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The ''Chatuh Shloki'' () is a Sanskrit hymn by the
Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
philosopher
Yamunacharya Yamunacharya (IAST: Yamunāchārya), also known as Alavandar and Yamunaithuraivan, was a Vishistadvaita philosopher based in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India. He is best-known for being a preceptor of Ramanuja, one of the leaders of the Sri Vai ...
of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Comprising four verses, the ''Chatuh Shloki'' extols Lakshmi, the consort of the deity Vishnu.


Etymology

''Chatuh Shloki'' is Sanskrit for "four verses".


Description

The four stanzas of the work describe the various attributes of the goddess Lakshmi, her greatness and mercy, the grace she offers to her devotees, and her inseparability in form from her consort Vishnu ( Lakshmi Narayana) respectively. Lakshmi is represented as an intermediary between a devotee and Vishnu; she is described to present a devotee's piety to her consort, offering her consort's grace to the devotee in turn. The work is regarded to be a pioneer in offering descriptions of the personality of the goddess and her relationship with a devotee and her consort in Vaishnava philosophy.


Hymn

The first stanza of the hymn describes the attributes of Lakshmi and her standing among other beings: {{Blockquote, text=Purushottama (an epithet of Vishnu) (is) your consort; the lord of the serpents (Shesha) (is) your throne; the king of the birds, (Garuda) whose body the Vedas are, (is) your mount; Maya (illusion), the world-enchantress (is) your veil; all the hosts of the devas with their consorts (are) your retinue of attendants and maids. Your name itself is Sri (prosperity). (Possessed of all this greatness, as you are), how can we (adequately) sing your praise?, source=Verse 1, title=''Chatuh Shloki''


See also

* '' Stotra Ratna'' * '' Sri Stuti'' * ''Ashtalakshmi Stotra''


References

Medieval literature Vaishnava texts Hindu literature Vishishtadvaita Vedanta Sri Vaishnavism