Totakashtakam

तोटकाष्टकम् • तोटकाष्टकम्

Stotram Adi Shankaracharya (Guru)

About

Totakashtakam is an exquisite hymn of eight verses composed by Totakacharya (also known as Anandagiri) in praise of his Guru, Adi Shankaracharya. Written in the unique Totaka meter (hence the name), it expresses the disciple's deep devotion and the liberating power of the Guru's grace. Each verse ends with the refrain seeking the Guru's compassionate glance.

Quick Reference

Author
Totakacharya
Language
Sanskrit
Verse Count
8
Source
Composed by Totakacharya, disciple of Adi Shankaracharya

Benefits

  • Develops deep devotion to Guru
  • Removes spiritual ignorance
  • Grants grace of the Guru lineage
  • Leads to Self-knowledge
  • Purifies the mind and heart
  • Bestows spiritual wisdom
  • Connects to the tradition of Shankaracharya

When to Recite

Days Thursday (Guruvar), Daily
Times Morning, Before meditation or study
Occasions Guru Purnima, Shankaracharya Jayanti, Before spiritual practice
Recommended Count Once or more with devotion

Verses

Main Verse 1

विदिताखिलशास्त्रसुधाजलधे महितोपनिषत्कथितार्थनिधे। हृदये कलये विमलं चरणं भव शंकरदेशिक मे शरणम्॥

Viditakhila Shastra Sudhajaladhe Mahitopanishat Kathitarthanidhe | Hridaye Kalaye Vimalam Charanam Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharanam ||

Main Verse 2

करुणावरुणालय पालय मां भवसागरदुःखविदूनहृदम्। रचयाखिलदर्शनतत्त्वविदं भव शंकरदेशिक मे शरणम्॥

Karunavaruna Alaya Palaya Mam Bhavasagara Duhkha Viduna Hridam | Rachayakhila Darshana Tattvam Vidam Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharanam ||

Main Verse 3

भवता जनता सुहिता भविता निजबोधविचारण चारुमते। कलयेश्वरजीवविवेकविदं भव शंकरदेशिक मे शरणम्॥

Bhavata Janata Suhita Bhavita Nijabodha Vicharana Charumate | Kalayeshvara Jiva Viveka Vidam Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharanam ||

Main Verse 4

भव एव भवानिति मे नितरां समजायत चेतसि कौतुकिता। मम वारय मोहमहाजलधिं भव शंकरदेशिक मे शरणम्॥

Bhava Eva Bhavaniti Me Nitaram Samajayata Chetasi Kautukita | Mama Varaya Moha Mahajaladhi Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharanam ||

Main Verse 5

सुकृते ऽधिकृते बहुधा भवतो भविता समदर्शनलालसता। अतिदीनमिमं परिपालय मां भव शंकरदेशिक मे शरणम्॥

Sukrite Adhikrite Bahudha Bhavato Bhavita Samadarshana Lalasata | Atideenam Imam Paripalaya Mam Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharanam ||

Main Verse 6

जगतीमवितुं कलिताकृतयो विचरन्ति महामहसश्छलतः। अहिमांशुरिवात्र विभासि गुरो भव शंकरदेशिक मे शरणम्॥

Jagatim Avitum Kalitakritayo Vicharanti Mahamahasash Chhalatah | Ahimamshur Ivatra Vibhasi Guro Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharanam ||

Main Verse 7

गुरुपुंगव पुंगवकेतन ते समतामयतां नहि कोऽपि सुधीः। शरणागतवत्सल तत्त्वनिधे भव शंकरदेशिक मे शरणम्॥

Gurupungava Pungavaketana Te Samatam Ayatam Nahi Kopi Sudhih | Sharanagata Vatsala Tattvanidheh Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharanam ||

Main Verse 8 Closing

विदिता न मया विशदैककला न च किंचन कांचनमस्ति गुरो। द्रुतमेव विधेहि कृपां सहजां भव शंकरदेशिक मे शरणम्॥

Vidita Na Maya Vishada Ekakala Na Cha Kinchana Kanchanam Asti Guro | Drutam Eva Vidhehi Kripam Sahajam Bhava Shankara Deshika Me Sharanam ||