Uma Sahasram is a 1000-verse poem on the Divine Mother Paarvati/Uma composed by Sri Kavyakanta Ganapati Muni  an outstanding Sanskrit Scholar from Andhra Pradesh, Self-realized Yogi, and the foremost disciple of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi of Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu.

Story Behind Uma Sahasram

The stotra, 'umaa sahasram' is an acknowledged literary as well as Yogic masterpiece in Sanskrit. The story goes that Sri Ganapati Muni took a vow that if he doesn't compose the entire kaavya in 25 days, he'd give up writing poetry altogether (which was his very life till then). He could only finish 750 Slokas by 3pm on the 25th day due to ill-health. He dictated the last 250 Slokas impromptu in a meditative state in the last few hours using his well-known aaSu kavitvam (extempore composition) calibre. He dictated 5 Slokas simultaneously to 5 scribes and finished his project by 8pm.

The Greatness of Uma Sahasram

This stotra is said to have miraculous healing powers when recited. Even from a literary standpoint, umaa sahasram is full of poetic beauty. It uses dozens of Sanskrit poetic metres (called chhandaa.msi or vR^ittas), one per set of 25 Slokas called a stabaka (meaning a flower bunch). It is a real feast to the listener and reader. The Slokas employ numerous alankaaras that visualize profound spiritual concepts through vivid imagery.