Skanda Sthava

Sri Skanda Sthava
[Prayer to Lord Skanda]
By Sage Vamadeva
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[A rare hymn on Lord Skanda in Shiva Purana (Kailasa Samhita, Chatper 11 titled Vamadeva Brahma Varnanam) created by Sri Vamadeva. I have attempted to translate in to English.]

Sri Vama deva Uvacha:-
1. Om nama pranavarthaya pravartha vidhayine,
Pranavakshara bheejaaya pranavaya namo nama.

Om Salutations to God who is the meaning of Pranava (Om),
To the one who explained the meaning of Pranava,
To the one who is the root of the letters of Pranava,
Salutations and salutations to the Pranava (Om).

2. Vedanthartha swaroopaya, vedanthartha Vidhayine,
Vedanthartha vidhe nithyam vidhithaaya namo nama.

Salutations to God who is the meaning of Vedantha (Philosophy),
To the one who caused Vedantha, Who follows Vedantha,
Salutation and salutations to one who daily understands it.

3. Namo Guhaya bhoothaanaam, guhasu nihithaya cha,
Guhyaya guhya roopaya Guyagama vidhe nama.

Salutations to Guha among all beings,
Who emerged himself from the cave,
Who has form which is hidden and secret of secrets,
And who was the one who explained the hidden Vedas.

4. Anor aniyase thubhyam mahathopi maheeyase,
Nama paravarajnaya Paramathma swaroopine.

Oh smaller than the smallest, greater than the greatest,
Salutations to him who is known to all and who has the form of divine soul.

5. Skandaya, Skanda roopaya mihiraruna thejase,
Namo mandara malodhyan mukutadhi bruthe sadaa.

Oh Skanda who has the form of a king, who shines like the sun at dawn,
Salutations to him who wears garland of Mandhara flowers,
And who also wears crown and other ornaments always.

6. Shiva sishyaya puthraaya shivasya shiva Dhayine,
Shiva priyaya shivayor Ananda Nidhaye Nama,

Disciple of Shiva, son of Shiva, One who gave peace to Lord Shiva,
Darling of Shiva, salutation to the treasure of joy of Lord Shiva.

7. Gangeyaya Namasthubhyam Karthikeyaya dheemathe,
Uma puthraya mahathe sarrakanana Saayine,

Salutations to son of Ganga, the very wise Karthikeya,
Son of Parvathi, the great one who rested after removing head of Brahma.

8. Shadakshara sareeraaya shadvidhatha vidhayine,
Shadvatheetha roopaaya Shan mukhaya namo nama.

Oh Good whose body is made of six letters, Oh God who brought six type of arrangements,
Oh God who was born in six forms, salutations to the six faced one.

9. Dwadasayath nethraya Dwadsodhyath baahave,
Dwadasayudha dharaya dwadasathman namosthuthe.

Oh God with twelve eyes, Oh God with twelve great hands,
Oh God who carries twelve weapons, Salutations to the one who has twelve forms.

10. Chathurbujaya shanthaaya, sakthi kukkuda dharine,
Varadaaya vihasthaya namo asura Vidharine.

Oh God with four hands, Oh God who carries a cock as well as Shakthi,
Oh God who blesses, Oh learned God, salutations to the killer of asuras.

11. Gaja valli kuchaliptha kumkumangitha vakshase,
Namo gajaan Ananda mahimaa nandithathmane

Oh God who joined with Valli due to an elephant, Oh God with saffron coated chest,
Salutations to him who is the soul of joy and fame to the elephant.

12, Brahmadhi deva muni kinnara geeyamaana,
Gaadhaa visesham suchi chinthitha Keerthi dhaamne,
Vrundarakamala kireeta vibhooshana sthrak,
Poojyaabhirama pada pankaja they namosthu.

Oh God who is sung about by Brahma, devas, sages and Kinnaras,
Oh God who asuras fame to those who greatly think of your stories,
Who decorates himself with groups of lotus as his crown,
We salute your lotus like feet which are worshipful and pretty.

Phala Sruthi

13. Ithi Skanda sthavam divyam Vamadeva bhashitham,
Ya paden srunuyaad vaapi sa yathi paramaam gathim.

If this holy prayer to Skanda composed by Vamadeva,
Is either read or heard then they would attain the ultimate way.

14. Mahapragnascha karam hyothach cchiva bhakthi vivardhanam,
Aayur aarogya dhana kruth sarva kama pradam Sadaa.

It would lead to great wisdom, devotion to Lord Shiva,
Long healthy life and wealth and fulfill all your desires.