Stotra or Stotram (stotra) is a Sanskrit word, that means "ode, eulogy or a hymn of praise". It is a literary genre of Indian texts designed to be melodically sung, in contrast to shastras which are composed to be recited. A stotra can be a prayer, a description, or a conversation, but always with a poetic structure. It may be a simple poem expressing praise and personal devotion to a deity. Shiva meaning "The Auspicious One", also known as Mahadeva ("Great God"), is one of the three major deit