स्तोत्र
Stotra
Classical Sanskrit hymns composed by scholar-saints — with Devanagari text, Roman transliteration, and verse-by-verse English meaning.
All Stotras
शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्र
Shiva Panchakshara Stotra
Shiva · Sanskrit · Adi Shankaracharya
Shiva Panchakshara Stotra by Adi Shankaracharya — 5 Sanskrit verses meditating on the sacred five-syllable mantra Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya.
Read Stotra →गणेश स्तोत्र
Ganesh Stotra
Ganesha · Sanskrit
Ganesh Stotra — the "Vakratunda Mahakaya" Sanskrit prayer to Lord Ganesha, invoking his blessings before every auspicious undertaking.
Read Stotra →दुर्गा स्तोत्र
Durga Stotra
Durga · Sanskrit
Durga Stotra — the "Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu" Devi Stuti from Durga Saptashati, invoking the goddess in nine divine manifestations, with the Sarva Mangala closing verse.
Read Stotra →शिव तांडव स्तोत्रम्
Shiva Tandava Stotram
Shiva · Sanskrit · Ravana
Shiva Tandava Stotram — 15 Sanskrit shlokas composed by Ravana in praise of Lord Shiva's cosmic Tandava dance, in Druta Vilambita meter. Complete text with Devanagari, transliteration, and meaning.
Read Stotra →महिषासुरमर्दिनी स्तोत्रम्
Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
Durga · Sanskrit · Adi Shankaracharya
Mahishasura Mardini Stotram — 21 Sanskrit shlokas by Adi Shankaracharya, the famous "Aigiri Nandini" hymn celebrating Durga's victory over Mahishasura.
Read Stotra →आदित्य हृदयम्
Aditya Hridayam
Surya · Sanskrit · Sage Agastya
Aditya Hridayam — 31 shlokas from Valmiki Ramayana taught by Sage Agastya to Lord Rama before his battle with Ravana, the supreme solar hymn.
Read Stotra →रामरक्षास्तोत्रम्
Ram Raksha Stotram
Ram · Sanskrit · Budhakaushika
Ram Raksha Stotram by sage Budhakaushika — complete 38-shloka Sanskrit kavach (divine armour) with Viniyoga and Dhyana. Assigns Ram's divine names to protect every part of the body. Full Devanagari text, Roman transliteration, and English meaning of every verse.
Read Stotra →हनुमद्वडवानल स्तोत्रम्
Hanuman Vadvanal Stotram
Hanuman · Sanskrit · Traditional (Parashar Samhita)
Hanuman Vadvanal Stotram — the "Submarine Fire Hymn" of Hanuman. A powerful Sanskrit stotra invoking Hanuman as the all-consuming Vadvanal (the mythological underwater fire) to destroy enemies, diseases, evil spirits, negative planetary influences, and obstacles. Full Devanagari text, Roman transliteration, and English meaning.
Read Stotra →विष्णुसहस्रनाम
Vishnu Sahasranama
Vishnu · Sanskrit · Veda Vyasa
Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram — the thousand divine names of Lord Vishnu, recited by Bhishma to Yudhishthira in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata. Complete text with all 108 shlokas, opening Dhyana, Phalashruti, and closing dialogues — full Devanagari, Roman transliteration, and English meaning of every verse.
Read Stotra →दशरथकृत शनिस्तोत्रम्
Dasharatha Krit Shani Stotram
Shani · Sanskrit · King Dasharatha (from Padma Purana, Uttarakhanda)
Dasharatha Krit Shani Stotram — the powerful Sanskrit hymn to Lord Shani (Saturn) composed by King Dasharatha, father of Lord Rama, as recorded in the Padma Purana, Uttarakhanda. Complete text with Viniyoga, Dhyana, 10 main shlokas, and Phalashruti — Devanagari, Roman transliteration, and English meaning.
Read Stotra →About Stotra
A Stotra is a Sanskrit hymn of praise composed in classical meter. Many were authored by Adi Shankaracharya and other Acharyas. Unlike Chalisas (which are in vernacular Hindi/Awadhi), Stotras are composed in precise Sanskrit meters — each syllable carrying specific metrical weight. The Shiva Panchakshara Stotra, for example, is in the Panktih meter, with each shloka beginning with one syllable of the sacred five-syllable mantra Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya.
Most classical Stotras end with a Phalashruti — a verse describing the spiritual benefit of daily recitation. The tradition of composing Stotras goes back to the Vedic period, with the Samaveda consisting almost entirely of hymns of praise. The great Acharyas — Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, Madhva — each composed beautiful Stotras that remain in active use today.
Also See
Frequently Asked Questions about Stotra
What is a Stotra?
A Stotra is a Sanskrit hymn of praise composed in classical meter. The word comes from Sanskrit 'stu' — to praise. Stotras are typically more formal than Chalisas, written in strict Sanskrit meters, and attributed to scholar-saints like Adi Shankaracharya.
Who composed the Shiva Panchakshara Stotra?
Adi Shankaracharya composed the Shiva Panchakshara Stotra in the 8th century. It has five shlokas, each beginning with one syllable of the Panchakshara Mantra Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya — a perfect encapsulation of Shaivite philosophy in five stanzas.
What is the difference between Stotra and Mantra?
A Mantra is a short sacred sound repeated in meditation — its power comes from the vibration of the sounds. A Stotra is a longer hymn with full semantic meaning, praising the deity's attributes and deeds. Mantras are tools of meditation; Stotras are acts of praise.
What language are Stotras written in?
Most classical Stotras are in Sanskrit. AstroJanamPatrika provides the Sanskrit original in Devanagari, Roman transliteration for phonetic reading, and English meaning for every verse.
What are the benefits of reciting Stotras?
Each Stotra ends with a Phalashruti listing the fruits of recitation. The Shiva Panchakshara Stotra promises liberation for devoted reciters. Beyond spiritual benefit, reciting Sanskrit with correct pronunciation is a meditative practice that calms the mind.