Subrahmanya Bhujanga Stotram is a beautiful hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Lord Subrahmanya (Murugan). The stotram is composed in the Bhujanga meter (serpentine meter), which gives it a flowing, melodious quality when recited. It consists of 33 verses that describe the glory, beauty, and divine attributes of Lord Murugan.
In this hymn, Adi Shankaracharya expresses his devotion to Lord Murugan and seeks his protection and blessings. The stotram describes Lord Murugan's divine form, his peacock mount, his divine spear (Vel), and his role as the commander of the celestial armies. It also highlights his compassion towards devotees and his power to remove obstacles and grant wishes.
Meaning: "I know neither words nor their meanings, I know neither poetry nor prose. Yet the six-faced one (Lord Murugan) shines in my heart as pure consciousness, and wonderfully, words flow from my mouth."
Meaning: "I worship the protector of the world, who rides on a peacock, who is the embodiment of the great Vedic truths, whose form is enchanting, who dwells in the hearts of the great, who is the God of gods on earth, who embodies the essence of the Vedas, and who is the son of Mahadeva (Lord Shiva)."
Meaning: "O Son of Lord Shiva, O Guha, O Skanda, O Commander of the celestial armies, O Wielder of the Shakti (divine spear), O Rider of the peacock, O Beloved of Valli (the tribal maiden), O Remover of devotees' sufferings, O Lord who destroyed Tarakasura, always protect me."
The stotram is traditionally recited during the worship of Lord Murugan, especially on Tuesdays and during the Skanda Sashti festival. It is recommended to recite it with devotion and concentration, focusing on the meaning of the verses.
For maximum benefits, it is advised to recite the stotram after taking a bath, preferably in the morning hours. Regular recitation with understanding of the meaning is said to bring the full blessings of Lord Murugan.
For an authentic experience, you can listen to this stotram performed by traditional singers:
Listen on YouTubeNote: External link to YouTube where you can listen to the authentic rendition of this stotram with Sanskrit lyrics and English meaning.