Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on the occasion of the recitation of Subrahmanya Bhujanga stotram and Subhrahmanya shasti kavacha by 1000 persons – Nada Mantapam Mysore – March 3, 2013
It is said that our difficulties normally are in the form of snakes (sarpa akara). One of the meanings of the word Bhujanga is sarpa (serpent). It could be Kalinga sarpa or Ghatta sarpa.
Every human being, after the age is 12, is subjected to the influence of the planets. As part of this, he is put through a test wherein, for a long period of 7 years, he is subjected to intense sufferings/difficulties under the rule of planet Saturn (Shani). Thos who have the complete grace of Guru (Guru Krupa) will be absolutely unaffected by this Shani dasa (period of Saturn). Moreover, they will be rewarded with good fame.
Those who have lesser grace of Guru (Guru Krupa) on them will face enormous difficulties during this period of 7 years. It is said that during this period the Lord should be worshipped ardently through various means (Yantra, mantra). The person should also participate in charitable activities (daana, dharma). Only good and meritorious deeds should be undertaken during this period. Some people diligently follow all these rules while others do not.
The period of Saturn (Shani dasa) has 3 divisions i.e. the upper part (head portion), the middle portion and the tail portion. When the shani dasa is in the uppermost head of the snake, the person will undergo the maximum troubles and difficulties. When Shani reaches the stomach portion (middle portion) of the snake, the person will face difficulties of every form and in addition will also incur heavy losses. As Shani comes down to the tail of the snake, the person will begin to get some partial relief.
Imagine the suffering of a person who has been unable to digest all that he has eaten in the past 2-3 days and is also unable to expel the same from his system during this period. The stomach would have bloated up. He will rush to a doctor. Based on the need the doctor may prescribe a medication or may give him an injection due to which he will be able to expel all the waste from his system. The relief and the happiness experienced at such a time is imaginable. Every being has this experience.
Likewise, when all the impurities (kalmasa) from the stomach, move on to the tail and are thrown away from there, the influence of Shani upon the person slowly begins to cease.
This Subrahmanya Bhujanga stotra is a very sacred hymn that provides relief to all those who are unknowingly suffering due to the influence of Shani, that is in the form of a ferocious huge serpent.
Adi Shankaracharya composed this hymn after worshipping Mother Goddess. When, melodiously like a parrot (Shuka vani) Shankara composed this beautifully, the Divine Mother Meenakshi (Shuka pani, she who holds the parrot in Her hand) Herself descended to listen to it. The peacock began to dance. All the Devatas came in the form of birds and joined the peacock in its divine dance. All of them danced in bliss. The Divine Mother was ecstatic.
It is said that when this Bhujanga Stotra is recited, difficulties of all forms (ashta kastha), grief of every form (samasta dukha) and losses of every kind (ashta nashta) all vanish in totality. Such is the power behind this Bhujanga stotram.
On such a powerful and auspicious day, you have all recited such a great Bhujangaa Stotram. Bala Swamiji has organized this wonderfully. In you all, I saw the Divine Mother. The book in your hand appeared to me as the parrot that is being held by you (Shuka pani). So far I felt as if all of you were holding a parrot each. Only Now I can see the paper in your hand.
All of you recited this with utmost faith. May the Lord’s blessings fall upon you. this programme should be conducted annually. Lord Subrahmanya is the Lord who bestows knowledge (jnana), who drives away all obstacles and sorrows, and who offers relief to those who are being troubled on account of the Planet Saturn (shani peeda).
Jaya Guru Datta.
Compiled by: Parimala Eshwarla