Rama
Shri Rama Jaya Rama — the thirteen-syllable jaap
श्री राम जय राम जय जय राम
Śrī Rāma Jaya Rāma Jaya Jaya Rāma
Simple reading: Shree raa-ma ja-ya raa-ma ja-ya ja-ya raa-ma
About this mantra
The thirteen-syllable Rama jaap beloved of Samarth Ramdas and generations of devotees — simple enough for a child, deep enough for a lifetime.
Meaning
Revered Rama — victory to Rama, victory, victory to Rama. Thirteen syllables and only three words among them: an honorific, a name, and jaya. The jaap does not describe Rama and does not petition him; it takes his side. Each repetition is the heart declaring, once more, which way it wants the battle inside itself to go.
When to recite it
The taraka jaap for all hours — many keep a daily 108; Ram Navami, the closing days of Chaitra Navratri, and hard inner battles are its seasons. Traditionally also counted while walking.
Word by word
- श्रीśrī
- revered, auspicious
- रामrāma
- Rama — he who delights all
- जयjaya
- victory, glory
Source: Rāma-nāma jaap tradition (popularised by Samartha Rāmdās)