The Ram Ashtakam Stotram is a sacred hymn of eight verses composed by the great sage Vyasa. It appears in traditional collections of devotional hymns in Hindu scriptures. In simple and loving words, this stotram shows Shri Ram as the non-dual Supreme Reality – beyond name and form, yet full of endless compassion. It teaches us that by remembering Shri Ram with pure heart, all sins melt away, fear disappears, and the soul finds everlasting peace and freedom. The stotram is easy to chant and fills the heart with divine joy for every devotee.
Here is the complete stotram with Sanskrit, simple English transliteration, and explanation for each verse.
Verse 1
रामाष्टकम्
भजे विशेषसुन्दरं समस्तपापखण्डनम् ।
स्वभक्तचित्तरञ्जनं सदैव राममद्वयम् ॥ १॥
English Transliteration:
bhaje viśeṣasundaraṃ samastapāpakhaṇḍanam |
svabhaktacittarañjanaṃ sadaiva rāmamadvayam || 1 ||
Explanation
In this gentle opening, we are lovingly invited to worship Shri Ram, who is specially beautiful in every way. He completely breaks and removes all our sins, like sunlight melting darkness. He fills the hearts of his true devotees with pure joy and peace. Shri Ram is the One without a second – the only truth that exists forever. When we turn to him every moment, our inner world becomes bright, light, and full of love.
Verse 2
जटाकलापशोभितं समस्तपापनाशकम् ।
स्वभक्तभीतिभङ्जनं भजेह राममद्वयम् ॥ २॥
English Transliteration:
jaṭākalāpaśobhitaṃ samastapāpanāśakam |
svabhaktabhītibhañjanaṃ bhajeha rāmamadvayam || 2 ||
Explanation
Here we see the divine beauty of Shri Ram’s matted locks that shine like the light of true wisdom. He destroys every single sin and gently removes the deep fears that trouble his devotees. By worshipping this non-dual Shri Ram, our worries vanish like mist in the morning sun. His presence brings courage and calm, wrapping us in safety and pure love.
Verse 3
निजस्वरूपबोधकं कृपाकरं भवापहम् ।
समं शिवं निरञ्जनं भजेह राममद्वयम् ॥ ३॥
English Transliteration:
nijasvarūpabodhakam kṛpākaraṃ bhavāpaham |
samaṃ śivaṃ nirañjanaṃ bhajeha rāmamadvayam || 3 ||
Explanation
Shri Ram himself teaches us our true inner self – the pure soul hidden inside. He is the ocean of kindness, the one who takes away all worldly suffering and bondage. He is equal to everyone, completely pure and auspicious, untouched by any stain. Worshipping this non-dual Shri Ram opens our eyes to real peace and fills life with divine grace and quiet happiness.
Verse 4
सहप्रपञ्चकल्पितं ह्यनामरूपवास्तवम् ।
निराकृतिं निरामयं भजेह राममद्वयम् ॥ ४॥
English Transliteration:
sahaprapañcakalpitaṃ hyanāmarūpavāstavam |
nirākṛtiṃ nirāmayam bhajeha rāmamadvayam || 4 ||
Explanation
Though the whole world of creation seems to appear with him, Shri Ram is the only true reality beyond all names and forms. He has no shape yet is the most real. He is formless, free from all illness or pain. Worshipping this non-dual Shri Ram helps us see through the changing scenes of life and rest in the everlasting truth that never fades.
Verse 5
निष्प्रपञ्चनिर्विकल्पनिर्मलं निरामयम्।
चिदेकरूपसन्ततं भजेह राममद्वयम् ॥ ५॥
English Transliteration:
niṣprapañcanirvikalpanirmalaṃ nirāmayam |
cidekarūpasantataṃ bhajeha rāmamadvayam || 5 ||
Explanation
Shri Ram is beyond this changing world, free from all doubts or differences. He is spotlessly pure, ever healthy, and shines as one continuous stream of pure consciousness. Worshipping this non-dual Shri Ram makes our mind quiet and clear, like a still lake reflecting only divine light. In him, we feel complete oneness and endless inner joy.
Verse 6
भवाब्धिपोतरूपकं ह्यशेषदेहकल्पितम् ।
गुणाकरं कृपाकरं भजेह राममद्वयम् ॥ ६॥
English Transliteration:
bhavābdhipotarūpakaṃ hyaśeṣadehakalpitam |
guṇākaraṃ kṛpākaraṃ bhajeha rāmamadvayam || 6 ||
Explanation
Shri Ram is like a strong and safe boat that carries us across the stormy ocean of worldly life. He appears in every form for the sake of all beings. He is the treasure-house of all good qualities and the giver of unlimited kindness. Worshipping this non-dual Shri Ram turns our difficult journey into a peaceful sail, filled with grace and protection.
Verse 7
महावाक्यबोधकैर्विराजमनवाक्पदैः ।
परब्रह्म व्यापकं भजेह राममद्वयम् ॥ ७॥
English Transliteration:
mahāvākyabodhakairvirājamānavākpadaiḥ |
parabrahma vyāpakaṃ bhajeha rāmamadvayam || 7 ||
Explanation
The great Vedic sayings shine through Shri Ram and reveal his glory. He is the Supreme Brahman – the all-pervading, eternal truth that fills everything. Words cannot fully describe him, yet he is known through pure wisdom. Worshipping this non-dual Shri Ram connects us to the vast, silent power that holds the whole universe in love.
Verse 8
शिवप्रदं सुखप्रदं भवच्छिदं भ्रमापहम् ।
विराजमानदैशिकं भजेह राममद्वयम् ॥ ८॥
English Transliteration:
śivapradaṃ sukhapradaṃ bhavacchidaṃ bhramāpaham |
virājamānadeśikaṃ bhajeha rāmamadvayam || 8 ||
Explanation
Shri Ram gives true auspiciousness and pure happiness. He cuts the bonds of worldly life and removes all confusion and illusion. He shines as the perfect spiritual guide. Worshipping this non-dual Shri Ram brings light to our path, ends all doubts, and leads the soul gently home to everlasting peace.
Verse 9
रामाष्टकं पठति यः सुकरं सुपुण्यं
व्यासेन भाषितमिदं शृणुते मनुष्यः ।
विद्यां श्रियं विपुलसौख्यमनन्तकीर्तिं
सम्प्राप्य देहविलये लभते च मोक्षम् ॥ ९॥
English Transliteration:
rāmāṣṭakaṃ paṭhati yaḥ sukaraṃ supuṇyaṃ
vyāsena bhāṣitamidaṃ śṛṇute manuṣyaḥ |
vidyāṃ śriyaṃ vipulasaukhyamanantakīrtiṃ
samprāpya dehavilaye labhate ca mokṣam || 9 ||
Explanation
Whoever reads or listens to this easy and holy Ram Ashtakam, lovingly composed by sage Vyasa, receives the blessings of true knowledge, wealth, great happiness, and endless good fame. At the end of this body, such a soul gently attains complete freedom and liberation.
॥ इति श्रीव्यासविरचितं रामाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
May the sweet remembrance of Shri Ram fill every heart with light, peace, and pure love. Chanting this stotram daily brings the soul closer to its true home.
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