Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam
Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam in English · English
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✦ Meaning
The Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam ('Om Chidakaro Dhata') is an eight-verse hymn, composed by the poet Amaradasa, whose every line ends with the prayer 'Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam' — 'may Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.' It weaves together Rama's tender deeds from the Ramayana (redeeming Shabari and Ahalya, befriending Sugriva and Vishwamitra) with his identity as Vishnu and the Supreme Self. The closing verse promises that one who recites it at dawn casts off the fear of birth and death and attains Rama's supreme abode.
Origin & Story
Traditional Sanskrit hymn (Sri Rama Stotram) · Amaradasa (as named in the hymn's phalashruti) · Traditional
The Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam is a devotional stotra in which the poet Amaradasa adores Lord Rama both as the gentle prince of the Ramayana and as the all-pervading Vishnu and Supreme Self. Across its eight verses he recalls Rama's compassion to Shabari and Ahalya, his friendship with Sugriva and the sage Vishwamitra, and his cosmic forms, ending each verse with the longing that Rama dwell forever in his heart. The closing verse names the poet and sets out the hymn's fruit.
✦ As told in scripture
The hymn's phalashruti declares its own blessing: whoever recites this stotra at dawn with devotion swiftly sheds the fear of birth and death and the suffering it causes, and is led to the supreme, blessedness-bestowing abode of Rama — the assurance that constant remembrance of Rama in the heart carries the devotee beyond samsara.
Complete Text with Meaning
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Om Chidakaro Dhata Parama Sukhadah Pavana Tanur- Munindrair Yogindrair Yatipati Surendrair Hanumata Sada Sevyah Purno Janaka Tanaya Angah Suraguru Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam
Meaning:Om. Of the form of pure consciousness, the sustainer, giver of supreme bliss, of sanctifying form; ever served by the great sages, the lords of yoga, the chief of ascetics, the king of gods and by Hanuman; the perfect one at whose side is Janaka's daughter (Sita), the preceptor of the gods — may that Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.
Mukundo Govindo Janaka Tanaya Lalita Padah Padam Prapta Yasya Adhama Kula Bhava Chapi Shabari Giratito Agamyo Vimala Dhishanair Veda Vachasa Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam
Meaning:Mukunda, Govinda, whose feet are caressed by Janaka's daughter; whose feet even the lowly-born Shabari attained; beyond speech, unreachable, (known only) through the pure-minded and the words of the Veda — may that Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.
Dharadhisho Adhishah Sura Nara Varanam Raghupatih Kiriti Keyuri Kanaka Kapishah Shobhita Vapuh Samasinah Pithe Ravi Shata Nibhe Shanta Manaso Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam
Meaning:Lord of the earth, sovereign over the best of gods and men, the Lord of the Raghus; crowned and adorned with armlets, golden-hued, of resplendent form; seated serene-minded upon a throne bright as a hundred suns — may that Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.
Varenyah Sharanyah Kapipati Sakhash Cha Anta Vidhuro Lalate Kashmiro Ruchira Gati Bhangah Shashimukhah Narakaro Ramo Yatipati Nutah Samsriti Haro Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam
Meaning:The most excellent, the refuge of all, friend of the monkey-king, free of inner distress; with saffron on his brow, of charming gait, moon-faced; Rama in human form, praised by the chief of ascetics, remover of worldly existence — may that Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.
Virupakshah Kashyam Upadishati Yan Nama Shivadam Sahasram Yan Namnam Pathati Girija Pratyushasi Vai Svaloke Gayantishvara Vidhi Mukha Yasya Charitam Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam
Meaning:Whose blessedness-giving name Shiva (the three-eyed) imparts at Kashi; whose thousand names Girija (Parvati) recites each dawn; whose deeds Shiva, Brahma and the others sing in their own realms — may that Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.
Paro Dhiro Adhiro Asura Kula Bhavash Cha Asura Harah Paratma Sarvajno Nara Sura Ganair Gita Suyashah Ahalya Shapaghnah Shara Kara Riju Kaushika Sakho Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam
Meaning:The supreme, both steadfast and (seemingly) unsteady, born to crush the race of demons, the slayer of demons; the Supreme Self, the all-knowing, whose noble glory is sung by hosts of men and gods; destroyer of Ahalya's curse, of upright arrow-hand, friend of Kaushika (Vishwamitra) — may that Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.
Hrishikeshah Shaurir Dharani Dhara Shayi Madhuripur- Upendro Vaikuntho Gaja Ripu Haras Tushta Manasa Balidhvamsi Viro Dasharatha Suto Niti Nipuno Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam
Meaning:Hrishikesha, Shauri, who reclines on the earth-bearing serpent, the foe of Madhu; Upendra, Vaikuntha, who with a pleased mind once saved the elephant from the crocodile; subduer of the mighty, the hero, son of Dasharatha, skilled in righteous conduct — may that Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.
Kavih Saumitri Idyah Kapata Mriga Ghati Vanacharo Rana Shlaghi Danto Dharani Bhara Harta Suranutah Amani Manajno Nikhila Jana Pujyo Hridishayo Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam
Meaning:The poet (of wisdom), praised by Lakshmana (son of Sumitra), slayer of the deceitful deer, the forest-dweller; glorious in battle, self-controlled, remover of the earth's burden, praised by the gods; free of pride yet honouring the worthy, worshipped by all people, dwelling in the heart — may that Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.
Idam Rama Stotram Varam Amaradasena Rachitam Ushahkale Bhaktya Yadi Pathati Yo Bhava Sahitam Manushyah Sa Kshipram Jani Mriti Bhayam Tapa Janakam Parityajya Shreshtham Raghupati Padam Yati Shivadam
Meaning:If a person recites at dawn, with devotion and feeling, this excellent hymn to Rama composed by Amaradasa, he swiftly casts off the fear of birth and death and the suffering it brings, and attains the supreme, blessedness-bestowing abode of the Lord of the Raghus.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam
Each verse fixes the mind on the prayer 'may Rama ever dwell in my heart'
Recalls Rama's most beloved deeds — saving Shabari, redeeming Ahalya, befriending Sugriva and Vishwamitra
Affirms Rama as Vishnu (Mukunda, Govinda, Hrishikesha, Vaikuntha) and as the Supreme Self
The phalashruti promises freedom from the fear of birth and death for those who recite it at dawn
Said to lead the devotee to 'Raghupati Padam' — the supreme, blessedness-giving abode of Rama
A soothing, protective prayer ideal for beginning the day with Rama's name
Well suited to Ram Navami, Ekadashi and daily morning worship
How to Chant Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam
The stotra's own closing verse prescribes recitation at dawn (ushah-kala) with devotion and feeling. Bathe, sit before an image of Lord Rama (with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman), and recite the eight verses, letting the heart rest on the refrain 'Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam' — inviting Rama to dwell forever in your heart. End with the ninth phalashruti verse. Daily morning recitation is the traditional practice.
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Read the full Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts