15

LEARN OUR TRADITION THE EASY WAY"- SAMPRADAYA LESSONS FOR KIDS GRADE 2 LESSON 15: ?SWAMI DESIKA?S STOTRAS?
(Written in Tamil by Desika Bhakta Ratnam, U. Ve. Seva Srinivasa Raghava chariar Swami under his "Jayamangala Paada Thittam" and translated in English by Sri M.K.Srinivasan Swami of Vedanta Desika Research Center)
Among over 100 works of Swami Desika are 28 Stotras or hymns addressed to the Lord in His various forms, Goddesses Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Sri ANDAL and other deities besides verses on some specified topics. These are listed below with benefits which will accrue on studying / reciting them.

Name of the Stotra/No. of verses/Dedicated to whom/Benefits
AbheethiSthavam/29/Lord Ranganatha/Freedom from fear of any sort
Achyuta Sathakam/101/ Lord Deva nayaka/ A place in the Lord?s domain
AshTabuja ashTakam/10/Lord AshTabuja/Delight in serving the Lord
Bhagavad Dhyana SOpaanam/12/Lord Ranganatha/Development of devotion
BhooSththi/33/ Sri Bhoodevi/Forbearance, landed property
Dasaavataara StOtram/13/ Incarnations/ Health, wealth, Speech, Fame etc.
Dayaa Sathakam/108/Lord Venkateswara/ Lord?s grace and auspiciousness
Dehalisa Sthuthi/28/ Lord Dehalisa/ Fulfillment of desires
Deva Naayaka Panchaasath/53/ Lord Deva Naayaka/ Truthful utterances
Godhaa Sthuthi/29/Sri ANDAL/Blessings of Lord Ranganatha and GOdha
Gopla Vimsati/ 21/ Lord Krishna/Realization of God within
Hayagriva Stotra/ 33/ Lord Hayagriva/ Acquisition of knowledge
Kaamaasika Ashtakam/9/Lord Nrisimha/ Fulfillment of desires
Nyaasa Tilakam/32/Lord Ranganatha/ Service to the Lord
Nyaasa Dasakam/11/On Surrender/Removal of fear and burden of life
Nyasa Vimsati/22/Lord Varadaraja/ Secret of Nyasa Vidya
Paramaartha Sthuthi/10/Lord Vijayaraghava/ Delight to Prapanna
Raghu Veera Gadhyam/-/Lord Rama/Remedy for worldly ills
SaraNAgathi Deepikai/60/ Lord Deepa Prakaasa/ Removal of ignorance
ShODasa Aayudha Stotram/19/Lord Sudarsana/Prosperity
Sree Sthuthi/ 25/ Goddess Lakshmi/ Prosperity
Sudarsana Ashtakam/8/Lord Sudarsana/ Wish fulfillment
GaruDa DanDakam/-/Lord GaruDa/Antidote to poison and diseases
Vairaghya Panchakam/6/Lord Varadaraja/Renunciation
Varadaraaja Panchaasath/51/Lord Varadaraja/ All kinds of welfare
Vegaa Sethu Stotram/10/Lord YatOtkaari/ Lord acceding to devotees? wishes
Yathiraaja Saptadi/74/ Bhagavad Ramanuja/ Blessings of Preceptor and acquisition of knowledge

Although these hymns have been composed more than 7 centuries ago, they have a great relevance for us in modern times who always find time running out whenever we want to do something for our spiritual good. Couched in comparatively simple Sanskrit, these hymns can be easily memorized and recited, the purer the better, for immediate and spectacular results. They are stated to contain Bija Mantras and hence success is vouchsafed for the reciter. They contain basic philosophical truths as well, besides references to the Lord?s incarnations.