Worship of Shriram

3. Recitation of Shriramraksha stotra
for eliminating distress caused by negative energies

The stotra, upon recital of which, one is protected by Shriram, is known as Shriramraksha stotra. Deity Shiva appeared in the dream of Sage Budhakoushik and recited the Shriramraksha stotra to Him. When He woke up in the morning the Sage wrote it down. It was in Sanskrut. Recitation of this stotra eliminates problems and drives away spirits / ghosts. The benefits derived by reciting this stotra (as mentioned in it) are – long life, happiness, progeny, victory and humility. Apart from this, the stotra describes Shriram, the essence of Ramayan, praises Shriram, praises devotees of Shriram, salutes and praises ancient Sages, narrates the importance of chanting the Name of Shriram etc.

‘स्तूयते अनेन इति’

Meaning : The stotra through which the Deity is glorified.

It includes not only the praise of the Deity, but also has the power to create a kavach (Protective sheath) around the one reciting the mantra.It is a prayer unto a Deity to protect the body. Using various mantras, a subtle-kavach can be created around the body of the individual. These kavach of mantras are more powerful than gross kavach. A gross kavach protects from gross weapons such as bullets from a gun, while a subtle kavach protects from gross attacks as well as from subtle negative energies such as ghosts etc. Regular recitation of the Shriramaraksha stotra eliminates all distress and drives away ghosts in the house. The stotra quotes the benefits of its recitation. Since it includes the sankalp (Resolve) of the composer, the one reciting it derives those benefits.

4. Ram and Sita Gayatri

दाशरथाय विद्महे । सीतावराय धीमहि । तन्नो रामः प्रचोदयात् ।।

Meaning : We are familiar with Shriram, the son of Dasharatha. We meditate upon Shriram, the husband of Sita. May Shriram provide inspiration to our intellect.

जनकात्मजायै विद्महे । भूमिपुत्र्यै च धीमहि । तन्नो जानकी प्रचोदयात् ।।

Meaning: We are familiar with Sita, the daughter of Janak. We meditate upon Sita, the daughter of the earth. May that Janaki provide inspiration to our intellect.

5. Chanting

Various forms of worship such as puja,arati etc. bestow benefit of Deity’s Principle. However, since all these have their limitations, the benefit is also limited. For continuous benefit from the Deity’s Principle, the worship of the Deity should also be continuous, and there is only one such form of worship – chanting. In the Kaliyug, this is an easy and excellent form of worship.

Some common chants of Shriram’s Name are given ahead,

A. ‘श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम’

(Shriram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram)

The words in this mantra are explained ahead,

Shriram : This is invoking Shriram.

Jai Ram : This denotes praise.

Jai Jai Ram : Like Namaha (I surrender unto you), this signifies surrender.

B. ‘Chanting of ‘Hare Ram Hare Ram… Hare Hare (हरे राम हरे राम …. हरे हरे)

The Kalisantaranopanishad being a part of the Krushnayajurveda is also known as Harinamopanishad. This Upanishad was narrated by Deity Brahma to Sage Narad at the end of the Dwaparyug. Its gist is that by merely chanting Narayan’s Name, the defects arising from the influence of Kali are destroyed. This Name is composed of sixteen words –

हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे ।
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे ।।

These sixteen words are associated with the sixteen kalas (States) of the individual and destroy the covering of Maya (Great Illusion) around him.

6. Worship of Shriram is
beneficial for going from many to one

From the perspective of making attempts for God-realisation, the first stage is worship of the Kuladevata (Family Deity). Once that is accomplished, the spiritual practice of worshipping Shriram, who is true to His word, devoted to only one wife and who strikes the target with just one arrow, is useful to many seekers for going from many to one.

Reference: Sanatan’s Holy Text ‘Shrivishnu, Shriram and Shrikrushna’