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 salutations to Lord Ganesha
The author of this hymn seeking Lord Rama’s protection is sage Budhakaushika
The deity is Shri Sita Ramachandra
The poetic meter is Anushtup
The power is Sita
The key is Shri Hanuman
The purpose is devotion to Lord Shri Ramachandra

अथ ध्यानम्

ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्मासनस्थं
पीतं वासो वसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम्
वामाङ्कारूढ सीतामुखकमलमिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभं
नानालङ्कारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामण्डनं रामचन्द्रम्

atha dhyānam

dhyāyedājānubāhuṃ dhṛtaśaradhanuṣaṃ baddhapadmāsanasthaṃ
pītaṃ vāso vasānaṃ navakamaladalaspardhinetraṃ prasannam
vāmāṅkārūḍha sītāmukhakamalamilallochanaṃ nīradābhaṃ
nānālaṅkāradīptaṃ dadhatamurujaṭāmaṇḍanaṃ rāmachandram

Thus begins the meditation
One should meditate upon Lord Ramachandra with arms reaching his knees holding bow and arrows seated in lotus posture wearing yellow garments lotus-like eyes serene gaze fixed on Sita seated on his left complexion like rain clouds adorned with ornaments and matted locks

Thus ends the meditation

चरितं रघुनाथस्य शतकोटि प्रविस्तरम्
एकैकमक्षरं पुंसां महापातकनाशनम्

charitaṃ raghunāthasya śatakoṭi pravistaram
ekaikamakṣaraṃ puṃsāṃ mahāpātakanāśanam

The life of Lord Rama is vast and every syllable destroys great sins

ध्यात्वा नीलोत्पलश्यामं रामं राजीवलोचनम्
जानकीलक्ष्मणोपेतं जटामुकुटमण्डितम्

dhyātvā nīlotpalaśyāmaṃ rāmaṃ rājīvalochanam
jānakīlakṣmaṇopetaṃ jaṭāmukuṭamaṇḍitam

Meditate on blue-hued Rama lotus-eyed accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana adorned with matted crown

सासितूणधनुर्बाणपाणिं नक्तञ्चरान्तकम्
स्वलीलया जगत्रातुं आविर्भूतं अजं विभुम्

sāsitūṇadhanurbāṇapāṇiṃ naktañcharāntakam
svalīlayā jagatrātuṃ āvirbhūtaṃ ajaṃ vibhum

He bears sword quiver bow and arrows destroys demons unborn yet manifests to protect the world

रामरक्षां पठेत्प्राज्ञः पापघ्नीं सर्वकामदाम्
शिरोमे राघवः पातु भालं दशरथात्मजः

rāmarakṣāṃ paṭhetprājñaḥ pāpaghnīṃ sarvakāmadām
śirome rāghavaḥ pātu bhālaṃ daśarathātmajaḥ

May Rama protect my head and forehead

कौसल्येयो दृशौ पातु विश्वामित्रप्रियश्रुती
घ्राणं पातु मखत्राता मुखं सौमित्रिवत्सलः

kausalyeyo dṛśau pātu viśvāmitrapriyaśrutī
ghrāṇaṃ pātu makhatrātā mukhaṃ saumitrivatsalaḥ

May Rama protect eyes ears nose and mouth

जिह्वां विद्यानिधिः पातु कण्ठं भरतवन्दितः
स्कन्धौ दिव्यायुधः पातु भुजौ भग्नेशकार्मुकः

jihvāṃ vidyānidhiḥ pātu kaṇṭhaṃ bharatavanditaḥ
skandhau divyāyudhaḥ pātu bhujau bhagneśakārmukaḥ

May Rama protect tongue neck shoulders and arms

करौ सीतापतिः पातु हृदयं जामदग्न्यजित्
मध्यं पातु खरध्वंसी नाभिं जाम्बवदाश्रयः

karau sītāpatiḥ pātu hṛdayaṃ jāmadagnyajit
madhyaṃ pātu kharadhvaṃsī nābhiṃ jāmbavadāśrayaḥ

May Rama protect hands heart abdomen and navel

सुग्रीवेशः कटी पातु सक्थिनी हनुमत्प्रभुः
ऊरू रघूत्तमः पातु रक्षःकुलविनाशकृत्

sugrīveśaḥ kaṭī pātu sakthinī hanumatprabhuḥ
ūrū raghūttamaḥ pātu rakṣaḥkulavināśakṛt

May Rama protect waist hips and thighs

जानुनी सेतुकृत्पातु जङ्घे दशमुखान्तकः
पादौ बिभीषणश्रीदः पातु रामोऽखिलं वपुः

jānunī setukṛtpātu jaṅghe daśamukhāntakaḥ
pādau bibhīṣaṇaśrīdaḥ pātu rāmo’khilaṃ vapuḥ

May Rama protect knees shins feet and entire body

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

May one who recites this be long-lived joyful victorious and humble

पातालभूतलव्योमचारिणश्छद्मचारिणः
न द्रष्टुमपि शक्तास्ते रक्षितं रामनामभिः

pātālabhūtalavyomacāriṇaśchadmacāriṇaḥ
na draṣṭumapi śaktāste rakṣitaṃ rāmanāmabhiḥ

Those protected by Rama’s name are unseen by hostile beings

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

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

Remembering Rama brings prosperity and liberation

जगजैत्रैकमन्त्रेण रामनाम्नाभिरक्षितम्
यः कण्ठे धारयेत्तस्य करस्थाः सर्वसिद्धयः

jagajaitraikamantreṇa rāmanāmnābhirakṣitam
yaḥ kaṇṭhe dhārayettasya karasthāḥ sarvasiddhayaḥ

All powers come to one who bears Rama’s name

वज्रपञ्जरनामेदं यो रामकवचं स्मरेत्
अव्याहताज्ञः सर्वत्र लभते जयमङ्गलम्

vajrapañjaranāmedaṃ yo rāmakavachaṃ smaret
avyāhatājñaḥ sarvatra labhate jayamaṅgalam

Victory and auspiciousness attend the reciter

आदिष्टवान् यथा स्वप्ने रामरक्षांमिमां हरः
तथा लिखितवान् प्रातः प्रबुद्धो बुधकौशिकः

ādiṣṭavān yathā svapne rāmarakṣāṃmimāṃ haraḥ
tathā likhitavān prātaḥ prabuddho budhakauśikaḥ

Budhakaushika composed this as instructed in a dream

आरामः कल्पवृक्षाणां विरामः सकलापदाम्
अभिरामस्त्रिलोकानां रामः श्रीमान् स नः प्रभुः

ārāmaḥ kalpavṛkṣāṇāṃ virāmaḥ sakalāpadām
abhirāmastrilokānāṃ rāmaḥ śrīmān sa naḥ prabhuḥ

Rama is our Lord fulfiller of desires and remover of troubles

तरुणौ रूपसम्पन्नौ सुकुमारौ महाबलौ
पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षौ चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरौ

taruṇau rūpasampannau sukumārau mahābalau
puṇḍarīkaviśālākṣau cīrakṛṣṇājināmbarau

May Rama and Lakshmana protect us

फलमूलाशिनौ दान्तौ तापसौ ब्रह्मचारिणौ
पुत्रौ दशरथस्यैतौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ

phalamūlāśinau dāntau tāpasau brahmacāriṇau
putrau daśarathasyaitau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau

The sons of Dasharatha practicing austerity

शरण्यौ सर्वसत्त्वानां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वधनुष्मताम्
रक्षः कुलनिहन्तारौ त्रायेतां नो रघूत्तमौ

śaraṇyau sarvasattvānāṃ śreṣṭhau sarvadhanuṣmatām
rakṣaḥ kulanihantārau trāyetāṃ no raghūttamau

May they protect us

आत्तसज्जधनुषाविषुस्पृशावक्षयाशुग निषङ्गसङ्गिनौ
रक्षणाय मम रामलक्ष्मणावग्रतः पथि सदैव गच्छताम्

ātta sajja dhanuṣāviṣuspṛśāvakṣayāśuga niṣaṅgasaṅginau
rakṣaṇāya mama rāmalakṣmaṇāvagrataḥ pathi sadaiva gacchatām

May Rama and Lakshmana guard my path

सन्नद्धः कवची खड्गी चापबाणधरो युवा
गच्छन्मनोरथोऽस्माकं रामः पातु सलक्ष्मणः

sannaddhaḥ kavacī khaḍgī cāpabāṇadharo yuvā
gacchanmanoratho’smākaṃ rāmaḥ pātu salakṣmaṇaḥ

May Rama with Lakshmana protect us

रामो दाशरथिः शूरो लक्ष्मणानुचरो बली
काकुत्स्थः पुरुषः पूर्णः कौसल्येयो रघुत्तमः

rāmo dāśarathiḥ śūro lakṣmaṇānucharo balī
kākutsthaḥ puruṣaḥ pūrṇaḥ kausalyeyo raghuttamaḥ

Rama the perfect man

वेदान्तवेद्यो यज्ञेशः पुराणपुरुषोत्तमः
जानकीवल्लभः श्रीमान् अप्रमेय पराक्रमः

vedāntavedyo yajñeśaḥ purāṇapuruṣottamaḥ
jānakīvallabhaḥ śrīmān aprameya parākramaḥ

Lord Rama supreme

इत्येतानि जपन्नित्यं मद्भक्तः श्रद्धयान्वितः
अश्वमेधाधिकं पुण्यं सम्प्राप्नोति न संशयः

ityetāni japannityaṃ madbhaktaḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ
aśvamedhādhikaṃ puṇyaṃ samprāpnoti na saṃśayaḥ

Greater than Ashwamedha

रामं दुर्वादलश्यामं पद्माक्षं पीतवाससम्
स्तुवन्ति नामभिर्दिव्यैः न ते संसारिणो नरः

rāmaṃ durvādalaśyāmaṃ padmākṣaṃ pītavāsasam
stuvanti nāmabhirdivyaiḥ na te saṃsāriṇo naraḥ

They are liberated

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 rāmachandrāya 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

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

माता रामो मत्पिता रामचन्द्रः
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचन्द्रः
सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालुर्नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने

mātā rāmo matpitā rāmachandraḥ
svāmī rāmo matsakhā rāmachandraḥ
sarvasvaṃ me rāmachandro dayālu rnānyaṃ 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
श्रीरामचन्द्रम् शरणं प्रपद्ये

lokābhirāmaṃ raṇaraṅgadhīraṃ
rājīvanetraṃ raghuvaṃśanātham
kāruṇyarūpaṃ karuṇākaraṃ taṃ
śrīrāmachandram śaraṇaṃ prapadye

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं
जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम्
वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं
श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये

manojavaṃ mārutatulyavegaṃ
jitendriyaṃ buddhimatāṃ variṣṭham
vātātmajaṃ vānarayūthamukhyaṃ
śrīrāmadūtaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye

कूजन्तं राम रामेति मधुरं मधुराक्षरम्
आरुह्य कविताशाखां वन्दे वाल्मीकिकोकिलम्

kūjantaṃ rāma rāmeti madhuraṃ madhurākṣaram
āruhya kavitāśākhāṃ vande vālmīkikokilam

आपदां अपहर्तारं दातारं सर्वसम्पदाम्
लोकाभिरामं श्रीरामं भूयो भूयो नमाम्यहम्

āpadāṃ apahartāraṃ dātāraṃ sarvasampadām
lokābhirāmaṃ śrīrāmaṃ bhūyo bhūyo namāmyaham

भर्जनं भवबीजानां अर्जनं सुखसम्पदाम्
तर्जनं यमदूतानां राम रामेति गर्जनम्

bharjanaṃ bhavabījānāṃ arjanaṃ sukhasampadām
tarjanaṃ yamadūtānāṃ rāma rāmeti garjanam

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

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

श्रीराम रामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे
सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने

śrīrāma rāmeti rāmeti rame rāme manorame
sahasranāma tattulyaṃ rāmanāma varānane

इति श्रीबुधकौशिकविरचितं श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम्
श्रीसीतारामचन्द्रार्पणमस्तु

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.

Sri Rama Raksha Stotram

Sri Rama Raksha Stotram is one of the most sacred and powerful hymns dedicated to Lord Rama, the embodiment of truth, righteousness, courage, compassion, and divine protection. Devotees have recited Sri Rama Raksha Stotram for centuries to attain peace, spiritual strength, fearlessness, and divine grace. The sacred verses of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram are believed to protect the mind, body, and soul from negativity, suffering, fear, and obstacles. Through sincere chanting of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram, devotees experience devotion, purity, inner calmness, and spiritual upliftment. Devotional India continues to preserve and spread the divine wisdom and spiritual traditions connected with Lord Rama and sacred stotras.

The spiritual significance of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram lies in its divine vibrations and the constant remembrance of Lord Rama. The chanting of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram purifies thoughts, strengthens faith, and awakens devotion within the heart of the seeker. Saints and sages have praised Sri Rama Raksha Stotram as a powerful spiritual shield that grants courage, confidence, peace, and protection during difficult times. By regularly reciting Sri Rama Raksha Stotram, devotees gradually overcome fear, anxiety, anger, negativity, and attachment while moving toward spiritual awareness and divine consciousness.

The teachings contained in Sri Rama Raksha Stotram also inspire individuals to follow the ideals of truth, morality, compassion, humility, discipline, and righteousness taught by Lord Rama. Every verse of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram reminds devotees about the divine qualities of Lord Rama and the importance of living a virtuous and spiritual life. Through meditation, prayer, chanting, devotion, and remembrance of Lord Rama, seekers attain peace, clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual fulfilment. Devotional India inspires devotees across the world to embrace Bhakti, Yoga, meditation, and divine living through sacred scriptures and stotras.

The regular recitation of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram is also believed to create positive spiritual energy and divine protection around the devotee. Many spiritual seekers chant Sri Rama Raksha Stotram daily for mental peace, courage, success, harmony, and spiritual growth. The divine power of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram strengthens faith during challenges and brings hope and confidence to the heart. Through sincere devotion and constant remembrance of Lord Rama, the sacred vibrations of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram help seekers move toward self-realisation and inner awakening. Devotional India continues to spread the eternal message of devotion, spirituality, divine wisdom, and the sacred glory of Lord Rama through timeless spiritual teachings.

-Sri Rama Apaduddharaka Stotram