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मार्गबन्धु स्तोत्रम् Meaning — Line by Line

मार्गबन्धु स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of मार्गबन्धु स्तोत्रम् with its Hindi meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Shambho Mahadeva Deva Shiva Shambho Mahadeva Devesha Shambho
  2. Verse 2. Phalavanamram Phani-kundalam Va Nagendra-haram Mrigaraja-haram
  3. Verse 3. Ange Virajad-bhujagendra-haram Abje Virajat-karunaa-kataksham
  4. Verse 4. Nityam Chid-ananda-mayam Mahesham Nityam Gunaateetam-aprameyam
  5. Verse 5. Ekam Anekam Cha Vichaarayantam Ekam Vibhum Bhinnam-ananta-roopam
  6. Verse 6. Yam Brahma-mukhyaah Sura-varya-ganyaa Dhyaayanti Yogena Sadaa Muneendraah
  7. Verse 7. Panchananam Phala-vilochanam Va Phaneendra-haram Pralayanalaabham
  8. Verse 8. Yo Bhoota-natho Bhuvanaadhipo Va Yo Vamadevo Bhagavan-Mahesha
  9. Verse 9. Yasyanghri-padmaat-sura-sindhur-adau Yasyottamaangaad-vidhu-gaanga-toyam
Verse 1#

Shambho Mahadeva Deva Shiva Shambho Mahadeva Devesha Shambho

शम्भो महादेव देव शिव शम्भो महादेव देवेश शम्भो। शम्भो महादेव देव॥

Shambho Mahadeva Deva Shiva Shambho Mahadeva Devesha Shambho Shambho Mahadeva Deva

Meaningहे शम्भो, महादेव, देव शिव! हे शम्भो, महादेव, देवेश शम्भो! हे शम्भो, महादेव, देव!

Verse 2#

Phalavanamram Phani-kundalam Va Nagendra-haram Mrigaraja-haram

फालावनम्रं फणिकुण्डलं वा नागेन्द्रहारं मृगराजहारम्। चन्द्रार्धचूडं अमृतस्वरूपं मार्गसहायं मम देव देव॥

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

Meaningजो कृपा से नम्र हैं, जो सर्पों के कुण्डल, नागराज तथा मृगराज (सिंह) के चर्म की माला धारण करते हैं, जो मस्तक पर अर्धचन्द्र धारण करते हैं, जिनका स्वरूप अमृतमय है — हे मेरे देवों के देव, मेरी यात्रा के सहायक बनो।

Verse 3#

Ange Virajad-bhujagendra-haram Abje Virajat-karunaa-kataksham

अङ्गे विराजद्भुजगेन्द्रहारं अब्जे विराजत्करुणाकटाक्षम्। गङ्गाधरं चन्द्रकलावतंसं मार्गसहायं मम देव देव॥

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

Meaningजिनके अंग पर नागेन्द्र की माला सुशोभित है, जिनके कमलनेत्रों में करुणा का कटाक्ष विराजमान है, जो गंगाधर हैं और चन्द्रकला को आभूषण रूप में धारण करते हैं — हे मेरे देवों के देव, मेरी यात्रा के सहायक बनो।

Verse 4#

Nityam Chid-ananda-mayam Mahesham Nityam Gunaateetam-aprameyam

नित्यं चिदानन्दमयं महेशं नित्यं गुणातीतमपारमेयम्। नित्यं प्रपन्नार्तिहरं नतोऽहं मार्गसहायं मम देव देव॥

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

Meaningजो नित्य चिदानन्दमय महेश हैं, जो नित्य गुणातीत और अपरिमेय हैं, जो शरणागतों की पीड़ा हरने वाले हैं — उन्हें मैं नमन करता हूँ। हे मेरे देवों के देव, मेरी यात्रा के सहायक बनो।

Verse 5#

Ekam Anekam Cha Vichaarayantam Ekam Vibhum Bhinnam-ananta-roopam

एकं अनेकं विचारयन्तं एकं विभुं भिन्नमनन्तरूपम्। एकाक्षरं यं निखिलं वदन्ति मार्गसहायं मम देव देव॥

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

Meaningजो एक और अनेक का विचार करते हैं, जो एक होकर भी विभु तथा भिन्न-भिन्न अनन्त रूपों वाले हैं, जिन्हें सब एकाक्षर (ॐ) कहते हैं — हे मेरे देवों के देव, मेरी यात्रा के सहायक बनो।

Verse 6#

Yam Brahma-mukhyaah Sura-varya-ganyaa Dhyaayanti Yogena Sadaa Muneendraah

यं ब्रह्ममुख्याः सुरवर्यगण्या ध्यायन्ति योगेन सदा मुनीन्द्राः। सर्वेश्वरं सर्वहितावहं तं मार्गसहायं मम देव देव॥

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

Meaningजिनका ब्रह्मा आदि श्रेष्ठ देवगण तथा मुनीन्द्र सदा योग द्वारा ध्यान करते हैं, जो सर्वेश्वर तथा सबका हित करने वाले हैं — हे मेरे देवों के देव, मेरी यात्रा के सहायक बनो।

Verse 7#

Panchananam Phala-vilochanam Va Phaneendra-haram Pralayanalaabham

पञ्चाननं फालविलोचनं वा फणीन्द्रहारं प्रलयानलाभम्। भस्माङ्गरागं भवनाशनं तं मार्गसहायं मम देव देव॥

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

Meaningजो पंचमुख हैं, जिनके ललाट पर नेत्र है, जो नागराज की माला धारण करते हैं, जो प्रलयाग्नि के समान तेजस्वी हैं, जो भस्म से अंगराग किए हुए तथा संसार के नाशक हैं — हे मेरे देवों के देव, मेरी यात्रा के सहायक बनो।

Verse 8#

Yo Bhoota-natho Bhuvanaadhipo Va Yo Vamadevo Bhagavan-Mahesha

यो भूतनाथो भुवनाधिपो वा यो वामदेवो भगवान्महेशः। यो रुद्ररूपः तु शूलपाणिः मार्गसहायं मम देव देव॥

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

Meaningजो भूतनाथ और भुवनों के अधिपति हैं, जो वामदेव, भगवान महेश हैं, जो रुद्ररूप शूलपाणि हैं — हे मेरे देवों के देव, मेरी यात्रा के सहायक बनो।

Verse 9#

Yasyanghri-padmaat-sura-sindhur-adau Yasyottamaangaad-vidhu-gaanga-toyam

यस्याङ्घ्रिपद्मात्सुरसिन्धुरादौ यस्योत्तमाङ्गाद्विधुगाङ्गतोयम्। यो दक्षिणामूर्तिरनेकरूपः मार्गसहायं मम देव देव॥

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

Meaningजिनके चरणकमल से आदि में देवनदी (गंगा) प्रकट हुई, जिनके उत्तमांग (मस्तक) से चन्द्रमा-सी उज्ज्वल गंगा का जल बहता है, जो अनेक रूपों वाले दक्षिणामूर्ति हैं — हे मेरे देवों के देव, मेरी यात्रा के सहायक बनो।

Word-by-Word Breakdown

शम्भो
Shambho
O Shambhu — the source of auspiciousness and bliss (Shiva)
महादेव
Mahadeva
The great god, the supreme deity
देवेश
Devesha
Lord of the gods
मार्गसहायं
Marga-sahayam
Companion and helper on the path / journey — the protector of travellers
मम देव देव
Mama Deva Deva
O my Lord, O God of gods
फणिकुण्डलं
Phani-kundalam
One who wears serpents as ear-ornaments
नागेन्द्रहारं
Nagendra-haram
One who wears the king of serpents as a garland
चन्द्रार्धचूडं
Chandrardha-choodam
One who bears the half-moon (crescent) on his crest
अमृतस्वरूपं
Amrita-svaroopam
One whose very nature is immortal nectar
करुणाकटाक्षम्
Karunaa-kataksham
One whose sidelong glance is full of compassion
गङ्गाधरं
Gangadharam
The bearer of the river Ganga (in his locks)
चिदानन्दमयं
Chid-ananda-mayam
One who is full of consciousness and bliss
गुणातीतम्
Gunaateetam
One who is beyond the three gunas (qualities of nature)
प्रपन्नार्तिहरं
Prapannarti-haram
One who removes the suffering of those who take refuge in him
एकाक्षरं
Ekaaksharam
The single imperishable syllable (Om), the One Absolute
सर्वेश्वरं
Sarveshvaram
The lord of all
पञ्चाननं
Panchananam
The five-faced one (Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha, Ishana)
भस्माङ्गरागं
Bhasmanga-raagam
One whose body is anointed with sacred ash
भवनाशनं
Bhava-nashanam
The destroyer of worldly bondage (samsara)
शूलपाणिः
Shoolapaanih
One who holds the trident in his hand
दक्षिणामूर्तिः
Dakshinamoortih
Dakshinamurti — Shiva as the silent supreme teacher

Origin & History

Source: Composed by Sri Appayya Dikshita (Shaiva devotional literature)

Author: Appayya Dikshita

Period: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Margabandhu Stotram mean?
'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.
Who composed the Margabandhu Stotram?
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.
When should one chant the Margabandhu Stotram?
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.
What is the meaning of the refrain 'Marga-sahayam Mama Deva Deva'?
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.

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