ॐ शरवणभव मंत्र (सुब्रह्मण्य षडक्षर) — 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
ॐ। शरवणभव को नमन — वे भगवान जो शरवण (सरकंडों के दिव्य वन) में प्रकट हुए, जहाँ शिव के नेत्र से निकली छह दिव्य चिंगारियाँ छह मुख वाले स्कन्द के रूप में पोषित हुईं। (यह मंत्र तीन प्रचलित रूपों में जपा जाता है: शुद्ध बीज 'ॐ शरवणभव'; नमः रूप 'ॐ सौं शरवणभवाय नमः'; तथा श्रीं, ह्रीं, क्लीं से युक्त पूर्ण बीज रूप।)
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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