Have you ever felt lost in a sea of information, searching for wisdom and clarity? Well, imagine finding a beacon of knowledge, a guide who dispels ignorance and leads you to enlightenment.
That’s the essence of the Totakashtakam, a beautiful Sanskrit hymn praising the role of the Guru in Hindu tradition.
Written by Totakacharya, a devoted disciple of Adi Shankara, the Totakashtakam is like a heartfelt letter poured into eight stanzas.
Each verse overflows with gratitude and reverence for the Guru, who is compared to an ocean of wisdom, a torch illuminating the path to spiritual truth.
Totakashtakam Ragam Tamil
விதி3தாகி2ல ஶாஸ்த்ர ஸுதா4 ஜலதே4
மஹிதோபநிஷத்-கதி2தார்த2 நிதே4 ।
ஹ்ருத3யே கலயே விமலம் சரணம்
ப4வ ஶங்கர தே3ஶிக மே ஶரணம் ॥ 1 ॥
கருணா வருணாலய பாலய மாம்
ப4வஸாக3ர து3:க2 விதூ3ந ஹ்ருத3ம் ।
ரசயாகி2ல த3ர்ஶந தத்த்வவித3ம்
ப4வ ஶங்கர தே3ஶிக மே ஶரணம் ॥ 2 ॥
ப4வதா ஜநதா ஸுஹிதா ப4விதா
நிஜபோ3த4 விசாரண சாருமதே ।
கலயேஶ்வர ஜீவ விவேக வித3ம்
ப4வ ஶங்கர தே3ஶிக மே ஶரணம் ॥ 3 ॥
ப4வ எவ ப4வாநிதி மெ நிதராம்
ஸமஜாயத சேதஸி கௌதுகிதா ।
மம வாரய மோஹ மஹாஜலதி4ம்
ப4வ ஶங்கர தே3ஶிக மே ஶரணம் ॥ 4 ॥
ஸுக்ருதேதி4க்ருதே ப3ஹுதா4 ப4வதோ
ப4விதா ஸமத3ர்ஶந லாலஸதா ।
அதி தீ3நமிமம் பரிபாலய மாம்
ப4வ ஶங்கர தே3ஶிக மே ஶரணம் ॥ 5 ॥
ஜக3தீமவிதும் கலிதாக்ருதயோ
விசரந்தி மஹாமாஹ ஸச்ச2லத: ।
அஹிமாம்ஶுரிவாத்ர விபா4ஸி கு3ரோ
ப4வ ஶங்கர தே3ஶிக மே ஶரணம் ॥ 6 ॥
கு3ருபுங்க3வ புங்க3வகேதந தே
ஸமதாமயதாம் ந ஹி கோபி ஸுதீ4: ।
ஶரணாக3த வத்ஸல தத்த்வநிதே4
ப4வ ஶங்கர தே3ஶிக மே ஶரணம் ॥ 7 ॥
விதி3தா ந மயா விஶதை3க கலா
ந ச கிஞ்சந காஞ்சநமஸ்தி கு3ரோ ।
த்3ருதமேவ விதே4ஹி க்ருபாம் ஸஹஜாம்
ப4வ ஶங்கர தே3ஶிக மே ஶரணம் ॥ 8 ॥
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Here’s a Breakdown of The Hymn’s Key Messages From Totakashtakam
Praise for the Guru’s Knowledge and Compassion ~ Totakacharya first admires the Guru’s vast understanding of scriptures and spiritual teachings.
He sees the Guru as someone who can dispel the darkness of ignorance and lead him towards enlightenment.
Seeking Guidance for Self-Realization ~ The disciple expresses his desire to understand the true nature of God and the soul.
He pleads for the Guru’s help in navigating the complex questions about reality and existence.
Protection from Delusion and Evil ~ The hymn acknowledges the challenges on the spiritual path.
Totakacharya seeks the Guru’s protection from negativity and harmful influences, urging him to be a haven in the face of confusion.
Yearning for Liberation ~ The ultimate goal for many spiritual seekers is moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Totakacharya expresses his longing for this freedom and implores the Guru to guide him towards achieving it.
Surrender and Trust ~ In the final verses, the disciple surrenders completely to the Guru’s wisdom and grace.
He acknowledges the Guru’s eternal presence and seeks his guidance in every aspect of life.
Meaning and Significance of Totakashtakam
The Totakashtakam is not just a beautiful poem, it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of the Guru-disciple relationship.
It emphasizes the crucial role of a spiritual teacher in providing guidance, knowledge, and support on the path to self-realization.
The hymn’s simplicity and sincerity resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds, making it a timeless classic in Hindu devotional literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Adi Shankara?
Adi Shankara was a renowned Indian philosopher and theologian who founded the Advaita Vedanta school of thought. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Hinduism.
What does “Totakashtakam” mean?
Totakashtakam translates to “Eight Verses of Totaka” and refers to the eight stanzas of the hymn.
Where can I find the Totakashtakam?
The Totakashtakam is available in Sanskrit and various translations online and in many religious texts. You can also find audio recordings of the hymn chanted beautifully by devotional singers.
This time we published Totakashtakam Lyrics In Tamil and if you want to read this stotram in any other language then you can select it from 9 different languages.
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Blessings
Whether you’re a seasoned spiritual seeker or simply curious about Hindu traditions, the Totakashtakam offers a glimpse into the profound bond between a Guru and their disciple.
Its message of gratitude, trust, and the pursuit of truth continues to inspire and guide countless individuals on their journeys of self-discovery.
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