Wonders of Vrata — Ghor Kashtodharan Stotra

In this article, We will discuss about Stotra — the devotional poems composed after Vedas, their significance and rules of chanting one particular stotra — Ghor Kashtodharan Stotra. This stotra is designed to alleviate pain and suffering, reduce its severity and elevate the strength to face the situation.

Stotra and Vrata

Yogis, Monks, Ascetics, Saints often write their compositions as an addendums to core Vedic philosophy that has existed for thousands of years. Their objective is not to create a new sect or religion or propose a new philosophy, but merely amend the malpractices that have been introduced later, and remind the contemporary society of the same principles. They often reiterate the importance of these principles in a form that would suit the changing time. Even the Yogis that opposed authority of Vedic fire rituals such as Rishi Kapil, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) and Mahavira reiterated and ported many principles from vedic texts such as Yoga, Dhyana, Prana, Karma, Ekam Sat, Devata and many more. They may have done it in different forms and nomenclature to make their point, but the objective was same — liberate the contemporary society towards higher spiritual cause.

Sometime these yogis construct stotras (devotional poems) that become as powerful as the Mantras and iteration of such stotras with utmost devotion can create similar effect as that of mantras. Such iteration is called Avartan and discipline of such chanting is called Vrat.

Without a Vrata — the discipline of a binding contract, the vibes of such words do not create perceived outcome.

The composer or the yogis in later generations often define or adjust the format of this discipline. The devotees are free to choose their own rules and template of vrata that conform to these basic guidelines.

Ghor Kashtodharan Stotra

We will talk about a stotra called Ghor Kashtodharan Stotra (घोरकष्टोद्धरण स्तोत्र) in this article written by Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati aka Tembe Swami— a 20th century monk devoted his life to the cause of Dattatrey tradition. The stotra is quite concise — only 5 verses, hence easy to repeat. It has done wonders for me and my family in difficult times.

As the name suggest, this stotra is designed to alleviate the pain and suffering, reduce its severity and elevate the strength to face the situation.

Vasudevanand Saraswati (bottom centre) and predecessors of his Dattatrey tradition

Manuscript in Vasudevnanda Saraswati’s handwriting

Rules of chanting Ghor Kashtodharan Stotra

The stotra is chanted in multiples of 108 over a set number of days. When performed with discipline of set objective and quantity, it is called Ghor Kashtoddharan Vrata. The procedure to perform chanting is below:

1. Close your eyes and chant Om. Perform pranayam by chanting Gayatri mantra 3 times
2. Namaskar to Shri Ganesh by saying Shri Ganehsaya Namah
3. Light an oil or ghee lamp; Light a Dhoop or Incense Stick
4. On the first day, make a sankalpa (resolution) as described in next section with clear objective, preferably in Sanskrit for its peculiar vibes — or in any other language if not possible in Sanskrit.
5. Chant the stotra x number of times ( typically 12, 24 or 108 times)
6. Once done, apply some ash of the Dhoop or Incense Stick on your forehead and namaskar to Shri Dattatrey

— Repeat this for y days (typically 9, 18, 27 or 108 days)

The total of x * y must be divisible by 108.

Sankalpa — the resolution

Sankalpa is a vocalised concise resolution that specifically describes 3 W — when, what and why — of the Vrata (task) being undertaken. The difference in Sankalpa and a simple resolution is that Sankalpa has presence of surrender, devotion and spiritual mindset and hence eliminates ego from the task. It motivates someone to take up and persistently follow discipline of a Vrata, that would feel icky under normal circumstances.

The scriptures never tire of telling the importance of Sankalpa. They describe it as one of the most powerful tools. The universe aligns itself when you resolve for something. The opportunities start to present themselves and everything starts to fall in place. One has to then keep his/her eyes open, take the hints and grab the opportunities. That is one’s own karma. Sankalpa should be as clear as possible with definitive outcome in mind. It can be done when the difficulty presents itself or as preventive measure.

Below is an example of a sankalpa for someone who is going on a long difficult travel such a trek in Himalayas before the journey begins.

अद्येत्यादि वर्तमान एवं गुणविशेषणविशिष्टायां <> गोत्रोत्पनः <> नामाहं मम आत्मनः श्रुति स्मृति पुराणोक्त फ़ल प्राप्त्यर्थं आगामी-यात्रा-काले निर्विघ्नतासिध्यर्थं सर्वेषां पथिकानां क्षेम-पुष्टि-आरोग्य-प्रीत्यर्थं यथाशक्ति यथामिलितउपचारद्रव्यैः श्रीपरमहंस-परिव्राजकाचार्य-श्रीवासुदेवानन्द-सरस्वती-विरचित-घोरकष्टोद्धारणस्तोत्रस्य अष्टदश(18 days) दिवसान् यावत् प्रतिदिनं द्वादश(12 times every day) वारं आवर्तनं करिष्ये

Another one to face the complexities that may have occurred during pregnancy

अद्येत्यादि वर्तमान एवं गुणविशेषणविशिष्टायां <> गोत्रोत्पनः <> नामाहं मम आत्मनः श्रुति स्मृति पुराणोक्त फ़ल प्राप्त्यर्थं गर्भावस्थायां निर्विघ्नतासिध्यर्थं गर्भस्य क्षेम-पुष्टि-आरोग्य-प्रीत्यर्थं यथाशक्ति यथामिलितउपचारद्रव्यैः श्रीपरमहंस-परिव्राजकाचार्य-श्रीवासुदेवानन्द-सरस्वती-विरचित-घोरकष्टोद्धारणस्तोत्रस्य सप्तविंशति (27 days) दिवसान् यावत् प्रतिदिनं अष्टोत्तर शत (108 times every day) वारं आवर्तनं करिष्ये

The text marked in bold changes as the objective changes. The numbers are to be changes as per format you have chosen to recite

Hope this information helps. May the Ghor Kashtodharan Stotra Vrata remove all your hardships and make your life comfortable to presue spiritual path.

Listen to Ghor Kashtoddharan Stotra

Lyrics in Devanagari and meaning in English

https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_deities_misc/ghorakaShTodhAraNastotra.pdf