Ashtakams
Ashtakams
The term “Ashtakam,” derived from the Sanskrit word “asht,” meaning “eight,” denotes a specific poetic form consisting of eight stanzas. Each stanza, structured as a rhyming quartet with an end rhyme scheme of a-a-a-a, results in a total of thirty-two lines. This genre adheres to a stringent rhyme pattern throughout the composition.
A notable exponent of this form was Adi Shankaracharya, who crafted a cycle of Ashtakams dedicated to various deities. His works can be appreciated both as cohesive collections of distinct poems and as unified poetic narratives.
During the golden era of Sanskrit literature, Ashtakams emerged as a widely embraced genre, celebrated for their devotional fervor and literary elegance within Vedic Indian literature.
Following is the list of Ashtakams that will be taught:
- Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
- Krishna Ashtakam
- Ranganatha Ashtakam
- Damodarashtakam
- Madhurashtakam
- Nrusimhashtakam
- Venkatesha Ashtakam
- Govindashtakam
