Who composed the Ram Raksha Stotram?

Ram Raksha Stotram was composed by Sage Budha Kaushika. According to the Padma Purana, Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and recited this sacred hymn, which the sage recorded upon awakening.

What is the core benefit of chanting Ram Raksha Stotra?

It creates an impenetrable spiritual shield (Vajra Panjara) around the devotee, protecting every bodily organ from head to toe, removing fears, evil influences, negative energies, and bestowing long life, health, and peace.

Ram Raksha Stotra in English | Full Lyrics, Meaning & PDF Download

About Ram Raksha Stotram (English Overview)

Shri Ram Raksha Stotram is one of the most powerful and revered protective stotras in Sanatana Dharma. Revealed by Lord Shiva in a dream to Sage Budha Kaushika, this hymn establishes an impenetrable divine shield around the devotee. The stotra systematically invokes the divine names of Lord Rama to guard every single organ of the human body from head to feet. Below is the complete collection of all 38 verses with Roman transliteration and detailed English meaning.

॥ Shri Ram Raksha Stotram (Verses & English Translation) ॥

॥ Viniyogaḥ ॥
Asya Śrī-Rāmarakṣā-stotra-mantrasya Budhakaushika Ṛṣiḥ |
Śrī-Sītā-Rāmacandro Devatā | Anuṣṭup Chandaḥ | Sītā Śaktiḥ |
Śrīmad-Hanumān Kīlakam | Śrī-Rāmacandra-prītyarthe Jape Viniyogaḥ ||

English Meaning: For this hymn of Rama Raksha Stotra, the seer is Sage Budha Kaushika, the presiding deity is Sri Sita-Ramachandra, the meter is Anushtup, Mother Sita is the divine energy (Shakti), Lord Hanuman is the key (Kilaka), and this recitation is dedicated to receiving the grace and love of Lord Ramachandra.

॥ Dhyānam ॥
Dhyāyed-ājānu-bāhuṁ dhṛta-śara-dhanuṣaṁ baddha-padmāsanasthaṁ
Pītaṁ vāso vasānaṁ nava-kamala-dala-spardhi-netraṁ prasannam |
Vāmāṅkārūḍha-Sītā-mukha-kamala-milal-locanaṁ nīradābhaṁ
Nānālaṅkāra-dīptaṁ dadhatam-uru-jaṭā-maṇḍalaṁ Rāmacandram ||

English Meaning: One should meditate on Lord Ramachandra, whose arms reach down to His knees, holding bow and arrows, seated in the lotus posture, clad in yellow silk, with eyes rivaling fresh lotus petals, cheerful, whose gaze meets the lotus face of Mother Sita seated on His left lap, possessing the glowing complexion of a raincloud, adorned with celestial ornaments and bearing matted locks.

Caritaṁ raghunāthasya śata-koṭi-pravistaram |
Ekaikam-akṣaraṁ puṁsāṁ mahā-pātaka-nāśanam || 1 ||

English Meaning (Verse 1): The sacred narrative of Lord Raghunatha is expansive over a hundred crore verses. Even a single letter of it destroys the greatest sins of mankind.

Dhyātvā nīlotpala-śyāmaṁ Rāmaṁ rājīva-locanam |
Jānakī-Lakṣmaṇopetaṁ jaṭā-mukuṭa-maṇḍitam || 2 ||

English Meaning (Verse 2): Meditating upon Sri Rama, who has the dark radiant complexion of a blue lotus, lotus-like eyes, crowned with matted hair, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana...

Sāsitūṇīra-dhanuḥśara-pāṇiṁ naktañcarāntakam |
Svalīlayā jagattrātum-āvirbhūtam-ajaṁ vibhum || 3 ||

English Meaning (Verse 3): Who holds a sword, quiver, bow, and arrows in His hands, the destroyer of night-stalking demons, unborn and all-pervading, who has manifested by His divine play to protect the universe...

Rāmarakṣāṁ paṭhet-prājñaḥ pāpaghnīṁ sarva-kāmadām |
Śiro me Rāghavaḥ pātu bhālaṁ Daśarathātmajaḥ || 4 ||

English Meaning (Verse 4): A wise person should recite this Rama Raksha hymn which destroys sins and fulfills all desires. May Raghava protect my head; may Dasharatha's son protect my forehead.

Kausalyeyo dṛśau pātu Viśvāmitra-priyaḥ śrutī |
Ghrāṇaṁ pātu makha-trātā mukhaṁ Saumitri-vatsalaḥ || 5 ||

English Meaning (Verse 5): May Kausalya's son protect my eyes; may Vishvamitra's beloved protect my ears. May the protector of sacrifices guard my nose, and may He who loves Lakshmana protect my mouth.

Jihvāṁ vidyā-nidhiḥ pātu kaṇṭhaṁ Bharata-vanditaḥ |
Skandhau divyāyudhaḥ pātu bhujau bhagneśa-kārmukaḥ || 6 ||

English Meaning (Verse 6): May the reservoir of knowledge protect my tongue; may He who is revered by Bharata guard my neck. May the bearer of divine weapons protect my shoulders, and the breaker of Shiva's bow protect my arms.

Karau Sītā-patiḥ pātu hṛdayaṁ Jāmadagnya-jit |
Madhyaṁ pātu Khara-dhvaṁsī nābhiṁ Jāmbavad-āśrayaḥ || 7 ||

English Meaning (Verse 7): May the Lord of Sita protect my hands; the conqueror of Parashurama protect my heart. May the destroyer of demon Khara guard my midriff, and the refuge of Jambavan protect my navel.

Sugrīveśaḥ kaṭī pātu sakthinī Hanumat-prabhuḥ |
Ūrū Raghūttamaḥ pātu rakṣaḥ-kula-vināśa-kṛt || 8 ||

English Meaning (Verse 8): May the Lord of Sugriva protect my waist; the master of Hanuman protect my hips. May the greatest of the Raghus, who exterminated the demon race, protect my thighs.

Jānunī setu-kṛt-pātu jaṅghe daśa-mukhāntakaḥ |
Pādau Vibhīṣaṇa-śrīdaḥ pātu Rāmo'khilaṁ vapuḥ || 9 ||

English Meaning (Verse 9): May the builder of the bridge protect my knees; the destroyer of ten-headed Ravana protect my shins. May the bestower of wealth upon Vibhishana protect my feet; may Lord Rama protect my entire body.

Etāṁ Rāma-balopetāṁ rakṣāṁ yaḥ sukṛtī paṭhet |
Sa cirāyuḥ sukhī putrī vijayī vinayī bhavet || 10 ||

English Meaning (Verse 10): The virtuous soul who recites this protective hymn endowed with the spiritual power of Rama enjoys long life, happiness, children, victory, and humility.

Pātāla-bhūtala-vyoma-cāriṇaś-chadma-cāriṇaḥ |
Na draṣṭum-api śaktāste rakṣitaṁ Rāma-nāmabhiḥ || 11 ||

English Meaning (Verse 11): Deceptive beings and malicious entities roaming in the netherworld, upon the earth, or in the sky cannot even look upon one who is protected by the divine names of Rama.

Rāmeti Rāmabhadreti Rāmacandreti vā smaran |
Naro na lipyate pāpair-bhuktiṁ muktiṁ ca vindati || 12 ||

English Meaning (Verse 12): Remembering the holy names 'Rama', 'Ramabhadra', or 'Ramachandra', a person remains untouched by sin and attains both worldly prosperity and spiritual liberation.

Jaga-jjaitraika-mantreṇa Rāma-nāmnābhirakṣitam |
Yaḥ kaṇṭhe dhārayed-tasya karasthāḥ sarva-siddhayaḥ || 13 ||

English Meaning (Verse 13): Whoever holds in their throat (recites with heart) this supreme armor consecrated with the world-conquering name of Rama holds all perfections and accomplishments in the palm of their hand.

Vajra-pañjara-nāmedaṁ yo Rāma-kavacaṁ smaret |
Avyāhatājñaḥ sarvatra labhate jaya-maṅgalam || 14 ||

English Meaning (Verse 14): He who remembers this Rama armor known as 'Vajra Panjara' (The Adamantine Fortress) finds his command unopposed everywhere and attains everlasting victory and auspiciousness.

Ādiṣṭavān yathā svapne Rāmarakṣām-imāṁ Haraḥ |
Tathā likhitavān prātaḥ prabuddho Budha-kaushikaḥ || 15 ||

English Meaning (Verse 15): Just as Lord Shiva commanded him in a dream, so did Sage Budha Kaushika transcribe it faithfully upon waking in the morning.

Ārāmaḥ kalpa-vṛkṣāṇāṁ virāmaḥ sakalāpadām |
Abhirāmas-trilokānāṁ Rāmaḥ śrīmān sa naḥ prabhuḥ || 16 ||

English Meaning (Verse 16): Rama, who is like a celestial grove of wish-fulfilling trees, the cessation of all calamities, and the delight of all the three worlds—that glorious Rama is our supreme Lord.

Taruṇau rūpa-sampannau sukumārau mahābalau |
Puṇḍarīka-viśālākṣau cīra-kṛṣṇājināmbarau || 17 ||

English Meaning (Verse 17): Ever youthful, endowed with exquisite grace, delicate yet possessing boundless strength, with broad lotus eyes, wearing bark garments and black antelope skins...

Phala-mūlāśinau dāntau tāpasau brahmacāriṇau |
Putrau Daśarathasyaitau bhrātarau Rāma-Lakṣmaṇau || 18 ||

English Meaning (Verse 18): Living on wild fruits and roots, masters of their senses, practising austerities and celibacy, the two sons of King Dasharatha, brothers Rama and Lakshmana...

Śaraṇyau sarva-sattvānāṁ śreṣṭhau sarva-dhanuṣmatām |
Rakṣaḥ-kula-nihantārau trāyetāṁ no Raghūttamau || 19 ||

English Meaning (Verse 19): The protectors of all living beings, foremost among all wielders of the bow, slayers of demonic legions—may these two exalted chiefs of the Raghu clan protect us!

Ātta-sajja-dhanuṣāv-iṣuspṛśāv-akṣayāśuga-niṣaṅga-saṅginau |
Rakṣaṇāya mama Rāma-Lakṣmaṇāv-agrataḥ pathi sadaiva gacchatām || 20 ||

English Meaning (Verse 20): Holding strung bows, touching their arrows, equipped with quivers containing inexhaustible shafts—may Rama and Lakshmana ever walk ahead on my path for my constant protection.

Saṁnaddhaḥ kavacī khaḍgī cāpa-bāṇa-dharo yuvā |
Gacchan manorathān-naśca Rāmaḥ pātu sa-Lakṣmaṇaḥ || 21 ||

English Meaning (Verse 21): Fully armed, armored, carrying swords, bows, and arrows, may youthful Rama along with Lakshmana protect our heartfelt aspirations and safely guide our way.

Rāmo Dāśarathiḥ śūro Lakṣmaṇānucaro balī |
Kākutsthaḥ puruṣaḥ pūrṇaḥ Kausalyeyo Raghūttamaḥ || 22 ||

English Meaning (Verse 22): Rama, son of Dasharatha, the valiant hero, accompanied by Lakshmana, the mighty, born of Kakutstha, the complete supreme Person, son of Kausalya, jewel of Raghus...

Vedānta-vedyo yajñeśaḥ purāṇa-puruṣottamaḥ |
Jānakī-vallabhaḥ śrīmān-aprameya-parākramaḥ || 23 ||

English Meaning (Verse 23): Known through the Upanishads, Lord of yajnas, primeval Supreme Person, beloved of Janaki, glorious, and possessed of boundless valour...

Ity-etāni japen-nityaṁ mad-bhaktaḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ |
Aśvamedhādhikaṁ puṇyaṁ saṁprāpnoti na saṁśayaḥ || 24 ||

English Meaning (Verse 24): Any devotee who daily recites these divine names with heartfelt faith attains spiritual merit surpassing that of an Ashvamedha sacrifice; of this there is no doubt.

Rāmaṁ dūrvā-dala-śyāmaṁ padmākṣaṁ pīta-vāsasam |
Stuvanti nāmabhir-divyair-na te saṁsāriṇo narāḥ || 25 ||

English Meaning (Verse 25): Those who praise Rama—whose hue is like fresh green durva grass, lotus-eyed, wearing yellow robes—with these sacred names, are never bound by worldly bondage again.

Rāmaṁ Lakṣmaṇa-pūrvajaṁ Raghubaraṁ Sītāpatiṁ sundaraṁ
Kākutsthaṁ karuṇārṇavaṁ guṇa-nidhiṁ vipra-priyaṁ dhārmikam |
Rājendraṁ satya-sandhaṁ Daśaratha-tanayaṁ śyāmalaṁ śānta-mūrtiṁ
Vande lokābhirāmaṁ Raghu-kula-tilakaṁ Rāghavaṁ Rāvaṇārim || 26 ||

English Meaning (Verse 26): I bow to Rama, elder brother of Lakshmana, greatest of Raghus, husband of Sita, exceedingly handsome, scion of Kakutstha, ocean of mercy, treasure of virtues, dear to the wise, righteous, king of kings, devoted to truth, son of Dasharatha, dark-hued, peaceful in countenance, delight of the world, crown of the Raghu lineage, and slayer of Ravana.

Rāmāya Rāmabhadrāya Rāmacandrāya vedhase |
Raghunāthāya nāthāya Sītāyāḥ pataye namaḥ || 27 ||

English Meaning (Verse 27): Salutations to Rama, to auspicious Ramabhadra, to Ramachandra the creator, to the Lord of Raghus, our supreme protector, and the consort of Sita.

Śrī-Rāma Rāma Raghunandana Rāma Rāma |
Śrī-Rāma Rāma Bharatāgraja Rāma Rāma |
Śrī-Rāma Rāma raṇa-karkaśa Rāma Rāma |
Śrī-Rāma Rāma śaraṇaṁ bhava Rāma Rāma || 28 ||

English Meaning (Verse 28): O Sri Rama, delight of Raghus! O Sri Rama, elder brother of Bharata! O Sri Rama, formidable on the battlefield! O Sri Rama, kindly be my eternal refuge!

Śrī-Rāmacandra-caraṇau manasā smarāmi |
Śrī-Rāmacandra-caraṇau vacasā gṛhṇāmi |
Śrī-Rāmacandra-caraṇau śirasā namāmi |
Śrī-Rāmacandra-caraṇau śaraṇaṁ prapadye || 29 ||

English Meaning (Verse 29): In my mind, I meditate upon the lotus feet of Sri Ramachandra. With my speech, I praise the lotus feet of Sri Ramachandra. With my head, I bow to the lotus feet of Sri Ramachandra. I seek ultimate shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Ramachandra.

Mātā Rāmo mat-pitā Rāmacandraḥ |
Svāmī Rāmo mat-sakhā Rāmacandraḥ |
Sarvasvaṁ me Rāmacandro dayālur-
Nānyaṁ jāne naiva jāne na jāne || 30 ||

English Meaning (Verse 30): Rama is my mother, Ramachandra is my father; Rama is my master, Ramachandra is my closest friend. The merciful Ramachandra is my everything; other than Him, I know no one, none at all, none whatsoever!

Dakṣiṇe Lakṣmaṇo yasya vāme ca Janakātmajā |
Purato Mārūtir-yasya taṁ vande Raghunandanam || 31 ||

English Meaning (Verse 31): On whose right side stands Lakshmana, on whose left stands Janaka's daughter Sita, and before whom stands Maruti (Hanuman)—I offer my salutations to that joy of the Raghus.

Lokābhirāmaṁ raṇa-raṅga-dhīraṁ
Rājīva-netraṁ Raghu-vaṁśa-nātham |
Kāruṇya-rūpaṁ karuṇākaraṁ taṁ
Śrī-Rāmacandraṁ śaraṇaṁ prapadye || 32 ||

English Meaning (Verse 32): I take refuge in Lord Sri Ramachandra, the delight of all the worlds, fearless on the field of battle, lotus-eyed, Lord of the Raghu lineage, and the very fountainhead of compassion.

Manojavaṁ Māruta-tulya-vegam
Jitendriyaṁ buddhimatāṁ variṣṭham |
Vātātmajaṁ vānara-yūtha-mukhyaṁ
Śrī-Rāmadūtaṁ śaraṇaṁ prapadye || 33 ||

English Meaning (Verse 33): As swift as the mind, with speed matching the wind, conqueror of the senses, foremost among the wise, son of the Wind God, leader of the vanara forces—I surrender to Sri Hanuman, the noble envoy of Lord Rama.

Kūjantaṁ Rāma Rāmeti madhuraṁ madhurākṣaram |
Āruhya kavitā-śākhāṁ vande Vālmīki-kokilam || 34 ||

English Meaning (Verse 34): Sitting upon the flowering branch of poetry, sweetly warbling the nectarine syllables 'Rama, Rama'—I pay homage to that celestial cuckoo, Sage Valmiki.

Āpadām-apahartāraṁ dātāraṁ sarva-sampadām |
Lokābhirāmaṁ Śrī-Rāmaṁ bhūyo bhūyo namāmy-aham || 35 ||

English Meaning (Verse 35): I bow again and again to Sri Rama, who removes all dangers and difficulties, who bestows all prosperity and auspiciousness, and who is beloved by the entire world.

Bharjanaṁ bhava-bījānām-arjanaṁ sukha-sampadām |
Tarjanaṁ yama-dūtānāṁ Rāma-nāmeti garjanam || 36 ||

English Meaning (Verse 36): The resounding roar of Rama's name incinerates the seeds of cyclic worldly existence, garners happiness and spiritual wealth, and terrifies away the agents of death.

Rāmo rājamaniḥ sadā vijayate Rāmaṁ Rameśaṁ bhaje
Rāmeṇābhihatā niśācara-camū Rāmāya tasmai namaḥ |
Rāmān-nāsti parāyaṇaṁ parataraṁ Rāmasya dāso'smy-ahaṁ
Rāme citta-layaḥ sadā bhavatu me bho Rāma mām-uddhara || 37 ||

English Meaning (Verse 37): Rama, the crowning jewel of kings, is forever victorious. I worship Rama, Lord of Lakshmi. By Rama the legions of demons were destroyed; unto that Rama I offer my obeisance. There is no higher refuge than Rama; I am Rama's devoted servant. May my mind forever rest absorbed in Rama; O Lord Rama, kindly deliver me from worldly sorrow!

Rāma Rāmeti Rāmeti rame Rāme manorame |
Sahasra-nāma tat-tulyaṁ Rāma-nāma varānane || 38 ||

English Meaning (Verse 38): Lord Shiva tells Goddess Parvati: 'O fair-faced one! I continually revel in the blissful, sweet name of Rama, Rama, Rama. Chanting the single name of Rama is equivalent to reciting all one thousand divine names of Lord Vishnu.'

॥ Iti Śrī-Padma-Purāṇe Uttara-khaṇḍe Śiva-Pārvatī-saṁvāde Budha-Kauśika-ṛṣi-viracitaṁ Śrī-Rāmarakṣā-stotraṁ saṁpūrṇam ||

Daily Recitation Guide (Vidhi & Rules)

Purification: Take a bath in the morning, wear clean light clothes, and sit facing East or North on an asana (mat).
Altar Setup: Light a pure cow ghee lamp or sesame oil lamp in front of an idol or photo of Sri Rama Darbar.
Chanting Frequency: Reciting once daily provides continuous protection; chanting 11 times daily for 40 days is traditionally done for Siddhi and crisis resolution.
Offering: Conclude by offering fresh Tulsi leaves, water, and fruits or sweets to Lord Rama and Sri Hanuman.