Mantra.Tips

Dwadasa Stotra Meaning — Line by Line

द्वादश स्तोत्र

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Dwadasa Stotra with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

Vande vandyaṁ sadānandaṁ vāsudevaṁ nirañjanam।

वन्दे वन्द्यं सदानन्दं वासुदेवं निरञ्जनम्। इन्दिरा-पति-माद्य-आदि-वरद-इष्ट-वर-प्रदम्॥

Vande vandyaṁ sadānandaṁ vāsudevaṁ nirañjanam। Indirā-pati-mādya-ādi-varada-iṣṭa-vara-pradam॥

MeaningI bow to Vasudeva — the one worthy of all worship, ever-blissful, stainless and pure, the Lord of Indira (Lakshmi), the foremost giver of boons, who grants every cherished blessing.

Verse 2#

Namāmi nikhila-ādhāra-durita-agha-ogha-nāśanam।

नमामि निखिल-आधार-दुरित-अघ-ओघ-नाशनम्। परमानन्द-तीर्थ-उक्तं हरि-पादाब्ज-षट्पदम्॥

Namāmi nikhila-ādhāra-durita-agha-ogha-nāśanam। Paramānanda-tīrtha-uktaṁ hari-pādābja-ṣaṭpadam॥

MeaningI salute the Lord who is the support of all, the destroyer of the flood of sins and evils — He who is praised by Ananda Tirtha (Madhvacharya), the bee humming at the lotus-feet of Hari.

Verse 3#

Sṛṣṭi-sthiti-saṁhāra-kartāraṁ viśva-tomukham।

सृष्टि-स्थिति-संहार-कर्तारं विश्व-तोमुखम्। सर्व-ज्ञं सर्व-शक्तिं तं नमामि श्रिय-पति हरिम्॥

Sṛṣṭi-sthiti-saṁhāra-kartāraṁ viśva-tomukham। Sarva-jñaṁ sarva-śaktiṁ taṁ namāmi śriya-pati harim॥

MeaningI bow to that Hari, consort of Sri — the doer of creation, preservation and dissolution, whose presence faces every direction, the all-knowing and all-powerful Lord.

Verse 4#

Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya॥

नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥

Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya॥

MeaningOm — salutations to Lord Vasudeva.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

वन्दे
vande
I bow, I worship, I offer salutations
वन्द्यम्
vandyam
the one worthy of all worship and adoration
सदानन्दम्
sadānandam
the ever-blissful one, of eternal joy
वासुदेवम्
vāsudevam
Vasudeva, the indwelling Supreme Lord (Krishna / Vishnu)
निरञ्जनम्
nirañjanam
the stainless, the pure, free from all blemish
इन्दिरा-पतिम्
indirā-patim
the consort (Lord) of Indira (Lakshmi)
इष्ट-वर-प्रदम्
iṣṭa-vara-pradam
the bestower of cherished boons / desired blessings
नमामि
namāmi
I bow down, I salute
निखिल-आधारम्
nikhila-ādhāram
the support / substratum of all that exists
दुरित-अघ-ओघ-नाशनम्
durita-agha-ogha-nāśanam
the destroyer of the flood of sins and evils
परमानन्द-तीर्थ-उक्तम्
paramānanda-tīrtha-uktam
praised / declared by (Ananda Tirtha) Madhvacharya
हरि-पाद-अब्ज-षट्पदम्
hari-pāda-abja-ṣaṭpadam
(Madhva) the bee at the lotus-feet of Hari
सृष्टि-स्थिति-संहार-कर्तारम्
sṛṣṭi-sthiti-saṁhāra-kartāram
the doer of creation, preservation and dissolution
विश्व-तोमुखम्
viśva-tomukham
the one whose faces are turned everywhere (all-pervading)
सर्व-ज्ञम्
sarva-jñam
the all-knowing, omniscient one
सर्व-शक्तिम्
sarva-śaktim
the all-powerful, omnipotent one
श्रिय-पतिम्
śriya-patim
the Lord (consort) of Sri (Lakshmi)
हरिम्
harim
Hari, the remover of sins and sorrows (Vishnu)
वासुदेवाय नमः
vāsudevāya namaḥ
salutations to Lord Vasudeva

Origin & History

Source: Dwadasa Stotra (Madhva / Dvaita Vedanta tradition)

Author: Sri Madhvacharya (Ananda Tirtha)

Period: 13th century CE

Sri Madhvacharya composed the Dwadasa Stotra after installing the sacred image of Lord Krishna at Udupi. Tradition relates that he received the murti — said to have been worshipped long ago by Rukmini — and consecrated it for daily worship. He sang these twelve hymns at the time of offering food to the Lord, blending profound philosophy with heartfelt devotion, and they have remained central to Madhva worship ever since.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who composed the Dwadasa Stotra?
The Dwadasa Stotra was composed by Sri Madhvacharya, also known as Ananda Tirtha or Purnaprajna (13th century CE), the founder of the Dvaita (Tattvavada) school of Vedanta.
What does 'Dwadasa Stotra' mean?
'Dwadasa' means twelve, so Dwadasa Stotra means 'the Twelve Hymns' — a set of twelve devotional poems in praise of Lord Vishnu-Vasudeva.
When is the Dwadasa Stotra traditionally sung?
It is traditionally sung in Madhva temples — especially at Udupi — during the naivedya, the ceremonial offering of food to Lord Krishna, and is also recited daily by devotees as a part of their worship.
Why is it specially associated with Udupi?
Sri Madhvacharya established the worship of Lord Krishna at Udupi, where the deity he installed is offered food daily. By tradition the Dwadasa Stotra is sung at that offering, linking the hymn intimately with Udupi Krishna.

Ready to start chanting?

See Benefits & How to Chant →