✍️ Authorship-Based Stotrams in Sanatana Dharma

Divine Words Flowing from Enlightened Beings
Part of the Stotram Series – Type D | Sanatana Decode | Full Authorship Coverage

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📜 Introduction

While Stotrams are offerings to the Divine, they also carry the signature energy of their composers — saints, sages, rishis, kings, and even gods themselves. In Sanātana Dharma, the authorship of a stotram often reveals its tone, depth, and intended use. Some are philosophical, others emotional, and many are experiential — direct revelations from samādhi or bhakti.

This post categorizes Stotrams based on who composed them, covering all major contributors across scriptural and regional traditions.

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🧘‍♂️ Authorship-Based Categories of Stotrams

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🟡 1. Rishi-Composed Stotrams

Created by ancient sages who were seers of mantras and Vedic knowledge.
🪔 Examples: Vyasa, Vasistha, Vishwamitra, Atri, Agastya, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Markandeya, Valmiki.

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🕉️ 2. Devata-Composed Stotrams

Hymns composed by divine beings (devatas) in scriptural episodes.
🪔 Examples: Brahma’s praise of Devi (Devi Suktam), Indra’s hymns to Vishnu, Surya’s Aditya Hridayam.

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🛕 3. Saint-Composed Stotrams (Bhakta Kavi)

Overflowing with devotion and often written in regional languages by saints.
🪔 Examples:

• Tulsidas – Rama Stutis and Chalisa
• Surdas – Krishna bhakti compositions
• Meera Bai – Emotional bhakti verses
• Purandara Dasa, Kanaka Dasa – Kannada bhajans
• Andal (Tamil Alwar) – Thiruppavai

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📿 4. Adi Shankaracharya

Master of Advaita Vedanta, who composed numerous stotrams blending jñāna and bhakti.
🪔 Examples:

• Soundarya Lahari
• Bhaja Govindam
• Kanakadhara Stotram
• Annapurna Stotram
• Nirvana Shatakam

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🔥 5. Ravana (Asura King of Lanka)

A profound devotee of Shiva, known for one of the fiercest hymns ever composed.
🪔 Famous Work: Shiva Tandava Stotram — majestic, rhythmic, powerful.

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🌄 6. Ramanujacharya

Great proponent of Vishishtadvaita, whose compositions are full of surrender and devotion.
🪔 Examples:

• Sharanagati Gadyam
• Vaikuntha Gadyam
• Sri Ranga Gadyam

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📖 7. Madhvacharya

Dvaita Vedanta philosopher who composed devotional and philosophical hymns.
🪔 Examples:

• Dvaita Stotras
• Krishna-related hymns with deep dualistic philosophy.

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🌺 8. Vallabhacharya

Founder of the Pushti Marg who focused on Krishna bhakti and grace (pushti).
🪔 Examples:

• Yamunashtakam
• Krishna Stutis of Shringar Ras

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🪔 9. Regional Alwars and Nayanmars

Tamil bhakti saints who composed thousands of hymns.
🪔 Examples:

• Nayanmars (Shaiva) – Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar
• Alwars (Vaishnava) – Nammalwar, Periyalwar, Andal

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🎼 10. Classical Composers (Post-Vedic)

Musicians and poets who created stotrams in Carnatic and Bhakti music traditions.
🪔 Examples:

• Tyagaraja – Pancharatna Kritis to Rama
• Muthuswami Dikshitar – Kamalamba Navavarna
• Swati Tirunal – Krishna stutis in Sanskrit and Malayalam

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🔱 11. Kings and Rulers

Devoted kings who composed hymns or commissioned them out of personal devotion.
🪔 Examples:

• Raja Bhoja’s Saraswati Stotra
• Raja Harsha’s Naishadhiya Charitam
• Shivaji Maharaj’s personal stutis to Bhavani

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🌌 12. Unknown or Anonymous Composers

Some ancient stotrams were orally transmitted and attributed to divine origin or “anonymous rishis.”
🪔 Examples:

• Sri Suktam
• Hanuman Chalisa (sometimes anonymously attributed before Tulsidas’s confirmation)

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🪔 Summary Table – Authorship-Based Categories

Author Type	Description
Rishis	Vedic sages and mantra-seers
Devatas	Composed by divine beings in scriptural episodes
Bhakti Saints	Regional poets and devotees across India
Adi Shankaracharya	Philosophical and poetic Advaita stotrams
Ravana	Asura king and intense Shaiva devotee
Ramanujacharya	Vishishtadvaita Vedanta philosopher-devotee
Madhvacharya	Dvaita philosopher and Krishna devotee
Vallabhacharya	Pushti Marga and Shuddha Advaita master
Alwars & Nayanmars	Tamil Shaiva and Vaishnava saints
Musical Composers	Classical Carnatic and bhakti-era poets
Kings and Rulers	Royal figures with deep devotion
Unknown / Anonymous	Timeless hymns of unclear or mystical origin

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✨ Closing Thought

“Every Stotram is a bridge —
not just from the soul to the Divine,
but from the realized heart of its composer to the hearts of millions.”
— Sanatana Decode