Articles — Ashtakam

Shri Hanuman Sathika is a powerful hymn in praise of Lord Hanuman. It has a total of sixty 'Chopais' hence the name 'Sathika'. This was composed by Great devotee saint poet Shri Tulsidas Ji. Recitation of this removes diseases, debts, enemies and obstacles in the path of success and brings happiness in one's life. Shri Hanuman Sathika can be started from any Tuesday. One should chant this for 60 days unbroken to get above mentioned benefits. One should rise early in morning, do proper pooja of Shri Rama and then Shri hanumana, after this one should start chanting Shri Hanuman Sathika....

Sri Vinayaga sapthakam (tamil)   (The seven stanza prayer addressed to Ganesa) Translated by Shri P.R,Ramachander     1.Guruve, Paraman kozhunde panithen, Kuvalayam pothum Gana Nadha, Varuvai ninaivil Vandhu yenai aalvai, Vadivelanin sodharane, Arulvai, unaye anu dinam paniven, Annai Parashakthi arul magane, Dheena rakshagane , Gana nadhaa.   Oh teacher, Oh darling baby of Shiva, I bow before you, Oh Lord of Ganas who is praised by all the world, Come in to my thoughts and rule over me, Oh brother of Vadi vela(Subrahmanya), Shower your grace, I would daily bow before you, Oh divine son of Goddess Para Shakthi,...

Shri Shiva Mangalashtakam  (Mangala Octet on Lord Shiva) Translated by Shri P.R.Ramachander   (Mangala stotras are normally recited at the end of reciting several stotras or the end of singing several songs or at the end of an auspicious function. The devotee wishes auspiciousness to the Lord. Mangalam may also mean “good wishes”, or “wishes for a happy ending”.)     Bhavvaya Chandra choodaya , Nirgunaya gunathmane, Kalakalaya rudhraya Neelagreevaya Mangalam, 1   Mangalam to him who has a blue neck, Who makes things happen, Who wears the crescent of moon, Who is without properties, Who is the soul of...

Durgai ashtakam is an Octad to Goddess Durga. It is also known as Apaduddharaka stotram and is said to be the "stava raja " or the king among the hymns to Goddess Durga. Durga Ashtakam means 8 shlokas of goddess durga. It is said in 9th shloka that one who listens or recites this stotram everyday morning will get desired results in life. Durga Ashtakam Stotra is very devine stotra to listen. Shri Durgai ashtakam in Tamil By Durgai Chithar Translated by Shri P.R.Ramachander 1. Inba nalan alippavalai, Iniyanave  tharubavalai, Anbudaya  annayavalai, Arum  sivanai  mananthavalai, Yennudaya idhayathe, Ponnuyiraai iruppavalai, Nan malarial  pojithu, Namo durga  yendriduven. She who  grants joyful  pleasant life, She who gives only...

Lord Subramanya also known as Murugan, Skanda, Kumara and Kartikeya is elder son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is brother of Lord Ganesha. Shri Subramanya Ashtakam also known as Swaminatha Karavalambam is an octet composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, praising Lord Subramanya. Shri Subramanya Ashtakam is recited to get rid of all present and past birth sins. The stotra is an octet composed by Sri Guru Adi Shankaracharya, praising Lord Subrahmanya. Swaminatha Ashtakam has 8 stanzas similar to Astakams and each stanza ends with sentence Vallisa Nadha Mama Dehi Karavalambam asking Lord Murugan to extend a hand of support and save...

Bala Mukunda Ashtakam begins as 'Kararavindena Padaravindam'. It is a prayer dedicated to Lord Krishna. Shri Bilvmangal Thakur has written this song ”kararavindena padaravindam”.Shri Bilvmangal Thakur Sri Krishna Chaitanya opulence, childhood forms, Sri Krishna’s past time held in Vrindavana. करारविन्देन पदारविन्दं मुखारविन्दे विनिवेशयन्तम्।वटस्य पत्रस्य पुटे शयानं बालं मुकुन्दं मनसा स्मरामि।। kararavindena padaravindam mukharavinde vinivesayantam vatasya patrasya putesayanam balam mukundam manasa smarami I meditate on that infant Mukunda (Krsna) who is sleeping on the leaf of a banyan tree with his the lotus like foot placed in his lotus like mouth with his lotus like hand. सम्हृत्य लोकान् वटपत्रमध्ये शयानमाद्यन्तविहीनरूपम्। सर्वेश्वरं सर्वहितावतारं बालं मुकुन्दं मनसा...

Lord Murugan or Subramanya is elder son of Shiva and Parvati and hence the brother of Sri Ganesha. Sri Subramanya Ashtakam, also known as Swaminatha Karavalambam is an octet composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, praising Lord Subramanya. Shri Subramanya Ashtakam is recited to get rid of all present and past birth sins. The stotra is an octet composed by Sri Guru Adi Shankaracharya, praising Lord Subrahmanya. Swaminatha Ashtakam has 8 stanzas similar to Astakams and each stanza ends with sentence Vallisa Nadha Mama Dehi Karavalambam asking Lord Murugan to extend a hand of support and save the devotee. Sri Subramanya is worshipped on Tuesday...

Sri Vaidyanatha Ashtakam is a beautiful Hymn Composed by Sri Adi Shankara devoted to Lord Shiva, Who is known as Vaidyanatha. Lord Shiva is considered as the king among physicians (Lord Vaidyanatha) and many people pray to him for curing serious illness/disease when they or their family members are affected by it .Devotees who are desirous of getting cured of diseases should recite Shri Vaidyanatha Ashtakam thrice a day. Shri Vaidyanatha Ashtakam has been translated in english by Sh. P. R. Ramachander. श्री वैद्यनाथाष्टकम् Shri Vaidyanatha Ashtakam श्रीराम सौमित्रि जटायुवॆद-षडाननादित्य कुजार्चिताय ।श्री नीलकण्ठाय दयामयायश्री वैद्यनाथाय नमः शिवाय ॥ १ ॥ Sree rama soumithri jatayu veda,Shadanadithya kujarchithya,Sree neelakandaya...

Shri Venkatesha ashtakam is a powerful hymn devoted to Lord Tirupati balaji or Venkatesha as he is popularly known. Shri Venkatesha ashtakam is mentioned in Brahmanda Purana, which occurs in the chapter 4 on “ Greatness of the Venkata mountain”, which occurs in the midst of the discussion between Lord Brahma and sage Narada. Shri Venkatesha ashtakam has been translated in english by Shri P.R.Ramachander.    Shri Venkatesha ashtakam (from Brahmanda Purana.) (The octet on Venkatesha) , Translated by Shri P.R.Ramachander 1.Venkatesho , Vasudeva, pradhyumno , amitha Vikrama,Sankarshano anirudhascha Seshadri patireva cha.He is Lord of Venkata mountain , son of Vasudeva , Pradhyumna,The greatly valorous Sankarshana...

Shri Ganesha Mangalashtakam is one of the powerful prayer dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Shri Ganesha Mangalashtakam means The Mangala Octet of Ganesha. Mangala stotras are normally recited at the end of reciting several stotras or the end of singing several songs or at the end of an auspicious function. The devotee wishes auspiciousness to the Lord. Mangalam may also mean good wishes or wishes for a happy ending. He who reads Shri Ganesha Mangalashtakam with devotion, Which causes good, Would without effort remove all obstacles in his way. The recitation of the Shri Ganesha Mangalashtakam also brings happiness in the life of the worshippers and...

Shri Sudarshana Ashtakam was composed by Shri Vedanta Desika. Shri sudarshana Ashtakam is a highly powerful prayer dedicated to Lord Sudarshana, the main weapon of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that those who chant Sudarshana Ashtakam with devotion will fulfill all his desires and will be able to remove any obstacles in life because of the glorious boon granting powers of the Lord Sudarshana. Those, who recite Shri Sudarshana Ashtakam Stotram consisting of 8 verses in praise of Sudarsana comprehend the deep references to the glory of Lord Sudarsana and will have the fulfillment of all their wishes.The Boon-granting powers of Lord Sudarsana...

Shri Shiva Bilvashtakam was composed by Jagad Guru Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Shri Shiva Bilvashtakam is a powerful chant that speaks of the power and glory of offering bilva leaves to Lord Shiva. They are to be offered in a group of three leaves and are said to have features that identify them with Lord Shiva himself. Bilva Patra shares a very special relationship with Lord Shiva. Shiva is very fond of Belpatra or the Bilva leaves. If a person prays to Shiva with a clear mind and offers a Belpatra to the Shivalinga, the Lord blesses them with whatever they desires....

Sri Durga Aapadudhdaara ashtakam is dedicated at the lotus feet of Goddess Durga. The word "Durga" in Sanskrit means a fort, or a place which is difficult to overrun. Another meaning of "Durga" is "Durgatinashini," which literally translates into "the one who eliminates sufferings.  Sri Durga Aapadudhdaara ashtakam is chanted by devotees of Maa Durga to get rid of sorrows, sufferings and problems in their life. Sri Durga Aapadudhdaara ashtakam is a great prayer which is exclusively meant for people to get saved from perils and dangers. श्री दुर्गा आपदुद्धाराष्टकम् नमस्ते शरण्ये शिवे सानुकम्पे नमस्ते जगद्व्यापिके विश्वरूपे |नमस्ते जगद्वन्द्यपादारविन्दे नमस्ते जगत्तारिणि त्राहि दुर्गे...

Shri Vishwanathashtakam is composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. According to Hindu mythology, Varanasi was founded by Lord Shiva. The city also known as Kashi and Benaras is one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus. To the Hindus, the Ganges is a sacred river and any town or city on its bank is believed to be auspicious. But Varanasi has a special sanctity, for it is believed, this is where Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati stood when time started ticking for the first time. Hindus believe that a person who breaths his last in Kashi, is blessed with eternal salvation, thus freed from...

Shri Rama Ashtakam ( श्री रामाष्टकम् ) was composed by Sage Vyasa in Sanskrit. Rishi Vyasa says in this Rama Ashtakam that he worships Rama since Sri Rama removes all the sins of the devotees. Sri Rama always makes his devotees happy. He removes fear of his devotees. The teachings of Lord Rama reminds us that sorrow and joy, fear and anger, gain and loss, life and death, indeed everything that happens, is due to the action of fate. Sri Ram's life and journey is one of perfect adherence to dharma despite harsh tests of life and time. He is pictured as the...

Surya Dev is one of the main deities of Hinduism. Surya Dev is considered the life giver and one who nourishes. Shri Surya Mandala ashtakam is from Aditya Hrudaya. Shri Surya Mandala ashtakam is hyme in praise of God Surya. It is said in the stotra that Surya mandal vanishes poverty and sorrow. Surya dev is the only Navgrah that is easily visible to the naked eye. Many scriptures uphold his importance as the chief among these nine planets.All life generates from the heat and light of the Sun. Without Surya, the entire universe would be covered in deep darkness and creation itself...

Shri Pandurang ashtakam (Pandurangashtakam) Stotra is a very beautiful creation of Shri  Adi Shankaracharya. Pandurangashtakam stotra was composed in Sanskrit. It is sung in praise of God Panduranga who is standing on a brick for his devotees, to give them blessings, peace and happiness and every thing they deserve. God Panduranga is Lord Vishnu’s avatar. Adi Shankaracharya tells us why he worships God Panduranga. Shri Panduranga is also known as Vitthal , Vithal or Panduranga Vithal. Lord Vithal, or Panduranga Vittala, is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is worshipped in the world famous Pandarpur Rukmini Vithal Temple at Pandarpur in Maharashtra....

Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam in Sanskrit Is the prayer dedicated to  Goddess Lakshmi Devi. Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is taken from Padma Purana and this devotional prayer was chanted by Lord Indra in praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual In Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi, also called Shri, is the divine spouse of Lord Vishnu and provides him with wealth for the maintenance and preservation of the creation. One should chant Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam daily to...

Sri Annapurna Ashtakam is written by guru Adi Shankaracharya to praise and invoke the grace of Mother Goddess Annapurneswari. Maa Annapurna is the Hindu goddess of food and cooking. She is the goddess who holds in one hand a jeweled vessel containing food and in the other a golden spoon to distribute the food among her devotees. She has the power to distribute food to an unlimited amount of people. Annapurna in Sanskrit is a combination of two words Anna + purna; 'Anna' means food and 'purna' means complete, together the term Annapurna literally means "one who is full of food." The verses...

Shri Jagannath Ashtakam was composed by Adi Sankracharya in praise of Lord Jagannath on his visit to Puri. The most important of hymns of Lord Jagannath, the Ashtakam was recited by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu on his visit to Jagannath temple. The merit of reciting the sacred Jagannath ashtakam carefully is such that, one becomes sinless and pure hearted and gains entrance to Vishnuloka. कदाचित् कालिन्दी तट विपिन सङ्गीत तरलोमुदाभीरी नारी वदन कमला स्वाद मधुपःरमा शम्भु ब्रह्मामरपति गणेशार्चित पदोजगन्नाथः स्वामी नयन पथ गामी भवतु मे ॥१॥ kadācit kālindī-taṭa-vipina-saṅgīta ta ralomudābhīrī-nārī-vadana-kamalāśvāda-madhupaḥramā-śambhu-brahmāmara-pati-gaṇeśārcita-padojagannāthaḥ svāmī nayana-patha-gāmī bhavatu me (1) Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannatha, with His...

Shree Krishna Madhurashtakam (श्री कृष्णमधुराष्टकम), composed by Sri Vallabhacharya (1478 A.D), is a unique stotra, describing the Sweetness of Lord Sri Krishna. Shree Krishna Madhurashtakam (श्री कृष्णमधुराष्टकम) was originally written in Sanskrit and is easily understood. Only one word, madhuram, is repeated seven times each in this ashtakam. Ashta means 8, this stotra has 8 verses in it. Shree Krishna Madhurashtakam (श्री कृष्णमधुराष्टकम) uses just one adjective, "madhuram", meaning sweet or beautiful etc., to describe the lovely attributes of Lord Sri Krishna's beautiful form, who is the master of Sweetness and Sweetness personified. It is evident from the ashtakam that the...

Sri Ganesha ashtakam is an octet meaning eight versus in glorification and praise of Lord Ganesha. Sri Ganesha Ashtakam is a powerful Hindu mantra of Lord Ganesha - the remover of obstacles in life.Those who sing Sri Ganesha Ashtakam with an ocean of devotion inside, having liberated from all their sins, go towards the Rudra-Loka.  श्री गणेश अष्टाकम Sri Ganesha ashtakam एकदन्तं महाकायं तप्तकांचनसन्निभम् । लम्बॊदरं विशालाक्षं वन्दॆऽहं गणनायकम् ॥१॥ Ekadantam Mahaakaayam Taptakaajnchana sannibham Lambodaram Vishaalaaxam Vande Ham Gananaayakam ॥1॥ Salutations to the God who is the leader of Ganas,Who has only one tusk, Who has a very big body, Who looks like molten...

भगवान भैरव शिव के स्वरूप हैं। वे कलियुग की बाधाओं का शीघ्र निवारण करने वाले देवता माने जाते हैं। खासतौर से प्रेत व तांत्रिक बाधा के दोष उनके पूजन से दूर हो जाते हैं। संतान की दीर्घायु हो या गृहस्वामी का स्वास्थ्य, भगवान भैरव स्मरण और पूजन मात्र से उनके कष्टों को दूर कर देते हैं।भगवान भैरव के पूजन से राहु-केतु शांत हो जाते हैं। उनके पूजन में भैरव अष्टक और भैरव कवच का पाठ जरूर करना चाहिए। इससे शीघ्र फल मिलता है। साथ ही तांत्रिक व प्रेत बाधा का संकट टल जाता है। काल भैरव अष्टक देवराजसेव्यमानपावनांघ्रिपङ्कजं व्यालयज्ञसूत्रमिन्दुशेखरं कृपाकरम् ।...

The Rudrashtakam is an ashtakam or octet (a prayer with eight rhyming verses) dedicated to the manifestation of Shiva. It was composed by Swami Tulsidas in the fifteenth century. Rudra is considered as the fearsome manifestation of Shiva who is to be feared.This eightfold hymn of praise was sung to please Shankara. Lord Shiva will be pleased with whomever heartfully recites it. Rudrashtakam has its origins in the Ramayana, the great Sanskrit epic, written by Goswami Tulsidas(16th century AD) in Varanasi, the city sacred to Lord Shiva. Tulsidasji was writing the Ramcharitmanas in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, when this...

Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam stotra (or Lakshmi Ashtakam ) is a devotional hymn, a declaration of faith and devotion to Goddess Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam stotra was first recited by God Indra in praise of Goddess Shri Lakshmi originally appeared in Padmapuranam (Padma Purana) propitiate Goddess Mahalakshmi. It is written in eight couplets and is and an octet hence got the name “ashtakam” in Sanskrit. This is a prayer to Goddess Maha Lakshmi who is also called “Shree” and represents wealth as well as auspiciousness. Reciting or listening Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam every day will benefit the person will...

Shiva Lingashtakam or Shiv Linga Ashtakam is a highly revered prayer to Shiva. Shiva Lingashtakam features eight Stanzas on glory of Shivalinga and it is said that any Shiva devotee who chants the holy octet of the Shiva Lingam with great devotion would in the end get moksha (liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth) and will reach the Shiva Loka (the world of God Shiva). ब्रह्ममुरारि सुरार्चित लिङ्गंनिर्मलभासित शोभित लिङ्गम् ।जन्मज दुःख विनाशक लिङ्गंतत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥ 1 ॥ Brahma Muraari Surarchita LingamNirmala Bhaashita Sobhitha LingamJanmaja Dhukha Vinaasaha LingamTatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam 1 Meaning: I bow before that Lingam, which is...

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak, also known as Hanuman Aashtak, is a devotional Hindi Bhajan song dedicated to Sri Hanuman. Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashtakam (Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharo) was written By Tulsidas, a great devotee of Hanumanji. Ashtak, or Astakam, literally means eight and the prayer contain eight verses in praise of Lord Hanuman and the bhajan ends with a Doha. In most Lord Hanumanji Temples, this Sankatmochan Hanuman ashtak is chanted after the Hanuman Chalisa. This mantra not only benefits the people who utter it, but also provides benefits to his or her family members. This mantra helps in mental relaxation and...

The Kala Bhairav Ashtakam was composed by the great philosopher saint of the 8th century AD Adi Shankara. It has a selection of 8 Slokams hence called a Ashtakam. It is considered highly auspicious to chant Kala Bhairava Ashtakam during Kalashtami day.ala Bhairava Ashtakam is a stotram on Lord Kala Bhairava. God Kalabhairava is the destructive form of god Shiva. Kalabhairava is also regarded as the guardian of Lord Shiva Temples.  Deva raja sevya mana pavangri pankajam,Vyala yagna suthra mindu shekaram krupakaram,Naradadhi yogi vrundha vandhitham digambaram,Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 1 Meaning I salute Kalabhairava, the lord of the city...

Shivashtakam प्रभुं प्राणनाथं विभुं विश्वनाथं जगन्नाथ नाथं सदानन्द भाजाम् ।भवद्भव्य भूतॆश्वरं भूतनाथं, शिवं शङ्करं शम्भु मीशानमीडॆ prabhuṃ prāṇanāthaṃ vibhuṃ viśvanāthaṃ jagannātha nāthaṃ sadānanda bhājām |bhavadbhavya bhūteśvaraṃ bhūtanāthaṃ, śivaṃ śaṅkaraṃ śambhu mīśānamīḍe I pray You, Siva, Sankara, Sambhu, Who is the Lord, Who is the Lord of our lives, Who is Vibhu, Who is the Lord of the world, Who is the Lord of Vishnu (Jagannatha), Who is always dwelling in happiness, Who imparts light or shine to everything, Who is the Lord of living beings, Who is the Lord of ghosts, and Who is the Lord of everyone. ||1||गलॆ रुण्डमालं...