Subrahmanya Ashtottara Shata Namavali
A litany of 108 names of Lord Subrahmanya (Skanda, Murugan), each preceded by Om and followed by namah, chanted for blessings and devotion.
Verses
Dhyāna & Invocation
Opening meditation and sacred mantra invoking divine presence before the 108 names.
He is Subrahmanya, the unborn, the peaceful, the ever-youthful, the abode of compassion, adorned with a crown, necklace, armlets, and jeweled earrings.
Verse Dhyāna 1
He who has six faces, six pairs of arms, wielding the spear and other weapons, with a smiling face and serene appearance, ever praised by the wise.
Verse Dhyāna 2
He is the lord of the life of Valli Devi, the bestower of desired boons, seated comfortably on a lion throne, radiant like a crore of suns. I meditate with constant devotion on Guha, the commander of the divine army.
Verse Dhyāna 3
The 108 Sacred Names
The 108 sacred names of the Deity, canonically chanted with 'Om' and 'Namah' for Archana and Japa.
Om, salutations to Skanda.
Verse 1
Om, salutations to Guha, the one who dwells in the cave of the heart.
Verse 2
Om, salutations to the six-faced one.
Verse 3
Om, salutations to the son of the one with the eye on the forehead, Lord Shiva.
Verse 4
Om, salutations to the supreme Lord, the source of all.
Verse 5
Om, salutations to the tawny-hued one.
Verse 6
Om, salutations to the son of the Krittika mothers, the Pleiades.
Verse 7
Om, salutations to the one whose vehicle is the peacock.
Verse 8
Om, salutations to the one with twelve arms.
Verse 9
Om, salutations to the twelve-eyed one, whose six faces each have two eyes.
Verse 10
Om, salutations to the wielder of the spear.
Verse 11
Om, salutations to the destroyer of flesh-eating demons.
Verse 12
Om, salutations to the slayer of the demon Taraka.
Verse 13
Om, salutations to the crusher of the army of demons.
Verse 14
Om, salutations to the joyful one.
Verse 15
Om, salutations to the ever-ecstatic one.
Verse 16
Om, salutations to the intensely ecstatic one.
Verse 17
Om, salutations to the one who well protects the army of the gods.
Verse 18
Om, salutations to the commander of the divine army.
Verse 19
Om, salutations to the supremely wise one.
Verse 20
Om, salutations to the compassionate one.
Verse 21
Om, salutations to the one who is affectionate to his devotees.
Verse 22
Om, salutations to the son of Uma.
Verse 23
Om, salutations to the wielder of the spear.
Verse 24
Om, salutations to the ever-youthful one.
Verse 25
Om, salutations to the one who split the Krauncha mountain.
Verse 26
Om, salutations to the general of the army.
Verse 27
Om, salutations to the one born from Agni, the fire-god.
Verse 28
Om, salutations to Vishakha.
Verse 29
Om, salutations to the son of Shankara, Lord Shiva.
Verse 30
Om, salutations to the lord of all that is auspicious, the master of Shiva.
Verse 31
Om, salutations to the lord of the Ganas, the attendants of Shiva.
Verse 32
Om, salutations to the lord of all.
Verse 33
Om, salutations to the eternal one.
Verse 34
Om, salutations to the one of infinite power.
Verse 35
Om, salutations to the unshakable one.
Verse 36
Om, salutations to the beloved son of Parvati.
Verse 37
Om, salutations to the son of Ganga.
Verse 38
Om, salutations to the one born from the arrow of reeds in the Sharavana forest.
Verse 39
Om, salutations to the one who is worshipped with offerings.
Verse 40
Om, salutations to the son of Pavaka, the fire-god.
Verse 41
Om, salutations to the expansive one.
Verse 42
Om, salutations to the one who expands greatly.
Verse 43
Om, salutations to the one who expands upward and shines forth.
Verse 44
Om, salutations to the one praised by the lotus-seated Lord Brahma.
Verse 45
Om, salutations to the one of one color.
Verse 46
Om, salutations to the one of two colors.
Verse 47
Om, salutations to the one of three colors.
Verse 48
Om, salutations to the one who is supremely beautiful and captivating.
Verse 49
Om, salutations to the one of four colors.
Verse 50
Om, salutations to the one of five colors.
Verse 51
Om, salutations to the lord of all creatures.
Verse 52
Om, salutations to the lord of the day, the radiant one.
Verse 53
Om, salutations to the one who has fire in his womb.
Verse 54
Om, salutations to the one born from the Shami tree.
Verse 55
Om, salutations to the one whose seed is the entire universe.
Verse 56
Om, salutations to the slayer of the enemies of the gods.
Verse 57
Om, salutations to the green-hued one.
Verse 58
Om, salutations to the one who bestows auspiciousness.
Verse 59
Om, salutations to the wealthy one.
Verse 60
Om, salutations to the one who wears the form of a celibate youth.
Verse 61
Om, salutations to the nourisher.
Verse 62
Om, salutations to the one who is a ray of light, the radiant one.
Verse 63
Om, salutations to the profound and incomprehensible one.
Verse 64
Om, salutations to the one with the complexion of the moon.
Verse 65
Om, salutations to the one who holds the digit of the moon.
Verse 66
Om, salutations to the one who wields the power of illusion.
Verse 67
Om, salutations to the great illusionist.
Verse 68
Om, salutations to the one who is absolute oneness.
Verse 69
Om, salutations to the son of Shankara, Lord Shiva.
Verse 70
Om, salutations to the womb of the universe.
Verse 71
Om, salutations to the immeasurable self.
Verse 72
Om, salutations to the treasure of brilliance.
Verse 73
Om, salutations to the flawless one, free from all disease.
Verse 74
Om, salutations to the supreme lord.
Verse 75
Om, salutations to the supreme Brahman.
Verse 76
Om, salutations to the one in whom the Vedas abide.
Verse 77
Om, salutations to the son of the cosmic being, Virat.
Verse 78
Om, salutations to the husband of the Pulinda maiden, Valli.
Verse 79
Om, salutations to the one who embodies the great vow of Saraswati.
Verse 80
Om, salutations to the bestower of all things to those who take refuge.
Verse 81
Om, salutations to the destroyer of thieves.
Verse 82
Om, salutations to the destroyer of diseases.
Verse 83
Om, salutations to the one of infinite form.
Verse 84
Om, salutations to bliss personified.
Verse 85
Om, salutations to the one whose banner is the peacock feather.
Verse 86
Om, salutations to the majestic one.
Verse 87
Om, salutations to the supremely majestic one.
Verse 88
Om, salutations to the greatly majestic one.
Verse 89
Om, salutations to the one who is strong as a bull.
Verse 90
Om, salutations to the one who assumed a body for a divine purpose.
Verse 91
Om, salutations to the one whose form transcends all causes.
Verse 92
Om, salutations to the independent one, subject to none.
Verse 93
Om, salutations to the immortal one.
Verse 94
Om, salutations to the life force.
Verse 95
Om, salutations to the ultimate object of breath control.
Verse 96
Om, salutations to the slayer of adversaries.
Verse 97
Om, salutations to the slayer of heroic enemies.
Verse 98
Om, salutations to the one with a red and dark throat.
Verse 99
Om, salutations to the one with a dark neck.
Verse 100
Om, salutations to the great one.
Verse 101
Om, salutations to Subrahmanya.
Verse 102
Om, salutations to the one who delights in seclusion.
Verse 103
Om, salutations to the one who is the supreme Brahman.
Verse 104
Om, salutations to the one who loves the brahmins.
Verse 105
Om, salutations to the one who is known through the Vedas.
Verse 106
Om, salutations to the bestower of imperishable fruits.
Verse 107
Om, salutations to the glorious Lord Subrahmanya, accompanied by Valli and Devasena.
Verse 108
Concluding Verses & Colophon
Traditional closing verses, dedicating the recitation to the Divine.
Thus concludes the hundred and eight names of Subrahmanya.
Verse Colophon
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This text is a traditional Hindu devotional hymn known as an ashtottara shata namavali — a litany of 108 sacred names of Lord Subrahmanya (also called Skanda, Murugan, or Kartikeya). It is chanted as a form of prayer and meditation, often during puja or on auspicious days dedicated to the deity. The names praise Subrahmanya's divine attributes, his role as the commander of the celestial army, and his loving relationship with his devotees. This namavali is part of the wider Skanda worship tradition, especially prominent in South India.
Did You Know?
Structure and Purpose
This text is a "namavali" — a litany of 108 sacred names of Lord Subrahmanya (also known as Murugan, Skanda, or Kartikeya). It opens with a meditation verse (dhyana) that describes his six faces, twelve arms, and radiant form, then proceeds through each name prefixed with "Om" and ending with "namah" (salutation). Devotees chant these names as a form of prayer, often for protection, wisdom, and fulfillment of wishes.
Mythological highlights
Many names refer to key stories of Subrahmanya. 'Tarakasura Samhartre' (name no. 13) marks him as the slayer of the demon Taraka, a story told in the Skanda Purana, while 'Krauncha Darana' recalls his piercing of the Krauncha mountain with his spear. 'Shaktidhara' (bearer of the spear) and 'Shikhi Vahana' (whose vehicle is a peacock) are also iconic.
Multiple Birth Narratives
The names reveal several traditions about Subrahmanya's origin. He is called "Umāsuta" (son of Parvati), "Shankarātmaja" (son of Shiva), "Gangāsuta" (son of the river Ganga), and "Agni-janman" (born from fire) or "Pāvakātmaja" (son of Agni). This reflects the diverse Puranic accounts of his birth, including the famous story of his being created from Shiva's fiery seed and nurtured by the Krittika stars.
Color and Form Descriptions
A unique set of names describes his complexion in stages: "Ekavarna" (one color), "Dvivarna" (two colors), up to "Panchavarna" (five colors). Other color-related names include "Haridvarna" (greenish or yellow) and "Chandravarna" (moon-colored). These may correspond to different iconographic forms or meditative visualizations.
Consorts and Family
The final name in the list includes "Valli Devasena Sameta" — together with his two consorts, Valli and Devasena. This emphasizes his role as a householder deity and a beloved son of Shiva and Parvati. The names "Bhaktavatsala" (lover of devotees) and "Kripalu" (compassionate) highlight his approachable, grace-giving nature.
Murugan
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