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Shiva Bhujanga Prayata Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

श्री शिव भुजङ्गप्रयात स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Shiva Bhujanga Prayata Stotram with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Kripa-Sagaraya-Ashu-Kavya-Pradaya
  2. Verse 2. Chidananda-Rupaya Chinmudrik-Odyat-
  3. Verse 3. Jata-Juta-Madhye Pura Ya Suranam
  4. Verse 4. Tatil-Lola-Kesha-Pravala-Prabha-Angam
  5. Verse 5. Pravala-Pravaha-Prabha-Shona-Mardham
  6. Verse 6. Mahadeva Shambho Girisha Trishulin
  7. Verse 7. Rucham Te Dadhanasya Pada-Aravinde
  8. Verse 8. Bhava-Ambhodhi-Magnan Janan Duhkha-Yuktan
  9. Verse 9. Idam Yo Bhujanga-Prayatam Pathed-Va
Verse 1#

Kripa-Sagaraya-Ashu-Kavya-Pradaya

कृपासागरायाशुकाव्यप्रदाय प्रणम्राखिलाभीष्टसन्दायकाय। यतीन्द्रैरुपास्याङ्घ्रिपाथोरुहाय प्रबोधप्रदात्रे नमः शङ्कराय॥१॥

Kripa-Sagaraya-Ashu-Kavya-Pradaya Pranamra-Akhila-Abhishta-Sandayakaya Yatindrair-Upasya-Anghri-Pathoruhaya Prabodha-Pradatre Namah Shankaraya (1)

MeaningSalutations to Shankara, the ocean of compassion, who swiftly grants the gift of poetry, who fulfils every wish of those who bow to him, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the greatest of sages, and who bestows the awakening of Self-knowledge.

Verse 2#

Chidananda-Rupaya Chinmudrik-Odyat-

चिदानन्दरूपाय चिन्मुद्रिकोद्य- त्करायेशपर्यायरूपाय तुभ्यम्। मुदा गीयमानाय वेदोत्तमाङ्गैः श्रितानन्ददात्रे नमः शङ्कराय॥२॥

Chidananda-Rupaya Chinmudrik-Odyat- Karaya-Isha-Paryaya-Rupaya Tubhyam Muda Giyamanaya Vedottamangaih Shrita-Ananda-Datre Namah Shankaraya (2)

MeaningSalutations to Shankara, whose very form is consciousness and bliss, whose hand is raised in the Chin-mudra of knowledge, who is another name for the Supreme Lord, and who is joyfully sung by the Upanishads, the bestower of bliss upon his devotees.

Verse 3#

Jata-Juta-Madhye Pura Ya Suranam

जटाजूटमध्ये पुरा या सुराणां धुनी साद्य कर्मन्दिरूपस्य शम्भोः। गले मल्लिकामालिकाव्याजतस्ते विभातीति मन्ये नमः शङ्कराय॥३॥

Jata-Juta-Madhye Pura Ya Suranam Dhuni Sadya Karmandi-Rupasya Shambhoh Gale Mallika-Malika-Vyajatas-Te Vibhati-Iti Manye Namah Shankaraya (3)

MeaningIn the midst of his matted locks once flowed the celestial river of the gods; now, on the throat of Shambhu in his ascetic form, that same Ganga seems to shine in the guise of a garland of jasmine — salutations to Shankara.

Verse 4#

Tatil-Lola-Kesha-Pravala-Prabha-Angam

तटिल्लोलकेशप्रवालप्रभाङ्गं लसच्चन्द्रकोटिप्रकाशाधिकाङ्गम्। सुधासारसौख्यानुकूलं स्मरामि प्रसन्नं सदा शङ्करं लोकनाथम्॥४॥

Tatil-Lola-Kesha-Pravala-Prabha-Angam Lasach-Chandra-Koti-Prakasha-Adhika-Angam Sudha-Sara-Saukhya-Anukulam Smarami Prasannam Sada Shankaram Loka-Natham (4)

MeaningI remember the ever-gracious Shankara, Lord of the worlds, whose limbs glow like coral amid hair that flashes like lightning, whose body outshines a crore of moons, and who is the very source of nectarine bliss.

Verse 5#

Pravala-Pravaha-Prabha-Shona-Mardham

प्रवालप्रवाहप्रभाशोणमर्धं मरुत्वन्मणिश्रीमहःश्याममर्धम्। गुणस्यूतमेतद्वपुः शैवमन्तः स्मरामि स्मरापत्तिसम्पत्तिहेतोः॥५॥

Pravala-Pravaha-Prabha-Shona-Mardham Marutvan-Mani-Shri-Mahah-Shyama-Mardham Gunasyutam-Etad-Vapuh Shaivam-Antah Smarami Smara-Apatti-Sampatti-Hetoh (5)

MeaningOne half of his body is red like a flowing stream of coral, the other half dark like the lustre of a sapphire gem; I meditate upon this conjoined Shaiva form (Ardhanarishvara) for the attainment of the fortune that conquers desire.

Verse 6#

Mahadeva Shambho Girisha Trishulin

महादेव शम्भो गिरीश त्रिशूलिन् त्वदीयं समस्तं विभातीति मन्ये। भवान्येति वर्णत्रयं ते समस्तं नमस्ते नमस्ते विभो शङ्कराय॥६॥

Mahadeva Shambho Girisha Trishulin Tvadiyam Samastam Vibhati-Iti Manye Bhavani-Eti Varna-Trayam Te Samastam Namaste Namaste Vibho Shankaraya (6)

MeaningO Mahadeva, Shambhu, Lord of the mountain, wielder of the trident — I realise that all this universe shines as your own; the three syllables 'Bha-va-ni' too are wholly yours. Salutations, salutations to you, O all-pervading Shankara.

Verse 7#

Rucham Te Dadhanasya Pada-Aravinde

रुचं ते दधानस्य पादारविन्दे निमग्नस्य योगीन्द्रवृन्दैरजस्रम्। समुद्यत्कृपापूरपूर्णेक्षणस्य नमस्ते नमस्ते महेशाय तुभ्यम्॥७॥

Rucham Te Dadhanasya Pada-Aravinde Nimagnasya Yogindra-Vrindair-Ajasram Samudyat-Kripa-Pura-Purna-Ikshanasya Namaste Namaste Maheshaya Tubhyam (7)

MeaningSalutations again and again to you, O Mahesha, whose lotus feet the hosts of supreme yogis are forever absorbed in, and whose eyes brim over with a flood of rising compassion.

Verse 8#

Bhava-Ambhodhi-Magnan Janan Duhkha-Yuktan

भवाम्भोधिमग्नान् जनान् दुःखयुक्तान् जगन्मातरः पाहि देवेति केचित्। नमन्तीति मन्ये गिरीशाङ्कसंस्थां भवानीं नमस्ये नमः शङ्कराय॥८॥

Bhava-Ambhodhi-Magnan Janan Duhkha-Yuktan Jagan-Matarah Pahi Deva-Iti Kechit Namanti-Iti Manye Girisha-Anka-Samstham Bhavanim Namasye Namah Shankaraya (8)

MeaningSome cry, 'O Divine Mother, save these afflicted beings drowning in the ocean of existence!' — and bowing thus, I worship Bhavani who is seated at the side of the Lord of the mountain. Salutations to Shankara.

Verse 9#

Idam Yo Bhujanga-Prayatam Pathed-Va

इदं यो भुजङ्गप्रयातं पठेद्वा शृणोते समाधाय चित्तं मनुष्यः। मृत्युं विजित्याशु शम्भोः प्रसादात् चिरं देवदेवस्य सायुज्यमेति॥९॥

Idam Yo Bhujanga-Prayatam Pathed-Va Shrinote Samadhaya Chittam Manushyah Sa Mrityum Vijitya-Ashu Shambhoh Prasadat Chiram Deva-Devasya Sayujyam-Eti (9)

MeaningWhoever recites or listens to this hymn in the Bhujanga-prayata metre with a concentrated mind quickly conquers death by the grace of Shambhu and, in time, attains eternal union with the God of gods.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

कृपासागराय
Kripa-Sagaraya
To the ocean of compassion
आशुकाव्यप्रदाय
Ashu-Kavya-Pradaya
Who swiftly grants the gift of poetry (eloquence)
प्रणम्र-अखिल-अभीष्ट-सन्दायकाय
Pranamra-Akhila-Abhishta-Sandayakaya
Who fulfils every desire of those who bow to him
यतीन्द्रैः उपास्य-अङ्घ्रि-पाथोरुहाय
Yatindraih Upasya-Anghri-Pathoruhaya
Whose lotus feet are worshipped by the foremost of ascetics
प्रबोधप्रदात्रे
Prabodha-Pradatre
To the bestower of awakening (Self-knowledge)
नमः शङ्कराय
Namah Shankaraya
Salutations to Shankara (Shiva, the doer of good)
चिदानन्दरूपाय
Chidananda-Rupaya
To the one whose form is consciousness and bliss
चिन्मुद्रिकोद्यत्कराय
Chinmudrika-Udyat-Karaya
Whose hand is raised in the Chin-mudra (gesture of knowledge)
वेदोत्तमाङ्गैः
Vedottamangaih
By the Upanishads (the crowning portion of the Vedas)
जटाजूटमध्ये
Jata-Juta-Madhye
In the midst of the matted locks
धुनी
Dhuni
The river (Ganga)
मल्लिकामालिका
Mallika-Malika
A garland of jasmine flowers
प्रवालप्रवाहप्रभाशोणम्
Pravala-Pravaha-Prabha-Shonam
Red like a flowing stream of coral (one half of the body)
श्यामम्
Shyamam
Dark blue, like a sapphire (the other half)
गुणस्यूतम्
Gunasyutam
Woven together as one (the Ardhanarishvara form)
त्रिशूलिन्
Trishulin
O wielder of the trident
पादारविन्दे निमग्नस्य
Pada-Aravinde Nimagnasya
Of him who is immersed at the lotus feet
भवाम्भोधिमग्नान्
Bhava-Ambhodhi-Magnan
Those drowning in the ocean of worldly existence
मृत्युं विजित्य
Mrityum Vijitya
Having conquered death
सायुज्यमेति
Sayujyam-Eti
Attains union (oneness) with the Lord

Origin & History

Source: Shaiva stotra corpus attributed to Adi Shankaracharya

Author: Adi Shankaracharya (traditionally)

Period: c. 8th century CE

Adi Shankaracharya, the founder of the Advaita Vedanta tradition and establisher of the four mathas, composed numerous lyrical stotras during his travels across India. Several of these — to Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Ganesha and Subrahmanya — were set in the elegant Bhujanga-prayata metre. This hymn celebrates Shiva as 'Shankara', the auspicious Guru who, like Dakshinamurti, silently bestows Self-knowledge upon seekers, while also adoring his Ardhanarishvara form united with Bhavani.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who composed the Shiva Bhujanga Prayata Stotram?
It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE), the great Advaita Vedanta teacher, who composed many devotional stotras in the Bhujanga-prayata metre on Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Subrahmanya and others.
What does 'Bhujanga Prayata' mean?
Bhujanga-prayata literally means 'the gliding of a serpent'. It is the name of the Sanskrit metre in which the hymn is composed — each line has four feet of one short and two long syllables, giving a smooth, undulating, snake-like rhythm.
How is this different from the Shivabhujangam?
Both are Shiva hymns in the serpent metre, but they are distinct compositions. This Bhujanga-prayata Stotram is the shorter nine-verse hymn beginning 'Kripa-sagaraya' that addresses Shiva as the gracious Guru Shankara; the longer Shivabhujangam (beginning 'Kadachit-kadamba...') is a separate, lengthier work.
What is the benefit of reciting the final verse?
The ninth verse is the phalashruti (declaration of fruits). It states that one who recites or hears this stotra with a focused mind quickly conquers death by Shiva's grace and ultimately attains sayujya — eternal union with the God of gods.

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