Apadamapahartaram (Apadam Apahartaram Shloka) — Word-by-Word Meaning
आपदामपहर्तारम् (आपदामपहर्तारं श्लोक)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
आपदाम्
Apadam
Of calamities, dangers, misfortunes and adversities
अपहर्तारम्
Apahartaram
The remover, the one who takes away (and destroys)
दातारम्
Dataram
The giver, the bestower
सर्वसम्पदाम्
Sarva-sampadam
Of all prosperity, wealth and auspiciousness
लोकाभिरामम्
Lokabhiramam
The delight of all the worlds; He who is pleasing and beloved to all people
श्रीरामम्
Sri-Ramam
Sri Rama, the Lord (the auspicious Rama)
भूयो भूयः
Bhuyo Bhuyah
Again and again, repeatedly
नमामि अहम्
Namamy-aham
I bow, I offer my salutations
Complete Translation
To the remover of all calamities and the bestower of all prosperity, the delight of all the worlds, Sri Rama — to Him I bow again and again.
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Vaishnava prayer verse, widely recited in daily worship and Apaduddharaka (rescue-from-distress) stotras
Author: Unknown (traditional)
Period: Ancient / traditional
This verse distills the devotee's two deepest prayers — freedom from danger and the gift of well-being — into a single salutation to Sri Rama, the ideal Lord whose very life was the triumph of dharma over adversity. Because Rama Himself endured exile, loss and battle yet remained the 'delight of all the worlds', devotees turn to Him as the surest refuge in their own calamities, repeating this shloka 'again and again' as both prayer and remembrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apadam Apahartaram shloka?▼
It is a famous one-verse prayer to Sri Rama, praising Him as the remover of all calamities (apad) and the giver of all prosperity (sampad), the delight of all the worlds, and bowing to Him again and again. It is widely recited in daily worship and in times of trouble.
What does 'Apadam apahartaram' mean?▼
'Apadam apahartaram' means 'the remover of calamities/adversities', and 'dataram sarva-sampadam' means 'the bestower of all prosperity'. So the verse hails the Lord as the one who both takes away all dangers and grants all good fortune.
Is this shloka about Rama or Krishna?▼
The most well-known and traditional form addresses Sri Rama ('Lokabhiramam Sri-Ramam'). A similar verse is sometimes recited to Sri Krishna by substituting His name. Both forms carry the same prayer — to remove calamities and grant prosperity.
When should I chant it?▼
It is excellent for daily morning and evening prayer, before beginning a journey or important work, and during any time of fear, crisis or hardship. Its brevity makes it easy to recall and repeat whenever protection and reassurance are needed.
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