shivamargabandhustotramtravel

Margabandhu Stotram

Margabandhu Stotram in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 9× repetitions·🕐 In the morning before beginning a journey, on Mondays, and during Pradosh Kaal·📜 Composed by Sri Appayya Dikshita (Shaiva devotional literature)

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

The Margabandhu Stotram, composed by the great scholar Appayya Dikshita, is a hymn to Lord Shiva as 'Marga-bandhu' — the friend and protector on the road. Each verse describes Shiva's glory and pleads with the refrain 'be the companion of my journey, O my Lord.' It is the classic prayer for safe travel and protection along life's path, and is chanted before setting out on a journey or pilgrimage.

Origin & Story

Composed by Sri Appayya Dikshita (Shaiva devotional literature) · Appayya Dikshita · 16th century CE

The Margabandhu Stotram was composed by Appayya Dikshita, one of the greatest Sanskrit scholars and Shiva devotees of South India. Tradition holds that he composed it as a prayer to Lord Shiva to be the protector and guide upon the road. To this day it is the favourite hymn recited by devotees before undertaking journeys, invoking Shiva as the ever-present 'friend of the path' who keeps the traveller safe and brings the undertaking to an auspicious end.

✦ As told in scripture

Devotees who recite the Margabandhu Stotram before travelling testify that journeys begun with this prayer pass safely and smoothly, dangers melting away as though an unseen companion clears the road. It is cherished as Lord Shiva's promise to walk beside those who call upon him as Marga-bandhu.

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Complete Text with Meaning

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Verse 1

Shambho Mahadeva Deva Shiva Shambho Mahadeva Devesha Shambho Shambho Mahadeva Deva

Meaning:O Shambhu, great God, Lord Shiva! O Shambhu, great God, Lord of the gods, Shambhu! O Shambhu, great God!

Verse 2

Phalavanamram Phani-kundalam Va Nagendra-haram Mrigaraja-haram Chandrardha-choodam Amrita-svaroopam Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva

Meaning:He who bends low with grace, who wears serpents as earrings, the king of serpents and a lion's hide as his garland, who bears the half-moon on his crest, whose nature is immortal nectar — be the companion of my journey, O my Lord, God of gods.

Verse 3

Ange Virajad-bhujagendra-haram Abje Virajat-karunaa-kataksham Gangadharam Chandra-kalaa-vatamsam Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva

Meaning:He whose body shines with the king of serpents as a garland, whose lotus eyes shine with a glance of compassion, who holds the Ganga and wears the crescent moon as an ornament — be the companion of my journey, O my Lord, God of gods.

Verse 4

Nityam Chid-ananda-mayam Mahesham Nityam Gunaateetam-aprameyam Nityam Prapannarti-haram Natoham Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva

Meaning:The eternal one, full of consciousness and bliss, the great Lord; the eternal one, beyond all qualities and beyond measure; the eternal one who removes the distress of those who surrender — to him I bow. Be the companion of my journey, O my Lord, God of gods.

Verse 5

Ekam Anekam Cha Vichaarayantam Ekam Vibhum Bhinnam-ananta-roopam Ekaaksharam Yam Nikhilam Vadanti Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva

Meaning:He who contemplates the One and the many, the One all-pervading Lord who appears in countless distinct forms, whom all call the one imperishable syllable — be the companion of my journey, O my Lord, God of gods.

Verse 6

Yam Brahma-mukhyaah Sura-varya-ganyaa Dhyaayanti Yogena Sadaa Muneendraah Sarveshvaram Sarva-hitaavaham Tam Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva

Meaning:He whom Brahma and the foremost of the gods, and the great sages, ever meditate upon through yoga; the Lord of all, the bringer of universal good — be the companion of my journey, O my Lord, God of gods.

Verse 7

Panchananam Phala-vilochanam Va Phaneendra-haram Pralayanalaabham Bhasmanga-raagam Bhava-nashanam Tam Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva

Meaning:The five-faced one, with an eye upon his forehead, wearing the king of serpents, radiant like the fire of dissolution, anointed with ash, the destroyer of worldly bondage — be the companion of my journey, O my Lord, God of gods.

Verse 8

Yo Bhoota-natho Bhuvanaadhipo Va Yo Vamadevo Bhagavan-Mahesha Yo Rudra-roopah Sa Tu Shoolapaanih Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva

Meaning:He who is the Lord of beings and the master of the worlds, who is Vamadeva, the blessed great Lord, who is the form of Rudra, the bearer of the trident — be the companion of my journey, O my Lord, God of gods.

Verse 9

Yasyanghri-padmaat-sura-sindhur-adau Yasyottamaangaad-vidhu-gaanga-toyam Yo Dakshinamoortir-aneka-roopah Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva

Meaning:He from whose lotus feet the celestial river first flowed, from whose head pour the moon-bright waters of the Ganga, who is Dakshinamurti of countless forms — be the companion of my journey, O my Lord, God of gods.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

Shambho🔊O Shambhu — the source of auspiciousness and bliss (Shiva)

Mahadeva🔊The great god, the supreme deity

Devesha🔊Lord of the gods

Marga-sahayam🔊Companion and helper on the path / journey — the protector of travellers

Mama Deva Deva🔊O my Lord, O God of gods

Phani-kundalam🔊One who wears serpents as ear-ornaments

Nagendra-haram🔊One who wears the king of serpents as a garland

Chandrardha-choodam🔊One who bears the half-moon (crescent) on his crest

Amrita-svaroopam🔊One whose very nature is immortal nectar

Karunaa-kataksham🔊One whose sidelong glance is full of compassion

Gangadharam🔊The bearer of the river Ganga (in his locks)

Chid-ananda-mayam🔊One who is full of consciousness and bliss

Gunaateetam🔊One who is beyond the three gunas (qualities of nature)

Prapannarti-haram🔊One who removes the suffering of those who take refuge in him

Ekaaksharam🔊The single imperishable syllable (Om), the One Absolute

Sarveshvaram🔊The lord of all

Panchananam🔊The five-faced one (Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha, Ishana)

Bhasmanga-raagam🔊One whose body is anointed with sacred ash

Bhava-nashanam🔊The destroyer of worldly bondage (samsara)

Shoolapaanih🔊One who holds the trident in his hand

Dakshinamoortih🔊Dakshinamurti — Shiva as the silent supreme teacher

Benefits of Chanting Margabandhu Stotram

✦

Invokes Shiva as Marga-bandhu, the protector and companion on every journey

✦

Traditionally chanted before travel or pilgrimage for a safe, obstacle-free path

✦

Guards travellers from accidents, dangers and difficulties on the road

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Removes the distress of devotees who take refuge in Shiva (prapannarti-haram)

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Steadies and protects the seeker on the inner journey of spiritual life

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Deepens devotion by recalling Shiva's many glorious forms and qualities

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Brings success and auspicious outcomes to undertakings begun with this prayer

How to Chant Margabandhu Stotram

Repetitions9times

Best TimeIn the morning before beginning a journey, on Mondays, and during Pradosh Kaal

Before setting out on a journey or pilgrimage, sit or stand facing east, remember Lord Shiva, and recite the stotram beginning with the refrain 'Shambho Mahadeva Deva.' Chant all the verses with feeling, dwelling on the plea 'Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva' — asking Shiva to walk with you and guard your way. It may also be recited daily for protection on life's path.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Margabandhu Stotram written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

'Marga' means path or road and 'bandhu' means friend or kinsman. The Margabandhu Stotram praises Lord Shiva as the loving companion and protector who accompanies the devotee on every journey — both the outer road and the inner path of life.

It was composed by Appayya Dikshita (16th century CE), a towering scholar, poet and devotee of Lord Shiva from South India, renowned for his many works in Sanskrit philosophy and devotion.

It is traditionally chanted before starting a journey or pilgrimage to ensure safe and smooth travel. Many also recite it every morning, on Mondays, and during Pradosh Kaal, asking Shiva to protect their path through life.

It means 'Be the helper/companion of my journey, O my Lord, God of gods.' It is a heartfelt plea asking Shiva to remain by the devotee's side and guard every step of the way.