Sri Hayagriva Stotra is a masterpiece by Sri Deshika dedicated to Lord Hayagriva, an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu who is depicted with the head of a horse and the body of a human. The stotra glorifies the Lord and seeks his blessings for the acquisition of knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and liberation. One may experience the poetical genius of Sri Deshika in this stotra, through the natural and spontaneous flow of words.
The invocatory verses praise the Lord’s divine form, radiance, and his ability to remove the darkness of ignorance. Description of his majestic appearance, his divine attributes and adoring his omniscience and omnipotence can be seen in the next few verses. It concludes emphasizing the importance of studying this stotra and seeking his grace to comprehend the essence of Vak (speech) and Artha(meaning).
This Stotra is recited by devotees as a means to invoke Lord Hayagriva's blessings for academic excellence, memory enhancement, and spiritual growth. It is often recited before commencing any educational pursuit, examinations, or endeavors related to learning.
This composition of Sri Vedantadeshika not only serves as a devotional benediction but also as a philosophical and spiritual guide, highlighting the significance of divine knowledge and the grace of Lord Hayagriva in attaining enlightenment.
The composer, Sri Vedantadeshika, is a highly venerated Acharya of the Srivaishnava parampara, popularly titled “कवि-तार्किक-सिंहः'' – A Lion among poets and logicians. A prolific composer, he has authored over 120 works in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tamil and Manipravalam (mixture of languages). These include various stotras, kavya-s (including chitrakavya-s), an allegorical play, a devotional lyric, rahasya granthas and works on Vishishtadvaita philosophy. It is said that Lord Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s vahana (the divine vehicle) preached Sri Hayagriva mantra to Sri Vedantadeshika. As a result of meditating on Hayagriva mantra, Swami Deshika had the vision of Lord Hayagriva, and he spontaneously composed this stotra in His praise.