ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮ ಕರ್ಣಾಮೃತಮ್

Maṅgalaślokas. Auspiciousness to Lord Vishnu; auspiciousness to Madhusudana (the slayer of the demon Madhu); auspiciousness to the lotus-eyed one; auspiciousness to the one whose banner bears the eagle Garuda. (1)

Auspiciousness to the lord of Kosala, who is an ocean of exalted virtues; auspiciousness to the son of the emperor Dasharatha, the sovereign lord of all the earth. (2)

Auspiciousness to the one who is known through the Vedas and Vedanta; to the one whose form is dark as a rain cloud; to the one whose beauty captivates all beings; auspiciousness to the one celebrated in sacred scripture. (3)

Auspiciousness to the one who is dearest to the sage Vishvamitra; to the lord of the city of Mithila; auspiciousness to the one who is the fulfilment of all fortunes, of wondrous and beautiful form. (4)

Auspiciousness to the one who is ever devoted to his father; who, together with his brothers and Sita, fills all the worlds with joy — auspiciousness to Ramachandra. (5)

Auspiciousness to the one who left the city of Ayodhya behind and dwelt in the forest of Chitrakuta; who is worthy of worship by all ascetics; auspiciousness to the noble and steadfast one. (6)

Auspiciousness to the one who is always lovingly served with devotion by Lakshmana and Janaki (Sita), and who bears the bow, arrows, and sword — auspiciousness to the one accompanied by his younger brother. (7)

Auspiciousness to the one who dwelt in the Dandaka forest and slew the enemies of the gods; auspiciousness to the one who is devoted to the king of vultures (Jatayu) and grants liberation. (8)

Auspiciousness to the one who lovingly accepted the fruits and roots offered by Shabari with great reverence; who is full of approachable grace; auspiciousness to the one always united with virtue and vigour. (9)

Auspiciousness to the one united with Hanuman; who fulfils the deepest wishes of the king of monkeys (Sugriva); auspiciousness to the one who subdued Vali, the supremely resolute hero. (10)

Auspiciousness to the glorious hero of the Raghu dynasty, who crossed the ocean by building the bridge (Setu) to Lanka; who vanquished the king of demons; auspiciousness to the steadfast warrior. (11)

Auspiciousness to the one who reached the divine city and was consecrated together with Sita; to the king of kings, the sovereign of sovereigns — auspiciousness to the blessed Ramabhadra. (12)

Auspiciousness to the one who out of love for Vibhishana grants the wishes of all the worlds; to the lord of Janaki's life — auspiciousness always to Sri Rama. (13)

I bow to Sri Rama, the guru of the three worlds, the best of the gods, the beloved lord of Sita's heart — dark-limbed, with a face as full as the brightness of a crore of moons, bearing the gleaming Kaustubha gem, of serene and supremely virtuous nature, dwelling on the auspicious bank of the Sarayu river, the master who bestows the accomplishment of all ends; I bow to the lord of the Raghus. (14)

I bow to Sri Raghava, the immeasurable son of Dasharatha, the husband of Sita, the jewel-lamp of the noble Raghu lineage, long-armed as the knees, with eyes wide as lotus petals — Rama, the destroyer of the night-wandering demons. (15)

Salutations again and again to you, O Sri Ramachandra — the moon of the sun-dynasty, the moon of the ocean of the Raghu clan, the full moon that causes the blue-lotus eyes of Sugriva to bloom, the moon that gladdens the white-lily heart of Sita. (16)

Salutations again and again to you, O Sri Rama — the royal swan gliding on the lake of Sita's mind, remover of the fever of worldly existence, full of forbearance; the destroyer of the demons, of tranquil form, the Brahman that is the refuge of the sacred name Tara. (17)

Salutations to you, O Vishnu, O Raghava, O Vasudeva, O Narasimha, O crest-jewel of the hosts of gods, O Hari who is the helmsman across the ocean of worldly existence; salutations to you, O Krishna. (18)

I worship Sri Rama, who is reverently served at all times by Sugriva and all the monkey chiefs, and who is praised by the sages Vishvamitra, Parashara, and others. (19)

I bow always to Sri Raghava — cool as sandalwood, captivating to Sita's heart, the sun that causes the lotus-eyes of Vaidehi to bloom, whose face is like the full moon, whose eyes are filled with compassion, the delight of Sita's heart, with beautiful cheeks that shine like Sita's mirror. (20)

Shiva knows the sweetness of your name, O Rama; the wife of Gautama knows the power of your feet. The bow of Ishvara (Shiva) knows the strength of your arms; the ocean knows the speed and unerring flight of your arrows. (21)

Rama is my mother; Ramachandra is my father; Rama is my brother; Raghavesha is my companion. Ramachandra, the compassionate one, is my everything — I know no other god, none at all. (22)

I praise Rama — of pure lotus eyes, of shining blue form, purifier of the solar dynasty, friend who dispels the darkness of demons, of beautiful character that blesses all the worlds, whose consort is the daughter of the earth; the excellent son of Dasharatha, the friend called Rama. (23)

On every path, upon the gem-studded altars of flowering trees, kinnaras (celestial musicians) sing in melodious chorus; in every song, in every gathering of sweet discourse — O Ramachandra, your story is ever on their lips. (24)

On every tree, flocks of birds gaze forth; in every group, sweet fragrant words arise; in every gathering of sweet discourse and song — O Ramachandra, your story is ever present. (25)

May Ramachandra protect me — who is the moon that dispels the darkness of sin, the moon that destroys the lotus of the wicked, the moon that gladdens the blue-lotus of the gods, the moon of the ocean of the solar dynasty, the moon that gladdens his own people, the moon that destroys the red-lotus of the enemies, the moon that causes the white-lily of the devoted to bloom. (26)

I contemplate in my heart Kakutstha-Rama — the giver of auspiciousness, the protector of Vishvamitra's sacrifice, the ocean of the arts, as steadfast as a golden mountain, with lotus eyes, an ocean of compassion. (27)

I bow to Sri Raghava — lotus-eyed, of the Raghu dynasty, dark blue as the blue lotus, seated in a lovely golden pavilion adorned with coral-trees, established on a lion-throne inlaid with rows of nine gems, together with Sita, Lakshmana, and the guardians of the directions; the abode of sages. (28)

I meditate on Ramachandra — who is like a full moon, who destroys the fever of the whole forest of worldly bondage for those who bow; dark, tranquil, the lord of the gods, praised by gods and sages, radiant as a crore of suns, served by Sita and Lakshmana, accessible to gods and men, enthroned on a divine lion-seat — may Ramachandra, of smiling and beautiful countenance, be always gracious to me in the evening hours. (29)

I ceaselessly contemplate Raghuvira — whose body resembles the blue indranila gem, who is worthy of worship again and again by the hosts of sages, wearing a long garland of tulasi leaves. (30)

I remember Sri Ramachandra unceasingly in my heart — whose face is like the full moon, whose eyes are like lotuses, who wears jewelled earrings, whose crown is supremely beautiful, dressed in golden-yellow garments, holding a bow in hand. (31)

May my heart contemplate infant Rama — walking at his mother's side on a jewelled bed, his limbs adorned with lovely ornaments, drinking milk slowly with half-closed eyes, touching gently with his fingertips, embraced joyfully by his mother with a smile; held close and close again in his mother's arms. (32)

I bow always to Rama, the son of Dasharatha — charming to Rama's devotees, charming to the eyes, charming to the ear through his speech, charming in his face, charming in every way, and ever charming. (33)

By merely uttering the syllable "Ra," all sins pour out from the mouth; and the syllable "Ma" acts like a closed door, so that they cannot re-enter out of fear. (34)

Salutations again and again to the lotus-feet of Rama — adorned with priceless ruby-encrusted sandals of great beauty, worshipped by all the hosts of immortals. (35)

I contemplate the son of Dasharatha — whose divine cheeks glow with swinging golden earrings, who pervades the moving and unmoving universe, who is the refuge of the lotus-feet-born Ganga, who bestows the fourfold fruit of human life, who is established on the highest seat, who is the pure fragment of consciousness, the abode of all. (36)

I contemplate the son of Dasharatha — beloved of Sanandana and the great sages, who is the Self of all the Vedas in their many forms, whose lion-throne is the truth that shines through all scriptures, who is served by the hosts of immortals led by Brahma (the thousand-eyed), the lord of the entire universe. (37)

I bow always to that which transcends conceptual understanding — the pure consciousness that shines in the waking, dreaming, and deep-sleep states, the essence free from all sin, the origin of the subtle elements, the matrix of all yogic paths such as those of Shambhavi and others, beyond Sankhya and all philosophies, beyond what can be indicated by the word "I," beyond what is destroyed by realisation. (38)

I bow with my head to Sri Rama the Jewel — the jewel born from the ocean of the Ikshvaku dynasty, the jewel that is the fortune of Sita's youth, the jewel of Vaikuntha, the jewel that is my own good fortune. (39)

I worship Ramachandra, the lord of the Raghus — the beloved of the Ikshvaku line, worshipped by Sugriva, protector of all three worlds, ever true to his word, Raghava, the lord of the Raghus, lotus-eyed. (40)

I worship Rama, the dear one of his devotees, who is attained through devotion, who removes anxiety and is the wish-fulfilling cow of all desires, who shines with the radiance of a crore of suns and moons — the Raghava Ramachandra. (41)

I worship Sri Ramachandra — who captivates the lotus-face of Sita, the daughter of Janaka, the Kaustubha gem of the glorious solar-dynasty ocean, with Sri on his broad chest, whose lotus feet are adorned by the crowns of Shiva and the hosts of gods, resplendent with the Shrivatsa mark, dark as the blue sapphire. (42)

May the nectar of the deeds of Ramachandra, the singing of the virtues of the elder brother of Lakshmana, and the service of your feet, O lord of the Raghus — be mine birth after birth. (43)

Sri Rama, who has taken the form of a man together with Sita, the fire that consumes the ocean of worldly existence born of ignorance, who is mounted upon the Pranava, the secret essence of the manifest tattvas — may he be present within my heart at the hour of death. (44)

Rama is the deity of my family; I lovingly worship Rama with reverence. All grievous sins are destroyed by Rama; salutations to that Rama. There is none in the three worlds so easy to approach as Rama; I am his servant. My love for Rama is boundless — O Sri Rama, O ancestral guru, protect me. (45)

I worship the dark-hued Rama — who, together with Vaidehi, is seated on a jewelled throne in a golden pavilion beneath a divine wish-fulfilling tree, in the midst of which Hanuman recites the supreme truth to the sages; who is surrounded by Bharata and the others. (46)

I worship the dark-hued Rama — with Sita on his left, Hanuman in front, Lakshmana behind, Shatrughna and Bharata on either side, Sugriva, Vibhishana, the crown prince (Angada), Jambavan, and Vayu's attendants in all directions — gentle-glowing as a dark blue lotus in full bloom. (47)

I worship the dark-hued Rama — ever resplendent with armlets, bracelets, and gem-studded ornaments, like the full moon of the full-moon night, honoured with a royal parasol, seated in a great hall with sixteen thousand golden pillars, surrounded by Bharata and the others. (48)

I worship Raghupati, the dark-hued Rama — in the great hall of Ayodhya, white as the autumn moon, filled with clouds of fragrant aguru incense, blazing with camphor lamps, served by Lakshmana, attended by Sugriva, Angada, and the son of the Wind; who has assumed a graceful human form. (49)

I worship the dark-hued Rama — tranquil, like a crore of autumn moons, his face radiant as the moon, wearing earrings that contain the sun, moon, and fire, praised by those who wear the crescent moon (Shiva's devotees), with the vina and book, holding the commentary gesture, surrounded by Bharata and the others. (50)

I worship the dark-hued Rama — the destroyer of demons, the lord of the Raghus, who crushed the enemies of Indra, who granted Sugriva his longed-for kingdom, who ended the son of the lord of the gods (Indrajit), bearing the Sharnga bow, who grants fearlessness to his devotees, who destroys fear and wipes away multitudes of sin, whose lotus feet are served by Sita. (51)

I worship Sri Rama seated on the lion-throne together with Sita, Lakshmana, and the son of Vayu — equal in beauty to ten million Kamadevs, dark as a rain cloud, with a conch-shell neck, wearing the noble Kaustubha gem, with lotus-flowers at his ears, a sandalwood mark gleaming on his brow, of smiling countenance, adorned with the gesture of supreme knowledge. (52)

I worship Sri Rama — seated in the finest celestial palace of Ayodhya, inlaid with rows of nine gems and adorned with flags, on an eight-petalled golden lotus of the finest celestial vehicle, waited upon by Bharata and brothers, monkeys, kinnaras, guardians of the directions, the foremost sages, and hosts of kings. (53)

I worship the auspicious Rama — adorned with sandal paste, saffron, and holy fragrance, more handsome than ten million Kamadevs, dark as a rain cloud, the banner of the Kakutstha dynasty, clad in auspicious garments, accompanied by Lakshmi, dear to the artful ones, whose beloved is the bow of the auspicious mountain (Shiva's bow). (54)

I worship Ramachandra — the root of liberation, the bulb of bliss in the hearts of the best sages, Mukunda (giver of liberation), known as Kutastha (the immovable witness), the giver of all boons, the form of universal consciousness, beyond the transcendent sound (Nada), the dwelling of Kamala (Lakshmi), the truth that is the end of Nada and its culmination, beyond Prakriti. (55)

I worship Ramachandra — whose form is the sacred syllable Tara (Om), the universal abode, the goal indicated by "tat tvam asi" and other Vedic pronouncements, beyond verbal designation, free from the three gunas, of the size of a thumb dwelling in the space of the sky, known as Nirvana, with attributes yet beyond attributes, dwelling within the aperture of the Sushumna, together with the Pranava. (56)

I worship Rama the dark one — of the form of pure bliss, whose feet are adored by the Vedas as swift horses, the bliss of the supreme Brahman, attaining the supreme abode, the destroyer of sin, an ocean of compassion overflowing its shores, the supreme Person, the dwelling of Padma (Lakshmi), free from Prakriti, without qualities. (57)

I worship Sri Rama — seated in Ayodhya, the city that is the support of all glory, that captivates the universe, in a great hall with a thousand jewelled pillars, on a lotus-throne of the highest excellence, worthy of contemplation by the sages Vishvamitra, Vasishtha, Gautama, Shuka, Vyasa, and others, attended by Lakshmana, the guardians of the world, together with Sita. (58)

I worship Ramachandra — of beautiful dark form, with sun and moon as eyes, blazing like a crore of suns, divine, holding supreme weapons, a quiver of arrows, bearing a magnificent bow, who is Time itself, the fire of final dissolution for enemy hosts, expert at cutting through obstacles, fearsome, with a great and resounding laugh, who removes all fear. (59)

I worship Sri Ramachandra, the Raghava — whose body alone is the beauty of the universe, dark as a rain cloud, with wide lotus eyes, whose face is like the orb of the full moon, whose long arms bear the bow and other weapons, the lord of Vaidehi (Sita), the protector of his devotees. (60)

I worship Raghupati together with Sita — bearing the Shrivatsa mark, wearing the noble Kaustubha gem, adorned in yellow silk, with a crown resplendent with many jewels, dark as a rain cloud, his body anointed with musk and heavy sandal paste, wearing a garland of coral-tree flowers, more handsome than ten million Kamadevs. (61)

I worship, I worship the form of Rama established in the ever-blissful thousand-petalled lotus, at the end of the dripping stream of lunar nectar — no other deity do I serve, serve, serve. (62)

I worship, I worship Sri Rama reclining upon Lakshmi's lap on the serpent-couch in the celestial island washed by nectar, in a divine palace adorned by the heavenly wish-fulfilling tree — no other deity do I serve, serve, serve. (63)

I know of none other, none other — the fragment of consciousness, the bliss, the bulb of bliss that is the swan within the aperture of the Sushumna, bearing the discus and the conch, dressed in yellow, the supreme reality beyond all this. (64)

I worship, I worship the form of the supreme abode, established in the luminous celestial vehicle, the causal reality that shines at the summit of the four Vedas, reclining on the serpent-couch — no other deity do I serve, serve. (65)

I worship Rama, the Raghava, the Ramachandra — enthroned on the lion-seat, worthy of adoration by the gods, whose lotus feet are inlaid with gems, attended by Sita, with the moon and sun as his two eyes. (66)

I contemplate in my heart Sri Ramachandra unceasingly — the ancient Person, of beautiful attire, whose footstool is worshipped by the crowns of kings of kings, the husband of Sita, of beautiful eyes, the sole hero of the universe. (67)

I worship Ramachandra — the witness that is the form of supreme bliss, the path to the supreme Brahman, the form of the supreme light, whose feet are worshipped by the supremely auspicious Parashat (Shakti), the form of the supreme abode. (68)

I worship Rama, the Raghava, the Ramachandra — of gentle smile, with earrings adorning his beautiful cheeks, clad in yellow silk, with all limbs adorned with ornaments, dark as the blue lotus, the sole friend of all the worlds. (69)

I worship Rama, the Raghava, the Ramachandra — inconceivable, unmanifest, of infinite forms, non-dual, the bliss, beginninglessly beyond reach, of the nature of pure merit, known as Purushottama (the highest Person). (70)

I worship Rama, the Raghava, the Ramachandra — seated on the lotus-throne, worthy of adoration by the gods, gazed upon by the compassionate glance of Lakshmi (Padmalaya), sung of by Gandharvas and Vidyadharas. (71)

I worship Rama, the Raghava, the Ramachandra — of infinite renown, the giver of boons, the gracious one, seated on the lotus-throne, the wish-fulfilling tree for his servants, the king of kings, the banner of Raghuvira. (72)

I worship Rama, the Raghava, the Ramachandra — the friend of Sugriva, suited to noble souls, the destroyer of Lanka, the annihilator of the demon race, whose body is the very form of the Vedas, of wide and expansive eyes. (73)

Vibhishana is the witness of his vow to protect those who bow to him even once — that Sri Rama who punishes the transgressor is my refuge and final goal. (74)

The two brothers Rama and Lakshmana — living on fruits and roots, self-restrained, practising asceticism and righteousness, destroyers of the demon race. (75)

Both young, endowed with beauty, tender and supremely strong, with eyes wide as white lotuses, clad in bark garments and black deerskin. (76)

I bow to Rama, the moon of Kausalya's eyes, the sun to the lotus-face of Dasharatha, the royal swan on the lake of Sita's heart, the lotus-eyed one. (77)

The chanting of "Rama, Rama" burns the seeds of worldly bondage, cleanses away the miseries of happiness's absence, and frightens away the messengers of Yama (Death). (78)

O Janaki (Sita) knows; yet even she does not fully know, O Rama, the greatness of your name. Does the lord of all, the blessed Shambhu (Shiva), know? Does Valmiki? Or does anyone at all? (79)

Bow to Raghunatha, the lord of Janaki's life — bearing a bow in his lotus hand, of the form of the black rain cloud, with eyes like petals of the lotus, of beautiful smile, of lovely limbs, roaming the forest in his wandering exile, of extraordinary heroic bearing. (80)

I contemplate Sri Ramachandra unceasingly in my heart — whose beautiful cheeks glow with earrings shaped like makaras (sea-creatures) flashing like lightning, resplendent with a gem-studded crown, clad in yellow silk, of the dark beauty of a rain cloud, of generous and beautiful radiance. (81)

May the face of Sri Ramachandra be present within me — whose cheeks gleam with blazing jewelled earrings, whose broad forehead shines with a musk sandalwood tilaka mark, with eyes long as to the very ears, whose glance is full of compassion. (82)

May Rama, served by Hanuman, remember me from his imperial throne — attended by Vaidehi, Lakshmana, the sons of Kaikeyi (Bharata and Shatrughna), Sugriva, Vibhishana, the son of Vayu, Nila, Nala, and Angada, honouring Vishvamitra, Vasishtha, Gautama, Bharadvaja, and other sages. (83)

May the sun in the heart, the one beautiful as Brahman and Rama, who is the treasury of all virtues, praised by yogis, served by the celestial vehicles of the gods, whose reputation protects the dignity of Indra and others, who is revered as the great lord, who shines together with Sita, the ocean celebrated by many — may he remember me. (84)

May Ramachandra protect me — the moon that gladdens the white-lily of the celestial beings, the moon that destroys the lotus of the demons, the moon that dispels the darkness of sin, the moon of wisdom for the yogis, the moon for the eyes of those who bow, the moon for the eyes of Maithili (Sita), the moon who is the enemy of the ten-faced one (Ravana). (85)

His very name is equal to a thousand names; his name is equal to the Vedas; a verse marked with his name destroys the womb of the wives of the demon armies. His name makes no distinction between the brahmin and the outcast, and shines as the bestower of liberation — that name, the Rama-Rama chant, is the heavy nectar of the name of Sri Rama. (86)

O lotus-eyed one, O best of the Raghu dynasty, O Ramabhadra, whose face is like the orb of the full moon, O dark-limbed one, O beautiful Rama, born of the Raghu clan — O Sri Ramachandra, give me the support of your hand. (87)

I worship that Goddess, the beloved of Raghava (Sita) — whose lotus feet are adorned with jewelled anklets, whose lotus face is like the sun of Rama's delight, whose lotus hands grant fearlessness to the devoted. (88)

Victory to the bringer of victory, the bringer of joy to Janaki, the one who roams in the solar dynasty, the wanderer of the Dandaka forest, the axe against the ten-headed one (Ravana), the scatterer of the demon armies, wearing a jewelled crown, bearing the fierce great bow. (89)

Rama is my father; Raghava himself is my mother; Rama is my brother and my friend, the lord of the Raghus. Ramachandra, the compassionate, is my everything — beyond Rama I do not remember anyone. (90)

O Sri Rama, you alone are my father and mother; O Sri Rama, you alone are my dear friend and kinsman; O Sri Rama, you alone are my guru and companion; O Sri Rama, you alone are my everything. (91)

Drinking the nectar of the deeds of Ramachandra is equal to drinking soma a hundred crore times. One does not escape rebirth by drinking soma a hundred crore times — but through the name of Raghunayaka one does. (92)

O Rama, O Rama, ocean of compassion, O enemy of Ravana, O lord of the universe — may devotion to your lotus feet be mine birth after birth. (93)

O compassionate one, O lover of your devotees, O liberator from the bonds of worldly existence, O lord, O recliner on the serpent couch — protect me always as I praise you thus, wretched and afraid, O compassionate one. (94)

O lord of Ayodhya, O king of kings, O dear one of Sita, O lord of the universe, O Sri Rama, O lotus-eyed one, O Ramachandra — salutations to you. (95)

O Ramabhadra, my refuge, O compassionate one, O sole shelter of the devotees, O Janaki's beloved, O sole friend of the universe — protect me always, wretched and helpless, ungrateful that I am. (96)

Hanuman knows the truth of you, O Rama. The king of monkeys (Sugriva) knows the nature of your friendship, O Rama. The ten-headed one (Ravana) knows the measure of your prowess in battle, O Rama. Truly, only the younger brother of Kubera (Vibhishana) knows you fully. (97)

The Sri Rama mantra — worthy of service, bringing auspiciousness to the ears, the mantra of the best and wisest; praiseworthy, the mantra that uproots the terrible sins of hell; excellent, the mantra for crossing the ocean of existence — meditate on it again and again; divine, the sole mantra of liberation that shines in heaven and on earth. (98)

May the Rama mantra protect me — the mantra that is the universal abode, the mantra of the eternal truth, the mantra that destroys the afflictions of worldly existence, the mantra that is the life of Sita (daughter of the earth), the mantra born of the son of Vayu (Hanuman), the mantra of the liberation of Parvati, the own mantra of Pashupati (Shiva). (99)

The Rama-Rama mantra — the mantra dwelling in the Pranava, the mantra of the breath's liberation, the mantra of Prakriti and Purusha, the mantra of Brahma, Rudra, and Indra, the mantra that clearly destroys passion, aversion, and manifest sin — the own mantra of Raghupati. (100)

The Rama-Rama mantra — the mantra of the son of Dasharatha, the mantra that destroys the demons, the mantra celebrated by all the gods, the mantra renowned throughout the universe, the mantra praised by hosts of sages, the sole mantra on the path to liberation — the own mantra of Raghupati. (101)

Always chant the Rama mantra — the universal mantra that removes the fear of the ocean of worldly existence, the accomplished mantra served by those who truly seek liberation, the mantra whose hand holds the bow and arrow, the mantra of the sole abode of liberation. (102)

The Rama-Rama mantra — victory, victory to the mantra that makes life fruitful, the mantra that cuts through the afflictions of birth and death; the mantra of all the Vedas, the sole mantra of all the scriptures — the own mantra of Raghupati. (103)

The Rama-Rama mantra — the mantra that is pure and clear in the world, the life-mantra of Janaki (Sita), the mantra celebrated by all the gods, the mantra renowned throughout the universe, the mantra of the son of Dasharatha, the mantra that destroys the demons — the own mantra of Raghupati. (104)

I bow to the great Raghunatha mantra that removes great fears — the accomplished mantra worshipped by Brahma, yogis, and great sages, the mantra that destroys the afflictions of poverty, suffering, and worldly existence, the sole mantra for crossing the ocean of worldly existence. (105)

O tongue, chant the Sri Rama mantra that yields fruit — the sole mantra for cutting down enemies, honoured by the sweet nectar-words of the Upanishads, the mantra for crossing over worldly existence, the mantra for the auspicious departure at the proper time, the sole mantra of all sovereignty, the mantra that saves one bitten by the serpent of affliction and trouble — the fruitful mantra that makes life fruitful. (106)

May the Rama mantra protect me — ever the Sri Rama mantra, incomparably the highest, the mantra of true wisdom; truly the Sri Rama mantra, the mantra of health for ever-pure hearts; worthy of praise, the Sri Rama mantra, the mantra of lovely auspicious happiness; worthy of study, the Sri Rama mantra — the one given by the son of Vayu. (107)

O mind, drink the medicine of the name of Sri Rama — the medicine that calms delusion, the medicine that stirs the activity of the minds of sages, the medicine that uproots the demons, the sole medicine against the fear of worldly existence; the medicine that brings joy to devotees, the sole life-giving medicine in all three worlds, the medicine that procures the highest good. (108)

May the jewel of Rama protect me — the jewel of all the worlds, the jewel of the meaning of all scriptures, the jewel of victory in battle, the jewel of pure being-consciousness-bliss, the jewel that destroyed the ten-faced one (Ravana), the jewel that is the enemy of demons, the jewel-king of the Raghu dynasty. (109)

May the jewel of Rama protect me — the jewel of all the worlds, the jewel of being-consciousness-bliss, the jewel of all hearts, the jewel within the solar orb, the jewel of pure merit, the jewel of the Vedas and Vedanta, the jewel of Shiva's japam. (110)

May the jewel of Rama protect me — the jewel at the summit of the Vedas, the jewel of unstained bliss, the jewel of incomparable virtues, the jewel at the end of the transcendent sound (Nada), the jewel of the Dasharatha dynasty, the jewel dwelling in the twelfth centre (dvadashanta), the jewel of Pashupati's japam. (111)

May the jewel of Rama protect me — the jewel that is the son of Indra's son (Jayanta), the jewel dwelling in the sixteenth centre (shodashanta), the jewel worshipped by the sages, the chief jewel of Vaikuntha, the jewel of incomparable virtues, the jewel dwelling within the lotus of the heart, the jewel of the supreme abode. (112)

May the jewel of Rama protect me — the jewel of all good deeds, the jewel of the meaning of truth, the jewel of the qualities of tranquillity and restraint, the jewel of eternal bliss, the jewel dwelling in the Pranava, the jewel of clear self-luminous light, the jewel of the supreme abode. (113)

May the jewel of Rama protect me — the jewel at the summit of the Vedas, the jewel ever worthy of longing, the jewel king celebrated by the people, the jewel that is the beauty of Janaki (Sita), the jewel of the circle of the worlds, the sole jewel of all kings, the finest jewel of the Raghu dynasty. (114)

Always I bow, a suppliant, to the jewel of Sri Rama — of wide and pure eyes, of wholly beautiful form, whose consort is Sita, victor over the enemies of the gods, the vessel of compassion, the purifier of the universe. (115)

O protector of cattle (Gopala), O ocean of compassion, O ocean of true virtues, O destroyer of demons, O one full of grace toward Vibhishana, O king of the earth, O one who wanders in the garden of Vaidehi's heart, O one who has shot crores of arrows — O new-lotus-eyed one, protect me; beyond you I know nothing. (116)

For one who has nothing to be taken away, no action to be performed, the name of Rama alone is ever to be remembered — and the ocean of worldly existence is to be crossed with ease. (117)

I contemplate Ramabhadra — the son of Dasharatha, the lord, the dweller of the Dandaka forest, dark as the blue sapphire of the sky, ever longing for the life of Janaki (Sita), the enchanter of the entire universe, of the form of the praised rain cloud, an ocean celebrated by many. (118)

I bow in my heart to Sri Ramachandra — of wide and pure eyes, of wholly beautiful form, whose consort is Sita, victor over the enemies of the gods, the purifier of the universe, the sole essence of the supreme Self. (119)

Victory, victory to Raghunatha, the sun of the beautiful lotus-face; victory, victory to Raghuvira of the lotus eyes filled with Sri; victory, victory to Raghunatha whose feet are worshipped by Sri's hands; victory, victory to the best of Raghus, lord Sri, ocean of compassion. (120)

I worship the jewel of the Raghu clan — established on the jewelled seat beneath the coral-tree, suffused with nectar, of the divine universal form, together with the Bindu, the end of the transcendent sound (Nada), the art-essence, and the fourth state of consciousness (Turiya). (121)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — who is the transcendent sound (Nada), the inner wind of the Nada-purified mind, the one who loves the truth of Nada, beyond name and form, who loves the dark-cloud-blue body of Nada, the bee intoxicated by the honey of the Nada-lotus, established within the innermost bliss, the beautiful one dwelling in the lustrous circle of the Nada's fixed point. (122)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — who dwells in the lotus-heart of all beings, who is adorned with the ornament of his name blazing with light, who purifies the three worlds through the praise of his name, who is the Narayana ashtakshara mantra, whose body is flooded with the nectar of the moon at the end of the Nada, who is the pure consciousness of all the diverse selves, who is equal to crores of suns at the end of many aeons. (123)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — who is to be known, the guru of the Vedas, the father of Brahma, the very form of the Vedanta, the self-luminous Veda, the root of the grandeur of the entire collection of Vedic lore, whose bed is Shesha, equal to the peak of the Vedas, whose Self is to be known through Vedanta, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the Vedas. (124)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — my very soul, my grace, my sovereign, my contemplation, my joy, my shelter, my true guru, my boon, the cutter of the blindness of delusion, my merit, my many kinsmen, my life, my treasure, my accomplishment, the good fruit of all my actions. (125)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — ever with eyes like water-lilies, incomparable, as fine as a grain of wild rice, of undivided experience, of unceasing qualities, resplendent with the dark-blue hue, without sin, whose feet are worshipped by Vedas and Agamas, eternal and pure, without merit, the all-pervading, of the immaculate and stainless abode. (126)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — whom I contemplate in the lotus of my heart as Raghupati, the sprout of the lamp of knowledge, the great support of the lineage of Ham-sa (the great syllable), the enchanter of the universe, with hands bearing the mace and lotus and discus, incomparable, clad in yellow, wearing the Kaustubha, marked with the Shrivatsa, the Purushottama of gem-like radiance. (127)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — truth, consciousness, infinite, imperishable, unborn, unmanifest, supreme, Kutastha and the witness of all, sinless, the direct bestower of the Virat truth, to be known, pervading the universe, the giver of the bliss of sovereignty and happiness of all absorbed worlds, complete, supremely complete, the eternal Person. (128)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — the destroyer of the demon dynasty, whose face is like the disc of the full moon, the enemy of the demons, the increaser of the Raghu dynasty, with reddish lips, Raghava, who dwells within Radha's soul, sun-like, beautiful, the lord of Rama (Lakshmi), within whom the serpent Shesha rests within the heart's aperture. (129)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — the aggregate of all things woven together, the seed-syllable of the Omkara, the essence of the Pranava, bearing the six syllables, the sprout of the Omkara seed, clearly pervading the Bhuh, Bhuvah, Svah — the three worlds of the Pranava, worshipped by the three floods, whose abode is the lustrous lion-throne of the Pranava. (130)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — unceasingly — established in Ayodhya, the city that grants all happiness, in a palace blazing with the light of crores of lotuses, whose summit touches the rows of stars and planets, at the inner lotus of the universe, who is waited upon by Valmiki, Atri, Parashara, and other sages, with Sita adorning his left side. (131)

I worship Rama, the saviour (Tara) — in Vaikuntha, the divine city, beneath the wish-fulfilling tree, in the pleasure-grove of bliss, surrounded by a clear and brilliant wall of many jewels, on the beautiful moon-stone bed of Shesha, covered with dark blue lotus-petals, reclining together with Lakshmi and the others. (132)

I bow to Rama, always, the Raghava — the beginningless Person, unborn; I bow to the lord of Lakshmi; I bow to the wearer of the beautiful crown and earrings; I bow to the one of dark blue radiance; I bow to the one whose hand blazes with the bow and quiver; I bow to the auspicious one of the universe; I bow to the son of he of the row of chariots (Dasharatha), my guru. (133)

I bow always to the Raghava — praised by Shaunaka, Gautama, and others; I bow to the dark rain cloud; I bow to the one dwelling in the centre of the Tara-seat; I bow to the lord of the universe; I bow to the wish-fulfilling tree for the hosts of devotees; I bow to the lover of the bow; I bow to the father of the Vedic pronouncement "tat tvam asi." (134)

I bow always to the Raghava — with sun and moon as his two eyes; I bow to the purifier of the universe; I bow to the one dwelling in the thousand-petalled lotus; I bow to the dear one of the enemy of the triple-city (Shiva); I bow to the destroyer of the demon dynasty; I bow to the one cool as nectar; I bow to the one praised by crores of gods and monkey lords. (135)

I bow always to the Raghava — who bears the arrow that broke the pride of the ocean; I bow to the life of the universe; I bow to the protector of Vishvamitra's sacrifice; I bow to the guru of gurus; I bow to the one whose hand blazes with bow and arrows; I bow to the one clad in bark and matted hair; I bow to the one accompanied by Lakshmana and Sita. (136)

I bow always to the Raghava — of white lotus eyes; I bow to the one whose face is like the lotus orb; I bow to the one with the conch-shell neck and lotus-pair of hands; I bow to the one with the brilliant forehead; I bow to the one in yellow silk, dark as a rain cloud; I bow to the enchanter of the universe; I bow to the one whose body shines as the causal human form. (137)

I bow always to the Raghava — of the gentle beauty of the dark blue lotus; I bow to the one worshipped by the universe; I bow to the Kaustubha gem of the ocean of the solar dynasty; I bow to the one worshipped by the gods; I bow to the destroyer of the five groups of sins; I bow to the cause of the universe; I bow to the one free from the twenty-five tattvas. (138)

I bow always to the Raghava — the wish-fulfilling tree for the community of seekers; I bow to the one who embodies the three Murti-forms (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva); I bow to the one who dwells in the end of the Nada and Laya; I bow to the one who is the three goals of life; I bow to the one easily found by a mind free from passion; I bow to the lord of the assembly; I bow to the infinite ocean of compassionate nectar. (139)

I bow always to the Raghava — whose body is impressed with the sattvic truth; I bow to the giver of nectar; I bow to the beautiful four-armed one of gem-like radiance; I bow to the one dwelling in the six lotuses; I bow to the one whose abode extends from Brahma to the tiniest ant; I bow to the cosmic Virat form; I bow to the one who rests upon the serpent-couch. (140)

I worship Rama, the Raghava, the Ramachandra — enthroned on the lion-seat, worthy of adoration by sages and perfected beings, whose lotus feet are adorned with red lotus flowers, attended by Sita, with the moon and sun as his two eyes. (141)

Truly, for those men who worship the lotus feet of the good gurus devoted to Sri Ramabhadra — health, sovereignty, infinite fame, and at last the abode of Vishnu, are certain. (142)

I praise and take refuge in Rama — the noble son of Dasharatha, the dear consort of Janaki (Sita), expert at slaying the ten-faced one, with eyes wide as lotus petals, bearing a bow and arrows in his lotus hands, wearing a lovely pearl garland, the best king of the Raghu dynasty, the granter of refuge. (143)

I worship Ramachandra, the moon of the Dasharatha dynasty — the lion to the elephant of the ten-faced demon, swift to punish the pride of the demons, bearing weapons for the destruction of fear, praised as the Tara-Brahman, wearing a gem-inlaid crown, with a lovely and melodious speech. (144)

I worship Raghupati together with Sita — of pure red lotus eyes, the destroyer of the lord of Lanka, the eager joy of Kausalya's eyes, reclining on the great serpent's couch, whose chest is marked by the saffron of Vaidehi's bosom, Hari, who has assumed the maya form of a human. (145)

I worship Sri Rama together with Sita — the destroyer of demons, the lord of the Raghus, the slayer of the race of demons, who granted Sugriva his longed-for kingdom, who ended the fear of the lord of the gods (Indra), bearing the Sharnga bow, who grants fearlessness to his devotees and destroys fear, who wipes away multitudes of sin, whose lotus feet are praised by the ocean (Sagara). (146)

I worship Sri Rama together with Sita — through the dust of whose lotus feet the sage's wife attained liberation, whose greatness is holy and destroys the sins of the three worlds when remembered and is ever purifying; Raghava, immeasurable and pure, with the gentle smile of the full moon, of pure lotus eyes. (147)

I worship Sri Raghupati, the treasury of virtues, together with Sita — whose lotus hands rest on the rounded bosom of Vaidehi adorned with rubies, adorned with bracelets, necklaces, anklets, armlets, and garlands all gleaming, adorned with thousands of divine and magnificent ornaments — the heroic and glorious one. (148)

I worship Raghupati together with Sita — who is established in the midst of the rows of ruby garlands on Vaidehi's bosom, tender and gentle as fresh butter, dark as the blue lotus, whose body is equal in beauty to ten million Kamadevs, whose face is like the orb of the full moon, the ornament of the family of Kausalya. (149)

I worship Raghupati together with Sita — in the great hall of the divine forest-dweller's city, seated on a magnificent lion-throne of pure and varied precious stones, in a palace with sixteen thousand golden pillars, at the base of the coral-tree, served by Lakshmana. (150)

I worship Sri Rama together with Sita — marked with the musk tilaka, who ravished the king of monkeys (Sugriva's heart), an ocean full of compassion, the bee at the lotus-face of the daughter of the ocean of milk (Lakshmi), the treasury of auspiciousness, the eager joy of Kausalya's eyes, the protector of the best monkeys, of great heroism, equal in brilliance to crores of suns of the dawn. (151)

I worship Sri Rama together with Sita unceasingly — of the radiance of crores of lightnings and suns, adorned with the Sri Kaustubha gem, surrounded by Yogindras led by Sanaka, dear to the lord of Kailasa (Shiva), wearing a pearl-gem crown and earrings, adorned with a neck-ornament and garland, whose abode is the bosom of Vaidehi. (152)

I worship Sri Rama together with Sita — dark blue as a rain cloud, with wide lotus eyes, with a broad and expansive chest, with two radiant arms, of beautiful face, with lotus-like red feet, adorned with various and wondrous jewels, bearing the bow and arrows, of unparalleled beauty of form in all three worlds. (153)

I worship Sri Rama together with Sita unceasingly — with Vaidehi adorning his left side, incomparable, the wish-fulfilling tree for those who bow, whose radiance imitates the shadow of a tree with renowned fame spread wide, whose broad chest is marked with the saffron of Vaidehi's bosom, adorned with magnificent ornaments, sung of again and again by the Vedanta. (154)

I worship Raghava — who certainly took his incarnation on earth for the benefit of the gods, who protected the sacrifice of Vishvamitra, who destroyed Tataka, whose feet-dust instantly released the wife of Gautama from her curse, who broke the immense and terrible bow of Shambhu (Shiva) — of pure and auspicious form. (155)

I worship Sri Ramachandra — Sri Rama wearing nine-gem earrings, Sri Rama the protective jewel, Sri Rama equal in brightness to a thousand suns, the rising of the moon Ramachandra, Sri Rama the great ocean of renowned virtue, Sri Rama the giver of liberation, Sri Rama the delight of Raghu's lineage, who removes fear. (156)

I worship Janaki's beloved Rama — dark as the blue lotus, with wide lotus eyes, whose enemies are defeated by the twang of his bowstring. (157)

I worship the son of Dasharatha — long-armed, with lotus eyes, compassionate to the lowly, protector of the helpless, consecrated to the protection of all the worlds, the deity of all. (158)

In the morning I remember the lotus-face of Raghunatha — of gentle smile, speaking sweetly, with a wide and beautiful forehead, whose cheeks are adorned with swinging earrings at the ears, with eyes long as to the very ears — a feast for the eyes. (159)

In the morning I worship the lotus hands of Raghunatha — which strike fear into the demon armies and grant boons to his own; which at once broke the great bow of Maheshvara in the royal assembly and auspiciously won Sita's hand in marriage. (160)

In the morning I bow to the lotus feet of Raghunatha — adorned with the auspicious marks of the lotus, goad, and other signs, contemplated by the best of yogis like bees at a lotus, which instantly released the wife of Gautama from her curse. (161)

In the morning I speak with my tongue the name of Raghunatha — which removes all the flaws of speech and destroys every impurity; which Parvati, desiring to enjoy it with her lord, lovingly chanted as equal to a thousand names of Hari. (162)