ದ್ವಾದಶ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರ
द्वादश स्तोत्र
Also known as: dwadasha stotra · dvadasa stotra · dvadasha stotra · madhva dwadasa stotra · vande vandyam sadanandam · udupi krishna stotra
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✦ Meaning
The Dwadasa Stotra ('Twelve Hymns') is a beloved devotional composition by Sri Madhvacharya (Ananda Tirtha), the founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta. Traditionally sung during the offering of food (naivedya) to Lord Krishna at Udupi, its melodious verses extol Vishnu-Vasudeva as the supreme, blissful, all-pervading Lord and the bestower of liberation. The hymns combine deep philosophical truth with tender devotion and are recited daily across the Madhva tradition.
Origin & Story
Dwadasa Stotra (Madhva / Dvaita Vedanta tradition) · Sri Madhvacharya (Ananda Tirtha) · 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.
✦ As told in scripture
Tradition recounts that Sri Madhvacharya retrieved the image of Bala Krishna from a ball of sacred clay (gopichandana) carried by a ship he had saved from a storm, and installed it at Udupi; it is believed that the Dwadasa Stotra, sung at the daily food offering, draws the living presence of the Lord, and devotees recount the deity once turning to grant darshan to the humble saint Kanaka Dasa.
Complete Text with Meaning
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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॥
Meaning:ನಾನು ವಾಸುದೇವನಿಗೆ ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ — ವಂದನೀಯ, ಸದಾ ಆನಂದಮಯ, ನಿರ್ಮಲ, ನಿರಂಜನ, ಇಂದಿರೆಯ (ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿಯ) ಪತಿ, ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ವರದಾತ, ಸಮಸ್ತ ಇಷ್ಟ ವರಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡುವವನು.
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॥
Meaning:ನಾನು ಆ ಭಗವಂತನಿಗೆ ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ — ಸಮಸ್ತ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಗೆ ಆಧಾರನಾದವನು, ಪಾಪ-ಅಘಗಳ ಪ್ರವಾಹವನ್ನು ನಾಶಮಾಡುವವನು — ಆನಂದತೀರ್ಥನಿಂದ (ಮಧ್ವಾಚಾರ್ಯರಿಂದ) ಸ್ತುತಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟವನು, ಹರಿಯ ಪಾದಕಮಲಗಳ ಭ್ರಮರನಾದವನು.
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॥
Meaning:ನಾನು ಆ ಶ್ರೀಪತಿ ಹರಿಗೆ ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ — ಸೃಷ್ಟಿ, ಸ್ಥಿತಿ, ಸಂಹಾರಗಳ ಕರ್ತ, ಯಾರ ಮುಖಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲ ದಿಕ್ಕುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇವೆಯೋ, ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ, ಸರ್ವಶಕ್ತ.
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥
Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya॥
Meaning:ಓಂ ವಾಸುದೇವನಿಗೆ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting ದ್ವಾದಶ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರ
Invokes the grace of Vishnu-Vasudeva, the bestower of all cherished boons
Traditionally sung during naivedya (food offering) to invoke the Lord's presence
Cultivates devotion combined with right knowledge (jnana) of the Supreme
Believed to destroy the accumulated burden of sins and inner impurities
Brings peace, contentment and steadiness of mind through divine remembrance
Leads the devotee toward liberation through surrender to Hari
How to Chant ದ್ವಾದಶ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರ
Recite or sing with devotion and a calm, grateful mind, ideally before an image of Krishna or Vishnu. The complete work comprises twelve stotras of melodious verses; in the Madhva tradition they are chanted during the offering of food to the Lord. Begin as given here with 'Vande vandyam'. Singing with the traditional tunes deepens the mood; conclude with salutations to Vasudeva. Cleanliness and a spirit of surrender enhance the practice.
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