Sri Raghavendra Akshara Maalika Stotram

 Sri Raghavendra Akshara Maalika Stotram/ Sri Raghavendra Aksharamala Stuthi(stotram)

     https://youtu.be/QC3D4FnHIkU

This stuti was composed by Sri Krishnaavadhootaru and consists of 51 +1 verses, with one verse per character and one phala-stuti. Sri Avadhootaru has created a literary garland for Rayaru’s pooja, with each verse acting as a flower.

(A simple translation by Sri Vyasarajamurthy, edited with notes and comments by Hunsur Sriprasad)

aj~jAnanAshAya vij~jAnapUrNAya

suj~jAnadAtrE namastE gurO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 1 || 

I offer my respectful salutations to the lotus feet of the Guru Raghavendra Swamy who destroys his devotee’s ignorance, one who is full of divine knowledge, and one who bestows good knowledge to his devotees. Oh Sri Raghavendra guruvaryare please protect, nourish, foster, guard and sustain us.

AnaMdarUpAya naMdAtmaja 

shrI padAMbhOjabhAjE namastE gurO 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 2 ||

I offer my salutations with utmost respect to Guru Raghavendra Swamy, who is the personification of bliss and is ever engrossed in the worship of the Lotus feet of Sri Krishna (Nanda’s son).

IShTapradAnEna kaShTaprahANEna 

shiShTastuta shrI padAMbhOja bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 3 ||

Sri Raghavendra guruvaryare, you are the one who fulfill all desires, and destroy all troubles and miseries. All virtuous meditate and glorify you, and prostate at your feet.

IDE bhavatpAdapAthOjamAdhyAya

 bhUyO pi bhUyO bhayAt pAhi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 4 ||

Sri Raghavendra guruvaryare, I profoundly meditate upon your lotus feet and repeatedly laud them, please protect me from various fears that I face in my samsAra.

ugraM pishAchAdikaM drAvayitvAshu

 saukhyaM janAnAM karOShIsha bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 5 ||

Sri Raghavendra guruvaryare, you quickly drive away cruel and ferocious demons, ghosts and malefic planets, and bring happiness to devotees.

UrjatkRupApUra pAthOnidhE maMkShu 

tuShTOnugRuhNAsi bhaktAn vibhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 6 ||

You are an ocean of exquisite, unparalleled mercy. When pleased, you immediately shower your grace on devotees.

RujUttama prANa pAdArchana prApta mAhAtmyasaMpUrNasiddhEsha bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 7 ||

You acquired your greatness by incessantly worshipping the Lotus feed of Vayu devaru, the most prominent amongst the Rujus. You have attained complete mastery over the 8 siddhis (special type of yogic powers).

RujusvabhAvAptabhaktEShThakalpadru rUpEshabhUpAdivaMdya prabhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 8 ||

You are attainable by those who are straightforward and devoid of deceit. You are like the kalpa vruksha (Divine tree that grants all desires) who showers boons on the devout. You are revered even by kings who rule over vast portions of Earth.

RUddhaMyashastE vibhAti prakRuShTaM prapannArtihaMtarmahOdAra bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 9 ||

Your already lofty fame (acquired through previous incarnations as Prahlada, vyAsa tIrtha etc) is now reaching an exalted status. You are extremely generous and liberal (in showering your grace). You destroy the sorrows of the ones who surrender unto you.

KlRuptAtibhaktaugha kAmyArthadAta rbhavAMbhOdhipAraMgata prAj~jabhO 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 10 ||

You grant all the desires of groups of great devotees. You have already crossed the ocean of samsara (through the grace of Lord Hari). You have divine knowledge (about Hari and Vayu).

EkAMtabhaktAya mAkAMtapAdAbja

 uchchAya lOkE namastE vibhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya

 shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 11 ||

You are an ekAnta bhakta ever engrossed in the Lotus feet of the consort of Lakshmi (Lord Narayana). Salutations to you. [Note: an ekAnta bhakta is one who has great devotion towards the Lord and worships Him without expecting anything in return]

AishvaryabhUman mahAbhAgyadAyin 

parEShAM cha kRutyAdi nAshin prabhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 12 ||

You brim with divine, spiritual wealth. You bestow all the great blessings of life (health, wealth, family, happiness etc). You destroy the malefic effects of black magic done by others

OMkAra vAchyArthabhAvEna bhAvEna 

labdhOdayashrIsha yOgIsha bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 13 ||

By understanding the true and most important meaning of the Omkara and by worshipping the deity extolled by it (Narayana) you have obtained vast, unsurpassed spiritual wealth. O Lord of all yogis!

AurvAnalaprakhya durvAdi dAvAnalaiH 

sarvataMtra svataMtrEsha bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 14 ||

You are beyond the grasp of durvAdis (proponents who argue on behalf of wrong doctrines), meaning that they can never hope to come anywhere near you. You are the forest fire that destroys other durvAdis. You are capable of independently executing all the Vaishnava tantras (religious rituals) without depending on anybody else.

AMbhOja saMbhUta mukhyAmarArAdhya bhUnAthabhaktEsha bhAvaj~ja bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 15 ||

The Lord of Bhudevi (Narayana) is worshipped by devatas lead by the lotus born Chaturmukha Brahma. You are foremost amongst His devotees. You comprehend the will of Lord Hari and Sri Vayu.

AstaMgatAnEka mAyAdivAdIsha 

vidyOtitAshEShavEdAMta bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 16 ||

You unequivocally defeated rivals who argued on behalf of wrong doctrines like Mayavada (Advaita) and made them bow their heads in defeat . You spread the knowledge of the whole compendium of Vedanta through your writings.

KAmyArthadAnAya baddhAdarAshESha 

lOkAya sEvAnusaktAya bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 17 ||

You are eager to bestow boons on all devotees who are intent on serving you with devotion.

KhadyOtasArEShu pratyarthisArthEShu madhyAhnamArtAMDabiMbAbha bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya

 shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 18 ||

Multitudes of rival doctrinaires you oppose you are like fireflies when compared to the blazing afternoon sun of knowledge that you are!

GarviShTha garvAMbushOShAryamAtyugra namrAMbudhEryAminInAtha bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 19 ||

You are the fierce sun that evaporates the water of pride that vainglorious people possess. However, to the ocean of submissive, humble devotees you are like the Moon. (The moon evokes high tides in the ocean).

GhOrAmayadhvAMta vidhvaMsanOddhAma dEdIpyamAnArkabiMbAbha bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya

 shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 20 ||

You are like the image of the effulgent, blazing sun in destroying the darkness of dangerous illness.

~GaNatkAra daMDAMka kAShAya vastrAM ka 

kaupIna pInAMka haMsAMka bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 21 ||

You possess a strident, vociferous danda (staff carried by sanyasis). You are adorned with saffron cloth, thin koupina (loin cloth worn by sanyasis), and other symbols of sanyAsa.

ChaMDIsha kAMDEsha pAkhaMDavAkkAMDa tAmisramArtAMDa pAShaMDa bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya

 shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 22 ||

You are like the bright sun who destroys the forces of darkness represented by those who say that Lord Shiva is the Supreme deity, , those who divide the Vedas into various kandas or branches (karma-kAnda, gyAda kAnda etc) and aethiests who propagate philosophy with dry logic and jumbled words. You condemn all evil deeds.

ChadmANubhAgaM na vidmastvadaMtaH 

susadhmaiva padmAdhavasyAsi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 23 ||

We cannot discern even an iota of deceit in your heart, which is the great abode of the consort of Sri Padma devi (Lord Narayana).

JADyaM hinasti jvarArshaH kShayAdyAshu tE pAdapadmAMbulEshO&pi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 24 ||

Even a droplet of water from your lotus feet can cure grave illnesses like various types of fevers, piles, tuberculosis etc.

JhaShadhvajIyEShvalabhyOruchEtaH samArUDhamArUDhavakShOMga bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 25 ||

You have firmly installed in your heart the Lord who has Lakshmi on His chest. Your heart is totally inaccessible to the arrows of Manmatha (Cupid).

~JAMchAvihInAya yAdRucChika prApta

 tuShTAya sadyaH prapannO&si bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 26 ||

You are readily pleased by devotees who are devoid of frivolous desires and are content with whatever providence gives them. You grant their desires quickly.

TIkArahasyArtha vikhyApanagraMtha 

vistAralOkOpakartaH prabhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 27 ||

You have rendered a great service to humanity by authoring works which explain the inner secrets of the Teekas (done by Sri Jayateertha and others).

ThaMkuRvarINAmamEya prabhAvO 

ddharApAra saMsAratO mAM prabhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 28 ||

Your greatness is immeasureable. Please drive out all enemies and rivals by the sound of your voice. Uplift me from the bondage of samsAra.

DAkinyapasmAraghOrAdikOgra grahOchchATanOdagravIrAgrya bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 29 ||

You are foremost amongst the warriors who drive out fearsome enemies.

DhakkAdikadhvAna vidrAvitAnEka durvAdigOmAyusaMghAta bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 30 ||

Just as foxes and wolves are scared away by the sound of the Dhakka (a drum-like instrument that produces a loud, sonorous noise) your voice scares away Mayavadins (those who negate realism and subscribe to the world around them being unreal).

NAtmAdimAtrarNalakShyArthaka shrI 

patidhyAna sannaddhadhIsiddha bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 31 ||

Your intellect and mind have been purified by intense meditation on Lord Narayana, who is extolled by Naatma and all other mAtrukas (alphabets).

TApatraya prauDhabAdhAbhibhUtasya 

bhaktasya tApatrayaM haMsi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 32 ||

You destroy the three-fold miseries of devotees who are engulfed by the fearsome effects of the three-fold miseries and turmoils. [Note: The three-fold miseries referred to are known as tApatraya and are classified asAdhyAtmika, Adi-daivaka and Adi-bhoutika]

SthAnatraya prApakaj~jAnadAtaH 

stridhAmAMghribhaktiM prayachcha prabhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 33 ||

You are the bestower of sacred knowledge that is capable of transporting one to the three abodes of Lord Vishnu (ShvEtadvIpa, AnantAsana and Vaikuntha). Please bless us with pristine devotion towards the Lotus feet of the Lord who has three abodes.

DAridrya dAridrya yOgEna yOgEna saMpannasaMpattimAdhEhi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 34 ||

Please use your yogic powers to bestow wealth on me, who is suffering from the devastating effects of dire poverty.

DhAvaMti tE nAmadhEyAbhisaMkIrtya 

nEnainasAmAshu vRuMdAni bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 35 ||

The mere act of chanting with devotion your sacred name immediately drives away multitudes of sins from us

NAnAvidhAnEka janmAdi duHkhaugha taH 

sAdhvasaM saMharOdAra bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 36 ||

We are fearful of the innumerable varieties of miseries associated with samsAra (like being born as animals). Oh kind hearted Lord Raghavendra Swamy, please protect us from such fears.

PAtA tvamEvEti mAtA tvamEvEti mitraM 

tvamEvEtyahaM vEdmi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 37 ||

I consider you as my father, mother and a good friend.

PhAlastudurdaivavarNAvalIkArya lOpEpi 

bhaktasya shaktO&si bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 38 ||

You are capable of negating the outcome of the words of misfortune written on the foreheads of your devotees.

BaddhOsmi saMsArapAshEna 

tEM&ghrIM vinyA&nyAgatirnEtyavEmi prabhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 39 ||

I am fettered with the bondage of this samsAra and know of no other way of getting out of this bondage other than meditating on your lotus feet.

BhAvE bhajAmIha vAchA vadAmi tva 

dIyaM padaM daMDavat svAmi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 40 ||

Like a danda (staff or wooden stick) I fully prostrate before your feet and utter stotras to pray to your lotus feet which offer salvation to all devotees in this world

MAnyEShu mAnyOsi matyA cha dhRutyA cha 

mAmadya mAnyaM kuru drAg vibhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 41 ||

Through your sharp and exquisite intellect you have attained mastery over your body and all sensory organs.Even amongst the venerable you are venerated a lot. Bless me so that I can attain sanctity immediately.

YaM kAmamAkAmayE taM na chApaM tatastvaM 

sharaNyO bhavatyEmi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 42 ||

Whatever desires I had I was unable to fulfill them. I have therefore sought refuge in you.

RAjAdivashyAdi kukShiMbharAnEka 

chAturyavidyAsu mUDhO&smi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 43 ||

I am an ignoramus when it comes to the expert art of enticing Kings and others in power in order to fill my stomach.

LakShEShu tE bhaktavargEShu kurvEka-

lakShyaM kRupApAMgalEshasya mAM

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 44 ||

Amongst the lakhs of devotees you have, please make me the object of a small portion of your beneficial glance. Please protect me from grave sins like the pursuit of prostitutes, thievery, gambling and lusting after other women.

VArAMganAdyUta chauRyAnyadArA-

ratatvAdyavadyatvatO mAM prabhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya

 shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 45 ||

Please protect me from grave sins like the pursuit of prostitutes, thievery, gambling and lusting after other women.

ShaktOna shaktiM tava stOtumAdhyAtu – 

mIdRukvahaM kiM karOmIsha bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 46 ||

I am incapable of extolling you or meditating upon you. Such being my state of helplessness, My Lord, what should I do ? (to obtain your grace)

ShaDvairivargaM mamArAnnirAkurva 

maMdO harErAMghrirAgO&stu bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya

 shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 47 ||

Please drive away the six enemies from my very vicinity. Let my attachment to the lotus feet of the Lord never diminish.The six enemies that he is referring to are known as ari-ShaD-varga. These arekAma – lust, krOdha – anger, mOha – excessive attachment and/or delusion, lObha – greed, mada – pride & mAtsarya – jealousy].

SanmArgasachChAstra satsaMga sadbhaki- 

saj~jAna saMpattimAdhEhi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 48 ||

Please bless me with spiritual wealth like leading a pious life, adhering to a good doctrine (madhva siddhAnta), staying in the company of good people, having pristine devotion, and pursuing eternal knowledge.

HAsyAspadOhaM samAnEShvakIrtyA 

tavAMghriM prapannO&smi saMrakShabhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 49 ||

My disrepute has made me the object of ridicule by my contemporaries. I am surrendering to your Lotus feet. Please protect me.

LakShmIvihInatva hEtOH svakIyaiH 

sudUrIkRutO&smyadya vAchyO&smi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 50 ||

I have been banished by my relatives and subject to verbal abuse because of my poverty.

KShEmaMkarastvaM bhavAMbhOdhimajja 

jjanAnAmiti tvAM prapannOsmi bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 51 ||

I am surrendering myself unto you because you look after the welfare of people who are struggling in the ocean of samsAra. Lord Sri Raghavendra Swamy please protect us.

KRuShNAvadhUtEna gItEna mAtrakSha

 rAdyEna gAthAstavEnEDhya bhO

shrI rAghavEMdrArya shrI rAghavEMdrArya 

shrI rAghavEMdrArya pAhi prabhO || 52 ||

This musical stuti extolling you has been composed by Krishna avadhoota by using the mAtruka aksharas (alphabets from ‘a’ kaara to ‘ksha’ kaara). Lord Sri Raghavendra Swamy please protect us!

!! BhAratI ramaNa mukhyaprANAMtargata shrI kRuShNArpaNamastu !!

To know More About this Stotra & Lyrics in Kannada/Tamil/Telugu/Sanskrit/Malayalam/Gujarathi/Bengali:

http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/aksharamAla_stuti.pdf

Source: http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/aksharamAla_stuti.pdf