धर्मशास्ता स्तोत्रम् (लोकवीरं महापूज्यम्) — Benefits & How to Chant
धर्मशास्ता स्तोत्रम् (लोकवीरं महापूज्यम्)
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting धर्मशास्ता स्तोत्रम् (लोकवीरं महापूज्यम्)
The principal Namaskara Slokam (prayer of prostration) to Lord Ayyappa / Sri Dharma Shasta
a complete daily prayer in five verses
Each verse offers a bow to the Lord and closes with 'Shastaram Pranamamyaham', 'I bow to Shasta'
Adores Ayyappa as Hariharaputra, son of Vishnu and Shiva, protector of all, remover of every obstacle
Invoked for protection, the destruction of enemies, and the swift fulfilment of cherished desires
Recited daily by Ayyappa devotees and central to the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage to Sabarimala
Cultivates surrender, courage and devotion, fitting the discipline of the 41-day Ayyappa vratam
How to Chant धर्मशास्ता स्तोत्रम् (लोकवीरं महापूज्यम्)
Instructions
Bathe and sit before an image of Lord Ayyappa, ideally after lighting a lamp. Recite the five verses with the refrain 'Shastaram Pranamamyaham', bowing at each. Devotees observing the Ayyappa vratam chant it morning and evening, often followed by 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa'. It is a prayer of prostration, so recite it slowly and reverently, prostrating before the Lord.
Spiritual Significance
Ayyappa devotees hold that this prayer of prostration, recited with faith through the 41-day vratam, draws the Lord's protecting grace upon the household — scattering enemies and obstacles as Shasta once subdued the demoness Mahishi, and carrying the pilgrim safely to his darshan upon the eighteen sacred steps of Sabarimala.
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Ayyappa / Sri Dharma Shasta Namaskara Slokam
Author: Traditional
The Dharma Shasta Stotram, universally known by its opening words 'Loka Veeram Mahapoojyam', is the most widely recited prayer of salutation to Lord Ayyappa, the deity of Sabarimala. Ayyappa is worshipped as Hariharaputra — the son born of Hari (Vishnu, as Mohini) and Hara (Shiva) — and as Manikanta, raised in the Pandya royal household, and as Bhutanatha, the lord of all beings. In five verses the hymn salutes him as the world's hero, protector of all, remover of obstacles, destroyer of enemies and lord of Kerala, each verse sealed with the bow 'Shastaram Pranamamyaham'. It is chanted daily by his devotees and resounds throughout the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season with the cry 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa'.