Subrahmanya Bhujangam Lyrics with Meaning

Quick answer: The Subrahmanya Bhujangam is a Sanskrit hymn of 33 verses to Lord Murugan (Subrahmanya, Skanda, Kartikeya) by Adi Shankaracharya, traditionally said to have been sung at the seashore temple of Tiruchendur. It is written in the flowing bhujangaprayata metre, from which it takes its name. It is loved during Skanda Sashti, whose six-day vratam runs from Tuesday 10 November to Soora Samharam on Sunday 15 November 2026, and on Tuesdays.

Last updated: 20 October 2026. The Sanskrit below is the complete text published by sanskritdocuments.org (file subrabhujanga.itx, text-only section), converted to Devanagari and IAST by software from the source, with no word typed by hand. Our own plain-English meaning follows every verse.

Subrahmanya Bhujangam: full text with meaning

The verses are grouped by theme. Each verse appears in Devanagari and then in IAST transliteration, followed by its meaning. Verses 4 to 8 describe Tiruchendur, where the Lord stands by the sea; verses 9 to 18 meditate on his form; verses 20 to 32 are heartfelt personal prayers.

Invocation of Ganesha (verse 1)

Verse 1

सदा बालरूपाऽपि विघ्नाद्रिहन्त्री
महादन्तिवक्त्राऽपि पञ्चास्यमान्या ।
विधीन्द्रादिमृग्या गणेशाभिधा मे
विधत्तां श्रियं काऽपि कल्याणमूर्तिः ॥ १॥

sadā bālarūpā'pi vighnādrihantrī
mahādantivaktrā'pi pañcāsyamānyā |
vidhīndrādimṛgyā gaṇeśābhidhā me
vidhattāṃ śriyaṃ kā'pi kalyāṇamūrtiḥ || 1||

Meaning: Though always a child in form, he shatters mountains of obstacles; though elephant-faced, he is honoured by the five-faced Shiva; Brahma, Indra and the gods seek him. May that wonderful, auspicious form called Ganesha grant me prosperity.

The poet's humility (verse 2)

Verse 2

न जानामि शब्दं न जानामि चार्थं
न जानामि पद्यं न जानामि गद्यम् ।
चिदेका षडास्या हृदि द्योतते मे
मुखान्निःसरन्ते गिरश्चापि चित्रम् ॥ २॥

na jānāmi śabdaṃ na jānāmi cārthaṃ
na jānāmi padyaṃ na jānāmi gadyam |
cidekā ṣaḍāsyā hṛdi dyotate me
mukhānniḥsarante giraścāpi citram || 2||

Meaning: I know nothing of sounds and nothing of meanings; I know nothing of verse and nothing of prose. Yet a single light with six faces shines in my heart, and wonderful words come pouring from my mouth.

The Lord of Tiruchendur by the sea (verses 3 to 8)

Verse 3

मयूराधिरूढं महावाक्यगूढं
मनोहारिदेहं महच्चित्तगेहम् ।
महीदेवदेवं महावेदभावं
महादेवबालं भजे लोकपालम् ॥ ३॥

mayūrādhirūḍhaṃ mahāvākyagūḍhaṃ
manohāridehaṃ mahaccittageham |
mahīdevadevaṃ mahāvedabhāvaṃ
mahādevabālaṃ bhaje lokapālam || 3||

Meaning: I worship the child of Mahadeva, protector of the worlds: who rides the peacock, the hidden meaning of the great sayings of the Veda, of enchanting form, whose home is the heart of the great, God of the wise, the very spirit of the great Veda.

Verse 4

यदा सन्निधानं गता मानवा मे
भवाम्भोधिपारं गतास्ते तदैव ।
इति व्यञ्जयन्सिन्धुतीरे य आस्ते
तमीडे पवित्रं पराशक्तिपुत्रम् ॥ ४॥

yadā sannidhānaṃ gatā mānavā me
bhavāmbhodhipāraṃ gatāste tadaiva |
iti vyañjayansindhutīre ya āste
tamīḍe pavitraṃ parāśaktiputram || 4||

Meaning: 'Those who come into my presence have at that very moment crossed to the far shore of the ocean of worldly life': as if to make this known, he stays on the seashore. I praise him, the holy son of the supreme Shakti.

Verse 5

यथाब्धेस्तरङ्गा लयं यान्ति तुङ्गा
स्तथैवापदः सन्निधौ सेवतां मे ।
इतीवोर्मिपङ्क्तीर्नृणां दर्शयन्तं
सदा भावये हृत्सरोजे गुहं तम् ॥ ५॥

yathābdhestaraṅgā layaṃ yānti tuṅgā
stathaivāpadaḥ sannidhau sevatāṃ me |
itīvormipaṅktīrnṛṇāṃ darśayantaṃ
sadā bhāvaye hṛtsaroje guhaṃ tam || 5||

Meaning: 'As the high waves of the ocean die away here, so do the troubles of those who serve me in my presence': as if showing people this through the rows of waves, Guha stands there. I always meditate on him in the lotus of my heart.

Verse 6

गिरौ मन्निवासे नरा येऽधिरूढा
स्तदा पर्वते राजते तेऽधिरूढाः ।
इतीव ब्रुवन्गन्धशैलाधिरूढः
स देवो मुदे मे सदा षण्मुखोऽस्तु ॥ ६॥

girau mannivāse narā ye'dhirūḍhā
stadā parvate rājate te'dhirūḍhāḥ |
itīva bruvangandhaśailādhirūḍhaḥ
sa devo mude me sadā ṣaṇmukho'stu || 6||

Meaning: 'Those who climb the hill where I dwell are as if they had climbed the king of mountains': as if saying this, he stands on the hill of fragrance. May that God, the six-faced one, always give me joy.

Verse 7

महाम्भोधितीरे महापापचोरे
मुनीन्द्रानुकूले सुगन्धाख्यशैले ।
गुहायां वसन्तं स्वभासा लसन्तं
जनार्तिं हरन्तं श्रयामो गुहं तम् ॥ ७॥

mahāmbhodhitīre mahāpāpacore
munīndrānukūle sugandhākhyaśaile |
guhāyāṃ vasantaṃ svabhāsā lasantaṃ
janārtiṃ harantaṃ śrayāmo guhaṃ tam || 7||

Meaning: On the shore of the great ocean that steals away great sins, on the hill called Sugandha, dear to the great sages, he dwells in the cave, shining with his own light and taking away people's sorrows. We take refuge in that Guha.

Verse 8

लसत्स्वर्णगेहे नृणां कामदोहे
सुमस्तोमसञ्छन्नमाणिक्यमञ्चे ।
समुद्यत्सहस्रार्कतुल्यप्रकाशं
सदा भावये कार्तिकेयं सुरेशम् ॥ ८॥

lasatsvarṇagehe nṛṇāṃ kāmadohe
sumastomasañchannamāṇikyamañce |
samudyatsahasrārkatulyaprakāśaṃ
sadā bhāvaye kārtikeyaṃ sureśam || 8||

Meaning: In a shining golden chamber that grants people's wishes, on a couch of rubies covered with heaps of flowers, he glows like a thousand rising suns. I always meditate on Kartikeya, lord of the gods.

Meditation on the Lord's form, from feet to crown (verses 9 to 18)

Verse 9

रणद्धंसके मञ्जुलेऽत्यन्तशोणे
मनोहारिलावण्यपीयूषपूर्णे ।
मनःषट्पदो मे भवक्लेशतप्तः
सदा मोदतां स्कन्द ते पादपद्मे ॥ ९॥

raṇaddhaṃsake mañjule'tyantaśoṇe
manohārilāvaṇyapīyūṣapūrṇe |
manaḥṣaṭpado me bhavakleśataptaḥ
sadā modatāṃ skanda te pādapadme || 9||

Meaning: May the bee of my mind, scorched by the troubles of worldly life, always delight in your lotus feet, O Skanda: lovely with tinkling anklets, deep red, and full of the nectar of enchanting beauty.

Verse 10

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

suvarṇābhadivyāmbarairbhāsamānāṃ
kvaṇatkiṅkiṇīmekhalāśobhamānām |
lasaddhemapaṭṭena vidyotamānāṃ
kaṭiṃ bhāvaye skanda te dīpyamānām || 10 ||

Meaning: I meditate, O Skanda, on your waist, shining with divine garments the colour of gold, beautiful with a girdle of tinkling bells and gleaming with a band of gold.

Verse 11

पुलिन्देशकन्याघनाभोगतुङ्ग
स्तनालिङ्गनासक्तकाश्मीररागम् ।
नमस्याम्यहं तारकारे तवोरः
स्वभक्तावने सर्वदा सानुरागम् ॥ ११॥

pulindeśakanyāghanābhogatuṅga
stanāliṅganāsaktakāśmīrarāgam |
namasyāmyahaṃ tārakāre tavoraḥ
svabhaktāvane sarvadā sānurāgam || 11||

Meaning: I bow, O slayer of Taraka, to your chest, coloured with saffron from the embrace of Valli, daughter of the chief of the hill people, and always full of love for the protection of your devotees.

Verse 12

विधौ कॢप्तदण्डान् स्वलीलाधृताण्डा
न्निरस्तेभशुण्डान् द्विषत्कालदण्डान् ।
हतेन्द्रारिषण्डाञ्जगत्त्राणशौण्डान्
सदा ते प्रचण्डान् श्रये बाहुदण्डान् ॥ १२॥

vidhau kḷptadaṇḍān svalīlādhṛtāṇḍā
nnirastebhaśuṇḍān dviṣatkāladaṇḍān |
hatendrāriṣaṇḍāñjagattrāṇaśauṇḍān
sadā te pracaṇḍān śraye bāhudaṇḍān || 12||

Meaning: I always take refuge in your mighty arms: which punished Brahma, which hold the worlds in play, which cut down the trunks of the enemies' elephants and are the rod of death to foes, which destroyed the hosts of Indra's enemies and are skilled in protecting the world.

Verse 13

सदा शारदाः षण्मृगाङ्का यदि स्युः
समुद्यन्त एव स्थिताश्चेत्समन्तात् ।
सदा पूर्णबिम्बाः कलङ्कैश्च हीना
स्तदा त्वन्मुखानां ब्रुवे स्कन्द साम्यम् ॥ १३॥

sadā śāradāḥ ṣaṇmṛgāṅkā yadi syuḥ
samudyanta eva sthitāścetsamantāt |
sadā pūrṇabimbāḥ kalaṅkaiśca hīnā
stadā tvanmukhānāṃ bruve skanda sāmyam || 13||

Meaning: If six autumn moons were always rising together on every side, ever full and free of every blemish, then I might call them equal to your faces, O Skanda.

Verse 14

स्फुरन्मन्दहासैः सहंसानि चञ्च
त्कटाक्षावलीभृङ्गसङ्घोज्ज्वलानि ।
सुधास्यन्दिबिम्बाधराणीशसूनो
तवालोकये षण्मुखाम्भोरुहाणि ॥ १४॥

sphuranmandahāsaiḥ sahaṃsāni cañca
tkaṭākṣāvalībhṛṅgasaṅghojjvalāni |
sudhāsyandibimbādharāṇīśasūno
tavālokaye ṣaṇmukhāmbhoruhāṇi || 14||

Meaning: I gaze on your six lotus faces, O son of the Lord: bright with gentle smiles like swans, shining with glances that move like swarms of bees, with lips red as the bimba fruit that flow with nectar.

Verse 15

विशालेषु कर्णान्तदीर्घेष्वजस्रं
दयास्यन्दिषु द्वादशस्वीक्षणेषु ।
मयीषत्कटाक्षः सकृत्पातितश्चे
द्भवेत्ते दयाशील का नाम हानिः ॥ १५॥

viśāleṣu karṇāntadīrgheṣvajasraṃ
dayāsyandiṣu dvādaśasvīkṣaṇeṣu |
mayīṣatkaṭākṣaḥ sakṛtpātitaśce
dbhavette dayāśīla kā nāma hāniḥ || 15||

Meaning: If even once a slight side-glance from your twelve eyes, wide, reaching to the ears and always overflowing with compassion, were to fall on me, O compassionate one, what would you lose?

Verse 16

सुताङ्गोद्भवो मेऽसि जीवेति षड्धा
जपन्मन्त्रमीशो मुदा जिघ्रते यान् ।
जगद्भारभृद्भ्यो जगन्नाथ तेभ्यः
किरीटोज्ज्वलेभ्यो नमो मस्तकेभ्यः ॥ १६॥

sutāṅgodbhavo me'si jīveti ṣaḍdhā
japanmantramīśo mudā jighrate yān |
jagadbhārabhṛdbhyo jagannātha tebhyaḥ
kirīṭojjvalebhyo namo mastakebhyaḥ || 16||

Meaning: Salutations to your six crowned and shining heads, O Lord of the world, which bear the burden of the world, and which the Lord Shiva joyfully kissed six times, reciting the blessing 'you are born of my own body; live long, my son'.

Verse 17

स्फुरद्रत्नकेयूरहाराभिराम
श्चलत्कुण्डलश्रीलसद्गण्डभागः ।
कटौ पीतवासाः करे चारुशक्तिः
पुरस्तान्ममास्तां पुरारेस्तनूजः ॥ १७॥

sphuradratnakeyūrahārābhirāma
ścalatkuṇḍalaśrīlasadgaṇḍabhāgaḥ |
kaṭau pītavāsāḥ kare cāruśaktiḥ
purastānmamāstāṃ purārestanūjaḥ || 17||

Meaning: May the son of the destroyer of the three cities stand before me: lovely with shining jewelled armlets and necklaces, his cheeks bright with swinging earrings, in yellow silk at the waist and with the beautiful spear in his hand.

Verse 18

इहायाहि वत्सेति हस्तान्प्रसार्या
ह्वयत्यादराच्छङ्करे मातुरङ्कात् ।
समुत्पत्य तातं श्रयन्तं कुमारं
हराश्लिष्टगात्रं भजे बालमूर्तिम् ॥ १८॥

ihāyāhi vatseti hastānprasāryā
hvayatyādarācchaṅkare māturaṅkāt |
samutpatya tātaṃ śrayantaṃ kumāraṃ
harāśliṣṭagātraṃ bhaje bālamūrtim || 18||

Meaning: I worship the child Kumara who, when Shankara stretched out his arms and lovingly called 'come here, my child', leapt from his mother's lap to his father and was held in Hara's embrace.

The names of the Lord (verse 19)

Verse 19

कुमारेशसूनो गुह स्कन्द सेना
पते शक्तिपाणे मयूराधिरूढ ।
पुलिन्दात्मजाकान्त भक्तार्तिहारिन्
प्रभो तारकारे सदा रक्ष मां त्वम् ॥ १९ ॥

kumāreśasūno guha skanda senā
pate śaktipāṇe mayūrādhirūḍha |
pulindātmajākānta bhaktārtihārin
prabho tārakāre sadā rakṣa māṃ tvam || 19 ||

Meaning: O Kumara, son of the Lord, Guha, Skanda, commander of the army of the gods, holder of the spear, rider of the peacock, beloved of Valli, remover of your devotees' sorrows, Lord, slayer of Taraka: always protect me.

Prayers for the last hour and for the troubled mind (verses 20 to 24)

Verse 20

प्रशान्तेन्द्रिये नष्टसंज्ञे विचेष्टे
कफोद्गारिवक्त्रे भयोत्कम्पिगात्रे ।
प्रयाणोन्मुखे मय्यनाथे तदानीं
द्रुतं मे दयालो भवाग्रे गुह त्वम् ॥ २०॥

praśāntendriye naṣṭasaṃjñe viceṣṭe
kaphodgārivaktre bhayotkampigātre |
prayāṇonmukhe mayyanāthe tadānīṃ
drutaṃ me dayālo bhavāgre guha tvam || 20||

Meaning: When my senses have fallen still, my awareness is gone and I can no longer move; when my mouth is choked with phlegm and my body shakes with fear; when I am about to depart with no one to protect me: then, O compassionate Guha, come quickly before me.

Verse 21

कृतान्तस्य दूतेषु चण्डेषु कोपा
द्दह च्छिन्द्धि भिन्द्धीति मां तर्जयत्सु ।
मयूरं समारुह्य मा भैरिति त्वं
पुरः शक्तिपाणिर्ममायाहि शीघ्रम् ॥ २१॥

kṛtāntasya dūteṣu caṇḍeṣu kopā
ddaha cchinddhi bhinddhīti māṃ tarjayatsu |
mayūraṃ samāruhya mā bhairiti tvaṃ
puraḥ śaktipāṇirmamāyāhi śīghram || 21||

Meaning: When the fierce messengers of Death angrily threaten me, crying 'burn him, cut him, pierce him', come quickly before me, mounted on your peacock, spear in hand, saying 'do not be afraid'.

Verse 22

प्रणम्यासकृत्पादयोस्ते पतित्वा
प्रसाद्य प्रभो प्रार्थयेऽनेकवारम् ।
न वक्तुं क्षमोऽहं तदानीं कृपाब्धे
न कार्यान्तकाले मनागप्युपेक्षा ॥ २२॥

praṇamyāsakṛtpādayoste patitvā
prasādya prabho prārthaye'nekavāram |
na vaktuṃ kṣamo'haṃ tadānīṃ kṛpābdhe
na kāryāntakāle manāgapyupekṣā || 22||

Meaning: Bowing at your feet again and again and falling before them, seeking your grace, O Lord, I pray to you many times: at that hour I will not be able to speak, O ocean of mercy, so do not neglect me even a little at the end.

Verse 23

सहस्राण्डभोक्ता त्वया शूरनामा
हतस्तारकः सिंहवक्त्रश्च दैत्यः ।
ममान्तर्हृदिस्थं मनःक्लेशमेकं
न हंसि प्रभो किं करोमि क्व यामि ॥ २३ ॥

sahasrāṇḍabhoktā tvayā śūranāmā
hatastārakaḥ siṃhavaktraśca daityaḥ |
mamāntarhṛdisthaṃ manaḥkleśamekaṃ
na haṃsi prabho kiṃ karomi kva yāmi || 23 ||

Meaning: You slew the demon Shura, who ruled a thousand worlds, and Taraka and the lion-faced demon. But this one trouble of the mind that lives deep in my heart, you do not destroy, O Lord. What shall I do? Where shall I go?

Verse 24

अहं सर्वदा दुःखभारावसन्नो
भवान्दीनबन्धुस्त्वदन्यं न याचे ।
भवद्भक्तिरोधं सदा कॢप्तबाधं
ममाधिं द्रुतं नाशयोमासुत त्वम् ॥ २४ ॥

ahaṃ sarvadā duḥkhabhārāvasanno
bhavāndīnabandhustvadanyaṃ na yāce |
bhavadbhaktirodhaṃ sadā kḷptabādhaṃ
mamādhiṃ drutaṃ nāśayomāsuta tvam || 24 ||

Meaning: I am always weighed down by sorrow. You are the friend of the helpless, and I ask no one but you. Quickly destroy, son of Uma, the anguish that keeps troubling me and stands in the way of my devotion to you.

Prayers for protection and for the family (verses 25 to 29)

Verse 25

अपस्मारकुष्ठक्षयार्शः प्रमेह
ज्वरोन्मादगुल्मादिरोगा महान्तः ।
पिशाचाश्च सर्वे भवत्पत्रभूतिं
विलोक्य क्षणात्तारकारे द्रवन्ते ॥ २५॥

apasmārakuṣṭhakṣayārśaḥ prameha
jvaronmādagulmādirogā mahāntaḥ |
piśācāśca sarve bhavatpatrabhūtiṃ
vilokya kṣaṇāttārakāre dravante || 25||

Meaning: Great illnesses such as epilepsy, skin disease, consumption, piles, diabetes, fever, madness and tumours, and all troubling spirits, flee at once, O slayer of Taraka, on seeing the sacred ash given in your leaf.

Verse 26

दृशि स्कन्दमूर्तिः श्रुतौ स्कन्दकीर्ति
र्मुखे मे पवित्रं सदा तच्चरित्रम् ।
करे तस्य कृत्यं वपुस्तस्य भृत्यं
गुहे सन्तु लीना ममाशेषभावाः ॥ २६॥

dṛśi skandamūrtiḥ śrutau skandakīrti
rmukhe me pavitraṃ sadā taccaritram |
kare tasya kṛtyaṃ vapustasya bhṛtyaṃ
guhe santu līnā mamāśeṣabhāvāḥ || 26||

Meaning: In my eyes the form of Skanda, in my ears the glory of Skanda, on my lips always his holy story, in my hands his work, my body his servant: may all my feelings be absorbed in Guha.

Verse 27

मुनीनामुताहो नृणां भक्तिभाजा
मभीष्टप्रदाः सन्ति सर्वत्र देवाः ।
नृणामन्त्यजानामपि स्वार्थदाने
गुहाद्देवमन्यं न जाने न जाने ॥ २७॥

munīnāmutāho nṛṇāṃ bhaktibhājā
mabhīṣṭapradāḥ santi sarvatra devāḥ |
nṛṇāmantyajānāmapi svārthadāne
guhāddevamanyaṃ na jāne na jāne || 27||

Meaning: For sages, and for people who have devotion, there are gods everywhere who grant what is wished for. But for granting their wishes to even the humblest of people, I know no god other than Guha; I know none.

Verse 28

कलत्रं सुता बन्धुवर्गः पशुर्वा
नरो वाथ नारि गृहे ये मदीयाः ।
यजन्तो नमन्तः स्तुवन्तो भवन्तं
स्मरन्तश्च ते सन्तु सर्वे कुमार ॥ २८॥

kalatraṃ sutā bandhuvargaḥ paśurvā
naro vātha nāri gṛhe ye madīyāḥ |
yajanto namantaḥ stuvanto bhavantaṃ
smarantaśca te santu sarve kumāra || 28||

Meaning: My spouse, children, relatives and cattle, and every man and woman of my household: may they all worship you, bow to you, praise you and remember you, O Kumara.

Verse 29

मृगाः पक्षिणो दंशका ये च दुष्टा
स्तथा व्याधयो बाधका ये मदङ्गे ।
भवच्छक्तितीक्ष्णाग्रभिन्नाः सुदूरे
विनश्यन्तु ते चूर्णितक्रौञ्चशैल ॥ २९॥

mṛgāḥ pakṣiṇo daṃśakā ye ca duṣṭā
stathā vyādhayo bādhakā ye madaṅge |
bhavacchaktitīkṣṇāgrabhinnāḥ sudūre
vinaśyantu te cūrṇitakrauñcaśaila || 29||

Meaning: Wild beasts, birds, stinging insects and other harmful creatures, and the illnesses that trouble my body: may they be pierced by the sharp point of your spear and destroyed far away, O breaker of the Krauncha mountain.

Forgiveness and salutations (verses 30 to 32)

Verse 30

जनित्री पिता च स्वपुत्रापराधं
सहेते न किं देवसेनाधिनाथ ।
अहं चातिबालो भवान् लोकतातः
क्षमस्वापराधं समस्तं महेश ॥ ३०॥

janitrī pitā ca svaputrāparādhaṃ
sahete na kiṃ devasenādhinātha |
ahaṃ cātibālo bhavān lokatātaḥ
kṣamasvāparādhaṃ samastaṃ maheśa || 30||

Meaning: Do not a mother and father bear with the faults of their own child, O lord of the army of the gods? I am a very small child and you are the father of the world: forgive all my faults, O great Lord.

Verse 31

नमः केकिने शक्तये चापि तुभ्यं
नमश्छाग तुभ्यं नमः कुक्कुटाय ।
नमः सिन्धवे सिन्धुदेशाय तुभ्यं
पुनः स्कन्दमूर्ते नमस्ते नमोऽस्तु ॥ ३१॥

namaḥ kekine śaktaye cāpi tubhyaṃ
namaśchāga tubhyaṃ namaḥ kukkuṭāya |
namaḥ sindhave sindhudeśāya tubhyaṃ
punaḥ skandamūrte namaste namo'stu || 31||

Meaning: Salutations to your peacock and to your spear; salutations to your ram and to your rooster; salutations to the ocean and to your seashore shrine; again and again, O form of Skanda, salutations to you.

Verse 32

जयानन्दभूमञ्जयापारधाम
ञ्जयामोघकीर्ते जयानन्दमूर्ते ।
जयानन्दसिन्धो जयाशेषबन्धो
जय त्वं सदा मुक्तिदानेशसूनो ॥ ३२॥

jayānandabhūmañjayāpāradhāma
ñjayāmoghakīrte jayānandamūrte |
jayānandasindho jayāśeṣabandho
jaya tvaṃ sadā muktidāneśasūno || 32||

Meaning: Victory to you, fullness of bliss; victory, boundless light; victory, of unfailing fame; victory, embodiment of bliss; victory, ocean of bliss; victory, friend of all beings; victory to you always, son of the Lord who grants liberation.

The merit of the hymn (verse 33)

Verse 33

भुजङ्गाख्यवृत्तेन कॢप्तं स्तवं यः
पठेद्भक्तियुक्तो गुहं सम्प्रणम्य ।
सुपुत्रान्कलत्रं धनं दीर्घमायु
र्लभेत्स्कन्दसायुज्यमन्ते नरः सः ॥ ३३॥

bhujaṅgākhyavṛttena kḷptaṃ stavaṃ yaḥ
paṭhedbhaktiyukto guhaṃ sampraṇamya |
suputrānkalatraṃ dhanaṃ dīrghamāyu
rlabhetskandasāyujyamante naraḥ saḥ || 33||

Meaning: Whoever, bowing to Guha, recites with devotion this hymn composed in the bhujanga metre gains good children, a loving spouse, wealth and long life, and at the end attains union with Skanda.

Colophon

॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्करभगवतः कृतौ
श्रीसुब्रह्मण्यभुजङ्गं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

|| iti śrīmacchaṅkarabhagavataḥ kṛtau
śrīsubrahmaṇyabhujaṅgaṃ sampūrṇam ||

Meaning: Thus ends the Shri Subrahmanya Bhujangam, a work of the revered Shankara.

The story of the hymn

The transliterator's introduction in the source records the tradition that Adi Shankaracharya composed this hymn at Tiruchendur, on the coast of Tamil Nadu. As he meditated on Subrahmanya, he became aware of a self-luminous light in his heart, and the words came out of his mouth on the spot, in the bhujanga metre. Verse 2 says the same in the poet's own words: 'I know nothing of verse or prose, yet a light with six faces shines in my heart and wonderful words pour out.'

The introduction adds that, as it is said, Shankara saw Adishesha, the divine serpent, worshipping the Lord, and so chose the 'serpent' metre. Several verses describe Tiruchendur itself: the waves dying away on the shore (verse 5), the hill of fragrance (verses 6 and 7), and the seashore shrine to which the poet bows in verse 31. Verse 25 speaks of the sacred ash given 'in a leaf', which is commonly understood as the vibhuti prasadam given at Tiruchendur wrapped in a leaf. See the Arupadai Veedu Murugan temples guide for Murugan's six abodes.

Verses	Theme
1 to 2	Invocation of Ganesha; the poet's humility
3 to 8	The Lord on the seashore at Tiruchendur; waves, hill and golden chamber
9 to 18	Meditation on his feet, waist, chest, twelve arms, six faces, twelve eyes and six heads; the child in Shiva's arms
19	Eleven names of the Lord in a single verse
20 to 24	Prayers for his presence at the hour of death, and to end the trouble of the mind
25 to 29	Sacred ash, protection from illness and harm; the family's devotion
30 to 33	'Forgive me as a father forgives his child'; salutations; the merit of the hymn

When to recite the Subrahmanya Bhujangam in 2026

Skanda Sashti vratam: Tuesday 10 to Sunday 15 November 2026, ending with Soora Samharam on 15 November; see Skanda Sashti 2026, Skanda Sashti in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia and Skanda Sashti in Singapore and Malaysia.
Subrahmanya Shashti: Tuesday 15 December 2026, the Margashirsha Shashti celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh; see Subrahmanya Shashti 2026.
Karthigai month: the Tamil month of Karthigai and Karthigai Deepam; see Karthigai month 2026 and Karthigai Deepam 2026.
Tuesdays: Murugan's weekly day in Tamil tradition; see the Tuesday (Mangalvar) rituals guide and why Tuesday matters in Hindu worship.
When praying for health: many devotees recite verses 24 and 25 daily during illness, alongside proper medical care.

How to recite it at home

Sit before a picture of Murugan with his Vel (spear), or before a small Vel, with a lamp lit.
Offer a flower and, if you have it, a pinch of vibhuti; many devotees apply vibhuti to the forehead after verse 25.
Recite verse 1 to Ganesha first, then continue at a steady pace. Each line has the same short-long-long rhythm, so it is easy to keep time.
If time is short, recite verses 1 to 3, 19, 30 and 33, and the full hymn on Tuesdays and Shashthi days.
End with "om saravanabhavaya namah" or "vetrivel muruganukku arohara", as your family does, and a moment of silence.

Pronunciation help

In the IAST, a line over a vowel (ā, ī, ū) means it is held twice as long; ś and ṣ are 'sh' sounds; ṛ is a short 'ri'; ḷ in kḷpta is a short 'lri'.
Where a line ends without a pause and the next begins with a consonant cluster, as in verses 5 and 12, the words run on: read the two lines together.
Listen to a recording a few times while following the IAST; the rhythm helps you learn it quickly.

Traditional beliefs about the hymn

The hymn's last verse states its merit: good children, a loving family, wealth and long life, and at the end union with Skanda. Verse 25 speaks of the Lord's sacred ash driving away disease, and verses 20 to 22 ask for his presence at the hour of death. Devotees traditionally believe that reciting it with devotion:

brings the Lord's protection and courage in difficulty, as his victory over Shura shows;
calms the troubled mind, which the poet asks him to 'slay' like a demon in verse 23;
is a support in illness, together with medical care, as many families at Tiruchendur believe;
keeps the whole family close to the Lord (verse 28).

These are traditional beliefs about the hymn's spiritual value. No hymn guarantees particular worldly results, and prayer is not a substitute for medical treatment; the Subrahmanya Bhujangam is best offered as an act of love and surrender.

Tips for NRI families

Follow your local date. Skanda Sashti falls on 15 November in most countries in 2026; check the country-by-country guide.
Learn it over six days. During the six days of Skanda Sashti, learn about six verses a day; by Soora Samharam you will have read the whole hymn.
Read the stories with children. Verse 18 (the child leaping into his father's arms) and verse 30 (forgive me as a father forgives) are easy to explain; see Lord Kartikeya: history and significance.
More Shankara hymns. Shankara's Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalamba Stotram is in a similar spirit of surrender; Murugan's brother Ayyappa is praised in Harivarasanam.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote the Subrahmanya Bhujangam?

Adi Shankaracharya. The source names Shankaracharya as the author, and its closing line calls the hymn 'a work of the revered Shankara'. The transliterator's introduction says that Shankara sang it at Tiruchendur, when the six-faced Lord shone in his heart and the verses came forth in the bhujanga metre.

What does 'Bhujangam' mean?

Bhujanga means serpent. Bhujangaprayata, 'the gliding of a serpent', is the name of the metre: four groups of short-long-long in each line, which gives the hymn its smooth, flowing movement. Verse 33 itself says the hymn is composed in the metre called bhujanga.

How many verses does the Subrahmanya Bhujangam have?

Thirty-three. Verse 1 invokes Ganesha, verse 2 is the poet's humble introduction, verses 3 to 32 praise and pray to Murugan, and verse 33 states the merit of reciting it.

When should the Subrahmanya Bhujangam be recited?

Daily if possible, and especially on Tuesdays, on Shashthi days, during the six-day Skanda Sashti vratam (Tuesday 10 to Sunday 15 November 2026), on Subrahmanya Shashti (Tuesday 15 December 2026) and in the Tamil month of Karthigai.

How long does it take to recite?

About 12 to 15 minutes for all 33 verses at a steady pace. During the six days of Skanda Sashti, some devotees recite it once every day; others recite a few verses each day and the full hymn on Soora Samharam.

What are the benefits of reciting the Subrahmanya Bhujangam?

Verse 33 says that one who recites it with devotion, bowing to Guha, gains good children, a loving family, wealth and long life, and at the end union with Skanda. Verse 25 speaks of the Lord's sacred ash driving away illness, and many devotees traditionally recite the hymn when praying for health. These are matters of faith, not guaranteed results; please see a doctor for any illness.

Is it the same as the Skanda Sashti Kavacham?

No. The Skanda Sashti Kavacham is a Tamil hymn by Devaraya Swamigal. The Subrahmanya Bhujangam is a Sanskrit hymn by Adi Shankaracharya. Both are popular during Skanda Sashti.

Editor's note (20 October 2026)

This page was published on 20 October 2026. The Sanskrit is the text-only (mulam) section of Subrahmanya Bhujangam on sanskritdocuments.org (file subrabhujanga.itx, transliterated by Ravishankar Mayavaram and proofread by him, P. P. Narayanaswami and Karthik Raman), which names Shankaracharya as the author. It was converted from ITRANS to Devanagari and IAST by software; no word has been changed. The same file also gives the verses with an English translation adapted from M. Ganesa Iyer's 1992 edition; we have not reproduced that translation, and the meanings here are our own. In verse 27 we have rendered the Sanskrit word for people of the lowest standing as 'even the humblest of people', which keeps the verse's point that Murugan's grace reaches everyone. The story is given as the source's introduction records it, and the hymn is presented as an act of devotion, with no promise of particular results. Dates are from Drik Panchang (New Delhi) as used across HinduTone's Skanda Sashti 2026 pages.