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.