Sri Gangadhara Stotram
Shree gangaadhara stotram'
Ksheeraambhonidhimanthanodbhavavishaat sandahyamaanaan suraan
Brahmaadeenavalokya yah' karunayaa haalaahalaakhyam' visham |
Nih'shankam' nijaleelayaa kavalayanlokaanurakshaadaraa-
-daartatraanaparaayanah' sa bhagavaan gangaadharo me gatih' || 1 ||
Ksheeram' svaadu nipeeya maatulagri'he gatvaa svakeeyam' gri'ham'
Ksheeraalaabhavashena khinnamanase ghoram' tapah' kurvate |
Kaarunyaadupamanyave niravadhim' ksheeraambudhim' dattavaan
Aartatraanaparaayanah' sa bhagavaan gangaadharo me gatih' || 2 ||
Mri'tyum' vakshasi taad'ayan nijapadadhyaanaikabhaktam' munim'
Maarkand'eyamapaalayat karunayaa lingaadvinirgatya yah' |
Netraambhojasamarpanena haraye'bheesht'am' rathaangam' dadau
Aartatraanaparaayanah' sa bhagavaan gangaadharo me gatih' || 3 ||
Vyood'ham' dronajayadrathaadirathikaih' sainyam' mahat kauravam'
Dri'sht'vaa kri'shnasahaayavantamapi tam' bheetam' prapannaartihaa |
Paartham' rakshitavaanamoghavishayam' divyaastramudbodhayan
Aartatraanaparaayanah' sa bhagavaan gangaadharo me gatih' || 4 ||
Baalam' shaivakulodbhavam' parihasat svajnyaatipakshaakulam'
Khidyantam' tava moordhni pushpanichayam' daatum' samudyatkaram |
Dri'sht'vaa''namya virinchiramyanagare poojaam' tvadeeyam' bhajan
Aartatraanaparaayanah' sa bhagavaan gangaadharo me gatih' || 5 ||
Santrasteshu puraa suraasurabhayaadindraadibri'ndaarake-
-'shvaarood'ho dharaneeratham' shrutihayam' kri'tvaa muraarim' sharam |
Rakshan yah' kri'payaa samastavibudhaan jitvaa puraareen kshanaat
Aartatraanaparaayanah' sa bhagavaan gangaadharo me gatih' || 6 ||
Shrautasmaartapathe paraangmukhamapi prodyanmahaapaatakam'
Vishvaateetamapi tvameva gatirityaalaapayantam' sakri't |
Rakshan yah' karunaapayonidhiriti praaptaprasiddhih' puraa
Aartatraanaparaayanah' sa bhagavaan gangaadharo me gatih' || 7 ||
Gaangam' vegamavaapya maanyavibudhaih' sod'hum' puraa yaachito
Dri'sht'vaa bhaktabhageerathena vinato rudro jat'aamand'ale |
Kaarunyaadavaneetale suranadeemaapoorayat paavaneem'
Aartatraanaparaayanah' sa bhagavaan gangaadharo me gatih' || 8 ||
Iti shreemadappayadeekshitavirachitam' shree gangaadhara stotram |
Meaning
Sri Gangadhara Stotram, composed by Appayya Dikshita, is a deeply devotional hymn praising Shiva as “Gangadhara”—the Lord who bears the sacred Ganga and who rescues the distressed with infinite compassion. Each verse highlights a divine episode where Shiva intervened to save devotees, gods, and even the world itself.
The first verse recalls the churning of the ocean, where gods were terrified by the deadly Halahala poison. Out of sheer compassion, Shiva drank the poison and protected creation.
The second verse narrates the story of Upamanyu, the child whose hunger led him to severe austerities. Shiva, moved by mercy, blessed him with an inexhaustible ocean of milk.
The third verse retells the famous story of Markandeya, where Shiva emerged from the linga to save His devotee from Yama and granted him long life. Shiva also offered the Sudarshana Chakra to Vishnu, showing His boundless grace.
The fourth verse describes how Shiva protected Arjuna in the Mahabharata battle when he trembled seeing the Kaurava army. Shiva bestowed divine weapons to empower him.
The fifth verse narrates the episode where even Brahma bowed to Shiva after seeing a young devotee offering flowers. Shiva uplifted and blessed the boy, showing His love for simple devotion.
The sixth verse speaks of the time Shiva rode as a divine warrior to protect the gods from powerful demons, using Vishnu as an arrow and the Vedas as horses.
The seventh verse declares that even sinners turn holy by sincerely proclaiming, “Shiva alone is my refuge.” Shiva, the ocean of mercy, protects them unconditionally.
The eighth verse recounts how Shiva stopped the fierce descent of the Ganga in His matted hair and gently released her on Earth, answering Bhagiratha’s prayer and saving the world.
Each verse affirms Shiva as Ārta-Trāṇa-Paraāyaṇa — ever devoted to rescuing the distressed.
Benefits:
• Removes fear, suffering, and obstacles
• Grants divine protection, grace, and peace
• Purifies sins and strengthens devotion
• Supports success, health, and emotional stability
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