stotra

Stotra is a devotional hymn or ode in Hinduism, praising a deity, spiritual figure, or divine principle. The term comes from the Sanskrit root stu, meaning “to praise,” with a suffix that marks the form as a dedicated composition. In practice, a stotra is a fixed form of praise-poetry that is recited or sung during worship.

Stotras are typically composed in verse, though some are in prose. They usually enumerate the deity’s attributes, exploits, and sacred names, and often conclude with benedictions or requests for protection, grace, or liberation. They may be addressed to a specific deity—such as Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Ganesh, or Saraswati—or to a general divine principle. Stotras appear across Sanskrit and regional devotional literature and can exist as independent texts or as parts of larger works, often known by titles such as the Venkatesha Stotram, Durga Stotram, or Ganesh Stotram.

Usage and tradition: Stotras are used in formal rituals, temple ceremonies, daily puja, and personal devotional practice. They can be sung, chanted, or whispered as part of japa or meditation. Recitation is believed to purify speech, focus the mind, and invite divine blessings. In many traditions, stotra recitation accompanies festivals or specific seasons, and various commentaries offer guidance on pronunciation, meter, and proper liturgical use.