Sage Vyasa's Ramashtakam

Ramashtakam
(The octet on Lord Rama)
By
Sage Vyasa
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

Bhaje visesha sundaram, samastha papa khandanam,
Swabhaktha chitha ranjanam, Sadaiva rama madvayam. 1

I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who is especially pretty,
Who cuts off all sins,
And who makes the mind,
Of his devotes happy.

Jatakalapa Shobhitham, Samastha papa nasakam,
Swabhaktha bheethi bhanjanam, Bhajeha rama madvayam. 2

I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who shines with his matted hair,
Who destroys all sins,
And who makes the mind,
Of his devotees free from fear.

Nija swaroopa bhodhakam, krupakaram bhavapaham,
Samam shivam niranjanam, Bhajeha rama madvayam. 3

I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who shows us his real self,
Who is very merciful,
Who destroys sorrows of life,
Who considers every one equal,
Who is peaceful,
And who does all that is good.

Saha prapancha kalpitham, hyanamaroopa vasthavam,
Nirakruthim niramayam, Bhajeha rama madvayam. 4

I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who shows the world in himself,
Who is the truth without names,
Who is someone without form,
And who is away from sickness and pain.

Nishprapancha, nirvikalpa, nirmalam, niramayam,
Chideka roopa santhatham, Bhajeha rama madvayam. 5

I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who is away from the world,
Who does not see differences,
Who is crystal clear,
Who does not have diseases,
And who stands always as,
The real form of truth.

Bhavabdhipotha roopakam, hyasesha deha kalpitham,
Gunakaram, krupakaram, Bhajeha rama madvayam. 6

I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who is the ship to cross the sea of life,
Who shines as all types of bodies.
Who does good ,
And who shows mercy.

Maha vakhya bodhakair virajamana vakpadai,
Parabrahma vyapakam, Bhajeha rama madvayam. 7


I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who is so great that,
He is fit to be known through,
Great Vedic sayings,
And who is Brahmam ,
Which is spread everywhere.

Shiva pradham sukhapradham, bhavaschidham bramapaham,
Virajamana desikam, Bhajeha rama madvayam. 8


I pray always that Rama,
Who is second to none,
Who grants peace,
Who gives us pleasure,
Who destroys the problems of life,
Who avoids illusion,
And who is the resplendent Guru.

Ramashtakam padathi ya sukaram supunyam,
Vyasena bhashithamidham, srunuthe manushya,
Vidhyam sriyam vipula soukhyamanantha keerthim,
Samprapya deha vilaye labhathe cha moksham. 9

He who reads or hears this octet on rama,
Which is easy to understand,
Which gives rise to good deeds,
Which is written by sage Vyasa,
Would get knowledge ,wealth ,
Pleasure and limitless fame,
And once he leaves his body,
He would also get salvation.