1008 Names of Lord Murugan (Skanda Sahasranama)
The Skanda Sahasranama (श्री स्कन्द सहस्रनाम) is a sacred listing of 1,008 names of Lord Murugan/Kartikeya. It appears in two major sources: the Anushasana Parva (Book of Instructions) of the Mahabharata, where Sage Narada recites these names to Yudhishthira, and in the Skanda Purana. Together with the Vishnu Sahasranama and Shiva Sahasranama, it forms the trio of principal sahasranamas in Hinduism.
The tradition of chanting the thousand names (sahasranama) of a deity is an ancient practice in Hinduism. Each name is a mantra in itself, carrying specific vibrational qualities that align the chanter with the divine attribute it represents. The names cover the full scope of Murugan's nature — his forms, weapons, exploits, qualities, and relationships.
Sources and Authenticity
The primary source of the Skanda Sahasranama is Chapter 148 of the Anushasana Parva in the Mahabharata (also known as the Skanda Sahasranama Parva). Here, Sage Narada, at the request of Yudhishthira, recites the thousand names of Skanda that he learned directly from Lord Brahma. A second version exists in the Skanda Purana, which expands on some names and adds variations.
Structure of the Names
The names are organized in a traditional sahasranama format. Each name is typically in the dative case (ending in 'namah' — salutations). The names progress through thematic categories including:
- Names describing Murugan's physical form (six faces, twelve arms, peacock rider)
- Names describing his divine attributes (omniscient, omnipotent, compassionate)
- Names from his mythology (Kartikeya, Shanmukha, Saravanabhava, Guha)
- Names from his family (son of Shiva, brother of Ganesha, husband of Valli-Deivanai)
- Names from his exploits (slayer of Taraka, destroyer of Soorapadman)
- Names from his sacred sites (Palaninatha, Thiruthanigavasa, Swamimalainatha)
Chanting the Sahasranama
The Skanda Sahasranama is traditionally chanted after appropriate purification and invocation. The full chanting takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Many devotees chant it on Fridays, on Skanda Sashti days, or as part of daily worship. The phalasruti (declaration of benefits) at the end promises health, wealth, progeny, and liberation to those who chant with devotion.
1008 Names — Selected 20 Names
A selection of 20 important names from the Skanda Sahasranama, with Sanskrit and meaning.
| 1 | ॐ स्कन्दाय नमः | Om Skandaya Namah | He who showers compassion |
| 2 | ॐ गुहाय नमः | Om Guhaya Namah | He who dwells in the cave of the heart |
| 3 | ॐ षण्मुखाय नमः | Om Shanmukhaya Namah | The six-faced one |
| 4 | ॐ कार्तिकेयाय नमः | Om Kartikeyaya Namah | Son of the Krittikas (Pleiades) |
| 5 | ॐ सेनापतये नमः | Om Senapataye Namah | Commander-in-chief of the divine armies |
| 6 | ॐ सरवणभवाय नमः | Om Saravanabhavaya Namah | Born in the forest of reeds |
| 7 | ॐ वेलाय नमः | Om Velaya Namah | The lord of the divine spear |
| 8 | ॐ महासेनाय नमः | Om Mahasenaya Namah | The great commander |
| 9 | ॐ शिवसूनवे नमः | Om Shivasunave Namah | The son of Shiva |
| 10 | ॐ तारकारये नमः | Om Tarakaraye Namah | The destroyer of Tarakasura |
| 11 | ॐ षडाननाय नमः | Om Shadanamaya Namah | The six-faced one |
| 12 | ॐ मयूरवाहनाय नमः | Om Mayuravahanayaya Namah | The rider of the peacock |
| 13 | ॐ वल्लीदेव्याः पतये नमः | Om Vallidevyaya Pataye Namah | The husband of Valli |
| 14 | ॐ देवसेनापतये नमः | Om Devasenapataye Namah | The lord of Deivanai and general of the gods |
| 15 | ॐ ताम्रचूडाय नमः | Om Tamrachudaya Namah | One who wears red (the rooster emblem) |
| 16 | ॐ शक्तिधराय नमः | Om Shaktidharaya Namah | The bearer of the spear |
| 17 | ॐ कुमाराय नमः | Om Kumaraya Namah | The eternal youth |
| 18 | ॐ ब्रह्मचारिणे नमः | Om Brahmacharini Namah | The celibate lord |
| 19 | ॐ पलनीश्वराय नमः | Om Palanishvaraya Namah | The lord of Palani |
| 20 | ॐ द्वादशभुजाय नमः | Om Dvadashabhujaya Namah | The twelve-armed one |
IAST Transliteration — Selected Names
— Name 1
— Name 2
— Name 3
— Name 4
— Name 5
— Name 6
— Name 7
— Name 8
— Name 9
— Name 10
English Meaning — Selected Names
— Name 1
— Name 2
— Name 3
— Name 4
— Name 5
— Name 6
— Name 7
— Name 8
— Name 9
— Name 10
Commentary on Skanda Sahasranama
The Power of Divine Names
In Hindu theology, the name of a deity is not merely a label but a manifestation of the deity's essence. The Nama (name) and Nami (the named) are ultimately non-different. When the devotee chants 'Om Skandaya Namah,' the sound vibration of the name invokes the presence of Skanda himself. This is the fundamental principle behind sahasranama chanting — by reciting the thousand names, the devotee surrounds themselves with the complete presence of the deity.
The Sahasranama Tradition
The Skanda Sahasranama follows the traditional structure established by the more famous Vishnu Sahasranama. Each name is in the dative case, preceded by 'Om' (the primordial sound) and followed by 'Namah' (salutation). The entire recitation is framed by appropriate invocations (dhyana) and concluding prayers (phalasruti).
Major Thematic Clusters
- Cosmic names — Skanda as the universal reality
- Mythological names — his birth, battles, and victories
- Iconographic names — his six faces, twelve arms, peacock vehicle
- Geographic names — his association with specific pilgrimage sites
- Qualitative names — his compassion, wisdom, valor, beauty
- Relational names — as son, husband, brother, commander
Benefits of Recitation
The phalasruti of the Skanda Sahasranama lists extensive benefits for the devotee who recites it with faith and devotion. These include the destruction of sins, removal of obstacles, victory over enemies, cure of diseases, attainment of wealth and progeny, and ultimately liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The text declares that even a single recitation of the Sahasranama bestows the merit of performing a thousand sacrifices.
Why chant 1008 names?
What are the benefits of chanting Skanda Sahasranama?
When should the Sahasranama be chanted?
Can anyone chant the Sahasranama?
How is Skanda Sahasranama different from Vishnu Sahasranama?
Audio Resources
Audio recordings of the Skanda Sahasranama are available for listening and learning.
- Full 1008 names recitation (~50 minutes)
- Guided chanting with pronunciation help
- Background chant for meditation
- Week-by-week learning program
Recitation of Skanda Sahasranama
About the Author
LordMurugan.in Editorial Team
Text Compilation & Annotation
Text sourced from traditional manuscripts and published scholarly editions.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-13 by LordMurugan.in Editorial Team · Version 1.0 · Methodology