A Glimpse into Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu’s First Pravachan on Ramraksha

The discourse on Ramraksha is not just a discourse; it is a breathtaking saga of the boundless power of Ramnaam and how Rishi Budhakaushika gifted this sacred stotra to the world. Bapu began the discourse with the chanting of “Ram Ram Ram.” He explains that the “Ram” naam alone surpasses thousands of other naams in greatness. Wherever this name is remembered, sin simply cannot last. If the name of Ram is on one’s lips at the final moment of life, that moment does not signify an end; rather, it becomes the supreme culmination of one’s lifelong Sadhana. 

Ramraksha Stotra: Not Just a Stotra, but a Source of Energy! 

The Ramraksha Stotra is not merely a stotra; it is a living, awakened mantra. Bapu emphasizes that this composition is a lively prayer that takes you to the very root of Ramnaam. Beginning with the line “Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah,” this stotra was revealed by the sage Budhakaushika. Bapu beautifully explains the meaning of the name Budhakaushika: “Budha” means awakened, or discerning, and “Kaushika” means like the cloud. Just as a cloud stores water and rains down at the right time, this Rishi is a treasury of knowledge—a treasure that is always ready to give abundantly. There is no need to seek it; you only need to be ready to benefit from it. 

The Birth Story of Ramraksha 

The life of Budhakaushika Rishi was incredibly wondrous and inspiring. After the time of the Ramayana had passed and people had forgotten the Ramnaam, he began a pilgrimage across the whole of India. At the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Lord Shiva himself appeared before him. When Shiva asked him to wish for a boon, Budhakaushika Rishi expressed his desire that "May the Ramnaam be on the lips of every person in this world." Shiva lovingly explained that this was not possible, as every living being has ‘Freedom of action’ or freewill. Thus, the Ramnaam could not be placed on their lips against their will. 

Witnessing this, Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Nandi all began to perform penance. Seeing his deities striving so hard, Budhakaushika Rishi too gave up food and water and plunged into deep penance. 

Finally, when Prabhu Ram manifested before Shiva, at that very moment Shiva also appeared before Budhakaushika Rishi. Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu explains that this is a "Trikalatmak darshan," (darshan beyond time), it is the play of Prabhu Ram himself. Prabhu Ram then granted a boon: anyone who remembers Budhakaushika Rishi with faith will always have Ramnaam on their lips. 

Later, Ram took Budhakaushika Rishi into the sacred solitude of Shiva and Parvati, where they were immersed in the remembrance of Ram. Budhakaushika Rishi could not endure the brilliant radiance of that divine solitude—for that radiance itself was the power of Ramnaam. As he endured that light for the welfare of the world, Budha Kaushika Rishi entered a state of semi-sleep. It was in this very state that he heard the Ramraksha Stotra—a divine experience. 

Grace of Goddess Saraswati 

To ensure that Budhakaushika Rishi never developed any ego over his writing prowess, Goddess Saraswati herself performed a divine act: she took the pen in her own hands and wrote the Ramraksha Stotra. 

Who First Heard the Ramraksha Stotra? 

After the Ramraksha Stotra was completed, Budhakaushika Rishi wondered whom he should recite it to first. At that very moment, Sage Valmiki came running and claiming that he had the first right to hear it. 

Then came the Krauncha (crane) bird and his mate, the hunter who had shot the arrow at them, the blacksmith who had made that arrow, the blacksmith’s mother who had taught him the skill of making weapons and in this way, one after another, everyone came, all the way up to Sage Manu, as Sage Manu was the forefather of all mankind. Finally, Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva themselves arrived and claimed that they too had the first right to hear it. 

As everyone began insisting on their right to hear the Ramraksha first, Lord Shri Ram Himself manifested. He explained that because of this eagerness to hear the Ramraksha first, the entire universe had gathered there. Lord Shiva’s promise had indeed come true—for the entire human race had assembled to listen to the Ramraksha Stotra. And this is why it is said: “There is no being in this universe who has not, at some point, heard the Ramraksha.”  

Ramraksha: An Inexhaustible Treasure 

In the end, Bapu says that the Ramraksha is not merely a stotra; it is an inexhaustible treasure of Ramnaam that unites all beings in the universe. Budhakaushika Rishi, who surrendered his body, ego, and entire being to receive the Ramraksha from Lord Shiva, is naturally revered by all. 

When the birth story of the Ramraksha is so highly auspicious, when every single word within it is filled with such profound meaning, we realize that this stotra must indeed be supremely great. 

From this discourse, we understand the significance of Ramnaam, the birth story of the Ramraksha and the power of bhakti. We also understand the selfless dedication, sacrifice, and tireless efforts of Budhakaushika Rishi for the welfare of the entire world.