Stotrams: Authorship-Based Stotrams – 04/07
✍️ Authorship-Based Stotrams in Sanatana Dharma
Divine Words Flowing from Enlightened Beings
Part of the Stotram Series – Type D | Sanatana Decode | Full Authorship Coverage
📜 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.
🧘♂️ Authorship-Based Categories of Stotrams
🟡 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.
🕉️ 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.
🛕 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
📿 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
🔥 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.
🌄 6. Ramanujacharya
Great proponent of Vishishtadvaita, whose compositions are full of surrender and devotion.
🪔 Examples:
- Sharanagati Gadyam
- Vaikuntha Gadyam
- Sri Ranga Gadyam
📖 7. Madhvacharya
Dvaita Vedanta philosopher who composed devotional and philosophical hymns.
🪔 Examples:
- Dvaita Stotras
- Krishna-related hymns with deep dualistic philosophy.
🌺 8. Vallabhacharya
Founder of the Pushti Marg who focused on Krishna bhakti and grace (pushti).
🪔 Examples:
- Yamunashtakam
- Krishna Stutis of Shringar Ras
🪔 9. Regional Alwars and Nayanmars
Tamil bhakti saints who composed thousands of hymns.
🪔 Examples:
- Nayanmars (Shaiva) – Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar
- Alwars (Vaishnava) – Nammalwar, Periyalwar, Andal
🎼 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
🔱 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
🌌 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)
🪔 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 |
✨ 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