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श्री अन्नपूर्णा स्तोत्रम् — Word-by-Word Meaning

श्री अन्नपूर्णा स्तोत्रम्

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

Word-by-Word Breakdown

अन्नपूर्णा
Annapurna
'She who is full of food' — the Goddess of nourishment and abundance, a form of Parvati
काशीपुराधीश्वरी
Kashipuradhishwari
Sovereign Goddess of the city of Kashi (Varanasi), where her great temple stands beside Vishwanath
भिक्षां देहि
Bhiksham Dehi
'Grant me alms' — the refrain in which the devotee begs not food alone but knowledge and dispassion
शङ्करप्राणवल्लभे
Shankara-prana-vallabhe
O beloved, dear as life, of Shankara (Lord Shiva) — Annapurna as Parvati
ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थम्
Jnana-vairagya-siddhyartham
For the attainment of spiritual knowledge (jnana) and dispassion (vairagya)

Complete Translation

Bestower of eternal bliss, giver of boons and fearlessness, ocean of beauty; purifier who dispels all that is dreadful, the Goddess made manifest; sanctifier of the lineage of the snow-mountain (the Himalaya), Sovereign of the city of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. Adorned with wondrous ornaments of many gems, resplendent in golden raiment; a shining pearl-necklace resting upon her breast; fragrant with saffron and aloe, full of grace, Sovereign of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. Giver of the bliss of yoga, destroyer of foes, founder of steadfastness in dharma and well-being; radiant in waves like moon, sun and fire, protector of the three worlds; granter of all lordly wealth and every wish, Sovereign of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. Who dwells in the caverns of Mount Kailasa — Gauri, Uma, Shankari; the eternal maiden who reveals the meaning of the scriptures, whose seed-sound is Om; who flings open the gates of liberation, Sovereign of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. Who wields all glory seen and unseen, in whose womb rests the vessel of the cosmos; who guides the threads of the cosmic play, the kindling flame of true knowledge; who gladdens the heart of Lord Vishwanatha, Sovereign of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. The very Earth, sovereign of all beings, the divine Mother Annapurneshwari; her dark tresses falling in braids, the eternal giver of food; bestower of all joy, ever-auspicious, Sovereign of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. Who forms all the letters from A to Ksha, who shapes the three moods of Shiva; saffron-hued, mistress of the three waters and the three waves, the ever-sprouting, the dark night-goddess; fulfiller of desire and raiser-up of her people, Sovereign of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. The Goddess wrought of every wondrous jewel, the lovely daughter of Daksha; gracious and dear, the great Goddess of all good fortune; granter of her devotees' every wish, ever-auspicious, Sovereign of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. Resplendent as countless millions of moons, suns and fires, her face like the moon's orb; wearing earrings bright as moon, sun and fire, the Goddess hued like moon and sun; bearing the rosary and book, the noose and the goad, Sovereign of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. Protector of the righteous, giver of great fearlessness, the Mother who is an ocean of grace; who bestows liberation face to face, ever-auspicious, sovereign of the universe, bearer of Shri; who turns away grief and keeps her own free of all disease, Sovereign of Kashi — grant me alms, O Mother Annapurneshwari, the support of the compassionate. O Annapurna, ever-full, beloved as life to Shankara; for the gaining of wisdom and dispassion, grant me alms, O Parvati. My mother is the Goddess Parvati, my father the Lord Maheshwara; my kinsmen are the devotees of Shiva, and the three worlds are my homeland.

Origin & History

Source: Composed by Adi Shankaracharya

Author: Adi Shankaracharya

Period: 8th century CE

The Annapurna Stotram is Adi Shankaracharya's hymn to the Goddess of nourishment enshrined at Kashi, where she is worshipped beside Vishwanath as the Mother who feeds even Lord Shiva. In ornate verses, each closing 'Bhiksham dehi… Mata Annapurneshwari', he begs of her not riches but food, knowledge and dispassion — and in the final verses surrenders utterly: 'My mother is Parvati, my father Maheshwara, the devotees of Shiva my kin, and the three worlds my home.'

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Annapurna Stotram?
The Annapurna Stotram is a twelve-verse hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Mata Annapurna, the Goddess of food and nourishment enshrined at Kashi (Varanasi). Its verses adore her as the giver of food, knowledge and liberation, ending with the famous prayer 'Annapurne Sadapurne… bhiksham dehi cha Parvati.'
Who is Goddess Annapurna?
Annapurna ('she who is full of food') is a form of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Shiva, worshipped as the Mother who feeds all beings. At Kashi she is shown offering food from a golden ladle to Lord Shiva himself, teaching that even the Lord receives sustenance from the Mother.
When should the Annapurna Stotram be recited?
It is recited especially on Annapurna Jayanti (the full moon of Margashirsha), during Navratri, and daily before cooking or eating. Many keep it in the kitchen and recite it while preparing food, in gratitude for the Mother's gift of nourishment.
What does the prayer 'bhiksham dehi' ask for?
Though Annapurna is the giver of food, the stotram's refrain 'bhiksham dehi' (grant me alms) asks for more than food — in the eleventh verse the devotee begs for jnana and vairagya, knowledge and dispassion, so that the Mother who fills the body may also nourish the soul.

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