Stotra
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Stotra literally means ‘chant of praise’.
Meaning of Stotra[edit]
The word stotra is used in two senses:
- The Vedic
- The paurāṇic
Significance of Stotras[edit]
The Vedic stotra is composed of verses taken mainly from the Rgveda. These verses are chanted as per the rules of intonation, especially those of the Sāmaveda. A stotra always precedes a śastra.[1] It may be in any one of the innumerable melodies,[2] and stobhas are added at appropriate places.
Chanting of a Stotra[edit]
All stotras are chanted or sung by the udgātṛ and his assistants, prastotṛ and pratihartṛ. In Somayāgas, the stotras are spread over all the three savanas. According to the purāṇas and devotional literature, a stotra is a hymn of the outpourings of the heart of a devotee of God. Stava, stuti and nati are the equivalents for the word stotra. Though they may be in any language, either in prose or in poetry, only the Sanskrit hymnal literature will be considered here. They are legion.
Contents of a Stotra[edit]
The subject matter of these stotras ranges from the sublime heights of philosophy or mystical experiences, to the petitioning for the small comforts of life here and now. A few of these are mentioned here:
- Description of the form of God or a deity seen in a vision
- Request for pardon of sins committed knowingly or unknowingly
- Prayer for the removal of problems and difficulties and request for the grant of the good things of life
- Desire for obtaining devotion, knowledge and detachment that help one in spiritual life
- Spontaneous outburst of emotion after deep spiritual experience and so on.
Types of Stotras[edit]
Stotras containing 108 names, 300 names or 1008 names of a deity are also commonly met with. They are used mostly in ritual chanting or ceremonial worship. Another type called as Suprabhāta-stotras[3] are also quite common and popular. Tradition prescribes that these stotras can be chanted after meditation or worship.
Prayers to addressed Vishnu[edit]
Prayers addressed to Rama[edit]
Prayers to addressed Lord Krishna[edit]
Prayers addressed to Shiva[edit]
Prayers addressed to mother Goddess[edit]
Prayers addressed to Lord Ganesa[edit]
Prayers addressed to Lord Subrhamanya[edit]
Prayers addressed to Lord Ayyappa[edit]
Prayers addressed to Planet Devatas[edit]
Prayers addressed to holy rivers[edit]
Prayers addressed to Lord Anjaneya[edit]
Philosophical prayers[edit]
Daily Prayers[edit]
- Nithya sthothra Parayanam (First prayer after getting up in the morning)
- Prayer to Bhu Devi (Ask for forgiveness for stepping on the Earth)
- Prayers during bathing
- Prayer to Agni Dev (As you start the first deepa)
- Prayer to Tulsi Devi
- Aswatha Vruksha Stuti (Prayer to the Banyan Tree)
- Prayer to the Gods for a great day
- Surya Pranaam (Sun salutation)
- Eka Sloki Ramayan
- Eka Sloki Bhagawatham
- Prayer to the 5 mothers
- Pancha Kanya Stuti (Prayer to the 5 Maidens)
- Pancha Devi Stuti (Prayer to the 5 Goddesses)
- Prayer to the Guru
- Prayers to the Ishta Devata (Prayers to your family diety)
- Morning prayer to Ganapati
- Morning prayer to Shiva
- Morning prayer to Subrahmanya
- Morning prayer to Vishnu
- Morning prayer to Hanuman
- Morning prayer to Dathathreya
- Morning prayer to Sastha (Iyappa)
- Morning prayer to Surya dev
- Morning prayers to Goddess Parvati
- Morning prayer to Shyamala
- Morning prayer to Lakshmi
- Morning prayer to Saraswati
Vedic Hyms[edit]
Prayers to other Gods and General prayers[edit]
Translation Of Complete Narayaneeyam[edit]
- Introduction to Narayaneeyam
- Sampoorna Narayaneeya Parayanam
- Narayaneeya Haarathi
- Dasakam 1-10
- Dasakam 11-20
- Dasakam 21-30
- Dasakam 31-40
- Dasakam 41-50
- Dasakam 51-60
- Dasakam 61-70
- Dasakam 71-80
- Dasakam 81-90
- Dasakam 91-100
Related Articles[edit]
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore