Margabandhu Stotram - A Prayer To Lord Siva To Show The Right Path

By Appayya Deekshithar
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

This great Stotra Rathna was written by Appayya Deekshitha (1520-1593). He was the greatest interpreter of Advaita Siddhanta after Adi Sankara. This stotra is written in praise of the Lord Margabandhu of Virinchipuram, near Vellore of South Arcot district of Tamil Nadu. People who undertake any journey should recite it before traveling, on the days when they are traveling and after the completion of travel. Lord Shiva as Margabandhu would always be with them and protect them.

Shambho Maha deva deva, Shiva
Shambho Maha deva devesa Shambho,
Shambho Mahadeva deva.

Prostrations to He who blesses us with prosperity,
Prostrations to the greatest God,
Prostrations to the abode of peace,
Prostrations to Him, who blesses us with riches,
And Prostrations to him who is the God of Gods.

(To make it readable I have added the word Prostrations which is a hidden word in the above sloka. This sloka has to be recited every time immediately after reciting the five verses given below)

Phalavanamrath kireetam,
Phala nethrachisha, Dagdha pancheshu Keetam,
Soolahathaaraathikootam, Shudhamradhendu choodam,
Bhaje Margabandhum 1 (Shambho Mahadeva deva…)

I pray to that friend of the path,
Who wears a crown on his head,
Who kills his enemies by his trident,
Who wears a crescent which showers nectar,
And who burnt by the fire of his eyes,
Which are on his forehead,
Him who has the five arrows like an insect.
(Prostrations to he who blesses….)

(Manmatha, the lord of love has five flower arrows –lotus, Asoka, mango, jasmine and the blue lotus. Lord Shiva killed him by the fire generated by his third eye.)

Ange virjangu jangam,
Abhra Ganga tharangabhi Ramothamangam,
Omkaravati kurangam, Sidha samsevathangrivyagram,
Bhaje Margabandum (Shambho Mahadeva…) 2

I pray to that friend of the path,
Whose limbs are adorned by a snake,
Who is a deer in the park of holy pranava,
Whose feet is worshipped by great sages,
And who looks charming with his head,
Adorned by the Ganga of the sky,
(Prostrations to he who blesses….)

(Pranava is the holy letter “Om”. Akasa Ganga resides on the Head of Lord Shiva)

Nithyam, Chidanada roopam,
Ninhutha sesha lokesa vairi prathapam,
Kartheswaragendrachapam, krithivasam,
Bhaje divya sanmarga bandhum (Shambo mahadeva deva…) 3

I pray to that friend of the good divine path,
Who is perennial and of the form of,
Truth, intelligence and bliss,
Who destroyed without reminder,
The glory of the fame of the enemy of Indra,
Who used the golden Mount Meru,
As his bow in the war against three asuras,
And who dresses himself in hides of trees.
(Prostrations to he who blesses….)

(Shiva destroyed the pride of Ravana when he visited his abode. He used Mount Meru as his bow to win over the Tripuras)

Kandarpa darpagna meesam,
Kala kantam Mahesam Maha vyoma kesam,
Kundabhadandam Suresam, Koti surya prakasam,
Bhajhe Marga bandhum. (Shambho mahadeva deva…) 4

I pray to that friend of the path,
Who put an end to the pride of God of love,
Who is the great Lord who has a deep blue throat,
Who has the great sky as his matted lock,
Whose teeth resemble the white jasmine flowers,
And who has the shine of billions of Suns.
(Prostrations to he who blesses….)

Mandara Bhutherydaram, Mandaragendrasaaram, Mahagouryudooram,
Sindhoora dhoora pracharam, Sindhoorajathi dheeram,
Bhaje Margabandhum (Shambho Mahadeva deva…) 5

I pray to that friend of the path,
Who is more generous than the wish giving tree,
Who is the strength behind the great Mandara Mountain,
Who is very close to the great Goddess Gauri,
Who has a red colour far intense than red lead,
And who is more resolute than the God of the ocean.
(Prostrations to he who blesses….)

(Mandara Mountain was used to churn the ocean of milk.)

Phala Sruthi

Appayyajjwendra Geetham stotra rajam,
Patedhyasthu Bhakthya prayane,
Thasyartha sidhim Vidathe , marga madhye
Abhayam chaashuthosho Mahesa (Shambho Maha deva Shambho…)

Narration of Benefit

This king of stotras written by,
Appayya who is the performer of sacrifices,
If read with devotion during journey,
Would ensure fulfillment of wishes,
Protection during journey,
And Lord Shiva would be easily pleased.