Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam
Introduction to Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam
The Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam beginning with "Shyamambudabhamaravindavishala" is a heart-melting eight-verse hymn that expresses the highest form of divine love (prema bhakti) for Lord Rama. The opening words describe the Lord with lotus-wide eyes whose complexion resembles the dark rain cloud — an image of incomparable divine beauty.
"Prema" refers to the purest, most selfless form of divine love — beyond desire, beyond expectation, and beyond the self. This ashtakam is a poetic outpouring of such love, where the devotee describes Lord Rama's enchanting beauty, His compassionate nature, and the unbearable longing of the soul to be united with its beloved Lord.
Reciting this ashtakam awakens the dormant love for God that resides in every heart. It transforms ordinary devotion into the ecstatic state of prema, where the devotee experiences the sweetness of Lord Rama's presence in every moment. This is the highest fruit of spiritual practice.
Watch Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam
Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses
॥ श्रीरामप्रेमाष्टकम् ॥
श्यामाम्बुदाभमरविन्दविशालनेत्रं
बन्धूकपुष्पसदृशाधरपाणिपादम्।
सीतासहायमुदितं धृतचापबाणं
रामं नमामि शिरसा रमणीयवेषम्॥1॥
पटुजलधरधीरध्वानमादाय चापं
पवनदमनमेकं बाणमाकृष्य तूणात्।
अभयवचनदायी सानुजः सर्वतो मे
रणहतदनुजेन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥2॥
दशरथकुलदीपोऽमेयबाहुप्रतापो
दशवदनसकोपः क्षालिताशेषपापः।
कृतसुररिपुतापो नन्दितानेकभूपो
विगततिमिरपङ्को रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥3॥
कुवलयदलनीलः कामितार्थप्रदो मे
कृतमुनिजनरक्ष रक्षसामे कहन्ता।
अपहृतदुरितोऽसौ नाममात्रेण पुंसाम्
अखिल-सुरनृपेन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥4॥
असुरकुलकृशानुर्मानसाम्भोजभानुः
सुरनरनिकराणामग्रणीर्मे रघूणाम्।
अगणितगुणसीमा नीलमेघौघधामा
शमदमितमुनीन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥5॥
कुशिकतनययागं रक्षिता लक्ष्मणाढ्यः
पवनशरनिकायक्षिप्तमारीचमायः।
विदलितहरचापो मेदिनीनन्दनाया
नयनकुमुदचन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥6॥
पवनतनयहस्तन्यस्तपादाम्बुजात्मा
कलशभववचोभिः प्राप्तमाहेन्द्रधन्वा।
अपरिमितशरौघैः पूर्णतूणीरधीरो
लघुनिहतकपीन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥7॥
कनकविमलकान्त्या सीतयालिङ्गिताङ्गो
मुनिमनुजवरेण्यः सर्ववागीशवन्द्यः।
स्वजननिकरबन्धुर्लीलया बद्धसेतुः
सुरमनुजकपीन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥8॥
यामुनाचार्यकृतं दिव्यं रामाष्टकमिदं शुभम्।
यः पठेत् प्रयतो भूत्वा स श्रीरामान्तिकं व्रजेत्॥9॥
॥ इति श्रीयामुनाचार्यकृतं श्रीरामप्रेमाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Shri Ramapremashtakam ॥
Shyaamaambudaabhamaravindavishaalanetram
Bandhooka Pushpa Sadrishadhara Paanipaadam.
Seetaasahaayamuditam Dhritachaapabaanaam
Raamam Namaami Shirasaa Ramaneeya Vesham.॥1॥
Patujaladhara Dheera Dhvaanamadaaya Chaapam
Pavanadamanamekam Baanamaakrishya Toonaat.
Abhayavachanadaayi Saanujah Sarvato Me
Ranahatadanujedro Ramachandrah Sahaayah.॥2॥
Dasharathakuladeepo'meyabaahuprataapo
Dashavadanasakopah Kshaalitaasheshapaaapah.
Kritasuraariputaapo Nanditaanekabhoopo
Vigatatimirapanko Ramachandrah Sahaayah.॥3॥
Kuvalayadalaneeelah Kaamitaarthaprado Me
Kritamunijanaraksha Rakshasaame Kahantaa.
Apahritadurito'sau Naamamaatrena Pumsaam
Akhila-Suranripendro Ramachandrah Sahaayah.॥4॥
Asurakulakrishaanurmansaambhojaabhaanuh
Suranaranikraanaamagraneermee Raghoonaam.
Aganitaguanseemaa Neelamegaaughdhaamaa
Shamadamitamuneendro Ramachandrah Sahaayah.॥5॥
Kushikatanayayaagam Rakshitaa Lakshmanaadhyah
Pavanasharanikaayakshiptamaarichamaayah.
Vidalitaharachapo Medinee Nandanaayaa
Nayanakumudachandro Ramachandrah Sahaayah.॥6॥
Pavanatanayahastanyastapaadaambujaatmaa
Kalashabhavavachobhih Praaptamaahenddraadhanvaa.
Aparimitasharaughaih Poornatooneeraadheero
Laghunihatakapendro Ramachandrah Sahaayah.॥7॥
Kanakavimalaakaantyaa Seetayaalingitaango
Munimanujavarenyah Sarvaavaageeshavandyah.
Svajananikarabandhurleelayaa Baddhasetuh
Suramanujakapendro Ramachandrah Sahaayah.॥8॥
Yaamunaachaaryakritam Divyam Raamashtakamidam Shubham.
Yah Pathet Prayato Bhootvaa Sa Shri Raamaantikam Vrajet.॥9॥
॥ Iti Shri Yaamunaachaarya Kritam Shri Ramapremashtakam Sampoornam ॥
॥ ஶ்ரீராமப்ரேமாஷ்டகம் ॥
ஶ்யாமாம்புதாபமரவிந்தவிஶாலநேத்ரம்பந்தூகபுஷ்பஸத்ருஶாதரபாணிபாதம்।
ஸீதாஸஹாயமுதிதம் த்ருதசாபபாணம்ராமம் நமாமி ஶிரஸா ரமணீயவேஷம்॥1॥
படுஜலதரதீரத்வானமாதாய சாபம்பவனதமனமேகம் பாணமாக்ருஷ்ய தூணாத்।
அபயவசனதாயீ ஸானுஜः ஸர்வதோ மேரணஹததனுஜேந்த்ரோ ராமசந்த்ரः ஸஹாயः॥2॥
தஶரதகுலதீபோ(அ)மேயபாஹுப்ரதாபோதஶவதனஸகோபः க்ஷாலிதாஶேஷபாபः।
க்ருதஸுரரிபுதாபோ நந்திதானேகபூபோவிகததிமிரபங்கோ ராமசந்த்ரः ஸஹாயः॥3॥
குவலயதலநீலः காமிதார்தப்ரதோ மேக்ருதமுநிஜநரக்ஷ ரக்ஷஸாமே கஹந்தா।
அபஹ்ருததுரிதோ(அ)ஸௌ நாமமாத்ரேண பும்ஸாமகில-ஸுரந்ருபேந்த்ரோ ராமசந்த்ரः ஸஹாயः॥4॥
அஸுரகுலக்ருஶானுர்மானஸாம்போஜபானுःஸுரனரநிகராணாமக்ரணீர்மே ரகூணாம்।
அகணிதகுணஸீமா நீலமேகௌகதாமாஶமதமிதமுனீந்த்ரோ ராமசந்த்ரः ஸஹாயः॥5॥
குஶிகதனயயாகம் ரக்ஷிதா லக்ஷ்மணாட்யःபவனஶரநிகாயக்ஷிப்தமாரீசமாயः।
விதலிதஹரசாபோ மேதினீநந்தனாயாநயனகுமுதசந்த்ரோ ராமசந்த்ரः ஸஹாயः॥6॥
பவனதனயஹஸ்தன்யஸ்தபாதாம்புஜாத்மாகலஶபவவசோபிः ப்ராப்தமாஹேந்த்ரதன்வா।
அபரிமிதஶரௌகைः பூர்ணதூணீரதீரோலகுனிஹதகபீந்த்ரோ ராமசந்த்ரः ஸஹாயः॥7॥
கனகவிமலகாந்த்யா ஸீதயாலிங்கிதாங்கோமுனிமனுஜவரேண்யः ஸர்வவாகீஶவந்த்யः।
ஸ்வஜனநிகரபந்துர்லீலயா பத்தஸேதுःஸுரமனுஜகபீந்த்ரோ ராமசந்த்ரः ஸஹாயः॥8॥
யாமுனாசார்யக்ருதம் திவ்யம் ராமாஷ்டகமிதம் ஶுபம்।
யः படேத் ப்ரயதோ பூத்வா ஸ ஶ்ரீராமாந்திகம் வ்ரஜேத்॥9॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீயாமுனாசார்யக்ருதம் ஶ்ரீராமப்ரேமாஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ శ్రీరామప్రేమాష్టకం ॥
శ్యామాంబుదాభమరవిందవిశాలనేత్రంబంధూకపుష్పసదృశాధరపాణిపాదం।
సీతాసహాయముదితం ధృతచాపబాణంరామం నమామి శిరసా రమణీయవేషం॥1॥
పటుజలధరధీరధ్వానమాదాయ చాపంపవనదమనమేకం బాణమాకృష్య తూణాత్।
అభయవచనదాయీ సానుజః సర్వతో మేరణహతదనుజేంద్రో రామచంద్రః సహాయః॥2॥
దశరథకులదీపోఽమేయబాహుప్రతాపోదశవదనసకోపః క్షాలితాశేషపాపః।
కృతసురరిపుతాపో నందితానేకభూపోవిగతతిమిరపంకో రామచంద్రః సహాయః॥3॥
కువలయదలనీలః కామితార్థప్రదో మేకృతమునిజనరక్ష రక్షసామే కహంతా।
అపహృతదురితోఽసౌ నామమాత్రేణ పుంసామఖిల-సురనృపేంద్రో రామచంద్రః సహాయః॥4॥
అసురకులకృశానుర్మానసాంభోజభానుఃసురనరనికరాణామగ్రణీర్మే రఘూణాం।
అగణితగుణసీమా నీలమేఘౌఘధామాశమదమితమునీంద్రో రామచంద్రః సహాయః॥5॥
కుశికతనయయాగం రక్షితా లక్ష్మణాఢ్యఃపవనశరనికాయక్షిప్తమారీచమాయః।
విదలితహరచాపో మేదినీనందనాయానయనకుముదచంద్రో రామచంద్రః సహాయః॥6॥
పవనతనయహస్తన్యస్తపాదాంబుజాత్మాకలశభవవచోభిః ప్రాప్తమాహేంద్రధన్వా।
అపరిమితశరౌఘైః పూర్ణతూణీరధీరోలఘునిహతకపీంద్రో రామచంద్రః సహాయః॥7॥
కనకవిమలకాంత్యా సీతయాలింగితాంగోమునిమనుజవరేణ్యః సర్వవాగీశవంద్యః।
స్వజననికరబంధుర్లీలయా బద్ధసేతుఃసురమనుజకపీంద్రో రామచంద్రః సహాయః॥8॥
యామునాచార్యకృతం దివ్యం రామాష్టకమిదం శుభం।
యః పఠేత్ ప్రయతో భూత్వా స శ్రీరామాంతికం వ్రజేత్॥9॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీయామునాచార్యకృతం శ్రీరామప్రేమాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam
1 First Verse
श्यामाम्बुदाभमरविन्दविशालनेत्रं बन्धूकपुष्पसदृशाधरपाणिपादम्।
सीतासहायमुदितं धृतचापबाणं रामं नमामि शिरसा रमणीयवेषम्॥
सीतासहायमुदितं धृतचापबाणं रामं नमामि शिरसा रमणीयवेषम्॥
Word Meanings: श्याम (śyāma) = dark; अम्बुद (ambuda) = rain cloud; आभ (ābha) = resembling; अरविन्द (aravinda) = lotus; विशाल (viśāla) = wide/large; नेत्रम् (netram) = eyes; बन्धूक (bandhūka) = Bandhuka flower (red); पुष्प (puṣpa) = flower; सदृश (sadṛśa) = resembling; अधर (adhara) = lips; पाणि (pāṇi) = hands; पादम् (pādam) = feet; सीतासहायम् (sītā-sahāyam) = accompanied by Sita; उदितम् (uditam) = radiant; धृत (dhṛta) = holding; चाप (cāpa) = bow; बाणम् (bāṇam) = arrow; नमामि (namāmi) = I bow to; शिरसा (śirasā) = with my head; रमणीय (ramaṇīya) = beautiful/charming; वेषम् (veṣam) = attire/form
Translation: I bow my head to Lord Rama, whose complexion resembles the dark rain cloud, whose eyes are wide like lotuses, whose lips, hands and feet are like the red Bandhuka flower, who is accompanied by Sita, who is radiant, holding bow and arrow, and whose form is supremely beautiful.
2 Second Verse
पटुजलधरधीरध्वानमादाय चापं पवनदमनमेकं बाणमाकृष्य तूणात्।
अभयवचनदायी सानुजः सर्वतो मे रणहतदनुजेन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
अभयवचनदायी सानुजः सर्वतो मे रणहतदनुजेन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
Word Meanings: पटु (paṭu) = powerful; जलधर (jaladhara) = cloud; धीर (dhīra) = deep/steady; ध्वान (dhvāna) = thundering sound; आदाय (ādāya) = taking up; चापम् (cāpam) = bow; पवनदमन (pavana-damana) = wind-subduing; एकम् (ekam) = one single; बाणम् (bāṇam) = arrow; आकृष्य (ākṛṣya) = drawing; तूणात् (tūṇāt) = from the quiver; अभयवचनदायी (abhaya-vacana-dāyī) = giver of words of fearlessness; सानुजः (sa-anujaḥ) = with His younger brother (Lakshmana); सर्वतः (sarvataḥ) = in every way; मे (me) = for me; रणहत (raṇa-hata) = slain in battle; दनुजेन्द्रः (danuja-indraḥ) = king of demons; रामचन्द्रः सहायः (rāmacandraḥ sahāyaḥ) = Ramachandra is my helper
Translation: Taking up the bow whose sound is like the deep thunder of powerful clouds, drawing from the quiver a single wind-subduing arrow, giver of fearlessness, accompanied by His brother Lakshmana, the slayer of the demon king in battle — may Ramachandra be my helper in every way.
3 Third Verse
दशरथकुलदीपो’मेयबाहुप्रतापो दशवदनसकोपः क्षालिताशेषपापः।
कृतसुररिपुतापो नन्दितानेकभूपो विगततिमिरपङ्को रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
कृतसुररिपुतापो नन्दितानेकभूपो विगततिमिरपङ्को रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
Word Meanings: दशरथकुलदीपः (daśaratha-kula-dīpaḥ) = lamp of Dasharatha's dynasty; अमेय (ameya) = immeasurable; बाहुप्रतापः (bāhu-pratāpaḥ) = valor of arms; दशवदन (daśa-vadana) = ten-faced (Ravana); सकोपः (sa-kopaḥ) = wrathful towards; क्षालित (kṣālita) = washed away; अशेषपापः (aśeṣa-pāpaḥ) = all sins; कृत (kṛta) = caused; सुररिपुतापः (sura-ripu-tāpaḥ) = torment to the enemies of gods; नन्दित (nandita) = delighted; अनेकभूपः (aneka-bhūpaḥ) = many kings; विगत (vigata) = removed; तिमिर (timira) = darkness; पङ्कः (paṅkaḥ) = mire/mud
Translation: The lamp of Dasharatha's dynasty, of immeasurable valor of arms, wrathful towards the ten-faced Ravana, who washes away all sins, who causes torment to the enemies of the gods, who delights many kings, who removes the mire of darkness — may Ramachandra be my helper.
4 Fourth Verse
कुवलयदलनीलः कामितार्थप्रदो मे कृतमुनिजनरक्ष रक्षसामे कहन्ता।
अपहृतदुरितो’सौ नाममात्रेण पुंसाम् अखिलसुरनृपेन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
अपहृतदुरितो’सौ नाममात्रेण पुंसाम् अखिलसुरनृपेन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
Word Meanings: कुवलयदल (kuvalaya-dala) = blue lotus petal; नीलः (nīlaḥ) = dark blue; कामितार्थप्रदः (kāmita-artha-pradaḥ) = bestower of desired objects; मे (me) = to me; कृतमुनिजनरक्ष (kṛta-muni-jana-rakṣa) = who protects the sage-folk; रक्षसाम् (rakṣasām) = of the demons; कहन्ता (kahantā) = destroyer; अपहृतदुरितः (apahṛta-duritaḥ) = who removes sins; नाममात्रेण (nāma-mātreṇa) = merely by His name; पुंसाम् (puṃsām) = of people; अखिलसुरनृपेन्द्रः (akhila-sura-nṛpa-indraḥ) = king of all gods and rulers
Translation: Dark as the blue lotus petal, bestower of desired boons upon me, protector of the sages, destroyer of demons, He who removes the sins of people merely by His name, king of all gods and rulers — may Ramachandra be my helper.
5 Fifth Verse
असुरकुलकृशानुर्मानसाम्भोजभानुः सुरनरनिकराणामग्रणीर्मे रघूणाम्।
अगणितगुणसीमा नीलमेघौघधामा शमदमितमुनीन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
अगणितगुणसीमा नीलमेघौघधामा शमदमितमुनीन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
Word Meanings: असुरकुलकृशानुः (asura-kula-kṛśānuḥ) = fire to the demon clan; मानसाम्भोजभानुः (mānasa-ambhoja-bhānuḥ) = sun to the lotus of the mind; सुरनरनिकराणाम् (sura-nara-nikarāṇām) = of groups of gods and men; अग्रणीः (agraṇīḥ) = foremost/leader; रघूणाम् (raghūṇām) = of the Raghu dynasty; अगणितगुणसीमा (agaṇita-guṇa-sīmā) = of limitless/uncountable virtues; नीलमेघौघधामा (nīla-megha-ogha-dhāmā) = whose radiance is like masses of dark clouds; शमदमित (śama-damita) = controlled in tranquility and self-restraint; मुनीन्द्रः (munīndraḥ) = chief of sages
Translation: Fire to the demon clan, sun to the lotus of the mind, foremost among gods and men, leader of the Raghu dynasty, of limitless virtues, whose radiance is like masses of dark clouds, revered by sages controlled in tranquility and self-restraint — may Ramachandra be my helper.
6 Sixth Verse
कुशिकतनययागं रक्षिता लक्ष्मणाढ्यः पवनशरनिकायक्षिप्तमारीचमायः।
विदलितहरचापो मेदिनीनन्दनाया नयनकुमुदचन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
विदलितहरचापो मेदिनीनन्दनाया नयनकुमुदचन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
Word Meanings: कुशिकतनय (kuśika-tanaya) = son of Kushika (Sage Vishwamitra); यागम् (yāgam) = sacrifice; रक्षिता (rakṣitā) = protector; लक्ष्मणाढ्यः (lakṣmaṇa-āḍhyaḥ) = accompanied by Lakshmana; पवनशर (pavana-śara) = wind-swift arrows; निकाय (nikāya) = multitude; क्षिप्त (kṣipta) = hurled/destroyed; मारीचमायः (mārīca-māyaḥ) = the illusion of Maricha; विदलित (vidalita) = shattered; हरचापः (hara-cāpaḥ) = bow of Lord Shiva; मेदिनीनन्दनायाः (medinī-nandanāyāḥ) = of the daughter of the Earth (Sita); नयनकुमुदचन्द्रः (nayana-kumuda-candraḥ) = the moon to the lotus-like eyes (of Sita)
Translation: Protector of Vishwamitra's sacrifice, accompanied by Lakshmana, who destroyed the illusion of Maricha with wind-swift arrows, who shattered the bow of Lord Shiva, the moon to the lotus-like eyes of Sita, the daughter of the Earth — may Ramachandra be my helper.
7 Seventh Verse
पवनतनयहस्तन्यस्तपादाम्बुजात्मा कलशभववचोभिः प्राप्तमाहेन्द्रधन्वा।
अपरिमितशरौघैः पूर्णतूणीरधीरो लघुनिहतकपीन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
अपरिमितशरौघैः पूर्णतूणीरधीरो लघुनिहतकपीन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
Word Meanings: पवनतनय (pavana-tanaya) = son of the wind (Hanuman); हस्त (hasta) = hand; न्यस्त (nyasta) = placed; पादाम्बुजात्मा (pāda-ambuja-ātmā) = whose lotus feet (are reverently touched); कलशभव (kalaśa-bhava) = born from a pot (Sage Agastya); वचोभिः (vacobhiḥ) = by the words of; प्राप्त (prāpta) = obtained; माहेन्द्रधन्वा (māhendra-dhanvā) = the bow of Indra; अपरिमित (aparimita) = unlimited; शरौघैः (śaraughaiḥ) = with a flood of arrows; पूर्णतूणीर (pūrṇa-tūṇīra) = full quiver; धीरः (dhīraḥ) = steadfast; लघु (laghu) = swiftly; निहत (nihata) = slain; कपीन्द्रः (kapīndraḥ) = monkey king (Vali)
Translation: He at whose lotus feet Hanuman reverently placed his hands, who obtained the bow of Indra by the words of Sage Agastya, steadfast with unlimited arrows and a full quiver, who swiftly slew the monkey king Vali — may Ramachandra be my helper.
8 Eighth Verse
कनकविमलकान्त्या सीतयालिङ्गिताङ्गो मुनिमनुजवरेण्यः सर्ववागीशवन्द्यः।
स्वजननिकरबन्धुर्लीलया बद्धसेतुः सुरमनुजकपीन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
स्वजननिकरबन्धुर्लीलया बद्धसेतुः सुरमनुजकपीन्द्रो रामचन्द्रः सहायः॥
Word Meanings: कनकविमलकान्त्या (kanaka-vimala-kāntyā) = with pure golden radiance; सीतया (sītayā) = by Sita; आलिङ्गिताङ्गः (āliṅgita-aṅgaḥ) = whose body is embraced; मुनिमनुजवरेण्यः (muni-manuja-vareṇyaḥ) = best among sages and men; सर्ववागीशवन्द्यः (sarva-vāgīśa-vandyaḥ) = worshipped by all lords of speech; स्वजननिकरबन्धुः (svajana-nikara-bandhuḥ) = kinsman of His own people; लीलया (līlayā) = as divine play/effortlessly; बद्धसेतुः (baddha-setuḥ) = built the bridge (Rama Setu); सुरमनुजकपीन्द्रः (sura-manuja-kapīndraḥ) = lord of gods, men and monkeys
Translation: Whose body is embraced by Sita of pure golden radiance, best among sages and men, worshipped by all lords of speech, kinsman of His own people, who effortlessly built the bridge (Rama Setu) as divine play, lord of gods, men and monkeys — may Ramachandra be my helper.
✦ Phala Shruti (Verse 9)
यामुनाचार्यकृतं दिव्यं रामाष्टकमिदं शुभम्।
यः पठेत् प्रयतो भूत्वा स श्रीरामान्तिकं व्रजेत्॥
यः पठेत् प्रयतो भूत्वा स श्रीरामान्तिकं व्रजेत्॥
Word Meanings: यामुनाचार्यकृतम् (yāmunācārya-kṛtam) = composed by Yamunacharya; दिव्यम् (divyam) = divine; रामाष्टकम् (rāmāṣṭakam) = the eight verses on Rama; इदम् (idam) = this; शुभम् (śubham) = auspicious; यः (yaḥ) = whoever; पठेत् (paṭhet) = recites; प्रयतः (prayataḥ) = with purity; भूत्वा (bhūtvā) = having become; सः (saḥ) = he; श्रीरामान्तिकम् (śrī-rāma-antikam) = the proximity of Lord Rama; व्रजेत् (vrajet) = attains
Translation: This divine and auspicious Rama Ashtakam composed by Yamunacharya — whoever recites it with purity shall attain the proximity of Lord Shri Rama.
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam
- Awakens Divine Love: Kindles the highest form of prema bhakti
- Purifies Emotions: Transforms worldly love into spiritual devotion
- Deepens Connection: Strengthens the personal bond with Lord Rama
- Grants Ecstasy: Bestows the bliss of divine communion
- Removes Attachment: Frees the heart from material bondage
- Bestows Beauty: Reveals the divine beauty in all creation
- Heals the Heart: Soothes emotional pain through divine love
- Grants Liberation: Love itself becomes the path to moksha
Chanting Instructions
- Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
- Light a lamp and incense before the image of Lord Rama
- Offer tulsi leaves, flowers, or water with heartfelt love
- Chant slowly with deep emotion and divine longing
- Ideal times: Brahma Muhurta, Ram Navami, Tuesdays, evenings
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times, allowing each verse to touch the heart
- Conclude with silent meditation on Rama's divine beauty
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam
What is Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam?
Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam is a heart-melting eight-verse Sanskrit hymn beginning with "Shyamambudabhamaravindavishala" that expresses the highest form of divine love (prema bhakti) for Lord Rama. The opening words describe the Lord with lotus-wide eyes whose complexion resembles the dark rain cloud. Each verse ends with the declaration "Ramachandrah Sahayah" — Ramachandra is my helper.
Who composed the Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam?
The Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam was composed by Shri Yamunacharya, a revered Vaishnava acharya and spiritual master. The colophon of the hymn ("Yamunacharya Kritam") confirms his authorship. Yamunacharya was known for his deep devotion to Lord Vishnu and His avatars, particularly Lord Rama.
What does "Prema" mean in the context of this ashtakam?
"Prema" refers to the purest, most selfless form of divine love — beyond worldly desire, expectation, and ego. In the bhakti tradition, prema is considered the highest stage of devotion, where the devotee experiences an intense, unconditional love for God. This ashtakam is a poetic outpouring of such love, describing Lord Rama's enchanting beauty and the soul's longing to be united with the beloved Lord.
What are the spiritual benefits of chanting Rama Prema Ashtakam?
Regular chanting awakens the dormant divine love (prema bhakti) in the heart, purifies emotions by transforming worldly attachment into spiritual devotion, deepens the personal bond with Lord Rama, bestows the bliss of divine communion, frees the heart from material bondage, reveals divine beauty in all creation, heals emotional pain, and makes love itself the path to moksha (liberation).
What is the meaning of the refrain "Ramachandrah Sahayah"?
"Ramachandrah Sahayah" means "Ramachandra is my helper/protector." This refrain, found in verses 2–8, expresses the devotee's complete surrender and trust in Lord Rama as the supreme refuge and protector. Combined with "sarvato me" (in every way for me), it declares that Ramachandra is the devotee's helper in all circumstances and at all times.
When and how should one chant Shri Rama Prema Ashtakam?
The ashtakam should be chanted slowly with deep emotion and divine longing. Ideal times include Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn), Ram Navami, Tuesdays, and evenings. Sit in a clean place, light a lamp and incense, offer tulsi leaves or flowers with heartfelt love, and recite 1, 3, or 11 times, allowing each verse to touch the heart. Conclude with silent meditation on Rama's divine beauty. The phala shruti promises that whoever recites it with purity shall attain the proximity of Lord Rama.
Is Rama Prema Ashtakam available in Tamil lyrics?
Yes. This page includes Rama Prema Ashtakam in Tamil (தமிழ்) script along with Sanskrit and English transliteration for easier recitation.