Shri Raghavendra Stotram

Shri Raghavendra Stotram (popularly known as Guru Stotram) is a sacred 32-verse hymn composed by Sri Appanacharya, the most devoted primary disciple of the great 17th-century saint Guru Sri Raghavendra Swamy of Mantralayam.

Legend recounts that when Rayaru (Guru Raghavendra Swamy) entered Brindavana Pravesha (live Samadhi) at Mantralayam in 1671 CE, Sri Appanacharya was rushing across the flooded Tungabhadra river, singing these verses in grief. As he reached the Brindavana, he choked with emotion at the final line of verse 31 ("Sākṣī Hayāsyas'tra Hi"). Suddenly, a divine voice from inside the stone Brindavana completed the stotram with the words: "Sākṣī Hayāsyotra Hi" ("Lord Hayagriva is witness to this truth!").

Reciting this stotram invokes the living presence of Guru Raghavendra Swamy, who promised to reside in His Brindavana for 700 years to bless and protect devotees.

According to scriptural tradition and verse 32 of this stotram, daily recitation of Shri Raghavendra Stotram grants the following blessings:

• Fulfillment of All Desires (Kamadhenu Kalpataru Phala): Rayaru acts like the celestial wish-fulfilling cow (Kamadhenu) and tree (Kalpataru).
• Cure of Incurable Diseases and Paralysis: Heals speech defects, blindness, leprosy, and chronic ailments.