Dhyayed Ajanu Bahum (Sri Rama Dhyana)
ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं (श्रीराम ध्यान)
Also known as: dhyayed ajanu bahum · dhyayedajanubahum dhritasharadhanusham · sri rama dhyana shloka · ramaraksha dhyana verse · rama dhyanam
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✦ Meaning
This is the classic dhyana verse recited before Sri Rama worship and the Ramaraksha Stotra, presenting a complete meditative portrait of Lord Rama. It pictures him long-armed and lotus-eyed, bow and arrow in hand, seated in padmasana with Sita on his left lap, dark as a rain-cloud and crowned with matted locks. Meditating on this image fixes Rama's serene, majestic form in the heart before prayer.
Origin & Story
Traditional dhyana shloka of Sri Rama, recited as the meditation verse preceding the Ramaraksha Stotra and Rama worship · Traditional (associated with the Ramaraksha Stotra tradition of Budha Kaushika) · Classical / medieval devotional period
Dhyana-shlokas establish the form of the deity in the mind before worship, and this verse serves that role for Rama. Placed before the celebrated Ramaraksha Stotra, it assembles Rama's auspicious marks — the knee-length arms, lotus eyes, bow and arrow, lotus posture, yellow robes, cloud-dark hue, and matted-lock crown — together with Sita on his lap, giving the devotee a single, complete image of Sita-Rama to meditate upon.
✦ As told in scripture
Devotees of the Ramaraksha tradition hold that meditating on this form of Rama before reciting the stotra surrounds the worshipper with the Lord's protection, for tradition says Rama himself, pleased by such loving contemplation, shields his devotee from every fear just as his name and form guarded the sage who received the Ramaraksha in a dream.
The Mantra
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ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्मासनस्थं पीतं वासो वसानं नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम्। वामाङ्कारूढसीतामुखकमलमिलल्लोचनं नीरदाभं नानालङ्कारदीप्तं दधतमुरुजटामण्डलं रामचन्द्रम्॥
Dhyayed ajanu-bahum dhrita-shara-dhanusham baddha-padmasanastham, Pitam vaso vasanam nava-kamala-dala-spardhi-netram prasannam, Vamankarudha-sita-mukha-kamala-milal-lochanam niradabham, Nanalankara-diptam dadhatam uru-jata-mandalam ramachandram.
Meaning:One should meditate upon Sri Ramachandra — his arms reaching to his knees, holding bow and arrow, seated firm in the lotus posture, clad in yellow, his serene eyes rivalling fresh lotus petals; his gaze meeting the lotus face of Sita seated on his left lap; dark and radiant as a rain-cloud, shining with many ornaments and bearing a great crown of matted locks.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Dhyayed Ajanu Bahum (Sri Rama Dhyana)
Fixes the complete, majestic form of Sri Rama with Sita in the mind for meditation
The standard dhyana recited before the Ramaraksha Stotra and Rama worship
Invokes Rama's serene, gracious presence, bringing calm and protection
Deepens devotion to Sita-Rama together, the ideal of divine harmony
Each detail offers a focus, steadying the mind for prayer and japa
Meditating on the lotus-eyed, cloud-dark Rama is held to bestow peace and auspiciousness
How to Chant Dhyayed Ajanu Bahum (Sri Rama Dhyana)
Sit calmly and, as you chant, build the image part by part — the long arms with bow and arrow, the lotus posture, the yellow garments, the serene lotus-petal eyes, Sita on the left lap, the cloud-dark form, the ornaments and the crown of matted locks. Recite this dhyana once or three times to establish Rama's form in the mind before beginning the Ramaraksha Stotra, other Rama stotras, or meditation.