stavam

 In Sanskrit, "stavam" (स्तवम्) means “praise”

or “whose praises,” commonly used in devotional

hymns and stotras offered to deities.

Definition and Grammatical Use

• "Stavam" is a masculine accusative singular form derived 
• from the root "stava", which signifies praise, worship, or laudation

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• It appears in Vedic texts and classical Sanskrit literature, 
• often in the context of formally praising a deity or an eminent 
• figure 

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• The word can also be part of compounds like “bhagavat-stavam”, 
• which refers to a prayer or hymn offered to the Supreme 
• Personality of Godhead

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Usage in Literature

• In Vedic hymns, "stavam" is used to describe acts of offering 
• praise to gods such as Indra and other deities, appearing in 
• verses like “indraṃ stavāma” meaning ‘we praise Indra’

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• Classical Sanskrit devotional literature frequently employs
• "stavam" in titles, such as Amba Stavam, Kalyana Vrishti Stavam, 
• and Sri Datta Stavam, where the text consists of hymns extolling 
• the divine and expressing devotion 

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• These stotras typically combine poetic expression and theological 
• meaning, often illustrating the devotee’s emotions, submission,
• and the attributes of the deity 

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Key Concept

• "Stavam" is not just a word for praise but represents a structured
• hymn or devotional composition. The act of reciting a stavam is 
• considered both a spiritual practice and a literary art in Sanskrit 
• culture 

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• The grammatical structure and context allow it to signify either 
• the act of praising or the object of praise, depending on sentence 
• construction 

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In summary, “stavam” in Sanskrit represents the praise or hymn 

directed toward a deity, forming the central feature of various 

stotras and devotional literature, highlighting reverence, devotion, 

and poetic devotion simultaneously 

Sanskrit Dictionary+2

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