1. smruthi.org shrI subrahmaNyA subrahmaNya bhujangam by Adi shankarAcAryA (excerpt) It is said that when shankara bhagavatpAdA meditated upon shrI subrahmaNya in the sea-side town of ThirucchendUr, he experienced the effulgent and luminous form of the Lord and extemporaneously composed the following verses in bhujanga meter.

2. smruthi.org sadA bAlarUpApi vighnAdri hantrI mahAdanti-vaktrApi panchAsyamAnyA | vidheendrAdi mrigyA gaNeshAbhidhAmE vidhattAm shriyam kApi kalyANamUrtihi || 1 Though He always sports the appearance of a child, He can crumble mountains of obstacles. Though He is elephant-faced, He is honored even by his five-faced father Shiva (the five faces refer to the the panca tatvAs: satyOjAtam, vAmadEvam, aghOram, tatpurusham and IshAnam). Lord Brahma, Indra and the other Devas seek Him so their aspirations may be fulfilled. He is known as Ganesha and He is endowed with boundless glory. May He bless me with prosperity. na jAnAmi shabdam na jAnAmi cArttham na jAnAmi padhyam na jAnAmi gadhyam | cidEkA shadAsyA hridi dhyOtatE mE mukhAnnissarantE girascApi citram || 2 I know not the science of musical sounds; nor do I know the meanings of complex texts; I know not the nature of shlOkAs composed of the four types of pAdAs (meters); nor do I know the intricacies of the gadhyam style! But in my heart, shines an effulgent light with six luminous faces, and because of this Light, surprising (amazing) phrases with musical tone and meanings pour out in extempore out of my mouth. [You are behind this, O Lord].

3. smruthi.org mayUrAdhirUDhaM mahAvAkyagUDhaM manOhAridehaM mahachchittageham | mahIdevadevaM mahAvedabhAvaM mahAdevabAlaM bhaje lokapAlam || 3|| [pratyaksha darshana shlOkam: When shrI shankara sang this verse, it is said that Lord subrahmaNya gave him darshanam.] Son of mahAdeva! Seated on the peacock chariot, being the essence of the great mahA vAkyAs, bearing a wonderfully attractive body, dwelling in the heart of great sages, O the quintessence of four vedas! Thou are indeed the Lord of the Universe. apasmArakushhTakshayArshaH prameha- jvarOnmAdagulmAdirOgA mahAntaH | pishAchAsh-cha sarve bhavatpatrabhUtiM vilokya kshaNAttArakAre dravante || 25 || [vibhUti mahima shlokam: this verse describes the greatness of the Lord’s patra bhUti - vibhUti presented on a leaf is unique to ThirucendUr kshEtram. It is also said that the VibhUti cured shankara of an insidious skin ailment at the time.] Oh Conqueror of Taraka! Severe epilepsy, leprosy, consumption, lung diseases, fevers, mental diseases of all types, they run away at the mere sight of Thy vibhuti. 25

4. smruthi.org