108 Names of Lord Ayyappa: Ayyappa Ashtottara Shatanamavali with Meaning
Ayyappa Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 Names) - Sanskrit Text
॥ श्री अय्यप्प (धर्मशास्ता) अष्टोत्तरशतनामावली ॥
ॐ महाशास्त्रे नमः ।
ॐ महादेवाय नमः ।
ॐ महादेवसुताय नमः ।
ॐ अव्ययाय नमः ।
ॐ लोककर्त्रे नमः ।
ॐ लोकभर्त्रे नमः ।
ॐ लोकहर्त्रे नमः ।
ॐ परात्पराय नमः ।
ॐ त्रिलोकरक्षकाय नमः ।
ॐ धन्विने नमः । ॥10॥
ॐ तपस्विने नमः ।
ॐ भूतसैनिकाय नमः ।
ॐ मन्त्रवेदिने नमः ।
ॐ महावेदिने नमः ।
ॐ मारुताय नमः ।
ॐ जगदीश्वराय नमः ।
ॐ लोकाध्यक्षाय नमः ।
ॐ अग्रगण्याय नमः ।
ॐ श्रीमते नमः ।
ॐ अप्रमेयपराक्रमाय नमः । ॥20॥
ॐ सिंहारूढाय नमः ।
ॐ गजारूढाय नमः ।
ॐ हयारूढाय नमः ।
ॐ महेश्वराय नमः ।
ॐ नानाशास्त्रधराय नमः ।
ॐ अनघाय नमः ।
ॐ नानाविद्याविशारदाय नमः ।
ॐ नानारूपधराय नमः ।
ॐ वीराय नमः ।
ॐ नानाप्राणिनिषेविताय नमः । ॥30॥
ॐ भूतेशाय नमः ।
ॐ भूतिदाय नमः ।
ॐ भृत्याय नमः ।
ॐ भुजङ्गाभरणोज्ज्वलाय नमः ।
ॐ इक्षुधन्विने नमः ।
ॐ पुष्पबाणाय नमः ।
ॐ महारूपाय नमः ।
ॐ महाप्रभवे नमः ।
ॐ मायादेवीसुताय नमः ।
ॐ मान्याय नमः । ॥40॥
ॐ महनीयाय नमः ।
ॐ महागुणाय नमः ।
ॐ महाशैवाय नमः ।
ॐ महारुद्राय नमः ।
ॐ वैष्णवाय नमः ।
ॐ विष्णुपूजकाय नमः ।
ॐ विघ्नेशाय नमः ।
ॐ वीरभद्रेशाय नमः ।
ॐ भैरवाय नमः ।
ॐ षण्मुखप्रियाय नमः । ॥50॥
ॐ मेरुशृङ्गसमासीनाय नमः ।
ॐ मुनिसङ्घनिषेविताय नमः ।
ॐ देवाय नमः ।
ॐ भद्राय नमः ।
ॐ जगन्नाथाय नमः ।
ॐ गणनाथाय नमः ।
ॐ गणेश्वराय नमः ।
ॐ महायोगिने नमः ।
ॐ महामायिने नमः ।
ॐ महाज्ञानिने नमः । ॥60॥
ॐ महास्थिराय नमः ।
ॐ देवशास्त्रे नमः ।
ॐ भूतशास्त्रे नमः ।
ॐ भीमहासपराक्रमाय नमः ।
ॐ नागहाराय नमः ।
ॐ नागकेशाय नमः ।
ॐ व्योमकेशाय नमः ।
ॐ सनातनाय नमः ।
ॐ सगुणाय नमः ।
ॐ निर्गुणाय नमः । ॥70॥
ॐ नित्याय नमः ।
ॐ नित्यतृप्ताय नमः ।
ॐ निराश्रयाय नमः ।
ॐ लोकाश्रयाय नमः ।
ॐ गणाधीशाय नमः ।
ॐ चतुःषष्टिकलामयाय नमः ।
ॐ ऋग्यजुःसामाथर्वात्मने नमः ।
ॐ मल्लकासुरभञ्जनाय नमः ।
ॐ त्रिमूर्तये नमः ।
ॐ दैत्यमथनाय नमः । ॥80॥
ॐ प्रकृतये नमः ।
ॐ पुरुषोत्तमाय नमः ।
ॐ कालज्ञानिने नमः ।
ॐ महाज्ञानिने नमः ।
ॐ कामदाय नमः ।
ॐ कमलेक्षणाय नमः ।
ॐ कल्पवृक्षाय नमः ।
ॐ महावृक्षाय नमः ।
ॐ विद्यावृक्षाय नमः ।
ॐ विभूतिदाय नमः । ॥90॥
ॐ संसारतापविच्छेत्रे नमः ।
ॐ पशुलोकभयङ्कराय नमः ।
ॐ रोगहन्त्रे नमः ।
ॐ प्राणदात्रे नमः ।
ॐ परगर्वविभञ्जनाय नमः ।
ॐ सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञाय नमः ।
ॐ नीतिमते नमः ।
ॐ पापभञ्जनाय नमः ।
ॐ पुष्कलापूर्णासंयुक्ताय नमः ।
ॐ परमात्मने नमः । ॥100॥
ॐ सतां गतये नमः ।
ॐ अनन्तादित्यसङ्काशाय नमः ।
ॐ सुब्रह्मण्यानुजाय नमः ।
ॐ बलिने नमः ।
ॐ भक्तानुकम्पिने नमः ।
ॐ देवेशाय नमः ।
ॐ भगवते नमः ।
ॐ भक्तवत्सलाय नमः । ॥108॥
॥ इति श्री अय्यप्प अष्टोत्तरशतनामावलिः सम्पूर्णा ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
Om Mahashastre namah | Om Mahadevaya namah | Om Mahadeva-sutaya namah | Om Avyayaya namah | Om Loka-kartre namah | Om Loka-bhartre namah | Om Loka-hartre namah | Om Paratparaya namah | Om Triloka-rakshakaya namah | Om Dhanvine namah (10) ... Om Bhagavate namah | Om Bhakta-vatsalaya namah (108).
Each name is recited as “Om …aya namah” — “Om, salutations to Him who is…”
Meaning
This litany offers 108 salutations to Lord Ayyappa, also called Dharmashasta / Hariharaputra — the son of Hari (Vishnu, as Mohini) and Hara (Shiva). The names celebrate him as the Great Teacher (Mahashastra), son of Mahadeva, protector of the three worlds (Triloka-rakshaka), bearer of the bow (Dhanvi), lord of beings (Bhutesha), the supreme Self (Paramatman), refuge of the good (Satam gati), younger brother of Subrahmanya (Subrahmanyanuja), compassionate to devotees (Bhaktanukampi), and lover of his devotees (Bhakta-vatsala). Several names underline his unique Hari-Hara origin and his role as the upholder of dharma.
About this Namavali
An ashtottara-shatanamavali is a garland of 108 names recited as individual salutations for archana. Lord Ayyappa is the presiding deity of Sabarimala in Kerala, worshipped fervently across South India and beyond. This namavali is central to the Ayyappa puja performed during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season and by devotees observing the 41-day vratam.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
Reciting the 108 names invokes Ayyappa’s protection, removes obstacles and fear, grants courage and discipline, and supports the austere vow (vratam) that pilgrims undertake before the Sabarimala yatra. As Dharmashasta — the lord who upholds righteousness — he is invoked for justice, control over the senses, and steadiness on the spiritual path. Names such as Roga-hantra (destroyer of disease) and Prana-datra (giver of life) are chanted for health and vitality.
Astrological Relevance
Ayyappa, born of Shiva and Vishnu, embodies the union of Shani (Saturn)-like discipline and renunciation with Guru (Jupiter)-like dharma and wisdom. His worship is especially recommended as a Saturn remedy — the long, austere 41-day vratam, black clothing and barefoot pilgrimage strongly resonate with Shani’s discipline — making it beneficial during Sade Sati, a hard Saturn dasha, or Saturn afflicting the chart. As the upholder of dharma and the celibate ascetic, he also strengthens Ketu (renunciation, moksha) and the 9th house of dharma. Saturday is the natural day for Ayyappa worship.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and wear clean (traditionally black, blue or saffron) clothes; sit facing east before an image of Ayyappa. Light a lamp and offer flowers, especially at each name during archana. Chant “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa” to begin, then recite the 108 names. Devotees observing the vratam recite it daily through the 41-day mandala period, maintaining celibacy, simple food and discipline.
Best Day & Time
Saturday is foremost; the Mandala-Makaravilakku season (mid-November to mid-January) and Makara Sankranti are the most sacred times. Early morning, after bath, is the ideal hour for the archana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lord Ayyappa?
Ayyappa, also called Dharmashasta or Hariharaputra, is the deity born of the union of Vishnu (as Mohini) and Shiva, worshipped chiefly at Sabarimala in Kerala as the upholder of dharma.
Why is Ayyappa worship linked with Saturn?
The austere 41-day vratam — celibacy, simplicity, black attire and a barefoot pilgrimage — reflects the discipline and renunciation of Shani, which is why his worship is valued as a Saturn remedy.
When is the 108-name archana especially performed?
During the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season and by devotees observing the vratam before visiting Sabarimala, ideally on Saturdays.
108 names as a pilgrimage in miniature
Reciting the Ayyappa Ashtottara Shatanamavali is understood in the devotional tradition as making an inner pilgrimage even before the feet touch the forest paths of Sabarimala. Each of the 108 names illuminates a different facet of Lord Ayyappa - his Hariharaputra nature as the son of both Vishnu and Shiva, his role as Dharmashasta, the lord who upholds righteousness, his identity as the celibate yogi, and his compassionate presence as the remover of fear. The practice of namavali recitation holds that each name is not a mere label but a concentrated seed of divine quality; chanting all 108 in sequence is considered a complete act of worship in itself, requiring no further elaborate ritual for those who cannot perform the full puja on a given day.
The Ayyappa vrata is one of the most disciplined devotional practices in South India, observed with strict celibacy, a vegetarian diet, barefoot worship, and forty-one days of austerity known as the Mandala deeksha. In the Jyotish tradition, Lord Ayyappa is associated with Saturn and with dharmic self-discipline, and the Ashtottara is often recommended by Jyotish practitioners for those experiencing the difficult transit of Shani Sade Sati or for those who need to cultivate patience, resilience, and moral backbone. Devotees recite the namavali daily during the deeksha period, traditionally in the early morning after a bath, facing east, holding a tulasi mala or rudraksha.