Śrīstuti, a sublime hymn in praise of Mahālakṣmī, stands as a luminous testament to the poetic brilliance and devotional intensity of Ācārya-sarvabhauma Śrī Vedānta Deśika. Comprising 25 exquisitely crafted verses in the elegant Mandākrāntā meter, this stotra seamlessly weaves literary sophistication with deep spiritual insight.
While Swami Deśika was residing in the sacred city of Kanchipuram, a humble brahmacāri once approached him with a heartfelt plea: he needed financial assistance to conduct his marriage. At that time, Swami himself lived a life of utmost simplicity, observing unchavṛtti-sustaining himself solely on alms and possessing no material wealth to offer. Yet, moved by compassion and determined not to send the seeker away empty-handed, Swami turned to his only true source of abundance-Perundevi Thāyār, the divine consort of Bhagavān Varadarāja. Standing reverently before her sanctum, he poured out his devotion in the form of the sublime Śrīstuti. His verses, filled with pure love and unwavering faith, ascended to the Devi. So powerful and heartfelt was his praise that Thāyār, in her infinite grace, was instantly pleased. Moved by his heartfelt devotion, the Devi is said to have showered golden coins, which the brahmacāri gratefully accepted—while Swāmi Deśika, untouched by material desire, refrained from even glancing at them.
Swāmi begins the Stotra by glorifying the divine qualities of Perundevi Thāyār, declaring that her auspicious attributes are truly immeasurable and transcendental. He describes her as “mānātīta-prathita-vibhavām”—one whose glory is universally acclaimed, yet forever beyond the limits of human understanding. Further elevating her stature, he hails her as “maṅgalānām maṅgalām”—the most auspicious among all that is auspicious, the very embodiment of grace, compassion, and benevolence.
Overwhelmed by her boundless majesty and his own insignificance, Swāmi offers complete and unconditional surrender at her lotus feet. With profound humility, he proclaims “aśaraṇaḥ tvām śaraṇaṃ prapadye – Devoid of any other refuge, I seek sanctuary in you alone”.
Swāmi then describes the sacred sites of her divine incarnations (avatāra-sthalas), affirming that in every form and every birth, she embodies unparalleled greatness. With deep humility, he reflects on the limitations of human expression, wondering how anyone-constrained by finite speech-could ever hope to do justice to the boundless compassion and magnificence of the Devi. In her presence, even the loftiest words seem inadequate, highlighting the infinite nature of her grace.
In the next śloka, Swāmi eloquently describes the extraordinary blessings that await those who dare to sing the praises of Thāyār. He observes that such devotees not only earn the admiration of others, but also see their deepest aspirations fulfilled through her infinite grace. Indeed, Swāmi humbly notes that he himself has become the object of acclaim solely for his sincere attempt to glorify her.
Employing the poetic device of arthāntaranyāsa-an implied, self-evident truth-Swāmi proclaims an eternal principle: the very longing to serve at the feet of Mahālakṣmī is a guarantee of upliftment and prosperity. This profound truth is beautifully encapsulated in the rhetorical verse: “sevāpekṣā tava caraṇayoḥ śreyase kasya na syāt – Who would not be blessed with fortune by the mere longing to serve at your feet?”
The stotra then transitions to describe the divine couple—the Bhagavān and Thāyār—as “nityānapāyam”, signifying their eternal inseparability. To illustrate this profound unity, Swāmi Vedānta Deśika draws upon a beautiful simile from his Tamil composition, Tiruchinna Mālai, where he says:
திரு உரையாய்த் தாம் பொருளாய் நிற்பார் வந்தார்— She is the word; He is the meaning that gives it life. Just as word and meaning are inseparable—neither fully complete without the other—so too are Śrī Mahālakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa, ever united in purpose, presence, and essence.
Swāmi then proceeds to affirm the supreme sovereignty of Thāyār, declaring: “asyeśānā tvam asi jagataḥ— You alone are the sovereign of this universe.”
The choice of the word “īśānā” here is particularly significant. Though Swāmi had various options that could have fit the meter, he deliberately chooses “īśānā”, a term rich in both grammatical precision and philosophical depth. Derived from the root “īś” (to rule or govern) and formed through the suffix “cānash” indicating inherent nature (tācchīlya), “īśānā” doesn’t merely denote authority—it conveys that she is innately and eternally the Bhagavāness, not by association or relationship, but by her own essential nature.
This careful selection underscores Swāmi’s poetic mastery and his theological assertion: Perundevi Thāyār is not merely consort to the Bhagavān—she is herself the divine sovereign, inseparable and co-equal in majesty.
Swāmi then vividly portrays the divine coronation—of Mahālakṣmī as she emerged resplendently from the Kṣīra Sāgara (Milky Ocean) during the Samudra Manthana. In that sacred moment, with just a single gracious glance, she bestowed boundless prosperity upon the Devas, affirming her role as the ultimate source of all wealth and auspiciousness.
Swāmi marvels at the power of her divine vision, proclaiming:
यस्यां यस्यां दिशि विहरते देवि दृष्टिस् त्वदीया, तस्यां तस्याम् अहम्-अहम्-इकां तन्वते सम्पदोघाः
yasyāṃ yasyāṃ diśi viharate devi dṛṣṭis tvadīyā, tasyāṃ tasyām aham-aham-ikāṃ tanvate sampadoghāḥ
(In whichever direction, O Devī, your gaze wanders, there—rushing to outdo one another—pours forth an abundance of wealth, each fortune vying for supremacy.)
In the following verses, Swāmi continues to extol Perundevi Thāyār as the bestower of all prosperity, the remover of sins, and the ultimate granter of mokṣa. Overwhelmed by her boundless grace, he humbly reflects: “When you, O Mother, have already showered me with everything—what more could I possibly ask for?”
With tender devotion, Swāmi declares Bhagavān Varadarāja and Perundevi Thāyār as his eternal Father and Mother, imagining the gentle, knowing smile of Thāyār as if to say, “What more shall I give?” He concludes the verse with a heartfelt prayer:
May that Perundevi Thāyār—an inexhaustible treasure of auspiciousness, the very embodiment of infinite compassion, and the divine wealth of Madhusūdana—forever dwell in the sanctum of my heart.
To conclude this sublime work, Swāmi offers a Phalaśruti, promising that those who recite these twenty-five verses daily will be blessed with supreme joy, spiritual prosperity, and fulfillment in all aspects of life.
While this article does not explore the intricate depths of all twenty-five ślokas, the select verses discussed here offer a glimpse into the profound bhakti, poetic brilliance, and theological insight of Swāmi Desikan. Even this brief encounter with the Śrī Stuti inspires deep devotion and reverence towards Perundevi Thāyār.
For those seeking a fuller understanding, numerous commentaries by esteemed Śrī Vaiṣṇava scholars explore the layers of meaning embedded in this divine composition. These works are essential treasures for every devotee’s library—offering not only scholarly insight and spiritual enrichment but also adding grace and prosperity to one’s reading and sacred collection.
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