Totakacharya
One of the chief disciples of Sri Adi Shankara composed an octad of verses in praise of the Master. The metre he has used in this composition is the difficult but beautiful totaka. Hence he was himself given the name Totakáchárya. Every word of this exquisite hymn bespeaks the utter devotion of its author to Sañkara. Sañkara, the Guru, is all to him. There is nothing equal to the Guru; nothing superior to him. The Guru is the dispeller of the darkness of ignorance. There can be no greater good than the removal of ignorance.
Vidithakila Sastra Sudha Jalathe
Mahitopa Nisatkathi Tarthanidhe
Hrdayekalaye Vimalam Saranam
Bhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam ||1||
Karuna Varunalaya Palaya Mam
Bhvasagara Dukha Vidunahrdam
Racayakhila Darshana Thatvanidam
Bhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam ||2||
Bhavata Janata Suhita Bhavita
Nijabodha Vicarana Charumate
Kalayeshvara Jiva Vivekavidam
Bhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam ||3||
Bhava Eva Bhavaniti Me Nitaram
Samajayata Chetasi Kautukita
Mamavaraya Moha Mahajaladhim
Bhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam ||4||
Sukrte Dhikrete Bahidha Bhavato
Bhavita Sama Darshana Lalasata
Atihinamimam Paripalaya Mam
Bhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam ||5||
Jagatimavitum Kalitakritayo
Vicharanti Mahamana Saschalatah
Ahimam Sturivatra Vibhasi Guro
Bhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam ||6||
Gurupungava Pungava Ketana Te
Samatam Ayatam Nahi Ko’Pi Sudhih
Saranagatavatsala Tattvinidhe
Bhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam ||7||
Viditha Na Maya Vishataikakala
Nacha Kincana Kancanamasti Guro
Drutameva Videhi Krupam Sahajam
Bhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam ||8||