About this reading
Four names of Rama introduce the devotional imagery of dignity, lineage and his relationship with Sita.
This is a name invocation collection. The explanations below are concise reading aids, rather than a complete word-by-word translation. Recitation traditions can differ.
Original text and meaning
1. श्रीरामाय
ॐ श्रीरामाय नमः ।
Roman reading: Oṃ śrīrāmāya namaḥ .
Meaning: Salutations to Shri Rama.
2. रामचन्द्राय
ॐ रामचन्द्राय नमः ।
Roman reading: Oṃ rāmacandrāya namaḥ .
Meaning: Salutations to Rama revered as Ramachandra.
3. राघवाय
ॐ राघवाय नमः ।
Roman reading: Oṃ rāghavāya namaḥ .
Meaning: Salutations to Rama of the Raghu lineage.
4. जानकीवल्लभाय
ॐ जानकीवल्लभाय नमः ।
Roman reading: Oṃ jānakīvallabhāya namaḥ .
Meaning: Salutations to Rama, beloved of Janaki or Sita.
Reading and repetition
- Read the text slowly and understand its meaning first. You may begin with one name or one prayer.
- Sit comfortably and repeat at a natural pace. Clear, attentive reading matters more than a count; no number is prescribed for every reader.
- Roman text is a reading aid. It does not encode Vedic pitch accents or replace instruction in your recitation tradition. Follow appropriate guidance for a formal ritual.
- The accompanying artwork is a symbolic devotional depiction. Use it to connect the name being read with its subject.
Text reference
Consult the Sanskrit text reference
The collection uses selected names and short traditional texts. The explanations and reading guidance above were written for this collection.
