Sri Marga Bandhu Stotram

శంభో మహాదేవ దేవ
శివ శంభో మహాదేవ దేవేశ శంభో
శంభో మహాదేవ దేవ
Meaning: The stotram begins with the recitation of the holy names of the Lord. The recitation of the Lord’s names purifies the mind, makes it calm and fit for any serious undertaking. So they are normally repeated before commencing any work like pooja, religious discourse etc. Here one may recall the familiar verses recited at the time of commencing puja or any religious ceremony .

ఫాలావనమ్రత్కిరీటం ఫాలనేత్రార్చిషా దగ్ధపఞ్చేషుకీటమ్ ।
శూలాహతారాతికూటం, శుద్ధమర్ధేన్దుచూడం భజే మార్గబన్ధుమ్ || శంభో…||
Meaning: I pray to that friend of the path, Who wears a crown on his head,
Who kills his enemies by his trident, Who wears a crescent which showers nectar, And who burnt by the fire of his eyes, Which are on his forehead, Him who has the five arrows like an insect. (Prostrations to he who blesses….)

అఙ్గే విరాజద్భుజఙ్గం
అభ్రగఙ్గాతరఙ్గాభిరామోత్తమాఙ్గం
ఓంకారవాటీకురఙ్గం
సిద్ధసంసేవితాఙ్ఘ్రిం భజే మార్గబన్ధుమ్ || శంభో…||
Meaning: I pray to that friend of the path, Whose limbs are adorned by a snake, Who is a deer in the park of holy pranava, Whose feet is worshipped by great sages, and who looks charming with his head, Adorned by the Ganga of the sky, (Prostrations to he who blesses….)

నిత్యమ్ చిదానన్దరూపం
నిహ్నుతాశేషలోకేశవైరిప్రతాపం
కార్తస్వరాగేన్ద్రచాపం
కృత్తివాసం భజే దివ్య సన్మార్గబన్ధుమ్ || శంభో…||
Meaning: I pray to that friend of the good divine path, Who is perennial and of the form of Truth, intelligence and bliss, Who destroyed without reminder, The glory of the fame of the enemy of Indra, Who used the golden Mount Meru, As his bow in the war against three asuras,
And who dresses himself in hides of trees. (Prostrations to he who blesses….)

కన్దర్పదర్పఘ్నమీశం
కాలకణ్ఠం మహేశం మహావ్యోమకేశం
కున్దాభదన్తం సురేశం
కోటిసూర్యప్రకాశం భజే మార్గబన్ధుమ్ || శంభో…||
Meaning: I pray to that friend of the path, Who put an end to the pride of God of love, Who is the great Lord who has a deep blue throat, Who has the great sky as his matted lock, Whose teeth resemble the white jasmine flowers, and who has the shine of billions of Suns. (Prostrations to he who blesses….)

మన్దారభూతేరుదారం మన్దరాగేన్ద్రసారం మహాగౌర్యదూరం
సిన్దూరదూరప్రచారం
సిన్ధురజాతిధీరం భజే మార్గబన్ధుమ్ || శంభో…||
Meaning: I pray to that friend of the path, Who is more generous than the wish giving tree,Who is the strength behind the great Mandara Mountain, Who is very close to the great Goddess Gauri, Who has a red colour far intense than red lead, and who is more resolute than the God of the ocean. (Prostrations to he who blesses….)

అప్పయ్యయజ్జ్వేన్ద్ర గీతం స్తోత్రరాజం పఠేద్యస్తు భక్త్యా ప్రయాణే
తస్యార్థసిద్ధిం విధత్తే మార్గమధ్యేఽభయం చాశుతోషో మహేశః || శంభో…||
Meaning: This king of stotras written by, Appayya who is the performer of sacrifices,
If read with devotion during journey, Would ensure fulfillment of wishes, Protection during journey, and Lord Shiva would be easily pleased.