Original text
रघुपति राघव राजाराम पतित पावन सीताराम ॥ सुंदर विग्रह मेघश्याम गंगा तुलसी शालग्राम ॥ रघुपति राघव राजाराम पतित पावन सीताराम ॥ भद्रगिरीश्वर सीताराम भगत-जनप्रिय सीताराम ॥ रघुपति राघव राजाराम पतित पावन सीताराम ॥ जानकीरमणा सीताराम जयजय राघव सीताराम ॥ रघुपति राघव राजाराम पतित पावन सीताराम ॥
Transliteration
Raghupati Raghav Rajaram Patit Pavan Sitaram. Sundar Vigrah Meghashyam Ganga Tulasi Shalagram. Raghupati Raghav Rajaram Patit Pavan Sitaram. Bhadragirishvar Sitaram Bhagat-janapriy Sitaram. Raghupati Raghav Rajaram Patit Pavan Sitaram. Janakiramana Sitaram Jayajay Raghav Sitaram. Raghupati Raghav Rajaram Patit Pavan Sitaram.
What the lines mean
- Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram: Lord of the Raghus, descendant of Raghu, King Rama.
- Patit pavan Sitaram: Sita-Rama, who purify the fallen.
- Sundar vigrah meghashyam: whose lovely form is dark as a rain-cloud;
- Ganga Tulsi Shalagram: present in the Ganga, the Tulsi and the Shalagram stone — the three most sacred everyday forms of Vishnu-worship in the home.
- Bhadragirishwar Sitaram: Sita-Rama, lord of Bhadragiri — Bhadrachalam on the Godavari, the famous Rama temple in present-day Telangana.
- Bhagat-janapriya Sitaram: Sita-Rama, beloved of devotees;
- Janakiramana Sitaram, jai jai Raghav Sitaram: Rama, delight of Janaki; victory to Raghava and Sita.
It is a dhun — a short, repeating chant meant for group singing, where the refrain returns after every couplet and the tempo often rises.
Who wrote it
The traditional text is attributed to Lakshmanacharya, and is associated with his Ramayana poem, the Shri Nama Ramayanam. The reference to Bhadragiri suggests a link to the devotional world of Bhadrachalam.
Gandhi's version
During the 1930 Dandi March, Gandhi's satyagrahis sang an adapted version, set to a tune by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. Gandhi kept the refrain and replaced the middle lines with ones of his own, including the famous "Ishwar Allah tero naam, sabko sanmati de Bhagwan" — "Ishwar and Allah are your names; Lord, give everyone good sense." That version became a hymn of communal harmony, while the traditional text given here remains the one sung in temples and Ram bhakti.
When to sing it
- In group bhajan and kirtan, especially as a closing dhun.
- On Ram Navami, during Ramayana path and akhand Ram-naam kirtan.
- On Gandhi Jayanti and at prayer meetings, usually in Gandhi's adapted form.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram?
The traditional text is attributed to Lakshmanacharya. Gandhi's well-known version adapted it during the freedom movement.
What is the meaning of "Patit pavan Sitaram"?
"Sita and Rama, who purify the fallen."
Is "Ishwar Allah tero naam" part of the original?
No. It belongs to Gandhi's adapted version, sung during the Dandi March in 1930.
What is Bhadragiri in the bhajan?
Bhadrachalam, the Rama temple town on the Godavari in Telangana; "Bhadragirishwar" means the Lord of Bhadragiri.
What is a dhun?
A short, repeating devotional chant meant for group singing, in which the refrain returns again and again.
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