Namami Bhakta Vatsalam (Rama Stuti)
नमामि भक्तवत्सलं (राम स्तुति) in English · English
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✦ Meaning
This is the renowned 'Rama Stuti' — beginning 'Namami Bhakta-Vatsalam' — sung by the gods and sages in praise of Sri Rama in Goswami Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas (Lanka Kanda). In flowing Sanskrit couplets it adores Rama as the loving protector of devotees, the dark and beautiful Lord of immeasurable majesty, ornament of the Solar dynasty and breaker of Shiva's bow, who is at once the personal Lord and the transcendent Absolute. The hymn closes with a promise that whoever recites it with reverence attains devotion and the supreme state.
Origin & Story
Ramcharitmanas of Goswami Tulsidas (Lanka Kanda) — the 'Rama Stuti' · Goswami Tulsidas · 16th century CE
In the Lanka Kanda of the Ramcharitmanas, after great events in the war, the gods and sages offer this hymn of praise to Sri Rama. Composed by Tulsidas in mellifluous Sanskrit (a departure from the surrounding Awadhi verse), it captures the dual vision of Rama as the loving, accessible Lord of His devotees and as the formless, eternal Absolute. It has since become one of the most popular independent Rama stutis.
✦ As told in scripture
Devotees hold that this stuti, born from the gods' own adoration of Rama, carries the power to awaken bhakti even in a hardened heart, and its final verse is taken as Rama's own assurance that sincere recitation never fails to bear the fruit of devotion.
Complete Text with Meaning
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Namami Bhakta-Vatsalam | Kripalu Shila Komalam | Bhajami Te Padambujam | Akaminam Sva-Dhamadam ||
Meaning:I bow to You, O Rama, lover of Your devotees, compassionate and tender of nature; I worship Your lotus feet, You who bestow Your own divine abode upon the desireless. You are surpassingly dark and beautiful, the Mandara mountain that churns the ocean of worldly existence, lotus-eyed, the remover of faults such as pride. You of long arms and great valour, O Lord of immeasurable majesty, bearing quiver, bow and arrows, the leader of the three worlds. Ornament of the Solar race, breaker of Shiva's bow, delight of the sages and saints, destroyer of the demon hordes. Adored by Shiva (the foe of Kama) and served by Brahma and the gods, You are pure Consciousness embodied, the remover of every blemish. I bow to the Lord of Lakshmi, the abode of joy and refuge of the good; I worship You with Your power (Sita) and Your younger brother (Lakshmana), dear brother-in-law of Indra. Those who, free of envy, worship the soles of Your feet do not fall into the turbulent ocean of existence with its waves of doubt. Dwelling in solitude, ever joyfully worshipping You for liberation, withdrawing the senses, they attain Your supreme state. I worship that one wondrous Lord, desireless, the all-pervading God, the eternal teacher of the universe, the transcendent Absolute alone. I worship the beloved of pure devotion, hard for false yogis to reach, the wish-tree of His devotees, equal to all and ever worthy of service. I bow to the king of matchless beauty, the Lord of Sita (daughter of the earth); be gracious to me, I bow to You — grant me devotion to Your lotus feet. Those who recite this hymn with reverence attain Your state, of this there is no doubt, becoming endowed with devotion to You.
Nikama-Shyama Sundaram | Bhavambu-Natha Mandaram | Praphulla Kanja Lochanam | Madadi Dosha Mochanam ||
Pralamba Bahu Vikramam | Prabho-'prameya Vaibhavam | Nishanga Chapa Sayakam | Dharam Triloka Nayakam ||
Dinesha Vamsha Mandanam | Mahesha Chapa Khandanam | Munindra Santa Ranjanam | Surari Vrinda Bhanjanam ||
Manoja Vairi Vanditam | Ajadi Deva Sevitam | Vishuddha Bodha Vigraham | Samasta Dushanapaham ||
Namami Indira Patim | Sukhakaram Satam Gatim | Bhaje Sashakti Sanujam | Shachi Pati Priyanujam ||
Tvad-Anghri Mula Ye Narah | Bhajanti Hina Matsarah | Patanti No Bhavarnave | Vitarka Vichi Sankule ||
Vivikta Vasinah Sada | Bhajanti Muktaye Muda | Nirasya Indriyadikam | Prayanti Te Gatim Svakam ||
Tam-Ekam-Adbhutam Prabhum | Niriham-Ishvaram Vibhum | Jagad-Gurum Cha Shashvatam | Turiyam-Eva Kevalam ||
Bhajami Bhava Vallabham | Ku-Yoginam Su-Durlabham | Sva-Bhakta Kalpa Padapam | Samam Su-Sevyam-Anvaham ||
Anupa Rupa Bhupatim | Nato-'ham-Urvija Patim | Prasida Me Namami Te | Padabja Bhakti Dehi Me ||
Pathanti Ye Stavam Idam | Naradarena Te Padam | Vrajanti Na-Atra Samshayam | Tvadiya Bhakti Samyutah ||
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting नमामि भक्तवत्सलं (राम स्तुति)
A complete, scripturally sanctioned stuti for adoring Sri Rama as both personal Lord and Absolute
Cultivates pure, envy-free devotion (bhakti) to the lotus feet of Rama
Recited for the removal of inner faults such as pride, lust and delusion ('madadi dosha mochanam')
The closing verse promises devotion and the supreme state to sincere reciters
Brings peace, refuge and the assurance of Rama's protective love (bhakta-vatsalata)
Beloved in the Ramcharitmanas tradition and suitable for daily Rama worship and parayana
How to Chant नमामि भक्तवत्सलं (राम स्तुति)
Recite this Rama Stuti with devotion and a clear, unhurried voice, ideally before an image of Sri Rama, reflecting on each epithet as a meditation on the Lord. It may be chanted once daily as part of Rama upasana, or repeatedly during a Ramcharitmanas parayana. End by praying, as the hymn itself does, for unswerving devotion to Rama's lotus feet.
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