Devotional Resources

1. Stotra: Sri Mahalakshmi AshtotharaSatnamastotram

(108 names of Sri Mahalakshmi)

Devotees do Mahalakshmi puja while chanting this stotram 11 times. There is NO "ticket" (its all yathasakthi) for this puja and the female devotees are provided a puja plate, lamp, fruits and kumkum. The blessed fruits and kumkum are kept by the devotees and they return the plate and lamp to be used for the next session.

2. Stotra: Sri Stuti

Composed by Swami Vedantadesikan (leading light of Sri Vaishnavism) in praise of Sri Perundevi Thayar (Sri Mahalakshmi, consort of Sri VaradarajaPerumal of Kanchipuram divyadesam).

Swami Desikan was approached by a poor brahmachari (bachelor) for money so he could get married. Swami Desikan immediately prayed to Sri Perundevi Thayar and composed and recited the delightful and soul stirring Sri Stuti in Her praise. Sri Mahalakshmi instantly showered gold coins which was collected by the poor bhramachari (and She, thus, further enhanced Swami Desikan's reputation as one of the greatest of the greatest devotees of the Dhivya Dampathi). Even today, one can see the pictorial depiction of this blessed event in front of Sri Perundevi Thaayar shrine in the Kanchipuram Sri Varadaraja Temple.

Sri Stuti is recited by all devotees during the mangalaharathi to Sri Mahalakshmi.

After the puja, devotees enjoy Sayanotsavam (ceremony putting the Lord to sleep) at 9 PM. Melodious and loving lullabies are sung by devotees to the Divya Dampathi, as a priest gently rocks the cradle in which They are sleeping.

1. Stotra: Sri Venkateswara Suprabatham

(gently waking up Lord Sri Venkateswara)

Devotees recite Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam in front of Sri Venkateswara Sannadhi. There are actually 4 stotras that are recited in quick succession:

• Sri Venkateswara Supabhatam (gently awakening the Lord at dawn)
• Sri Venkateswara Stotram (praising the Lord and His Wonderous Attributes)
• Sri Venkateswara Prapatti (Surrendering to the Lord)
• Sri Venkateswara Mangalashasanam (additional praise and adoration of the Lord)

In addition, devotees also recite Sri Srinivasa gadyam which extols the Wonderous Attributes and Lilas of the Lord.

2. Stotra: Sri Mahalakshmi AshtotharaSatnamastotram

(108 names of Sri Mahalakshmi)

3. Stotra: Sri KanakadharaStotram

Stotras 2 and 3 are recited in front of Sri Mahalakshmi Sannadhi. Stotra #2 – AshtotharaSatnamastotram is the same stotram that is recited on Friday evenings.

Stotra #3 Kanakadharastotram was composed by Sri Adi Sankara in praise of Sri Mahalakshmi. Similar to the SriStuti, Sri Mahalakshmi responded by showering gold, for the benefit of a poor devotee, whom Sri Adi Sankara wanted to help.

4. Stotra: Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam

(1,000 Names of Sri Mahavishnu, as taught by Sri Bheeshma in Mahabharata)

Devotees then recite Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam while circling Sri Ranganatha Sannadhi several times (pradakshanam). Devotees get a feeling of Bhuloka Vaikuntam as they lovingly chant the Sri VishnuSahasranama while doing pradakshanam around Sri Mahavishnu reclining on Sri Adiseshan.

5. Stotra: Sri Panchaayudha Stotram

(in praise of the Sacred Weapons of Sri Mahavishnu)

6. Stotra: Sri Dvadashanamapancharatstotram

(in praise of Sri Mahavishnu)

Devotees then stand in front of Sri Ranganatha and recite Stotras 5 and 6.

7. Gadyams: Saranagathi Gadyam

8. Gadyams: Sri Ranga Gadyam

9. Gadyams: Sri Vaikunta Gadyam

Devotees stand in front of Sri Ranganatha Sannadhi and recite the holy Gadya Trayam (3 Prose Works) of Bhagavad Ramanujacharya.

Bhagavad Ramanujacharya who is considered to be the greatest proponent of Sri Vaishnavism (Visistadvaita philosophy), composed the 3 Gadyams on Panguni Uthiram Day. Panguni Uthiram is a supremely auspicious and joyous event which occurs once every year. It is the birthday of Sri Mahalakshmi and on this day Lord Sri Ranganath and Sri Mahalakshmi are seen together in Sri Mahalakshmi's Sannadhi.

Bhagavad Ramanujacharya was enthralled by this Divine and Joyous Sight of the Divya Dampathi and he first composed the Saranagathi Gadyam which is essentially his total surrender to Sriman Narayana. He first approaches Sri Mahalakshmi and then, getting her blessings to proceed, he then surrenders to Sriman Narayana.

In Sri Ranga Gadyam, he eloquently extols the innumerable and magnificent virtues of Lord Sri Ranganatha. In Sri Vaikunta Gadyam, he provides a vivid and delightful description of Sri Vaikuntam, the soul's journey and it being welcomed by the Nityasuris and the Divya Dampathi.

The Gadya Trayams are a special treasure for Sri Vaishnavism and are recited with great fervor and in a spirit of total and absolute surrender to Lord Sriman Narayana.

After all the recitations, the devotees receive thirtham and satari from the main sannadhi of Lord Sri Ranganatha.