Rama Navami~ 2024 ... Greetings to All.

Wishing All "A Very Happy and Prosperous Rama Navami"

** On the auspicious day of Chitramasa Sri Rama Navami I would like to just share a few thoughts of my own on the most powerful strotram "Sri. Ramaraksha Stotra" ... I must admit it has not only been my guiding light for more than 2 decades but has given me lot of peace of mind ... Jai Sri Rama ... 

“Sri Ramaraksha Stotra” 27 th Shloka …

'Ramaya Ramabhadraya

Ramachandraya vedhase

Raghunathaya Nathaya

Seetayaha-pataye-namaha'

** “Sri Ramaraksha Stotra”, a divine strotram that came about when Bhagavan Shivaji (Bholenath) came into Budha Kaushika Rishiji’s (Valmiki) dream and rendered the entire 38 shlokas of “Ramaraksha stotra” and asked him pass it on to devotees in written format to be chanted regularly which would help them cross all the difficulties they would face in life.

** Today this powerful stotram has made a prominent place in the heart of devotees and is chanted on regular basis. There are plenty of benefits that one needs to experience on their own but to put it in one word chanting of “Ramaraksha stotra” gives you complete protection, makes you understand more in depth about Sri Rama, his life, the hardships faced and his personal sacrifices to uphold Dharma.

** While it is auspicious to recite “Ramaraksha Stotra” with devotion on daily basis, there are always certain days that hold more prominence to them. The nine days of Chaitra Navratri- from Gudi Padwa till Rama Navami are considered to be most auspicious days for sacred chants of Sri. Rama Taraka Mantra, Sri Ramaraksha Strotram, Ramayana recitals.

** All the shlokas of Sri Ramaraksha Strotram focuses on all parts of the body, seeking protection from Sri Rama for protection of each of them. While all 38 shlokas are important and have been beautifully explained, the 27th shloka includes 7 names of Sri. Rama that are dear to him out of the several names referred to by his devotees.

** The 7 names taken in the shloka are and what they meant …

** Ramaya meaning Rama - the name of Sri Vishnu himself during his 7th incarnation and by which name he was lovingly called by his father King Dasharatha.

** Ramabhadraya meaning Rama + Bhadra (bhadra = auspicious and also protector) was the name with which his mother, mata Kaushalya called him.

** Ramachandraya – meaning one who shines like the moon, this was the name with which his stepmother mata Kaikayi lovingly called him.

** Vedhase – was the name by Rashi Vashista meaning the one who is the master of all 4 Vedas, One who knows everything, who is one in all and all in one, Brahmaswarup.

** Raghunathaya - Raghu - Nathaya (one who leads) the leader of Raghu vansh/ lineage, all citizen respectfully called him so.

** Nathaya – meaning nath (swami/ huband), that’s what mata Sita lovingly called her husband Sri Rama.

** Seetayaha-pataye- Sitapati – Husband of Mata Sita, lovingly addressed to by her father King Janaka and thereby by the rest of the world also.

** Finally … Namaha – is salutation/ namaskaram at the lotus feet of Sri Rama there by ending the 27th shloka.

//Jai SiyaRama//

** Disclaimer : Just written from my limited knowledge of Sri. Rama our Ishta Deva. There is always bound to be a difference of opinions on any written Vedas or any written matter by each one deprives their own meaning. However, I loved this explanation I came across in a few texts on the mentioned names in the 27th Shloka of Sri Ramaraksha Strotra and felt it was a beautiful reference to Sri Rama, our beloved God. So, I compiled it in my own little way as I felt the need to share it friends, do excuse if otherwise.