annapūrṇā aṣṭakam

Sri Annapurna Stotram (also known as Annapurna Ashtakam) O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Who constantly grants eternal bliss, Who grants boons and fearlessness, Who is an ocean of beauty, Who washes away all terrible sins and purifies, Who is the manifest Maheshwari, Who purifies the lineage of the Himalayas; Please grant me alms (of physical and spiritual nourishment), O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (1)

O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Who is adorned with various kinds of wondrous gem-studded ornaments, Who wears magnificent golden garments, Whose bosom is adorned with a beautiful, dangling pearl necklace, Who is fragrant with saffron (Kashmira) and aloe wood (Agaru), and Who is highly pleasing; Please grant me alms, O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (2)

O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Who gives the bliss of Yoga, Who destroys enemies, Who instills devotion in Dharma (righteousness) and Artha (wealth/meaning), Whose waves of radiance shine like the moon, sun, and fire, Who protects the three worlds, Who grants all wealth and fulfills all desires; Please grant me alms, O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (3)

O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Who makes the caves of Mount Kailash Her abode, Who is Gauri, Uma, Shankari, and Kaumari, Who makes the meaning of the Vedas clear, Whose seed-syllable is Omkara, Who tears open the doors to liberation (Moksha); Please grant me alms, O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (4)

O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Who bears both visible and invisible divine powers, Who holds the entire universe within Her womb, Who cuts the strings of the cosmic play (Leela/illusion), Who lights the lamp of supreme wisdom (Vijnana), Who delights the mind of Lord Vishweshwara (Shiva); Please grant me alms, O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (5)

O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Who is the earth (Urvi), the Goddess of all beings, the divine Bhagavati, Who has dark blue hair tied in a braid, Who is the perpetual bestower of food, Who gives joy to all, and Who always creates auspiciousness; Please grant me alms, O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (6)

O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Who encompasses all the syllables from 'a' to 'ksha', Who is the cause of the three states of Lord Shiva, Who is adorned with saffron, Who is the Goddess of the three waters and three waves, Who is the eternal sprout (of creation) and the night (Sharvari), Who fulfills desires and uplifts humanity; Please grant me alms, O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (7)

O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Who is adorned with all marvelous gems, Who is Dakshayani (daughter of Daksha), the beautiful one, Who holds a pot of sweet milk on Her left, Who brings joy, Who is the great Goddess of fortune (Saubhagya Maheshwari), Who fulfills the desires of devotees, and Who always grants auspiciousness; Please grant me alms, O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (8)

O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Whose radiance is equal to millions of moons, suns, and fires, Whose lips are like the reflection of moonbeams, Who wears earrings shining like the moon, sun, and fire, Whose complexion shines like the moon and sun, Who holds a rosary, a book, a noose, and a goad; Please grant me alms, O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (9)

O Mother Annapurneshwari, presiding deity of Kashi, Who protects the Kshatriyas, Who grants great fearlessness, the Mother who is an ocean of compassion, Who grants direct liberation, Who always does good (Shiva-kari), the ruler of the universe (Vishweshwari) who holds prosperity (Shridhari), Who caused Daksha to cry (by destroying his sacrifice), and Who bestows a disease-free life; Please grant me alms, O Mother, Who provides the support of compassion. (10)

O Mother Annapurna, Who is always full and complete, Who is the dear life of Lord Shankara! O Parvati, please grant me alms for the attainment of knowledge (Jnana) and detachment (Vairagya). (11)

My Mother is Goddess Parvati, my Father is Lord Maheshwara. My relatives are the devotees of Lord Shiva, and my home is all the three worlds. (12)

Thus ends the Annapurna Stotram composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.