A composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya, this is a very popular stotra in Southern parts of India.  Pancharatna means 5 gems, usually denotes 5 verses in the praise of a deity.  Sri Shankaracharya is renowned for his revival of the Hindu faith and the establishment of the 6 popular faiths. At a time when there were over 2oo different faiths and practices around India, he amalgamated the practices and “established 6 main Sects”- Shan-matha-stapanam. The 6 Sects since followed are: Sauryam -Surya Worship Gānapatyam - Ganesha worship Shaivam - Shiva Worship Shāktam - Devi Worship Vaishnavam - Vishnu Worship  Kaumāram - Karthikeya Worship  Sri Shankaracharya also composed famous works of poetry in praise of these main deities. This is one such composition.