Totakashtakam
तोटकाष्टकम्
Origin & Story
Totakacharya, disciple of Adi Shankaracharya · Totakacharya · Classical
The Totakashtakam is traditionally ascribed to Totakacharya. Eight verses sung by Totakacharya in praise of his guru Adi Shankaracharya — "O ocean of the nectar of all scriptures, dispeller of the world’s suffering, teacher of teachers, be my refuge." A model of the disciple’s devotion to the guru.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that to recite the Totakashtakam with a sincere and devoted heart is to draw near to the grace of the divine, which never forsakes those who lovingly call upon it.
The Mantra
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विदिताखिलशास्त्रसुधाजलधे महितोपनिषत् कथितार्थनिधे । हृदये कलये विमलं चरणं भव शंकर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ १॥ करुणावरुणालय पालय मां भवसागरदुःखविदूनहृदम् । रचयाखिलदर्शनतत्त्वविदं भव शंकर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ २॥ भवता जनता सुहिता भविता निजबोधविचारण चारुमते । कलयेश्वरजीवविवेकविदं भव शंकर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ३॥ भव एव भवानिति मे नितरां समजायत चेतसि कौतुकिता । मम वारय मोहमहाजलधिं भव शंकर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ४॥ सुकृतेऽधिकृते बहुधा भवतो भविता समदर्शनलालसता । अतिदीनमिमं परिपालय मां भव शंकर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ५॥ जगतीमवितुं कलिताकृतयो विचरन्ति महामहसश्छलतः । अहिमांशुरिवात्र विभासि गुरो भव शंकर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ६॥ गुरुपुंगव पुंगवकेतन ते समतामयतां नहि कोऽपि सुधीः । शरणागतवत्सल तत्त्वनिधे भव शंकर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ७॥ विदिता न मया विशदैककला न च किंचन काञ्चनमस्ति गुरो । द्रुतमेव विधेहि कृपां सहजां भव शंकर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ८॥ इति श्रीमत्तोटकाचार्यविरचितं श्रीशङ्करदेशिकाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ।
viditākhilaśāstrasudhājaladhe mahitopaniṣat kathitārthanidhe | hṛdaye kalaye vimalaṃ caraṇaṃ bhava śaṃkara deśika me śaraṇam || 1|| karuṇāvaruṇālaya pālaya māṃ bhavasāgaraduḥkhavidūnahṛdam | racayākhiladarśanatattvavidaṃ bhava śaṃkara deśika me śaraṇam || 2|| bhavatā janatā suhitā bhavitā nijabodhavicāraṇa cārumate | kalayeśvarajīvavivekavidaṃ bhava śaṃkara deśika me śaraṇam || 3|| bhava eva bhavāniti me nitarāṃ samajāyata cetasi kautukitā | mama vāraya mohamahājaladhiṃ bhava śaṃkara deśika me śaraṇam || 4|| sukṛte'dhikṛte bahudhā bhavato bhavitā samadarśanalālasatā | atidīnamimaṃ paripālaya māṃ bhava śaṃkara deśika me śaraṇam || 5|| jagatīmavituṃ kalitākṛtayo vicaranti mahāmahasaśchalataḥ | ahimāṃśurivātra vibhāsi guro bhava śaṃkara deśika me śaraṇam || 6|| gurupuṃgava puṃgavaketana te samatāmayatāṃ nahi ko'pi sudhīḥ | śaraṇāgatavatsala tattvanidhe bhava śaṃkara deśika me śaraṇam || 7|| viditā na mayā viśadaikakalā na ca kiṃcana kāñcanamasti guro | drutameva vidhehi kṛpāṃ sahajāṃ bhava śaṃkara deśika me śaraṇam || 8|| iti śrīmattoṭakācāryaviracitaṃ śrīśaṅkaradeśikāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇam |
Meaning:Eight verses sung by Totakacharya in praise of his guru Adi Shankaracharya — "O ocean of the nectar of all scriptures, dispeller of the world’s suffering, teacher of teachers, be my refuge." A model of the disciple’s devotion to the guru.
Benefits of Chanting Totakashtakam
Recitation of the Totakashtakam is held to bring the grace, blessings and protection of the deity.
Cultivates devotion, calms the mind and steadies the heart in the Lord’s remembrance.
Most auspicious on Mondays, and during Maha Shivaratri and Shravan.
A treasured Sanskrit hymn, suitable for daily recitation with faith.
How to Chant Totakashtakam
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of the deity. Light a lamp and recite the Totakashtakam slowly and with devotion. It may be chanted daily, or especially on Mondays and during Maha Shivaratri and Shravan.
Frequently Asked Questions
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