Shri Ram Stuti (Shri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhaju Mana)

Shri Ramchandra Kripalu Bhaju Man is one of the best-loved hymns to Lord Ram. It is by Goswami Tulsidas, who names himself in the fifth verse, and is commonly given as a pad from the Vinay Patrika, his book of petitions. The first part is written in a flowing devotional style that is commonly called Harigitika-like, and it is often sung to a slow tune. The last verses are a separate piece from the Balkand of the Ramcharitmanas, and are usually joined to it when sung.

Verse 1: "Shri Ramchandra kripalu bhaju man." The poet tells his own mind: worship merciful Ramchandra, who removes the dreadful fear of worldly life (bhav-bhay). The Lord has eyes like a fresh lotus (navkanj-lochan), a face, hands and feet like lotus, with the soft red of the dawn lotus (kanj-arunam). The verse sets the aim: to worship with the mind, which is the part that is restless.

Verse 2: his beauty. His beauty is beyond countless Kamadevas (gods of love), and he is as lovely as a fresh blue lotus or dark cloud. His yellow garment shines like lightning against the cloud, and the poet bows to the pure husband of Janaka''s daughter (Sita). The dark body and yellow cloth are the best-known image of Ram.

Verse 3: friend of the lowly. Worship the friend of the humble (deenbandhu), who is like the sun, the destroyer of the lineage of danavas and daityas. He is the joy of the Raghus (Raghunand), the source of bliss (anandkand), the moon of Kaushalya''s line and the son of Dasharath. It shows him as both a protector and a loving son.

Verse 4: his form and his victory. His crown, earrings, tilak and fine ornaments adorn the body. His arms reach his knees (aajanubhuj), he holds an arrow and bow, and he won the battle against Khara and Dushana, the demon brothers of Panchavati. The long arms are a classic mark of a great person in the Indian tradition.

Verse 5: the prayer. "Iti vadati Tulsidas" says: thus says Tulsidas. The Lord delights Shankar, Shesha and the sages, and the poet asks: make your home in the lotus of my heart, and crush the band of wicked foes, desire and the rest (kaamadi khal-dal). The inner enemies of lust, anger, greed, pride and delusion are meant. This is the real request of the hymn.

Verses 6 and 7: Sita''s prayer to Gauri (Balkand). In the Ramcharitmanas, before the swayamvar in Janakpur, Sita goes to the garden to worship Goddess Gauri (Parvati) (see the Gauri Chalisa and Parvati Chalisa). Gauri blesses her: "Manu jahi racheu milahi so baru, sahaj sundar savaro," the groom on whom your heart has settled will be yours, naturally handsome and dark, an ocean of compassion, wise, who knows your character and love. Hearing the blessing, Sita and her companions rejoice, and Tulsi says they worshipped Bhavani again and again and went to the palace happily.

The sortha. Knowing Gauri was favourable, Sita''s joy could not be told, and her left limbs began to throb, which in the traditional reading is a good omen for a woman and the root of lovely auspiciousness (manjul mangal mool).

The wider message. The hymn moves from the mind''s restless worship, to the Lord''s beauty and strength, to a prayer for the heart, and then to the example of Sita''s own pure prayer. Its idea is that steady devotion calms inner enemies and that a pure wish, offered with faith, is heard. The benefits, such as freedom from fear and peace of mind, are matters of faith and a devotional focus. Reading can give calm, but it is not a treatment for illness or anxiety. See also the Ram Chalisa, Sita Chalisa and Hanuman Chalisa.