Lingashtakam
Lingashtakam is a devotional hymn comprising eight verses dedicated to the Shiva Lingam. It extols the various attributes and significance of the sacred symbol. This prayer expresses profound reverence for Lord Shiva.
Mantra
Hindi
ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चित लिङ्गं निर्मलभासित शोभित लिङ्गम् ।
जन्मज दुःख विनाशक लिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥१॥
देवमुनिप्रवरार्चित लिङ्गं कामदहन करुणाकर लिङ्गम् ।
रावण दर्प विनाशक लिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥२॥
सर्व सुगन्ध सुलेपित लिङ्गं बुद्धि विवर्धन कारण लिङ्गम् ।
सिद्ध सुरासुर वन्दित लिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥३॥
कनक महामणि भूषित लिङ्गं फणिपति वेष्टित शोभित लिङ्गम् ।
दक्ष सुयज्ञ विनाशक लिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥४॥
कुङ्कुम चन्दन लेपित लिङ्गं पङ्कज हार सुशोभित लिङ्गम् ।
सञ्चित पाप विनाशक लिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥५॥
देवगणार्चित सेवित लिङ्गं भावै-र्भक्तिभिरेव च लिङ्गम् ।
दिनकर कोटि प्रभाकर लिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥६॥
अष्टदलोपरिवेष्टित लिङ्गं सर्व समुद्भव कारण लिङ्गम् ।
अष्ट दरिद्र विनाशक लिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥७॥
सुरगुरु सुरवर पूजित लिङ्गं सुरवन पुष्प सदार्चित लिङ्गम् ।
परमपदं परमात्मक लिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥८॥
English
Brahma-Muraari-Sura-Archita Lingam, Nirmala-Bhaasita Shobhita Lingam.
Janmaja Dukha Vinaashaka Lingam, Tat Prannamaami Sadaa-Shiva Lingam. (1)
Deva-Muni-Pravara-Archita Lingam, Kaama-Dahana Karunnaa-Kara Lingam.
Raavanna Darpa Vinaashaka Lingam, Tat Prannamaami Sadaa-Shiva Lingam. (2)
Sarva Sugandha Sulepita Lingam, Buddhi Vivardhana Kaaranna Lingam.
Siddha Sura-Asura Vandita Lingam, Tat Prannamaami Sadaa-Shiva Lingam. (3)
Kanaka Mahaa-Manni Bhushhita Lingam, Phannipati Veshttita Shobhita Lingam.
Daksha Suyajnya Vinaashaka Lingam, Tat Prannamaami Sadaa-Shiva Lingam. (4)
Kumkuma Chandana Lepita Lingam, Pankaja Haara Sushobhita Lingam.
Sanchita Paapa Vinaashaka Lingam, Tat Prannamaami Sadaa-Shiva Lingam. (5)
Deva-Ganna-Archita Sevita Lingam, Bhavai-rBhakti-bhir-Eva Ca Lingam.
Dinakara Kottii Prabhaakara Lingam, Tat Prannamaami Sadaa-Shiva Lingam. (6)
Ashttadalo-Pari-Veshttita Lingam, Sarva Samudbhava Kaaranna Lingam.
Ashtta Daridra Vinaashaka Lingam, Tat Prannamaami Sadaa-Shiva Lingam. (7)
Sura-Guru Sura-Vara Pujita Lingam, Sura-Vana Pushpa Sadaa-Archita Lingam.
Parama-Padam Para-Maatmaka Lingam, Tat Prannamaami Sadaa-Shiva Lingam. (8)
Meaning
The Lingashtakam is a revered hymn offering praise to the Shiva Lingam, which represents the formless aspect of Lord Shiva. Each verse describes the Lingam's divine attributes, its worship by various deities and sages, its power to destroy sins, sorrows, and arrogance, and its ability to bestow wisdom and liberation. It emphasizes the Lingam as the origin of all creation, adorned by precious jewels, serpents, and fragrant substances. The hymn culminates in bowing to the Sadashiva Lingam, recognizing it as the ultimate reality and the supreme Self.
Method of Chanting
Time: Regular recitation is beneficial; often chanted during Shiva puja, particularly on Mondays, Mahashivratri, or other Shiva-related festivals.
Count: Traditionally, there is no fixed count for Lingashtakam; sincere recitation with devotion is valued more than numerical repetition.
Discipline: Recitation should ideally be performed with a calm and focused mind, after purification, and with devotion to Lord Shiva.
Clarifications
The Shiva Lingam is a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva, embodying both the formless (Nirguna) and the manifest (Saguna) aspects of the Divine. It is not an idol in the conventional sense but a symbol of the universe's creative and generative power, representing the cosmic column of light. The Lingam represents the union of Purusha and Prakriti, the static and dynamic energies of the cosmos. Its worship is an ancient practice deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, signifying reverence for the ultimate reality.