Shri Ram Quotes in Sanskrit With Meaning: Shlokas for Bio and WhatsApp Status
Shri Ram is the one people quote when they want to say what kind of person they mean to be: true to their word, steady in dharma, a friend to whoever comes to them for help. Below are the Ram shlokas people use for an Instagram bio, a WhatsApp status or a tattoo — each one complete, never a half-line cut from the middle, with how to read it, its Hindi and English meaning, and its true source.
Most are from Valmiki's Sanskrit Ramayana, and two from the Ramraksha Stotra. Two much-loved lines are from Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, which is in Awadhi, not Sanskrit; we've marked those. Two of the most shared "Ram quotes" aren't from Valmiki at all — they're near the end.
Ram Sanskrit shlokas with meaning
Every card is the whole verse. The Ramayana verses are from the critical edition of Valmiki's Ramayana (Oriental Institute, Baroda), with references as Kanda · sarga.verse. Two are from the Ramraksha Stotra, a later hymn to Rama, and two from Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas. Each card has the original words, how to read them, and the meaning in English and Hindi.
रामो विग्रहवान्धर्मः साधुः सत्यपराक्रमः
राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य देवानामिव वासवः
राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य देवानामिव वासवः
rāmo vigrahavān dharmaḥ sādhuḥ satyaparākramaḥ
rājā sarvasya lokasya devānām iva vāsavaḥ
rājā sarvasya lokasya devānām iva vāsavaḥ
“Rama is dharma in human form — good, and truly brave; king of the whole world, as Indra is of the gods.”
राम धर्म के साक्षात् विग्रह हैं — सज्जन और सच्चे पराक्रमी; जैसे इन्द्र देवताओं के, वैसे वे सारे जगत के राजा हैं।
Valmiki Ramayana · Aranya Kanda 3.35.13 · Maricha to Ravana
माता रामो मत्पिता रामचन्द्रः
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचन्द्रः।
सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालु-
र्नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने॥
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचन्द्रः।
सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालु-
र्नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने॥
mātā rāmo matpitā rāmacandraḥ
svāmī rāmo matsakhā rāmacandraḥ
sarvasvaṃ me rāmacandro dayālur
nānyaṃ jāne naiva jāne na jāne
svāmī rāmo matsakhā rāmacandraḥ
sarvasvaṃ me rāmacandro dayālur
nānyaṃ jāne naiva jāne na jāne
“Rama is my mother, Ramachandra my father; Rama my master, Ramachandra my friend. The kind Ramachandra is everything I have — I know no other, none at all.”
राम ही मेरी माता हैं, रामचन्द्र ही पिता; राम ही मेरे स्वामी और रामचन्द्र ही सखा। दयालु रामचन्द्र ही मेरा सर्वस्व हैं — मैं किसी और को नहीं जानता।
Rāmarakṣā Stotra 30 · Budha Kauśika
रघुकुल रीति सदा चलि आई।
प्रान जाहुँ बरु बचनु न जाई॥
प्रान जाहुँ बरु बचनु न जाई॥
raghukula rīti sadā cali āī
prāna jāhuṃ baru bacanu na jāī
prāna jāhuṃ baru bacanu na jāī
“This has always been the way of Raghu's line: let life go, but never a promise.”
रघुकुल की यही रीति सदा से चली आई है — प्राण भले ही चले जाएँ, पर दिया हुआ वचन न जाए।
Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidas · Ayodhya Kand (before doha 28) · Dasharatha to Kaikeyi, not Rama · Awadhi, not Sanskrit
सकृदेव प्रपन्नाय तवास्मीति च याचते
अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो ददाम्येतद्व्रतं मम
आनयैनं हरिश्रेष्ठ दत्तमस्याभयं मया
विभीषणो वा सुग्रीव यदि वा रावणः स्वयम्
अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो ददाम्येतद्व्रतं मम
आनयैनं हरिश्रेष्ठ दत्तमस्याभयं मया
विभीषणो वा सुग्रीव यदि वा रावणः स्वयम्
sakṛd eva prapannāya tavāsmīti ca yācate
abhayaṃ sarvabhūtebhyo dadāmy etad vrataṃ mama
ānayainaṃ hariśreṣṭha dattam asyābhayaṃ mayā
vibhīṣaṇo vā sugrīva yadi vā rāvaṇaḥ svayam
abhayaṃ sarvabhūtebhyo dadāmy etad vrataṃ mama
ānayainaṃ hariśreṣṭha dattam asyābhayaṃ mayā
vibhīṣaṇo vā sugrīva yadi vā rāvaṇaḥ svayam
“To one who comes to me even once and asks, saying 'I am yours', I give safety from every being — that is my vow. Bring him here, foremost of monkeys; I have granted him safety, Sugriva, whether he is Vibhishana or Ravana himself.”
जो एक बार भी शरण में आकर कहे 'मैं तुम्हारा हूँ', उसे मैं सब प्राणियों से अभय देता हूँ — यह मेरा व्रत है। हे सुग्रीव, उसे ले आओ; मैंने उसे अभय दे दिया — चाहे वह विभीषण हो या स्वयं रावण।
Valmiki Ramayana · Yuddha Kanda 6.12.20–21 · Rama to Sugriva
अहं हि वचनाद्राज्ञः पतेयमपि पावके
भक्षयेयं विषं तीक्ष्णं मज्जेयमपि चार्णवे
नियुक्तो गुरुणा पित्रा नृपेण च हितेन च
तद्ब्रूहि वचनं देवि राज्ञो यदभिकाङ्क्षितम्
करिष्ये प्रतिजाने च रामो द्विर्नाभिभाषते
भक्षयेयं विषं तीक्ष्णं मज्जेयमपि चार्णवे
नियुक्तो गुरुणा पित्रा नृपेण च हितेन च
तद्ब्रूहि वचनं देवि राज्ञो यदभिकाङ्क्षितम्
करिष्ये प्रतिजाने च रामो द्विर्नाभिभाषते
ahaṃ hi vacanād rājñaḥ pateyam api pāvake
bhakṣayeyaṃ viṣaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ majjeyam api cārṇave
niyukto guruṇā pitrā nṛpeṇa ca hitena ca
tad brūhi vacanaṃ devi rājño yad abhikāṅkṣitam
kariṣye pratijāne ca rāmo dvir nābhibhāṣate
bhakṣayeyaṃ viṣaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ majjeyam api cārṇave
niyukto guruṇā pitrā nṛpeṇa ca hitena ca
tad brūhi vacanaṃ devi rājño yad abhikāṅkṣitam
kariṣye pratijāne ca rāmo dvir nābhibhāṣate
“At the king's word I would leap into fire, drink deadly poison, sink into the sea — commanded by my teacher, my father, my king and well-wisher. So tell me, queen, what the king wants. I will do it; I promise. Rama does not speak twice.”
राजा के कहने पर मैं आग में कूद सकता हूँ, तीखा विष पी सकता हूँ, समुद्र में डूब सकता हूँ — जब आज्ञा देने वाले मेरे गुरु, पिता, राजा और हितैषी हों। इसलिए हे देवी, बताइए राजा क्या चाहते हैं। मैं करूँगा, यह प्रतिज्ञा है। राम दो बार नहीं बोलते।
Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda 2.16.18–19 · Rama to Kaikeyi
सीय राममय सब जग जानी।
करउँ प्रनाम जोरि जुग पानी॥
करउँ प्रनाम जोरि जुग पानी॥
sīya rāmamaya saba jaga jānī
karauṃ pranāma jori juga pānī
karauṃ pranāma jori juga pānī
“Knowing the whole world to be full of Sita and Rama, I bow to it with folded hands.”
सारे जगत को सीता-राममय जानकर मैं दोनों हाथ जोड़कर (सबको) प्रणाम करता हूँ।
Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidas · Bal Kand (after doha 7) · Tulsidas himself · Awadhi, not Sanskrit
रामो राजमणिः सदा विजयते रामं रमेशं भजे
रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नमः।
रामान्नास्ति परायणं परतरं रामस्य दासोऽस्म्यहं
रामे चित्तलयः सदा भवतु मे भो राम मामुद्धर॥
रामेणाभिहता निशाचरचमू रामाय तस्मै नमः।
रामान्नास्ति परायणं परतरं रामस्य दासोऽस्म्यहं
रामे चित्तलयः सदा भवतु मे भो राम मामुद्धर॥
rāmo rājamaṇiḥ sadā vijayate rāmaṃ rameśaṃ bhaje
rāmeṇābhihatā niśācaracamū rāmāya tasmai namaḥ
rāmān nāsti parāyaṇaṃ parataraṃ rāmasya dāso 'smy ahaṃ
rāme cittalayaḥ sadā bhavatu me bho rāma mām uddhara
rāmeṇābhihatā niśācaracamū rāmāya tasmai namaḥ
rāmān nāsti parāyaṇaṃ parataraṃ rāmasya dāso 'smy ahaṃ
rāme cittalayaḥ sadā bhavatu me bho rāma mām uddhara
“Rama, the jewel among kings, is ever victorious; I worship Rama, lord of Lakshmi. By Rama the army of the night-wanderers was struck down — salutations to that Rama. There is no refuge higher than Rama; I am Rama's servant. May my mind always rest in Rama — O Rama, lift me up.”
राजाओं में मणि के समान श्रीराम की सदा जय हो; मैं लक्ष्मीपति राम को भजता हूँ। राम ने निशाचरों की सेना का संहार किया — उन राम को नमस्कार। राम से बढ़कर कोई आश्रय नहीं; मैं राम का दास हूँ। मेरा मन सदा राम में लीन रहे — हे राम, मेरा उद्धार करो।
Rāmarakṣā Stotra 37 · Budha Kauśika · not Valmiki's Ramayana
धर्मो हि परमो लोके धर्मे सत्यं प्रतिष्ठितम्
धर्मसंश्रितमेतच्च पितुर्वचनमुत्तमम्
धर्मसंश्रितमेतच्च पितुर्वचनमुत्तमम्
dharmo hi paramo loke dharme satyaṃ pratiṣṭhitam
dharmasaṃśritam etac ca pitur vacanam uttamam
dharmasaṃśritam etac ca pitur vacanam uttamam
“Dharma is highest in the world, and truth stands on dharma. This command of my father rests on dharma too.”
संसार में धर्म ही सर्वोच्च है, और सत्य धर्म में ही प्रतिष्ठित है। पिताजी का यह उत्तम वचन भी धर्म पर ही टिका है।
Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda 2.18.33 · Rama to Lakshmana
मित्रभावेन संप्राप्तं न त्यजेयं कथंचन
दोषो यद्यपि तस्य स्यात्सतामेतदगर्हितम्
दोषो यद्यपि तस्य स्यात्सतामेतदगर्हितम्
mitrabhāvena saṃprāptaṃ na tyajeyaṃ kathaṃcana
doṣo yady api tasya syāt satām etad agarhitam
doṣo yady api tasya syāt satām etad agarhitam
“One who has come to me as a friend I will never turn away, even if he has faults. The good see nothing wrong in that.”
जो मित्र भाव से मेरे पास आया है, उसे मैं किसी भी हाल में नहीं त्यागूँगा — चाहे उसमें कोई दोष ही क्यों न हो। सज्जन इसे अनुचित नहीं मानते।
Valmiki Ramayana · Yuddha Kanda 6.12.3 · Rama to his council, when Vibhishana arrives
अनृतं नोक्तपूर्वं मे न च वक्ष्ये कदाचन
एतत्ते प्रतिजानामि सत्येनैव शपामि ते
एतत्ते प्रतिजानामि सत्येनैव शपामि ते
anṛtaṃ noktapūrvaṃ me na ca vakṣye kadācana
etat te pratijānāmi satyenaiva śapāmi te
etat te pratijānāmi satyenaiva śapāmi te
“I have never spoken an untruth, and I never will. This I promise you — I swear it to you by truth itself.”
मैंने पहले कभी असत्य नहीं कहा, और कभी कहूँगा भी नहीं। यह मैं तुमसे प्रतिज्ञा करता हूँ — सत्य की ही शपथ लेकर।
Valmiki Ramayana · Kishkindha Kanda 4.7.21 · Rama to Sugriva
नाहमर्थपरो देवि लोकमावस्तुमुत्सहे
विद्धि मामृषिभिस्तुल्यं केवलं धर्ममास्थितम्
विद्धि मामृषिभिस्तुल्यं केवलं धर्ममास्थितम्
nāham arthaparo devi lokam āvastum utsahe
viddhi mām ṛṣibhis tulyaṃ kevalaṃ dharmam āsthitam
viddhi mām ṛṣibhis tulyaṃ kevalaṃ dharmam āsthitam
“I do not care to live in the world for the sake of wealth, queen. Know me as one like the sages, standing on dharma alone.”
हे देवी, मैं धन के लिए संसार में नहीं रहना चाहता। मुझे ऋषियों के समान, केवल धर्म पर टिका हुआ जानो।
Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda 2.16.46 · Rama to Kaikeyi
अप्यहं जीवितं जह्यां त्वां वा सीते सलक्ष्मणाम्
न तु प्रतिज्ञां संश्रुत्य ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशेषतः
न तु प्रतिज्ञां संश्रुत्य ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशेषतः
apy ahaṃ jīvitaṃ jahyāṃ tvāṃ vā sīte salakṣmaṇām
na tu pratijñāṃ saṃśrutya brāhmaṇebhyo viśeṣataḥ
na tu pratijñāṃ saṃśrutya brāhmaṇebhyo viśeṣataḥ
“I could give up my life, Sita — even you, and Lakshmana — but not a promise once made, least of all one made to the sages.”
हे सीता, मैं अपने प्राण छोड़ सकता हूँ, तुम्हें और लक्ष्मण को भी — पर दी हुई प्रतिज्ञा नहीं, विशेषकर ऋषियों को दी हुई।
Valmiki Ramayana · Aranya Kanda 3.9.18 · Rama to Sita
मरणान्तानि वैराणि निर्वृत्तं नः प्रयोजनम्
क्रियतामस्य संस्कारो ममाप्येष यथा तव
क्रियतामस्य संस्कारो ममाप्येष यथा तव
maraṇāntāni vairāṇi nirvṛttaṃ naḥ prayojanam
kriyatām asya saṃskāro mamāpy eṣa yathā tava
kriyatām asya saṃskāro mamāpy eṣa yathā tava
“Enmity ends with death. Our purpose is done. Let his funeral rites be performed — he is mine to honour now, as he is yours.”
बैर मृत्यु तक ही रहता है। हमारा उद्देश्य पूरा हो गया। इसका अंतिम संस्कार किया जाए — अब यह जैसे तुम्हारा है, वैसे ही मेरा भी है।
Valmiki Ramayana · Yuddha Kanda 6.99.39 · Rama to Vibhishana, after Ravana's death
The other side of the story
पराङ्मुखवधं कृत्वा को नु प्राप्तस्त्वया गुणः
यदहं युद्धसंरब्धस्त्वत्कृते निधनं गतः
यदहं युद्धसंरब्धस्त्वत्कृते निधनं गतः
parāṅmukhavadhaṃ kṛtvā ko nu prāptas tvayā guṇaḥ
yad ahaṃ yuddhasaṃrabdhas tvatkṛte nidhanaṃ gataḥ
yad ahaṃ yuddhasaṃrabdhas tvatkṛte nidhanaṃ gataḥ
“What merit have you won by striking a man whose back was turned — that I, while fighting someone else, have met my death because of you?”
पीठ फेरे हुए को मारकर तुमने कौन-सा गुण पाया — कि मैं किसी और से युद्ध में लगा था और तुम्हारे कारण मारा गया?
Valmiki Ramayana · Kishkindha Kanda 4.17.13 · Vali to Rama
Valmiki lets Rama be questioned. Vali, shot from cover while fighting his brother Sugriva, asks him this as he lies dying, and Rama answers at length in the next chapter (4.18): Vali had taken his brother's wife, and Rama says he acted as the agent of the king's justice. Readers have argued about it for two thousand years. That's part of why Rama still matters — the Ramayana shows him keeping dharma under pressure, and doesn't hide the moments where people disagree.
Famous "Ram quotes" that aren't from Valmiki's Ramayana
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जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी"Mother and motherland are greater than heaven" — usually given as Rama telling Lakshmana that even golden Lanka can't tempt him. It is not in the critical edition of Valmiki's Ramayana. One 1930 Madras printing has the half-line in a different verse, spoken by the sage Bharadvaja; the "golden Lanka" version has no source anyone has found.Not in the critical edition · later printings only
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यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः"Where there is dharma, there is victory" — on our Ram vs Ravan poster, and the motto of the Supreme Court of India. It is from the Mahabharata, not the Ramayana: it comes up again and again there, from Bhishma (6.62.34) to Gandhari's blessing to Duryodhana (11.17.6) — and even Karna says it to Krishna (5.141.33).Mahabharata · e.g. Bhishma Parva 6.62.34 · not the Ramayana
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रघुकुल रीति सदा चलि आई…Shared as Rama's words, but in the Ramcharitmanas it's his father Dasharatha who says it, to Kaikeyi, just before she asks for Rama's exile. And it's Tulsidas's Awadhi, not Valmiki's Sanskrit.Ramcharitmanas, Ayodhya Kand · spoken by Dasharatha
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राम रामेति रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे…Often printed at the end of the Vishnu Sahasranama and called "Mahabharata". It isn't in the critical edition of the Mahabharata; it is verse 38 of the Ramraksha Stotra.Rāmarakṣā Stotra 38
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सियाराम मय सब जग जानी…The Gita Press text of the Ramcharitmanas reads सीय राममय सब जग जानी. Same meaning — just check the spelling before printing or tattooing it.Ramcharitmanas, Bal Kand · Gita Press reading
Questions people ask
Who said “रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः”?
Maricha — the demon who later becomes the golden deer. In Aranya Kanda 3.35.13 he warns Ravana not to cross Rama: “Rama is dharma in human form.” The most famous praise of Rama comes from someone on the other side.
Did Ram say “जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी”?
Not in the critical edition of Valmiki's Ramayana. The line appears in some later printings, but the popular version — Rama telling Lakshmana that even golden Lanka can't tempt him — has no known source.
Is “यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः” from the Ramayana?
No, it is from the Mahabharata, where it appears many times. It fits Rama's story well, which is why it's on our Ram vs Ravan poster — but the words are Vyasa's, not Valmiki's.
What does “रामो द्विर्नाभिभाषते” mean?
Rama does not speak twice: once he says he'll do something, it's done. He says it of himself to Kaikeyi (Ayodhya Kanda 2.16.19), moments before learning he's to be exiled — and then goes.
Where do these meanings come from?
The Sanskrit is from the critical edition of Valmiki's Ramayana (Oriental Institute, Baroda) and the traditional text of the Ramraksha Stotra. The Awadhi lines are from the Gita Press text of the Ramcharitmanas. The English and Hindi renderings are our own.
Bring Shri Ram home
