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

श्रीरामचन्द्र का इस प्रकार ध्यान करना चाहिए — जिनकी भुजाएँ घुटनों तक लम्बी हैं, जो धनुष-बाण धारण किए हैं, पद्मासन में दृढ़ बैठे हैं, पीताम्बर पहने हैं, जिनके प्रसन्न नेत्र नवीन कमलदल से स्पर्धा करते हैं; जिनकी दृष्टि बायीं गोद में बैठी सीता के मुख-कमल से मिल रही है; जो मेघ के समान श्याम-कान्तिमान हैं, अनेक आभूषणों से दीप्त हैं, और विशाल जटा-मण्डल धारण किए हैं।

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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