Shri Ram Stuti

Meaning

This hymn of praise by Sant Tulsidas (from the Vinaya Patrika) is sung in place of, or after, the aarti of Shri Rama — on Ram Navami and at every Rama puja. The last two verses and the soratha come from the Ramcharitmanas.

1. O mind, worship merciful Shri Ramchandra, who removes the terrible fear of worldly life. His eyes are like fresh lotuses, and his face, hands and feet are like red lotuses.

2. His beauty surpasses countless gods of love; he is lovely as a fresh dark rain cloud. His yellow garment shines like lightning. I bow to the husband of Sita, daughter of Janaka.

3. O mind, worship the friend of the humble, radiant as the sun, destroyer of the demon clans, the joy of the Raghu family, the moon of Kosala, the son of Dasharatha.

4. A crown on his head, earrings, a lovely tilak and ornaments on his noble body; arms reaching to his knees, holding bow and arrows, victor in battle over Khara and Dushana.

5. Thus says Tulsidas: O Rama, who delights the minds of Shankar, Shesha and the sages, and destroys the band of wicked desires, make your home in the lotus of my heart.

6–7. (Parvati's blessing to Sita:) The naturally handsome, dark-skinned groom your heart is set on will be yours; he is an ocean of compassion and all-knowing, and he knows your goodness and love. Hearing this blessing, Sita and her friends rejoiced; says Tulsidas, after worshipping Bhavani again and again, Sita went back to the palace with a happy heart.

Soratha: Knowing Gauri was pleased, Sita's joy could not be described; her left side, the root of good fortune, began to throb.