Margabandhu Stotram: A protective shield during the journey

Since time immemorial, our elders have been using sacred mantras and hymns before starting their journey. Is it superstition? Do you think it is orthodox, fogey and bourgeois? Well, it is not. Now the science has proved that hymns and mantras have energy that affects us. 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.

What if a sacred mantra can help you overcome your fears and anxiety during travelling? We would say it is astonishing. There is a sacred hymn for all the protection you need during your journey. Appayya Dikshita or Vinayaka Subramanian was a yogi famous for his work on Shiva Advaita philosophy. He was born in 1520 C.E.

Appayya Dikshita composed Margabandhu Stotram. Marg means route or path, Bandhu means brother or friend. Stotram means hymn. One can interpret that travelling could mean the journey of life as well.

Margabandhu Sotram lyrics and Margabandhu Stotram meaning in English.

Shambho Mahadeva Deva

Shiva Shambho Mahadeva Devesha Shambho

Shambho Mahadeva deva

Meaning : Salutations to the Great God Shiva, I bow to you, O God of the Gods

Phalavalamrat kireetam

Phalanetrarchi sha dagdha pancheshu-keetam

Shulaa hataarati kutam

Shuddha mardhendhu chudam bhaje Margabandhum

Meaning : O the one who wears a crown on the head. He who burnt the insect-like one holding the five arrows (Lord Kamadeva) with the fire from his third eye, who annihilated his enemies with his Trident The purest one, the one who wears a crescent moon on his head, I bow to you, Lord Margabandhu

Ange virajad bhujamgam

Abra ganga tarangadi raamotta mangam

Omkara vatee kurangam

Siddha samsevitamghrim bhaje Margabandhum

Meaning : O the one who wears serpents as ornaments on his limbs. The waves of the celestial Ganga makes his head charming.He is like a deer in the garden of Omkara Siddha worship your feet, I bow to you, Lord Margabandhu.

Nithyam chidananda rupam

Nihnu tashesha Lokesha vairi pratapam

Kartaswa ragendra chapam

Kruttivasam bhaje divya sanmarga bandhum

Meaning : The eternal one and the manifestation of pure consciousness. The one who removed pride of Ravan, the enemy of Indra. The one who used Mountain Meru as a bow. The one who wears the skins and bark of trees, I bow to you, the companion of those who chooses the path of righteousness.

Kandarpa darpagna meesam

Kalakantham mahesham mahavyoma-kesam

Kundaabhadantam suresham

Koti surya prakasam bhaje Margabhandhu

Meaning : O the great one, who destroyed the pride of Kandarpa.The blue-throated one, the Great God, who has the great sky as his hairs. Whose teeth have the lustre of jasmine, O the God of Devas. The one who has the light of millions of suns, I bow to you, Lord Margabandhu.

Mandaara bhuteru daram

Mandaragendra saram maha gaurya duram

Sindhura dura pracharam

Sindhu rajadhi dheeram bhaje Margabandhum

Meaning : You are more benignant in bestowing the wishes than the wish-fulfilling trees. Who is stronger than Mandara Mountain, the one consort to the Goddess Maha Gauri. The one in the red colour far more intense than the red vermilion. The one more resolute than the God of Oceans, I bow to you Lord Margabandhu.

Appayya Yajwendra geetam

Stotra rajam pathedyasthu Bhakthya prayane

Tasyardha siddhim viddatthe

Margha madhye bhayam chasu tosho Maheshaha

Meaning : This divine hymn by Appayya, the performer of great yajnas, This hymn is most potent amongst all the Stotras, those who recite it in their journey, their wishes will be granted During their journey, or when they are scared, they will be protected by the Great Maheshwara.

Shambho Mahadeva deva

Shiva Shambho Mahadeva devesha Shambho

Shambho Mahadeva deva

Iti Shri Appayya Deekshitha praneetham Shri

Margabandhu Stotram Sampoornam

Meaning : Here the Margabandhu Stotram written by Shri Appayya Deekshithar ends

Margabandhu Stotram Benefits:

Deva means “light”, Mahadeva means “Great Light”. Saturn is the darkness and fear, so you need the light of Shiva to dispel the darkness. This hymn is in honour of God Shiva as “Margabandeswarar”. Saturn fasting can let you live a happy life.

When you recite this Margabandhu Stotram hymn during travel, Lord Shiva as Margabandhu offers complete protection

to his devotees. Listen or recite this Stotram to overcome your fears and anxiety.