Shivashtakam
Shivashtakam Mantra is a sacred Sanskrit hymn honoring Shiva that destroys ego and ignorance through transcendent meditation.
Shivashtakam (Shiva + ashtakam = eight verses) is a sacred hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century Advaita philosopher and saint. Each of the eight verses describes one of Lord Shiva's divine manifestations and cosmic qualities, concluding with the refrain "Namah Shivaya" (I bow to Shiva). The first verse addresses Shiva as the supreme cause of all existence, with blazing eyes like fire; the second portrays him adorned with the crescent moon and serpents; subsequent verses unveil his ash-covered ascetic form, his fierce Bhairava aspect, his role as destroyer of the ego-bound world, and finally his form as the eternal shepherd of all beings.
Spiritually, Shivashtakam bridges devotion and Advaita philosophy. Adi Shankaracharya composed this not merely as personal prayer but as a philosophical celebration of Shiva as Brahman—the non-dual absolute reality. Each verse employs paradox: Shiva is both fierce destroyer and gentle ascetic, both formless consciousness and embodied deity with serpent crown and tiger skin. The repetition of "Namah Shivaya" anchors the seeker in surrender and recognition that all apparent multiplicity arises from Shiva's eternal consciousness. Chanting this hymn cultivates both bhakti (devotion) and jnana (discriminative wisdom).
Recite Shivashtakam during Shiva puja, on Mondays, and especially during Mahashivaratri (the great night of Shiva). The full eight verses take 8–10 minutes at a meditative pace. Light incense and bilva leaves before beginning. Focus on sound and meaning rather than rushing through words. After completion, rest in silence for 3–5 minutes. Chanting with genuine devotion—allowing each image of Shiva to penetrate consciousness—multiplies the mantra's transformative power.
Curated by The Mahakatha Team · Original Composition: Mahakatha · Lyric: Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE)
Shivashtakam
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तस्मै नमः परम कारण कारणाय। दीप्तोज्ज्वल ज्ज्वलित पिङ्गल लोचनाय। नागेन्द्र हार कृत कुण्डल भूषणाय। ब्रह्मेन्द्र विष्णु वरदाय नमः शिवाय॥
Tasmai Namah Parama Kaaranna Kaarannaaya Diiptojjvala Jjvalita Pinggala Lochanaaya Naagendra Haara Krta Kunnddala Bhuussannaaya Brahmendra Vishnu Varadaaya Namah Shivaaya
श्रीमत् प्रसन्न शशि पण्ण ग भूषणाय। शैलेन्द्र जा वदन चुम्बित लोचनाय। कैलाश मन्दार महेन्द्र निकेतनाय। लोकत्रयार्ति हरणाय नमः शिवाय॥
Shreemat Prasanna Shashi Pannaga Bhooshannaaya Shailendra Jaa Vadana Chumbita Lochanaaya Kailaasha Mandaara Mahendra Niketanaaya Lokatrayaarti Haranaaya Namah Shivaaya
पद्म अवदात मणिकुण्डल गो वृषाय। कृष्णागरु प्रचुर चन्दन चर्चिताय। भस्मानुशक्त विकचोत्पल मल्लिकाय। नीलाभ कण्ठ सदृशाय नमः शिवाय॥
Padma Avadaata Manikundala Go Vrushaaya Krushnaagaru Prachura Chandana Charchitaaya Bhasmaanushakta Vikachoutpala Mallikaaya Neelaabja Kanttha Sadrushaaya Namah Shivaaya
लम्बत्स पिङ्गल जटा मुकुटोत्कटाय। दंष्ट्र करालविकटोत्कट भैरवाय। व्याघ्राजिन अम्बरधराय मनोहराय। त्रैलोक्य नाथ नमितaय नमः शिवाय॥
Lambatsa Pingala Jataa Mukutotkataaya Damshtra Karaala Vikatothkatta Bhairavaaya Vyaaghraajina Ambaradharaaya Manoharaaya Trailokya Naatha Namitaaya Namah Shivaaya
दक्ष प्रजापति महा मख नाशनाय। क्षिप्रम् महात्रिपुर दानव घातनाय। ब्रह्मो उर्जितोर्ध्वग करोति निक्रुन्तनाय। योगाय योग नमितaय नमः शिवाय॥
Daksha Prajaapati Mahaa Makha Naashanaaya Kshipram Mahaatripura Daanava Ghaatanaaya Brahmo Urjitordhvaga Karoti Nikruntanaaya Yogaaya Yoga Namitaaya Namah Shivaaya
संसार सृष्टि घटना परिवर्तनाय। रक्षः पिशाच गण सिद्ध समाकुलाय। सिद्धोरग ग्रह गणेन्द्र निषेविताय। शार्दूल चर्मवसनाय नमः शिवाय॥
Samsaara Srushti Ghatanaa Parivartanaaya Rakshaha Pishaacha Ganna Siddha Samaakulaaya Siddhoraga Graha Ganendra Nishevitaaya Shaardoola Charmavasanaaya Namah Shivaaya
भस्मांग राग कृतरूप मनोहराय। सौम्यावदात वनम् आश्रितम् आश्रिताय। गौरी कटाक्ष नयनार्ध निरीक्षणाय। गो क्षीर धार ध्वलाय नमः शिवाय॥
Bhasmaanga Raaga Krutaroopa Manoharaaya Saumyaavadaata Vanam Aashritam Aashritaaya Gauree Kataaksha Nayanaardha Nireekshanaaya Go Ksheera Dhaara Dhavalaaya Namah Shivaaya
आदित्य सोम वरुणानिल सेविताय। यज्ञाग्निहोत्र वर धूम निकेतनाय। ह्रुक् सामवेद मुनिभिः स्तुति संयुताय। गोपाय गोप नमितaय नमः शिवाय॥
Aaditya Soma Varunaanila Sevitaaya Yajnyaagnihotra Vara Dhooma Niketanaaya Hruk Saamaveda Munibhih Stuti Samyutaaya Gopaaya Gopa Namitaaya Namah Shivaaya
Word-by-Word Meaning
| Sanskrit | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tasmai | To him, for him (dative singular of tad, 'that') |
| Namah | I bow, obeisance (from nam-, 'to bend') |
| Parama | Supreme, highest, ultimate (root param-) |
| Kaarannaaya | To the cause, to the maker (dative form of karanna) |
| Diiptojjvala | Brilliantly flaming, radiant with light (from dipt-, 'to blaze') |
| Jjvalita | Blazing, burning, flaming (from jval-, 'to burn') |
| Pinggala | Reddish-brown, tawny; also a nadi (energy channel) in yoga |
| Lochanaaya | To the eye (dative of lochana, 'eye') |
| Naagendra | Lord of serpents, king of snakes (naga + indra) |
| Haara | Garland, necklace (from har-, 'to take') |
| Krta | Made, done, fashioned (past participle of kri-, 'to make') |
| Kunnddala | Earring, circular ornament (from kund-, 'to be curved') |
| Bhuussannaaya | To the adornment, to decoration (dative of bhushana, 'ornament') |
| Vishnu | The all-pervading one; Hindu deity of preservation (from vish-, 'to pervade') |
| Varadaaya | To the bestower of boons (dative of varada, from vara-, 'to grant') |
| Shivaaya | To Shiva, the auspicious one (dative of Shiva, from shiv-, 'to be auspicious') |
| Shreemat | Illustrious, glorious, blessed (from shri-, 'to shine') |
| Prasanna | Pleased, serene, calm (from pras-, 'to be pleased') |
| Shashi | Moon (from shas-, 'to shine') |
| Pannaga | Serpent, snake (from pana-, 'to drink') |
| Bhooshannaaya | To the adornment (dative of bhushana, 'ornament') |
| Shailendra | Lord of mountains, king of mountains (shaila + indra) |
| Vadana | Face, mouth (from vad-, 'to speak') |
| Chumbita | Kissed, touched (from chumb-, 'to kiss') |
| Kailaasha | Mount Kailash, abode of Shiva (from kail-, 'not to be shaken') |
| Mandaara | Coral tree; also the tree used in churning the ocean |
| Mahendra | Great lord, Indra the king of gods (maha + indra) |
| Niketanaaya | To the dwelling place, to the residence (dative of niketana) |
| Lokatrayaarti | The suffering of the three worlds (lokatra + aarti, 'suffering') |
| Haranaaya | To the destroyer, to the remover (dative of harana, from har-, 'to take away') |
| Padma | Lotus (from pad-, 'to go') |
| Avadaata | Very white, brilliant (from avadh-, 'to brighten') |
| Manikundala | Jeweled earring (mani + kundala) |
| Go | Cow; earth; light (from gam-, 'to go') |
| Vrushaaya | To the bull (dative of vrusha; sacred animal of Shiva) |
| Krushnaagaru | Black aloe, a fragrant wood used in worship |
| Prachura | Abundant, copious (from pra + char-, 'to move') |
| Chandana | Sandalwood, fragrant paste (from chand-, 'to shine') |
| Charchitaaya | To the anointed one, to the smeared one (dative of charchita) |
| Bhasmaanushakta | Covered with ashes (bhasma + anushakta, 'adorned') |
| Mallikaaya | To the jasmine flower (dative of mallika) |
| Neelaabja | Blue lotus (neela + abja, 'blue-lotus') |
| Kanttha | Throat, neck (from kand-, 'to swell') |
| Sadrushaaya | To the resembling one, to the similar (dative of sadrusha) |
| Pingala | Reddish-brown, tawny; a nadi (energy channel in yoga) |
| Jataa | Matted hair, dreadlocks (Shiva's characteristic matted locks) |
| Damshtra | Fang, tusk (from dash-, 'to bite') |
| Karaala | Fierce, terrible, dreadful (from kar-, 'to make') |
| Bhairavaaya | To the fearful one, to Bhairava form of Shiva (dative of bhairava) |
| Vyaaghraajina | Tiger skin (vyaghra + aja, 'tiger skin garment') |
| Ambaradharaaya | To the wearer of clothes (dative of ambara-dhara) |
| Manoharaaya | To the enchanter of minds (dative of manohra, manas + har-, 'to captivate') |
| Trailokya | The three worlds (tri + loka, 'heaven, earth, nether world') |
| Naatha | Lord, master, protector (from nath-, 'to protect') |
| Namitaaya | To the bowed one, to the worshipped (dative of namita) |
| Daksha | Daksha (a patriarch/prajapati); also means 'skilled' |
| Prajaapati | Lord of creatures, creator (prajā + pati, 'lord of beings') |
| Mahaa | Great, mighty (from mah-, 'to be great') |
| Makha | Sacrifice, ritual (from makh-, 'to worship') |
| Naashanaaya | To the destroyer (dative of nashana, from nash-, 'to destroy') |
| Kshipram | Quickly, swiftly (from kship-, 'to throw') |
| Mahaatripura | The great tripura (three cities); relates to tripura-sundari |
| Daanava | Demon, asura (from danu, a daitya mother) |
| Ghaatanaaya | To the slayer (dative of ghatana, from ghat-, 'to slay') |
| Karoti | Does, makes, performs (from kri-, 'to make', 3rd person singular present) |
| Nikruntanaaya | To the destroyer, to the annihilator (dative of nikruntana) |
| Yogaaya | To yoga, to union (dative of yoga, from yuj-, 'to join') |
| Yoga | Union, connection; spiritual discipline (from yuj-, 'to yoke') |
| Samsaara | Cycle of birth and death, worldly existence (sam + sar-, 'to flow together') |
| Srushti | Creation, the created universe (from srij-, 'to create') |
| Ghatanaa | Creation, origination, manifestation (from ghat-, 'to make') |
How to Chant Shivashtakam
- 1
Find a quiet, clean space
Sit in a comfortable, undisturbed environment. Face east or north if possible. You may light incense or a candle to set a contemplative atmosphere.
- 2
Settle into a comfortable posture
Sit cross-legged on the floor or upright in a chair. Keep the spine erect and place the hands on the knees with palms facing upward.
- 3
Take three cleansing breaths
Inhale slowly through the nose, hold briefly, and exhale completely. Repeat three times to calm the mind and prepare for mantra recitation.
- 4
Begin chanting Shivashtakam
Chant the mantra clearly and with devotion — aloud, in a whisper, or silently. Use a mala (108 beads) to count repetitions. Aim for a consistent, unhurried rhythm throughout the session.
- 5
Rest in stillness
After completing your chanting, sit quietly for two to five minutes. Allow the vibration of the mantra to settle within. Close the practice with a moment of gratitude.
Benefits of Shivashtakam
-
Destroys ego and ignorance (avidya) by meditating on Shiva's transcendent form beyond all conceptual limitation.
Source: Adi Shankaracharya's Advaita commentaries; Upanishads (Kena, Katha)
-
Invokes Shiva's aspect as Mrityunjaya—conqueror of death—for protection from illness, fear, and existential suffering.
Source: Mrityunjaya Mantra tradition; Rudram (Yajurveda)
-
Cultivates vairagya (dispassion) and samadhi (meditative absorption) through contemplating Shiva's absolute detachment.
Source: Traditional Yoga and Tantra practice; Shiva Sutras
-
Purifies the subtle body (nadis and chakras) and awakens kundalini shakti through rhythmic invocation.
Source: Tantric tradition; Hatha Yoga Pradipika
-
Removes obstacles to spiritual progress and bestows grace (kripa) through Shiva's role as supreme guru.
Source: Guru Gita; Traditional devotional practice
Story & Symbolism
Adi Shankaracharya (788–820 CE), the towering figure of Hindu philosophy and spirituality, composed Shivashtakam as both a devotional hymn and a philosophical treatise. Shankaracharya revitalized Hinduism during a period of decline, establishing four cardinal monasteries (mathas) and systematizing Advaita Vedanta—the philosophy that recognizes non-duality (Brahman as the sole ultimate reality). Though Shankaracharya is celebrated primarily as a philosopher, he was equally a devotee. He composed numerous hymns and ashtakams (eight-verse liturgies) to Shiva, Devi, Vishnu, and other manifestations of the divine. Shivashtakam stands as his supreme offering to Shiva, weaving philosophical depth with emotional reverence.
Shiva occupies a unique place in Hindu spirituality: he is simultaneously the fierce destroyer of ignorance, the transcendent ascetic beyond all form, and the compassionate guru who grants liberation. Shankaracharya's eight verses unveil these paradoxes, moving from Shiva as supreme cause (Parama Karana) through his fierce forms (Bhairava, Rudra) to his role as eternal protector and guide. Each verse addresses a different facet of Shiva's manifestation—his cosmic eyes, his serpent ornaments, his ash-covered body, his dance of dissolution—while the refrain "Namah Shivaya" anchors the seeker in surrender. Through Shivashtakam, Shankaracharya teaches that worship is not mere external ritual but a pathway to recognizing one's own identity with Shiva-Brahman, the non-dual consciousness.
From Shankaracharya's era to the present day, Shivashtakam has remained a cornerstone of Hindu devotional and monastic practice. It is chanted in temples, ashrams, and homes across India and the global Hindu diaspora. The hymn has been preserved in multiple Sanskrit recensions and remains a living tradition, transmitted from guru to disciple through oral lineage. Today, Shivashtakam continues to guide millions of seekers—both as a meditation on Shiva's transcendent nature and as a practical tool for spiritual awakening.
How to Use in Daily Life
Early Morning Chanting
Chant Shivashtakam during brahma muhurta (4–6 AM), when the mind is naturally calm and the atmosphere is charged with sattvic (pure) energy. This is the optimal time for deepest meditation and spiritual reception.
Meditation Anchor
Use Shivashtakam as an anchor for meditation. Chant slowly, allowing each image of Shiva to dissolve into pure sound and awareness. Let the words and their meanings flow through you without grasping.
Ritual Offering
Recite Shivashtakam before Shiva worship (puja), temple visits, or on Mondays. Light incense, offer bilva leaves or flowers, and chant with full heart. This transforms routine worship into direct communion with Shiva's grace.
Evening Reflection
Chant Shivashtakam in the evening to release the day's tensions and ego-clinging. The hymn's message of detachment (vairagya) helps purify the mind before sleep, inviting peaceful, sattvic dreams.
Frequently Asked Questions
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From the Bhagavad Gita
BG 10.23
I Am Shiva Among the Rudras
Of the Rudras I am Shankara — Shiva, the auspicious one who dissolves what no longer serves.
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