Sri Rama Raksha Stotra
(Courtsey of hermit251@scribd - http://www.scribd.com/doc/6423917/Sri-Rama-Raksha-StotraEnglish-Translation)
Let us meditate on the lotus-eyed, dark-complexioned Rama who is well-adornedwith a crown of hair and has Sita and Lakshmana by his side.
Let us meditate on Rama who has a sword in a receptacle and bow and arrows, whodestroyed the demons, who is not born but is incarnated to protect the world with hisactions.May the learned read the Rama Raksha Stotram , which destroys all sins and grantsall desires.(Begin listing details of the body to be protected)May Rama who is Raghu's descendant protect my head. May Rama who isDasharatha's son protect my forehead.May the lord Rama who is Kausalya's son, protect my eyes. May Rama who is thefavorite of Vishvamitra protect my ears. May Rama who is the savior of yagyaprotect my nose. May Rama who is affectionate to Lakshmana protect my mouth.May the Rama who is a sea of knowledge protect my tongue. May Rama who issaluted by Bharata protect my neck. May Rama who holds divine weapons protectmy two shoulders. May Rama who broke Shiva's bow protect my two upper arms.May the Rama who is the husband of Sita protect my two hands. May Rama whoconquered Parashurama protect my heart.May Rama who killed the rakshasa named Khara protect my abdomen. May Ramawho gave refuge to Jambavad protect my navel.May Rama who is master of SugrIva protect my waist. May Rama who is master of Hanuman protect my two hips. May Rama who is the best of Raghus and whodestroyed the lineage of Rakshasas (demons) protect my two thighs.May Rama who built the bridge protect my two knees. May Rama who killed the tenfaced demons protect my two shins. May Rama who gave wealth to Vibhishanprotect my two feet. Thus may Rama protect my entire body.May the good man who reads this 'stotra', which has all the power of Rama, beblessed with long life, happiness, children, success and humility.
No one who is wandering below the earth or on the earth or above the earth or thosewho wander surreptitiously changing their forms, will even be able to see the manprotected by the name of Rama, let alone bring any harm to him.No sin can attach to the man who singeth the praise of the lord and he will prosperin this world and get salvation.One who wears this mantra of Rama Nama (the name of Rama) around his neck willhave all powers at his beck and call.He who wears this armour called vajrapanjara will be unscathed and will win victoryeverywhere.
Buddhakaushika was commanded in his dream by Lord Shiva to compose this hymn,and he did so as soon as he awoke in the morning.Rama, who grants all desires, removes all obstacles and is the praise of all threeworlds is our 'Lord' indeed.
May the two brothers ever protect us, who are young, handsome, lotus-eyed andbark and deer-skin dressed.May these two sons of Dasharatha, the two scions of Raghu, the brothers Rama andLakshmana, the ones who are subsisting on roots and fruits and practicing penanceand celibacy, protect us. May they who are the foremost among the archers, thedestroyers of the demons and the refuge of all beings, protect us.Rama and Lakshmana, their bows pulled and ready, their hands on the arrowspacked in ever full quivers carried on their backs, may they always escort me in mypath, for my protection.Ever prepared and armed with sword, shield, bows and arrows andfollowed by Lakshmana, Rama is like our cherished thoughts come to life. May he,along with Lakshman, protect us.Rama, the scion of Raghu and the son of Dasaratha and Kausalya, and everaccompanied by Lakshmana, is all powerful and is the perfect man.
Rama is perceived through Vedanta. He is lord of all yagya, ancient and the bestman, beloved of Janaki, whose bravery is immeasurable.Lord Shiva says, "my devotee who recites these names of Rama with faith, will attainmore religious merit than one obtainable by other sacrifices. There is no doubt aboutit."Those who sing the praise of Rama, who is lotus-eyed, dark-complexioned anddressed in yellow clothes, through this hymn are no longer ordinary men trapped inthe world. They become liberated.I salute that Rama who is handsome, the elder brother of Lakshmana, the husbandof Sita and the best of the scions of the Raghu race, who is the ocean of compassion,the stockpile of virtues, the beloved of the Brahmans, the protector of Dharma, whopractises the Truth, the Lord emperor of kings, the son of Dasaratha, dark-complexioned, the personification of Peace and tranquillity, the enemy of Ravana,the crown jewel of the Raghu dynasty and the cynosure (north star) of all eyes.I salute that Rama who is benevolent and cool as the Moon, and who is the lord of Sita and the master guardian of all.I surrender to that Rama who is the delight of the Raghus, elder brother of Bharataand the tormentor of his enemies in the war.I remember the two feet of Rama in my mind, I praise them by my speech, I bow tothem with my head, I take resort in them!
Rama is like my mother, father, master and friend, indeed the kind-hearted Rama isall I have. I know of no other like him, I really don't!
I salute that Rama who has Lakshmana on his right and Sita on the left and who hasHanuman in his front.I take refuge in that Rama who is quite pleasing to the sight, the master of the stageof war, lotus-eyed, lord of the Raghu race and compassion-personified.I take refuge in the Lord Hanuman who is as fast as the mind, equals his father, thewind-God, in speed, is the master of the senses, the foremost amongst the learned,the leader of the Monkey forces and the great messenger of Sri Rama.I salute the great sage Valmiki who sings the glorious name of Rama resorting to hisRamayana as sweetly as a cuckoo will sing sitting atop a tree.I bow again and again to Rama who removes all obstacles andgrants all wealth and pleases all.
The roar of the name of Rama is the destruction of the cause of rebirth (hence thecause of liberation), generates wealth and scares Yama's (death's) messengers.I worship Rama, the jewel among the kings, through whom the hordes of demonshave been destroyed. Beyond Him there is nothing to be worshipped. I am Hisservant, my mind is totally absorbed in Him. O Rama, please lift me up. This versegives all the seven declensions of the singular word Rama and gives one way of remembering them!O fair-faced Parvati! I enjoy saying Rama Rama. Uttering but once the name of 'Rama' is equal to the uttering of any other name of God, a thousand times.