The Stotra Ratna (), also rendered the Alavandarstotra,
Etymology
The title of the work consists of the Sanskrit terms
stotra (hymn) and
ratnam (jewel), therefore literally meaning, 'the jewel of hymns'.
Description
The main theme of the
Stotra Ratna is
Sharanagati, the concept of total surrender to God.
In the first few verses, the author pays tribute to his teachers. The subsequent verses establish the supremacy of Vishnu and his accessibility to his devotees, to whom he is referred to as a saviour. Yamunacharya offers his surrender to Vishnu, indicating that even simple acts of service such as offering salutations are effective to his worship. He states that divine mercy would be offered to all those who undertake the path of
prapatti, also describing it to be the only means of attaining salvation. The relief of the author in entrusting his burdens to Vishnu and seeking the forgiveness of the deity is also a theme of the work. Vishnu is described to be the source of the power of
Brahma and
Shiva in the hymn, regarded to perform the functions of creation, preservation, as well as destruction. His consort,
Lakshmi, is eulogised as the source of prosperity of the universe. The work is described to disseminate the central tenets of the philosophy of
Vishishtadvaita.
The hymn also describes
Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu, and the author's desire to witness the cosmic form of the deity in this realm.
The closing line of the hymn describes Yamunacharya requesting Vishnu to look upon him kindly despite his wrongdoings, citing his relationship with his grandfather, the saint
Nathamuni.
Yamunacharya is regarded to have been influenced by the hymns of the poet-saints called the Alvars. He pays homage to Nammalvar at the outset of this work.
Hymns
The ninth hymn of this work glorifies the attributes of Vishnu:
The thirty-eighth hymn of the work mentions Garuda, the vahana (mount) of the deity:
See also
