Margabhandhu Stothram - A Mantra for Safe Journey

Hi viewer, welcome to my blog on Margabhandhu stotram.

Let us first orient our thoughts on Lord Shiva with this lovely song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIYxerY42zU&list=WL&index=3

This great work of Margabhandhu Stotram was authored by Sri Appaya Deekshidar.

Appaya's History:

The forefathers of Appaya Dikshitar were great Shiva bhaktas and great scholars well versed in all the shastras and smrithis. Appaya Dikshitar’s great grandfather was Sri Achan Dikshitar who was a great scholar patronized by Sri Krishnadeva Raya, the famous King of Vijayanagar Empire. In order to save a young Vaishnavite girl named Thotamba from being married to an old man he had to marry her as his second wife. She bore him a son named Rengarajadhwari. He was a symbol of Unity of a Vaishnavite and Saivite family. Sri Rengarajadhwari had no issues for a long time. On the advice of elders and relatives he went to Chidambaram and led a life of penance and prayer for a period of six years. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Nataraja, the presiding deity of Chidambaram Temple blessed him with a son who was named Vinayakasubramanya Sarma but was affectionately called as “Appa” or “Appaya” which name struck to him later. Appaya was born in Adayapalam a village near Arani in the North Arcot district in the year 1554 A.D.

Appayya Dikshitar was the greatest interpreter of Advaita Siddhanta after Adi Sankara.  He composed Margabandhu Stotram in Sanskrit language, in praise of his family diety, Lord Shiva as Margha Sahayeswarar at Virinchipuram, near Vellore, in South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu. "Marga" means route or path, "Bandhu" means companion or guardian. Lord Shiva is considered here as a companion during travel time and this stotram is generally recited while embarking on a long journey, to ward against unforseen challenges. One can interpret that travelling could also mean the journey of life as well and consider Lord Shiva as a protector throughout our lives, while we travel through the ocean of "samsara sagara".

Sri Appayya has fully conveyed to the readers the thoughts of Sri Sankara in his inexhaustible commentaries on the Brahma Sutras and other Advaitic texts. Appayya Dikshitar is the reputed author of more than a hundred and four works, representative of all branches of knowledge Appayya Dikshitar’s masterly works, Sivarkamani Dipika and Parimala, dealing with Sivadvaita and Advaita, speak of Appayya’s distinguished ability in expounding both the philosophies. Appayya Dikshitar is considered as an Avatar of Lord Siva, much like Adi Shankara.

Appaya Deekshidar

Margabhandhu Stotram

Please click the follwing link to listen to this stotram:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af5KALv56aU

Verses

   शम्भो महादेव देव, शम्भो महादेव देवेश शम्भो
शम्भो महादेव देव ॥

Shambho Maha deva deva, 

Shiva Shambho Maha deva devesa Shambho, Shambho Maha deva deva, 

Shiva Shambho Maha deva devesa Shambho, Shambho Mahadeva deva 

ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| ஶிவ ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவேஶ ஶம்போ| 

ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ|

Meaning 

My prostrations to the great Lord Shiva, who is the greatest of all Gods and the Lord of all Devas.

Verse 1

      भालावनम्रत्किरीटं भालनेत्रार्चिषा दग्धपञ्चेषुकीटम्  ।
     (भालप्रदीच्यात्किरीटं भालनेत्रार्चिषा दग्धपुष्पेषुकीटम्)
      शूलाहतारातिकूटं शुद्धमर्धेन्दुचूडं भजे मार्गबन्धुम् ।
      शम्भो महादेव देव, शम्भो महादेव देवेश शम्भो ॥ १॥

Phala vanamrath kireetam, Phala nethra chisha-

dag dhapanche shuKeetam, Soola hatha araathi-kootam- , 

Shudha mradhendu choodam, Bhaje Margabandhum 

(Shambo Mahadeva)

பாலாவனம்ரத்கிரீடம், பாலநேத்ரார்சிஷா தக்தபஞ்சேஷுகீடம்|

ஶூலாஹதாராதிகூடம், ஶுத்தமர்தேந்துசூடம் பஜே மார்கபந்தும். 

ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| ஶிவ ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவேஶ ஶம்போ| 

ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| 

Meaning 

My prostrations to the great Lord Shiva, who wears a crown on His head; who destroyed Manmatha (who holds five arrows made of flowers -lotus, Asoka, mango, jasmine  and  blue lotus) like an insect by the fires from His third eye; who kills His enemies using His weapon Soolam (trident); who wears the crescent moon on His head which showers nectar. I bow to you Margabhandhu.

Verse 2

अङ्गे विराजद्भुजङ्गं अभ्रगङ्गातरङ्गाभिरामोत्तमाङ्गम् ।
  ओंकारवाटीकुरङ्गं सिद्धसंसेविताङ्घ्रिं भजे मार्गबन्धुम् । 
     शम्भो महादेव देव, शम्भो महादेव देवेश शम्भो ॥ २॥

Ange-virjan-gujangam, Abhra Ganga tharang-abhi Ramo-thamangam, 

Omkara-vati kurangam, Sidha sam-sevathan grivya gram Bhajhe Margabandum (Shambho Mahadeva deva.) 

அங்கே விராஜத்புஜங்கம், அப்ரகங்காதரங்காபிராமோத்தமாங்கம். 
ஓங்காரவாடீகுரங்கம், ஸித்தஸம்ஸேவிதாங்க்ரிம் பஜே மார்கபந்தும்.
ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| ஶிவ ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவேஶ ஶம்போ| 

ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| 

Meaning 

I bow to Lord Margababdhu, who adorns Himself with snakes all over His body; whose matted hair is further beautified by the waves of the flowing Ganga; He is like a deer in the forest of Pranavam; whose holy feet are always worshipped by many Sidda purushas.

Verse 3

      नित्यम् चिदानन्दरूपं निह्नुताशेषलोकेशवैरिप्रतापम् ।
      कार्तस्वरागेन्द्रचापं कृत्तिवासं भजे दिव्यसन्मार्गबन्धुम् ।
      शम्भो महादेव देव, शम्भो महादेव देवेश शम्भो ॥ ३॥

Nithyam, Chidanada roopam, Ninhu-thase shaloke savairi prathapam, 

Karthe-swaragendra chapam, krithi-vasam, Bhajhe divya sanmarga bandhum  (Shambho Mahadeva deva) 

நித்யம் சிதானந்தரூபம், நிஹ்னுதாஶேஷலோகேஶவைரிப்ரதாபம் . 
கார்தஸ்வராங்கேந்த்ரசாபம், க்ருத்திவாஸம் பஜே திவ்யஸன்மார்கபந்தும்| 
ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| ஶிவ ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவேஶ ஶம்போ| 

ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| 

Meaning

I bow to Lord Margabandhu, who is the form of eternal bliss and pure consciousness; who completely destroyed the pride of king of Lokas, Ravana, the enemy of Indra; who used the Mount Meru as a bow during the battle with Tripurasuras;  who wears the hides of trees as a clothing and who protects those who choose the path of righteousness. 

Verse 4

कन्दर्पदर्पघ्नमीशं कालकण्ठं महेशं महाव्योमकेशम् ।
      कुन्दाभदन्तं सुरेशं कोटिसूर्यप्रकाशं भजे मार्गबन्धुम् ।
      शम्भो महादेव देव, शम्भो महादेव देवेश शम्भो ॥ ४॥

Kandarpa-dar-pagna meesam, Kala kantam Mahesam Maha vyoma kesam, 

Kunda bhadan-dam Suresam, Koti surya prakasam, Bhajhe Marga bandhum.

 (Shambho Mahadeva deva) 

கந்தர்பதர்பக்னமீஶம், காலகண்டம் மஹேஶம் மஹாவ்யோமகேஶம். 
குந்தாபதந்தம் ஸுரேஶம், கோடிஸூர்யப்ரகாஶம் பஜே மார்கபந்தும். 
ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| ஶிவ ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவேஶ ஶம்போ| 

ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| 

Meaning 

I bow to you Lord Margabandhu, who destroyed the pride of Kandarpa (Manmada); who has a deep blue throat; who is Lord Maheshwara, the Lord of all Gods; who has the great sky (space) itself as his matted hair; whose teeth shine like the jasmine flower; who is the Lord of all Devas (Suresha); who shines brightly like billions of suns. I bow to you, Lord Margabandhu.

Verse 5

      मन्दारभूतेरुदारं मन्दरागेन्द्रसारं महागौर्यदूरम् ।
      सिन्दूरदूरप्रचारं सिन्धुराजातिधीरं भजे मार्गबन्धुम् । (सिन्दूरगौरप्रचारं)
      शम्भो महादेव देव, शम्भो महादेव देवेश शम्भो ॥ ५॥

 Mandara Bhuthery-daram, Mandaragendra saaram, Maha gouryu dooram, Sindhoora dhoora pracharam, Sindhoora jathi dheeram, Bhaje Margabandhum (Shambo Mahadeva deva) 

மந்தாரபூதேருதாரம், மந்தராகேந்த்ரஸாரம் மஹாகௌர்யதூரம். 
ஸிந்தூரதூரப்ரசாரம், ஸிந்துராஜாதிதீரம் பஜே மார்கபந்தும். 
ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| ஶிவ ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவேஶ ஶம்போ| 

ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| 

Meaning 

I bow to you Lord Margabandhu, who is more generous than the wish fulfilling heavenly (kalpataru) trees in bestowing our wishes; who is the essence of the strength of the noble Mandara Mountain (which was used to churn the ocean); who is the one close to His consort Goddess Maha Gauri; who is the one in the red colour, that is far intense than the red lead; who is the one with high determination than the Lord of Oceans. I bow to you, Lord Margabandhu.

Phalasruthi 

अप्पय्ययज्ज्वेन्द्र गीतं स्तोत्रराजं पठेद्यस्तु भक्त्या प्रयाणे ।
      तस्यार्थसिद्धिं विधत्ते मार्गमध्येऽभयं चाशुतोषो महेशः ।
     (अप्पय्ययमखिवर्यरचितं पञ्चरत्नस्तवं मार्गबन्धोरुदारम् ।
      नित्यं पठेद्यस्तु भक्त्या तस्य मुक्तिः करस्यैव सायुज्यरूपम् ।)
      शम्भो महादेव देव, शम्भो महादेव देवेश शम्भो ॥ ६॥

Appay-yajjwendra Geetham stotra rajam, Pate-dhyasthu Bhakthya prayane, 

Thasyar thasidhim Vidathe, marga madhyea-bhayam chaashuthosho Mahesa 

(Shambho Mahadeva deva.) 

அப்பய்யயஜ்வேந்த்ரகீதம், ஸ்தோத்ரராஜம் படேத்யஸ்து பக்த்யா ப்ரயாணே. 
தஸ்யார்தஸித்திம் விதத்தே மார்கமத்யே(அ)பயம் சா(அ)ஶுதோஷோ மஹேஶ꞉.
ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ| ஶிவ ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவேஶ ஶம்போ| 

ஶம்போ மஹாதேவ தேவ|

Meaning 

This divine hymn by Appayya is the king among all Shiva Stotras. Those who recite this during their travel will get their wishes granted immediately. Mahesa, the Lord of all Gods, will protect them in the middle of their journeys or during times of fear.

Conclusion:

This is the end of this hymn, which is also known as "panchratna", as it has five verses. In olden times when there were not many means of travelling, and usually, a journey took months, and it was not without dangers, people often prayed for safe travels. The is a sacred mantra which helps you overcome your fears and anxiety during travelling. 

Enjoy the song - "Shambho Mahadeva" - by Shaklar Mahadevan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGGW0m-LnBY

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