Mantras

Subrahmanya Ashtottara Sata Namavali: 108 Names of Murugan

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Astro Logics Admin

18 August 2026 · 7 min read

Subrahmanya Ashtottara Sata Namavali: 108 Names of Murugan

Murugan's 108 names as a map of divine youth and valour

Lord Murugan - worshipped as Skanda or Kartikeya across the length and breadth of the Indian subcontinent, and with particular fervour in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka - is the presiding deity of youth, courage, beauty, and discriminating wisdom. His Ashtottara Shatanamavali gathers 108 names that together trace the full topography of his divine character: the son of Shiva and Parvati, the commander of the celestial armies who vanquished the demon Tarakasura, the gracious Lord of Tiruchendur and Palani, the holder of the Vel (the sacred spear of wisdom). Each name is simultaneously a salutation and a meditation - a way of approaching, from a fresh angle, the same dazzling divine light. Reciting the Shatanamavali slowly, with attention to the meaning of each name, can transform an ordinary archana into a genuine contemplation of Murugan's grace.

In the Jyotish tradition, Murugan is the presiding deity of Mars (Mangala), and the Subrahmanya Ashtottara Shatanamavali is considered one of the most auspicious remedies for those experiencing the difficult effects of a challenged or malefic Mars in their horoscope - including issues of courage, energy, conflict, or impulsiveness. The namavali is most powerfully recited on Tuesdays, on Skanda Shashthi, and during Karthigai Deepam, preferably with a lamp lit and the fragrance of incense. Devotees believe that Murugan's Vel pierces through the veils of confusion and ego in the same way that wisdom cuts through ignorance - and that the 108 names, sincerely offered, are a way of inviting that piercing grace into one's own life.

Subrahmanya Ashtottara Sata Namavali (108 Names of Murugan) - Sanskrit Text

ॐ स्कन्दाय नमः। (1)
ॐ गुहाय नमः। (2)
ॐ षण्मुखाय नमः। (3)
ॐ फालनेत्रसुताय नमः। (4)
ॐ प्रभवे नमः। (5)
ॐ पिङ्गलाय नमः। (6)
ॐ कृत्तिकासूनवे नमः। (7)
ॐ शिखिवाहनाय नमः। (8)
ॐ द्विषड्भुजाय नमः। (9)
ॐ द्विषण्णेत्राय नमः। (10)
ॐ शक्तिधराय नमः। (11)
ॐ पिशिताशप्रभञ्जनाय नमः। (12)
ॐ तारकासुरसंहर्त्रे नमः। (13)
ॐ रक्षोबलविमर्दनाय नमः। (14)
ॐ मत्ताय नमः। (15)
ॐ प्रमत्ताय नमः। (16)
ॐ उन्मत्ताय नमः। (17)
ॐ सुरसैन्यसुरक्षकाय नमः। (18)
ॐ देवासेनापतये नमः। (19)
ॐ प्राज्ञाय नमः। (20)
ॐ कृपालवे नमः। (21)
ॐ भक्तवत्सलाय नमः। (22)
ॐ उमासुताय नमः। (23)
ॐ शक्तिधराय नमः। (24)
ॐ कुमाराय नमः। (25)
ॐ क्रौञ्चदारणाय नमः। (26)
ॐ सेनानिये नमः। (27)
ॐ अग्निजन्मने नमः। (28)
ॐ विशाखाय नमः। (29)
ॐ शङ्करात्मजाय नमः। (30)
ॐ शिवस्वामिने नमः। (31)
ॐ गणस्वामिने नमः। (32)
ॐ सर्वस्वामिने नमः। (33)
ॐ सनातनाय नमः। (34)
ॐ अनन्तशक्तये नमः। (35)
ॐ अक्षोभ्याय नमः। (36)
ॐ पार्वतीप्रियनन्दनाय नमः। (37)
ॐ गङ्गासुताय नमः। (38)
ॐ शरोद्भूताय नमः। (39)
ॐ आहुताय नमः। (40)
ॐ पावकात्मजाय नमः। (41)
ॐ जृम्भाय नमः। (42)
ॐ प्रजृम्भाय नमः। (43)
ॐ उज्जृम्भाय नमः। (44)
ॐ कमलासनसंस्तुताय नमः। (45)
ॐ एकवर्णाय नमः। (46)
ॐ द्विवर्णाय नमः। (47)
ॐ त्रिवर्णाय नमः। (48)
ॐ सुमनोहराय नमः। (49)
ॐ चतुर्वर्णाय नमः। (50)
ॐ पञ्चवर्णाय नमः। (51)
ॐ प्रजापतये नमः। (52)
ॐ अहस्पतये नमः। (53)
ॐ अग्निगर्भाय नमः। (54)
ॐ शमीगर्भाय नमः। (55)
ॐ विश्वरेतसे नमः। (56)
ॐ सुरारिघ्ने नमः। (57)
ॐ हरिद्वर्णाय नमः। (58)
ॐ शुभकराय नमः। (59)
ॐ वसुमते नमः। (60)
ॐ वटुवेषभृते नमः। (61)
ॐ पूष्णे नमः। (62)
ॐ गभस्तये नमः। (63)
ॐ गहनाय नमः। (64)
ॐ चन्द्रवर्णाय नमः। (65)
ॐ कलाधराय नमः। (66)
ॐ मायाधराय नमः। (67)
ॐ महामायिने नमः। (68)
ॐ कैवल्याय नमः। (69)
ॐ शङ्करात्मजाय नमः। (70)
ॐ विश्वयोनये नमः। (71)
ॐ अमेयात्मने नमः। (72)
ॐ तेजोनिधये नमः। (73)
ॐ अनामयाय नमः। (74)
ॐ परमेष्ठिने नमः। (75)
ॐ परब्रह्मणे नमः। (76)
ॐ वेदगर्भाय नमः। (77)
ॐ विराट्सुताय नमः। (78)
ॐ पुलिन्दकन्याभर्त्रे नमः। (79)
ॐ महासारस्वतव्रताय नमः। (80)
ॐ आश्रिताखिलदात्रे नमः। (81)
ॐ चोरघ्नाय नमः। (82)
ॐ रोगनाशनाय नमः। (83)
ॐ अनन्तमूर्तये नमः। (84)
ॐ आनन्दाय नमः। (85)
ॐ शिखण्डिकृतकेतनाय नमः। (86)
ॐ डम्भाय नमः। (87)
ॐ परमडम्भाय नमः। (88)
ॐ महाडम्भाय नमः। (89)
ॐ वृषाकपये नमः। (90)
ॐ कारणोपात्तदेहाय नमः। (91)
ॐ कारणातीतविग्रहाय नमः। (92)
ॐ अनीश्वराय नमः। (93)
ॐ अमृताय नमः। (94)
ॐ प्राणाय नमः। (95)
ॐ प्राणायामपरायणाय नमः। (96)
ॐ विरुद्धहन्त्रे नमः। (97)
ॐ वीरघ्नाय नमः। (98)
ॐ रक्तश्यामगळाय नमः। (99)
ॐ श्यामकन्धराय नमः। (100)
ॐ महते नमः। (101)
ॐ सुब्रह्मण्याय नमः। (102)
ॐ गुहप्रीताय नमः। (103)
ॐ ब्रह्मण्याय नमः। (104)
ॐ ब्राह्मणप्रियाय नमः। (105)
ॐ वेदवेद्याय नमः। (106)
ॐ अक्षयफलप्रदाय नमः। (107)
ॐ वल्ली देवसेनासमेत श्री सुब्रह्मण्यस्वामिने नमः। (108)

॥ इति श्रीसुब्रह्मण्य अष्टोत्तरशतनामावलिः सम्पूर्णा ॥

Transliteration (Roman/IAST)

oṁ skandāya namaḥ · oṁ guhāya namaḥ · oṁ ṣaṇmukhāya namaḥ · oṁ phālanetrasutāya namaḥ · oṁ prabhave namaḥ · oṁ piṅgalāya namaḥ · oṁ kṛttikāsūnave namaḥ · oṁ śikhivāhanāya namaḥ … oṁ subrahmaṇyāya namaḥ … oṁ akṣayaphalapradāya namaḥ · oṁ vallī-devasenā-sameta śrī-subrahmaṇya-svāmine namaḥ ॥

(Each of the 108 names is recited in the form "Om [name] namah" - "Salutations to Skanda / Guha / the six-faced one," and so on through the full litany.)

Meaning

This litany salutes Lord Subrahmanya - also called Skanda, Kartikeya, Murugan, Guha and Shanmukha - by 108 of His names. The names celebrate Him as the six-faced son of Shiva and Parvati, born to lead the celestial army; the slayer of the demon Taraka; the spear-bearing commander (Senani) who rides the peacock; the youthful god of wisdom (Kumara, Guha) worshipped by Brahma and the sages; the destroyer of disease and thieves (Roganashana, Choraghna); and finally the Supreme Brahman beyond all causes, united with His consorts Valli and Devasena.

About this Namavali

The Subrahmanya Ashtottara Shatanamavali is a classical 108-name invocation of the warrior-god Kartikeya, deeply beloved across South India and especially in Tamil Nadu, where He is worshipped as Murugan at the six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu). Each name distils an aspect of His mythology from the Skanda Purana - His miraculous birth from Shiva's fiery seed received by the Krittika stars and the river Ganga, His command of the divine army, and His role as the granter of wisdom (jnana) and fearless protection.

Significance & Spiritual Benefits

Chanting these 108 names is held to bestow courage, victory over obstacles and enemies, freedom from disease, and clarity of intellect. Murugan is the deity of righteous valour and of the spiritual fire that burns away ignorance; devotees turn to Him for protection of children, success in undertakings, and the strength to overcome inner and outer adversaries. The namavali is a complete archana that can be offered with flowers, one bloom per name.

Astrological Relevance

Lord Subrahmanya is the presiding deity of Mangala (Mars) - the planet of energy, courage, discipline and the army. He is the foremost remedial deity for those suffering from an afflicted or debilitated Mars, Mangal Dosha (Kuja Dosha) affecting marriage, blood and accident-related ailments, or delays caused by a weak Mars in the chart. Worship of Murugan, especially on Tuesdays, is the classic upaya to harness Mars's fire constructively. His association with the Krittika nakshatra (ruled by the Sun) also links Him to vitality and leadership.

How to Chant (Vidhi)

Bathe and sit facing east before an image of Murugan with His spear (Vel). Light a lamp and keep red or fragrant flowers ready. Recite "Om [name] namah" for each of the 108 names, offering a flower or akshata at each. Conclude with the final name uniting Him with Valli and Devasena, then sit in silent prayer. Offering His favourite - a garland and the chant of "Vel Muruga" - enhances the worship.

Best Day & Time

Tuesday (Mars) and the sixth lunar day (Shashti, sacred to Skanda) are ideal. Thai Poosam, Skanda Shashti and Krittika Deepam are the most auspicious occasions. Early morning after bathing is the recommended hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Subrahmanya / Murugan?

He is the son of Shiva and Parvati, the six-faced warrior-god and commander of the celestial army, worshipped as Skanda, Kartikeya, Guha and Murugan. He grants wisdom, courage and victory.