श्री रामचन्द्र कृपालु भजमन
Origin & Story
Ramcharitmanas (Balkand) · Goswami Tulsidas · 16th century CE
Tulsidas composed this stuti as part of the Ramcharitmanas, his magnum opus retelling of the Ramayana in Awadhi. This particular passage describes Ram's divine form with such exquisite beauty that it has been extracted and sung independently for centuries. It is said that Tulsidas had a direct vision (darshan) of Lord Ram, and this stuti captures the beauty he witnessed.
✦ As told in scripture
Tulsidas records in the Ramcharitmanas that Lord Ram appeared to him personally. According to the Bhaktamala and other sources, Tulsidas met Hanuman at the Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi, and Hanuman helped arrange his meeting with Lord Ram. When Tulsidas finally saw Ram's divine form, he fainted in ecstasy. This stuti is considered a direct description of that divine vision — not imagination, but eyewitness testimony of God's beauty.
Complete Text with Meaning
श्री रामचन्द्र कृपालु भजमन हरण भवभय दारुणम्। नवकंज लोचन कंजमुख कर कंज पद कंजारुणम्॥
Shri Ramchandra Kripalu Bhajaman Haran Bhavabhaya Darunam Navakanja Lochana Kanjamukh Kar Kanja Pad Kanjarunam
Meaning:O my mind, worship the compassionate Sri Ramchandra, who destroys the terrible fear of worldly existence. His eyes are like fresh lotuses, his face is lotus-like, his hands and feet are lotus-soft and rosy.
कन्दर्प अगणित अमित छवि नवनील नीरज सुन्दरम्। पटपीत मानहुँ तड़ित रुचि शुचि नौमि जनक सुतावरम्॥
Kandarpa Aganit Amit Chhavi Navaneel Neeraj Sundaram Patapeet Manahun Tadit Ruchi Shuchi Naumi Janak Sutavaram
Meaning:His beauty surpasses millions of Kamadevas. He is beautiful as a fresh blue lotus. His yellow garments shine like lightning. I bow to the pure bridegroom of Sita, daughter of Janaka.
भजु दीनबन्धु दिनेश दानव दैत्यवंश निकन्दनम्। रघुनन्द आनन्दकन्द कोसल चन्द दशरथ नन्दनम्॥
Bhaju Deenbandhu Dinesh Danav Daityavansh Nikandanam Raghunand Anandakand Kosal Chand Dashrath Nandanam
Meaning:Worship the friend of the humble, the sun-lord, the destroyer of demon clans. He is Raghunanda, the root of bliss, the moon of Kosala, the son of Dasharatha.
सिर मुकुट कुण्डल तिलक चारु उदारु अंग विभूषणम्। आजानुभुज शर चाप धर संग्राम जित खरदूषणम्॥
Sir Mukut Kundal Tilak Charu Udaru Ang Vibhushanam Aajanubhuj Shar Chap Dhar Sangram Jit Khardushanam
Meaning:He wears a crown, earrings, and a beautiful tilak — his limbs adorned with generous ornaments. With arms reaching to his knees, holding bow and arrow, he conquered Khara and Dushana in battle.
इति वदति तुलसीदास शंकर शेष मुनि मन रंजनम्। मम हृदय कंज निवास करु कामादि खल दल गंजनम्॥
Iti Vadati Tulsidas Shankar Shesh Muni Man Ranjanam Mam Hriday Kanj Nivas Karu Kamadi Khal Dal Ganjanam
Meaning:Thus says Tulsidas — He who delights the minds of Shankara, Shesha, and the sages — O Lord, dwell in the lotus of my heart and destroy the wicked army of lust and other vices.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting श्री रामचन्द्र कृपालु भजमन
One of the most beautiful descriptions of Lord Ram in all of Hindu literature
Composed by Tulsidas — the same saint who wrote Hanuman Chalisa and Ramcharitmanas
Creates deep devotional mood and emotional connection to Ram
The imagery of lotus eyes, lotus face, and lotus hands evokes divine beauty
Destroys 'Kamadi Khal' — the army of lust, anger, greed within the heart
Perfect for evening devotion and meditation on Ram's divine form
How to Chant श्री रामचन्द्र कृपालु भजमन
This stuti is meant to be sung melodiously — its beauty lies in the musical flow of Tulsidas's Awadhi poetry. Listen to a rendition first (many beautiful ones exist). Close your eyes and visualize Ram as described — lotus eyes, blue-lotus complexion, yellow garments, bow in hand. Feel each description painting the divine form in your heart. Chant 3 times with devotion.