Mantras and Meaning - Shivashtakam

॥ शिवाष्टकम् ॥

तस्मै नमः परमकारणकारणाय

दीप्तोज्ज्वलज्ज्वलितपिङ्गललोचनाय।

नागेन्द्रहारकृतकुण्डलभूषणाय

ब्रह्मेन्द्रविष्णुवरदाय नमः शिवाय॥1॥

श्रीमत्प्रसन्नशशिपन्नगभूषणाय

शैलेन्द्रजावदनचुम्बितलोचनाय।

कैलासमन्दरमहेन्द्रनिकेतनाय

लोकत्रयार्तिहरणाय नमः शिवाय॥2॥

पद्मावदातमणिकुण्डलगोवृषाय

कृष्णागरुप्रचुरचन्दनचर्चिताय।

भस्मानुषक्तविकचोत्पलमल्लिकाय

नीलाब्जकण्ठसदृशाय नमः शिवाय॥3॥

लम्बत्सपिङ्गलजटामुकुटोत्कटाय

दंष्ट्राकरालविकटोत्कटभैरवाय।

व्याघ्राजिनाम्बरधराय मनोहराय

त्रैलोक्यनाथनमिताय नमः शिवाय॥4॥

दक्षप्रजापतिमहामखनाशनाय

क्षिप्रं महात्रिपुरदानवघातनाय।

ब्रह्मोर्जितोर्ध्वगकरोटिनिकृन्तनाय

योगाय योगनमिताय नमः शिवाय॥5॥

संसारसृष्टिघटनापरिवर्तनाय

रक्षः पिशाचगणसिद्धसमाकुलाय।

सिद्धोरगग्रहगणेन्द्रनिषेविताय

शार्दूलचर्मवसनाय नमः शिवाय॥6॥

भस्माङ्गरागकृतरूपमनोहराय

सौम्यावदातवनमाश्रितमाश्रिताय।

गौरीकटाक्षनयनार्धनिरीक्षणाय

गोक्षीरधारधवलाय नमः शिवाय॥7॥

आदित्यसोमवरुणानिलसेविताय

यज्ञाग्निहोत्रवरधूमनिकेतनाय।

ऋक्सामवेदमुनिभिः स्तुतिसंयुताय

गोपाय गोपनमिताय नमः शिवाय॥8॥

शिवाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेत् शिवसन्निधौ।

शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते॥

॥ इति श्री शङ्कराचार्यकृतं शिवाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥ 

Meaning of the sloka (Powered by ChatGPT)

The Shivashtakam is a beautiful hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya, praising the various attributes and forms of Lord Shiva. Here's the meaning of each verse:

1. Salutations to the Cause of all causes: I bow to Lord Shiva, who is the ultimate cause of all existence.

   • With eyes brightened by the radiant light: Whose eyes shine with a radiant light.
   • Adorned with the garland of the king of snakes and earrings: Who wears a garland made of the king of snakes and earrings.
   • Bestower of boons to Brahma, Vishnu, and others: Who bestows boons upon Brahma, Vishnu, and other deities.

2. Salutations to the one who adorns the crescent moon: I bow to Lord Shiva, whose forehead is adorned with the crescent moon.

   • With a benevolent expression resembling the full moon: Whose benevolent face resembles the full moon.
   • Residing in Mount Kailash and Mahendraniketan: Who resides in Mount Kailash and Mahendraniketan.
   • Dispeller of the sufferings of the three worlds: Who dispels the sufferings of the three worlds.

3. Salutations to the one adorned with precious jewels and earrings: I bow to Lord Shiva, who is adorned with precious jewels and earrings.

   • Whose body is anointed with abundant sandalwood paste and musk: Whose body is anointed with abundant sandalwood paste and musk.
   • Resembling the blue lotus in color: Whose throat resembles the blue lotus.

4. Salutations to the one with long matted locks and a fierce appearance: I bow to Lord Shiva, who has long matted locks and a fierce appearance.

   • Whose ferocious teeth strike terror: Whose ferocious teeth strike terror.
   • Wearing a tiger skin and holding a deer: Who wears a tiger skin and holds a deer.
   • The Lord of the three worlds, worshipped by the Trinity: The Lord of the three worlds, worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

5. Salutations to the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice: I bow to Lord Shiva, the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice.

   • Quickly destroying the demon Tripura: Who quickly destroyed the demon Tripura.
   • Victorious over Brahma's arrogance: Who defeated Brahma's arrogance.
   • The one who uplifts through Yoga and dispels ignorance: The one who uplifts through Yoga and dispels ignorance.

6. Salutations to the one who relieves the suffering of the world: I bow to Lord Shiva, who relieves the suffering of the world.

   • Protected by Siddhas, Nagas, and Ganas: Protected by Siddhas, Nagas, and Ganas.
   • Adorned with a tiger skin and elephant skin: Adorned with a tiger skin and elephant skin.

7. Salutations to the one whose body is smeared with ash: I bow to Lord Shiva, whose body is smeared with ash.

   • With a gentle appearance and residing in the forest: With a gentle appearance and residing in the forest.
   • Glancing with the eyes of Gauri (Parvati): Glancing with the eyes of Gauri (Parvati).
   • Drinking the milk of the cosmic ocean: Drinking the milk of the cosmic ocean.

8. Salutations to the one served by the Sun, Moon, Varuna, and others: I bow to Lord Shiva, who is served by the Sun, Moon, Varuna, and others.

   • Offered oblations in fire sacrifices: Who is offered oblations in fire sacrifices.
   • Praised by sages reciting the Rig, Sama, and Yajur Vedas: Praised by sages reciting the Rig, Sama, and Yajur Vedas.
   • Protector of the cowherd and concealed from others: Protector of the cowherd and concealed from others.

Reciting or meditating upon these verses is considered auspicious and is believed to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva.