Sri Rama Ashtakam – by Murari Gupta

The following Rama Ashtakam Prayers have been composed by Murari Gupta, the great devotee of Lord Rama. Murari was a contemporary of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He was a vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor) by profession. It has been stated that such was the nature of his treatment that his patients would not only be benefitted materially but spiritually as well. His medicines would not only heal the patient’s ailing body but would also bestow love of God for the suffering soul. The following Rama ashtakam prayers were recited by Murari Gupta when Lord Chaitanya commanded him to do so.

(1)
Rajat kirita mani didhiti dipitasam
Udyad bhaspati kavi pratime
Dve kundale ‘nka rahitendu samana vaktra
Rama jagat traya guru satata bhajami

(2)
Udyad vibhakara marici vibhodhitabja
Netra su bimba dasana cchada charu nasam
Subhrasu rasmi parinirjjita caru hasa
Rama jagat traya guru satata bhajami

(3)
Ta kambu kantham ajam ambuja tulya rupa
Muktavali kanaka haradhta vibhantam
Vidyud balaka gana sayutam ambuda va
Rama jagat traya guru satata bhajami

(4)
Uttana hasta tala sastha sahasra patra
Pancha-cchadadhika sata pravarangulibhih
Kurvvaty asita kanaka dyuti yasya sita
Parsve sti ta raghu vara satata bhajami

(5)
Agre dhanurddhara varah kanakojjvalango
Jyethanu sevana rato vara bhunadhyah
Seakhya dhama vara lakmana nama yasya
Rama jagat traya guru satata bhajami

(6)
Yo Raghavendra kula sindhu sudhasu rupo
Marica rakasa subahu mukhan nihatya
Yajna raraka kusikanvaya punya rasi
Rama jagat traya guru satata bhajami

(7)
Hatva khara trisirasau sa ganau kabandha
Sri danda kananam aduanam eva ktva
Sugriva maitram akarod vinihatya satru
Ta raghava dasa-mukhanta-kara bhajami

(8)
Bhanktva pinakam akaroj janakatmajaya
Vaivahikotsava vidhi pathi bhargavendram
Jitva pitur mudam uvaha kakutstha varyya
Rama jagat traya guru satata bhajami

Translation :

(1)
Though His face mirrors the spotless moon, yet its beauty is further heightened by a radiant crown of jewels. His earrings resemble Jupiter and Venus rising on the horizon. I forever worship this Lord Rama, who is the Guru (spiritual master) of the three worlds.

(2)
When He awakens and opens His lotus eyes, their luster resembles the early rays of the rising sun. His teeth are enclosed by charming lips that are red as the Bimba fruit. He has a beautiful and slender nose. His beautiful smile beats the white rays of the moon. I forever worship this Lord Rama, who is the Guru (spiritual master) of the three worlds.

(3)
The neck of the unborn Lord resembles a three-ringed conch shell and His body is as soft as a lotus. He adorns a shining necklace of pearls set in gold and thus mirrors a water-laden cloud marked by flashes of lightning and a flock of cranes. Such is Sri Rama, the guru of the three worlds, whom I eternally adore.

(4)
With the help of Her raised hands, Sita devi holds a lotus having hundreds of petals. Her five graceful fingers make it seem that the flower with hundred petals is encircled by an additional five petals. I worship Lord Rama, best of the Raghu dynasty, by whose side forever remains Sita, whose brilliance is like molten gold.

(5)
Before Lord Rama stands His brother Lakshmana, who is deeply attached to His elder brother’s service. He is the most skilled of the archers. His body emits a bright golden effulgence which is further intensified by His splendid ornaments. He is also known as ‘Sesha’ (Sesha Nag), the all accommodating abode of the worlds. I worship that Lord Rama, who is the guru of the three worlds.

(6)
Lord Rama, who is like the moon shining upon the ocean of the Raghu dynasty, slew the foremost of the man-eating demons, Marica and Subahu. Thus He protected the sacrifice of sage Viswamitra that was being performed for the welfare of His ancestors. I worship that Lord Rama, who is the guru of the three worlds.

(7)
Slaying the rakshasas Khara, Trisira, Kabandha, and their armies, He rendered the forest of Danda-Kanana safe. By killing Bali, the monkey king, who was Sugriva’s enemy, Lord Rama allied with Sugriva. I adore Sri Rama, the best of the Raghu dynasty, who is the slayer of the ten-headed Ravana.

(8)
After breaking Shiva’s bow (Pinaka), Lord Rama married Sita, daughter of King Janaka. After concluding the rites of marriage and on His way home, He defeated mighty Parasurama, thereby bringing pleasure to King Dasaratha, His father. I forever worship that Lord Rama, the foremost descendant of Kakutstha and the guru of the three worlds.