Shree shanmukha stotram'
Naaradaadidevayogibri'ndahri'nniketanam'
Barhivaryavaahamindushekharesht'anandanam |
Bhaktalokarogaduh'khapaapasanghabhanjanam'
Bhaavayaami sindhuteeravaasinam' shad'aananam || 1 ||
Taarakaareemindramukhyadevabri'ndavanditam'
Chandrachandanaadi sheetalaankamaatmabhaavitam |
Yakshasiddhakinnaraadimukhyadivyapoojitam'
Bhaavayaami sindhuteeravaasinam' shad'aananam || 2 ||
Champakaabjamaalateesumaadimaalyabhooshitam'
Divyashat'kireet'ahaarakund'alaadyalankri'tam |
Kunkumaadiyuktadivyagandhapankalepitam'
Bhaavayaami sindhuteeravaasinam' shad'aananam || 3 ||
Aashritaakhilesht'alokarakshanaamaraanghripam'
Shaktipaanimachyutendrapadmasambhavaadhipam |
Shisht'alokachintitaarthasiddhidaanalolupam'
Bhaavayaami sindhuteeravaasinam' shad'aananam || 4 ||
Veerabaahu poorvakot'iveerasanghasaukhyadam'
Shoorapadmamukhyalakshakot'ishooramuktidam |
Indrapoorvadevasanghasiddhanityasaukhyadam'
Bhaavayaami sindhuteeravaasinam' shad'aananam || 5 ||
Jambavairikaamineemanorathaabhipoorakam'
Kumbhasambhavaaya sarvadharmasaaradaayakam |
Tam' bhavaabdhipotamambikeyamaashu siddhidam'
Bhaavayaami sindhuteeravaasinam' shad'aananam || 6 ||
Poornachandrabimbakot'itulyavaktrapankajam'
Varnaneeyasachcharitramisht'asiddhidaayakam |
Svarnavarnagaatramugrasiddhalokashikshakam'
Bhaavayaami sindhuteeravaasinam' shad'aananam || 7 ||
Poorvajanmasanchitaaghasanghabhangatatparam'
Sarvadharmadaanakarmapoorvapunyasiddhidam |
Sarvashatrusanghabhangadakshamindrajaapatim'
Bhaavayaami sindhuteeravaasinam' shad'aananam || 8 ||
Iti shreemachchhankarabhagavatah' kri'tau tiruchendoor shree shanmukha stotram |
Meaning
The Sri Shanmukha Stotram has eight verses, and each one closes with the same line: bhavayami sindhu-tira-vasinam shadananam, I meditate on the six-faced Lord who dwells on the seashore. The colophon names the shrine as Tiruchendur and attributes the hymn to Shankara Bhagavatpada.
Verses 1 to 3: the Lord and his form
The opening verse places Skanda in the hearts of Narada and the yogis, gives him the finest of peacocks as his mount, and calls him the dear son of the moon-crested Shiva who breaks up the disease, grief and sin of his devotees. Verse 2 names him Tarakari, the foe of Taraka, worshipped by Indra, yakshas, siddhas and kinnaras. Verse 3 is a picture of the adorned image: garlands of champaka, lotus and jasmine, six crowns, earrings, and a coating of kumkum and fragrant paste.
Verses 4 to 6: the Tiruchendur story
Verse 4 shows him holding the shakti spear, a wish-granting tree for those who seek refuge, and lord even over Vishnu, Indra and Brahma. Verse 5 brings in the battle remembered at Tiruchendur: he gladdens Virabahu and his warriors and grants release even to Surapadma and his countless soldiers. Verse 6 recalls that he gave the essence of dharma to Kumbhasambhava, the sage Agastya, and calls him the boat across the sea of worldly life.
Verses 7 and 8
The last two verses describe a lotus face brighter than millions of full moons and a body the colour of gold, and ask him to destroy the sins gathered in earlier births. Verse 8 calls him Indrajapati, husband of Devasena, the daughter of Indra.
There is no separate phala shruti. Devotees read it on Tuesdays, on Shashti days and during Skanda Shashti.
Frequently asked questions
Which shrine of Murugan does the Sri Shanmukha Stotram describe?
Who composed the Sri Shanmukha Stotram, and is it the same as the Subrahmanya Bhujangam?
Which demons and heroes are named in the Sri Shanmukha Stotram?
What does the Shanmukha Stotram say about the sage Agastya?
When is the Sri Shanmukha Stotram usually recited, and how long does it take?
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