which are reaching till his thighs.
Thus ends the meditation.

चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटि प्रविस्तरम् ।
एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातकनाशनम् ॥ १॥

charitaṃ raghunāthasya śatakoṭi pravistaram .
ekaikamakṣaraṃ puṃsāṃ mahāpātakanāśanam .. 1..

The life story of the Lord of the Raghu’s lineage — Lord Shri Rama, has a vast expanse. Each and every letter is capable of destroying even the greatest sins of the human beings (1)

ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम् ।
जानकीलक्ष्मणोपेतं जटामुकुटमण्डितम् ॥ २॥

dhyātvā nīlotpalaśyāmaṃ rāmaṃ rājīvalochanam .
jānakīlakṣmaṇopetaṃ jaṭāmukuṭamaṇḍitam .. 2..

Let us meditate on the blue-complexioned, blue lotus-eyed Rama, who is accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, and is well-adorned with crown of hair (2)

सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तञ्चरान्तकम् ।
स्वलीलया जगत्रातुं आविर्भूतं अजं विभुम् ॥ ३॥

sāsitūṇadhanurbāṇapāṇiṃ naktañcharāntakam .
svalīlayā jagatrātuṃ āvirbhūtaṃ ajaṃ vibhum .. 3..

(Let us meditate on him) Who has a sword in the receptacle, bow and arrow in his hand, who destroyed the demons, who is not born but is incarnated by his own will to protect this world. (3)

रामरक्षां पठेत्प्राज्ञः पापघ्नीं सर्वकामदाम् ।
शिरोमे राघवः पातु भालं दशरथात्मजः ॥ ४॥

rāmarakṣāṃ paṭhetprājñaḥ pāpaghnīṃ sarvakāmadām .
śirome rāghavaḥ pātu bhālaṃ daśarathātmajaḥ .. 4..

May the learned read the Ramaraksha `stotram’, which destroys all sins and grants all desires. (Begin listing details of the body to be protected) May Rama who is raghu’s descendant protect my head. May Rama who is Dasharatha’s son protect my forehead. (4)

कौसल्येयो दृशौ पातु विश्वामित्रप्रियश्रुती ।
घ्राणं पातु मखत्राता मुखं सौमित्रिवत्सलः ॥ ५॥

kausalyeyo dṛśau pātu viśvāmitrapriyaśrutī .
ghrāṇaṃ pātu makhatrātā mukhaṃ saumitrivatsalaḥ .. 5..

May the lord Rama who is Kausalya’s son, protect my eyes. Rama who is favorite of Vishvamitra protect my ears. Rama who is savior of Yajna protect my nose. Rama who is affectionate to Lakshmana protect my mouth. (5)

जिह्वां विद्यानिधिः पातु कण्ठं भरतवन्दितः ।
स्कन्धौ दिव्यायुधः पातु भुजौ भग्नेशकार्मुकः ॥ ६॥

jihvāṃ vidyānidhiḥ pātu kaṇṭhaṃ bharatavanditaḥ .
skandhau divyāyudhaḥ pātu bhujau bhagneśakārmukaḥ .. 6..

May the Rama who is a sea of knowledge protect my tongue.
May Rama who is saluted by Bharata protect my neck.
May Rama who holds divine weapons protct my two shoulders.
May Rama who broke Shiva’s bow protect my two upper arms. (6)

करौ सीतापतिः पातु हृदयं जामदग्न्यजित् ।
मध्यं पातु खरध्वंसी नाभिं जाम्बवदाश्रयः ॥ ७॥

karau sītāpatiḥ pātu hṛdayaṃ jāmadagnyajit .
madhyaṃ pātu kharadhvaṃsī nābhiṃ jāmbavadāśrayaḥ .. 7..

May the Rama who is the husband of Sita protect my two hands.
May Rama who conquered Parashurama protect my heart.
May Rama who killed the Rakshasa named Khara protect my abdomen.
May Rama who gave refuge to Jambavad protect my navel . (7)

सुग्रीवेशः कटी पातु सक्थिनी हनुमत्प्रभुः ।
ऊरू रघूत्तमः पातु रक्षःकुलविनाशकृत् ॥ ८॥

sugrīveśaḥ kaṭī pātu sakthinī hanumatprabhuḥ .
ūrū raghūttamaḥ pātu rakṣaḥkulavināśakṛt .. 8..

May master of Sugreeva protect my waist, may master of Hanuman protect my hips.
May the best of Raghus and destroyer of the lineage of demons protect my thighs (8)

जानुनी सेतुकृत्पातु जङ्घे दशमुखान्तकः ।
पादौ बिभीषणश्रीदः पातु रामोऽखिलं वपुः ॥ ९॥

jānunī setukṛtpātu jaṅghe daśamukhāntakaḥ .
pādau bibhīṣaṇaśrīdaḥ pātu rāmo’khilaṃ vapuḥ .. 9..

May establisher of the bridge (Ramasetu) protect my knees, may the slayer of ten-faced (Ravana) protect my shins.
May consecrator of wealth to Bibhishana protect my feet, may Sri Rama protect my my entire body (9)

एतां रामबलोपेतां रक्षां यः सुकृती पठेत् ।
स चिरायुः सुखी पुत्री विजयी विनयी भवेत् ॥ १०॥

etāṃ rāmabalopetāṃ rakṣāṃ yaḥ sukṛtī paṭhet .
sa cirāyuḥ sukhī putrī vijayī vinayī bhavet .. 10..

May the good man read this stotra (hymn) equable to all the power of Rama be blessed with long life, be blessed with children, be victorious and possess humility (10)

पातालभूतलव्योमचारिणश्छद्मचारिणः ।
न द्रष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभिः ॥ ११॥

pātālabhūtalavyomacāriṇaśchadmacāriṇaḥ .
na draṣṭumapi śaktāste rakṣitaṃ rāmanāmabhiḥ .. 11..

They who travel in the hell, earth and heaven and who travel secretly (changing forms), would not be able to see (the one who reads) the protective chant of Rama by the power of this chant (11)

रामेति रामभद्रेति रामचन्द्रेति वा स्मरन् ।
नरो न लिप्यते पापैः भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ॥ १२॥

rāmeti rāmabhadreti rāmachandreti vā smaran .
naro na lipyate pāpaiḥ bhuktiṃ muktiṃ cha vindati .. 12..

(The one who) remembers Rama, Rambhadra and Ramachandra (The poet has used these names for the same Lord Rama)। Sins never get attached to him, he will propser and attain salvation ॥12॥

जगजैत्रैकमन्त्रेण रामनाम्नाभिरक्षितम् ।
यः कण्ठे धारयेत्तस्य करस्थाः सर्वसिद्धयः ॥ १३॥

jagajaitraikamantreṇa rāmanāmnābhirakṣitam .
yaḥ kaṇṭhe dhārayettasya karasthāḥ sarvasiddhayaḥ .. 13..

In all three worlds, one who wears the hymn of the name of Rama as a protection round his neck, will have all powers unto him. (13)

वज्रपञ्जरनामेदं यो रामकवचं स्मरेत् ।
अव्याहताज्ञः सर्वत्र लभते जयमङ्गलम् ॥ १४॥

vajrapañjaranāmedaṃ yo rāmakavachaṃ smaret .
avyāhatājñaḥ sarvatra labhate jayamaṅgalam .. 14..

He who recites this hymn of the name of Rama called vajrapanjara will be unaffected, unscathed and will enjoy victory in all his endeavours. (14)

आदिष्टवान् यथा स्वप्ने रामरक्षांमिमां हरः ।
तथा लिखितवान् प्रातः प्रबुद्धो बुधकौशिकः ॥ १५॥

ādiṣṭavān yathā svapne rāmarakṣāṃmimāṃ haraḥ .
tathā likhitavān prātaḥ prabuddho budhakauśikaḥ .. 15..

Budhakaushika (composer of this Stotram) was commanded in his dream by Lord Shiva to compose this hymn and he did so, as soon as he awoke in the morning. (15)

आरामः कल्पवृक्षाणां विरामः सकलापदाम् ।
अभिरामस्त्रिलोकानां रामः श्रीमान् स नः प्रभुः ॥ १६॥

ārāmaḥ kalpavṛkṣāṇāṃ virāmaḥ sakalāpadām .
abhirāmastrilokānāṃ rāmaḥ śrīmān sa naḥ prabhuḥ .. 16..

Rama, who grants all desires (like a wish fulfilling tree), removes all obstacles and is the praise of all three worlds, is our `Lord’ indeed. (16)

तरुणौ रूपसम्पन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ ।
पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ ॥ १७॥

taruṇau rūpasampannau sukumārau mahābalau .
puṇḍarīkaviśālākṣau cīrakṛṣṇājināmbarau .. 17..

May the two brothers ever protect us, who are young, handsome, lotus-eyed and bark and deer-skin dressed. (17)

फलमूलाशिनौ दान्तौ तापसौ ब्रह्मचारिणौ ।
पुत्रौ दशरथस्यैतौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥ १८॥

phalamūlāśinau dāntau tāpasau brahmacāriṇau .
putrau daśarathasyaitau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau .. 18..

These two sons of Dasharatha, the brothers Rama and Lakshmana, the ones who are subsisting on roots and fruits and practicing penance and celibacy, (18)

शरण्यौ सर्वसत्त्वानां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वधनुष्मताम् ।
रक्षः कुलनिहन्तारौ त्रायेतां नो रघूत्तमौ ॥ १९॥

śaraṇyau sarvasattvānāṃ śreṣṭhau sarvadhanuṣmatām .
rakṣaḥ kulanihantārau trāyetāṃ no raghūttamau .. 19..

May these two scions of Raghu protect us, the foremost among the archers, the destroyers of the demons and the refuge of all beings, (may they) protect us. (19)

आत्तसज्जधनुषाविषुस्पृशावक्षयाशुग निषङ्गसङ्गिनौ ।
रक्षणाय मम रामलक्ष्मणावग्रतः पथि सदैव गच्छताम् ॥ २०॥

ātta sajja dhanuṣāviṣuspṛśāvakṣayāśuga niṣaṅgasaṅginau .
rakṣaṇāya mama rāmalakṣmaṇāvagrataḥ pathi sadaiva gacchatām .. 20..

Rama and Lakshmana (both), their bows pulled and ready, their hands on the arrows (packed) in ever full quivers (carried on their backs), may they always escort me in my path, for my protection . (20)

सन्नद्धः कवची खड्गी चापबाणधरो युवा ।
गच्छन्मनोरथोऽस्माकं रामः पातु सलक्ष्मणः ॥ २१॥

sannaddhaḥ kavacī khaḍgī cāpabāṇadharo yuvā .
gacchanmanoratho’smākaṃ rāmaḥ pātu salakṣmaṇaḥ .. 21..

Ever prepared and armed with sword, shield and bows and arrows and followed by Lakshmana , Rama is like our cherished thoughts come to life, may he (along with Lakshmana) protect us . (21)

रामो दाशरथिः शूरो लक्ष्मणानुचरो बली ।
काकुत्स्थः पुरुषः पूर्णः कौसल्येयो रघुत्तमः ॥ २२॥

rāmo dāśarathiḥ śūro lakṣmaṇānucharo balī .
kākutsthaḥ puruṣaḥ pūrṇaḥ kausalyeyo raghuttamaḥ .. 22..

Rama, the descendant of Raghu and the son of Dasaratha and Kausalya, and ever, accompanied by Lakshmana, is all powerful and is the perfect man (Lord). (22)

वेदान्तवेद्यो यज्ञेशः पुराणपुरुषोत्तमः ।
जानकीवल्लभः श्रीमान् अप्रमेय पराक्रमः ॥ २३॥

vedāntavedyo yajñeśaḥ purāṇapuruṣottamaḥ .
jānakīvallabhaḥ śrīmān aprameya parākramaḥ .. 23..

The rama, who is perceived thru Vedanta, who is lord of all sacrifices, is ancient and the best among me, who is the beloved of Sita and whose bravery is unmeasurable. (23)

इत्येतानि जपन्नित्यं मद्भक्तः श्रद्धयान्वितः ।
अश्वमेधाधिकं पुण्यं सम्प्राप्नोति न संशयः ॥ २४॥

ityetāni japannityaṃ madbhaktaḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ .
aśvamedhādhikaṃ puṇyaṃ samprāpnoti na saṃśayaḥ .. 24..

(Thus lord Shiva said) My devotee who recites these names of Rama with faith, He, without any doubt, is blessed more than the performance of Aswamedha (Sacrifice of white horse) etc. (24)

रामं दुर्वादलश्यामं पद्माक्षं पीतवाससम् ।
स्तुवन्ति नामभिर्दिव्यैः न ते संसारिणो नरः ॥ २५॥

rāmaṃ durvādalaśyāmaṃ padmākṣaṃ pītavāsasam .
stuvanti nāmabhirdivyaiḥ na te saṃsāriṇo naraḥ .. 25..

Those who sing the praise of Rama who is, dark-complexioned like the leaf of green grass, who is lotus-eyed and dressed in yellow robes, those who sing the praise of Him through this Hymn, are no longer ordinary men trapped in the world (they are liberated) (25)

रामं लक्ष्मणपूर्वजं रघुवरं सीतापतिं सुन्दरम् ।
काकुत्स्थं करुणार्णवं गुणनिधिं विप्रप्रियं धार्मिकम् ।
राजेन्द्रं सत्यसन्धं दशरथतनयं श्यामलं शान्तमूर्तिम् ।
वन्दे लोकाभिरामं रघुकुलतिलकं राघवं रावणारिम् ॥ २६॥

rāmaṃ lakṣmaṇapūrvajaṃ raghuvaraṃ sītāpatiṃ sundaram .
kākutsthaṃ karuṇārṇavaṃ guṇanidhiṃ viprapriyaṃ dhārmikam .
rājendraṃ satyasandhaṃ daśarathatanayaṃ śyāmalaṃ śāntamūrtim .
vande lokābhirāmaṃ raghukulatilakaṃ rāghavaṃ rāvaṇārim .. 26..

I salute that Rama who is handsome, the elder brother of Lakshmana, the husband of Sita and the best of the descendants of the Raghu race, Him who is the ocean of compassion, the stockpile of virtues, the beloved of the Brahmans and the protector of Dharma, Him who is the practitioner of the Truth, the lord emperor of kings, the son of Dasaratha, dark-complexioned and the personification of Peace and tranquillity, Him who is the enemy of Ravana, the crown jewel of the the Raghu dynasty and the cynosure (center of admiration) of all eyes. (26)

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे ।
रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः ॥ २७॥

rāmāya rāmabhadrāya rāmachandrāya vedhase .
raghunāthāya nāthāya sītāyāḥ pataye namaḥ .. 27..

Salutations to Rama who is also known as Ramabhadra and Ramachandra, who is mentioned in Vedas as the greatest lord of Raghuvansha and the whole world, and who is the consort of Sita.
(or)
I salute that Rama who is benevolent (good and protecting) and peaceful as the moon, and who is the lord of Sita and the master guardian of all. (27)

श्रीराम राम रघुनन्दन राम राम
श्रीराम राम भरताग्रज राम राम ।
श्रीराम राम रणकर्कश राम राम
श्रीराम राम शरणं भव राम राम ॥ २८॥

śrīrāma rāma raghunandana rāma rāma
śrīrāma rāma bharatāgraja rāma rāma .
śrīrāma rāma raṇakarkaśa rāma rāma
śrīrāma rāma śaraṇaṃ bhava rāma rāma .. 28..

I surender to that Rama who is the delight of the Raghus, the elder brother of Bharata and the tormentor of his enemies in the war. (28)

श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ मनसा स्मरामि
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ वचसा गृणामि ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शिरसा नमामि
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ २९॥

śrīrāmachandracharaṇau manasā smarāmi
śrīrāmachandracharaṇau vachasā gṛṇāmi .
śrīrāmachandracharaṇau śirasā namāmi
śrīrāmachandracharaṇau śaraṇaṃ prapadye .. 29..

I remember the feet of Sri Ramachandra in my mind.
I praise the feet of Sri Ramachandra by my speech
I salute the feet of Sri Ramachandra by bowing down my head
I take refuge on the feet of Sri Ramachandra by bowing myself down. (29)

माता रामो मत्पिता रामचन्द्रः
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचन्द्रः ।
सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालु-
र्नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने ॥ ३०॥

mātā rāmo matpitā rāmachandraḥ
svāmī rāmo matsakhā rāmachandraḥ .
sarvasvaṃ me rāmachandro dayālu-
rnānyaṃ jāne naiva jāne na jāne .. 30..

Rama is (like) my mother, father, master and friend, indeed the kind-hearted Rama is all I have . I know of no other (like him), (I really) don’t! (30)

दक्षिणे लक्ष्मणो यस्य वामे तु जनकात्मजा ।
पुरतो मारुतिर्यस्य तं वन्दे रघुनन्दनम् ॥ ३१॥

dakṣiṇe lakṣmaṇo yasya vāme tu janakātmajā .
purato mārutiryasya taṃ vande raghunandanam .. 31..

I salute that Rama (delight of the Raghu dynasty) who has Lakshmana on his right and Sita on the left and who has Hanuman in his front. (31)

लोकाभिरामं रणरङ्गधीरं
राजीवनेत्रं रघुवंशनाथम् ।
कारुण्यरूपं करुणाकरं तं
श्रीरामचन्द्रम् शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ ३२॥

lokābhirāmaṃ raṇaraṅgadhīraṃ
rājīvanetraṃ raghuvaṃśanātham .
kāruṇyarūpaṃ karuṇākaraṃ taṃ
śrīrāmachandram śaraṇaṃ prapadye .. 32..

I take refuge in that Rama who is so pleasing to the sight, the master of the stage of war, lotus-eyed, lord of the Raghu race, who is the personification of compassion. (32)

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं
जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् ।
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं
श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ ३३॥

manojavaṃ mārutatulyavegaṃ
jitendriyaṃ buddhimatāṃ variṣṭham .
vātātmajaṃ vānarayūthamukhyaṃ
śrīrāmadūtaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye .. 33..

I take refuge in the lord Hanuman who is as fast as the mind, equals his father, the wind-God, in speed, is the master of the senses, the foremost amongst the learned, the leader of the Monkey forces and the great messenger of Shri Rama. (33)

कूजन्तं राम रामेति मधुरं मधुराक्षरम् ।
आरुह्य कविताशाखां वन्दे वाल्मीकिकोकिलम् ॥ ३४॥

kūjantaṃ rāma rāmeti madhuraṃ madhurākṣaram .
āruhya kavitāśākhāṃ vande vālmīkikokilam .. 34..

I salute the great sage Valmiki who sings the glorious name of Rama as sweetly as a cuckoo sings, sitting atop a tree. (34)

आपदां अपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसम्पदाम् ।
लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम् ॥ ३५॥

āpadāṃ apahartāraṃ dātāraṃ sarvasampadām .
lokābhirāmaṃ śrīrāmaṃ bhūyo bhūyo namāmyaham .. 35..

I bow again and again to Rama who removes all obstacles and grants all prosperity and pleases all. (35)

भर्जनं भवबीजानां अर्जनं सुखसम्पदाम् ।
तर्जनं यमदूतानां राम रामेति गर्जनम् ॥ ३६॥

bharjanaṃ bhavabījānāṃ arjanaṃ sukhasampadām .
tarjanaṃ yamadūtānāṃ rāma rāmeti garjanam .. 36..

The roar of the Rama nama is the destruction of the cause of rebirth (hence cause of liberation), the earning of all wealth and a scare to Yama’s (Lord of Death’s) messengers. (36)

रामो राजमणिः सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे
रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नमः ।
रामान्नास्ति परायणं परतरं रामस्य दासोस्म्यहं
रामे चित्तलयः सदा भवतु मे भो राम मामुद्धर ॥ ३७॥

rāmo rājamaṇiḥ sadā vijayate rāmaṃ rameśaṃ bhaje
rāmeṇābhihatā niśācharachamū rāmāya tasmai namaḥ .
rāmānnāsti parāyaṇaṃ parataraṃ rāmasya dāsosmyahaṃ
rāme cittalayaḥ sadā bhavatu me bho rāma māmuddhara .. 37..

Rama, the jewel among the kings, Him I worship, by Him so many demons have been destroyed, to him is said my prayer, beyond Him there is nothing to be worshipped, His servant I am, my mind is totally absorbed in Him, O Rama, please lift me up (from the lower to the higher Self).
Note: This verse gives all the seven declensions (the variation of the form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective, by which its grammatical case, number, and gender are identified) of the singular word Rama and gives us one way of remembering them! (37)

श्रीराम रामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।
सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥ ३८॥
इति श्रीबुधकौशिकविरचितं श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ श्रीसीतारामचन्द्रार्पणमस्तु ॥

śrīrāma rāmeti rāmeti rame rāme manorame .
sahasranāma tattulyaṃ rāmanāma varānane .. 38..
iti śrībudhakauśikaviracitaṃ śrīrāmarakṣāstotraṃ sampūrṇam ..
.. śrīsītārāmachandrārpaṇamastu ..

In chanting his name again and again, ‘Sri Rama, Rama,’ I discover joy in Lord Rāma who pleases my heart and whose face is a blessing. Chanting His name is equal to the chanting of one thousand names of Lord Vishnu. (38)
Sri Budha Koushika’s composition of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram is complete here.
This composition is devoted to the holy feet of Sri Rama and Sita.

Description

Ram Raksha’ literally means ‘Lord Sri Rama’s protection.’ Sri Ram Raksha Stotra is also called Rama-Kavacham, a shield of Protection by Lord Sri Ram. It is Sri Ram’s armour called Vajrapanjarnamedam (वज्रपंजरनामेदं). Shri Rama Raksha Stotram is a hymn of praise dedicated to Lord Rama and used as a prayer for protection. The composer of the Rama Raksha Stotra was Budha Kaushika, which is said to be another name of Rishi Vishvamitra. Lord Shiva ordered Sage Budha Kausika to write this powerful protecting shield or kavach/kavacham for devotees. Sage Budha Kausika thus under the advice of Lord Shiva wrote Sri Ram Raksha Stotra. There is a reference to this divine hymn in Rig-Veda. This Rama Raksha stotram along with Sri Hanuman Chalisa are considered as the two most powerful protective shields in the form of mantra. It is said that nothing affects a devotee who is protected by the kavacham (armour) of Sri Rama.

The first few Shlokas are the introductory and Dhyana (meditation) shlokas. From the 2nd line of the 4th Shloka (śirome rāghavaḥ pātu bhālaṃ daśarathātmajaḥ) to the 9th Shloka is the actual Stotram. 10th – 15th Shlokas are the Phala Shruthi (benefit of reciting Rama Raksha Stotram). Sholkas 16 – 38 have been appended from other epics like Ramayana, Mantra Shastra and so on.

Other Rama Shlokams

Sri Rama Raksha Stotram – Rama – With English Transliteration, Translation and Meaning. Commentary for selected Shlokams.