Shri Rama Ashtakam (Namami Ramamishvaram)
श्री रामाष्टकम् (नमामि राममीश्वरम्)
Also known as: namami ramamishvaram · shri rama ashtakam · ramashtakam brahmananda · namami ramam ishwaram · kritarta deva vandanam
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✦ Meaning
This Shri Ramashtakam, composed by Paramahamsa Swami Brahmananda, is an eight-verse Sanskrit hymn whose every verse ends with the refrain 'namaami raamam-eeshvaram' — 'I bow to Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord.' In a swift, beautiful sequence it recalls the whole story of the Ramayana: the gods' plea, the protection of Vishvamitra's sacrifice, the liberation of Ahalya, the breaking of Shiva's bow, the exile, the slaying of Maricha, the liberation of Jatayu, the alliance with Sugriva, the building of the bridge, the destruction of Ravana's line, and the righteous reign of Rama in Ayodhya. It is a complete adoration of Rama as both the hero of the epic and the Supreme Ishvara.
Origin & Story
Shri Ramashtakam composed by Paramahamsa Swami Brahmananda · Paramahamsa Swami Brahmananda · Medieval / early modern devotional period
This Ramashtakam belongs to the Bhakti tradition of compressing the entire Ramayana into a short, singable hymn of praise. Composed by the saint Paramahamsa Swami Brahmananda, it differs from the Vedantic Ramashtakam of Vyasa: instead of dwelling on Rama's non-dual nature, it narrates Rama's deeds one after another — protecting sages, redeeming Ahalya, breaking Shiva's bow, going to the forest, slaying demons, befriending the vanaras, bridging the ocean, destroying Ravana, and ruling Ayodhya — and crowns each with the affirmation that this very hero is 'Ishvara', the Supreme Lord. The hymn thus unites the loving remembrance of Rama's story with recognition of his divinity.
✦ As told in scripture
Devotees cherish how this hymn, in just eight short verses, lets one re-live the whole Ramayana — and traditionally hold that one who lovingly remembers Rama through such a stotra, recalling how he removed the burdens of gods, sages and subjects alike, finds his own burdens lightened and his mind drawn from the darkness of worry into the light of devotion ('jagat-tamo-divaakaram').
Complete Text with Meaning
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कृतार्तदेववन्दनं दिनेशवंशनन्दनम्। सुशोभिभालचन्दनं नमामि राममीश्वरम्॥१॥
Kritaarta-deva-vandanam dinesha-vamsha-nandanam, Sushobhi-bhaala-chandanam namaami raamam-eeshvaram. (1)
Meaning:I bow to Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord — to whom the distressed gods offered their prayers, the delight of the Solar dynasty, whose forehead is beautifully adorned with sandal-paste.
मुनीन्द्रयज्ञकारकं शिलाविपत्तिहारकम्। महाधनुर्विदारकं नमामि राममीश्वरम्॥२॥
Muneendra-yajna-kaarakam shilaa-vipatti-haarakam, Mahaa-dhanur-vidaarakam namaami raamam-eeshvaram. (2)
Meaning:I bow to Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord — protector of the sacrifice of the great sage Vishvamitra, remover of the calamity of the stone (who liberated Ahalya), the breaker of the mighty bow of Shiva.
स्वतातवाक्यकारिणं तपोवने विहारिणम्। करे सुचापधारिणं नमामि राममीश्वरम्॥३॥
Svataata-vaakya-kaarinam tapovane vihaarinam, Kare suchaapa-dhaarinam namaami raamam-eeshvaram. (3)
Meaning:I bow to Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord — who obeyed the word of his own father (and accepted exile), who roamed in the forest of austerities, holding the beautiful bow in his hand.
कुरंगमुक्तसायकं जटायुमोक्षदायकम्। प्रविद्धकीशनायकं नमामि राममीश्वरम्॥४॥
Kurangam-ukta-saayakam jataayu-moksha-daayakam, Pravidhda-keesha-naayakam namaami raamam-eeshvaram. (4)
Meaning:I bow to Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord — who loosed his arrow at the (golden) deer, who granted liberation to Jatayu, who became the cherished leader of the monkeys.
प्लवंगसंगसम्मतिं निबद्धनिम्नगापतिम्। दशास्यवंशसङ्क्षतिं नमामि राममीश्वरम्॥५॥
Plavanga-sanga-sammatim nibaddha-nimnagaa-patim, Dashaasya-vamsha-sankshatim namaami raamam-eeshvaram. (5)
Meaning:I bow to Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord — who took counsel with the host of monkeys, who bound the lord of rivers (the ocean) by the bridge, the destroyer of the dynasty of the ten-faced Ravana.
विदीनदेवहर्षणं कपीप्सितार्थवर्षणम्। स्वबन्धुशोककर्षणं नमामि राममीश्वरम्॥६॥
Videena-deva-harshanam kapeepsita-artha-varshanam, Svabandhu-shoka-karshanam namaami raamam-eeshvaram. (6)
Meaning:I bow to Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord — who gladdened the dejected gods, who showered the monkeys with the boons they desired, who dispelled the grief of his own kinsmen.
गतारिराज्यरक्षणं प्रजाजनार्तिभक्षणम्। कृतास्तमोहलक्षणं नमामि राममीश्वरम्॥७॥
Gataari-raajya-rakshanam prajaajana-aarti-bhakshanam, Kritaasta-moha-lakshanam namaami raamam-eeshvaram. (7)
Meaning:I bow to Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord — who, his foes vanquished, protected the realm, who devoured the sufferings of his subjects, who ended the marks of delusion.
हृताखिलाचलाभरं स्वधामनीतनागरम्। जगत्तमोदिवाकरं नमामि राममीश्वरम्॥८॥
Hritaakhila-achalaa-bharam svadhaama-neeta-naagaram, Jagat-tamo-divaakaram namaami raamam-eeshvaram. (8)
Meaning:I bow to Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord — who removed the entire burden of the earth, who led the citizens of Ayodhya to his own divine abode, the sun that dispels the darkness of the world.
॥ इति श्रीपरमहंसस्वामिब्रह्मानन्दविरचितं श्रीरामाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
Iti shree-paramahamsa-svaami-brahmaananda-virachitam shree-raamaashtakam sampoornam.
Meaning:Thus ends the Shri Ramashtakam composed by Paramahamsa Swami Brahmananda.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Shri Rama Ashtakam (Namami Ramamishvaram)
Each verse beautifully recalls a key episode of the Ramayana, making it a complete remembrance of Rama's life-story
Affirms Rama as 'Ishvara' — the Supreme Lord — deepening devotion beyond the human story
Praised as 'jagat-tamo-divaakaram', the sun that dispels the darkness of ignorance, hence chanted for clarity and wisdom
Recalls how Rama removed the suffering of gods, sages, monkeys and subjects — invoked for relief from one's own troubles
Ideal for daily Rama worship and especially powerful on Ram Navami and Vijayadashami
Cultivates the ideals of dharma — obedience, courage, friendship and just rule — embodied by Rama
Short, rhythmic and melodious, easy to memorize and chant for the whole family
How to Chant Shri Rama Ashtakam (Namami Ramamishvaram)
After a bath, sit before an image of Sri Rama (with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman) and light a lamp. Recite all eight verses melodiously, allowing the mind to follow the unfolding story of the Ramayana that each verse paints — from the gods' prayer to Rama's reign in Ayodhya — and bowing inwardly at every refrain 'namaami raamam-eeshvaram'. It may be recited 8 times for its eight verses, or as a daily part of Rama worship. Its rhythmic meter makes it especially suited to be sung.