Anushtubh Metre: A Unique Secret of Devotion, Beyond Grammar!
In his discourse on the Ramraksha Stotramantra, Sadguru Aniruddha first explains what the word “Chhand” (metre) means, based on the line “Anushtubha Chhandah.”
Bapu says, “Chhand” refers to the specific structural pattern used in composing a poem or a hymn. The Ramraksha is composed in the Anushtubh metre. This metre consists of 4 lines (pādas), each having 8 syllables — a total of 32 syllables.
The origin of this metre is connected to the story of Sage Valmiki and the pair of Krauncha birds. When Valmiki witnessed the separation of a male krauncha bird and its female mate, the words that spontaneously flowed from his heart were in the Anushtubh metre. Later, he composed the Ramayana in this very same metre, which is why it is considered supreme.
This metre is also known as Gayatri-putra (the “son of Gayatri”) and Chhandayoni (the “source of all metres”). Sadguru Aniruddha explains that when we understand the metrical form and the story behind the composition of the Ram Raksha, we can better experience the true beauty, meaning, and power behind the words we recite.
Important aspects to consider when accepting any teaching or guidance from a scripture:
Bapu further explains that whenever we accept any teaching or guidance from a scripture, we must look at the following points –
- Do we have faith in the person giving the teaching or in the scripture itself?
- What impact will this teaching have on our life?
Both of these depend on one fundamental factor – the love that the person or the author of the scripture has for us.
Advice given without love does not have a lasting effect. When guidance comes from love, it truly touches the heart and transforms life.
Anushtubh Metre – Born Out of Love
The Anushtubh metre in the Ram Raksha Stotra is itself a symbol of this very love. When Sage Valmiki, despite having no personal connection with the krauncha birds, was pained by the separation of the krauncha couple, the words that flowed from his heart gave birth to this metre. It is said that because of this very metre, even the dead krauncha regained life.
Then, can’t the recitation of Ram Raksha in the Anushtubh metre transform our lives burdened with adverse fate?
Every single line of Ram Raksha is composed in this Anushtubh metre; and that is why this metre holds the power to revive our lifeless emotions, love, and faith. However, for that to happen, it is essential that there is genuine love for Rama in our hearts.
The Story of Sant Chokhamela and Sant Banka Mahar – Wiping out the Duality Between Devotee and the Divine
After this, Sadguru Aniruddha narrated the story of the great saints of the Warkari tradition, Sant Chokhamela and Sant Banka Mahar. Both considered each other as their own Guru, and in this state of love and egolessness, they became completely immersed. Muktabai tells them, “There is greater joy in remaining a disciple than in becoming a Guru.”
Ultimately, Rakhumai (the consort of Panduranga) intervenes and leads both of them into a state of non-duality (advaita)—they become fully one with each other. This experience of oneness occurs by Panduranga’s grace and through the medium of the Anushtubh metre.
Through this story, Sadguru Aniruddha emphasizes that this metre is not just a poetic form; it is a bridge of love that strengthens devotion and removes the duality between the devotee and the Divine.
Anushtubh Metre and the Almighty’s Responsibility
While explaining the importance of the Anushtubh metre, Sadguru Aniruddha clearly states that when a devotee sincerely recites this metre, the responsibility of uniting with the Divine no longer rests on the devotee. Instead, God Himself takes upon the responsibility of uniting the devotee with Him. This is why the Ram Raksha Stotra, composed in the Anushtubh metre, is extremely powerful.
Sundarkanda – The Pinnacle of Hanuman’s Devotion
The Sundarkanda of the Ramayana is regarded as its most beautiful section. It describes Hanuman’s unparalleled devotion and spirit of service. He becomes the “Sitashoka-vinashaka” — the one who dispels Sita’s grief.
The prayer offered by Sita to Rama — “Dīnadayāl birudu sambhāri, harahu nātha mama saṅkaṭa bhāri” — is one of the greatest prayers because it is offered by Sita herself, who embodies devotion, addressing Rama as her God. And the one who carries this prayer to Rama is none other than Hanuman, the divine messenger of Rama.
Hanuman’s renunciation, pure devotion, humility, and his immense love for Rama and Sitamai make him the supreme devotee. He does not merely chant Rama’s name with his lips; every single cell of his being is saturated with Rama. That is why he is called Sitashoka-vinashaka and is revered as the ideal devotee.
The Extraordinary Story of Yayati and Rama
At the end of the discourse, Bapu narrated the story of Rama’s devotee, King Yayati, which beautifully illustrates the depth of his devotion to Rama. Yayati was a king and a close friend and devotee of Rama. Once, Sage Durvasa, in anger, takes a promise from Rama that He would kill Yayati.
Sita sends a message to Yayati’s wife to warn her but does not overstep the limits of her avatar-dharma (the code of conduct of her divine incarnation). At the same time, Anjani Mata takes a promise from her son Hanuman to protect Yayati. As a result, a situation arises where Rama and Hanuman have to fight each other.
Rama’s arrow pierces through Hanuman’s chest, but at that very moment, Rama Himself falls lifeless because Hanuman’s heart is filled with Rama. Ultimately, at Sita’s behest, Rama comes back to life.
This story reveals that just as Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita reside in Hanuman’s heart, in the same way, Hanuman too resides in Rama’s heart. Such is the beauty of Hanuman’s devotion, and that is why the Sundarkanda is considered so profoundly beautiful.
Sundarkanda – The Self-Manifested Anushtubh Metre and the Sound of Paravaani
The Sundarkanda is composed in a self-manifested Anushtubh metre. Sadguru Aniruddha explains an important meaning of the word Anushtubh: it refers to a sound that does not cause any explosion, does not break or shatter anything, nor emerges by striking something.
To produce sound, we usually need some impact — striking one metal against another or hitting wood against metal. But Anushtubh is a sound that arises without any such impact; it is the sound of Paravaani (the divine, subtle voice). Tulsidas did not utter the Sundarkanda; instead, Hanuman directly showed him the events as they unfolded, and Hanuman himself wrote it.
The Sundarkanda is thus a creation of Hanuman born out of Tulsidas’s love for him and his heartfelt sentiments. That is why the Sundarkanda is entirely Anushtubh.
This Ram Raksha is Anushtubh, and the entire Ramayana too is Anushtubh — because Rama Himself is Anushtubh. The son of Gayatri, Anushtubh, is none other than Shri Ram.