Stuttra

Stuttra is commonly rendered as stotra in Sanskrit, meaning a hymn of praise. The spelling “stuttra” appears in some transliterations, but the standard term in classical texts is stotra (स्तोत्र). A stotra is a devotional hymn or eulogistic poem dedicated to a deity, sage, or virtue. In Hinduism and related Indian literatures, stotras are used in worship, meditation, and ritual, and they appear as standalone compositions or as parts of larger scriptures and bhakti poetry.

Etymology and form: Derived from the verb stu, “to praise,” a stotra typically comprises invocations, names, and descriptions of the divine or revered figures, often composed in meter. Many stotras are concise and repetitive, designed for memorization and liturgical recitation. They are commonly chanted, sung, or recited during puja, yajna, and personal devotion.

Usage and scope: Stotras are found across Hindu traditions and also appear in Jain and Buddhist devotional literature in similar form. They serve as devotional aids, pedagogical tools for learning deity features, and as means of focusing the mind. Authorship is frequently uncertain, with many stotras attributed to sages or later poets; transmission is largely oral and manuscript-based.

Examples: Famous stotras include Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra (a thousand names of Vishnu), Durga Stotra, Rudra Stotra, and Lalita Stotra. The genre also encompasses regional compositions and dozens of shorter verses dedicated to deities or spiritual ideals.