ramavalmikiramayanadharma

Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah

रामो विग्रहवान्धर्मः in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Early morning during Rama worship; whenever courage and the strength of dharma are sought·📜 Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kanda (words of Maricha to Ravana)

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This single, majestic shloka from Valmiki's Ramayana is one of the most quoted descriptions of Sri Rama. Spoken by the demon Maricha to warn Ravana, it declares Rama to be dharma personified — virtuous, of unfailing valour, and the rightful king of all the world like Indra among the gods. Devotees cherish it as a concise affirmation of Rama's divine nature and use it as a brief, powerful salutation.

Origin & Story

Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kanda (words of Maricha to Ravana) · Maharishi Valmiki · Ancient (Treta Yuga setting; classical epic)

In the Aranya Kanda of Valmiki's Ramayana, Ravana approaches the demon Maricha to enlist his help in abducting Sita. Maricha, who had already once felt Rama's power, tries to dissuade Ravana by extolling Rama's greatness. In this verse he declares that Rama is dharma embodied, of unfailing valour, and the king of all the world like Indra among the gods — a warning that to oppose Rama is to oppose righteousness itself.

✦ As told in scripture

It is striking that this supreme praise of Rama comes from the mouth of a demon, Maricha — testimony that even Rama's foes could not deny His divinity and righteousness; tradition holds that to remember Rama as 'dharma incarnate' aligns the devotee with the very power of truth.

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The Mantra

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Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah Sadhuh Satya-Parakramah | Raja Sarvasya Lokasya Devanam-iva Vasavah ||

Meaning:Rama is righteousness (dharma) itself given a living form; He is virtuous and noble, and His valour is ever true and unfailing. He is the king of the whole world, even as Indra (Vasava) is the king of the gods.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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Ramah🔊Rama (Sri Rama)

Vigrahavan🔊Embodied, possessing a (visible) form

Dharmah🔊Dharma (righteousness itself) — i.e. Rama is dharma incarnate

Sadhuh🔊Virtuous, noble, the good one

Satya-Parakramah🔊Of true / unfailing valour — whose prowess never fails

Raja🔊King, sovereign

Sarvasya Lokasya🔊Of the entire world / of all the world

Devanam-iva🔊Just as (the king) of the gods

Vasavah🔊Indra (Vasava), the lord of the celestials

Benefits of Chanting रामो विग्रहवान्धर्मः

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A concise, powerful affirmation of Sri Rama as dharma incarnate

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Recited to invoke Rama's protection and the strength of righteousness

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Inspires courage and adherence to truth and dharma in the devotee's own life

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Easy to memorise as a brief daily salutation to Sri Rama

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Draws on the authority of Valmiki's Ramayana, sanctifying the remembrance

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Steadies the mind on Rama as the noble, ever-true Lord of all

How to Chant रामो विग्रहवान्धर्मः

Repetitions11times

Best TimeEarly morning during Rama worship; whenever courage and the strength of dharma are sought

Recite this verse with devotion as a brief salutation to Sri Rama, reflecting on its meaning — that Rama is dharma in living form, of unfailing valour, the king of all the world. It may be chanted on its own as a daily affirmation, or added before Rama japa and the Hanuman Chalisa. Repeating it eleven times with a steady mind strengthens one's resolve to walk the path of truth and righteousness.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete रामो विग्रहवान्धर्मः written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It is from Valmiki's Ramayana (Aranya Kanda). It is spoken by the demon Maricha to Ravana, describing the greatness of Sri Rama as he warns Ravana not to provoke Him. The verse has become one of the most famous descriptions of Rama.

It means 'dharma possessing a form' or 'righteousness embodied'. It declares that Sri Rama is not merely a follower of dharma but dharma itself given a living, visible form.

Just as Indra (Vasava) is the sovereign of all the gods, Rama is described as the rightful king of the entire world. The comparison underlines His supreme majesty and authority.

Yes. Though it is part of the Ramayana, this self-contained shloka is widely recited on its own as a brief, potent salutation to Sri Rama and an affirmation of dharma.