Achyutashtakam, composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, is in praise of Lord Krishna. It is a simple yet wonderful hymn of eight stanzas comprising the names of lord Vishnu with main emphasis on his incar

Everybody should meditate regularly upon Achyuta, Kesava, Vishnu, Hari, Satya, Janardhana and Narayana, the swan, which signifies the quintessence of things.

As all rains falling from the sky reach the ocean; so also the prayers to all gods ultimately get to the Lord Keshava.

Annapurna is the goddess of food and nourishment. She is a form of Parvati, the inseparable shakti of Lord Shiva. Anna is translated as "food" and "grains" and purna means "full" or "complete". Annapu

Aparokshanubhuti, or Direct Experience of the Absolute is an introductory work by Adi Shankaracharya that expounds Advaita Vedanta philosophy. The word means Self-Realization

Om, if one is Apavitra (Impure) or Pavitra (Pure), or even in all other conditions, he who remembers Pundarikaksha (another name of Sri Vishnu, literally meaning with lotus-like eyes), he becomes pure

The Ashtavakra Gita is an ancient Sanskrit scripture that presents a powerful conversation between the sage Ashtavakra and King Janaka on the nature of the Self, liberation, and ultimate truth. Unlike many other spiritual texts, it is remarkable for…

Atmabodha, meaning Self-knowledge or Self-awareness, is an exceptionally lucid and readable work of Shankaracharya. Consisting of sixty-eight verses or shlokas, it is in a sense a simple summary of his entire Vedantic structure of thought, intended,…

Atmabodha - Full text with meaning, audio and translation from Sanskrit to English, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and more

The Mahishasura Mardini Stotram also known popularly as Aigiri Nandini, holds immense significance during Navratri. The word Mahisha means buffalo and Asura means Rakshasa or Demon. Composed by the great sage Adi Shankaracharya around 810 AD, this…

Bhaja Govindam is one of the most popular hymns penned by Adi Shankaracharya. He has packed into the Bhaja Govindam song the substance of all Vedanta, and set the oneness of Jnana and Bhakti to melodious music.

Bhaja Govindam (Praise Govinda/Repeat the name of Govinda), is one of the most popular hymns penned by Shankara, that is still sung and recited by millions of Hindus every day.

Note: This is the popular version sung by Smt. M.S. Subbalakshmi. It does not include all the 31 verses. Bhaja Govindam MS Subbalakshmi version with meaning, lyrics, audio, sanskrit, multiple languages and significance.

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Bhavani Ashtakam is a popular hymn on Goddess Bhavani, who is known for her protection and merciful nature. The Lyrics of this hymn have an in-depth meaning that wh

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the famous Bilvashtakam extols the virtues of the Bilva leaf (also spelt Vilva, Bilwa) and Lord Shiva’s love for it. The following com

Note: For the original version of Bilvashtakam please click here. Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya,

In this Prakarana Grantha (topical text or treatise) attributed to Sri Sankara the characteristics of the person who has realized that he is Brahman are described. The aspirant for liberation is advised to meditate on these in order to attain that…

The Dakshinamurti Stotra is a Sanskrit religious hymn to Shiva by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It explains the metaphysics of the universe in the frame of the tradition of Advaita V

This composition in ten verses - dasha shloka - is similar to the Nirvana Shatakam, and like it, a summation, in typically Shankara's way, of the unyielding non-dual vision of Advaita. Here too, Shankara's attempt is to deny everything else only to…

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Aparadha Kshamapana stotram is usually recited after a recital or after the completion of Puja. Its like asking for forgiveness from Goddess for various mistakes th

Guru: How do you see (What is that light/power which helps you see?) Sishya: I see with the help of sunlight Guru: How do you see in the night? Sishya: I see with the help of a lamp Guru: Let that be

The composer, Guru Sri Adi Shankaracharya had praised the God Ganesha by presenting these five stanzas as five jewels, hence the name Maha Ganesha Pancharatnam.

Ganesha Stavah or Ganapati Stavah is a set of 13 verses that describe the glory of Lord Ganesha. Gaṇapati stavaḥ is said to be from Ganesh Purana - upāsanā khaṇḍa adhyāya 13.

Gangashtakam is an octet on river Ganga composed by Shri Adi Shankaracharya.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya has written a song ”Devi Suresvari Bhagavati Gange” and the Official Name for this song is ”Sri Sri Ganga Stotram”. In this song Sree Shankaracharya describes the glories of Sri

Guru Ashtakam beautifully exemplifies the necessity of a Guru, beseeching the spiritual seeker to bow down to the Lotus Feet of the Guru. Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Guru Paduka Stotram is a very powerful chant that glorifies the "Padukas (Sandals) of the Guru," which are symbolically represented as "the boat to help cross the endless ocean

Garland of five gems on Shri Hanuman composed by Shri Adi Shankaracarya.

Composed by Hastāmalaka Ācārya, a direct disciple of Adi Sankaracharya, the Hastāmalaka Stotraṁ or Hastāmalakiyam is a short Vedāntic text about the higher nature of the Self.

Introduction to Isavasya Upanishad The Īśāvāsyopaniṣad—so called from its initial words—forms the concluding chapter of the Saṃhitā of the Suklayajurveda The name of

The Isha Upanishad is embedded as the final chapter of the Shukla Yajurveda and is one of the shortest Upanishads, with 18 verses. It is the very first Upanishad in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads.

Salutations to Lord Dakshinamurti, who is all-pervasive like space but who appears (as though) divided as Lord, Guru, and the Self.

Shri Jagannath Ashtakam was composed by Adi Sankracharya in praise of Lord Jagannath on his visit to Puri. The merit of reciting the sacred Jagannath ashtakam carefully is such that, one becomes sinle

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The hymn illustrates the personality of Kala Bhairava of Kashi, the God of Death(kala). Those who study these 8 verses on Kala Bhairava, which are enticing and whic

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya on devi Kalika. The Goddess Kali is the guardian, also known as Kalika. The protectors, the Mother, Kali is Dharma and eternal time. Kali shines with the brilliance

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Goddess Kamakshi is a form of Tripura Sundari or Parvati or the universal mother goddess. The word is derived from the heritage “Ka” meaning Goddess Saraswati (Godd

Kanakadhara Stotram is a hymn (Stotra) composed in Sanskrit by Sri Adi Sankaracharya. Kanakadhara means “stream” (dhara) of “gold” (kanaka). The 21 stanzas of kanakadhārā stotram then became famous and are read by all devout Hindus for……

Composed by Sri Adi Sankaracharya in praise of Lord Shiva. That man who reads this octet with its meaning, which sings the praise of Shiva who is the lord of Varanasi, would get knowledge, wealth, gre

The Katha Upanishad is embedded in the last 8 sections of the Krishna Yajurveda. It has two chapters divided into three Vallis each. It is a Mukhya upanishad and listed as #3 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads.

The Katha Upanishad is a collection of philosophical poems representing a conversation between the sage Naciketas and Yama (god of death). They discuss the nature of Atman, Brahman and Moksha (liberation). The book is made up of six sections…

Kaupina Panchakam - This is a very short poem composed by Sri Adi Sankaracharya, with five stanzas that glorify the life of a Sannyasi. The Kaupina is made up of a rectangular strip of cotton cloth used to cover the genitals with the help of the…

Whatever I do either by body, speech, mind or sensory organs, either with my personal knowledge or natural trait, I surrender and submit all to that to supreme divine Narayana.

The Kena Upanishad is embedded inside the last section of the Talavakara Brahmanam of the Samaveda. It is a Mukhya upanishad and listed as #2 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads.

The Kena Upanishad or Kenopanishad (Kenopaniṣat) (also known as the Talavakara Upanishad) elucidates the concept of nirguna (qualityless) Brah

Narasimha is a fierce avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, one who incarnates in the form of part lion and part man to destroy evil and end religious persecution and calamity on Earth, thereby restoring Dh

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of mother Lalitha. The phalastuti of the stotram says the divine mother will give good knowledge, wealth, fame, happiness, fortune, and prosperity.

Lalitha Sahasranamam is a sacred Hindu text from the Brahmanda Purana which lists the thousand names of the Hindu mother goddess Lalita Devi, a manifestation of the Divine Mother (Shakti), and is therefore used in the worship of Durga, Parvati,…

Mahishasura Mardini Stotram - This is a prayer to the Goddess who killed Mahishasura. “The place where Sri Mahishasura Mardini Stotram is sung every day, I will always be present and never leave.” - The Devi’s proclamation in the 12th chapter of the…

Adi Sankara’s ‘Manisha Panchakam’ refers to the conclusive wisdom or determinate knowledge asserted in five verses. Manisha means conclusive wisdom or determinate knowledge and Panchakam refers to the five verses.

I salute Sri Dakshinamurti, who is not subject to time, who makes known the truth of Brahman through the implied meaning of words, who is surrounded by disciples who are themselves Rishis and committe

Meenakshi Pancharatnam (The five jewels of Meenakshi) is a popular stotram composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya as a ritual incantation on goddess Meenakshi. This stotram explains the divine qualities,

Salutations to Sri Vishnu who is beautiful like the dark clouds, and who is wearing yellow garments of silk; Who has the mark of Srivatsa on his chest; and whose body is shining with the radiance of t

The Mundaka Upanishad is embedded is embedded in the Atharva Veda. It is a Mukhya upanishad and listed as #5 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads.

I salute the lotus-feet of Narayana, always, propitiate Narayana, speak of the pure name of Narayana and bear in mind the immutable factuality of Narayana.

The Narayana Kavacham occurs in chapter eight of the sixth skanda of Bhagavada Purana. It is an Armour (Kavach) to protect ourselves from all our enemies (including negativitie

I salute Narayana, Hrishikesa, Govinda, Garudadhwaja, Vaasudeva, Hari, Krishna and Kesava.

The four letters 'Na', 'Ra,'Ya', 'Na' are the four shoots on the creeper of speech and are undoubtedly indicative of the four Purusharthas- Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha.

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of river Narmada.

Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurti, the reservoir of knowledge (the abode of all learning), the healer of all those who suffer from the disease of samsāra, and the teacher of the whole world.

Nirvana Shatkam (Atma Shatakam) of Adi Sankara Commentary and Notes Translated by S. N. Sastri Introduction: Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada has blessed poster

Om. Salutation to the one who is the meaning of praņava, who is in the form of pure knowledge, who is taintless and who is free from any change. To that Sri Dakshinamurti, (my) salutations.

Om. Salutations to Bhagavan Dakshinamurti. (Oh Lord) Bless me with memory, the capacity to think properly, and clarity, wisdom.

Shri Pandurang ashtakam (Pandurangashtakam) Stotra is a very beautiful creation of Shri Adi Shankaracharya. Lord Vithal, or Panduranga Vittala, is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is worshipped in t

The Prashna Upanishad is embedded is embedded in the Atharva Veda. It is a Mukhya upanishad and listed as #5 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads.

The Prashnopanishad (Prashna Upanishad) is a key philosophical text within the Indian spiritual tradition, part of the larger body of literature known as the Upanishads.

This is a prayer composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya consisting of three stanzas in which the mind (manas) speech (vak), and body (kaya) of the individual are sought to be dedicated to the supreme Spir

Ranganatha Ashtakam was written by Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada when he stood before Sri Ranganatha swamy in Srirangam, during his travels. This Ashtakam reveals that Adi Sankara was overwhelmed by Lord R

Sadhana Panchakam - Adi Sankara in these five simple looking verses lovingly lists the ways and means which can readily be followed by all students of Vedanta, seeking direct experience of the divine state beyond the mind, the spring of…

Salutations again and again to Lord Shiva in the form of Sri Sankaracharya and Lord Vishnu in the form of Veda Vyasa, who were the authors of sutra and bhasya.

I salute, prostrate with my head, to that four-armed Lord Vishnu, who is ornamented with the shankh (conch) and chakra (the divine wheel), the crown and ear-drops, yellow silk robes, lotus-eyes, decor

The Saundarya Lahari, a devotional poem of one hundred hymns, is ascribed to the great teacher Shankaracharya. The poem is divided into two parts; the first part, comprised of verses 1 through 41, is called the Anandalahari, or Wave of Bliss, and…

We bow to the only lord of all worlds, Vishnu who is of peaceful appearance, reclining on the serpent, with a lotus from the navel, lord of gods, the basis of the universe, vast like the sky, coloured

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya on devi Sharada. Sringeri is the first math (monastery) built by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It has the famous temple of Devi Sharada inside it. The math is situated on

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The theme of this storam is of total surrender to Lord Shiva and asking for His forgiveness.

Composed by Adi Shankaracharya. This ashtakam is a descriptive salutation of the different attributes of Shiva. The great yogi who is referred to as Ardhanarishwara (the one who has included the femin

Sri Adi Shankaracharya composed this mantra for lord Shiva. Using this stotra, we can perform mental worship of Lord Shiva.

This is a short and beautiful 'Three Shloka Prayer' that makes the start of the day full of energy and happiness. Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Soundarya Lahari, meaning "Waves of Beauty," is a revered Sanskrit literary work attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, the great philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta in the 8th century. This composition is not just…

I bow at the feet of the Lord in the form Sri Sankaracharya, who is the blessing for the humanity, who is the shrine for the sruti, the smrti and the purana, and, who is the abode of compassion.

Sri Subramanya bhujangam is a stotra sung under inspiration by Sri Adi Shankaracharya at Thiruchendur ( presently located in Tamil Nadu, India). When he meditated upon SrI Subrahmanya, he became aware

First, called "Ranga", the great temple (of Srirangam), made known by the (great lord) Ranga, (Then) Srimushanam and Venkatadri, Salagrama and Naimisha, Toyadri (Thiruneermalai), Pushkara and indeed N

The Taittiriya Upanishad is one of the primary Upanishads, as part of the Yajur Veda. It says that the highest goal is to know the Brahman, for that is Truth. It is divided into three sections, 1) the Siksha Valli, 2) the Brahmananda Valli and 3)…

For anyone wishing to understand the essential tenets of Shankaracharya's philosophy and the Advaita vision, the Tattvabodha, which broadly translates to the 'knowledge of truth', is mandatory reading. In it, Shankara, as the teacher, puts down the…

The Toṭakāṣṭakam was composed by Giri (an enlightened disciple) in praise of his Guru Adi Sankara. Literally, it means a rhyme of eight (Sanskrit: aṣṭa) verses (ślokas) in the meter called Totaka.

Of the four Mahāvākyas, the statement containing the entire instruction of the teacher is 'Tat Tvam Asi' or 'That Thou Art'. Exposition of this pithy but pregnant sentence (vākya), is accomplished by Adi Sankara in a collection of 53 verses called…

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Lord Shiva - the essence of vedas.

This shlokam is taken from Sri Valmiki's Srimadh Ramayanam. During the journey with Sage Viswamitra, both Rama and Lakshmana had rested for the night on the banks of the Ganga river. As the dawn was

The Vishnu Sahasranam is found in the Mahabharatha. Literally translated this means thousand names of Vishnu. This is found in the Anushasanika Parvam (chapter relating to orders or rules to the kings) of Mahabharatha. Though it describes one…

The Vivekachudamani is the crown jewel of the Prarkarana texts (philosophical treatises) authored by Sri Adi Sankaracharya. The title translates to ‘Crest Jewel of Discrimination’, referring to the discrimination between the real and unreal.

Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. In Yamunastakam’s first eight shlokas, Sri Adi Shankaracharya describes Shri Yamunaji’s eight fold powers, its divine & wonderful idol and her divine qualities. Shr