Note the misspelling of the title
Trotakacharya (IAST Troţakācārya) (c. 8th century CE) was a disciple of Adi Shankara, the Advaita philosopher. He was made the first Jagadguru (head) of the Jyotirmatha Peetham, the northern matha founded by Adi Shankara near Badrinath. He founded a matha by name Vadakke Matham in Thrissur, Kerala.
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The Mādhavīya Śaṃkaravijayam states that when Adi Shankara was at Sringeri, he met a boy named Giri. Adi Shankara accepted the boy as his disciple. Giri was a hard-working and loyal servant of his Guru, Adi Shankara, though he did not appear bright to the other disciples. One day, Giri was washing his Guru's clothes, when Adi Shankara sat down to begin a lesson on Advaita Vedanta. He however did not start the lesson saying he was waiting for Giri to come back from his chores and singing lessons. At this, Padmapada pointed to a wall and said that it would be the same if Adi Shankara taught to this dumb object as he taught to Giri. Now, Adi Shankara wanted to reward Giri for his loyalty and devotion. Thus he mentally granted Giri the complete knowledge of all the śāstras (sciences). The enlightened Giri composed extempore the Totakashtakam, a Sanskrit poem in the toţaka metre, in praise of the Guru Adi Shankara. Thus the dumb disciple Giri became Totakacharya.
The Totakashtakam was composed by Giri in praise of his Guru Adi Shankara. Literally, it means a rhyme of eight (Sanskrit ashta) verses (shlokas) composes by Totaka.
Transliterated Lyrics of Toţakāşţakam
Thodakashtakam By Ananda Giri (Thodagacharya) Disciple of Adhi Sankara
Translated by P.R.Ramachander
Vidhithakhila sasthra sudha Jaladhe
Mahithopanishath kadithartha nidhe,
Hrudaye kalaye vimalam charanam,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 1
I praise and seek the protection of Sankara, Who is the ocean of nectar of our great holy books, And who is like the Treasure Of the essence of the great Upanishads, And I meditate on his clear holy feet in my heart.
Karuna varunalaya palaya mama,
Bhava sagara dukha vidhua mridham,
Rachayakhila darsana Thathwa vidham,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 2
I praise and seek the protection of Sankara, Who is the great ocean of mercy, And seek protection for me , who has suffered deep sorrow, In the ocean of day to day life, And also request to make me, Know all the schools of our philosophy.
Bhavatha janatha suhitha bhavitha,
Nija bodha vicharana charumathe,
Kalayeshwara jeeva viveka vidham,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 3
I praise and seek the protection of Sankara, Because of whom the world has a pleasant life, Oh great soul who can teach the great knowledge, Make me understand the knowledge of the soul.
Bhava eva bhavanihi may nitharam,
Samajayatha chethasi kauthukitha,
Mama vaaraya moha maha jaladhim,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 4
I praise and seek the protection of Sankara, When I understood it is him, I became ecstasic with happiness, And requested, please dry the ocean of passion in me.
Sukruthe adhikruthe bahudha bhavatha,
Bhavitha sama darshana lalasatha,
Athi deenamimam paripalaya maam,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 5
I praise and seek the protection of Sankara, When the good deeds accumulate and become more, Like you, my mind would see everything as equal, Please give protection to this very lowly me.
Jagathi avithum kalitha kruthayo,
Vicharanthi mahaa maha saschalatha,
Ahimmsurivathra vibhasi pura,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 6
I praise and seek the protection of Sankara, Those who are born to protect this world, And who are like a burning flame, Roam everywhere without any one’s knowledge, But you shine before me like the Sun God
Guru pungava pungava kethana they,
Samayamayatham nahi ko api sudhi,
Saranagatha vathsala Thathwa nidhe,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 7
I praise and seek the protection of Sankara, Who is the teacher among teachers Who does not have any equal, Who is the treasure house of Philosophy And who is merciful to those who seek his blessings.
Vidhitha na maya visadhaika kala,
Na cha kinchana kanchanamasthi guro,
Dhruthameva videhi krupaam sahajam,
Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam. 8
I praise and seek the protection of Sankara, And request him to shower his natural grace fast on me, Who does not possess expertise in any branch, And who does not even a small piece of wealth(gold?)