Hymn-Subrahmanya Stotram (M. Venkataraman)

Glimpses from Indian spirituality, mythology and way of life.

This is a very short hymn on Lord Subrahmanya, the second son of Lord Shiva, also known as Murugan in Tamil. He is also known as Guha and Karthikeya. The first two stanzas of the hymn offer prostrations to the Lord residing at a place called Kumarasaila. Murugan is considered to have six faces. He is also the commander-in-chief of the army of the celestials known as the Devas.

In the hymn, the poet says, ‘I worship the young god who dwells on Kumarasaila. He has six faces and twelve arms. He wears a crown. His faces are lovely with the brilliance cast by the gem-studded ear ornaments. He holds in his hands a spear, a powerful missile, a staff, a cock and a string of beads.

I worship that young god of Kumarasaila who is sparkling with cheer in the company of his consorts Valli and Devayani, decked with garlands of divine flowers like the jasmine. He always likes to play on the loud percussion instrument and the resonant conch.

At all times, I seek refuge with Lord Guha, the son of Lord Shiva who has the colour of red vermilion. He rides a divine peacock, is intelligent and is the commander of the army of the Devas.

I worship that Lord of charming face, residing in the minds of great persons and a knower of the secret of the Maha vakyas, the grand sayings of the Upanishads. He is the very substance of the great Vedas, the god of the good people and the ruler of the Universe. Salutations to that Almighty.

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