Totakashtakam was composed by Giri (Totakacharya), a foremost disciple of Jagathguru Adi Shankaracharya.
Once he praised Acharya with Ashta Slokas in Totaka Meter (An Anapestic tetrameter that has four anapestic metrical feet per line). Thereafter, Giri got the title of Totakacharya and the rhyme became famous as Totakashtakam.
Totakashtakam Lyrics and Meaningviditā khila śāstra sudhā jaladhe mahito paniṣat kathitār thanidhe ।
hṛdaye kalaye vimalaṃ caraṇaṃ bhavaśaṅkara deśika me śaraṇaṃ ॥ 1॥
Meaning: I praise and seek the protection of Śaṅkara, Who is the ocean of nectar of our great holy books, And who is like the Treasure Of the essence of the great Upaniṣads and I meditate on his clear holy feet in my heart.
karuṇā varuṇālaya pālaya mām bhavasāgara duḥkha vidūna hṛdam ।
racayā khila darśana tattva vidam bhavaśaṅkara deśika me śaraṇaṃ ॥ 2॥
Meaning: I praise and seek the protection of Sankara, who is…