A General Survey of Stotra-kavyas

Among the earliest compositions in Stotra literature, Candistotragatha by Sri Asvaghosa (during the beginning of A.Ds), Satapancapancasatikastotragatha and Catuhsatakastotra (fragments of which are recovered) by Matrceta are notable. Sri Samantabhadra who is said to have lived during the same period, as that of Asvaghosa, had composed Devagamastotra and svayambhustotra. Valmikiramayana, VI. X. vii. 4-26 M.BH., Anusasanaparva Ch.254 32. 33. 34. Brahmanda-purana, Part III, 4-5.

: 14: Mukapancasati of Sri Mukarbakasankara (396-436 A.D) is a fine literary piece in 500 stanzas in praise of Goddess Kamaksi. The 500 stanzas are divided into five sections praising the beauty of the Goddess. Mayurasataka of poet Sri Mayura (between 6 th and 7 th century A.D.) is rich in figures of speech, in sound and sense. The superiority of God Surya is depicted, and hence the name Suryasataka also. Sri Bana, his son-in-law had composed Candisataka in praise of Goddess Parvati having a majestic appearance, in Sardulavikridita metre. Sri Vajradatta, Sri Samba, Sri Sarvajnamitra, In the Sri Nandisena, etc., were good contributors who lived during the later part of 8 th century and the early part of 9 th century A.D. Sri Vajradatta's Lokeswarasataka, Sri Samba's Sambapancasika in praise of God Siva with his spouse, Sarvajnamitra's Aryatarasragdharastotra (37 verses in praise of Goddess Tara), Nandisena's Ajitasantistava, Manatunga's Bhaktamarastotra and Bhayaharanastotra are also notable contributions to Bhakti literature. 10 th century gleanings, Laksmana, Utpala, Sobhana, Puspadanta, Yajnavalkya, Kulasekhara, etc., have made good contributions. Candikucapancasika of Laksmanacarya in praise of the breasts of Goddess Candi, Utpaladeva's Sivastotravali, Sobhana's Caturvimsatika in praise of various deities, Puspadanta's Sivamahimnastava and Ganesamahimnastava, Yajnavalkya's Suryaryastotra or Ravigatha, are also worthy of note. r

: 15: Gitagovinda of Sri. Jayadeva is a passionate eulogy in which Radha's love for Lord Krsna, is exquisitely expressed. It is said that Jayadeva who led an immoral life, later changed his way of life and became completely absorbed in devotion to Lord Krsna. Sri Jayadeva's work served as a model to King Purusottama (1500 A.D) for composing Abhinava Gitagovinda. Sri Jagannatha's (1700 A.D) contributions are classified as laharis viz., Anandalahari, Sudhalahari, Amrtalahari, Gangalahari, etc. Krsnaraja Udayar of Mysore (1800 A.D) was composer of Devatadhyanamalika in praise of various deities, like Krsnakatha, Puspamanjari, Camundimangalamalika, Mrtyunjayastotra, etc. Sri Kasturi Sivasankarasastri (1833) had composed many devotional poems like Sivanandalahari, Sivapadastuti, Stotrakadamba, Dvadasamanjari, Samudrastaka, Nrsimhastotra, etc. Bellamkondaraya (1875) also had composed Stotras on Lord Janardana, Lord Viraraghava and Goddess Saraswati. Sri Venkataramanayya (C) Principal of Sanskrit College, Bangalore has composed many literary pieces like Ramagita, Krsnagita, Dasavataragita, Ganesagita, Sivagita Vanigita, Laksmigita, etc.