Based on the teachings of Swami Mukundananda Ji
Introduction
In the spiritual traditions of India, Shree Ram is revered not merely as a historical king of Ayodhya, but as the Supreme Divine Personality — Maryada Purushottam, the ideal of virtue, love, and righteousness. Across ages, saints, sages, and devotees have composed hymns in His praise. Among these, the Shree Ram Ashtak, composed by Sage Vyas, stands out as a powerful hymn that glorifies the non-dual form of Shree Ram — Bhaje Ha Ramam Advayam.
Swami Mukundananda Ji beautifully elaborates that the purpose of Shree Ram Leela and the divine manifestations of Lord Ram is not entertainment, but engagement of our mind in the Supreme. The Ram Ashtak serves as a divine tool to anchor our thoughts in that infinite, all-compassionate Lord.
Lyrics
Verse 1
भजे विशेष सुन्दरं समस्त पाप खण्डनम्
स्वभक्त चित्त रञ्जनं सदैव राममद्वयम् ॥
bhaje viśeṣa sundaraṁ samasta pāpa khaṇḍanam
svabhakta citta rañjanaṁ sadaiva rāmamadvayam ||
Meaning:
I worship that uniquely beautiful, non-dual Shree Ram, the destroyer of all sins, who always delights the minds of His devoted followers.
Verse 2
जटा कलाप शोभितं समस्त पाप नाशकम्
स्वभक्त भीति भञ्जनं भजे ह राममद्वयम् ॥
jaṭā kalāpa śobhitaṁ samasta pāpa nāśakam
svabhakta bhīti bhañjanaṁ bhaje ha rāmamadvayam ||
Meaning:
I worship the non-dual Shree Ram, whose matted locks shine beautifully, who destroys all sins, and removes the fears of His devotees.
Verse 3
निजस्वरूप बोधकं कृपाकरं भवापहम्
समं शिवं निरञ्जनं भजे ह राममद्वयम् ॥
nijasvarūpa bodhakaṁ kṛpākaraṁ bhavāpaham
samaṁ śivaṁ nirañjanaṁ bhaje ha rāmamadvayam ||
Meaning:
I worship the non-dual Shree Ram, who reveals our own true Self, who is the embodiment of grace, the remover of worldly bondage, who is equal to all, auspicious, and pure.
Verse 4
सह प्रपञ्च कल्पितं ह्यनाम रूप वास्तवम्
निराकृतिं निरामयं भजे ह राममद्वयम् ॥
saha prapañca kalpitaṁ hyanāma rūpa vāstavam
nirākṛtiṁ nirāmayam bhaje ha rāmamadvayam ||
Meaning:
I worship the non-dual Shree Ram, who transcends the illusory creation, who is beyond name and form yet truly real, formless, and untouched by disease or impurity.
Verse 5
निष्प्रपञ्च निर्विकल्प निर्मलं निरामयम्
चिदेक रूप सन्ततं भजे ह राममद्वयम् ॥
niṣprapañca nirvikalpa nirmalaṁ nirāmayam
cideka rūpa santataṁ bhaje ha rāmamadvayam ||
Meaning:
I worship the non-dual Shree Ram, who is beyond worldly illusion and duality, spotless, ever-pure, and the continuous, undivided essence of pure consciousness.
Verse 6
भवाब्धिपोत रूपकं ह्यशेष देह कल्पितम्
गुणाकरं कृपाकरं भजे ह राममद्वयम् ॥
bhavābdhipota rūpakaṁ hyaśeṣa deha kalpitam
guṇākaraṁ kṛpākaraṁ bhaje ha rāmamadvayam ||
Meaning:
I worship the non-dual Shree Ram, who is like a boat to cross the ocean of worldly existence, who has assumed many bodies (for the sake of beings), who is full of virtues and compassion.
Verse 7
महा वाक्य बोधकैः विराजमान वाक्पदैः
परं ब्रह्म सद्व्यापकं भजे ह राममद्वयम् ॥
mahā vākya bodhakaiḥ virājamāna vākpadaih
paraṁ brahma sadvyāpakaṁ bhaje ha rāmamadvayam ||
Meaning:
I worship the non-dual Shree Ram, who is glorified by the great Vedic statements, who is the Supreme Brahman and the all-pervading eternal reality.
Verse 8
शिवप्रदं सुखप्रदं भवच्छिदं भ्रमापहम्
विराजमान देशिकं भजे ह राममद्वयम् ॥
śivapradaṁ sukhapradaṁ bhavacchidaṁ bhramāpaham
virājamāna deśikaṁ bhaje ha rāmamadvayam ||
Meaning:
I worship the non-dual Shree Ram, the radiant spiritual teacher who grants auspiciousness and joy, destroys worldly bondage, and dispels ignorance and delusion.
Verse 9 (Phalaśruti – The Benefit of Reciting)
रामाष्टकं पठति यः सुखदं सुपुण्यं
व्यासेन भाषितमिदं शृणुते मनुष्यः ।
विद्यां श्रियं विपुलसौख्यमनन्तकीर्तिं
संप्राप्य देहविलये लभते च मोक्षम् ॥
rāmāṣṭakaṁ paṭhati yaḥ sukhadaṁ supuṇyaṁ
vyāsena bhāṣitamidaṁ śṛṇute manuṣyaḥ |
vidyāṁ śriyaṁ vipulasaukhyamanantakīrtiṁ
saṁprāpya dehavilaye labhate ca mokṣam ||
Meaning:
One who recites or listens to this blissful and highly meritorious Rāmāṣṭakam — composed by Sage Vyās — attains knowledge, wealth, great happiness, infinite fame, and finally liberation after the body’s end.
Closing Verse
इति श्रीव्यासविरचितं रामाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम्॥
iti śrīvyāsaviracitaṁ rāmāṣṭakaṁ sampūrṇam ||
Meaning:
Thus ends the Rāmāṣṭakam composed by the venerable Sage Vyās.
Significance of Ram Ashtak in Light of Swami Mukundananda Ji’s Teachings
Swamiji explains that Ram Leela is a Divine Play (Leela), where the Lord, though all-knowing and all-powerful, pretends ignorance, sorrow, or need — not due to limitation, but to inspire us through relatable human experiences. Similarly, in Ram Ashtak, we see Shree Ram praised as both the transcendental Brahman (निष्प्रपञ्च, निर्विकल्प) and as the most intimate friend of the devotee (स्वभक्त चित्त रञ्जनं).
Swamiji says:
"Through His Leela, the Lord provides us with the paraphernalia to engage our mind. Our mind must go to Shee Ram."
Thus, Ram Ashtak acts as a gateway to devotion, helping the devotee contemplate on Shree Ram’s attributes that are beyond duality — Advaya.
Practical Applications of the Ram Ashtak
- Daily Contemplation: Chanting or reflecting on each verse daily brings the mind into spiritual alignment. Each line of the Ram Ashtak carries potent philosophical meaning.
- Meditative Practice: Use the verses for Jap or meditative chanting, helping calm the mind and connect inwardly.
- Bhakti-Focused Living: The hymn reminds us that Ram is both transcendental and personal, encouraging us to infuse devotion in daily actions, just like Ram did even during sorrowful times in the forest.
- Teaching Children: The verses are poetic, rhythmic, and rich with values — ideal for sharing with young minds to build samskaras.
Swami Ji often emphasizes that engaging with Shree Ram’s name, leela, and form is the most elevated spiritual practice, especially in Kali Yug.
Benefits of Reciting the Ram Ashtak
Swamiji teaches that spiritual mantras and hymns are not mere words; they are powerful vibrations that uplift our consciousness. The Ram Ashtak bestows:
- Freedom from Sins: समस्त पाप खण्डनम्
- Liberation from Fear and Delusion: स्वभक्त भीति भञ्जनं, भ्रमापहम्
- Spiritual Knowledge and Self-realization: निजस्वरूप बोधकम्
- Ultimate Liberation (Moksh): As mentioned in the phala-śruti (benefit-verse), one who recites this ashtak with devotion will gain divine knowledge, wealth, joy, fame, and liberation.
“विद्यां श्रियं विपुलसौख्यमनन्तकीर्तिं
संप्राप्य देहविलये लभते च मोक्षम् ॥”
Swamiji reminds us: “Don't use your intellect in Ram Leela, otherwise you will not benefit. Only through Bhakti, with Shraddha (faith) and Bhaav (feeling), can the Lord be realized.”
The Importance of Bhakti and Bhaav
According to Swamiji, Bhakti is not about dry ritual or logical analysis of Ram's actions — it’s about loving surrender. He shares how Sati’s doubt about Ram's divinity — even though she was Divine herself — led to her disconnection with Lord Shiv.
This teaches us:
“If you do Shanka (doubt) in the leelas of Ram, you cannot do Bhakti.”
Hence, the Ram Ashtak should not be approached intellectually, but with reverence, faith, and love, trusting that every word glorifies that One without a second — Advaya Ram.
Let each verse be an offering, a flower of devotion, a reminder that our goal is not to understand Ram, but to unite our hearts with Him.
Conclusion
The Ram Ashtak, when understood and recited in the light of Swami Mukundananda Ji's wisdom, becomes more than a hymn — it becomes a spiritual practice. It helps us see Shree Ram not as a distant king, but as our very own, the formless made form, the Brahman made beloved.
“He may pretend He does not know where Sita is. He may cry. But internally, He remains the infinite, all-knowing, all-loving God.”
So let us approach the Ram Ashtak as a means to immerse ourselves in this Divine mystery — not to analyze it, but to dissolve ourselves into it.
Bhaje Ha Ramam Advayam — I worship the non-dual Ram. He is the boat to cross this ocean of existence. He is our soul’s true home.
If you enjoyed exploring the divine rhythm of the Shree Ram Ashtak. As, you may also appreciate other sacred hymns that deepen your spiritual connection and devotion. Discover the divine power and meaning behind these timeless chants:
- Shree Ram Raksha Stotra – Click Here
- Vishnu Sahasranamam – Click Here
- Mahamrityunjay Mantra – Click Here
- Sundarkand Path – Click Here
- Shiv Tandav Stotram – Click Here
📺 And for more such spiritually uplifting wisdom, subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s official YouTube channel. His profound discourses, kirtans, and explanations of scriptures like the Durga Saptashati will help you stay anchored in bhakti all year round.
Let this Navratri not be a once-a-year celebration — let it be a year-round awakening of the Shakti within you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the significance of the Ram Ashtak?
The Ram Ashtak, composed by Sage Vyas, is a sacred hymn that praises Shree Ram as the non-dual Supreme Being (Advaya Ram). Each verse reveals deep spiritual truths — not just about the Lord’s form, but about His formless, infinite, and compassionate nature.
2. If Shree Ram is all-knowing, why does He appear sorrowful in the Ram Leela?
This is part of His Divine Leela. According to Swami Mukundananda Ji, Shree Ram only pretends sorrow to inspire love and devotion. Though He appears limited, in truth He is Supreme Brahman — beyond sorrow, fear, and duality.
3. What is the right way to approach the Ram Ashtak — intellectually or devotionally?
Swamiji emphasizes that these hymns should be approached with Bhakti (devotion), not dry analysis. They are not to be dissected with intellect but experienced with Shraddha (faith) and Bhaav (feeling) to awaken love for the Lord.
4. What benefits can I gain from reciting the Ram Ashtak?
Sincere recitation of the Ram Ashtak brings freedom from sins, inner peace, spiritual knowledge, and ultimately liberation (moksha). It also aligns the mind with divine vibrations, as highlighted in its Phalaśruti.
5. How can I include the Ram Ashtak in my daily spiritual routine?
You can:
- Recite one verse each morning as contemplation
- Use the verses for meditative chanting (jap)
- Teach it to children to instill values
- Reflect on Shree Ram’s qualities daily to anchor your mind in devotion