We start with the salutations to the Lord Ganesha. The author of this hymn (stotra), seeking Lord Rama’s protection, is sage Budhakaushika. The deity is Shri Sita-Ramachandra. The poetic meter is eight syllables in a quarter stanza. The power (energy of mother nature) is Sita. The center is Shri Hanuman. The purpose of reciting this mantra of Ramaraksha stotram is for the devotion to Lord Shri Ramachandra. Thus begins the meditation of this mantra. One should meditate upon Lord Ramachandra who has arms reaching his knees, who is holding a bow and arrows, who is seated in a lotus pose, who is wearing yellow clothes, whose eyes compete with the petals of a newly bloomed lotus, who looks contented, whose sight is fixed on the lotus-like face of Sita, sitting on his left lap, whose color is like that of the rain cloud, who is shining in various ornaments and has hair which are reaching till his thighs. Thus ends the meditation. The life story of the Lord of the Raghu’s lineage — Lord Shri Rama, has a vast expanse. Each and every letter is capable of destroying even the greatest sins of the human beings (1) Let us meditate on the blue-complexioned, blue lotus-eyed Rama, who is accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, and is well-adorned with crown of hair (2) (Let us meditate on him) Who has a sword in the receptacle, bow and arrow in his hand, who destroyed the demons, who is not born but is incarnated by his own will to protect this world. (3) May the learned read the Ramaraksha `stotram’, which destroys all sins and grants all desires. (Begin listing details of the body to be protected) May Rama who is raghu’s descendant protect my head. May Rama who is Dasharatha’s son protect my forehead. (4) May the lord Rama who is Kausalya’s son, protect my eyes. Rama who is favorite of Vishvamitra protect my ears. Rama who is savior of Yajna protect my nose. Rama who is affectionate to Lakshmana protect my mouth. (5) .. May the Rama who is a sea of knowledge protect my tongue. May Rama who is saluted by Bharata protect my neck. May Rama who holds divine weapons protct my two shoulders. May Rama who broke Shiva’s bow protect my two upper arms. (6) May the Rama who is the husband of Sita protect my two hands. May Rama who conquered Parashurama protect my heart. May Rama who killed the Rakshasa named Khara protect my abdomen. May Rama who gave refuge to Jambavad protect my navel . (7) May master of Sugreeva protect my waist, may master of Hanuman protect my hips. May the best of Raghus and destroyer of the lineage of demons protect my thighs (8) May establisher of the bridge (Ramasetu) protect my knees, may the slayer of ten-faced (Ravana) protect my shins. May consecrator of wealth to Bibhishana protect my feet, may Sri Rama protect my my entire body (9) May the good man read this stotra (hymn) equable to all the power of Rama be blessed with long life, be blessed with children, be victorious and possess humility (10) They who travel in the hell, earth and heaven and who travel secretly (changing forms), would not be able to see (the one who reads) the protective chant of Rama by the power of this chant (11) (The one who) remembers Rama, Rambhadra and Ramachandra (The poet has used these names for the same Lord Rama)। Sins never get attached to him, he will propser and attain salvation ॥12॥ In all three worlds, one who wears the hymn of the name of Rama as a protection round his neck, will have all powers unto him. (13) He who recites this hymn of the name of Rama called vajrapanjara will be unaffected, unscathed and will enjoy victory in all his endeavours. (14) Budhakaushika (composer of this Stotram) was commanded in his dream by Lord Shiva to compose this hymn and he did so, as soon as he awoke in the morning. (15) Rama, who grants all desires (like a wish fulfilling tree), removes all obstacles and is the praise of all three worlds, is our `Lord’ indeed. (16) May the two brothers ever protect us, who are young, handsome, lotus-eyed and bark and deer-skin dressed. (17) These two sons of Dasharatha, the brothers Rama and Lakshmana, the ones who are subsisting on roots and fruits and practicing penance and celibacy, (18) May these two scions of Raghu protect us, the foremost among the archers, the destroyers of the demons and the refuge of all beings, (may they) protect us. (19) Rama and Lakshmana (both), their bows pulled and ready, their hands on the arrows (packed) in ever full quivers (carried on their backs), may they always escort me in my path, for my protection . (20) Ever prepared and armed with sword, shield and bows and arrows and followed by Lakshmana, Rama is like our cherished thoughts come to life, may he (along with Lakshmana) protect us . (21) Rama, the descendant of Raghu and the son of Dasaratha and Kausalya, and ever, accompanied by Lakshmana, is all powerful and is the perfect man (Lord). (22) The rama, who is perceived thru Vedanta, who is lord of all sacrifices, is ancient and the best among me, who is the beloved of Sita and whose bravery is unmeasurable. (23) (Thus lord Shiva said) My devotee who recites these names of Rama with faith, He, without any doubt, is blessed more than the performance of Aswamedha (Sacrifice of white horse) etc. (24) Those who sing the praise of Rama who is, dark-complexioned like the leaf of green grass, who is lotus-eyed and dressed in yellow robes, those who sing the praise of Him through this Hymn, are no longer ordinary men trapped in the world (they are liberated) (25) I salute that Rama who is handsome, the elder brother of Lakshmana, the husband of Sita and the best of the descendants of the Raghu race, Him who is the ocean of compassion, the stockpile of virtues, the beloved of the Brahmans and the protector of Dharma, Him who is the practitioner of the Truth, the lord emperor of kings, the son of Dasaratha, dark-complexioned and the personification of Peace and tranquillity, Him who is the enemy of Ravana, the crown jewel of the the Raghu dynasty and the cynosure (center of admiration) of all eyes. (26) Salutations to Rama who is also known as Ramabhadra and Ramachandra, who is mentioned in Vedas as the greatest lord of Raghuvansha and the whole world, and who is the consort of Sita. (or) I salute that Rama who is benevolent (good and protecting) and peaceful as the moon, and who is the lord of Sita and the master guardian of all. (27) I surender to that Rama who is the delight of the Raghus, the elder brother of Bharata and the tormentor of his enemies in the war. (28) I remember the feet of Sri Ramachandra in my mind. I praise the feet of Sri Ramachandra by my speech I salute the feet of Sri Ramachandra by bowing down my head I take refuge on the feet of Sri Ramachandra by bowing myself down. (29) Rama is (like) my mother, father, master and friend, indeed the kind-hearted Rama is all I have . I know of no other (like him), (I really) don’t! (30) I salute that Rama (delight of the Raghu dynasty) who has Lakshmana on his right and Sita on the left and who has Hanuman in his front. (31) I take refuge in that Rama who is so pleasing to the sight, the master of the stage of war, lotus-eyed, lord of the Raghu race, who is the personification of compassion. (32) I take refuge in the lord Hanuman who is as fast as the mind, equals his father, the wind-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 Shri Rama. (33) I salute the great sage Valmiki who sings the glorious name of Rama as sweetly as a cuckoo sings, sitting atop a tree. (34) I bow again and again to Rama who removes all obstacles and grants all prosperity and pleases all. (35) The roar of the Rama nama is the destruction of the cause of rebirth (hence cause of liberation), the earning of all wealth and a scare to Yama’s (Lord of Death's) messengers. (36) Rama, the jewel among the kings, Him I worship, by Him so many demons have been destroyed, to him is said my prayer, beyond Him there is nothing to be worshipped, His servant I am, my mind is totally absorbed in Him, O Rama, please lift me up (from the lower to the higher Self). Note: This verse gives all the seven declensions (the variation of the form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective, by which its grammatical case, number, and gender are identified) of the singular word Rama and gives us one way of remembering them! (37) In chanting his name again and again, 'Sri Rama, Rama,’ I discover joy in Lord Rāma who pleases my heart and whose face is a blessing. Chanting His name is equal to the chanting of one thousand names of Lord Vishnu. (38) Sri Budha Koushika's composition of Sri Rama Raksha Stotram is complete here. This composition is devoted to the holy feet of Sri Rama and Sita.