Home › Mantras › Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram

Mantra · A Sringeri pontiff's 14 verses asking Venkatesha for his hand

Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram

श्रीशेषशैलसुनिकेतन दिव्यमूर्ते नारायणाच्युत हरे नलिनायताक्ष । लीलाकटाक्षपरिरक्षितसर्वलोक श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Also known as Venkatesha Karavalamba Stotram

In Devanagari, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English — with the meaning of every word, and the one syllable most people pronounce wrongly.

The Sudarshana Homam, performed for youBook →

What the Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram is

The Venkatesha Karavalamba Stotram, widely known as the Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram, is a Sanskrit hymn of fourteen verses to Venkatesha, the form of Vishnu who dwells on the Venkata hill at Tirumala, called here the Shesha hill. Its name comes from the refrain that closes the first thirteen verses, shri venkatesha mama dehi karavalambam, 'Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand'. The verses are in the vasantatilaka metre. Verses 1 to 5 call on him by name, as Narayana, Achyuta, Padmanabha, Janardana and Vasudeva, and ask him to take away the three kinds of suffering. Verses 6 to 12, broken once by the plea of verse 9, describe the image from crown to feet: the gold crown set with nine gems, the musk mark on the forehead, the jewelled throat, the armlets, the yellow silk, the knees bright as ruby mirrors and finally the feet. Verse 13 speaks as if the prayer were already answered, and verse 14 names the poet, the ascetic Nrisimha.

A Sringeri ascetic signs the hymn

No legend of composition is attached to this hymn; what is known comes from its own closing lines. Verse 14 calls the poet Shriman Nrisimha Yati, the ascetic Nrisimha, and pictures him as a bee at the lotus feet of Venkatesha. The printed colophon adds that he was the Jagadguru of Sringeri, the math in Karnataka that tradition traces to Adi Shankaracharya, and gives his monastic name as Nrisimha Bharati Swami. That narrows the field without closing it. Eight pontiffs in the Sringeri succession have borne the name Nrisimha Bharati, and the colophon does not say which of them wrote these verses. One modern identification names the 32nd Jagadguru, a devotee of Narasimha remembered as Ugra or Vriddha Narasimha Bharati, whose tenure ended in 1879. His successor, Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati, who led the math from 1879 to 1912, carried the same name, so the question stays open. The text itself sounds like a teacher of that line. In verse 5 the poet asks Vishnu to guard 'my disciple too, day after day', the prayer of a guru with pupils in his care, and in verse 9 the wealth he asks for is wealth that helps righteous deeds to grow.

The mantra, in six scripts

DevanagariSanskrit & Hindiश्रीशेषशैलसुनिकेतन दिव्यमूर्ते नारायणाच्युत हरे नलिनायताक्ष । लीलाकटाक्षपरिरक्षितसर्वलोक श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Tamilஶ்ரீஶேஷஶைலஸுநிகேதந திவ்யமூர்தே நாராயணாச்யுத ஹரே நலிநாயதாக்ஷ । லீலாகடாக்ஷபரிரக்ஷிதஸர்வலோக ஶ்ரீவேங்கடேஶ மம தேஹி கராவலம்பம் ॥

Teluguశ్రీశేషశైలసునికేతన దివ్యమూర్తే నారాయణాచ్యుత హరే నలినాయతాక్ష । లీలాకటాక్షపరిరక్షితసర్వలోక శ్రీవేఙ్కటేశ మమ దేహి కరావలమ్బమ్ ॥

Kannadaಶ್ರೀಶೇಷಶೈಲಸುನಿಕೇತನ ದಿವ್ಯಮೂರ್ತೇ ನಾರಾಯಣಾಚ್ಯುತ ಹರೇ ನಲಿನಾಯತಾಕ್ಷ । ಲೀಲಾಕಟಾಕ್ಷಪರಿರಕ್ಷಿತಸರ್ವಲೋಕ ಶ್ರೀವೇಙ್ಕಟೇಶ ಮಮ ದೇಹಿ ಕರಾವಲಮ್ಬಮ್ ॥

Malayalamശ്രീശേഷശൈലസുനികേതന ദിവ്യമൂര്തേ നാരായണാച്യുത ഹരേ നലിനായതാക്ഷ । ലീലാകടാക്ഷപരിരക്ഷിതസര്വലോക ശ്രീവേങ്കടേശ മമ ദേഹി കരാവലമ്ബമ് ॥

EnglishRoman transliterationśrīśeṣaśailasuniketana divyamūrte nārāyaṇācyuta hare nalināyatākṣa | līlākaṭākṣaparirakṣitasarvaloka śrīveṅkaṭeśa mama dehi karāvalambam ||

“O divine form who dwells on the sacred Shesha hill, Narayana, Achyuta, Hari, with eyes long like lotus petals, who guards every world with a playful sidelong glance: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.”

श्रीशेषशैलसुनिकेतन: śrīśeṣaśailasuniketana — O dweller on the sacred Shesha hill
दिव्यमूर्ते: divyamūrte — O divine form
नारायणाच्युत: nārāyaṇācyuta — O Narayana, O Achyuta (unfallen one)
हरे: hare — O Hari
नलिनायताक्ष: nalināyatākṣa — O one with eyes long like lotus petals
लीलाकटाक्षपरिरक्षितसर्वलोक: līlākaṭākṣaparirakṣitasarvaloka — O guardian of all worlds by a playful sidelong glance
श्रीवेङ्कटेश: śrīveṅkaṭeśa — O Shri Venkatesha
मम: mama — to me
देहि: dehi — give
करावलम्बम्: karāvalambam — the support of your hand

Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram lyrics in full

Thirteen verses on the refrain, then the verse that names the poet. The printed closing line is given at the end.

All 15 verses, in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English, each with its meaning. Choose a script:

Download the Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram PDFAll 15 verses with their meanings, in Sanskrit. Free to print and keep.

Download PDF

Verse 1

श्रीशेषशैलसुनिकेतन दिव्यमूर्ते नारायणाच्युत हरे नलिनायताक्ष ।
लीलाकटाक्षपरिरक्षितसर्वलोक श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

O divine form who dwells on the sacred Shesha hill, Narayana, Achyuta, Hari, with eyes long like lotus petals, who guards every world with a playful sidelong glance: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 2

ब्रह्मादिवन्दितपदाम्बुज शङ्खपाणे श्रीमत्सुदर्शनसुशोभितदिव्यहस्त ।
कारुण्यसागर शरण्य सुपुण्यमूर्ते श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Your lotus feet are worshipped by Brahma and the other gods, you hold the conch, and your divine hand shines with the glorious Sudarshana discus. Ocean of compassion, refuge of all, form of pure merit: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 3

वेदान्तवेद्य भवसागरकर्णधार श्रीपद्मनाभ कमलार्चितपादपद्म ।
लोकैकपावन परात्पर पापहारिन् श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

You are known through the Vedanta and you steer us across the ocean of worldly life; Padmanabha, whose lotus feet Lakshmi worships. Sole purifier of the world, higher than the highest, remover of sin: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 4

लक्ष्मीपते निगमलक्ष्य निजस्वरूप कामादिदोषपरिहारक बोधदायिन् ।
दैत्यादिमर्दन जनार्दन वासुदेव श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Lord of Lakshmi, whose true nature is the goal the Vedas point to, who removes faults such as desire and grants understanding. Crusher of the demons, Janardana, Vasudeva: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 5

तापत्रयं हर विभो रभसान्मुरारे संरक्ष मां करुणया सरसीरुहाक्ष ।
मच्छिष्यमप्यनुदिनं परिरक्ष विष्णो श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Mighty one, slayer of Mura, swiftly take away the three kinds of suffering; lotus-eyed one, protect me in your mercy. O Vishnu, guard my disciple too, day after day: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 6

श्रीजातरूपनवरत्नलसत्किरीट कस्तूरिकातिलकशोभिललाटदेश ।
राकेन्दुबिम्बवदनाम्बुज वारिजाक्ष श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Your crown of fine gold glitters with the nine gems, and your forehead is bright with a mark of musk. Your lotus face is like the full moon's disc and your eyes are like lotuses: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 7

वन्दारुलोकवरदानवचोविलास रत्नाढ्यहारपरिशोभितकम्बुकण्ठ ।
केयूररत्न सुविभासिदिगन्तराल श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Your gracious words grant boons to the people who bow to you, and your conch-like throat is adorned with jewelled necklaces. The gems of your armlets light up the spaces between the directions: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 8

दिव्याङ्गदाङ्कितभुजद्वय मङ्गलात्मन् केयूरभूषणसुशोभितदीर्घबाहो ।
नागेन्द्रकङ्कणकरद्वयकामदायिन् श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Auspicious one, your two arms bear divine armlets, and your long arms shine with ornaments. With the king of serpents as a bracelet on your two hands, you fulfil desires: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 9

स्वामिन् जगद्धरण वारिधिमध्यमग्नं मामुद्धराद्य कृपया करुणापयोधे ।
लक्ष्मीं च देहि मम धर्मसमृद्धिहेतुं श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Master, upholder of the world, ocean of compassion, in your kindness lift me up today, sunk as I am in the middle of the sea. Give me also the wealth that helps righteous deeds to grow: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 10

दिव्याङ्गरागपरिचर्चितकोमलाङ्ग पीताम्बरावृततनो तरुणार्कभास ।
सत्काञ्चनाभपरिधान सुपट्टबन्ध श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Your tender body is anointed with divine fragrant paste and wrapped in yellow silk, and you shine like the rising sun. Your garment has the lustre of fine gold and is fastened with a fine silk band: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 11

रत्नाढ्यदामसुनिबद्धकटिप्रदेश माणिक्यदर्पणसुसन्निभजानुदेश ।
जङ्घाद्वयेन परिमोहितसर्वलोक श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Your waist is firmly bound with a girdle rich in gems, and your knees gleam like mirrors of ruby. With the beauty of your two legs you enchant the whole world: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 12

लोकैकपावनसरित्परिशोभिताङ्घ्रे त्वत्पाददर्शनदिनेशमहाप्रसादात् ।
हार्दं तमश्च सकलं लयमाप भूमन् श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

Your feet are graced by the river that alone purifies the world. Great one, by the great grace of seeing your feet, which rise like the sun, all the darkness in my heart has melted away: O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Verse 13

कामादिवैरिनिवहोऽच्युत मे प्रयातः दारिद्र्यमप्यपगतं सकलं दयालो ।
दीनं च मां समवलोक्य दयार्द्रदृष्ट्या श्रीवेङ्कटेश मम देहि करावलम्बम् ॥

O Achyuta, the host of my enemies, desire and the rest, has gone from me, and, merciful one, all my poverty has left as well. Looking upon me, a humble one, with eyes moist with compassion, O Shri Venkatesha, give me the support of your hand.

Phala Shruti 1

श्रीवेङ्कटेशपदपङ्कजषट्पदेन श्रीमन्नृसिंहयतिना रचितं जगत्याम् ।
एतत्पठन्ति मनुजाः पुरुषोत्तमस्य ते प्राप्नुवन्ति परमां पदवीं मुरारेः ॥

This hymn was composed for the world by the ascetic Nrisimha, a bee at the lotus feet of Shri Venkatesha. The verse says that those who recite it, addressed to the Supreme Person, reach the highest abode of Vishnu, the slayer of Mura.

Closing

इति श्रीशृङ्गेरिजगद्गुरुणा श्रीनृसिंहभारतिस्वामिना रचितं श्रीवेङ्कटेशकरावलम्बस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

Thus ends the Shri Venkatesha Karavalamba Stotram, composed by Shri Nrisimha Bharati Swami, the Jagadguru of Sringeri.

The syllable people get wrong

In karāvalambam the second vowel is a long ā, because kara (hand) and avalambam (support) fuse a + a into ā; say ka-RAA-va-lam-bam, not 'kara-valambam' with a short a, and do not aspirate the b into 'bham'.

When the Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram is chanted

Weekday. Thursday

Questions

The hymn is signed in verse 14 by 'Shriman Nrisimha Yati', and the printed colophon names him as Shri Nrisimha Bharati Swami, Jagadguru of Sringeri. Several Sringeri pontiffs carried that name, so which one composed it is uncertain; one identification points to the 32nd Jagadguru, whose tenure ended in 1879. It is not a work of Adi Shankaracharya, although the author belonged to the line that traces itself to him.

No. The two share the refrain mama dehi karavalambam and the vasantatilaka metre, but they are different hymns to different forms of Vishnu. The Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, has its own page here and pictures worldly life as a series of traps. This hymn addresses Venkatesha of the Shesha hill and spends most of its verses describing his adorned image from crown to feet.

Mama is 'to me', dehi is 'give', and karavalambam joins kara, 'hand', with avalambam, 'something to hold on to'. The refrain asks Venkatesha to hold out his hand, as one would to a person who has fallen. Verse 9 makes the picture explicit: the poet describes himself as sunk in the middle of the sea and asks to be lifted up today, out of the ocean of worldly life that verse 3 says Venkatesha steers people across.

Verse 14, the only verse without the refrain, is the phala shruti. It names the poet and says that those who recite the hymn reach the highest abode of Vishnu, the slayer of Mura. Verse 13, just before it, changes tense: the poet says the host of inner enemies, desire and the rest, has already gone and that all poverty has left, and still closes with the same request for the support of the hand.

Not sure a mantra is enough?

Have your chart read before you decide

Chanting is yours to do, and free. But which deity your situation calls for — and whether a mantra alone is the right response — depends on your chart. Sometimes it is; sometimes it is not.

Brahmashree Shivaaya

Chief Operating Officer & Head of Astrological & Spiritual Solutions

Over 30 years in the Guru–Sishya Parampara, from the age of five
He reads every chart himself — 60 minutes, one to one, never delegated
Charts are read only between sunrise and sunset, following tradition

Book a consultation Ask Nirnaya — free

+91 96295 55442 WhatsApp us support@astrobhava.com

Continue

Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram

What the Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram is

A Sringeri ascetic signs the hymn

The mantra, in six scripts

Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram lyrics in full

The syllable people get wrong

When the Venkateswara Karavalamba Stotram is chanted

Questions

Have your chart read before you decide

Related

Sudarshana Mantra

Venkateswara Mantra

Venkateswara Suprabhatam

Nirnaya