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Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam Meaning — Line by Line

श्रीरामचन्द्राष्टकम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Om Chidakaro Dhata Parama Sukhadah Pavana Tanur-
  2. Verse 2. Mukundo Govindo Janaka Tanaya Lalita Padah
  3. Verse 3. Dharadhisho Adhishah Sura Nara Varanam Raghupatih
  4. Verse 4. Varenyah Sharanyah Kapipati Sakhash Cha Anta Vidhuro
  5. Verse 5. Virupakshah Kashyam Upadishati Yan Nama Shivadam
  6. Verse 6. Paro Dhiro Adhiro Asura Kula Bhavash Cha Asura Harah
  7. Verse 7. Hrishikeshah Shaurir Dharani Dhara Shayi Madhuripur-
  8. Verse 8. Kavih Saumitri Idyah Kapata Mriga Ghati Vanacharo
  9. Verse 9. Idam Rama Stotram Varam Amaradasena Rachitam
Verse 1#

Om Chidakaro Dhata Parama Sukhadah Pavana Tanur-

चिदाकारो धाता परमसुखदः पावनतनु- र्मुनीन्द्रैर्योगीन्द्रैर्यतिपतिसुरेन्द्रैर्हनुमता। सदा सेव्यः पूर्णो जनकतनयाङ्गः सुरगुरू रमानाथो रामो रमतु मम चित्ते तु सततम्॥

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

MeaningOm. 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.

Verse 2#

Mukundo Govindo Janaka Tanaya Lalita Padah

मुकुन्दो गोविन्दो जनकतनयालालितपदः पदं प्राप्ता यस्याधमकुलभवा चापि शबरी। गिरातीतोऽगम्यो विमलधिषणैर्वेदवचसा रमानाथो रामो रमतु मम चित्ते तु सततम्॥

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

MeaningMukunda, 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.

Verse 3#

Dharadhisho Adhishah Sura Nara Varanam Raghupatih

धराधीशोऽधीशः सुरनरवराणां रघुपतिः किरीटी केयूरी कनककपिशः शोभितवपुः। समासीनः पीठे रविशतनिभे शान्तमनसो रमानाथो रामो रमतु मम चित्ते तु सततम्॥

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

MeaningLord 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.

Verse 4#

Varenyah Sharanyah Kapipati Sakhash Cha Anta Vidhuro

वरेण्यः शारण्यः कपिपतिसखश्चान्तविधुरो ललाटे काश्मीरो रुचिरगतिभङ्गः शशिमुखः। नराकारो रामो यतिपतिनुतः संसृतिहरो रमानाथो रामो रमतु मम चित्ते तु सततम्॥

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

MeaningThe 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.

Verse 5#

Virupakshah Kashyam Upadishati Yan Nama Shivadam

विरूपाक्षः काश्यामुपदिशति यन्नाम शिवदं सहस्रं यन्नाम्नां पठति गिरिजा प्रत्युषसि वै। स्वलोके गायन्तीश्वरविधिमुखा यस्य चरितं रमानाथो रामो रमतु मम चित्ते तु सततम्॥

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

MeaningWhose 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.

Verse 6#

Paro Dhiro Adhiro Asura Kula Bhavash Cha Asura Harah

परो धीरोऽधीरोऽसुरकुलभवश्चासुरहरः परात्मा सर्वज्ञो नरसुरगणैर्गीतसुयशाः। अहल्याशापघ्नः शरकरऋजुःकौशिकसखो रमानाथो रामो रमतु मम चित्ते तु सततम्॥

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

MeaningThe 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.

Verse 7#

Hrishikeshah Shaurir Dharani Dhara Shayi Madhuripur-

हृषीकेशः शौरिर्धरणिधरशायी मधुरिपु- रुपेन्द्रो वैकुण्ठो गजरिपुहरस्तुष्टमनसा। बलिध्वंसी वीरो दशरथसुतो नीतिनिपुणो रमानाथो रामो रमतु मम चित्ते तु सततम्॥

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

MeaningHrishikesha, 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.

Verse 8#

Kavih Saumitri Idyah Kapata Mriga Ghati Vanacharo

कविः सौमित्रीड्यः कपटमृगघाती वनचरो रणश्लाघी दान्तो धरणिभरहर्ता सुरनुतः। अमानी मानज्ञो निखिलजनपूज्यो हृदिशयो रमानाथो रामो रमतु मम चित्ते तु सततम्॥

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

MeaningThe 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.

Verse 9#

Idam Rama Stotram Varam Amaradasena Rachitam

इदं रामस्तोत्रं वरममरदासेन रचितम् उषःकाले भक्त्या यदि पठति यो भावसहितम्। मनुष्यः क्षिप्रं जनिमृतिभयं तापजनकं परित्यज्य श्रेष्ठं रघुपतिपदं याति शिवदम्॥

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

MeaningIf 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 Breakdown

रमानाथो रामो रमतु मम चित्ते तु सततम्
Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam
May Rama, the Lord of Rama (Lakshmi), ever sport / dwell in my heart — the refrain of every verse
चिदाकारो
Chidakaro
Of the form of pure consciousness
धाता
Dhata
The sustainer / creator
परमसुखदः
Parama Sukhadah
Giver of supreme bliss
पावनतनुः
Pavana Tanuh
Of a sanctifying, purifying form
हनुमता सेव्यः
Hanumata Sevyah
Served by Hanuman (and by sages, yogis and the chief of gods)
जनकतनयाङ्गः
Janaka Tanaya Angah
He at whose side is the daughter of Janaka (Sita)
मुकुन्दो गोविन्दो
Mukundo Govindo
Mukunda (giver of liberation) and Govinda (names of Vishnu)
शबरी
Shabari
Shabari — the lowly-born devotee who attained his feet
रघुपतिः
Raghupatih
Lord of the Raghu dynasty
किरीटी केयूरी
Kiriti Keyuri
Wearing a crown and armlets
रविशतनिभे पीठे
Ravi Shata Nibhe Pithe
Seated on a throne radiant like a hundred suns
कपिपतिसखः
Kapipati Sakhah
Friend of the lord of the monkeys (Sugriva)
संसृतिहरः
Samsriti Harah
Remover of the round of birth and death
अहल्याशापघ्नः
Ahalya Shapaghnah
Destroyer of Ahalya's curse (who redeemed Ahalya)
कौशिकसखः
Kaushika Sakhah
Companion of Kaushika (sage Vishwamitra)
बलिध्वंसी
Balidhvamsi
Subduer of Bali (as Vamana / and slayer of the mighty)
दशरथसुतो
Dasharatha Suto
Son of King Dasharatha
कपटमृगघाती
Kapata Mriga Ghati
Slayer of the deceitful deer (Maricha)
धरणिभरहर्ता
Dharani Bhara Harta
Remover of the burden of the earth
अमरदासेन रचितम्
Amaradasena Rachitam
Composed by (the poet) Amaradasa
रघुपतिपदं याति
Raghupati Padam Yati
Attains the (supreme, blissful) abode of the Lord of the Raghus

Origin & History

Source: Traditional Sanskrit hymn (Sri Rama Stotram)

Author: Amaradasa (as named in the hymn's phalashruti)

Period: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam?
It is an eight-verse Sanskrit hymn to Lord Rama beginning 'Om Chidakaro Dhata', composed by the poet Amaradasa. Every verse closes with the prayer 'Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam' — 'may Rama, the Lord of Lakshmi, ever dwell in my heart.'
What does the refrain mean?
'Ramanatho Ramo Ramatu Mama Chitte Tu Satatam' means 'May Rama, the Lord of Rama (Lakshmi/Sita), ever sport and dwell in my heart.' Repeated at the end of each verse, it is a continual invitation for Rama to remain in the devotee's heart.
When should it be recited?
The hymn itself recommends recitation at dawn (ushah-kala) with devotion. It is also fitting for Ram Navami, Ekadashi and as a daily morning prayer to begin the day with Rama's grace and protection.
What is the promised fruit of this stotra?
According to its final (phalashruti) verse, one who recites it at dawn with feeling quickly 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 (Rama).

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