What is a Stotram, Sloka and Pasuram? Why are we calling them by different names?
Vidwan’s reply
Stotram is composed in Sanskrit eulogizing Emperuman or bhagavathas. Usually, this is in the form of a poem. Many Slokas could be contained within a Stotram. Sloka is a part of the Stotram. For example, in the Srihayagriva Stotram, there are 33 Slokas.
jnAnAnandamayaM dEvaM nirmalasphaTikAkRtim |
AdhAraM sarvavidyAnAM hayagrIvamupAsmahE ||
is a Sloka from Srihayagriva Stotram which contains 33 such Slokas.
Prandhams are composed in Tamizh eulogizing Emperuman or Azhwars. Pasuram is a part or section of the Prabandham. It can be said that Pasuram is a eulogizing verse composed in a poetic format.
