ಮಾರ್ಗಬನ್ಧುಸ್ತೋತ್ರಮ್

Margabandhu Stotram composed by Appayya Dikshitendra. Sri Margabandhu Pancharatnamala or Pancharatnastavam. Margabandhu Stotram. O Shambho! Mahadeva (Great God)! Deva (Lord)! O Shambho! Mahadeva! Devesha (Lord of Gods)! Shambho!

I worship the Friend of the Journey (Margabandhu), whose crown bends low on His forehead, who burnt the insect-like five-arrowed God of Love (Kamadeva) with the fire of His forehead eye. (Variation: whose crown shines on His forehead, who burnt the insect-like flower-arrowed God of Love with the fire of His forehead eye). He who destroys the hordes of enemies with His trident, the pure one, who wears the half-moon on His crest. O Shambho! Mahadeva! Deva! O Shambho! Mahadeva! Devesha! Shambho!

I worship the Friend of the Journey, on whose body shines the serpent, whose supreme head is made beautiful by the waves of the heavenly river Ganga. He who is the deer roaming in the garden of Omkara, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the Siddhas. (Variation: the deer in the garden of Hreemkara, the pure one). O Shambho! Mahadeva! Deva! O Shambho! Mahadeva! Devesha! Shambho!

I worship the divine, good Friend of the Journey, who is eternal, whose form is consciousness and bliss, who destroys the prowess of the enemies of the lords of all worlds. He who has the golden mountain (Meru) as His bow, and who wears garments of skin. O Shambho! Mahadeva! Deva! O Shambho! Mahadeva! Devesha! Shambho!

I worship the Friend of the Journey, the Lord who destroyed the pride of Kandarpa (Cupid), who has a black throat (from the poison), the great Lord (Mahesha), whose hair is the great sky. He whose teeth are like jasmine flowers, the Lord of gods, who shines with the brilliance of millions of suns. O Shambho! Mahadeva! Deva! O Shambho! Mahadeva! Devesha! Shambho!

I worship the Friend of the Journey, who is generous like the Mandara tree to those who seek Him, who has the strength of the Mandara mountain, who is never far from the great Goddess Gauri. He whose spreading radiance surpasses the redness of vermilion (Sindoor), and who is extremely resolute like the king of oceans. (Variation: whose radiance is white mixed with vermilion). O Shambho! Mahadeva! Deva! O Shambho! Mahadeva! Devesha! Shambho!

Whoever recites this king of hymns composed by Appayya Dikshitendra with devotion during a journey, the easily pleased Great Lord (Ashutosha Mahesha) grants him fulfillment of his goals and fearlessness in the middle of the path. (Variation: Whoever recites this generous five-gem hymn of Margabandhu, composed by the best of sacrificers Appayya, daily with devotion, liberation in the form of Sayujya (union) is in his very hands.) O Shambho! Mahadeva! Deva! O Shambho! Mahadeva! Devesha! Shambho!