Thotakashtakam by M. S. Subbulakshmi

The hymn composed by Totakacharya consists of an octad of verses in praise of his Guru Adi Shankaracharya. The metre he has used in this composition is the difficult but beautiful totaka. Hence he was himself given the name Totakacharya. Every word of this exquisite hymn bespeaks the utter devotion of its author to Sankara. viditAkhilasAstrasudhAjaladhE mahitOpanishat kathitArthanidhE | hridayE kalayE vimalam charaNam bhava sankara dEsika mE saraNam ||1|| Oh, Thou, the knower of the entire ocean of milk of scriptures, He Who teaches the truths found in the great treasure chest of the Upanishads ! I meditate on Thy faultless feet. Be Thou my refuge, Oh, Master Sankara. ||1|| karuNAvaruNAlaya pAlaya mAm bhavasAgara dukhkha vidUnahridam | rachayAkhiladarsanatattvavidam bhava sankara dEsika mE saraNam ||2|| Oh, Thou Ocean of compassion ! Save me whose heart is tormented by the misery of the sea of birth. Make me understand the truths of all schools of philosophy ! Be Thou my refuge, Master Sankara ! ||2|| bhavatA janatA suhitA bhavitA nijabOdhavichAraNa chArumatE | kalyEsvara jIvavivEkavidam bhava sankara dEsika mE saraNam ||3|| By Thee the masses have been made happy, Oh, Thou of noble intellect, skilled in the quest of Self-Knowledge ! Enable me to understand the wisdom relating to God and the Soul. Be Thou my refuge, Oh, Master Sankara! ||3|| bhava Eva bhavA niti mE nitarAm samajAyata chEtasi kowtukitA | mama vAraya mOhamahAjaladhim bhava sankara dEsika mE saranam ||4|| Knowing that Thou art verily the Supreme Lord, overwhelming bliss arises in my heart. Protect me from the vast ocean of delusion. Be Thou my refuge, Oh, Master Sankara ||4|| sukritE(a)dhikritE bahudhA bhavatO bhavitA samadarsanalAlasatA | atidInamimam paripAlaya mAm bhava sankara dEsika mE saraNam ||5|| Desire for the insight in unity through Thy Grace will grow only when virtuous deeds are in abundance – and in all directions. Protect this extremely helpless person. Be Thou my refuge, Master Sankara ! ||5|| jagatImavitum kalitAkritayO vicharanti mahAmahasachalata: | ahimAmsurivAtra vibhAsi gurO bhavasankara dEsika mE saraNam ||6|| Oh Teacher ! For the purpose of saving the world the Great Ones take various forms and wander in disguise. Of these great Ones, You shine like the sun ! Be Thou my refuge, Oh, Master Sankara! ||6|| guru pungava pungava kEtanatE samatAmayatAm nahi kOpi sudhIhi | saraNAgatavatsala tattvanidhE bhavasankara dEsikamE saraNam ||7|| Oh, Best of Teachers ! Supreme Lord Who has the sacred bull as His banner ! None of the wise Ones is equal to Thee! Thou are compassionate to those who take refuge in Thee! Thou treasure chest of Truth! Be Thou my refuge, Oh, Master Sankara! ||7|| viditA na mayA visadaikakalA na cha kinchana kAnchana masti gurO | drutamEva vidhEhi krupAm sahajAm bhava sankara dEsika mE saraNam ||8|| I do not understand correctly even a single “branch of knowledge”. I do not possess even the least bit of wealth, Oh Teacher, quickly bestow on me Thy Grace. Be Thou my refuge, Oh, Master Sankara! ||8||