Stotra mantras

Devotional hymn literature — praise poetry rather than a Vedic formula.

8 mantras

StotraStotra

Lalita Sahasranama — the opening verse

The first four of Lalita Tripura Sundari's thousand names: Sri Mata, Sri Maharajni, Srimat Simhasaneshvari, and she who rose from the fire-pit of consciousness.

Lalita Sahasranama (Brahmanda Purana) verse 1 — names 1 to 4Tripura Sundari32 syllables
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Hanuman Chalisa — opening doha

The first couplet of the Hanuman Chalisa: the poet cleans the mirror of his mind with the dust of his guru's feet before he begins.

Hanuman Chalisa, Tulsidas opening doha (1 of 2)Hanuman
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Bhairava Stava of Abhinavagupta — opening verse

Abhinavagupta's hymn to Bhairava, from the Stotravali: I worship in my heart the lord who pervades everything moving and unmoving, by a mind made of you.

Bhairava Stava, Abhinavagupta (Stotravali) verse 1Kaal Bhairav
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Kalabhairava Ashtakam — opening verse

The first of the eight verses to the lord of Kashi, each closing on the same line: I worship Kala Bhairava, master of the city of Kashi.

Kalabhairava Ashtakam verse 1Kaal Bhairav
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Nirvana Shatakam — verse 1

Not the mind, not the senses, not the elements — I am consciousness and bliss; I am Shiva.

Nirvana Shatakam (Atma Shatakam), attributed to Adi Shankara verse 1Shiva
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Rudrashtakam — verse 1

I bow to Ishana, whose form is nirvana — Tulsidas's eight-verse hymn to Shiva, opening stanza.

Rudrashtakam, Tulsidas — Ramcharitmanas, Uttara Kanda verse 1Shiva
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Hanuman Chalisa — closing doha

The couplet that closes the Chalisa, asking Hanuman to live in the heart along with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.

Hanuman Chalisa, Tulsidas closing dohaHanuman
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Bhaja Govindam — opening verse

Worship Govinda, you fool — when the hour comes, grammar will not save you.

Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgara), attributed to Adi Shankara verse 1Krishna