Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam — eight verses of benediction to Śrī Rāghavendra Tīrtha, composed by his foremost disciple Appaṇācārya, each closing with the prayer that the guru grant lasting auspiciousness.
A bee at the lotus-feet of Śrī Rāma; lord of Madhva's noble lineage; the moon to the star-cluster of his worthy disciples; a wish-tree to the world that takes refuge in him; his mind wholly given to the repetition of Acyuta's name, a burning sun to the darkness of sin — may the great guru Rāghavendra, king of ascetics, surely grant auspiciousness.
Sprung from the lotus-hands of his gurus Kārmandīndra and Sudhīndra; who by his abundant meditation has won the ever-abiding grace of Lakṣmī's Lord; a lion to the whole elephant-herd of false disputants who deride the true scriptures — may the great guru Rāghavendra, king of ascetics, surely grant auspiciousness.
Master of poetry, drama and the arts with all their ornament, of the Kāṇāda and Pātañjala systems, of the meaning of the three Vedas, of the Smṛtis and of Jaimini's Mīmāṃsā and of the poet's craft; served at his feet by countless people — brahmins, kṣatriyas and others — may the great guru Rāghavendra, king of ascetics, surely grant auspiciousness.
raṅgottuṅgataraṅgamaṅgalakara śrītuṅgabhadrātaṭapratyaksthadvijapuṅgavālaya lasanmantrālayākhye pure | navyendropalanīlabhavyakarasadvṛndāvanāntargataḥ śrīmatsadgururāghavendrayatirāṭ kuryāddhruvaṃ maṅgalam ||
In the town called Mantrālaya, on the bank of the blessed Tuṅgabhadrā with its high, auspicious waves, where to the west stands the shrine of the best of brahmins — seated within a lovely Vṛndāvana dark and radiant as fresh sapphire — may the great guru Rāghavendra, king of ascetics, surely grant auspiciousness.
His two sandals touched by the priceless lustre of the great gems set in the crowns of scholar-kings bowed at his feet, washing away the flood of sin; bearing the lotus-seed rosary, his hand bright with the shining staff and water-pot, resplendent in ochre robes — may the great guru Rāghavendra, king of ascetics, surely grant auspiciousness.
Circumambulating, bowing, bathing, praising, meditating, worshipping and anointing his Vṛndāvana with fragrant paste, and offering the many services again and again, the four kinds of people attain the four aims of life — may the great guru Rāghavendra, king of ascetics, surely grant auspiciousness.
Having drunk the nectar of the words of the sage Vedavyāsa, of Madhva the king of ascetics, and of the Ṭīkā (of Jayatīrtha), and having cast off the doctrine of non-dualism like hālāhala poison, he joyfully set forth a commentary on the ten Upaniṣads that gladdens the discerning — may the great guru Rāghavendra, king of ascetics, surely grant auspiciousness.
Guru to the whole world of Vaiṣṇavas; guru of the great renunciants; in scripture a very teacher of the gods; a wish-tree to those who take refuge; a thunderbolt to the mountain of obstacles; whose crest is beyond thought; the conqueror; the giver of true happiness and prosperity — may the great guru Rāghavendra, king of ascetics, surely grant auspiciousness.
Whoever, morning and evening, devoutly recites this auspicious eightfold hymn of the guru, king of ascetics — at once sin-destroying, spoken for his devout and learned servants — attains, by uttering it with devotion, rich fortune, a blessed station, long life and health, fame, and the very fullness of sons, wife, kinsmen and friends: this he surely gains. (phalaśruti)
About Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam
Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam is a Sanskrit stotra, composed by Śrī Appaṇācārya, addressed to Raghavendra — a Ashtakam. It is presented here in Devanagari, Roman (IAST), Kannada, each verse with its English meaning. Source text: sanskritdocuments.org.
The chief disciple of Śrī Rāghavendra Tīrtha and composer of the celebrated Rāghavendra Stotra (Pūrṇabodha…), which he is said to have uttered as his guru entered Bṛndāvana at Mantrālaya. The shorter Aṇu Rāghavendra Stotra is traditionally ascribed to him as well; the verse text is public domain.
What is Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam and what does it mean?
Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam is a Sanskrit stotra (devotional hymn), composed by Śrī Appaṇācārya, addressed to Raghavendra, of 9 verses. On Avabodhak every verse is shown with its English meaning, so you can understand the text line by line as you read.
How do I pronounce Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam correctly?
Avabodhak presents Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam in Devanagari, Roman (IAST), Kannada alongside IAST Roman transliteration that marks every long vowel (ā, ī, ū) and conjunct consonant. Reading the Devanagari text with the IAST line lets you follow the exact pronunciation syllable by syllable, and the guided practice mode replays it line by line.
What is the word-by-word meaning of Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam?
Avabodhak pairs each verse of Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam with its English meaning, and the practice view breaks lines into individual words — so you learn what each word means, not just the overall sense.
Who composed Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam?
Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam is attributed to Śrī Appaṇācārya.
In which scripts can I read Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam?
Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam is available in Devanagari, Roman (IAST), Kannada on Avabodhak, each with English meaning and IAST transliteration.
Can I chant or practice Rāghavendra Maṅgalāṣṭakam online?
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