Shivashtakam Mantra - Lyrics, Meaning, Benefits, Download

Learn everything about this Shiva mantra that is known to help you combat your struggles.

The Shivashtakam mantra is a Shiva prayer for willpower, wisdom, and patience to overcome our worldly struggles.

This chant consists of eight verses (known as Ashtakam) and is a humble call for the blessings of Shiva.

Composed by the spiritual guru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, this mantra describes the divine features of Shiva.

By tuning in to the power and tolerance of Shiva, we seek to gain clarity through the chaos in our lives.

Shivashtakam mantra is part of the Ancient Healing Chants of Shiva album.

Download the mantra

Get this mantra at a discounted price on our store

History of the mantra
Lyrics of the mantra
Meaning of the mantra
Benefits of the mantra
Preview the mantra
Download the mantra

History of the mantra

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is the one who is All-Seeing, and the Destroyer of Evil.

And yet, he is forever calm and unmoved, sitting in perpetual meditation.

His image and power are known to inspire and enlighten even the most troubled minds.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the author of this chant, came up with it in a state of complete Shiva consciousness.

The depth of Shiva's image described in the mantra makes it one of the most commonly practiced mantras of Shaivism.

Lyrics of the Mantra

Tasmai Namah Parama Kaaranna Kaarannaaya
Diiptojjvala Jjvalita Pinggala Lochanaaya
Naagendra Haara Krta Kunnddala Bhuussannaaya
Brahmendra Vishnu Varadaaya Namah Shivaaya |1|

Shreemat Prasanna Shashi Pannaga Bhooshannaaya
Shailendra Jaa Vadana Chumbita Lochanaaya
Kailaasha Mandaara Mahendra Niketanaaya
Lokatrayaarti Haranaaya Namah Shivaaya |2|

Padma Avadaata Manikundala Go Vrushaaya
Krushnaagaru Prachura Chandana Charchitaaya
Bhasmaanushakta Vikachoutpala Mallikaaya
Neelaabja Kanttha Sadrushaaya Namah Shivaaya |3|

Lambatsa Pingala Jataa Mukutotkataaya
Damshtra Karaala Vikatothkatta Bhairavaaya
Vyaaghraajina Ambaradharaaya Manoharaaya
Trailokya Naatha Namitaaya Namah Shivaaya |4|

Daksha Prajaapati Mahaa Makha Naashanaaya
Kshipram Mahaatripura Daanava Ghaatanaaya
Brahmo Urjitordhvaga Karoti Nikruntanaaya
Yogaaya Yoga Namitaaya Namah Shivaaya |5|

Samsaara Srushti Ghatanaa Parivartanaaya
Rakshaha Pishaacha Ganna Siddha Samaakulaaya
Siddhoraga Graha Ganendra Nishevitaaya
Shaardoola Charma Vasanaaya Namah Shivaaya |6|

Bhasmaanga Raaga Krutaroopa Manoharaaya
Saumyaavadaata Vanam Aashritam Aashritaaya
Gauree Kataaksha Nayanaardha Nireekshanaaya
Go Ksheera Dhaara Dhavalaaya Namah Shivaaya |7|

Aaditya Soma Varunaanila Sevitaaya
Yajnyaagnihotra Vara Dhooma Niketanaaya
Hruk Saamaveda Munibhih Stuti Samyutaaya
Gopaaya Gopa Namitaaya Namah Shivaaya |8|

Shivaashtakam Idam Punnyam Yaha Patthechhiva Sannidhau
Shivalokam Avaapnoti Shivena Saha Modate

Download the best Shiva mantras

Get these mantras at a discounted price on our store

Meaning of the Mantra

The verse-by-verse meaning of this mantra is as follows:

Verse 1 :
Tasmai Namah Parama Kaaranna Kaarannaaya
Diiptojjvala Jjvalita Pinggala Lochanaaya
Naagendra Haara Krta Kunnddala Bhuussannaaya
Brahmendra Vishnu Varadaaya Namah Shivaaya
~
Meaning :
I bow to him, the cause of all causes,
The resplendent light of whose deep brown eyes illuminate the Universe
On whose body the royal serpent gracefully rests
Who blesses the God of All Creation and All Sustenance
I surrender to that All-Powerful Shiva

Verse 2 :
Shreemat Prasanna Shashi Pannaga Bhooshannaaya
Shailendra Jaa Vadana Chumbita Lochanaaya
Kailaasha Mandaara Mahendra Niketanaaya
Lokatrayaarti Haranaaya Namah Shivaaya
~
Meaning :
He, whose head is adorned by the crown of the gleaming moon
Whose mesmerizing eyes purely reflect Parvati, the daughter of the mountains
Who resides atop the mountains ranges of Kailash, Mandaar, and Mahendra
Whose healing power defeats all worldly sorrow
I surrender to that All-Powerful Shiva

Verse 3 :
Padma Avadaata Manikundala Go Vrushaaya
Krushnaagaru Prachura Chandana Charchitaaya
Bhasmaanushakta Vikachoutpala Mallikaaya
Neelaabja Kanttha Sadrushaaya Namah Shivaaya
~
Meaning :
He, who adorns the shimmering Padmaraga gem in his ears
Whose body is smeared in divine and sweet-smelling sandalwood paste, flowers, and sacred ash
Whose blue throat resembles a lotus
I surrender to that All-Powerful Shiva

Verse 4 :
Lambatsa Pingala Jataa Mukutotkataaya
Damshtra Karaala Vikatothkatta Bhairavaaya
Vyaaghraajina Ambaradharaaya Manoharaaya
Trailokya Naatha Namitaaya Namah Shivaaya
~
Meaning :
He, who has long locks of hair
who becomes the fierce Bhairava
Who is wrapped in tiger skin and worshipped by all three worlds
I surrender to that All-Powerful Shiva

Verse 5 :
Daksha Prajaapati Mahaa Makha Naashanaaya
Kshipram Mahaatripura Daanava Ghaatanaaya
Brahmo Urjitordhvaga Karoti Nikruntanaaya
Yogaaya Yoga Namitaaya Namah Shivaaya
~
Meaning :
He, who disrupted the Yagya of Daksha Prajapati,
Who fiercely slew the Tripurasuras,
Who dared to chop off the ego-filled upper head of Brahma
Who is revered and worshipped through yoga
I surrender to that All-Powerful Shiva

Verse 6 :
Samsaara Srushti Ghatanaa Parivartanaaya
Rakshaha Pishaacha Ganna Siddha Samaakulaaya
Siddhoraga Graha Ganendra Nishevitaaya
Shaardoola Charma Vasanaaya Namah Shivaaya
~
Meaning :
He, who destroys and recreates the entire Universe
Who is protected by a shield of spirits
Who is served by all sublime beings
I surrender to that All-Powerful Shiva

Verse 7 :
Bhasmaanga Raaga Krutaroopa Manoharaaya
Saumyaavadaata Vanam Aashritam Aashritaaya
Gauree Kataaksha Nayanaardha Nireekshanaaya
Go Ksheera Dhaara Dhavalaaya Namah Shivaaya
~
Meaning :
He, whose body is laden with sacred ash
The Safe Haven for pure souls who meditate
He, whom Gauri sees from the corner of her half-closed eyes
Who glows as radiantly pure milk;
I surrender to that All-Powerful Shiva

Verse 8 :
Aaditya Soma Varunaanila Sevitaaya
Yajnyaagnihotra Vara Dhooma Niketanaaya
Hruk Saamaveda Munibhih Stuti Samyutaaya
Gopaaya Gopa Namitaaya Namah Shivaaya
~
Meaning :
He, who is served by the bull, the Sun, the moon, and the gods of rain and fire
Who dwells in places purified by smoke from sacrificial fires
Whose praises written by sages fill the Vedas
I surrender to that All-Powerful Shiva

Concluding verse :
Shivaashtakam Idam Punnyam Yaha Patthechhiva Sannidhau
Shivalokam Avaapnoti Shivena Saha Modate
~
Meaning :
He who shall chant this Shiva mantra with complete focus and surrender,
Would enter the world of Shiva and remain joyful in his guidance.

Benefits of listening to Shivashtakam Mantra

The Shivashtakam mantra holds several benefits for the mind of both the chanter and the listener.

Listening to this mantra along with meditation helps you in the following ways.

Benefit 1 - Healing power
If practiced regularly and with undivided focus, the Shivashtakam can have lasting healing effects on the disciple’s temperament and mental strength

Benefit 2 - Better decisions
Through this chant, the intention to overcome suffering becomes stronger, and it becomes easier for the mind to make financial decisions with clarity and intuition.

Benefit 3 - Brings abundance
As a result of its effect, chanting the Shivashtakam can bless the life of the chanter with abundant health and happiness, while also opening up the path to prosperity

These are the primary benefits of the Shivashtakam Mantra. This chant is also known to remove pain, and improve confidence in the listener.

Preview Shivashtakam Mantra

Here's a preview of the Shivashtakam Mantra, from our YouTube channel

FAQ about Mantras

We answered some of the important questions that
can help you get started with mantra meditation

What is a mantra?

A mantra is an ancient rhythmic chant that is practiced for mental, spiritual or emotional healing. The powerful sounds of a mantra are composed to fulfil a certain intention, both for the chanter and the listener.
The oldest mantra is said to be more than 3000 years old, and mantras are found in various cultures across the world, including Hinduism and Buddhism.

What is mantra meditation?

Mantra meditation is the practice of deep focused listening to a mantra in a meditative state to fulfil a certain intention. Mantra meditation is an excellent tool to raise one's vibrations, overcome suffering and strengthen one's powers of attraction.

How does a mantra heal?

The healing power of a mantra lies in its sounds. Each mantra has been composed in order to create a certain response from the mind, body and spirit.
A mantra, when practiced repeatedly with complete surrender, has the ability to heal in the following ways:
* It swiftly detaches the mind from all current overwhelming thoughts and emotions.
* It elevates one's vibrations, creating a vibrational shield of positivity and clarity.
* It strengthens the powers of intuition and attraction.
* It soothes all pain and suffering with its deep sounds.
* It improves mental faculties like memory, concentration and creativity.
* It is an enhancing additional tool that can deepen the experience of most other spiritual practices.
* It grants these benefits to both the chanter and the listener of the mantra

Do I have to know the words and chant along?

Chanting a mantra is one way of receiving the benefits of that mantra.
However, it might be quite a difficult task to master the pronunciation of a mantra, especially if it is in a language that is foreign to you.
In that case, you can always gain the same benefits of a mantra by practicing mantra meditation. Simply put, mantra meditation is the practice of focused listening to a mantra while being in a meditative state.

Comparing the two, chanting and meditation, you should choose mantra meditation if you are at all in doubt or in difficulty regarding the pronunciation.
That's because not pronouncing the mantra right hampers its power drastically.
That said, even though it can at times be complicated to learn chanting, it is worth the effort.
Chanting a mantra is an intensely satisfying, liberating experience that you must try to gain.

Will the mantra healing really work for me?

You only have to answer three important question to figure out if mantras and mantra meditation will work for you:
Are you ready to move past your suffering and conflicts?
Are you ready to set a strong intention of well-being and give it your sincerest focus?
Are you ready to devote some time and attention to the practice of raising your vibrations every day?
If your answer to these questions is 'Yes,' then mantras will certainly work for you, and guide you on the path of your desired life.

Does the mantra provide healing for medical issues?

Although a mantra is an excellent tool for soothing our suffering and uplifting our lives, it is not an alternative for any medical treatment or therapy.
It is important to remember that while medication, treatment and medical therapy support our physical healing, mantras do the job of aligning our mind and our consciousness to derive the most from such healing.

Why do you charge for mantras?

We love mantras, and we want them to soothe as many lives across the world as possible.
While mantras have been around since as early as 3000 years ago, we bring them to the world in a new, enhanced, and easy-to-practice way.
Mahakatha offers all of these mantras on YouTube for patrons to listen and enjoy for free. However, for our listeners who feel inspired to make these mantras a part of their daily lives, we offer the complete, uninterrupted audios.
We also put together albums that align with specific intentions, that can benefit a beginner and an experienced practitioner alike.
Above all, our patrons have been kind in considering the purchase of our productions as a way of supporting us, and enabling us to create more such healing content.