Astakam
Encyclopedia
The term Astakam is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Astak', meaning "Eight". In context of poetic
compositions, 'Astakam' refers to a particular form of poetry. The form of a composition is an 'Astakam' where eight stanzas make the piece.
with four lines, i.e. end lines rhyme as a-a-a-a. Thus, in an Astakam generally thity-two lines are maintained. All these stanzas abide a strict rhyme scheme. The proper rhyme scheme
for an Astakam is: a-a-a-a/b-b-b-b….. (/ represents a new stanza). The rhyme designs are both ear-rhymes and eye-rhymes. Ear-rhyme where the end letters rhyme in sound and audibility, and eye-rhyme where the end letters appear similar. This rhyme sequence sets the usual structure of the astakam. Astaklam rhyme consists of identical ("hard-rhyme") or similar ("soft-rhyme") sounds placed at predictable locations, normally the ends of lines for external rhyme or within lines for internal rhyme.
Sanskrit language exhibits high richness in sustaining rhyming structures. Thus, Sanskrit astakams are capable of carrying limited set of rhymes all over a lengthy composition.
Several times in an astakam, the quatrains (sets of four lines) conclude abruptly or in other cases, with a couplet (a pair of lines). In the body quatrains the poet establishes a theme and then may resolve it in the final lines, called the couplet, or may leave them unsolved. Sometime the end couplet may contain self-identification of the poet. The structure is also bound by rules of meter for enhanced suitability for recital and classical singing.
However, there are several astakams that do not conform to the regular structure.
By the fifth century B.C., Astakam had come into existence as a literary piece of eight stanzas, each stanza
containing four lines.
, Lord Jagannath
, Goddess Laxmi
etc.
Astakams were a very popular and generally accepted genre of devotional and general poetry during the golden period of Sanskrit literature
, and also that of Vedic Indian Literature.
Poetic
Poetic may refer to:* Poetry, or a relation thereof.* Too Poetic, a deceased rapper and hip hop producer....
compositions, 'Astakam' refers to a particular form of poetry. The form of a composition is an 'Astakam' where eight stanzas make the piece.
Form
The stazas in an "Astakam" are a rhyming quartetQuartet
In music, a quartet is a method of instrumentation , used to perform a musical composition, and consisting of four parts.-Western art music:...
with four lines, i.e. end lines rhyme as a-a-a-a. Thus, in an Astakam generally thity-two lines are maintained. All these stanzas abide a strict rhyme scheme. The proper rhyme scheme
Rhyme scheme
A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyme between lines of a poem or song. It is usually referred to by using letters to indicate which lines rhyme. In other words, it is the pattern of end rhymes or lines...
for an Astakam is: a-a-a-a/b-b-b-b….. (/ represents a new stanza). The rhyme designs are both ear-rhymes and eye-rhymes. Ear-rhyme where the end letters rhyme in sound and audibility, and eye-rhyme where the end letters appear similar. This rhyme sequence sets the usual structure of the astakam. Astaklam rhyme consists of identical ("hard-rhyme") or similar ("soft-rhyme") sounds placed at predictable locations, normally the ends of lines for external rhyme or within lines for internal rhyme.
Sanskrit language exhibits high richness in sustaining rhyming structures. Thus, Sanskrit astakams are capable of carrying limited set of rhymes all over a lengthy composition.
Several times in an astakam, the quatrains (sets of four lines) conclude abruptly or in other cases, with a couplet (a pair of lines). In the body quatrains the poet establishes a theme and then may resolve it in the final lines, called the couplet, or may leave them unsolved. Sometime the end couplet may contain self-identification of the poet. The structure is also bound by rules of meter for enhanced suitability for recital and classical singing.
However, there are several astakams that do not conform to the regular structure.
By the fifth century B.C., Astakam had come into existence as a literary piece of eight stanzas, each stanza
Stanza
In poetry, a stanza is a unit within a larger poem. In modern poetry, the term is often equivalent with strophe; in popular vocal music, a stanza is typically referred to as a "verse"...
containing four lines.
History
The conventions associated with the Astakam have evolved over its literary history of more than 2500 years. One of the most well-known and adored Astakam creator is the great Shri Adi Sankaracharya, who created an Astakam cycle witt a group of Astakams, arranged to address a particular deity, and designed to be read both as a collection of fully realized individual poems and as a single poetic work comprising all the individual Astakams. The revered Adi Sankaracharya wrote more than thirty Astakams in "stuti" [dedication] to Lord ShivaShiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, Lord Jagannath
Jagannath
Jagannath is a transcendental non-anthropotheistic Hindu god worshiped primarily by the people of Indian state of Orissa, and, to a great extent, West Bengal...
, Goddess Laxmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
etc.
Astakams were a very popular and generally accepted genre of devotional and general poetry during the golden period of Sanskrit literature
Sanskrit literature
Literature in Sanskrit begins with the Vedas, and continues with the Sanskrit Epics of Iron Age India; the golden age of Classical Sanskrit literature dates to late Antiquity . Literary production saw a late bloom in the 11th century before declining after 1100 AD...
, and also that of Vedic Indian Literature.