.. Â:i s:Øb:ÒÉNy: B:Øj:¤m:Î ..
Comments by Ravishankar Mayavaram msr@comco.com
shrii subrahmaNya bhujaN\^_gam is a stotra sung under inspiration
by shrii aadi shankaraachaarya at Thiruchendur ( presently located in
Tamil Nadu, India). When he meditated upon shrii subrahmaNya, he
became aware of the self luminous light shining in his heart and words
came out his mouth in extempore in bhujanga metre. It is also said
that aachaarya then actually saw the aadisheshha worshipping the Lord
and adopted the bhujanga metre.
Major portion of the translation provided here is adopted from,
Iyer, Ganesa M., Srimat Sankara Bhagavat Padal's Sri
Subrahmanya Bhujangam, The Little flower Company, Madras, 1992.
Invocation of shrii vighneshvara
s:da b:al:-p:a|ep: ev:Gn:aedÓhn*:i
m:hadent:v:V*:a|ep: p:Wc:asy:m:any:a .
ev:D:indÓaedm:àgy:a g:N:ðS:aeB:D:a m:ð
ev:D:¶:aö eÂ:y:ö ka|ep: kly:aN:m:Üet:üH .. 1..
Though he always sports the appearance of a child, he can crumble the
the mountains of obstacles. Though he is elephant--faced, he is
honored even by his five--faced father Shiva (sadyaojaatam, vaamadevam,
aghoram, tatpurushham and iishaanam). Lord Brahma, Indra and the other Devas
seek him to fulfil their aspirations. He is known as Ganesha and he is
endowed with boundless glory. May he bless me with wealth!
aachaaryaa's humility
n: j:an:aem: S:bdö n: j:an:aem: c:aT:üö
n: j:an:aem: p:½ö n: j:an:aem: g:½m:Î .
ec:dðka \:Rasy: Æed ½:ðt:t:ð m:ð
m:ØK:aeÀHs:rnt:ð eg:rÁ:aep: ec:*:m:Î .. 2..
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, and nor do I know the intricacies of the Gadyam style!
But in my heart, shines a effulgent light with luminous six faces, and
because of that from my mouth, amazing phrases with musical tone and
meanings pour out in extempore.
This shloka brings out the humility of the achaaryaa, who is
considered as the greatest jnani, poet, and yogi who walked on the face of
this earth. Meditating on the verse will bring wisdom to the aspirant.
\noindent Lord as the Goal of Vedaas
m:y:ÜraeD:-Zö m:hav:aVy:g:ÜZö
m:n::ðhaerdðhö m:hecc:¶:g:ðhm:Î .
m:hidðv:dðv:ö m:hav:ðdB:av:ö
m:hadðv:b:al:ö B:j:ð l::ðkp:al:m:Î .. 3..
When shrii shankara sang this verse, it is said that Lord
Subrahmanya gave him darshan.
O Son of Mahadeva! Seated on the peacock chariot, being the essence of
the great mahaa 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.
\noindent Reason for residing on the sea shore
y:da s:öen:D:an:ö g:t:a m:an:v:a m:ð
B:v:amB::ðeD:p:arö g:t:ast:ð t:dòv: .
Eet: vy:Wj:y:ens:nD:Øt:irð y: A:st:ð
t:m:iRð p:ev:*:ö p:raS:eVt:p:Ø*:m:Î .. 4..
O Lord Subrahmanya! son of spotless paraashakti [the Mother of the
Cosmos], Thou have taken the your abode near the sea shore (Thiruchendur
is a coastal town) as if it is 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!
\noindentDestroyer of devotee's difficulties
y:T:abD:ðst:r¤a l:y:ö y:ent: t:ؤa-
st:T:òv:ap:dH s:eÀD::ò s:ðv:t:aö m:ð .
Et:iv::ðem:üp:öVt:in:àüN:aö dS:üy:nt:ö
s:da B:av:y:ð Æts:r:ðj:ð g:Øhö t:m:Î .. 5..
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 Thiruchendur 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!
Glory of Sugandha Hill
eg:r:ò m:eÀv:as:ð n:ra y:ð|eD:-Za-
st:da p:v:üt:ð raj:t:ð t:ð|eD:-ZaH .
Et:iv: b:ÒØv:ng:nD:S:òl:aeD:-ZH
s: dðv::ð m:Ødð m:ð s:da \:Nm:ØK::ð|st:Ø .. 6..
O Lord Shanmukhaa! 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!
\noindent Glory of Lord Guha
m:hamB::ðeD:t:irð m:hap:ap:c::ðrð
m:Øen:ndÓan:ØkÝl:ð s:Øg:nD:aKy:S:òl:ð .
g:Øhay:aö v:s:nt:ö sv:B:as:a l:s:nt:ö
j:n:aet:üö hrnt:ö Â:y:am::ð g:Øhö t:m:Î .. 7..
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!
\noindent Description of Lord's bed room
l:s:tsv:N:üg:ðhð n:àN:aö kam:d:ðhð
s:Øm:st::ðm:s:öCÀm:aeN:Vy:m:Wc:ð .
s:m:ؽts:h+akýt:Øly:)kaS:ö
s:da B:av:y:ð kaet:ükñy:ö s:ØrðS:m:Î .. 8..
In a radiant golden bed room, on a cot set with rubies and covered on
all sides with sweet smelling flowers, Thou art seated with the
effulgence of 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
Kartikeyaa I meditate on Thee!
\noindent Meditation on Lord's feet
rN:¹ös:kñ m:Wj:Øl:ð|ty:nt:S::ðN:ð
m:n::ðhaerl:av:Ny:p:iy:Ü\:p:ÜN:ðü .
m:n:H\:XÏp:d:ð m:ð B:v:Vl:ðS:t:pt:H
s:da m::ðdt:aö sknd t:ð p:adp:¼ð .. 9..
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
the grace, filled with the nectar of beauty and attracts the minds of
the devotees.
\noindent Meditation on Lord's waist
s:Øv:N:aüB:edvy:amb:ròB:aüs:m:an:aö
Vv:N:etke¢N:im:ðK:l:aS::ðB:m:an:am:Î .
l:s:¹ðm:p:¬ðn: ev:½:ðt:m:an:aö
keXö B:av:y:ð sknd t:ð dipy:m:an:am:Î .. 10 ..
Oh! Skanda, I meditate on Thy waist which is covered by a
gold colored 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
\noindent Meditation on Lord's Chest
p:Øel:ndðS:kny:aG:n:aB::ðg:t:ؤ-
st:n:ael:¤n:as:Vt:kaSm:irrag:m:Î .
n:m:sy:am:hö t:arkarð t:v::ðrH
sv:B:Vt:av:n:ð s:v:üda s:an:Ørag:m:Î .. 11..
Oh! conqueror of Tarakasura! By embracing Valli's ( Hunter's daughter)
well--developed breast ornated with saffron, Thy chest became red
colored, thereby manifesting your eternal grace towards devotees. And
such a chest I adore.
\noindent Meditation on Twelve Arms
ev:D::ò VLápt:dNRan:Î sv:l:il:aD:àt:aNRa-
eÀrst:ðB:S:ØNRan:Î e¾\:tkal:dNRan:Î .
ht:ðndÓaer\:NRaWj:g:*:aN:S::òNRan:Î
s:da t:ð )c:NRan:Î Â:y:ð b:ahÚdNRan:Î .. 12..
Oh! Shanmuga! Thy arms punished Brahma, Thy arms governs 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 does all these things effortlessly.
\noindent Meditation on Lord's Six Faces
s:da S:ardaH \:Nm:àg:a¢a y:ed sy:ØH
s:m:ؽnt: Ov: esT:t:aÁ:ðts:m:nt:at:Î .
s:da p:ÜN:üeb:mb:aH kl:¢óÁ: hin:a-
st:da tv:nm:ØK:an:aö b:ÒØv:ð sknd s:amy:m:Î .. 13..
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.
\noindent Meditation on Lord's Facial Features
sPÙrnm:ndhas:òH s:hös:aen: c:Wc:-
tkXax:av:l:iB:à¤s:öG::ðjjv:l:aen: .
s:ØD:asy:endeb:mb:aD:rN:iS:s:Ün::ð
t:v:al::ðky:ð \:Nm:ØK:amB::ð,haeN: .. 14..
Oh! Son of Parameshwara, I see Thy six lotus smiling faces
shining like a group of swans, having gleaming side glance ever moving
like a row of bees and with red lips overflowing with nectar.
\noindent Meditation on Lord's Twelve Eyes
ev:S:al:ð\:Ø kN:aünt:diG:ðü\v:j:+ö
dy:asy:end\:Ø ¾adS:sv:ix:N:ð\:Ø .
m:y:i\:tkXax:H s:kátp:aet:t:Á:ð-
»v:ð¶:ð dy:aS:il: ka n:am:Î haen:H .. 15..
Oh! Son of Parameshwara! Oh! Merciful Lord!
When Thou hast twelve broad long eyes extending upto ears,
what will Thou loose by casting that side glance for a moment [on me]?
\noindent Meditation on Lord's Six Heads
s:Øt:a¤:ð»v::ð m:ð|es: j:iv:ðet: \:RÏD:a
j:p:nm:n*:m:iS::ð m:Øda ej:G:Òt:ð y:an:Î .
j:g:»arB:à»Îy::ð j:g:ÀaT: t:ðBy:H
ekriX:ðjjv:l:ðBy::ð n:m::ð m:st:kñBy:H .. 16..
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.''
\noindent Meditation on Lord Balasubrahmanya
sPÙrdÓtn:kñy:ÜrharaeB:ram:-
Á:l:tkÙNRl:Â:il:s:·NRB:ag:H .
kX:ò p:it:v:as:H krð c:a,S:eVt:H
p:Ørst:anm:m:ast:aö p:Ørarðst:n:Üj:H .. 17..
Oh Kumara! Son of Lord Parameshwara (who destroyed Tripura)!
With garlands of brilliant rubies on Thy shoulders and chest, with
bright cheeks shining when 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 Achaarya when
he sung this stotra)!
\noindent Meditation on Somaskandar
Ehay:aeh v:ts:ðet: hst:an)s:ay:aü-
Íy:ty:adracC¢rð m:at:Ør¢at:Î .
s:m:Øtp:ty: t:at:ö Â:y:nt:ö kÙm:arö
hraeSl:Äg:a*:ö B:j:ð b:al:m:Üet:üm:Î .. 18..
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.
\noindent Meditation on Lord's Eleven Names to Conquer Passions
kÙm:arðS:s:Ün::ð g:Øh sknd s:ðn:a-
p:t:ð S:eVt:p:aN:ð m:y:ÜraeD:-Z .
p:Øel:ndatm:j:akant: B:Vt:aet:ühaern:Î
)B::ð t:arkarð s:da rx: m:aö tv:m:Î .. 19 ..
Oh kumara! Oh Son of Lord of the Universe! One shines in the cave of
the heart as Guhaa! Oh skanda! Oh Lord of the Devas Army! Oh
Wielder of the weapon Vel (spear) which is the svaruupa 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
the Taraakasura! Oh Lord protect me!
It is said that one who recites these nine will over come the
passions.
\noindent Prayer for Darshan During the Last Moments of Life
)S:ant:ðendÓy:ð n:Äs:öwð ev:c:ðÄð
kP:ð·aerv:V*:ð B:y::ðtkemp:g:a*:ð .
)y:aN::ðnm:ØK:ð m:yy:n:aT:ð t:dan:iö
dÓÚt:ö m:ð dy:al::ð B:v:ag:Òð g:Øh tv:m:Î .. 20..
Hail Guha, Dayalo. During the last moments of my life, when
I will have lost control of 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 then.
\noindent Prayer to Give Darshan During Death Pangs
kát:ant:sy: dÝt:ð\:Ø c:NRð\:Ø k:ðp:a-
¸h ecCen¹ eB:n¹iet: m:aö t:j:üy:ts:Ø .
m:y:Ürö s:m:a,Ê m:a B:òeret: tv:ö
p:ØrH S:eVt:p:aeN:m:üm:ay:aeh S:iG:Òm:Î .. 21..
Oh! Lord, when ferocious messengers of Death-God come to torture me
angrily shouting, ``Burn him, Kill him''
Oh! Lord Thou must hasten to appear before me, riding on Peacock,
carrying Shaktivel, to encourage me not to be afraid.
\noindent Prayer for Protection During Last Moments
)N:my:as:kátp:ady::ðst:ð p:et:tv:a
)s:a½ )B::ð )aT:üy:ð|n:ðkv:arm:Î .
n: v:Vt:Øö x:m::ð|hö t:dan:iö káp:abD:ð
n: kay:aünt:kal:ð m:n:ag:py:Øp:ðx:a .. 22..
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!
\noindent Prayer to Drive Away Mental Worries
s:h+aNRB::ðVt:a tv:y:a S:Ürn:am:a
ht:st:arkH es:öhv:V*:Á: dòty:H .
m:m:ant:ÆüedsT:ö m:n:HVl:ðS:m:ðkö
n: höes: )B::ð ekö kr:ðem: Vv: y:aem: .. 23 ..
O Lord! Thous 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]?
\noindent Prayer to Destroy Mental Worries
Ahö s:v:üda dÙK:B:arav:s:À:ð
B:v:andin:b:nD:Østv:dny:ö n: y:ac:ð .
B:v:»eVt:r:ðD:ö s:da VLápt:b:aD:ö
m:m:aeD:ö dÓÚt:ö n:aS:y::ðm:as:Øt: tv:m:Î .. 24 ..
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!
\noindent Glory of Lord's Holy Ash
Ap:sm:arkÙÄx:y:aS:üH )m:ðh-
jv:r:ðnm:adg:Ølm:aedr:ðg:a m:hant:H .
ep:S:ac:aÁ: s:v:ðü B:v:tp:*:B:Üet:ö
ev:l::ðVy: x:N:a¶:arkarð dÓv:nt:ð .. 25..
Oh Conqueror of Taraka! Severe epilepsy, leprosy,
consumption, lung diseases, venreal diseases, fevers, mental diseases
of all types, they run away the moment they Thy vibhuti.
\noindent Acts of the Indriyas
dáeS: skndm:Üet:üH Â:Øt::ò skndkiet:ü-
m:ØüK:ð m:ð p:ev:*:ö s:da t:cc:er*:m:Î .
krð t:sy: káty:ö v:p:Øst:sy: B:àty:ö
g:Øhð s:nt:Ø l:in:a m:m:aS:ð\:B:av:aH .. 26..
Always may I have before my eyes the Murti 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!
\noindent Lord Guha Alone is the Saviour of the Ordinary
m:Øn:in:am:Øt:ah:ð n:àN:aö B:eVt:B:aj:a-
m:B:iÄ)daH s:ent: s:v:ü*: dðv:aH .
n:àN:am:nty:j:an:am:ep: sv:aT:üdan:ð
g:Øha¸ðv:m:ny:ö n: j:an:ð n: j:an:ð .. 27..
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!
\noindent Six Faced Lord is Our Family Deity
kl:*:ö s:Øt:a b:nD:Øv:g:üH p:S:Øv:aü
n:r:ð v:aT: n:aer g:àhð y:ð m:edy:aH .
y:j:nt::ð n:m:nt:H st:Øv:nt::ð B:v:nt:ö
sm:rnt:Á: t:ð s:nt:Ø s:v:ðü kÙm:ar .. 28..
Oh Lord Kumaara!
Let my wife, children, relatives, friends, other men and women in our
household, venerate Thee! praise Thee! and always absorbed in Thy
thoughts!
\noindent Prayer to Vel to Destroy Diseases
m:àg:aH p:ex:N::ð döS:ka y:ð c: dÙÄa-
st:T:a vy:aD:y::ð b:aD:ka y:ð m:d¤ñ .
B:v:cCeVt:t:ixN:ag:ÒeB:ÀaH s:ØdÝrð
ev:n:Sy:nt:Ø t:ð c:ÜeN:üt:#:òWj:S:òl: .. 29..
Oh! Destroyer of Krauncha Shaila!
Let every thing that trouble my body, birds, beasts, insects, severe
diseases, be pierced by Thy powerful weapon Vel and taken far away and
destroyed.
\noindent Prayer to Father of the Universe
j:en:*:i ep:t:a c: sv:p:Ø*:ap:raD:ö
s:hðt:ð n: ekö dðv:s:ðn:aeD:n:aT: .
Ahö c:aet:b:al::ð B:v:an:Î l::ðkt:at:H
x:m:sv:ap:raD:ö s:m:st:ö m:hðS: .. 30..
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 Maheshaa! Forgive all my faults.
\noindent Prayer to the Lord
n:m:H kñekn:ð S:Vt:y:ð c:aep: t:ØBy:ö
n:m:SCag: t:ØBy:ö n:m:H kÙVkÙXay: .
n:m:H es:nD:v:ð es:nD:ØdðS:ay: t:ØBy:ö
p:Øn:H skndm:Üt:ðü n:m:st:ð n:m::ð|st:Ø .. 31..
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 Maaya tatvam)
I bow to Thee, O Cock (the symbol of Ego)
I bow to Thee, O Ocean (the symbol of ananda)
I bow to Thee, O Thiruchendur Shrine
I bow to Thee, O Lord Skanda!
I bow to Thee again and again!
Let all my prostrations reach Thee!
\noindent Prayer to Lord to Reveal His Powers
j:y:an:ndB:Üm:Wj:y:ap:arD:am:-
Wj:y:am::ðG:kit:ðü j:y:an:ndm:Üt:ðü .
j:y:an:ndes:nD::ð j:y:aS:ð\:b:nD::ð
j:y: tv:ö s:da m:ØeVt:dan:ðS:s:Ün::ð .. 32..
O Source of ananda, reveal Thyself!
O Embodiment 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!
\noindent Effect of Reciting These Shlokas
B:Øj:¤aKy:v:à¶:ðn: VLápt:ö st:v:ö y:H
p:Yð»eVt:y:ØVt::ð g:Øhö s:ö)N:my: .
s: p:Ø*:ankl:*:ö D:n:ö diG:üm:ay:Ø-
l:üB:ðtsknds:ay:Øjy:m:nt:ð n:rH s:H .. 33..
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
.. Eet: Â:im:cCÏökrB:g:v:t:H kát::ò
Â:is:Øb:ÒÉNy:B:Øj:¤ö s:öp:ÜN:üm:Î..
Encoded by Ravishankar Mayavaram msr@comco.com and P. P. Narayana swami swami@math.mun.ca
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