The book is an independent translation with explanatory notes by Swami Harshananda. The author has provided a scholarly preface to the book giving a birds eye view of the contents of the Stotra as well as of the several Ullasas. Please give a careful reading to the preface which will help in understanding the text. The elaborate explanatory notes by the author adds significantly to the value of the book. Sri Dakshinamurti Stotra also called Sri Dakshinamurtyastakamas its very name indicates is a stotra on Sri Dakshinamurti. Derived from the root stu (to praise) the word stotra means a hymn of praise generally addressed to God or deity and not uncommonly to sages and spiritual preceptors too. Dakshinamurti is an aspect of Lord Siva portrayed as the very personification of spiritual wisdom and eminence. Hence He is the fittest person is to be the guru - The Guru of all gurus the Adi-guru or the Primeval Teacher. It is but meet that such an exquisite hymn has been addressed to an exquisite teacher.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and everything shall be added unto you. This is the one great duty, this is renunciation. Live for an ideal, and leave no place in the mind for anything else. Let us put forth all our energies to acquire that which never fails--our spiritual perfection. If we have true yearning for realization, we must struggle, and through struggle growth will come. We shall make mistakes, but they may be angels unawares.
-Swami Vivekananda
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