Ram Raksha Stotra – A powerful shield of protection
By: Rajendra Kapil
In the Ram Raksha Stotra, Sage Budh Kaushik offers his devotion to Lord Ram in a unique manner. With complete surrender, he prays to Lord Ram for protection in every possible way. This heartfelt prayer consists of approximately 38 verses, seeking divine safeguarding from Ram in various aspects. These verses are compiled in a small booklet known as Ram Raksha Stotra. The sage begins by meditating on the divine and beautiful image of Lord Ram and offering his salutations.
The Divine Form of Lord Ram
Dhyayedajaanubāhum dhritasharadhanusham baddhapadmāsanastham,
Pītam vāsovasanam navakamaladalaspardhinetram prasannam।
Vāmānkārūdhasītā mukhakamalamilallochanam nīradābham,
Nānālankāradeeptam dadhatamurujatāmandalam Rāmachandram॥
With a bow and arrow in hand, Lord Ram sits gracefully in a lotus posture, clad in yellow garments. His gentle smile, serene face, and eyes as radiant as freshly bloomed lotus petals enhance his divine beauty. Adorned with various ornaments, his yellow attire shines brilliantly, and his matted locks add to his majestic appearance. Seated beside him is Goddess Sita. Meditating upon this divine vision, Sage Kaushik begins the Ram Raksha Stotra.
Prayers for Protection of the Body
Following the invocation, Sage Kaushik prays to Lord Ram for the protection of different parts of the body by addressing him with various divine epithets:
Rāmarakṣām paṭhet prājñaḥ pāpaghniṁ sarvakāmadām।
Śiro me Rāghavaḥ pātu bhālaṁ Daśarathātmajaḥ॥4॥
Kaushalyeyo dṛśau pātu Viśvāmitrapriyaḥ śrutī।
Ghrāṇaṁ pātu makhatrātā mukhaṁ Saumitri vatsalaḥ॥5॥
Jihvāṁ vidyānidhiḥ pātu kaṇṭhaṁ Bharatavanditaḥ।
Skandhau divyāyudhaḥ pātu bhujau bhagneśakārmukaḥ॥6॥
Karau Sītāpatiḥ pātu hṛdayaṁ Jāmadagnyajit।
Madhyaṁ pātu Kharadhvaṁsī nābhiṁ Jāmbavadāśrayaḥ॥7॥
The verses request Lord Ram to protect every part of the body. Lord Raghava guards the head, the son of King Dasharath shields the forehead, Kaushalya’s beloved Ram watches over the eyes, and Vishvamitra’s cherished disciple safeguards the ears. Every limb is entrusted to Ram’s divine grace, ensuring complete protection.
The Blessings of Chanting the Stotra
Etām Rāmabalopetām rakṣām yaḥ sukṛtī paṭhet।
Sa cirāyuḥ sukhī putrī vijayī vinayī bhavet॥10॥
Those who recite the Ram Raksha Stotra daily will always remain blessed with happiness, victory, humility, and a long life by Lord Ram’s grace.
The Divine Revelation of the Stotra
Ādiṣṭavān yathā svapne Rāmarakṣāmimāṁ Haraḥ।
Tathā likhitavān prātaḥ prabuddho Budhakaushikaḥ॥15॥
Sage Kaushik reveals that Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and commanded him to compose this stotra. Inspired by this divine vision, he wrote it down at dawn and dedicated it to Lord Ram.
Lord Ram as an Ascetic
Phalamūlāśinau dāntau tāpasau brahmacāriṇau।
Putrau Daśarathasyaitau bhrātarau RāmaLakṣmaṇau॥18॥
These verses depict the ascetic lifestyle of Lord Ram and Lakshman, who lived on fruits and roots, practiced restraint, and followed the path of righteousness. The sage prays that these noble sons of Dasharath forever protect devotees.
The Power of Devotion
Ityetāni japennityaṁ madbhaktaḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ।
Aśvamedhādhikaṁ puṇyaṁ saṁprāpnoti na saṁśayaḥ॥24॥
Sage Kaushik assures devotees that sincere recitation of this stotra yields immense spiritual merit, comparable to performing the Ashwamedha Yagna, leaving no doubt about its potency.
Glorification of Lord Ram
Rājendraṁ satyasandhaṁ Daśarathatanayaṁ śyāmalaṁ śāntamūrtim।
Vande lokābhirāmaṁ Raghukulatilakaṁ Rāghavaṁ Rāvaṇāriṁ॥26॥
This verse extols Lord Ram as the ultimate king, a beacon of truth, and the destroyer of evil. His dusky complexion radiates peace, and his presence captivates the world.
Complete Surrender to Lord Ram
Śrīrāmacandracaraṇau manasā smarāmi।
Śrīrāmacandracaraṇau vacasā gṛṇāmi।
Śrīrāmacandracaraṇau śirasā namāmi।
Śrīrāmacandracaraṇau śaraṇaṁ prapadye॥29॥
The devotee wholeheartedly surrenders to Lord Ram’s feet—remembering them in the mind, singing their glory, bowing in reverence, and seeking eternal refuge.
Lord Ram: The Supreme Guardian
Mātā Rāmo matpitā Rāmachandraḥ।
Swāmī Rāmo matsakhā Rāmachandraḥ।
Sarvasvaṁ me Rāmachandro dayāluḥ।
Nānyaṁ jāne naiva jāne na jāne॥30॥
For the devotee, Lord Ram is everything—mother, father, master, and friend. No one else exists in their world apart from the compassionate Ram.
The Remover of Obstacles
Āpadāmapahartāraṁ dātāraṁ sarvasampadām।
Lokābhirāmaṁ Śrīrāmaṁ bhūyo bhūyo namāmyaham॥35॥
Lord Ram is the remover of all troubles and the bestower of prosperity. He always stands by his devotees in times of distress, filling their lives with abundance and joy.
Invocation of Hanuman
Manojavaṁ Mārutatulyavegaṁ jitendriyaṁ buddhimatāṁ variṣṭham।
Vātātmajaṁ Vānarayūthamukhyaṁ Śrīrāmadūtaṁ śaraṇaṁ prapadye॥33॥
Sage Kaushik also acknowledges Hanuman, the most devoted servant of Ram. Hanuman is swift as the wind, self-disciplined, and the wisest among the intelligent. As the chief of the Vanara army and Ram’s divine messenger, he too is invoked for blessings.
The Supremacy of Ram’s Name
Rāmo rājamaniḥ sadā vijayate Rāmaṁ Rameśaṁ bhaje।
Rāmeṇābhihatā niśācaracamū Rāmāya tasmai namaḥ।
Rāmān nāsti parāyaṇaṁ parataraṁ Rāmasya dāso’smyaham।
Rāme cittalayaḥ sadā bhavatu me bho Rāma māmuddhara॥37॥
Rāma Rāmeti Rāmeti rame Rāme manorame।
Sahasranāma tattulyaṁ Rāmanāma varānane॥38॥
The final verses proclaim Lord Ram as the supreme ruler, whose very name is equivalent to chanting a thousand divine names (Vishnu Sahasranama). Sage Kaushik entrusts this sacred hymn to devotees, ensuring that Ram’s name remains an eternal legacy.
With deep gratitude, devotees acknowledge Sage Kaushik’s contribution and bow in reverence to this powerful Ram Raksha Stotra, which continues to protect and bless all who recite it with devotion.
Shat Shat Pranam to Sage Budh Kaushik!
