Praise as Devotion
Stuti ('praise,' 'eulogy,' from stu = to praise) is the act of honoring the Lord through the composed, deliberate celebration of His greatness. It is closely related to kīrtana (singing His glories) and overlaps with the vandana and arcana modes of navadhā-bhakti. The great stotra literature of the Sri Vaishnava tradition — from Āzhvār pasurams to Kūrattāzhvān's Pañcastava to Vedānta Deśika's compositions — is the fruit of the impulse toward stuti.
Why Praise?
The theological rationale for stuti: the Lord's kalyāṇaguṇas (auspicious qualities) are so overwhelming and beautiful that they call forth praise naturally from those who perceive them — just as a beautiful sunset naturally calls forth appreciation from anyone who sees it. The Āzhvārs describe being unable to stop praising: the Lord's qualities flood their hearts and pour out in verse. Stuti is thus the natural outpouring of anubhava (direct experience of the divine).
Forms of Stuti
Stuti takes many forms: (1) aṣṭottara — listing 108 names with praise; (2) sahasranāma — listing 1000 names; (3) stotra — organized hymns with literary structure; (4) prabandham — extended Tamil devotional compositions; (5) dhrupad/kīrtan — musical praise in the musical tradition. Each form captures different aspects of the devotee's devotion.
Stuti Received by the Lord
The Bhāgavata Purāṇam and other texts describe the Lord as delighting in genuine stuti — not because He needs praise (He is self-sufficient) but because the act of praise reveals the devotee's love, and the Lord's response to love is more love. This reciprocal dynamic of praise and blessing is at the heart of the stotra tradition.