Sri Raghava Ashtakam – Lyrics and meanings

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

I shall always prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is eminent, he is extremely compassionate, he is worshiped by illustrious Rishis, Sages and deities, he is Dhivakara to the lotus like face of Janaki, he is store hosue of virtues, he is most favorable to son of Vali, he is beloved of Hamnuman, his beautiful eyes has the resemblance to lotus flower petals, he is alarming to  wicked demons, I shall always prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is eminent, he takes immense pleasure in the embrace of Maithili,  he is pure, he is Eshvara who has the luster of blue, he provided shelter to the younger brother of Ravana, he is eminent in the clan of Raghu, he is my family deity as well, he has personified as Krishna who is the Lord of cowherds and young maidens, in the sacred land of Nagari in order to impart the highest of the wisdom, he multiplied the growth of Suryavamsha, I shall always prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is eminent, he is adorned in magnificent earrings and various ornaments on the chest, he is pure, he is unconquerable, his attractive hair locks adorned in feathers of peacock, he is adorned in marvelous anklets, various flower garlands, precious gem Kausthubham, magnificent earrings, etc.. he is the source of prosperity and growth of Bhanuvamsha, I shall always prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is eminent, he explored through the dense wood of Dhandakavanam, he is the safest heaven to the Siddhas and Yogis of Dhandakavanam, he sincerely followed his vows, he is eulogized by illustrious Parththa, he skillfully chopped off powerful hands of Kumbhakaranna, he is beloved of younger brother Lakshmana, I shall always prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is eminent, he is adorned in flower garlands of Kethaki, Karaveera, Jathikusuma, which is highly fragrant, he is Sreedhara who holds Goddess Mahalakshmi on  chest,  his chest is smeared in the vermilion from the high and large bosom of Maithili, he is Lord of Lords, he is Lord of living beings, he has mesmerizing features, he is  Lord of Universe, he eradicates extreme fears and anxieties of the ardent devotees, I shall always prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is eminent, he is worshiped by Dhvija/twice born Bhramin who sincerely follows performance of Yaga, Dhanam, meditation, Homa, Japakarma, recitation Veda, etc.. he crushed the pride of female demon Thataka, he killed Vali who is the father of Angadha, he sincerely followed the promise of his father, I shall always prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is eminent, he killed Khara and Dhooshana and numerous demons as a part of amusement, he is the slayer of Ravana, he is Acchyutha who is unconquerable,  he is supreme Lord Hari who is the safest heaven to millions of Ganas, his louts hands has the luster of blue lily, he is Hari who is the ultimate object, he is the source of Universe and its living beings, he is skillfully performs the tasks of dieites, I shall always prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is eminent, he has learnt knowledge in Asthra and  Shasthra from Sage Vishvamithra/Kaushika, he is extremely talented, he has pleasing smile on face, he is closest companion of desolate and distressed people, he reinstated righteousness by slaying Ravana who is the enemies of Vasava and Suras, he is the ultimate refuge, he has the luster of dark clouds.

The above are the glorious verses praising the splendor of Lord Raghava, who is Acchyutha/unconquerable, he is  ultimate heaven, he provides Bhukthi as well as Mukthi, wealth, abundance of grains, and various super natural powers, above verses should be always recited to attain compassionate grace of Lord Ramachandra, with intense devotion and dedication at the lotus feet of Lord Ramachandra.

I shall repeatedly prostrate before Lord Rama, Hail to Ramabhadhra, I shall repeatedly prostrate before Lord Ramachandra, Hail to Raghava, I shall repeatedly prostrate before Lord or Lords, Hail to Devaraja, I shall repeatedly prostrte before Lord Vasudeva, Hail to  Veeraraja.

Raghavam Karunakaram Munisevitham Suravandhitham | Janakivadhanaravindha Divakaram Gunabhajanam | Valisoonuhithaishinam Hanumathpriyam Kalameshkshanam | Yathudhanabhayankaram Pranamami  Raghavakunjjaram ||

Maithilikuchabhooshanamala Neelamaukthikam Eshvaram | Ravananujapalanam Raghupungavam Mama Dhaivatham | Nagarivanithananambuja Bodhaneeya Kalevaram | Sooryavamshavivardhanam Prnamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Hemakundala Mandithamala Kandadheshamaridhamam | Shathakumbha Mayooranethra  Vibhooshanena Vibhooshitham |Charunoopura Harakausthubha  Karnnabhooshana Bhooshitham |Bhanuvamshavivardhanam Pranammi Raghavakunjjaram ||

Dhandakakhyavane Rathamarasiddhyogi Ganashrayam | Shishtapalana Thathparam Dhrithishaliparththakrithasthuthim | Kumbhakarnna Bhujabhujangavikarthane  Suvisharadham | Lakshmananujavathsalam Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Kethaki Karaveera Jathi Sugandhimalya Sushobhitham | Sreedharam  Mithilathmajakucha  Kumkumaruna  Vakshasam | Devadevam Asheshabhoothamanoharam Jagathampathim | Dhasabhootha Bhayapaham Pranamami Raghava Kunjjaram ||

Yagadhana Samadhi Homa  Japadhi Karmakarair Dhvijai : | Vedaparagathai Aharnishamadharena Supoojitham | Thatakavadha Hethu Angadhathatha  Vali Nishoodhanam | Paithrukodhithapalakam  Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Leelaya Kharadhooshanadhi Nishacharashu Vinashanam | Ravananthakam Achyutham Hariyoothakodi Ganashrayam | Neerajanana Ambujaghriyugam Harim Bhuvanashrayam | Devakarya Vichakshanam Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Kaushikena Sushikshithasthra  Kalapamayatha Lochanam | Charuhasam Anathabandhu Asheshaloka  Nivasinam | Vasavadhi Surari Ravanashasanam  Cha Paramgathim | Neelamegha  Nibhakrithim Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Raghavashtakam Ishtasiddhidham Acchyuthashraya Sadhakam | Mukthi Bhukthi Phalapradham  Dhana Dhanya  Siddhi Vivardhanam | Ramachandhra Kripakatakshamadharena  Sadhajapeth | Ramachandra Padhambhujadhvaya  Santhatharppithamansa: ||

Ramarama Namosthuthe  Jaya Ramabhadhra Namosthuthe | Ramachandhranamosthuthe  Jaya Raghavaya Namosthuthe  | Devadeva Namosthuthe  Jaya Devaraja Namosthuthe | Vasudeva Namosthuthe  Jaya  Veeraraja Namosthuthe ||

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

Sri Raghava Ashtakam – Lyrics and meanings

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is valorous as lion, he annihilates wicked demons, he is Raghava who is extremely compassionate, he is worshiped by illustrious Rishis and Sages, and all the deities, he resembles to Sun which causes to blossom  the lotus like face of Janaki, he symbolizes virtues, he is served by Angadha who is the son of Vali, while residing in the peaks of Rishyamooka and Kishkindha, he is beloved of Hanuman, his beautiful eyes has the resemblance to lotus flower petals,  I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is valorous as lion, he enhances the glories of illustrious clan of Soorya, he takes immense pleasure in the embrace of Maithili, he is pure, he has the complexion of dark clouds, he is sinerely served by Vibheeshana who is younger brother of Ravana, he is most emiment and he is beloved Lord of mine as well, he is most desirable, I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is valorous as lion, he augments the splendor of Bhanuvamsha/ clan of Surya, he is adorned in marvelous earrings of precious yellow metal that keeps dangling towards the neck and spreads intense luster on the neck area, he is adorned in ornaments of various precious yellow metal and feather of peacock, he is adorned in magnificent anklets, he is adorned in precious Kausthubha and beautiful earrings, I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is valorous as lion, he is beloved of Lakshmana who is younger brother of Raghava, he is the safest heaven to the Siddhas and Yogis of  Dhandakavanam, he is always immersed in bringing welfare to virtuous people who are surrended at his lotus feet, he is always eulogized by courageous Parththa, he crushed the powerful arms of Kumbakarna, he is clever and most celebrated, I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is valorous as lion, he eradicates the fears of virtuous people who are surrendered at his lotus feet, he is adorned in  garlands made of flowers of Kethaki, Karaveera, Jathi and various fresh alluring and highly fragrant flowers, he is Sreedhara who is adorned in Goddess Mahalakshmi on his chest, his broad chest is smeared in the vermilion from the bosom of Mithilathmaja/daughter of Kingdom of Mithila, he is Lord of Lords, he had endless glorious myths, he is extremely charming, he is the commander of Universe and its living beings, I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is valorous as lion,  he sincerely followed the promise to his father, he is flawless Dhvija who performs various Yaga, Dhanam, meditation, Homa, Japa etc.. he is always venerated by the illustrious Bhramins who are profound in sacred Vedic chants, he killed the female demon Thataka and Vali/ father of Angadha, I shall prostrate before supreme Lord Raghava who is valorous as lion, he has the complexion of dark clouds, he is divine personified on Earth in order to perform the functions of deities, he attained proficient knowledge in the usage of armaments from Kaushika/Vishvamithra, he has pleasing disposition, he is greatest companion to all and resides in the whole Universe, he destroyed the clan of demon Ravana.  The above are the glorious verses praising the splendor of Lord Raghava, it fulfilss all the desires of the worshiper and brings nearness to Lord Acchyutha, it provides Bhukthi as well as Mukthi to worshiper, it provides Dhanam/wealth, Dhanyam/abundance of grains, and all kinds of super natural powers, it should be recited always with intense devotion and faith at the lotus feet of Lord Ramachandra in order to obtain his auspicious grace.

I shall repeatedly prostrate before  Lord Rama who is Ramabhadhra as well, I shall repeatedly prostrate before  Lord Ramachandhra who is  Raghava as well, I shall repeatedly prostrate before  Devadeva who is Lord of Lords, he is the King of Lords as well, I shall repeatedly prostrate before Lord Vasudeva who is divine personified as Veeraraja/valorous King of Ayodhya.

Raghavam Karunakaram Munisevitham Suravandhitham | Janaki Vadhanaravindhadhivakaram Gunabhajanam | Valisoonuhithaishinam  Hanumathpriyam Kamalekshanam | Yathudhana Bhayankaram Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Maithilikuchabhooshanam Amala Neelamaukthikam Eshvaram | Ravananuja Palanam  Raghupungavam Mama Dhaivatham | Nagarivanthananambuja  Bhodhaneeya  Kalevaram |Sooryavamsha Vivardhanam Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Hemakundala Mandithamala Kandadhesham Arindhamam | Shathakumbha  Mayooranethra Vibhooshanena Bhooshitham |Charunoopura  Hara Kausthubha  Karnnabhooshana Bhooshitham | Bhanuvamshavivardhanam Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Dhandakakhyvanerathamara Siddhayogi Ganashrayam | Shishtapalana Thathparam  Dhrithishali Parththakrithasthuthim | Kumbakarnna Bhujabhujangavikarthane  Su Visharadham | Lakshmananuja Vathsalam Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Kethaki Karaveera Jathi Sugandhimalya Sushobhitham | Sreedharam  Mithilathmaja Kucha Kumkumaruna  Vakshasam | Devadevam Asheshabhootha Manoharam  Jagathampathim | Dhasabootha Bhayapaham Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Yagadhana Samadhi  Homa  Japadhi Karmmakarair Dhvijai: | Vedaparagathaiharnishamadharena  Supoojitham | Thadaka Vadhahethu Angadhathatha Valinishoodhanam | Paithrikodhitha Palakam Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Leelaya Kharadhooshanadhi Nishacharashu Vinashanam | Ravananthakam Acchyutham  Hariyoothakodi Ganashrayam | Neerajananam Ambujaghriyugam Harim Bhuvanashrayam | Devakarya Vichakshanam Pranamami Raghavakunjjaram ||

Kaushikena  Sushikshithasthra  Kalapamayatha Lochanam | Charuhasam Anathabandhu Asheshalokanivasinam |Vasavadhi Surari Ravana Shasanam  Cha Paramamgathim | Neelamegha  Nibhakritham Pranamami  Raghavakunjjaram ||

Raghavashtakam Ishtasiddhidham Acchyuthashraya Sadhakam | Bhukthi Mukthi Phalapradham  Dhana Dhanya  Sidhdhi Vivardhanam | Ramachandhra Kripakatakshamadharena  Sadha Japeth | Ramachandhra  Padhambhujadhvaya  Santhatharpitha Manasa: ||

Rama Rama Namosthuthe  Jaya Ramabhadhra Namosthuthe | Ramachandhra Namosthuthe  Jaya Raghavaya Namosthuthe| Devadeva Namosthuthe  Jaya Devaraja Namosthuthe | Vasudeva Namosthuthe  Jaya Veeraraja Namosthuthe ||

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||