Om Saravanabhava Mantra (Subrahmanya Shadakshara) — Word-by-Word Meaning
ॐ शरवणभव मंत्र (सुब्रह्मण्य षडक्षर)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ
Om
The primordial cosmic sound, the seed of all mantras
श
Sha
First of the six sacred syllables; corresponds to one of the six faces of Shanmukha
र
Ra
Second syllable of the Shadakshara; invokes the fiery, purifying energy of Skanda
व
Va
Third syllable; part of the six-lettered name of the Lord
ण
Na
Fourth syllable of the mantra
भ
Bha
Fifth syllable of the mantra
व
Va
Sixth syllable, completing 'Saravanabhava'
शरवणभव
Saravanabhava
He who was born (bhava) in the Sharavana — the reed-grove (forest of arrow-reeds) where the six sparks of Shiva took form as the child Skanda
सौं
Saum
The Shakti/Shanmukha bija added in the fuller japa form, invoking the Lord's six-faced power
नमः
Namah
Salutations / I offer obeisance (closing the dative invocation 'Saravanabhavaya Namah')
Complete Translation
Om. Salutations to Saravanabhava — the Lord who was born amid the Sharavana, the celestial grove of reeds, where the six divine sparks from Shiva's eye were nurtured into the six-faced Skanda. (The mantra is chanted in three standard forms: the bare seed 'Om Saravanabhava'; the obeisance form 'Om Saum Saravanabhavaya Namah'; and the fuller bija form prefixed with Shreem, Hreem and Kleem.)
Origin & History
Source: Skanda upasana tradition (Puranic and Agamic Subrahmanya worship)
Author: Unknown (traditional)
Period: Ancient
The mantra is rooted in the Skanda Purana account of Kartikeya's birth: Shiva's third-eye fire, too potent to be borne by anyone, was carried to the Sharavana reed-grove where it became the six-faced child. Hence the Lord's intimate name 'Saravanabhava'. The syllables became the celebrated Shadakshara mula-mantra, central to Subrahmanya worship in South India and the heart of texts like the Kanda Shasti Kavacham.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Saravanabhava' mean?▼
It means 'born in the Sharavana' — the grove of arrow-reeds (a marshy reed forest). According to the Skanda Purana, the six fiery sparks from Shiva's third eye were carried by Agni and Vayu to the Sharavana lake/grove, where they became six infants nursed by the six Krittika stars and then merged into the single six-faced Lord Skanda.
Why is it called the Shadakshara mantra?▼
'Shadakshara' means 'six-syllabled'. The core 'Sa-Ra-Va-Na-Bha-Va' has six syllables, each traditionally associated with one of the six faces (Shanmukha) of Kartikeya. Together with the pranava 'Om' it forms the complete mula-mantra of Subrahmanya.
Is this the same Lord as Ganesha's brother?▼
Yes. Saravanabhava is Kartikeya — son of Shiva and Parvati and brother of Ganesha. He is worshipped across India as Murugan, Subrahmanya, Skanda, Shanmukha, Guha and Mahasena, and is especially beloved in Tamil Nadu.
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