Sri Raghavendra Stotra (Poojyaya Raghavendraya) — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्री राघवेन्द्र स्तोत्र (पूज्याय राघवेन्द्राय)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
पूज्याय राघवेन्द्राय
pūjyāya rāghavendrāya
To the venerable, worshipful Sri Raghavendra
सत्यधर्मरताय च
satyadharmaratāya ca
who is ever devoted to truth (satya) and righteousness (dharma)
भजतां कल्पवृक्षाय
bhajatāṃ kalpavṛkṣāya
who is the wish-fulfilling tree (Kalpavriksha) to those who worship him
नमतां कामधेनवे
namatāṃ kāmadhenave
and the wish-granting cow (Kamadhenu) to those who bow to him
Complete Translation
The principal mantra and shloka of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the great 17th-century saint of Mantralaya. 'Salutations to Sri Raghavendra. To the venerable Raghavendra, ever devoted to truth and righteousness, who is the wish-fulfilling Kalpavriksha tree to those who worship him and the Kamadhenu to those who bow to him — salutations.'
Origin & History
Source: Shloka by Appannacharya; traditional moola mantra
Author: Appannacharya
Period: 17th century
Sri Raghavendra Swamy (1595–1671) was a luminary of the Madhwa tradition who entered living samadhi (brindavana) at Mantralaya in 1671. The famous shloka 'Poojyaya Raghavendraya' was composed by his ardent devotee Appannacharya, who is said to have completed his 'Raghavendra Stotra' as the master entered brindavana. To this day the guru is worshipped as Kalpavriksha and Kamadhenu — the giver of every blessing — by devotees across South India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of 'Poojyaya Raghavendraya'?▼
It means: salutations to the venerable Sri Raghavendra, ever devoted to truth and righteousness, who is the wish-fulfilling tree (Kalpavriksha) to those who worship him and the wish-granting cow (Kamadhenu) to those who bow to him. It is the single most-recited shloka of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.
What is the Sri Raghavendra moola (root) mantra?▼
The root mantra is 'Om Sri Raghavendraya Namaha' (ॐ श्री राघवेन्द्राय नमः), chanted as japa for the guru's protection and grace — commonly 108 times on a mala.
Who was Sri Raghavendra Swamy?▼
Sri Raghavendra Swamy (1595–1671) was a great saint, scholar and guru of the Madhwa (Dvaita Vaishnava) tradition founded by Madhvacharya. His brindavana is at Mantralaya in Andhra Pradesh, on the banks of the Tungabhadra, a major pilgrimage centre revered across Karnataka, Andhra and beyond.
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