śrī ṣaṇmukha ṣaṭkam

O son of the mountain's daughter — Pārvatī (giritanayāsuta), raised by the sacred waters of the Gaṅgā (gāṅgapayōdita), fragrant with sweet divine scents (gandhasuvāsita), O eternally youthful form (bālatanō) — O jewel of virtues (guṇagaṇabhūṣaṇa), sweet of speech (kōmalabhāṣaṇa), piercer of the Krauñcha mountain (krauñchavidāraka) — O six-faced Ṣaṇmukha, lord of compassion, may you protect us.

O one who dwells on every sacred mountain (pratigirisaṃsthita), who abides in the hearts of devoted souls (bhaktahṛdisthita), granter of sons and wealth (putradhanaprada), of beautiful and charming form (ramyatanō) — O remover of the fear of worldly existence (bhavabhayamōchaka), bestower of auspicious fortune (bhāgyavidhāyaka) — O Ṣaṇmukha, may your grace ever bless us.

O one who is revered by those who possess the wealth of inner tranquility (śamadhanamānita), who is the heart's refuge of silent contemplatives (maunihṛdālaya), whose abode is the source of liberation (mōkṣakṛdālaya), of enchanting form (mugdhatanō) — O protector of Indra who performed a hundred sacrifices (śatamakhapālaka), O pleaser of Śaṅkara (śaṅkaratōṣaka), sweet-sounding as a conch (śaṅkhasuvādaka) — O Ṣaṇmukha, be our shelter.

O Guha, adorned in garments red as the young dawn (taruṇāruṇachēlapariṣkṛta), O slayer of the demon Tāraka (tārakamāraka), O one as beautiful as Kāma the god of love (māratanō) — dwelling in your excellent sea-shore abode (jalanidhitīrasuśōbhivarālaya), praised by Śaṅkara himself (śaṅkarasannuta) — O Ṣaṇmukha, may your glory ever shine.

O one who is forever engaged in playful arts with Vaḷḷī (lavalikayā saha kēlikalāpara), adorned with a garland presented by Devasenā, the daughter of the gods (dēvasutārpita mālyatanō) — who stands at the feet of the Supreme Guru (gurupadasaṃsthita), revealed and made known by Śaṅkara (śaṅkaradarśita), illuminer of the living truth (tattvamayaprakāśa) — O Ṣaṇmukha, grant us your grace.

O protector of the people of the Kali age (kalijanapālana), with beautiful lotus eyes (kañjasulōchana), whose banner is the rooster (kukkuṭakētana), of a joyfully sporting form (kēlitanō) — who accepts devotees' ritual offerings (kṛtabalipālana), who rides the peacock (barhiṇavāhana), O son of the forehead-eyed Śiva (phālavilōchanasuta) — O Ṣaṇmukha, may your grace encompass us.

This poem of a devout poet, blessed by Rāma and dedicated to the supreme state (anantapadānvita), composed by the poet Rāmadīkṣita — O Born-in-the-reeds (śaravaṇasambhava), this hymn pleases you and grants the devotee all eight great perfections (aṣṭasusiddhi). Whoever recites these six gems of praise shall attain all that is wished.