Today is my birthday,

A time of great celebration.

Though all the gifts come my way,

Care not I for the commotion.

You see, for me there is but one day worth celebrating,

Though it comes once a year, daily it I’m remembering.

Appeared in the city of Ayodhya did the Lord of all, Shri Ramachandra,

Became He the eldest son of the King Dasharatha, the ruler of dharma.

On that day, happy and festive were all,

Songs from the Vedas and Puranas the bards did sing.

A brand new baby, a vision for the heart to enthrall,

Lord Rama, from her womb mother Kausalya did bring.

Here on my birthday, I honor the best of Raghu’s clan,

Keep the Lord of Tulsidas forever in my heart, that is my plan.

In a distant and wonderful land far, far away,

Did the jivas and their beloved reside.

But from the constitutional path they did stray,

The jivas their natural love for Shri Rama they set aside.

The jivas did fall, wanting their Lord to imitate,

Desiring powers, enjoyments and delights.

To reside in species that number in the millions over eight,

Taking birth in a land not nearly as bright.

Here, there, and everywhere are pretenders prevalent,

O Lord, “In this world there is no God”, many do say.

Searching for a companion like You, none are equivalent,

Thus fall terribly short do they in every way.

In beauty, strength and fame You are number one.

In renunciation, wealth and wisdom, equal to You are none.

By chanting Your name repeatedly my senses I do attack,

Bring me to Your home, O Shri Rama, so that to here I may never come back.

The kingdom of Ayodhya You did forsake,

For King Dasharatha’s honor to maintain.

Brother Lakshmana and wife Sita You did take,

For fourteen years Your presence the forest to gain.

For neither riches, nor wealth, nor kingdom’s glory do You care,

To You, the wealthiest, what can the gifts of the world ever measure?

Living in the forest fruits and roots were Your fare,

The company of Sita and Lakshmana You forever treasure.

After Ayodhya ruling for thousands of years,

Gave up the company of Sita Your wife.

A tough decision it was, for it brought You many a tear,

But to maintaining dharma You did give your life.

Though the greatest renunciate You are, the heart of devotees You can never leave,

To Your glory, honor, fame and holy name we forever cleave.

Never a single soul, either large or small, does Shri Rama ever bother.

And yet all can approach Him, as to every creature He is their father.

“Protect us from rogues and thieves”, do the sages say,

In a blink of an eye, those demons Shri Rama drives away.

Heaps of gold and provisions do the kings seek, an endless supply,

Their wishes granted and worries removed because on Shri Rama they rely.

Wanting their siddhis, to Shri Rama the meditational yogis go,

To them He grants perfections, more than they can even know.

But what does Shri Rama want, will He ever reveal?

For calm is His demeanor and His resolve made of steel.

For fourteen years He left for the forest at His father’s command,

And for Sugriva he slayed Vali with the arrow released from His hand.

As everyone already approaches Him, I ask for only one thing,

May He forever reside in my heart, and may His glories I always sing.

Can run rampant with my sins,

Does many a miscreant think.

But for them does Rama arrive,

Even before they can blink.

With the devoted soul lives Shri Rama.

For the Lord they have made their own.

As the most merciful and kind of all,

To them Shri Rama made Himself known.

The innocent sages Rakshasas like Khara and Dushana kill,

Vile and heinous are such crimes, no rhyme and no reason.

Yet in due time Shri Rama their ghastly punishments to deliver,

Arrive do those rewards like blossoming flowers in proper season.

Good and bad, large and small, Shri Rama doth see all.

In my thoughts and dreams, may He forever stand tall.

Shri Rama holds His bow steady,

He remains calm and cool under pressure.

For the devotees in pain or in sorrow,

He protects using every measure.

Tried to attack Him did they,

Khara, Dushana and Maricha.

Yet through arrows were they tamed,

Learning very well Rama’s power and reach.

The demons, both large and small,

Come to attack from every which side.

But Shri Rama holds steady and firm,

With His arrows He removes their pride.

May Shri Rama’s arrows always protect me,

And may His beautiful form my mind always see.

Father of all the creatures is Lord Brahma, both in sea and on land,

Yet how Shri Rama can be so beautiful, creator cannot understand.

Elements material taking and of creatures molding are his fun,

Yet Rama’s qualities are like none other’s, where from did they come?

 “Is He created from me, from my hand?” does Brahma think,

Darshana of Shri Rama so wonderful, one dare not blink,

Of the three material modes, passion does he control,

In his mind, the vision of Shri Rama does Brahma hold.

“To populate the earth and its creatures was the burden assigned to me,

But from looking at Rama’s smiling face my anxieties are set free.”

For Rama’s transcendental form, of elements Brahma did use the best,

All other creatures, both of beauty and charm, were formed from the rest.

To match the length of Brahma’s day the clock of creation is tightly wound,

In the fourteen bhuvanas to match Shri Rama in beauty not one to be found.

I worship Shri Ramachandra, the jewel of dynasty Raghu,

His smile is enchanting and His complexion is blue.

I worship Shri Ramachandra, mother Kausalya’s delight.

The demons know of His bow, arrows and might.

I worship Shri Ramachandra, the lifter of Lord Shiva’s bow,

When placing His feet on Ahalya, to heaven she did go.

I worship Shri Ramachandra, to Lakshmana an elder brother,

To those who cherish His name, a savior like no other.

I worship Shri Ramachandra, who has Sita Devi for His wife,

To those treading righteous path, forever He remains their life.

I worship Shri Ramachandra, the protector of Vishvamitra’s sacrifice,

For understanding Him, birth the dvijas take twice.

Shri Ramachandra’s kindness knows no end,

May He to this fallen soul His mercy extend.

Shri Rama is my Lord, I am at His beck and call,

Through His grace only, no chance of a fall.

Shri Rama is my Lord, what I write comes from Him,

Through His grace only, maya’s influence to grow dim.

Shri Rama is my Lord, for Him I arise day after day,

Through His grace only, my sorrows can run away.

Shri Rama is my Lord, may I always see His beautiful form,

Through His grace only, my heart remains warm.

Shri Rama is my Lord, may His arrows always protect me,

Through His grace only, never Kali Yuga’s misery to see.

Shri Rama is my Lord, Mother Ganga emanates from His lotus feet,

Through His grace only, spiritual sky one day I hope to meet.

Whether here or there, in happiness or sadness, in comfort or in pain,

May Shri Rama always remain My Lord, for in life no higher gain.

Ticket to spiritual world and alleviation of distress found through His feet,

His glories, wonders, fame and pastimes on devotion’s mrdanga constantly beat.

The smile to defeat pride of thousands of cupid on His face,

Elimination of sufferings from countless births through His divine grace.

Around the body, bluish in hue, is found the sacred thread,

Of all the forms of God He is at the head.

Hair is beautiful, eyes like lotus petals, and arms that are long,

Consuming His endless glories, saints compose countless songs.

To Lakshmana, Hanuman and Sita He is dear,

Only by remembering Him can one eliminate fear.

Rama has nothing to do and is always smiling,

For those who know Your true nature, You are their only darling.

Look upon me as Your foolish son trying his best, from my mind remove the haze,

Please bless me Shri Rama, so that Your qualities and fame I may always praise.