श्रीरामावतार स्तुति
ŚrīRāmāvatāra Stuti
The following hymn is taken from the Balkand of SriRamcharitmanas written by Goswami Tulasidas ji. It is a conversation between the Lord and Devi Kausalya just as He is incarnating in the Sun dynasty as Ram. When Lord appeared in front of His mother in His glorious four-armed form, Devi Kausalya realizes that it is indeed the mighty Lord Vishnu taking birth as her son. But she is also hesitant- how can I treat the Ultimate as my son? So the gracious Lord assumed the form of a baby.
Tulasidas ji states that sincere recitation of this hymn can protect the devotee from the snares of the illusory world. It is especially apt for singing at the occasion of Ram Navami when the birth of Sri Ram is celebrated.
भए प्रगट कृपाला, दीनदयाला, कौसल्या हितकारी। हरषित महतारी, मुनि मन हारी, अद्भुत रूप बिचारी॥
Bhaye pragata kr̥pālā dīnadayālā Kausalyā hitakārī । Harṣita mahatārī muni mana hārī Adbhut rūpa bicārī ।।
The Merciful manifested, kind to the pitiable Kausalya’s benefactor The mother (Kausalya) is elated; sages lose their minds thinking of (Lord’s) marvelous form
लोचन अभिरामा, तनु घनस्यामा, निज आयुध भुजचारी। भूषन बनमाला, नयन बिसाला, सोभासिंधु खरारी॥
Locana abhirāmā tanu ghanasyāmā Nija āyudha bhujacārī । Bhūṣana banamālā nayana bisālā Sobhāsindhu kharārī ।।
Beautiful eyes, thundercloud like body complexion With His weapons in the four arms Vanmala(a kind of garland) as ornament, huge eyes Ocean of beauty, Khara’s (a demon) enemy
कह दुइ कर जोरी, अस्तुति तोरी, केहि बिधि करूँ अनंता। माया गुन ज्ञानातीत अमाना, वेद पुरान भनंता॥
Kaha dui kara jorī astuti torī Kehi bidhi karūm̐ anantā । Māyā guna jñānātīta amānā Veda purāna bhanantā ।।
(Kausalya) says joining her hands, your praise, How can I (praise) Infinite (You are) Beyond illusion, qualities, knowledge, immeasurable Vedas, Puranas tell this
करुना सुख सागर, सब गुन आगर, जेहि गावहिं श्रुति संता। सो मम हित लागी, जन अनुरागी, भयउ प्रगट श्रीकंता॥
Karunā sukha sāgara saba guna āgara Jehi gāvahin śruti santā । So mama hita lāgī jana anurāgī Bhaya-u pragata Śrīkantā ।।
(Who is) Ocean of compassion and bliss, depot of all virtues Praised in Vedas by saints (He has) For my sake, for His people’s love Manifested; Laxmi’s beloved
ब्रह्मांड निकाया, निर्मित माया, रोम रोम प्रति बेद कहै। मम उर सो बासी, यह उपहासी, सुनत धीर मति थिर न रहै॥
Brahmāṇḍa nikāyā nirmita māyā Roma roma prati beda kahai । Mama ura so bāsī yaha upahāsī Sunata dhīra mati thira na rahai ।।
The universe is your body, illusion created from every pore, the Vedas state this Such You reside in my womb, is joke Hearing which no wise one will believe
उपजा जब ज्ञाना, प्रभु मुसुकाना, चरित बहुत बिधि कीन्ह चहै। कहि कथा सुहाई, मातु बुझाई, जेहि प्रकार सुत प्रेम लहै॥
Upajā jaba jñānā Prabhu musukānā Carita bahuta bidhi kīnha cahai । Kahi kathā suhāī mātu bujhāī Jehi prakāra suta prema lahai ।।
When (this) knowledge arose (in her), Lord smiled He wanted to act variously (So) Narrated the pleasant story (and) convinced His mother So that she can love Him like her son
माता पुनि बोली, सो मति डोली, तजहु तात यह रूपा। कीजै सिसुलीला, अति प्रियसीला, यह सुख परम अनूपा॥
Mātā puni bolī so mati dolī Tajahu tāta yaha rūpā । Kījai sisulīlā ati priyasīlā Yaha sukha parama anūpā ।।
Mother again spoke, with her mind changed Leave this form son Act like a baby, so endearing This pleasure (of motherhood) is supremely unique
सुनि बचन सुजाना, रोदन ठाना, होइ बालक सुरभूपा। यह चरित जे गावहिं, हरिपद पावहिं, ते न परहिं भवकूपा॥
Suni bacana sujānā rodana ṭhānā Ho-i bālaka surabhūpā । Yaha carita je gāvahin Haripada pāvahin Te na parahin bhavakūpā ।।
Hearing (these) wise words, (He) began crying The King of gods became a child Those who sing this act attain Lord’s feet (and) do not fall in the worldly well.
(दोहा) बिप्र धेनु सुर संत हित लीन्ह मनुज अवतार । निज इच्छा निर्मित तनु माया गुन गो पार ।।
Bipra dhenu sura santa hita Līnha manuja avatāra । Nija ichā nirmita tanu Māyā guna go pāra ।।
(Couplet) (For) Wise, cow, gods, saints’ good (Lord) incarnated as human Forming a body by His will (One who is) beyond illusion, attributes and senses.