Subrahmanya Shodashanama Stotra

These sixteen names of lord subrahmanya are found in the kumara tantra which is an ancient worship manual of swamy kartikeya.

This particular hymn is found in the second patala (chapter) of Kumara tantra. Each name relates to a particular form of lord kartikeya/ each form refers to a particular divine pastime of the lord. For example devasenāpatiḥ refers to skanda as the army head of the gods and Brahmaśāstā is the form he took, when he imparted the ultimate wisdom to brahma the creator.

By chanting these names and contemplating on these different divine forms of lord skanda, the devotee is purified of his sins and is liberated states kumara tantra.