Rudrashtakam
Rudrashtakam is a powerful Sanskrit devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva. Composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, it describes the various attributes of Shiva. Recitation of this stotram is considered highly beneficial for spiritual well-being.
Mantra
Hindi
नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं
विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्म वेदस्वरूपम् ।
निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं
चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम् ॥१॥
निराकारमोंकारमूलं तुरीयं
गिरा ज्ञान गोतीतमीशं गिरीशम् ।
करालं महाकाल कालं कृपालं
गुणागार संसारपारं नतोऽहम् ॥२॥
तुषाराद्रि संकाश गौरं गभीरं
मनोभूत कोटि प्रभा श्री शरीरम् ।
स्फुरन्मौलि कल्लोलिनी चारु गंगा
लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजंगा ॥३॥
चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रू सुनेत्रं विशालं
प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम् ।
मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं
प्रियं शंकरं सर्वनाथं भजामि ॥४॥
प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं
अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशम् ।
त्रयः शूल निर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं
भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यम् ॥५॥
कलातीत कल्याण कल्पांतकारी
सदा सज्जनानंददाता पुरारी ।
चिदानंद संदोह मोहापहारी
प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी ॥६॥
न यावद् उमानाथ पादारविंदं
भजंतीह लोके परे वा नराणाम् ।
न तावत्सुखं शांति संतापनाशं
प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासम् ॥७॥
न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां
नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भु तुभ्यम् ।
जरा जन्म दुःखौघ तातप्यमानं
प्रभो पाहि आपन्नमामीश शंभो ॥८॥
रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये
ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति ॥
English
I bow to Īsha, the Lord, whose form is liberation (nirvana),
Who is all-pervading, the Brahman, the embodiment of the Vedas,
Who is beyond personal attributes, beyond qualities, beyond form, beyond desire,
The consciousness-ether, dwelling in the ether (all-pervading) – Him I worship.
I bow to Him, who is formless, the root of Om, the transcendent fourth state (turiya),
Who is beyond speech, knowledge, and senses, the Lord of mountains,
Who is dreadful, the great Kala (time/death), but also compassionate,
The abode of virtues, who helps us cross the ocean of samsara (worldly existence).
Whose complexion is white like the snowy mountains, profound and majestic,
Whose beautiful body shines with the splendor of millions of Kamadevas (Cupids),
Whose head is adorned with the graceful, flowing Ganga,
And whose forehead bears the crescent moon, while serpents coil around His neck.
I worship the beloved Shankara, the Lord of all beings,
Whose earrings swing, whose beautiful eyes are vast,
Whose face is serene, whose throat is blue, who is compassionate,
Who wears the hide of an elephant and a garland of skulls.
I worship the Lord of Bhavani (Parvati), who is comprehended through devotion,
Who is fierce, pre-eminent, mighty, the Supreme Lord,
Indivisible, unborn, radiant as millions of suns,
Who eradicates the three kinds of suffering, and holds a trident in His hand.
O Lord, who transcends time, who is auspicious, who brings the cosmic dissolution,
Who always grants joy to the virtuous, the destroyer of Tripura,
The embodiment of conscious bliss, the remover of delusion,
Be pleased, O Lord, the vanquisher of Manmatha (Kamadeva).
As long as people do not worship the lotus feet of Uma’s Lord (Shiva),
Neither in this world nor in the next, can they attain happiness, peace, or the destruction of suffering.
Be pleased, O Lord, who dwells in all beings.
I know neither Yoga, nor Japa, nor Puja,
I bow to you always, O Shambhu.
O Lord Shambhu, tormented by the sorrows of old age, birth, and death,
Protect me, who has taken refuge in you! O Lord Isha, O Shambhu!
This Rudrashtakam, recited by a Brahmin for Shiva’s delight,
To those who recite it with devotion, Shambhu is pleased.
Meaning
Rudrashtakam is a devotional hymn in praise of Lord Shiva, composed in Sanskrit. Each verse reveres Shiva by highlighting His divine attributes, cosmic forms, and benevolent nature. It describes Him as the supreme, all-pervading Brahman, the source of creation, preservation, and dissolution. The stotram emphasizes His formless and attributeless nature, alongside His compassionate manifestations for devotees. It speaks of His iconic imagery, such as the Ganga in His matted hair, the crescent moon on His forehead, and the serpents around His neck, symbolizing His control over cosmic forces and time. The verses express complete surrender and devotion to Shiva, seeking His protection from worldly suffering and His grace for liberation and peace. The concluding verse assures that devotees who recite this hymn with sincerity will receive Lord Shambhu's blessings.
Method of Chanting
Time: Rudrashtakam can be recited at any time of day, though early mornings (Brahmamuhurta) or during evening hours are traditionally considered most auspicious. Recitation during Shiva-related festivals like Maha Shivaratri or Pradosh vrat is also particularly beneficial.
Count: There is no fixed count for daily recitation. Devotees may choose to recite it once, three times, or eleven times, based on their personal discipline and time. Consistency in recitation is often more valued than high counts.
Discipline: Recitation should ideally be done in a clean and peaceful environment. It is customary to sit in a comfortable posture with a calm mind. Focusing on the meaning of the verses and maintaining reverence for Lord Shiva enhances the spiritual benefits. Prior purification through a bath is recommended.
Clarifications
Rudrashtakam is a stotram (hymn of praise), not a mantra for specific ritualistic japa (repetitive chanting) to achieve material desires. Its primary purpose is to foster devotion (bhakti) towards Lord Shiva and to gain spiritual solace and purification. While it can be recited by anyone, understanding its meaning can deepen the devotional experience. There are no strict restrictions on who can recite it.