Murugan Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram: 108 Names of Subrahmanya

Murugan Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram - Sanskrit Text

स्कन्दो गुहः षण्मुखश्च भालनेत्रसुतः प्रभुः।
पिङ्गलः कृत्तिकासूनुः शिखिवाहो द्विषड्भुजः॥१॥

द्विषण्णेत्रः शक्तिधरः पिशिताशप्रभञ्जनः।
तारकासुरसंहारी रक्षोबलविमर्दनः॥२॥

मत्तः प्रमत्त उन्मत्तश्च सुरसैन्यसुरक्षकः।
देवसेनापतिः प्राज्ञः कृपालो भक्तवत्सलः॥३॥

उमासुतः शक्तिधरः कुमारः क्रौञ्चदारणः।
सेनानीरग्निजन्मा च विशाखः शङ्करात्मजः॥४॥

शिवस्वामी गणस्वामी सर्वस्वामी सनातनः।
अनन्तमूर्तिरक्षोभ्यः पार्वतीप्रियनन्दनः॥५॥

गङ्गासुतः शरोद्भूत आहूतः पावकात्मजः।
जृम्भः प्रजृम्भ उज्जृम्भः कमलासनसंस्तुतः॥६॥

एकवर्णो द्विवर्णश्च त्रिवर्णः सुमनोहरः।
चतुर्वर्णः पञ्चवर्णः प्रजापतिरहर्पतिः॥७॥

अग्निगर्भः शमीगर्भो विश्वरेताः सुरारिहा।
हरिद्वर्णः शुभकरो वटुश्च पटुवेषभृत्॥८॥

पूषा गभस्तिर्गहनश्चन्द्रवर्णः कलाधरः।
मायाधरो महामायी कैवल्यः शङ्करात्मजः॥९॥

विश्वयोनिरमेयात्मा तेजोयोनिरनामयः।
परमेष्ठी परब्रह्म वेदगर्भो विराट्सुतः॥१०॥

पुलिन्दकन्याभर्ता च महासारस्वतावृतः।
आश्रिताखिलदाता च चोरघ्नो रोगनाशनः॥११॥

अनन्तमूर्तिरानन्दः शिखण्डीकृतकेतनः।
डम्भः परमडम्भश्च महाडम्भो वृषाकपिः॥१२॥

कारणोत्पत्तिदेहश्च कारणातीतविग्रहः।
अनीश्वरोऽमृतः प्राणः प्राणायामपरायणः॥१३॥

विरुद्धहन्ता वीरघ्नो रक्तश्यामगलोऽपि च।
सुब्रह्मण्यो गुहप्रीतो ब्रह्मण्यो ब्राह्मणप्रियः॥१४॥

॥ इति श्रीसुब्रह्मण्याष्टोत्तरशतनामस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

Transliteration (Roman/IAST)

skando guhaḥ ṣaṇmukhaśca bhālanetrasutaḥ prabhuḥ · piṅgalaḥ kṛttikāsūnuḥ śikhivāho dviṣaḍbhujaḥ (1)
... tārakāsurasaṁhārī rakṣobalavimardanaḥ (2)
... devasenāpatiḥ prājñaḥ kṛpālo bhaktavatsalaḥ (3) ·
(each verse strings together eight epithets of Lord Subrahmanya, closing with) subrahmaṇyo guhaprīto brahmaṇyo brāhmaṇapriyaḥ (14).

Meaning

This stotra weaves together one hundred and eight names of Lord Murugan (Subrahmanya / Kartikeya), the warrior-son of Shiva and Parvati. He is hailed as Skanda, Guha (the hidden one in the cave of the heart), Shanmukha (the six-faced), son of the Krittikas (the Pleiades), bearer of the divine Shakti spear, rider of the peacock, and slayer of the demon Taraka. Successive verses praise him as commander of the celestial armies (Devasenapati), the wise and compassionate one fond of devotees, the radiant flame born of Agni and Ganga, the embodiment of the Vedas, and finally as Subrahmanya, beloved of the wise. To recite his names is to invoke courage, protection, and the burning away of inner enemies.

About this Stotra

The Subrahmanya Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram belongs to the rich Skanda tradition cherished especially across South India and Tamil Nadu, where Murugan is the presiding deity of the six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu). Unlike a simple namavali that lists names one by one, this ashtottara is composed as flowing anushtubh verses, each line packed with vivid epithets drawn from the Skanda Purana and allied lore. The names trace his entire mythology: his miraculous birth from the spark of Shiva's third eye carried by Agni and the Ganga, his nursing by the six Krittika mothers, his marriage to Valli (Pulinda-kanya) and Devasena, and his cosmic role as the destroyer of the asuras Taraka and Surapadma.

Significance & Spiritual Benefits

Murugan is the deity of viveka (discernment) and of victorious will. Chanting his hundred and eight names is traditionally held to grant fearlessness, success over obstacles and adversaries, relief from disease (he is named Roganashana), and the spiritual strength to conquer the six inner foes - desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride and envy. Devotees turn to this stotra before examinations, ventures, and any undertaking demanding focus and bravery, for the Vel-bearing Lord is the very personification of concentrated power.

Astrological Relevance

In Vedic astrology Murugan / Kartikeya is closely associated with Mangala (Mars), the warrior planet that governs courage, energy, discipline, and the capacity to overcome enemies. Many traditions also link Subrahmanya to the serpent grahas Rahu and Ketu and to the affliction of Sarpa Dosha and Kuja Dosha (Mangal Dosha). Those troubled by a weak or malefic Mars, by delays in marriage caused by Kuja Dosha, or by Naga Dosha frequently worship Subrahmanya on Tuesdays and on the Shashti tithi. Reciting this ashtottara is regarded as a potent remedy to strengthen Mars and pacify serpent-related afflictions in the horoscope.

How to Chant (Vidhi)

Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of Murugan with his Vel. Light a lamp and offer red or fresh flowers and fruit. Begin with a prayer to Ganesha, then recite the fourteen verses with steady devotion, ideally completing the cycle once, thrice, or in multiples. Offering the chant during Shashti and observing the Skanda Shashti vow magnifies its grace.

Best Day & Time

Tuesday (the day of Mars) and Shashti - the sixth lunar day - are the most auspicious for this stotra, with the Krittika nakshatra and the predawn Brahma Muhurta especially favoured. The great festival of Skanda Shashti in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov) is the supreme occasion for its recitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lord Murugan in this stotra?

He is Subrahmanya / Skanda / Kartikeya, the second son of Shiva and Parvati, commander of the divine army, bearer of the Vel spear, and the deity of valour and wisdom worshipped across South India.

What is the benefit of reciting these 108 names?

Tradition promises protection from enemies and disease, victory in endeavours, fearlessness, and the inner strength to conquer the six passions, along with relief from Mars and serpent-related doshas.

On which day should it be chanted?

Tuesdays and Shashti days are ideal, with Skanda Shashti being the most powerful occasion of the year.