Thodakashtakam

Toţakāşţakam (eight verses composed by Toṭaka) by Trotakacharya, the disciple of Adi Shankara.

Vidhithakhila sasthra sudha Jaladhe
Mahithopanishath kadithartha nidhe,
Hrudaye kalaye vimalam charanam,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 1
I praise and seek the protection of Shankara,
Who is the ocean of nectar of our great holy books,
And who is like the Treasure
Of the essence of the great Upanishads,
And I meditate on his clear holy feet in my heart.
Karuna varunalaya palaya mama,
Bhava sagara dukha vidhua mridham,
Rachayakhila darsana Thathwa vidham,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 2
I praise and seek the protection of Shankara,
Who is the great ocean of mercy,
And seek protection for me,
who has suffered deep sorrow,
In the ocean of day to day life,
And also request to make me,
Know all the schools of our philosophy.
Bhavatha janatha suhitha bhavitha,
Nija bodha vicharana charumathe,
Kalayeshwara jeeva viveka vidham,
Bhaja Sankara desiga may saranam. 3
I praise and seek the protection of Shankara,
Because of whom the world has a pleasant life,
Oh great soul who can teach the great knowledge,
Make me understand the knowledge of the soul.
Bhava eva bhavanihi may nitharam,
Samajayatha chethasi kauthukitha,
Mama vaaraya moha maha jaladhim,
Bhaja Sankara desiga may saranam. 4
I praise and seek the protection of Shankara,
When I understood it is him,
I became ecstasic with happiness,
And requested, please dry the ocean of passion in me.
Sukruthe adhikruthe bahudha bhavatha,
Bhavitha sama darshana lalasatha,
Athi deenamimam paripalaya maam,
Bhaja Sankara desiga may saranam. 5
I praise and seek the protection of Shankara,
When the good deeds accumulate and become more,
Like you, my mind would see everything as equal,
Please give protection to this very lowly me.
Jagathi avithum kalitha kruthayo,
Vicharanthi mahaa maha saschalatha,
Ahimmsurivathra vibhasi pura,
Bhaja Sankara desiga may saranam. 6
I praise and seek the protection of Shankara,
Those who are born to protect this world,
And who are like a burning flame,
Roam everywhere without any one's knowledge,
But you shine before me like the Sun God
Guru pungava pungava kethana they,
Samayamayatham nahi ko api sudhi,
Saranagatha vathsala Thathwa nidhe,
Bhaja Sankara desiga may saranam. 7
I praise and seek the protection of Shankara,
Who is the teacher among teachers
Who does not have any equal,
Who is the treasure house of Philosophy
And who is merciful to those who seek his blessings.
Vidhitha na maya visadhaika kala,
Na cha kinchana kanchanamasthi guro,
Dhruthameva videhi krupaam sahajam,
Bhaja Sankara desiga may saranam. 8
I praise and seek the protection of Shankara,
And request him to shower his natural grace fast on me,
Who does not possess expertise in any branch,
And who does not even a small piece of wealth.

Translated by P.R.Ramachander

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA