Mantra.Tips

Sri Venkatesha Karavalamba Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

श्री वेङ्कटेश करावलम्ब स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Sri Venkatesha Karavalamba Stotram with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Jump to a verse ▾
  1. Verse 1. Shri-shesha-shaila-suniketana divya-murte
  2. Verse 2. Brahmadi-vandita-padambuja shankha-pane
  3. Verse 3. Vedanta-vedya bhava-sagara-karnadhara
  4. Verse 4. Lakshmipate nigama-lakshya nija-svarupa
  5. Verse 5. Tapa-trayam hara vibho rabhasan-murare
  6. Verse 6. Shri-jata-rupa-nava-ratna-lasat-kirita
  7. Verse 7. Vandaru-loka-varadana-vacho-vilasa
  8. Verse 8. Divyangadankita-bhuja-dvaya mangalatman
  9. Verse 9. Svamin jagad-dharana varidhi-madhya-magna
  10. Verse 10. Divyanga-raga-paricharchita-komalanga
  11. Verse 11. Ratnadhya-dama-sunibaddha-kati-pradesha
  12. Verse 12. Lokaika-pavana-sarit-parishobhitanghre
  13. Verse 13. Kamadi-vairi-nivahochyuta me prayatah
  14. Verse 14. Shri-venkatesha-pada-pankaja-shatpadena
Verse 1#

Shri-shesha-shaila-suniketana divya-murte

श्रीशेषशैलसुनिकेतन दिव्यमूर्ते नारायणाच्युत हरे नलिनायताक्ष। लीलाकटाक्षपरिरक्षितसर्वलोक श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Shri-shesha-shaila-suniketana divya-murte Narayanachyuta hare nalinayataksha Lila-kataksha-parirakshita-sarva-loka Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO Lord whose divine form dwells upon the lovely Seshachala hill, O Narayana, Achyuta, Hari, lotus-eyed one, protector of all the worlds by your playful glance — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 2#

Brahmadi-vandita-padambuja shankha-pane

ब्रह्मादिवन्दितपदाम्बुज शङ्खपाणे श्रीमत्सुदर्शनसुशोभितदिव्यहस्त। कारुण्यसागर शरण्य सुपुण्यमूर्ते श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Brahmadi-vandita-padambuja shankha-pane Shrimat-sudarshana-sushobhita-divya-hasta Karunya-sagara sharanya su-punya-murte Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO one whose lotus-feet are adored by Brahma and the gods, holding the conch and the resplendent Sudarshana discus in your divine hands, O ocean of compassion, O refuge of the surrendered, of supremely holy form — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 3#

Vedanta-vedya bhava-sagara-karnadhara

वेदान्तवेद्य भवसागरकर्णधार श्रीपद्मनाभ कमलार्चितपादपद्म। लोकैकपावन परात्पर पापहारिन् श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Vedanta-vedya bhava-sagara-karnadhara Shri-padmanabha kamalarchita-pada-padma Lokaika-pavana paratpara papa-harin Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO one knowable through the Vedanta, helmsman across the ocean of existence, O Padmanabha whose lotus-feet are worshipped by the lotus-born Lakshmi, sole purifier of the worlds, higher than the highest, remover of sins — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 4#

Lakshmipate nigama-lakshya nija-svarupa

लक्ष्मीपते निगमलक्ष्य निजस्वरूप कामादिदोषपरिहारक बोधदायिन्। दैत्यादिमर्दन जनार्दन वासुदेव श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Lakshmipate nigama-lakshya nija-svarupa Kamadi-dosha-pariharaka bodha-dayin Daityadi-mardana janardana vasudeva Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO Lord of Lakshmi, the goal of the scriptures, of true essential nature, who removes the faults of desire and the rest and grants true knowledge, crusher of the demons, O Janardana, O Vasudeva — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 5#

Tapa-trayam hara vibho rabhasan-murare

तापत्रयं हर विभो रभसान्मुरारे संरक्ष मां करुणया सरसीरुहाक्ष। मच्छिष्यमित्यनुदिनं परिरक्ष विष्णो श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Tapa-trayam hara vibho rabhasan-murare Samraksha mam karunaya sarasiruhaksha Mach-chhishyam-ity-anudinam pariraksha vishno Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningQuickly destroy the three afflictions, O all-pervading Murari; protect me with compassion, O lotus-eyed one; guard me each day as your own disciple, O Vishnu — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 6#

Shri-jata-rupa-nava-ratna-lasat-kirita

श्रीजातरूपनवरत्नलसत्किरीट कस्तूरिकातिलकशोभिललाटदेश। राकेन्दुबिम्बवदनाम्बुज वारिजाक्ष श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Shri-jata-rupa-nava-ratna-lasat-kirita Kasturika-tilaka-shobhi-lalata-desha Rakendu-bimba-vadanambuja varijaksha Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO one wearing a crown shining with fine gold and the nine gems, your forehead beautiful with a musk tilaka, your lotus-face like the full moon, O lotus-eyed one — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 7#

Vandaru-loka-varadana-vacho-vilasa

वन्दारुलोकवरदानवचोविलास रत्नाढ्यहारपरिशोभित कम्बुकण्ठ। केयूररत्नसुविभासिदिगन्तराल श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Vandaru-loka-varadana-vacho-vilasa Ratnadhya-hara-parishobhita kambu-kantha Keyura-ratna-suvibhasi-digantarala Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO one whose words playfully bestow boons upon your devotees, your conch-like neck adorned with jewel-studded necklaces, the gems of your armlets lighting up every quarter — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 8#

Divyangadankita-bhuja-dvaya mangalatman

दिव्याङ्गदाङ्कितभुजद्वय मङ्गलात्मन् केयूरभूषण सुशोभित दीर्घबाहो। नागेन्द्रकङ्कणकरद्वयकामदायिन् श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Divyangadankita-bhuja-dvaya mangalatman Keyura-bhushana sushobhita dirgha-baho Nagendra-kankana-kara-dvaya-kama-dayin Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO auspicious one, your two arms marked with divine armlets, your long arms beautified with bracelet ornaments, your two hands granting wishes with serpent-king bangles — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 9#

Svamin jagad-dharana varidhi-madhya-magna

स्वामिन् जगद्धरण वारिधिमध्यमग्न मामुद्धरय कृपया करुणापयोधे। लक्ष्मींश्च देहि मम धर्मसमृद्धिहेतुं श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Svamin jagad-dharana varidhi-madhya-magna Mam-uddhara kripaya karuna-payodhe Lakshmimshcha dehi mama dharma-samriddhi-hetum Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO Master, sustainer of the world, I am drowning in the midst of the ocean (of samsara); lift me up by your grace, O sea of mercy; and grant me Lakshmi (prosperity) for the increase of righteousness — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 10#

Divyanga-raga-paricharchita-komalanga

दिव्याङ्गरागपरिचर्चितकोमलाङ्ग पीताम्बरावृततनो तरुणार्कभास। सत्याञ्जनाभपरिधान सुपत्तबन्ध श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Divyanga-raga-paricharchita-komalanga Pitambaravrita-tano tarunarka-bhasa Satyanjanabha-paridhana su-patta-bandha Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO one whose tender limbs are anointed with divine fragrant pastes, your body wrapped in yellow silk, radiant like the rising sun, beautifully girded — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 11#

Ratnadhya-dama-sunibaddha-kati-pradesha

रत्नाढ्यदामसुनिबद्धकटिप्रदेश माणिक्यदर्पणसुसन्निभजानुदेश। जङ्घाद्वयेन परिमोहितसर्वलोक श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Ratnadhya-dama-sunibaddha-kati-pradesha Manikya-darpana-susannibha-janu-desha Janghadvayena parimohita-sarva-loka Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO one whose waist is bound with a jewel-rich girdle, whose knees gleam like ruby mirrors, who enchants all the worlds with your two thighs — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 12#

Lokaika-pavana-sarit-parishobhitanghre

लोकैकपावनसरित्परिशोभिताङ्घ्रे त्वत्पाददर्शन दिने ममाघमीश। हार्दं तमश्च सकलं लयमाप भूमन् श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Lokaika-pavana-sarit-parishobhitanghre Tvat-pada-darshana dine cha mamagham-isha Hardam tamashcha sakalam layam-apa bhuman Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO one whose feet are graced by the world's sole purifying river (that flows from them), on the day I beheld your feet, O Lord, all my sin and inner darkness met dissolution, O all-pervading one — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 13#

Kamadi-vairi-nivahochyuta me prayatah

कामादिवैरिनिवहोच्युत मे प्रयातः दारिद्र्यमप्यपगतं सकलं दयालो। दीनं मां समवलोक्य दयार्द्रदृष्ट्या श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम्॥

Kamadi-vairi-nivahochyuta me prayatah Daridryam-apy-apagatam sakalam dayalo Dinam cha mam samavalokya dayardra-drishtya Shri-venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam

MeaningO Achyuta, the host of enemies such as desire has departed from me, and all my poverty too is gone, O compassionate one; looking upon me, lowly as I am, with a glance moist with mercy — O Sri Venkatesha, grant me the support of your hand.

Verse 14#

Shri-venkatesha-pada-pankaja-shatpadena

श्रीवेङ्कटेशपदपङ्कजषट्पदेन श्रीमन्नृसिंहयतिना रचितं जगत्याम्। एतत्पठन्ति मनुजाः पुरुषोत्तमस्य ते प्राप्नुवन्ति परमां पदवीं मुरारेः॥

Shri-venkatesha-pada-pankaja-shatpadena Shriman-nrisimha-yatina rachitam jagatyam Etat-pathanti manujah purushottamasya Te prapnuvanti paramam padavim murareh

MeaningThis hymn was composed in the world by the ascetic Sri Nrisimha (Bharati), like a bee at the lotus-feet of Sri Venkatesha. Those who recite it attain the supreme state of Purushottama, Murari.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

श्रीशेषशैलसुनिकेतन
Shri-shesha-shaila-suniketana
O one whose lovely abode is the Seshachala (Tirumala) hill
दिव्यमूर्ते
Divya-murte
O one of divine form
नारायणाच्युत हरे
Narayanachyuta hare
O Narayana, O Achyuta (infallible), O Hari
नलिनायताक्ष
Nalinayataksha
O lotus-eyed one (with eyes long like a lotus)
लीलाकटाक्षपरिरक्षितसर्वलोक
Lila-kataksha-parirakshita-sarva-loka
O protector of all the worlds by your playful sidelong glance
श्रीवेङ्कटेश
Shri-venkatesha
O Lord Venkatesha (of Tirupati)
मम देहि करावलम्बम्
Mama dehi karavalambam
Grant me the support of your hand
ब्रह्मादिवन्दितपदाम्बुज
Brahmadi-vandita-padambuja
O one whose lotus-feet are worshipped by Brahma and the gods
शङ्खपाणे
Shankha-pane
O one holding the conch in your hand
श्रीमत्सुदर्शन
Shrimat-sudarshana
(Holding) the glorious Sudarshana discus
कारुण्यसागर शरण्य
Karunya-sagara sharanya
O ocean of compassion, O refuge worthy of surrender
वेदान्तवेद्य
Vedanta-vedya
O one knowable through the Vedanta (Upanishads)
भवसागरकर्णधार
Bhava-sagara-karnadhara
O helmsman who steers (us) across the ocean of worldly existence
पापहारिन्
Papa-harin
O remover of sins
लक्ष्मीपते
Lakshmipate
O Lord (consort) of Lakshmi
तापत्रयं हर
Tapa-trayam hara
Remove the three kinds of suffering
सरसीरुहाक्ष
Sarasiruhaksha
O lotus-eyed one
कारुण्यसागर
Karuna-payodhe
O ocean of mercy
मामुद्धर कृपया
Mam-uddhara kripaya
Lift me up (rescue me) by your grace
दारिद्र्यमप्यपगतं
Daridryam-apy-apagatam
May poverty too be entirely removed
श्रीमन्नृसिंहयतिना रचितम्
Shriman-nrisimha-yatina rachitam
Composed by the ascetic Sri Nrisimha (Bharati of Sringeri)

Origin & History

Source: Composed by Sri Nrisimha Bharati of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham

Author: Sri Nrisimha Bharati (Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri)

Period: Medieval / later Sringeri tradition

This stotram belongs to the popular genre of 'karavalamba' hymns — prayers in which a devotee, feeling helpless in the ocean of worldly suffering, repeatedly cries out to the Lord for 'the support of his hand.' It was composed by a Jagadguru Sri Nrisimha Bharati of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham in adoration of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala. Verse by verse it offers a complete darshan of Balaji, from his jewelled crown and musk-marked forehead down to his feet from which the purifying river is said to flow, ending always with the same humble plea for his grace. The closing verse declares that those who recite it reach the supreme state of Purushottama.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Karavalamba Stotram' mean?
'Kara' means hand and 'avalamba' means support; a karavalamba stotram is a hymn that repeatedly begs the Lord for 'the support of his hand.' Each verse here ends with 'Sri Venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam' — 'O Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand' — making it a prayer of total dependence on his grace.
Who composed the Sri Venkatesha Karavalamba Stotram?
It was composed by Sri Nrisimha Bharati, a Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, as stated in the final verse, where he calls himself a bee at the lotus-feet of Sri Venkatesha. It has been popularised in recitation, including by Bharat Ratna M. S. Subbulakshmi.
Which deity is Sri Venkatesha?
Sri Venkatesha, also called Venkateswara, Srinivasa or Balaji, is the form of Lord Vishnu enshrined on the Tirumala (Seshachala) hills at Tirupati, one of the most visited and revered temples in the world. The first verse addresses him as the divine form dwelling on the Seshachala hill.
When should the stotram be recited?
It is recited daily during Venkateswara worship, and especially on Saturdays which are sacred to Balaji, on Ekadashi, and by pilgrims visiting Tirumala. It is a fitting prayer whenever one seeks the Lord's protecting hand in difficulty.

Ready to start chanting?

See Benefits & How to Chant →