Sri Ayyappa Ashtottara Shatanamavali — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्री अय्यप्प अष्टोत्तरशतनामावली
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ महाशास्त्रे नमः
Om Mahashastre Namah
Salutations to the Great Shasta (the supreme Dharma-Shasta, Ayyappa)
ॐ महादेवसुताय नमः
Om Mahadevasutaya Namah
Salutations to the son of Mahadeva (Shiva)
ॐ लोककर्त्रे नमः
Om Lokakartre Namah
Salutations to the creator of the worlds
ॐ परात्पराय नमः
Om Paratparaya Namah
Salutations to the one higher than the highest
ॐ त्रिलोकरक्षकाय नमः
Om Trilokarakshakaya Namah
Salutations to the protector of the three worlds
ॐ भूतसैनिकाय नमः
Om Bhutasainikaya Namah
Salutations to the one with an army of spirit-hosts
ॐ हयारूढाय नमः
Om Hayarudhaya Namah
Salutations to the one mounted on a horse
ॐ इक्षुधन्विने नमः
Om Ikshudhanvine Namah
Salutations to the one with a bow of sugarcane
ॐ पुष्पबाणाय नमः
Om Pushpabanaya Namah
Salutations to the one with flower-arrows
ॐ मायादेवीसुताय नमः
Om Mayadevisutaya Namah
Salutations to the son of Maya-Devi (Mohini, Vishnu's form)
ॐ महाशैवाय नमः
Om Mahashaivaya Namah
Salutations to the great devotee of Shiva (Shaiva)
ॐ वैष्णवाय नमः
Om Vaishnavaya Namah
Salutations to the one who is also a Vaishnava (devotee of Vishnu)
ॐ षण्मुखप्रियाय नमः
Om Shanmukhapriyaya Namah
Salutations to the one dear to Shanmukha (Karthikeya)
ॐ मेरुशृङ्गसमासीनाय नमः
Om Merushringasamasinaya Namah
Salutations to the one seated on the peak of Mount Meru
ॐ सगुणाय नमः
Om Sagunaya Namah
Salutations to the one with form and attributes (Saguna)
ॐ निर्गुणाय नमः
Om Nirgunaya Namah
Salutations to the one beyond all attributes (Nirguna)
ॐ ऋग्यजुःसामाथर्वात्मने नमः
Om Rigyajuhsamatharvatmane Namah
Salutations to the one who is the very soul of the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva)
ॐ संसारतापविच्छेत्त्रे नमः
Om Samsaratapavichchhettre Namah
Salutations to the one who severs the torments of worldly existence
ॐ रोगहन्त्रे नमः
Om Rogahantre Namah
Salutations to the destroyer of disease
ॐ सुब्रह्मण्यानुजाय नमः
Om Subrahmanyanujaya Namah
Salutations to the younger brother of Subrahmanya (Karthikeya)
ॐ भक्तवत्सलाय नमः
Om Bhaktavatsalaya Namah
Salutations to the one full of loving affection for his devotees
Complete Translation
This is the Ashtottara Shatanamavali — the litany of the 108 names of Lord Ayyappa (Dharma-Shasta, Hariharaputra). Each name is offered with 'Om' before it and 'Namah' (salutations) after it. Beginning with 'Salutations to the Great Shasta' and ending with 'Salutations to the one full of love for his devotees,' the names hail him as the son of Shiva (Mahadeva) and of Mohini (Maya-Devi), the protector of the three worlds, the lord seated on Mount Meru, the soul of the four Vedas, both with and beyond attributes, the destroyer of disease and of the torments of worldly life, the younger brother of Subrahmanya, and the ever-compassionate refuge of his devotees.
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Shasta / Ayyappa devotional liturgy (South Indian temple tradition)
Author: Traditional (composer unknown)
Period: Traditional
The Ashtottara Shatanamavali of Lord Ayyappa belongs to the temple liturgy of Dharma-Shasta worship, centred on the famous hill-shrine of Sabarimala in Kerala. Ayyappa is venerated as Hariharaputra, born of the union of Vishnu's Mohini form and Shiva, embodying the harmony of the Vaishnava and Shaiva traditions — a theme reflected in names such as Mahashaiva, Vaishnava and Vishnupujaka. The 108 names are recited as archana, each name offered with a flower at the deity's feet, and form a central part of the devotions undertaken by pilgrims during the rigorous 41-day vratam that precedes the journey to Sabarimala.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ayyappa Ashtottara Shatanamavali?▼
It is a 'garland of 108 names' (ashtottara-shatanamavali) of Lord Ayyappa. Each line offers one of his 108 sacred names, prefixed with 'Om' and followed by 'Namah' (salutations), describing his divine forms, powers and grace.
Why is Ayyappa called Hariharaputra?▼
According to tradition, Ayyappa was born of Hari (Vishnu in the enchanting form of Mohini) and Hara (Shiva), and is therefore called Hariharaputra — the son of both. The namavali reflects this by calling him both Mahashaiva and Vaishnava, uniting the two great streams of devotion.
When is the best time to recite these 108 names?▼
They are recited especially during the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season and throughout the 41-day vratam (penance) that devotees undertake before going to Sabarimala. Saturdays and the early morning hours after a bath are considered especially auspicious.
How is the namavali used in worship?▼
It is commonly used for archana — offering a flower, a tulsi leaf or a pinch of sandal paste at the deity's feet with each of the 108 names. Reciting it once is itself a complete act of worship, often preceded and followed by the chant 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.'
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