PRAYER OF LORD SHIVA (Thotakashtakam - sacred chants )

The toTakAShTaka has been composed in the toTaka meter, in which
each pAda (quarter) has four sa-gaNa's . Here a sa-gaNa is made up of
two short syllables followed by a long one . The hymn naturally lends itself
to be set to music . A suggested RAga is (HindustAni) toDi.

विदिताखिलशास्त्रसुधाजलधे महितोपनिषत् कथितार्थनिधे ।
हृदये कलये विमलं चरणं भव शङ्कर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ १॥


O knower of the nectar-ocean of the scriptures, the expounder of the
knowledge of the great upanishadic treasure! I meditate on Your pure lotus
feet in my heart . O Preceptor Shankara, be my refuge.

करुणावरुणालय पालय मां भवसागरदुःखविदूनहृदम् ।
रचयाखिलदर्शनतत्त्वविदं भव शङ्कर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ २॥


Save me whose heart is afflicted by the misery of the ocean of births,
O (You who are) the ocean of compassion! (By Your grace) make me the
knower of the truths of all the systems of philosophy .  O Preceptor Shankara,
be my refuge.

भवता जनता सुहिता भविता निजबोधविचारण चारुमते ।
कलयेश्वरजीवविवेकविदं भव शङ्कर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ३॥


The people have found happiness due to You, who have the intellect adept in
the inquiry into Self-knowledge . Make me understand the knowledge of God
and the soul . O Preceptor Shankara, be my refuge.

भव एव भवानिति मे नितरां समजायत चेतसि कौतुकिता ।
मम वारय मोहमहाजलधिं भव शङ्कर देशिक मे शरणं  ॥ ४॥


You are Lord Shiva Himself . Knowing this my mind is filled with an
abundance of joy . Put an end to my sea of delusion . O Preceptor Shankara,
be my refuge.

सुकृते । अधिकृते बहुधा भवतो भविता समदर्शनलालसता ।
अतिदीनमिमं परिपालय मां भव शङ्कर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ५॥


Only after numerous virtuous deeds have been performed in many
ways, does a keen desire for the experience of Brahman through You arise.
Protect (me who am) extremely helpless . O Preceptor Shankara, be my refuge.

जगतीमवितुं कलिताकृतयो विचरन्ति महामहसश्छलतः ।
अहिमांशुरिवात्र विभासि गुरो भव शङ्कर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ६॥


For the sake of saving the world, (Your) great (disciples) wander assuming
various forms and guises . O Guru, You shine like the sun (among them).
O Preceptor Shankara, be my refuge.

गुरुपुङ्गव पुङ्गवकेतन ते समतामयतां नहि को । अपि सुधीः ।
शरणागतवत्सल तत्त्वनिधे भव शङ्कर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ७॥


O Best among the Gurus! The Lord whose flag bears the emblem of the
bull! You have no equal among the wise . You who are affectionate to those
who seek refuge! The treasure of truth! O Preceptor Shankara, be my refuge.

विदिता न मया विशदैककला न च किञ्चन काञ्चनमस्ति गुरो ।
द्रुतमेव विधेहि कृपां सहजां भव शङ्कर देशिक मे शरणम् ॥ ८॥


I have neither understood even one branch of knowledge clearly, nor do I
possess any wealth, O Guru . Quickly bestow on me the compassion which is
natural to You . O Preceptor Shankara, be my refuge.