When is the best time and day to chant Shri Dharmashasta Ashtottara Shatanamavali?

It is traditionally most auspicious to recite during Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya), especially on Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham). Traditional offerings include Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering.

What are the benefits of regularly chanting Shri Dharmashasta Ashtottara Shatanamavali?

According to sacred tradition, regular recitation brings: Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home.

Stotras Ayyappa

Shri Dharmashasta Ashtottara Shatanamavali

The 108 names of Dharmashasta, the Great Shasta worshipped as Ayyappa, each offered with Om and namah, from Mahashasta to Bhaktavatsala.

Verses

The 108 Sacred Names

The 108 sacred names of the Deity, canonically chanted with 'Om' and 'Namah' for Archana and Japa.

Om Mahashastre namah.

Salutations to Mahashasta, the Great Shasta, the supreme ruler and teacher.

Verse 1

Om Mahadevay namah.

Salutations to the great Lord.

Verse 2

Om Mahadevsutay namah.

Salutations to the son of the great Lord.

Verse 3

Om Avyayay namah.

Salutations to the imperishable One.

Verse 4

Om Lokakartre namah.

Salutations to the creator of the worlds.

Verse 5

Om Lokabhartre namah.

Salutations to the sustainer of the worlds.

Verse 6

Om Lokahartre namah.

Salutations to the destroyer of the worlds.

Verse 7

Om Paratparay namah.

Salutations to the One beyond the highest.

Verse 8

Om Trilokarakshakay namah.

Salutations to the protector of the three realms.

Verse 9

Om Dhanvine namah.

Salutations to the One who wields the bow.

Verse 10

Om Tapasvine namah.

Salutations to the great ascetic.

Verse 11

Om Bhutasainikay namah.

Salutations to the leader of the spirit hosts.

Verse 12

Om Mantravedine namah.

Salutations to the knower of sacred chants.

Verse 13

Om Mahavedine namah.

Salutations to the One of vast knowledge.

Verse 14

Om Marutay namah.

Salutations to the wind-like swift One.

Verse 15

Om Jagadishvaray namah.

Salutations to the Lord of the universe.

Verse 16

Om Lokadhyakshay namah.

Salutations to the overseer of all realms.

Verse 17

Om Agraganyay namah.

Salutations to the foremost of all.

Verse 18

Om Shrimate namah.

Salutations to the glorious One.

Verse 19

Om Aprameyaparakramay namah.

Salutations to the One of immeasurable valor.

Verse 20

Om Simharudhay namah.

Salutations to the One seated on a lion.

Verse 21

Om Gajarudhay namah.

Salutations to the One seated on an elephant.

Verse 22

Om Hayarudhay namah.

Salutations to the One seated on a horse.

Verse 23

Om Maheshvaray namah.

Salutations to the great Lord.

Verse 24

Om Nanashastradharay namah.

Salutations to the One who holds many scriptures.

Verse 25

Om Anaghay namah.

Salutations to the sinless One.

Verse 26

Om Nanavidyavisharaday namah.

Salutations to the One skilled in many branches of knowledge.

Verse 27

Om Nanarupadharay namah.

Salutations to the One who assumes many forms.

Verse 28

Om Viray namah.

Salutations to the valiant One.

Verse 29

Om Nanapraninishsevitay namah.

Salutations to the One served by many beings.

Verse 30

Om Bhuteshay namah.

Salutations to the Lord of spirits.

Verse 31

Om Bhutiday namah.

Salutations to the bestower of prosperity.

Verse 32

Om Bhrityay namah.

Salutations to the One who serves his devotees.

Verse 33

Om Bhujangabharanojvalay namah.

Salutations to the One radiant with serpent ornaments.

Verse 34

Om Ikshudhanvine namah.

Salutations to the One with a sugarcane bow.

Verse 35

Om Pushpabanay namah.

Salutations to the One with flower arrows.

Verse 36

Om Maharupay namah.

Salutations to the One of magnificent form.

Verse 37

Om Mahaprabhave namah.

Salutations to the One of great splendor.

Verse 38

Om Mayadevisutay namah.

Salutations to the son of Goddess Maya.

Verse 39

Om Manyay namah.

Salutations to the venerable One.

Verse 40

Om Mahaniyay namah.

Salutations to the highly esteemed One.

Verse 41

Om Mahagunay namah.

Salutations to the One of great virtues.

Verse 42

Om Mahashaivay namah.

Salutations to the great devotee of Shiva.

Verse 43

Om Maharudray namah.

Salutations to the great Rudra.

Verse 44

Om Vaishnavay namah.

Salutations to the devotee of Vishnu.

Verse 45

Om Vishnupujakay namah.

Salutations to the worshiper of Vishnu.

Verse 46

Om Vighneshay namah.

Salutations to the Lord of obstacles.

Verse 47

Om Virbhadreshay namah.

Salutations to the Lord of Veerabhadra.

Verse 48

Om Bhairavay namah.

Salutations to the fearsome Bhairava.

Verse 49

Om Shanmukhapriyay namah.

Salutations to the One dear to the six-faced Lord.

Verse 50

Om Merushringasamaseenay namah.

Salutations to the One seated on Mount Meru's peak.

Verse 51

Om Munisanghanishsevitay namah.

Salutations to the One served by assemblies of sages.

Verse 52

Om Devay namah.

Salutations to the divine One.

Verse 53

Om Bhadray namah.

Salutations to the auspicious One.

Verse 54

Om Jagannathay namah.

Salutations to the Lord of the world.

Verse 55

Om Gananathay namah.

Salutations to the Lord of the celestial hosts.

Verse 56

Om Ganeshvaray namah.

Salutations to the Lord of the Ganas.

Verse 57

Om Mahayogine namah.

Salutations to the great yogi.

Verse 58

Om Mahamayine namah.

Salutations to the great master of illusion.

Verse 59

Om Mahagyanine namah.

Salutations to the One of supreme wisdom.

Verse 60

Om Mahasthiray namah.

Salutations to the ever-steadfast One.

Verse 61

Om Devashastre namah.

Salutations to the Shasta, the guardian and teacher, of the gods.

Verse 62

Om Bhutashastre namah.

Salutations to the Shasta, the guardian and teacher, of the spirits.

Verse 63

Om Bhimahasaparakramay namah.

Salutations to the One of fearsome laughter and mighty valor.

Verse 64

Om Nagaharay namah.

Salutations to the One adorned with a serpent garland.

Verse 65

Om Nagakeshay namah.

Salutations to the One with serpentine locks.

Verse 66

Om Vyomakeshay namah.

Salutations to the One with space as his hair.

Verse 67

Om Sanatanay namah.

Salutations to the eternal One.

Verse 68

Om Sagunay namah.

Salutations to the One with attributes.

Verse 69

Om Nirgunay namah.

Salutations to the One beyond attributes.

Verse 70

Om Nityay namah.

Salutations to the eternal One.

Verse 71

Om Nityatriptay namah.

Salutations to the ever-content One.

Verse 72

Om Nirashrayay namah.

Salutations to the One without support.

Verse 73

Om Lokashrayay namah.

Salutations to the refuge of all realms.

Verse 74

Om Ganadhishey namah.

Salutations to the Lord of the Ganas.

Verse 75

Om Chatuhshashtikalamayay namah.

Salutations to the embodiment of sixty-four arts.

Verse 76

Om Rigyajuhsamatharvatmane namah.

Salutations to the soul of the Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Vedas.

Verse 77

Om Mallakasurabhanjanay namah.

Salutations to the breaker of the demon Mallaka.

Verse 78

Om Trimurtaye namah.

Salutations to the One of three forms.

Verse 79

Om Daityamathanay namah.

Salutations to the crusher of the Daityas.

Verse 80

Om Prakritaye namah.

Salutations to the primordial nature.

Verse 81

Om Purushottamay namah.

Salutations to the supreme being.

Verse 82

Om Kalagyanine namah.

Salutations to the knower of time.

Verse 83

Om Mahagyanine namah.

Salutations to the One of great wisdom.

Verse 84

Om Kamaday namah.

Salutations to the bestower of desires.

Verse 85

Om Kamalekshanay namah.

Salutations to the lotus-eyed One.

Verse 86

Om Kalpavrikshay namah.

Salutations to the wish-fulfilling tree.

Verse 87

Om Mahavrikshay namah.

Salutations to the great tree.

Verse 88

Om Vidyavrikshay namah.

Salutations to the tree of knowledge.

Verse 89

Om Vibhutiday namah.

Salutations to the bestower of divine powers.

Verse 90

Om Samsaratapavicchetre namah.

Salutations to the cutter of worldly afflictions.

Verse 91

Om Pashulokabhayankaray namah.

Salutations to the One who is a terror to the realm of beasts.

Verse 92

Om Rogahantre namah.

Salutations to the destroyer of disease.

Verse 93

Om Pranadatre namah.

Salutations to the giver of life.

Verse 94

Om Paragarvavibhanjanay namah.

Salutations to the crusher of others' pride.

Verse 95

Om Sarvashastrarthatatvagyanay namah.

Salutations to the knower of the essence of all scriptures.

Verse 96

Om Neetimate namah.

Salutations to the One of righteous conduct.

Verse 97

Om Papabhanjanay namah.

Salutations to the destroyer of sins.

Verse 98

Om Pushkalapurnasamyuktay namah.

Salutations to the One united with Purna and Pushkala.

Verse 99

Om Paramatmane namah.

Salutations to the supreme self.

Verse 100

Om Satangataye namah.

Salutations to the goal of the virtuous.

Verse 101

Om Anantadityasankashay namah.

Salutations to the One radiant like the infinite sun.

Verse 102

Om Subrahmanyanujay namah.

Salutations to the younger brother of Subrahmanya.

Verse 103

Om Baline namah.

Salutations to the powerful One.

Verse 104

Om Bhaktanukampine namah.

Salutations to the One compassionate to devotees.

Verse 105

Om Deveshay namah.

Salutations to the Lord of the gods.

Verse 106

Om Bhagavate namah.

Salutations to the blessed Lord.

Verse 107

Om Bhaktavatsalay namah.

Salutations to the One affectionate to His devotees.

Verse 108

Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)

Auspicious Day

Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)

Best Time (Muhurta)

Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)

Sacred Offerings

Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering

Spiritual Benefits (Phalashruti)

Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home

Chanting Practice:Chant each sacred name distinctly with 'Om' prefix and 'Namah' reverence.

Background

Dharmashasta, the Great Shasta, is the guardian deity whom devotees in Kerala and across South India worship as Ayyappa, the lord of Sabarimala. This namavali is a litany of his 108 names, each beginning with Om and ending with namah, so that a devotee can offer a salutation to him name by name. The Sanskrit Documents edition is titled Shri Dharmashasta Ashtottarashata Namavalih. It opens with a meditation verse and then gives the names in 108 verses, and closes with the line marking the end of the namavali. Despite its file name, this is not the chant of one hundred and eight sharanams that pilgrims call out on the way to Sabarimala. It is the Sanskrit namavali, and it is recited in puja or japa, one name for each bead. The tradition holds that Sri Dharmashasta shields those who take refuge in him.

Did You Know?

Begins with the Great Shasta

Verses 1 to 3 give the first names: Mahashasta, Mahadeva and Mahadevasuta. The last of these means the son of the Great Lord, naming him as the son of Shiva.

Three mounts

Verses 21, 22 and 23 call him the one who rides a lion, an elephant and a horse. Verse 16 calls him Lord of the world, and verse 9 the protector of the three worlds.

Bow of sugarcane, arrows of flowers

Verse 35 names him as the wielder of a sugarcane bow and verse 36 as the one with flower arrows. Verse 78 recalls him as the breaker of the demon Mallaka, and verse 80 as the crusher of the Daityas.

Many paths in one litany

The names call him a great Shaiva in verse 43 and Maharudra in verse 44, and then Vaishnava in verse 45 and worshipper of Vishnu in verse 46. Verse 77 says he is the self of the Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas, and verse 79 names him the Trimurti. Verse 103 calls him the younger brother of Subrahmanya.

The meditation verse and the closing names

The meditation verse in the source pictures him dark as a rain cloud, with staff, goad, noose and trident in his hands, seated on a rutting elephant. The final names, verses 105 to 108, call him compassionate to devotees, lord of the gods, the Blessed One and fond of those who take refuge.

#108 Names #Ashtottara #Namavali #Ayyappa #Dharmashasta #Sabarimala

Connected Teachings

The same teaching, echoed across traditions

HinduismSubrahmanya Ashtottara Shata Namavali HinduismShri Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali