Subrahmanya Bhujangam

The term ‘Bhujangam’ indicates the shape and movement of the ‘serpent’. The verse in this stotram is composed like the movement of a serpent. Lord Subramanya / Muruga is also conceived and worshiped as a great divine serpent.

When Adi Sankara was afflicted with a serious ailment, he heard an ethereal voice advising him to go to Tiruchendur. The acharya came here, worshiped the Lord. Subrahmanya Bhujangam is a prayer dedicated to Muruga. This prayer was composed by Adi Shankaracharya. Jagadguru Adi Shankara composed this prayer at the famous Tiruchendur Murugan Temple at Tirunellveli in Tamil Nadu. Tiruchendur is located in the far southeast of the subcontinent on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. ‘Tiruchendur’ or ‘Holy city of sandal’ is one of the 6 bastions of Lord Subramanya.

The Murugan temple, built by Vishwakarma, is considered one of the most important pilgrim centres of Tamil Nadu. Ranked second among the six sacred abodes of Muruga, Tiruchendur is also known as Jayantipuram, denoting the victory achieved by the Lord. As the rays of the rising sun cast its brilliant rays on the temple tower, the presiding deity of Tiruchendur looks enchantingly beautiful. The Lord has been rightly described as one shining like thousands of rising sun / Kodi Surya Prakasa.

According to Skanda Purana, Muruga has come into being in order to destroy the evil forces and protect the devotees. Asura Soorapadma was terrorising the Devas. He held Jayantha, son of Lord Indra and other devas as captives. Lord Muruga camped at Tiruchendur along with his contingent and deputed his messenger Veerabahu to negotiate for the release of the Devas. As the peace efforts failed, the Lord waged a war against Asura Soorapadma. With the lance (vel) received from his mother at Sikkal, Soorapadma samharam was accomplished at Senthil Nagar.

The legendary vel, called vetri vel is associated with victory. When Asura Soorapadma took the form of a tree, the vel hurled by the lord pierced it.

The temple of Tiruchendur built many centuries ago and renovated by Pandya and Chera kings is exquisitely designed. It is a beautiful poem created in stone and an architectural marvel. The majestic nine-storey tower was renovated and reconstructed by Sri Desikamurthy Swami of the Tiruvavaduthurai Mutt. With the main gate facing the south, the temple has three circular ways (prakarams). The third outer prakaram borders on the sea and the main entrance to the temple is on its southern side through the famous hall called Shanmugha Vilasa Mandapam.

On the northern side, there is a cave temple for Valli. The scenes depicting the destruction of Asura Soorapadman is carved here in stone. There are 24 wells containing holy water including the Skanda Pushkarani. In the second prakara, there are linga shrines for Lord Vinayaga, Arunagirinathar, Lord Venkatachalapathi and Santhana Krishnan. On entering the first prakara, one finds separate shrines for Valli and Devasena / Devanai. On the western side, there are niches for Vishwanatha and Vishalakshmi.

As the devotee reaches the sanctum sanctorum, he finds lord Muruga in all splendour and glory. The Lord here appears as a youth with a single face and four hands. The uthsava murthy (Arumugha) with six faces and twelve hands flanked by His consorts faces south. This is positioned in such a way that those worshiping the Lord from the Sanmugha vilasa mandap outside can also have a good view. Both for the presiding deity and the Utsava Murthi daily poojas are performed in accordance with Agama Shastras.

Inside the temple, there are eight lingas, symbolising the five elements (Panchaboothas) sun, moon, fire, water, air space and Jyoti and Athma. It is believed that Lord Muruga worshiped these lingas after the destruction of Soorapadma and created a pond called Skanda Pushkarani with His vel. Though located near the sea, the water in this well is not salty and is believed to have medicinal properties. The salty air had its impact on the structure of the temple and the gopuram. Extensive renovation was carried out and kumbhabhishekam has been performed in accordance with the stipulations of agama shastras.

According to a story narrated in a journal, in 1648 Dutch raiders tried to carry away the idol of Shanmukha of Tiruchendur. After extricating the idol, they boarded their ship. As they were sailing, huge waves assailed the ship forcing them to drop the idol at mid sea. (From the book Historic India published by M. Rannel from Berlin in 1785.)

In 1653 when Vadamalaiyappa Pillaiyyan, the local administrator of the Nayakkan ruler at Tirunelveli, arranged to install another idol, in a dream he was ordered to look for the image at the spot whereon a lime fruit would be found floating, and the place marked by the circling overhead of a kite, the bird of Vishnu. Accordingly, a search was made on that sport , the idol was found and retrieved .

Adi Shankaracharya was suffering from Kasa Roga. He tried various medicines and mantras to control the illness. But He could not cure the persistent illness with mantra and medicine. Acharya heard an ethereal voice advising him to go to Tirchendur Murugan Temple. Accordingly the Saint went before the Lord.

When he meditated upon Subramanya, he became aware of a self luminous light shining in his heart and words came out his mouth in extempore in Bhujanga metre. He stood before the presiding deity and composed Subrahmanya Bhujangam in 33 shlokas and offered it to Muruga. As soon as He finished the prayer, the illness disappeared.

Subrahmanya Bhujangam is full of piety, spiritual exaltation and ecstasy. It also reveals the efficacy of praise, prayer and meditation on Subrahmanya. Shri Subrahmanya Bhujangam stotra is the outcome of the Acharya’s ecstasy. It is the high road that connects the human mind with the divine ecstasy. This hymn is considered as an eulogy of extraordinary merit.

1)
सदा बालरूपापि विघ्नाद्रिहन्त्री
महादन्तिवक्त्रापि पञ्चास्यमान्या ।
विधीन्द्रादिमृग्या गणेशाभिधा मे
विधत्तां श्रियं कापि कल्याणमूर्तिः ॥१॥
sadA bAlaroopApi vighnAdhi hanthri,
mahAdanthi vaktrApi panchAsyamAnyA
vidheendhrAdhi mrigyA gaNeshAbhidhAme,
vidhatthAm shriyam kApi kalyANamurthi :

Though He always sports the appearance of a child, He can crumble the mountains of obstacles. Though He is elephant-faced, He is honored even by his five-faced father Shiva (sadyojaatam, vaamadevam, aghoram, tatpurusham and iishaanam). Lord Brahma, Indra and the other Devas seek him to fulfill their aspirations. He is known as Ganesha and He is endowed with boundless glory. May He bless me with prosperity.

2)
न जानामि शब्दं न जानामिचार्थं
न जानामि पद्यं न जानामि गद्यम् ।
चिदेका षडास्या हृदि द्योतते मे
मुखान्निःसरन्ते गिरश्चापि चित्रम् ॥२॥
na jAnAmi shabdam, na jAnAmi chArttham
na jAnAmi padhyam, na jAnAmi gadhyam
chidekA shadAsyA hridhi dhyothathe me
mukhAnis saranthe giraschApi chitram

I know not the science of musical sounds, I know not the meanings of complex texts either, I know not the nature of shlokas made of four types of padaas, nor do I know the intricacies of the gadhyam style! But in my heart, shines an effulgent light with six luminous faces, and because of that, from my mouth, amazing phrases with musical tone and meanings pour out in extempore.

3)
मयूराधिरूढं महावाक्यगूढं
मनोहारिदेहं महच्चित्तगेहम् ।
महीदेवदेवं महावेदभावं
महादेवबालं भजे लोकपालम् ॥३॥
mayUrAdhiroodam mahAvAkyagUdam
manohArideham mahachittageham
mahIdevadevam mahavedabhAvam
mahadevabAlam bhaje lokapAlam

O Son of Mahadeva! Seated on the peacock chariot, being the essence of the great maha vaakyaas, having wonderfully attractive body, dwelling in the heart of great sages, O the quintessence of four Vedas! Thou are indeed the Lord of the Universe.

4)
यदा सन्निधानं गता मानवा मे
भवाम्भोधिपारं गतास्ते तदैव ।
इति व्यञ्जयन्सिन्धुतीरे य आस्ते
तमीडे पवित्रं पराशक्ति पुत्रम् ॥४॥
yadhA sannidhAnam gathA mAnavA me,
bhavAm bodhipAram gathAsthe thadhaiva
ithi vyanjayan sindhutheere ya aaste,
thameede pavitram parAshaktiputram

O Lord Subramanya! Son of spotless Parashakti [the Mother of the Cosmos], Thou have taken your abode near the sea shore Tiruchendur as if it is an indication that whenever the devotees take refuge in Thee, they can easily cross the ocean of samsara (the eternal cycle of life and death) and reach the other side of the shore safely!.

5)
यथाब्धेस्तरङ्गा लयं यान्ति तुङ्गा-
स्थैवापदः सन्निधौ सेवतां मे ।
इतीवोर्मिपङ्गक्तीर्नृणां दर्शयन्तं
सदा भावये हृत्सरोजे गुहं तम् ॥५॥
yathAbdhes tharangA layam yAnthi thungA,
thatthaivA padha sannidhou sevyamAne
itheevormi panktheer nrinAm darshayantham,
sadA bhAvaye hrithsaroje guham tham

The waves of worries that haunt the minds of the devotees get destroyed like the waves of the ocean when they hit the shore; Thou stands on the sea-side town of Tiruchendur exemplifying this truth that the mental worry-waves get destroyed when the devotees surrender themselves at Thy feet. O Lord Guha (one who resides in the cave of the heart)! I meditate on you always!.

6)
गिरौ मन्निवासे नरा येऽधिरूढा-
स्तदा पर्वते राजते तेऽधिरूढाः ।
इतीव ब्रुवन् गन्धशैलाधिरूढः
स देवो मुदे मे सदा षण्मुखोऽस्तु ॥६॥
girou mannivAse narA yedhi rUdA :
thadhA parvathe rAjathe thedhirUdA :
itheeva bruvan gandha shailAdhirUdah :,
sadevo mudhe me sadA shanmukhostu

{O Lord Shanmukha! Thou stands on the top of the Sugandha hill, proclaiming that whenever the devotees climb this hill it will give the same benefit as climbing the king of mountains (Kailas)! May the six-faced Lord on the Sugandha hills remain there to bless me!}.

7)
महाम्भोधितीरे महापापचोरे
मुनीन्द्रानुकूले सुगन्धाख्यशैले ।
गुहायां वसन्तं स्वभासा लसन्तं
जनार्तिं हरन्तं श्रयामो गुहं तम् ॥७॥
mahAmbodhitheere mahApApachore,
muneendrAnukoole sugandhAkhya shaile
guhAyAm vasantham svabhAsA lasantham,
janArthim harantham shrayAmo guham tham

On the shores of the great ocean which steals away the sins of the devotees, stands the Sugandha hills, the most favourable site for the sages to perform their penance! Thou resides there to destroy the worries of the devotees! O self-luminous Lord who is present in the cave of the heart! I adore Thee!.

8)
लसत्वर्णगेहे नृणां कामदोहे
सुमस्तोमसंछन्नमाणिक्यमञ्चे ।
समुद्यत्सहस्रार्कतुल्यप्रकाशं
सदा भावये कार्तिकेयं सुरेशम् ॥८॥
lasat swarna gehai nrinAm kAmadohe,
sumasthoma sanchanna mANikya manche
samudyath sahasrArka thulyaprakAsham,
sadA bhAvaye kArtikeyam suresham

In a radiant golden bedroom, on a cot set with rubies and covered on all sides with sweet smelling flowers, Thou art seated with the effulgence of a thousand suns! Thou art the answer to every desire of the heart and Thou fulfils the righteous desires of Thy devotees! Thou art the Lord of Devas and son of the Lord of the universe! O Kartikeya I meditate on Thee!.

9)
रणद्धंसके मञ्जुलेऽत्यन्तशोणे
मनोहारिलावण्यपीयूषपूर्णे ।
मनःषट्पदो मे भवत्क्लेशतप्तः
सदा मोदतां स्कन्द ते पादपद्मे ॥९॥
raNat hamsake manjuleth yanthashoNe,
manohAri lAvaNya peeyusha poorNe
manash : – shatpadho me bhava klesha taptha :,
sadA modathAm skanda te pAda padme

Let the mind (like a bee) which is burdened with domestic troubles become happy by hovering around Thy lotus feet which is adorned with the jingling ringlets made of rings and beads, red in color indicating grace, filled with the nectar of beauty which attracts the minds of the devotees.

Oh! Skanda, I meditate on Thy waist which is covered by a gold coloured cloth, shining with a string of ringing bells and beads, wearing a shining gold belt over the golden silk cloth, and which is by itself self-resplendent.

10)
सुवर्णाभदिव्याम्बरैर्भासमानां
क्वणत्किङ्किणीमेखलाशोभमानाम् ।
लसद्धेमपट्टेन विद्योतमानां
कटिं भावये स्कन्द ते दीप्यमानाम् ॥१०॥

suvarnAbha divyAm barodh bhAsa mAnam,
kvaNath kinkiNi mekhalA shobha mAnam
lasad dhemapattena vidhyotha mAnam,
katim bhAvaye Skanda te deepya mAnam

Oh! Skanda, I meditate on Thy waist which is covered by a gold coloured cloth, shining with a string of ringing bells and beads, wearing a shining gold belt over the golden silk cloth, and which is by itself self-resplendent.

11)
पुलिन्देशकन्याघनाभोगतुङ्ग्-
स्तनालिङ्गनासक्तकाशमीररागम् ।
नमस्यामहं तारकरे तवोरः
स्वभक्तावने सर्वदा सानुरागम् ॥११॥
pulindesha kanyA ghanA bhoga thunga,
sthanA linganA saktha kAshmeera rAgam
namasyAmyaham tArakAre tavorah :,
svabhaktA vane sarvadA sAnurAgam

Oh! conqueror of Tarakasura! By embracing Valli’s (hunter’s daughter) well-developed breast ornate with saffron, Thy chest became red coloured, thereby manifesting your eternal grace towards devotees. And such a chest I adore.

12)
विधौकॢप्तदण्डान्स्वलीलाधृताण्डा-
न्निरस्तेभशुण्डान्द्विषत्कालदण्डान् ।
हतेन्द्रारिषण्डाञ्जगत्राणशौण्डान्
सदा ते प्रचण्डाञ्श्रये बाहुदण्डान् ॥१२॥
vidhou kluptha dhandAn svaleelA dhri thAndAn,
nirasthebha shundAn dvishath kAladhandAn
athendhrAri shandAn jagatrAna shoundAn,
sadA te prachandAn shraye bAhu dhandAn

Oh! Shanmukha! Thy arms punished Brahma, Thy arms govern the world as Thy play; Thy arms killed Soorapadma and other demons who are enemies of Indra; Thy arms are matchless in protecting the Universe, and Thy arms are a terror to Thine enemies. I worship Thy twelve arms which do all these things effortlessly.

13)
सदा शारदाः षण्मृगाङ्का यदि स्युः
समुद्यन्त एव स्थिताश्चेत्समन्तात् ।
सदा पूर्णबिम्बाः कलङ्कैश्च हीना-
स्तदा त्वन्मुखानां ब्रुवे स्कन्द साम्यम् ॥१३॥
sadA shAradA : shan mrugAngkA yadhisyu :,
samudyantha eva stthithAsh cheth samanthAth
adApoorna bimbA : kalankaishcha heenA :,
tadA tvan mukhAnAm bruve Skanda sAmyam

What can I compare to Thy six faces! If there be six full moons free from blemishes and if those moons be ever shining on all sides, even then they would be no match to your effulgent faces.

14)
स्फुरन्मन्दहासैः सहंसानि चञ्च-
त्कटाक्षावलीभृङ्गसंघोज्ज्वलानि ।
सुधास्यान्दिबिम्बाधराणीशसूनो
तवालोकये षण्मुखाम्भोरुहाणि ॥१४॥
sphuran mandahAsai : sahamsAni chanchath,
katAkshA valeebhringa sanghojvalAni
sudhAsyandhi bimbA dharANi shasoono,
tavA lokaye shanmukhAm bhoruhANi

Oh! Son of Parameshwara, I see Thy six smiling faces shining like a group of swans, having gleaming side glances ever moving like a row of bees and with red lips overflowing with nectar.

15)
विशालेषु कर्णान्तदीर्घेष्वजस्त्रं
दयास्यन्दिषु द्वादशस्वीक्षणेषु ।
मयीषत्कटाक्षः सकृत्पातितश्चे-
द्भवेते दयाशील का नाम हानिः ॥१५॥
vishAleshu karNAntha dheergesh vajasram,
dayAs yandhishu dvAdha shas veekshaNeshu
mayeeshath katAkshas : sakruth pAthi tashcheth,
bhavethe dayAsheela kA nAma hAni :

Oh! Son of Parameshwara! Oh Merciful Lord! When Thou hast twelve broad long eyes extending upto ears, what will Thou lose by casting that side glance for a moment (on me) ? .

16)
सुताङ्गोद्भवो मेऽसि जीवेति षड्धा
जपन्मन्त्रमीशो मुदा चिघ्रते यान् ।
जगद्भारभृद्भ्यो जगन्नाथ तेभ्यः
किरीटोज्ज्वलेभ्यो नमो मस्तकेभ्यः ॥१६॥
suthAngodhbhavo mesi jeevethi shad dhA,
japanmantra meesho mudhA jigrathe yAn
jagad bhAra bhridbhyo jagannAtha thebhya :,
kireeto jvalebhyo namo mastakebhya

Oh! Lord of the Universe! I offer my prostration to Thy six heads wearing crowns with brilliant rubies which protect the welfare of creatures, which were smelt by Parameshwara with joy uttering six times the mantra “Child Thou were born of me, May Thou live long”.

17)
स्फुरद्रत्नकेयूरहाराभिराम-
श्चलत्कुण्डलश्रीलसद्गण्डभागः ।
कटौ पीतवासाः करे चारु शक्तिः
पुरस्तान्ममास्तां पुरारेस्तनूजः ॥१७॥
sphuradh ratna keyoora hArAbhi rAma,
chalath kuNdala shri-lasadh kandabhAga
katou peethavAsA kare chArushakti,
purasthAn ma mAsthAm purAres thanooja

Oh Kumara! Son of Lord Parameshwara (who destroyed Tripura)! With garlands of brilliant rubies on Thy shoulders and chest, with bright cheeks shining with pendants dangling from Thy ears, wearing silk garment around Thy waist, and with Vel in Thy hand, Oh! Lord appear before me (It is said that Lord appeared before Acharya when he sung this stotra)!.

18)
इहायाहि वत्सेति हस्तान्प्रसार्या-
ह्वयत्यादराच्छंकरे मातुरङ्कात् ।
समुत्पत्य तातं श्रयन्तं कुमारं
हराश्लिष्टगात्रं भजे बालमूर्तिम् ॥१८॥
ihAyAhi vatsethi hasthAn prasArya,
aah-vayath-yAdha-rAch-shankare mAthu rankAth
amuthpathya thAtham shrayantham kumAram,
harAshlishta gAthram bhaje bAlamoorthim

When Lord Shankara called Thee affectionately with arms extended, Thou hurriedly rose from Mother’s lap and rushed into Shankara’s arms who embraced Thee affectionately. I meditate on such a Lord Kumara.

19)
कुमारेशसूनो गुह स्कन्द सेना-
पते शक्तिपाणे मयूराधिरूढ ।
पुलिन्दात्मजाकान्त भक्तार्तिहारिन्
प्रभो तारकरे सदा रक्ष मां त्वम् ॥१९॥
kumAresha soono Guhaskanda senA,
pathe shaktipAne mayUrAdhirUda
pulindhAthmajA kAntha bhakthArthi hArin,
prabho tArakAre sadA raksha mAm tvam

Oh Kumara! Oh Son of Lord of the Universe! One who shines in the cave of the heart as Guha! Oh Skanda! Oh Lord of the Devas’ Army! Oh Wielder of the weapon Vel which is the svarupa of Parashakti! One who rides on the peacock chariot! Oh Beloved of the Hunter’s daughter (Valli)! Destroyer of the sins of your devotees! Enemy of Tarakasura! Oh Lord protect me!.

20)
प्रशान्तेन्द्रिये नष्टसंज्ञे विचेष्टे
कफोद्गारिवक्त्रे भयोत्कम्पिगात्रे ।
प्रयाणोन्मुखे मय्यनाथे तदानीं
द्रुतं मे दयालो भवाग्रे गुहं त्वम् ॥२०॥
prashAn thendriye nashta samngnye vicheshte,
kaphod kArivaktre bhayoth kampi gAthre
prayANon mukhe mayyanAthe thadhAneem,
drutham me dhayALo bhavAgre guham tham

Hail Guha, Dayalo. During the last moments of my life, when I will have lost control of my senses, when I will have lost consciousness, when I will be unable move my limbs, when I will be emitting foam of phlegm, when my body will be trembling with fear of death, when I will have none to protect me, Thou must hasten to give me darshan.

21)
कृतान्तस्य दूतेषु चण्डेषु कोपा-
द्दह च्छिन्द्धि भिन्द्धीति मां तर्जयत्सु ।
मयूरं समारुह्य मा भैरिति त्वं
पुरः शक्तिपाणिर्ममायाहि शीघ्रम् ॥२१॥
krithAn thasya dhooteshu chandeshu kopAth,
daha chindhi bhindheethi mAm tharja yatsu
mayUram samAruhya mAbhairi thitvam,
purash shakti pAnir mamAyAhi sheegram

Oh! Lord, when ferocious messengers of the God of Death come to torture me angrily shouting, “Burn him, Kill him”, Oh! Lord Thou must hasten to appear before me, riding on your peacock,carrying Shaktivel, to encourage me not to be afraid.

22)
प्रणम्यासकृतपादयोस्ते पतित्वा
प्रसाद्य प्रभो पार्थयेऽनेकवारम् ।
न वक्तुं क्षमोहं तदानीं कृपाब्धे
न कार्यान्तकाले मनागप्युपेक्षा ॥२२॥
praNam yAsa kruth pAda yosthe pathitvA,
prasAdya prabho prArthaye (a)nekavAram
na vaktum kshamoham thadhAneem krupApdhe,
na kAryAnthakAle manA gapyu pekshA

Oh Merciful Lord! I am prostating to Thy feet often to secure Thy blessings. Oh treasure house of mercy! I offer prayers to please Thee. Thou should not be indifferent towards me during my last moments. At that time I may not have the control and energy to pray to Thee!.

23)
सहस्राण्डभोक्ता त्वया शूरनामा
हतस्तारकः सिंहवक्त्रश्च दैत्यः ।
ममान्तर्हृदिस्थं मनःक्लेशमेकं
न हंसि प्रभो किं करोमि क्व यामि ॥२३॥
sahasrAnda bhokthA tvayA ShooranAmA,
hathas tArakas simhavaktrascha dhaitya
mamAnthar hridhistham manaklesha mekam,
na hamsi prabho kim karomi kva yAmi

O Lord! Thou hast slain the demon Soora who ruled the thousand universes! So were the demons Taarakasura and Simhavaktra. But Lord,why have you not killed the demon called mental worry which haunts my mind? When it is afflicting me, what will I do? And where will I go [other than you for help] ?

24)
अहं सर्वदा दुःखभारावसन्नो
भवान् दीनबन्धुस्त्वदन्यं न याचे ।
भवद्भक्तिरोधं सदा क्लृप्तबाधं
ममाधिं दुतं नाशयोमासुत त्वम् ॥२४॥
aham sarvadA dukkha bhArA vasanno,
bhavAn deenabandhus tva dhanyam na yAche
bhavadh bhaktirodham sadA kluptha bAdham,
mamAdhim drutham nAsha yo mAsuta tvam

Oh Son of Uma! I am always troubled by the mental worries. Thou art the friend of helpless! I approach none but you for saving me. Quickly destroy my mental worries as they interfere with my devotion towards Thee!.

25)
अपस्मारकुष्टक्षयार्शःप्रमेह-
ज्वरन्मादिगुल्मादिरोगा महान्तः ।
पिशाचाश्च सर्वे भवत्पत्रभूतिं
विलोक्यक्षणात्तरकारे द्रवन्ते ॥२५॥
apasmAra kushta kshayArsha prameha,
jvaronmAdha gulmAdhi rogA mahAntha
pishAchAshcha sarve bhavatpatra bhoothim,
vilokya kshanAth tArakAre dravanthe

Oh Conqueror of Taraka! Severe epilepsy, leprosy, consumption, lung diseases, venereal diseases, fevers, mental diseases of all types, they run away the moment they see Thy vibhuti contained in a leaf.

26)
दृशि स्कन्दमूर्तिः श्रुतौ स्कन्दकीर्ति-
र्मुखे मे पवित्रं सदा तच्चरित्रम् ।
करे तस्य कृत्यं वपुस्तस्य भृत्यं
गुहे सन्तु लीना ममाशेषभावाः ॥२६॥
drishi skandamoorthih shrutou skandakeerthih,
mukhe me pavitram sadA tach-charitram
kare tasya krityam vapus tasya bhrutyam,
guhe santu leenA mamA shesha bhAvA

Always may I have before my eyes the murthi of Lord Skanda! Always let my ears hear only the praises of Lord Skanda! Always let my mouth sing the praise of Lord Skanda! Always let my hands be of service to the Lord! Always let my body be a servant to the Lord! Let my limbs, thoughts and actions be devoted to Skanda!.

27)
मुनीनामुतहो नृणां भक्तिभाजा-
मभीष्टप्रदाः सन्ति सर्वत्र देवाः ।
नृणामन्त्यजानामपि स्वार्थदाने
गुहाद्देवमन्यं न जाने न जाने ॥२७॥
muneenA muthAho nriNAm bhakti bhAjAm,
abheeshta pradhA santhi sarvatra devA
nriNA manthya jAnAm api svArtha dhAne,
guhA devam anyam najAne najAne

In all the worlds there are Devas to grant the boons of sages and great bhaktas. But for the lowly and ordinary devotees, I know not of any other Deity to protect them except Guha!.

28)
कलत्रं सुता बन्धुवर्गः पशुर्वा
नरो वाथ नारी गृहे ये मदीयाः ।
यजन्तो नमन्तः स्तुवन्तो भवन्तं
स्मरन्तश्च ते सन्तु सर्वे कुमार ॥२८॥
kaLathram suthA bandhuvarga pashurvA,
naro vAtha nAree gruhe ye madheeyA
yajantho namanthah stuvantho bhavantham,
smaran thascha te santu sarve kumAra

Oh Lord Kumara! Let my wife, children, relatives, friends, other men and women in our household, venerate Thee! Praise Thee! And always be absorbed in Thy thoughts!.

29)
मृगाः पक्षिणो दंशका ये च दुष्टा-
स्तथा व्याधयो बाधका ये मदङ्गे ।
भवच्छक्तितीक्ष्णाग्रभिन्नाः सुदूरे
विनश्यन्तु ते चूर्णितक्रौञ्चशैले ॥२९॥
mrigA pakshiNo dhamshakA ye cha dushtAs,
tathA vyAdhayo bhAdha kA ye madhange
bhavacchakti teekshnAgra bhinnAs sudhoore,
vinashyantu te choorNitha krouncha shaile

Oh! Destroyer of Krauncha Shaila! Let every thing that troubles my body, birds, beasts, insects, severe diseases, be pierced by Thy powerful weapon Vel and taken far away and destroyed.

30)
जनित्री पिता च स्वपुत्रापराधं
सहेते च किं देवसेनाधिनाथ ।
अहं चातिबालो भवान् लोकतातः
क्षमस्वापराधं समस्तं महेश ॥३०॥
janithri pithA cha svaputrA parAdham,
sahethe na kim devasenAdhi nAtha
aham chAthibAlo bhavAn loka thAtha,
kshamasvAparAdham samastham Mahesha

Do not the parents overlook the faults of their children? Oh! Chief of the army of Devas! I am a small child. Thou art the Father of the Universe. Oh Mahesha! Forgive all my faults.

31)
नमः केकिने शक्तये चापि तुभ्यं
नमश्चाग तुभ्यं नमः कुक्कुटाय ।
नमः सिन्धवे सिन्धुदेशाय तुभ्यं
पुनः स्कन्दमूर्ते नमस्ते नमोऽस्तु ॥३१॥
namah kekine shaktaye chApi tubhyam,
namah chhaga tubhyam namah kukkutAya
namah sindhave sindhu deshAya tubhyam,
punah skanda moorthe namaste namostu

I bow to Thee, O Peacock (the symbol of Vedas)! I bow to Thee, O Shakti Weapon (Vel is Parashakti herself), I bow to Thee, O Sheep (the symbol of maya tattvam), I bow to Thee, O Rooster (the symbol of Ego), I bow to Thee, O Ocean (the symbol of ananda), I bow to Thee, O Tiruchendur Shrine, I bow to Thee, O Lord Skanda! I bow to Thee again and again! Let all my prostrations reach Thee!.

32)
जयानन्दभूमञ्जयापारधाम-
ञ्जयामोघकीर्ते जयानन्दमूर्ते ।
जयानन्द सिन्धो जयाशेषबन्धो
जय त्वं पिता मुक्तिदानेशसूनो ॥३२॥

jayA nanda bhooman jayA pAra dhAman,
jayA mogha keerthe jayA nanthamoorthe
jayA nanda sindho jayA shesha bandho,
jaya tvam sadA mukti dhAnesha soono

O Source of ananda, reveal Thyself! O Embodiment of boundless effulgent light, reveal Thyself! O Lord! who has all pervading glory, reveal Thyself! O Embodiment of bliss, reveal Thyself! O Lord, Thou art the ocean of bliss, reveal Thyself! O Lord who is the friend of all creatures, reveal Thyself! O Lord, Son of Parameshwara, Bestower of liberation, reveal Thy Glory to me and protect me!.

33)
भुजङ्गाख्यवृत्तेन क्लृप्तं स्तवं यः
पठेत्भक्तियुक्तो गुहं संप्रणम्य ।
स पुत्रान्कलत्रं धनं दीर्घमायु-
र्लभेत्स्कन्दसायुज्यमन्ते नरः सः ॥३३॥
bhujangAkhya vritthena kluptham sthavam yah,
pateth bhakti yuktho guham sam pranamya
suputrAn kaLathram dhanam dheergamAyuh,
labheth Skanda sAyujya manthe narrassah.

That holy devotee, who prostrates to Lord Guha, reciting the Bhujanga stotra daily, with devotion, will be blessed with good sons, good wife, wealth and long life, and at end of his life, will attain eternal bliss with Lord Skanda.

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About Author:
Subhasini BA, is a Screenplay writer, Director, creative director, costume designer and producer, whose work has featured in some of the most prestigious film festivals in the country and internationally. She has collaborated on several film projects juggling different roles. 

In beginning of her career, she worked as Associate director and Costume Designer with the acclaimed director Girish Kasaravalli. She’s written and directed a documentary film on the famed Krishna Temple in Udupi, and also written plays, screenplays for films and short form content for some of the leading technology companies in India, including Microsoft, Akamai Technologies, LAM Research, and SAP. 

With Knowledge in Sanskrit, Subhasini is a seeker of the Eternal Truth / Santana Dharma, writes on dharma. She is passionate about History, Mythology, Philosophy and Spirituality. She believes Dharma is the manifestation of the natural strength of every living soul.
She lives in Cincinnati.

Image Courtesy: Wallpaper access

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