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Dhyayed Ajanu Bahum (Sri Rama Dhyana) — Word-by-Word Meaning

ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं (श्रीराम ध्यान)

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

ध्यायेत्
dhyayet
one should meditate upon
आजानुबाहुं
ajanu-bahum
having arms reaching down to the knees (a mark of greatness)
धृतशरधनुषं
dhrita-shara-dhanusham
holding an arrow and a bow
बद्धपद्मासनस्थं
baddha-padmasanastham
seated firmly in the lotus posture
पीतं वासो वसानं
pitam vaso vasanam
clad in yellow garments
नवकमलदलस्पर्धिनेत्रं
nava-kamala-dala-spardhi-netram
with eyes that rival the petals of a fresh lotus
प्रसन्नम्
prasannam
serene, gracious, of pleasing countenance
वामाङ्कारूढ
vamankarudha
seated upon his left lap
सीतामुखकमल
sita-mukha-kamala
the lotus face of Sita
मिलल्लोचनं
milal-lochanam
whose gaze meets (is united with the lotus face of Sita)
नीरदाभं
niradabham
dark and lustrous like a rain-cloud
नानालङ्कारदीप्तं
nanalankara-diptam
shining with various ornaments
उरुजटामण्डलं
uru-jata-mandalam
bearing a large circle of matted locks (as a crown)
दधतम्
dadhatam
bearing, wearing
रामचन्द्रम्
ramachandram
Sri Ramachandra, Lord Rama

Complete Translation

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.

Origin & History

Source: Traditional dhyana shloka of Sri Rama, recited as the meditation verse preceding the Ramaraksha Stotra and Rama worship

Author: Traditional (associated with the Ramaraksha Stotra tradition of Budha Kaushika)

Period: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'Dhyayed Ajanu Bahum'?▼
It is the well-known dhyana (meditation) verse on Lord Rama, traditionally recited before the Ramaraksha Stotra and Rama worship. It describes Rama's form in detail — long-armed, lotus-eyed, bow and arrow in hand, seated in the lotus posture with Sita on his left lap.
Why is Rama described with arms reaching the knees?▼
'Ajanu-bahu' (arms reaching to the knees) is a traditional mark of a great and noble personage (mahapurusha) in Indian iconography, indicating strength, generosity, and divine majesty. It is one of the auspicious bodily signs attributed to Rama.
When is this dhyana shloka recited?▼
It is chanted as the opening meditation verse before the Ramaraksha Stotra, before other Rama stotras and bhajans, and during daily Rama puja, especially on Rama Navami, to visualise the Lord before prayer.
Why is Sita shown on Rama's left lap?▼
Depicting Sita 'vamanka-arudha' (seated on the left lap) with their gazes meeting expresses the loving union of the divine couple and the completeness of worshipping Sita-Rama together rather than Rama alone.

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