Gita Dhyanam is a set of slokas from various sources that are compiled together. These slokas tell about the glory of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, the divine song sung by Bhagavan Sri Krishna himself. The slokas talk about the essence of Gita, the greatness of Bhagavan Veda Vyasa, the gunas of Sri Krishna and also about Arjuna. These slokas help in knowing the greatness of the Gita and help us appreciate it more. The cover picture is the image of Sri Parthasarathy of Tiruvallikeni temple.

Devaraja Ashtakam, in the glory of Devaraja perumal of Thirukachi (Kanchipuram) was composed by Thirukachi Nambigal. Thirukachi Nambigal, also known as Kanchi Poorna, was born in a village called Poovirunthamalli, now known as Poonthamalli. He was an ardent devotee of Kanchi Devaraja Perumal. He did the Aalavatta Kainkaryam (fanning) to the lord. He was the devotee of Swami Alavandar. Swami Ramanuja himself wanted to eat the food eaten by Thirukachi Nambigal as prasadam. These beautiful slokas depict his devotion to Kanchi Devaraja Perumal. Devaraja Perumal is also known as Varadaraja Perumal or just Deva perumal. The cover picture of this episode shows Kanchipuram Devaraja Perumal.

Vairagya Panchakam, literally translating to five slokas about the quality of not having desire for worldly things. This stotra was composed by Swami Vedanta Desika, when a king offered him with wealth. In this wonderful stotra, Swami Desika says that Parthasarathy (Krishna) himself is the wealth for him. He also mentions that Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal is the wealth that was acquired by his grandfather, Brahma. Reading and listening to these slokas help in cultivating the Vairagyam within each one of us.

Ashtabhujaashtakam is a beautiful work by Swami Vedanta Desika. This stotra comprises of eight slokas in the glory of Ashtabhuja perumal, who is the deity of Ashtabhujakaram. Ashtabhujakaram is a Divya Desam located in Kanchipuram. Ashtabhuja Perumal is the only form of Bhagavan with 8 hands (among the 108 Srivaishnava Divya Desams). The Phala Shruthi says that whoever recites this sloka, all their fears and problems will vanish.

Sri Krishnashtakam was composed by one of the greatest ever saints in Sanatana Dharma, Adi Shankaracharya. He was the propagator of the Advaita philosophy. He won over the Buddhists and Jains to establish the supremacy of Vedas. In this stotra, he portrays Lord Krishna as the universal preceptor, the Jagadguru. Whoever recites this stotra will be cleared from their sins.

Kamasikaashtakam was composed by Swami Vedanta Desika. This stotra has eight beautiful Slokas about the greatness of the deity at a Divya Desam known as Thiruvelukkai, located in Kanchipuram. The deity of this temple is Sri Narasimha, known as Aalari (ஆளரி). Aal means human and Ari means animal. The deity is also known by other names such as Azhagiya Singar (அழகிய சிங்கர்) and Kamasika. Reciting this stotra is said to give all the things that are wished for. PS:. The cover image is the picture of the Utsava Moorthy of Thiruvelukkai

The word Ratna means a gem. This wonderful stotra contains five (pancha) gem like Slokas in praise of Nayaka Shreshta, Sri Ramachandra Moorthy. Reciting this stotra, which is pleasing to the years, is said to clear off the sins and give salvation

One of the greatest works of all times in this world is Thirukkural. Thirukkural was composed by the Tamil saint Thiruvallur. Thirukkural has 1330 verses, separated into 133 Adhikarams. These Adhikarams belong to larger groups known as Paal. Thirukkural has three Paal - Aram (righteousness), Porul (wealth), and Inbam (pleasure). All the verses are in the Kural Venba meter of Tamil grammar. The first person ever to do a commentary on Thirukkural was Parimelazhagar. In this episode, let's listen to Parimelazhagar's commentry about the first Adhikaram, Kadavul Vaazhthu.

Mahalakshmi Ashtakam consists of eight Slokas praising Godess Mahalakshmi. This stotra was told by Indra, when he lost all his wealth due to the curse of Sage Durvasa. This stotra is present in Padma Purana, one of the 18 major Puranas. Reciting this Stotra gives lots of benefits and brings changes in one's life. PS: In the cover image is the deity of Mahalakshmi, present in Kanchipuram with the name Perundevi Thaayar

Sri Ranganatha Ashtakam is a collection of eight Slokas about Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam. This stotra was composed by the great saint Adi Shankaracharya. He lived in the 8th century. He did great service to Sanatana Dharma and propagated and established the authority of Vedas all around Bharat. In this stotra, he praises the beauty of Sri Ranganatha. Whoever recites this Stotra everyday will get whatever they wish for. PS: In the cover image, Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam temple

Sri Ranganatha Stotram was composed by Swami Parashara Bhattar. He was the son of Sri Koorathaazhwan. Bhattar was known as the Abhimaana Putra of lord Sri Ranganatha himself. Bhattar once had to leave Srirangam due to some threats. After the threats were over, while returning to Srirangam, Bhattar sang this Stotram. This Stotram describes the beauty and greatness of Kaveri, Srirangam and Sri Ranganatha. PS: On the cover image is Sri Ranganatha, known as Periya Perumal. He is the presiding deity of Srirangam

In this episode of Kamba Ramayanam, we are going to listen to the second chapter (Padalam) of the first Kandam, known as Balakandam. This chapter is called Aatru Padalam, which tells about the beauty and wealth of the river Sarayu. This chapter has 20 verses. First 12 verses are in Kalivirutham meter and the remaining 8 are in Aruseer Aasiriya Virutham meter.

Kambar was a great Tamil poet who lived in the place called Therazhundhur. He lived from 1180 to 1250. He was patronized by a king named Thiruvennai Nallur Sadayappa Vallal. His major literary work is Ramavataram, which is now popularly known as Kamba Ramayanam. It is also known as Raama Kaathai His other works are Sadagopar Andhadhi, Erezhupadhu, Silaiezhupadhu, Thirukkai Vazhakkam, Saraswathi Andhadhi and Kangai Puranam. In this episode, we are going to listen to the first chapter (Padalam) of the first Kandam, known as Balakandam. This chapter is called Kadavul Vaazhthu, meaning singing the praise of the Lord. This chapter has 11 verses, all in the Kalivirutham meter of Tamil grammer.

Sudarshanaashtakam was composed by Swami Vedanta Desika. It is about the holy discus that Lord Vishnu holds in this right hand. The holy discus is known as Sudarshana, Chakra, Hethiraja or Rathanga in Sanskrit. It is known as Aazhi in Tamil. This stotra contains eight Slokas in the praise of Sudarshana. This stotra is in the Vrutham (meter) of "Thagana Nagana Bhaganaathmakam". This stotra was written by Swami Vedanta Desika before starting his great book "Paramatha Bhangam", as a prayer. Reciting and listening to this stotra give wealth, protection and good health. PS: The cover photo shows the deity of Sudarshana Chakra

Chatushloki was composed by Alavandar, one of the great Acharyas of the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya. His original name of Yamunacharya. He was the first in Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya to stotra granthas. Chatushloki is the first stotra work about Sri Mahalakshmi Devi, the concert of Sriman Narayana. This stotra contains four Slokas singing the praise of Mahalakshmi. This is very simple to learn and recite. Listening and reciting this sloka will surely give the blessings of Mahalakshmi Devi. PS: the cover picture shows the image of Ranganayaki or Periya Pirattiyar, the form of Mahalakshmi in Srirangam temple.

Pasurapadi Ramayanam was compiled by Swami Periyavachan Pillai. He was a stalwart in the Srivaishnava Siddhanta. He was very proficient in Naalayira Divya Prabandham. He took phrases from Azhwars' pasurams and put them together to form a Ramayanam, known as Pasurapadi Ramayanam or Divya Prabandha Ramayanam. This is a very beautiful text and soothing to ears.

In order to make the learning of Naalayira Divya Prabandham, our Poorvacharyas (ancient preceptors) have formulated a method of learning known as Santhai. It is a 4 or 5 step process (depending on the length of the verse), which enables one to memorize these verses. Sanskrit Slokas are repeated twice and Tamil Pasurams are repeated thrice. In this episode, we have presented the third stage Santhai of Podhu Thaniyan. PS: The cover image of this episode depicts all the poorvachrays of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, those we invoke in these 5 slokas.

The word Dhatee means victory and Panchakam means a set of five. These five Slokas tell about the victory and glory of Swami Ramanuja. Swami Ramanuja was born in the year 1017 at a place called Sriperumbudur on Thiruvadhirai (aardra) nakshatra (star), Chithirai (Mesha) maasam (month). The first sloka if this tells how he won over other Paashandis (those who did not accept vedas) and Kudrushtis (those who interpreted vedas in a wrong way). The second and third Slokas tell about the glory of Swami Ramanuja's Tridanda (three holy sticks held by any Sri Vaishnava monk). The fourth sloka tells about Swami's Brahma Sutram (poonal, the thread worn across the chest). The final sloka tells how Swami Ramanuja gives salvation to all and wishes for his victory. These five Slokas are surely a feast to our ears. PS: The cover picture is the vigraham of Swami Ramanuja at Sriperumbudur

In order to make the learning of Naalayira Divya Prabandham, our Poorvacharyas (ancient preceptors) have formulated a method of learning known as Santhai. It is a 4 or 5 step process (depending on the length of the verse), which enables one to memorize these verses. Sanskrit Slokas are repeated twice and Tamil Pasurams are repeated thrice. In this episode, we have presented the second stage Santhai of Podhu Thaniyan. PS: The cover image of this episode depicts all the poorvachrays of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, those we invoke in these 5 slokas.

In order to make the learning of Naalayira Divya Prabandham, our Poorvacharyas (ancient preceptors) have formulated a method of learning known as Santhai. It is a 4 or 5 step process (depending on the length of the verse), which enables one to memorize these verses. Sanskrit Slokas are repeated twice and Tamil Pasurams are repeated thrice. In this episode, we have presented the first stage Santhai of Podhu Thaniyan. PS: The cover image of this episode depicts all the poorvachrays of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, those we invoke in these 5 slokas.