Thotaka, one of the disciples of Sankara, wrote an octet in praise of his Master, Bhagavan Sankara. The metre he used in his composition was but the most beautiful Thotaka. This eightfold verse voice the extreme loyalty and devotion he had for his Master. There is nothing superior to the Guru, none greater than Him. Guru is the destroyer of Ignorance and on the Grace of the Grace rests the fulfillment of the dream of Self Actualisation ! His devotion is best expressed in the soul moving note of this magnificent song , Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine ! viditákhilaùástrasudhájaladhe mahitopanisatkathitárthanidhe hødaye kalaye vimalam caraïam bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaranam.(1) O Knower of the Milk Ocean of Sciences philosophic Proponent of the mighty Upanishads My heart yearns for Thy faultless feet Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine karuïávarunalaya pálaya mám bhavaságaraduçkhavidünahødam racayákhiladarùanattattuavidam bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(2) Thou art the Ocean of Compassion This misery afflicted me redeem Impart the quintessence of the Sciences Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine bhavatá janatá suhitá bhavitá nijabodhavicárana cárumate kalayeùvarajivavivekavidam bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaranam.(3) Masses are blissful because of Thee Thou are blessed with Self Knowledge With a noble intellect divine Bestow the knowledge of the Eternal Triad Of Universe, Self and Supreme Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine bhava eva bhavániti me nitarám samajáyata cetasi kautukitá mama váraya mohamahájaladhim bhava ùaïkara desika me ùaraïam.(4) Thou art Divinity visible Bliss overwhelming overpowers me Save me from this Ocean of Delusion Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine sukøte' dhikøte bahudhá bhavato bhavitá samadarsanalalasata atidinamimam paripálaya mám bhava ùaïkara deùika me ùaraïam.(5) Only when virtuous deeds are performed Will the desire of Liberation spring in mind ! Save this misery afflicted disciple of yours Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine jagatimavitum kalitákøtayo vicaranti mahamahasaùchalatah abhimámsurivatra vibhási guro bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(6) The great who come to save this suffering world Assume various forms disguise ! Heaven's treasures they bring, their sufferings count their pain And they pay the gifts of Knowledge with their lives! Amongst them, Thou art the Sun Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine gurupuñgava puñgava ketana te samatámayatám nahi ko pi sudhiç ùaraïágatavatsala tattvanidhe bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(7) O Teacher of Teachers There is none equal to Thee on earth ! Compassionate to those who have taken refuge A nd the Treasure-trove of Wisdom Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine viditá na mayá viùadaikakalá na ca kimcana káòcanamasti guro drutameva vidhehi køpám sahajám bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(8) Of all the sciences six None has been understood by me Nor do I possess wealth Impart Thy Grace quickly On this miserable disciple Be Thou my Refuge, O Master Divine I have collected about Seven Thotakashtakam, ARR Music videos and you can hear them at About Gvr http://www.guruvayur4u.com/html/vedicsymbolism.htm About Bharatha Temple http://www.guruvayur4u.com/html/spiritualtourism18.htm About Thriprayar http://www.guruvayur4u.com/html/spiritualtourism19.htm About Tirunelli Lord http://k.guruvayur4u.com/html/culturaltourism3.htm Chottanikkara http://www.guruvayur4u.com/html/spiritualtourism15.htm Kadampuzha http://www.guruvayur4u.com/html/spiritualtourism14.htm Kottarakkara http://www.guruvayur4u.com/html/spiritualtourism33.htm https://fktr.in/x2dpYJS https://fktr.in/jk7oYef