Mooka Panchashati is a beautiful stotram (hymn) comprising 500 verses in praise of Kanchi Kamakshi Devi. It is divided into five sections known as Shatakas:
- Arya Shatakam
- Padaravinda Shatakam
- Stuti Shatakam
- Kataka Shatakam
- Mandasmita Shatakam
The composer of this stotram is Mooka Kavi. The word Mooka means mute or speechless. It is said that a devout person, who was originally mute, received the divine grace (kripa kataksha) and the tamboola ucchishta (remnants of betel leaves) from Jagadamba Kamakshi, residing in Kanchipuram. Instantly, he was blessed with eloquence and composed 500 exquisite verses, like an outpouring of nectar. This collection is called Mooka Panchashati—‘Panchashati’ meaning five hundred, where Pancha means five, and Shati means hundred. Each collection of a hundred verses is called a Shatakam.
- The Arya Shatakam consists of 100 verses praising the general glory of Kamakshi Devi, structured in the ‘Arya’ metre.
- The Padaravinda Shatakam contains 100 verses exclusively glorifying Devi’s lotus feet.
- The Stuti Shatakam describes her divine qualities suitable for praise in 100 verses.
- The Kataka Shatakam consists of 100 verses solely dedicated to her graceful glances (kataksha).
- The Mandasmita Shatakam comprises 100 verses extolling the beauty of her gentle smile.
Maha Periyava (the Kanchi Paramacharya) greatly cherished this stotram and regarded it as one of the finest compositions on Kamakshi Devi. He published this stotram through Kamakoti Koshasthana and recommended devotees read it daily for both worldly and spiritual well-being. Being in stotram form, it can be chanted by anyone, anywhere, at any time, regardless of qualifications, as long as it is done with devotion.
There is a popular story that a person who had speech difficulty in his childhood became a great scholar capable of explaining the meaning of Shankara Bhashya (commentaries by Adi Shankaracharya) after regularly reciting Mooka Panchashati, following Maha Periyava’s advice.
Once, a poet composed a new Suprabhatam (morning hymn) on Kamakshi Devi and presented it to Maha Periyava through Professor Veezhinathan Mama. On that day, Periyava was observing silence (mauna vrata). Later, when Veezhinathan Mama asked Periyava about the new Suprabhatam, Periyava responded, “When there is Mooka Panchashati, is there any need to compose another hymn on Ambal?” Such was Periyava’s deep affection and reverence for Mooka Panchashati.
In the foreword of the Mooka Panchashati publication, Maha Periyava states:
“This is a marvelous stotram where the blessings flow from the words of Ambal (Kamakshi) to the words of Mooka Kavi and from Mooka Kavi’s words to us.”
He further blesses that reading this extraordinary hymn alone can bring the seeker into unity with both the great poet and the Supreme Goddess in that very moment.
Specific Slokas Recommended by Maha Periyava:
- For finding a suitable bride/groom: 91st verse of Arya Shatakam.
- To remove poverty: 74th verse of Stuti Shatakam.
- For relief from physical ailments: 94th verse of Mandasmita Shatakam.
- For attaining spiritual wisdom (Gnanam): Recite the entire stotram five times repeatedly.
Testimony of Govinda Damodara Swamigal:
My Sadguru, Sri Govinda Damodara Swamigal, recited Mooka Panchashati daily without fail from the age of ten until his last day at the age of seventy-five. He considered this stotram one of the most significant texts in devotion to Ambal. Every time I chanted it, Swamigal would say:
“Maha Periyava is Kamakshi herself! If you recite this stotram, you will receive Maha Periyava’s complete grace, and you will benefit both materially and spiritually.”
I have compiled all 500 verses in large Devanagari script, suitable for chanting. If there are any variations in the text, it follows the tradition of Swamigal’s version.
As Maha Periyava said:
“This is the wondrous stotram that brings the blessings flowing from Ambal’s words to Mooka Kavi’s words, and from Mooka Kavi’s words to us.”
While it is ideal to recite all 500 verses, many saints have highlighted specific verses to encourage devotion and attain specific results. Some notable examples include:
- For attaining spiritual knowledge (Gnanam): Recite the entire stotram five times repeatedly.
- For acquiring ambrosia-like eloquence: At the end of Arya Shatakam, it is mentioned that worshippers of Ambal will attain nectar-like speech. Therefore, chanting the first 100 verses brings the boon of eloquence.
Even if one is dumb or facing severe obstacles,
The moment they remember You, O Kamakshi,
They shine with supreme fame in this world.
(Arya Shatakam – 57)
O Goddess of Knowledge, who is the essence of learning,
Katyayani, Kali, Kamakoti, Bharati, Bhairavi, Bhadrakali, Shakini, Shambhavi, Shiva—
I worship You, who bestows all forms of knowledge.
(Arya Shatakam – 78)
O Mother, youthful and graceful like a creeper,
Whose playfulness shines like Manmatha (Cupid),
Whose golden complexion outshines gold itself,
Holding a garland in Your lotus hands, I bow to You.
(Arya Shatakam – 91)
O Kamakshi, who removes the great sorrow
Caused by severe karmic bondage,
Let me attain the nectar-like bliss
Of serving Your lotus feet instantly,
Which dispels the distress of the three worlds.
(Padaravinda Shatakam – 22)
May my mind, purified by bathing
In the clear waters of divine wisdom,
Ever dwell in the jewel-filled palace
Of Your lotus feet, O enchanting Kamakshi,
Where anklets chime sweetly like bells.
(Padaravinda Shatakam – 48)
O Mother, may Your lotus feet shine victorious,
Where the Sun, Moon, and all the planets
Find their brilliance and grace,
Dispelling darkness and bestowing poetic skills,
While even the Guru blesses with wisdom.
(Padaravinda Shatakam – 59)
O Kamakshi, in the abode of devotees’ hearts,
Your lotus feet shine like lamps,
Dispelling ignorance and karmic darkness,
Bringing immeasurable peace and purity.
(Padaravinda Shatakam – 79)
You are the eternal lamp that removes
The darkness of ignorance in the hearts
Of devotees, spreading light
Throughout the universe, O Kamakshi!
(Stuti Shatakam – 9)
By Your grace, the sacred mark on the moon’s forehead,
The line on Shiva’s head, the union of Shiva and Parvati,
Grant the parents of daughters supreme glory,
Blessing them with dignity like the Himalayas.
(Stuti Shatakam – 13)
O compassionate Goddess, Your torrents of grace
Destroy the misery of the distressed,
Your smile, the crest jewel of the Vedas,
Brings peace and victory to all who bow to You.
(Stuti Shatakam – 45)
O Kamakshi, even if a dumb person
Gazes upon You humbly at the start,
They attain omniscience, and in front of the world,
Fame itself adorns them like a garland.
(Stuti Shatakam – 38)
O Mother, may Your compassionate glance
Fall upon me just once,
Dispelling the darkness of karma,
Shining like the sun, granting auspiciousness,
And stealing away all misfortune.
(Stuti Shatakam – 45)
O Chandi, residing on Shiva’s crown,
You transform the crooked nature
And ignorance of devotees into purity,
Bestowing wealth and showering
A rain of gold upon Your devotees.
(Stuti Shatakam – 74)
O Kamakshi, who resides by the Kampa river,
Who destroys crooked thoughts and grants devotion,
May You always be the ruler of all beings,
Bless me with Your abundant grace.
(Padaravinda Shatakam – 81)
O Sri Kamakshi, Your gentle smile
Is the source of both knowledge and wealth;
Where Lakshmi alone blessed one in the past,
You grant both Lakshmi and Saraswati
To all who worship You always.
(No verse number given)
O Kamakshi, by Your compassionate glance,
Shining like the blue lotus,
We are freed from the bondage
Of karma, ignorance, and attachments,
Bless us, O daughter of Himavan!
(Kadaksha Shatakam – 82)
As long as Your compassionate glance
Shines upon us, O Kamakshi,
The moon of wisdom rises swiftly,
Bringing nectar-like bliss
To the hearts of devotees.
(Kadaksha Shatakam – 97)
Your devotees, O Kamakshi,
Become pure in mind, attain
Steadfast friendships, fame,
And eloquence free from blemish,
All through the radiance of Your smile.
(Mandasmita Shatakam – 89)
O Kamakshi, may the rays of Your smile,
Cool and soothing like moonlight,
Remove the burning pain
Caused by karmic fires
And shower me with healing nectar.
(Mandasmita Shatakam – 94)
