Stotrams: Structure-Based Stotrams – 03/07
🧱 Structure-Based Stotrams in Sanatana Dharma
Poetic Forms, Meters, and Frameworks of Sacred Praise
Part of the Stotram Series – Type C | Sanatana Decode | Covers All Known Structural Forms
📜 Introduction
Every Stotram carries not just a message, but a specific structure. This structure influences its rhythm, memorability, impact, and use in rituals. Ancient sages crafted each hymn with meticulous poetic precision — often choosing meters (chandas), verse counts, and patterns aligned to the desired spiritual effect.
Below is a comprehensive list of all major structural types of Stotrams used across Vedic, Puranic, and Bhakti traditions.
🧘♂️ All Types of Structure-Based Stotrams
🔢 1. Ashtakam (अष्टकम्)
Composed of 8 verses; simple, lyrical, and often meditative.
E.g. Shiva Ashtakam, Ganesha Ashtakam
🔟 2. Dashakam (दशकम्)
Composed in 10 verses; often used in philosophical or devotional sequences.
E.g. Narayaneeyam Dashakam
💯 3. Shatakam (शतकं)
Comprising 100 verses, usually deep and didactic in nature.
E.g. Subhashita Shatakam
🔁 4. Sahasranama (सहस्रनाम)
A thousand names of a deity; often chanted in group or temple rituals.
E.g. Vishnu Sahasranama, Lalita Sahasranama
🔢 5. Ashtottara Shatanama (अष्टोत्तरशतनाम)
108 names of a deity, commonly used in daily puja and archana.
E.g. Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanamavali
🌟 6. Chalisa (चालीसा)
40 verses; mostly found in North Indian Bhakti traditions.
E.g. Hanuman Chalisa, Durga Chalisa
💎 7. Pancharatna (पञ्चरत्न)
Five “gems” or verses, often composed as short lyrical masterpieces.
E.g. Tyagaraja’s Pancharatna Kritis
🛡️ 8. Kavacham (कवचम्)
“Armor” hymns that protect the body, mind, and spirit.
E.g. Narayana Kavacham, Devi Kavacham
📛 9. Namavali (नामावली)
String of names with suffixes like “Om… Namah”; chanted repetitively.
E.g. Ganesha Namavali, Lakshmi Namavali
🕊️ 10. Stava (स्तवः)
A formal, often majestic hymn of praise; structured or free-flowing.
E.g. Shiva Stava, Narayana Stava
🎵 11. Stuti (स्तुतिः)
General praise — can be short, sweet, and emotionally devotional.
E.g. Annapurna Stuti, Gayatri Stuti
🪔 12. Suktam (सूक्तम्)
Vedic hymns in metered verse, often used ritually.
E.g. Sri Suktam, Medha Suktam, Purusha Suktam
📝 13. Gadyam (गद्यं)
Prose-like stotrams with long, flowing sentences.
E.g. Saranagati Gadyam, Raghuvira Gadyam
🔗 14. Gitam (गीतम्)
Musical or lyrical verses often meant to be sung melodiously.
E.g. Gopika Gitam, Bhaja Govindam
🪙 15. Ekashloki (एकश्लोकी)
One-verse stotrams — powerful condensations of devotion or philosophy.
E.g. Ekashloki Bhagavad Gita summary stotra
🔺 16. Trishati (त्रिशतिः)
300-name stotrams, less common but used in advanced worship.
E.g. Lalita Trishati
🌀 17. Mālā (माला)
Garland-style arrangements — names or verses strung like a necklace.
E.g. Vishnu Nama Mala Stotra
🎚️ 18. Mantra-Stotra (मन्त्र-स्तोत्र)
Stotrams composed entirely of mantra-style phrases, sometimes for japa.
E.g. Om Namah Shivaya Stotram, Hare Krishna Mahamantra Stotram
🧱 19. Sloka-Mālā (श्लोकमाला)
A loose collection of independent verses, without fixed count.
E.g. Dhyana Shlokas before rituals or archanas
🪔 Summary Table
| Structure Type | Meaning/Style |
|---|---|
| Ashtakam | 8 verses |
| Dashakam | 10 verses |
| Shatakam | 100 verses |
| Sahasranama | 1000 names |
| Ashtottara Shatanama | 108 names |
| Chalisa | 40 verses |
| Pancharatna | 5-verse gems |
| Kavacham | Protective “armor” stotras |
| Namavali | Chains of names |
| Stava | Lofty or formal praise |
| Stuti | General devotional praise |
| Suktam | Vedic hymn in meter |
| Gadyam | Prose-style hymn |
| Gitam | Musical/devotional songs |
| Ekashloki | One-verse stotras |
| Trishati | 300 names |
| Mala | Garland-like poetic sequencing |
| Mantra-Stotra | Mantra-based stotra form |
| Sloka-Mala | Chain of individual verses |
✨ Final Thought
“The rhythm is the soul of the stotram —
whether it’s a single verse or a thousand names,
the form only serves to guide the devotee’s heart.”
— Sanatana Decode