अष्टभुजाष्टकम् — Benefits & How to Chant
अष्टभुजाष्टकम्
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting अष्टभुजाष्टकम्
Invokes the protection of Ashtabhuja Perumal, the eight-armed Lord ever ready to rescue His devotees
A complete prayer of saranagati (surrender), like the Gajendra-moksha, for those who feel dragged about by the senses
Instils confidence that the Lord Himself bears the burden of those who take refuge in Him
Cultivates the longing for eternal, intimate service (kainkarya) at the Lord's feet
Recited by devotees of the Kanchipuram Ashtabhujakaram Divya Desam and lovers of Vedanta Desika's stotras
Removes fear and anxiety by resting wholly on the Lord's compassion and grace
How to Chant अष्टभुजाष्टकम्
Instructions
Sit cleanly facing east before an image of Vishnu, ideally Ashtabhuja Perumal. Recall the story of Gajendra and the Lord's swift grace, then recite the eight verses with devotion, offering yourself into His protection as Swami Desika does. Dwell especially on the surrender of verses one, six and eight. Conclude by praying to be kept far from fault and to relish loving service at His lotus feet.
Spiritual Significance
The Lord is said to have taken the rare eight-armed (ashtabhuja) form at Kanchipuram to guard a great sacrifice from disruption, driving away the obstructing forces with the weapons in His eight hands; devotees hold that He who thus protected the yajna, and who once flew to save Gajendra, likewise shields all who surrender to Him through this Ashtakam.
Origin & History
Source: Ashtabhuja Ashtakam (eight verses on the Ashtabhuja Perumal of Kanchipuram)
Author: Vedanta Desika (Venkatanatha)
Swami Vedanta Desika, who lived for much of his life in Kanchipuram, composed this Ashtakam as a prapatti to Ashtabhuja Perumal, the eight-armed form of Vishnu in the Ashtabhujakaram Divya Desam. Overcome by the Lord's beauty and grace, and likening himself to the helpless Gajendra dragged by the crocodile of sense-objects, he surrendered himself entirely into the Lord's protection in eight verses, praying not for liberation as an end in itself but for the bliss of perpetual service at the Lord's feet.