śrī subrahmaṇya hṛdaya stotram

Viniyoga — Of this great mantra-hymn, the Śrī Subrahmanya Hṛdaya Stotram: the venerable sage Agastya is the seer (ṛṣi); the metre (chandas) is Anuṣṭup; the deity (dēvatā) is Śrī Subrahmanya; the purpose is the attainment of all aims. This is applied to the hands and body as a sacred heart-mantra of the lord.

Kara Nyāsa — Assignment of Subrahmanya's names to the hands: Oṃ Subrahmaṇyāya — to both thumbs, salutations; Oṃ Ṣaṇmukhāya — to both index fingers; Oṃ Śaktidharāya — to both middle fingers; Oṃ Kumārāya — to both ring fingers; Oṃ Skandāya — to both little fingers; Oṃ Mahāsēnāya — to the back and palms. Thus the lord's names armour the hands.

Kara Nyāsa — Assignment of Subrahmanya's names to the hands: Oṃ Subrahmaṇyāya — to both thumbs, salutations; Oṃ Ṣaṇmukhāya — to both index fingers; Oṃ Śaktidharāya — to both middle fingers; Oṃ Kumārāya — to both ring fingers; Oṃ Skandāya — to both little fingers; Oṃ Mahāsēnāya — to the back and palms. Thus the lord's names armour the hands.

Dhyāna — I meditate on him: six-faced (ṣaḍvaktram), mounted on the peacock (śikhivāhanam), three-eyed (trinayanaṃ), adorned in multi-coloured divine garments (chitrāmbarālaṅkṛtam); holding the vajra, the Śakti spear, the sword and trident in his twelve lotus-hands — I meditate on this luminous divine lord, Śrī Subrahmanya, surrounded by Vaḷḷī and Devasenā.

Pīṭhikā — In Satyaloka, that ever-blissful realm, surrounded on all sides by great sages (munibhiḥ parivēṣṭitam) — all the assembled rishis questioned the lord Brahmā, lotus-seated and all-knowing, wishing to hear the secret heart of Subrahmanya.

The sages addressed Brahmā: "O Lord, ruler of all worlds (sarvalōkēśa), omniscient one (sarvajña), lotus-seated (kamalāsana), ever-blissful embodiment of wisdom (sadānanda jñānamūrtē), who is devoted to the welfare of all beings (sarvabhūtahitē rata) — we beseech you!

"The great glories of Guha have been spoken in many ways and in many traditions (bahudhā prōktam). Yet we wish to hear the innermost heart (hṛdayam) of that Krauñcha-piercer (krauñchabhēdinaḥ). O Brahmā, please reveal to us the secret Hṛdaya of Subrahmanya!"

Brahmā spoke: "Let all the sages hear this now — what is the most secret of all secrets (guhyādguhyataram), the great Hṛdaya of Subrahmanya, for the welfare of all beings (sarvabhūtahitam). I shall reveal it today with a pleased and gracious heart."

"This auspicious Hṛdaya grants the accomplishment of all objectives (sarvārthasiddhi); it is the sole and supreme means for all undertakings (sarvakāryaika sādhanam); it secretly grants dharma, artha and kāma (the three aims of life); it increases all wealth and abundance."

"This is the secret of the gods (rahasyam ētad dēvānām), not to be given indiscriminately to just anyone (adēyam yasya kasyachit). It makes all living beings one's friends (sarvamitrakaraṃ). It is to be kept confidential (gōpyam). It is endowed with radiance and power (tējōbalasamanvitam)."

"I shall declare it for your welfare with a joyful heart (hitārthaṃ vaḥ parituṣṭēna chētasā). At the center of the lotus of the heart (hṛtpadmakarṇikāmadhyē), one should meditate upon him who is charming and beautiful to all beings (sarvamanōharam). Thus begins the sacred Hṛdaya meditation."

Atha Hṛdayam — the heart-meditation now begins. Meditate upon: a golden pavilion, divine and resplendent (suvarṇamaṇḍapaṃ divyam), with gem-arches shining on every side (ratnatōraṇarājitam), beautified by thousands of gem-pillars (ratnastambhasahasraiḥ śōbhitam) — this is the divine abode of the lord.

This is the abode of supreme bliss (paramānandanilayam), blazing with a brilliance like the sun (bhāsvatsūryasamaprabham). It is attended by gods (dēva), demons (dānava), gandharvas, garuḍas, yakṣas and kinnaras — all gathered around the lord in reverence.

Always inhabited by Siddhas and Sādhyas who have come to serve and worship (sēvārthamāgataiḥ); ever served by the foremost of great yogis (mahāyōgīndrasaṃsēvyam); adorned with the divine mandāra coral tree (mandāratarumaṇḍitam) — this is the eternal heavenly abode of the lord of the armies.

Its great altars (vēdīs) are raised magnificently, adorned with precious gems and red coral (maṇividrumavēdībhiḥ mahatībhiḥ udañchitam). At its center, a brilliant canopy of infinite jewels illumines the space — the abode of the divine lord shines with a light that knows no night.

At the center stands a divine gem-lion-throne (ratnasiṃhāsanam divyam) blazing with the brilliance of ten billion suns (ravikōṭisamaprabham), filled with all wonders (sarvāścharyamayam), auspicious (puṇyam), beautifully adorned on all sides (sarvataḥ supariṣkṛtam) — upon this throne the lord is to be visualised.

At the center of that throne is an eight-petalled lotus (aṣṭadalaṃ padmam) rising with the brilliance of the ascending sun (udyadarkaprabhōdayam); woven through with the threads of the Vedas and Āgamas that hang from it like vines (nigamāgamarōlamba lambitam); this lotus is the upsurging of pure consciousness (chinmayōdayam) — the seat of the lord.

This divine lotus is composed of radiant light (tējōmayam), worshipped by all the gods (dēvatābhiḥ namaskṛtam), blazing magnificently (dēdīpyamānam ruchibhiḥ), vast and supremely beautiful to the beholding mind (viśālam sumanōharam) — upon this divine seat of pure light the lord is to be meditated upon.

At the center of that luminous lotus, one should meditate upon the lord of all worlds (sarvalōkēśam), beautiful in every limb (sarvāṅgasundaram), brilliant as infinite suns (anantādityasaṅkāśam), who grants all wished-for blessings to those who take refuge (āśritābhīṣṭadāyakam) — this is the heart of the meditation on Guha.

He is endowed with inconceivable wisdom and transcendent knowledge (achintyajñānavijñāna), radiance and power (tējōbalasamanvitam); he holds all weapons in his lotus-hands (sarvāyudhadharam); he is divine and filled with all wonders (sarvāścharyamayam) — meditate on this Guha, the secret lord within.

His six heads are adorned with six priceless gem-studded crowns (mahārha ratnakhachita ṣaṭkirīṭavirājitam); the crest of each crown is beautifully ornamented with the half-crescent moon — rising and filling the space with its lovely light (śaśāṅkārdhakalāramya samudyan mauḻibhūṣaṇam).

His eyebrows are radiant and arched like the bow of Kāma — auspicious and beautiful (madanōjjvalakōdaṇḍa maṅgalabhrūvirājitam); his twelve eyes are as broad and lovely as wide crimson lotuses, shining with divine grace (vistīrṇāruṇapadmaśrī vilasaddvādaśēkṣaṇam).

His six faces shine with a beautiful complexion, complete and radiant (chāruśrīvarṇasampūrṇa mukhaśōbhāvibhāsuram); his makara-shaped earrings flash with the full splendour of gem-radiance (maṇiprabhā samagraśrī sphurat makarakuṇḍalam) — each face is a vision of divine beauty.

His cheeks shine and glow like bright mirrors (lasaddarpaṇadarpāḍhya gaṇḍasthalavirājitam); his nostrils are adorned with divine ornaments fashioned from golden flowers (divyakāñchanapuṣpaśrī nāsāpuṭavirājitam) — even these smallest details of his form are divine and worthy of meditation.

His sweet lips are beautiful, radiating the gentle glow of a soft smile (mandahāsaprabhājāla madhurādhara śōbhitam); his beautiful neck, smooth as a conch shell, bears all the auspicious marks of divine beauty (sarvalakṣaṇalakṣmībhṛt kambukandhara sundaram).

He is adorned with priceless divine necklaces set with great precious gems (mahānargha mahāratna divyahāravirājitam); his arms are fully encircled by serpent-armlets (samagranāgakēyūra sannaddha bhujamaṇḍalam) — twelve arms blazing with the beauty of divine ornaments.

The very tips of his fingers blaze with the brilliant radiance of gem bracelets (ratnakaṅkaṇasambhāsvat karāgra śrī mahōjjvalam); his broad chest glows magnificently like a jewelled gate — a gem-panel of immeasurable beauty (mahāmaṇikavāṭābha vakṣaḥsthalavirājitam).

His navel is deep and profound — like a new lotus of unfathomable depth that inspires awe and reverence (atigāmbhīryasambhāvya nābhīnavasarōruham); his beautiful waist region is adorned with radiant jewelled gem-belts of great beauty (ratnaśrīkalitābaddha lasanmadhyapradēśakam).

He is wrapped in brilliant golden silk — shining yellow garments (sphuratkanaka saṃvīta pītāmbara samāvṛtam); his thighs are strong and beautiful like gem-pillars, filled with the full flavour of divine love (śṛṅgārarasasampūrṇa ratnastambhōpamōrukam).

His pair of calves shine and glow like golden trumpet-flowers (svarṇakāhalarōchiṣṇu jaṅghāyugaḻamaṇḍalam); his lovely lotus-feet are beautifully adorned with resonant gem anklets (ratnamañjīrasannaddha ramaṇīya padāmbujam) — at whose feet all the worlds bow in reverence.

This deity who grants all that devotees wish (bhaktābhīṣṭapradam), worshipped and praised by Brahmā, Viṣṇu and all the gods (brahmaviṣṇvādisaṃstutam), who satisfies the hearts of all with compassionate glances (kaṭākṣaiḥ karuṇādakṣaiḥ tōṣayantam) — he is the lord of all the worlds (jagatpatim).

Meditate upon the lord born in the reeds of Śara (dhyāyēt Śaravaṇōdbhavam) — the embodiment of consciousness, bliss and pure wisdom (chidānandajñānamūrtim), who is beloved and auspicious to all the worlds (sarvalōkapriyaṅkaram), the divine son of Śaṅkara (śaṅkarasyātmajaṃ dēvam) — the full vision of the Hṛdaya is now complete.

His form is complete with the radiance of infinite suns, moons and fires (anantādityachandrāgni tējaḥ sampūrṇavigraham); he is the sole granter of boons to all the worlds (sarvalōkaikavaradam); he is the living truth and meaning of all knowledge, all scriptures (sarvavidyārthatattvakaṃ) — meditate on him.

He is the lord of all (sarvēśvaram), all-pervading (sarvavibhum), devoted to the welfare of all beings (sarvabhūtahitē ratam). Having meditated thus on the Hṛdaya of the great-souled Ṣaṇmukha (ēvaṃ dhyātvā hṛdayaṃ ṣaṇmukhasya mahātmanaḥ) — such a devotee is ready to receive the full fruit of this sacred practice.

One attains all desired objects (sarvān kāmān avāpnōti) and gains perfect, complete knowledge (samyak jñānaṃ cha vindati). The prescribed setting for this practice: a pure and clean place (śuchau dēśē); seated with composure (samāsīnaḥ); with a purified mind (śuddhātmā); having completed all daily duties (charitāhnikaḥ).

Facing east (prāṅmukhaḥ), with the mind fully controlled (yatachittaḥ), one should recite this supreme Hṛdaya (japēd dhṛdayam uttamam). Even reciting the mantra just once (sakṛd eva manuṃ japtvā), one attains all that is auspicious and good in life (samprāpnōty akhilaṃ śubham).

This Hṛdaya removes all sins (sarvāghaharaṇam); destroys death and poverty (mṛtyudāridryanāśanam); brings all forms of prosperity and auspiciousness (sarvasampatkaraṃ puṇyam); and cures all diseases of body and mind (sarvarōganivāraṇam).

It fulfils all desires (sarvakāmakaraṃ divyam) and grants all that is wished (sarvābhīṣṭapradāyakam); it gives children (prajākaram), kingdoms and sovereignty (rājyakaram), good fortune (bhāgyadam), and abundant accumulated merit (bahupuṇyadam).

This Hṛdaya is more secret than all secrets (guhyādguhyataram), difficult to obtain even for the gods (dēvānām api durlabham). It should never be given to one without austerities (nātapaskāya), nor to one who has no devotion (nābhaktāya kadāchana).

Nor should it be given to one who does not serve the teacher faithfully (aśuśrūṣave), nor ever to one blinded by arrogance (madāndhāya karhichit). It should be transmitted only to a worthy disciple (sachChiṣyāya), of noble character (kulīnāya), who is devoted to Skanda (skandabhaktiratāya).

This increaser of dharma (dharmavardhanam) should be given to one who is held in honour by the virtuous (satāmabhimatāya). The person who recites this supremely auspicious text daily (yaḥ idaṃ paramaṃ puṇyaṃ nityaṃ japati) — that person becomes dear to Skanda, is freed from all bondage, and ultimately attains the state of liberation.