“Subramanya Bhujangam: A masterpiece of Devotion and Spirituality by Adi Shankaracharya”, Indica Today, November 15, 2025
“The Subramanya Bhujangam is a timeless Sanskrit hymn composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Lord Subramanya, the divine son of Shiva and Parvati. Legend has it that it was composed in the praise of Sri Subramanya Swamy of Tiruchendur. Tiruchendur is a small town in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. It is an important pilgrimage centre for all devotees of Lord Skanda. According to a legend in Skanda Purana, it is at Tiruchendur that Lord Subramanya slayed the demon Surapadman. Sri Adi Shankaracharya has written many Stotra-s in praise of various deities. Predominant among them are the Mahishasura-Mardini Stotram, Saundarya Lahari, Lakshmi-Nrisimha Karavalamba Stotram, Vishnu Shat-padi, Ganesh Pancharatnam, Sivananda Lahari. They are all beautiful compositions filled with poetic outbursts of devotion and profound explorations of Advaita Vedanta. Subramanya Bhujangam too is a profound expression of devotion, combining poetic beauty with deep spiritual insight, making it a cherished text for devotees and spiritual seekers alike. Subramanya Bhujangam stands out among Adi Shankaracharya’s major devotional compositions due to its unique link to an actual temple deity, intensely personal outpouring, and deft articulation of the devotee’s heart and challenges. Unlike the other Stotra-s, which highlight philosophical depth and devotional beauty, Subramanya Bhujangam is marked by moving inspiration, relatable emotions, and a heartfelt cry for rescue and solace which connects the devotee directly with the living presence of the deity of Tiruchendur at once.
The Stotram is structured into three distinct thematic sections. The opening section offers praise to the Lord and highlights the importance of invoking Sri Subramanya and seeking refuge in Him. The middle section intricately describes the divine form and attributes of Sri Subramanya. The concluding section consists of heartfelt prayers, earnestly seeking the Lord’s grace and ultimate liberation.
The Call to Refuge
At its core, Subramanya Bhujangam is a heartfelt prayer invoking the blessings and grace of Lord Subramanya, who embodies divine protection, wisdom, and grace. The hymn’s verses reverberate with intense Bhakti, portraying the Lord as a compassionate divine guide who dispels fears and grants spiritual victory. Each shloka resonates with reverence, inspiring the devotee to surrender and seek refuge in the Lord. In today’s chaotic world where our minds are filled with confusions, anxiety, and stress, Subramanya Bhujangam in many of its verses is a direct call to the Lord to come and dispel such negative emotions from our mind. Lord Subramanya is not only the Commander-in-Chief of the army of the Deva-s, but He is also the commander of the inner armies of our mind and intellect ever at war with negative emotions and baser thoughts. Lord Subramanya is a protective deity who not only protects the cosmos from evil entities but also our inner world from negative and degrading influences. Sri Adi Shankaracharya in his Vishnu Sahasranama commentary observes, Austerity, Veda-s, Brahmins, and Knowledge are called Brahman. The Lord is Subramanya because he is very well skilled in protecting these. The essence of Subramanya is a grace that protects the fundamentals of Vedic religion……”
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