Sutīkshṇa Rāma Stotra

The Sutīkshṇa Rāma Stotra is a stotra to Bhagavān Rāma of fifteen lines, each ending with a namaskāra (a bow). The ṛshi Sutīkshṇa made it and offered it every day while he did tapas at the Rāmatīrtha in the Setu-kshetra. It is found in the Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Setu Māhātmya, Chapter 18.

The stotra lists the names and deeds of Bhagavān Rāma: Jānakīnātha, protector of the yajña of Kauśika, breaker of the bow of Bhagavān Śiva, builder of the setu, slayer of Rāvaṇa, and bearer of the Kodaṇḍa bow. By this stotra and by chanting the six-syllable mantra, Sutīkshṇa gained all supernatural powers.

The setting

Sutīkshṇa was a disciple of Agastya and a fervent devotee of Bhagavān Rāma. He did tapas at the Rāmatīrtha, also called Raghunātha Saras, in the Setu-kshetra on the Gandhamādana mountain.

Every day, as part of his sādhana, he chanted the shaḍakshara (six-syllable) mantra of Rāma five thousand times. He also offered this stotra in praise of Bhagavān Rāma.

The stotra

Sutīkshṇa offered it to Śrī Rāmacandra at the Rāmatīrtha.

  1. O master of Jānakī! Namaskāra to you.
  2. O beloved of Hanumān! Namaskāra to you.
  3. O one consecrated to protect the yajña of Kauśika (Viśvāmitra)! Namaskāra to you.
  4. O son of Kauśalyā, dear to Viśvāmitra! Namaskāra to you.
  5. O breaker of the bow of Śiva, worshipped by the devas! Namaskāra to you.
  6. O slayer of Mārīca, O best of kings, O slayer of Tāṭakā! Namaskāra to you.
  7. O foe of Kabandha, O son of Daśaratha, O Vishṇu! Namaskāra to you.
  8. O conqueror of Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma), O slayer of Khara! Namaskāra to you.
  9. O master of Sugrīva, O slayer of Vālin! Namaskāra to you.
  10. O remover of the fear of Vibhīshaṇa, O destroyer of all mala (impurity)! Namaskāra to you.
  11. O one who removed the suffering of Ahalyā, O elder brother of Bharata! Namaskāra to you.
  12. O one who humbled the pride of the ocean, O builder of the setu! Namaskāra to you.
  13. O tārakabrahman, O elder brother of Lakshmaṇa! Namaskāra to you.
  14. O slayer of rākshasas, O crusher of Rāvaṇa! Namaskāra to you.
  15. O bearer of the Kodaṇḍa bow, O giver of all protection! Namaskāra to you.

The phala of the stotra

Sutīkshṇa said this stotra day and night at the Rāmatīrtha. He kept his mind always on Bhagavān Rāma, and his heart was full of unbroken bhakti for Sītā and Rāma. By this practice, together with chanting the shaḍakshara Rāma mantra, Sutīkshṇa gained these:

  • advaita-vijñāna (the knowledge of non-duality);
  • knowledge of all the Vedas and śāstras that came by itself, without study;
  • parakāya-praveśa (entering another body);
  • ākāśa-gamana (moving through the sky);
  • knowledge of past events;
  • speech with the devas;
  • understanding of the speech of all creatures;
  • the power to travel to all fourteen worlds;
  • all the yogic siddhis.

Sources

  • Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Setu Māhātmya, Chapter 18