Aarti Sangrah - Stotra

Stotra

A Stotra is a group of shlokas and praise of someone or something. They are called by names like Panchakam when there are five shlokas, Shatakam when there are six slokas, ashtakam for eight, and Dashkam for ten. 

They are made for gods or goddesses. These are very ornamental works with elaborate descriptions of the subject's greatness. Some famous examples are Mahishahsura Mardini strota by Shankracharya, shiv tandava strota by Ravana. 

Shankaracharya composed the strota in praise of loin's cloth, known by the name of Kaupeena Panchakam, and is a highly philosophical and effortless work when many great poets and sages shone masters of their fields in composing Sanskrit literature; Adi Shankara stands tallest with Soundarya Lahiri, a compilation of 100 mesmerizing slokas describing the beauty of a goddess, Shakti. Each sloka in this stotra works as a mantra targeted at a particular aspect of Human well-being. So it's truly a blessing to read, recite and reap the rewards of this magnificent work.

Notable Strotas 

1. Shiv Tandav Strotam - Ravana dedicates this to the supreme power shiv to attain moksha; here is a stance from the strata 

जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले

गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् ।

डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयं

चकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ॥१॥

In addition, you can get a free pdf of shiv tandav strotam from InstaAstro. 

2. Dakshinammurti Strota- It tells about knowledge and understanding as he is the aspect which shows us the path of enlightenment 

3. Sri Mahimana Strota - This type of strota tells good things and achievements about Shiva.

4. Shree Shiva Panchaksara Strota- Panchakshara refers to the five holy words Na, Ma, Śi, Vā, and Ya. They are offered as a prayer to Shiva with the most famous Mantra 

Some Strata 

NaagendraHaaraaya TriLochanaaya,

BhasmanggaraagaayaMaheshvaraaya.

Nityaaya Shuddhaaya DigAmbaraaya,

Tasmay "Na"kaaraaya Namah Shivay

Mandaakini Salmela ChandanaCharchitaaya,

Nandiishvara-Pramatha-Naathaya-Maheshvaraaya.

MandaaraPusspa-BahuPusspa-SuPujitaaya,

Tasmai "Ma"kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya…

ShivaayaGauri VadanaAbjaVrnda,

Suryaaya Dakshadvara Naashakaaya.

Shri Neelakanntthaaya Vrissa-Dhvajaaya

Tasmai "Shi"kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya..

Vasishttha-Kumbhodbhava-GautamaAarya

Munindra-Devaarchita-Shekharaaya,

Chandraarka-Vaishvaanara-Lochanaaya

Tasmai "Va"kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya.

Yadnya Svaruupaaya JataaDharaaya,

PinaakaHastaya Sanatanaya.

Divyaaya Devaaya Dig-Ambaraaya,

Tasmai "Ya"kaaraaya Namah Shivaay   

Meaning: Shiv is entitled as the supreme god; he has blue in his throat and is the world's creator; he handles everything in the universe. Everyone respects him, and those who worship get their wishes fulfilled; these stories are a means of defining the supreme god Shiva. 

Ram Raksha Strota: This strota tells how the ram acts as a shield.

Agni Lakshmi strota- It lists Lakshmi ji as a higher source of prosperity, and this strota is praise about Lakshmi ji, who is known to bless her devotees with wealth.

Davdasha Strota- It is a list of praises for lord Vishnu; credits are done to show devotion. 

Ganga lahari Strotam- This is performed in the evening near river ganga. 

समृद्धं सौभाग्यं सकलवसुधायाः किमपि तन् महैश्वर्यं लीलाजनितजगतः खण्डपरशोः । श्रुतीनां सर्वस्वं सुकृतमथ मूर्तं सुमनसां सुधासोदर्यं ते सलिलमशिवं नः शमयतु ॥ १॥

Conclusion 

These strotas tell us the importance of how everything is performed, and it tells us the achievements of every god; they can help one connect to the higher self, shiv being the supreme god; one should worship and read all these strotas they are the means of defining one's life.