Thotakashtakam

The hymn Thotakashtakam is composed by one of the disciples of Adi Shankara. It is so called because it has been composed in the difficult but beautiful meter called Thotaka.

Anandagiri was one of the disciples of Adi Shankara. Compared to the other disciples of Shankara, he was not considered as intelligent. But Giri, as he was called, was extremely devoted to his Guru and would always engage himself in the service of Shankara. Once it so happened that Shankara was about to begin his usual morning class on the Upanishads. All the disciples had assembled but Giri was absent. It was because Giri had gone to the river to wash his guru's clothes but was still stuck up with that work. So Shankara asked the other disciples to wait for Giri's return. But another disciple named Padmapada, who was obviously proud of his scholarship, said, ‘Giri is a dull fellow. He really does’nt deserve to learn the shastras. What is the point in waiting for him to join us?'

Shankara decided to humble the pride of Padmapada and other disciples. Out of sheer compassion for Giri, Shankara blessed him with the knowledge of the shastras, making use of his supernatural powers. As a result, Giri became a learned scholar instantaneously. Returning from the river, he composed the Thotakashtakam, this hymn of eight verses in praise of his Guru, Adi Shankara. Praising Adi Shankara invoking various forms of his knowledge and virtues, Giri pleads to him in these verses by saying ‘Oh great Shankara, I take refuge in you.’

Padmapada and other disciples, who were struck with wonder, respected Giri for his knowledge and reverentially called him as Thotakacharya, because he was an adept in composing verses in the Thotaka meter.