Shiv Chalisa

Shiv Chalisa(The Shiva forty in Hindi)
By
Ayodhya Das
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan
Mangal Mul Sujan 1
Kahat Ayodhya Das
Tum Dey Abhaya Varadan 2Victory to Ganesh son of Girija,
Who is the root cause of all that is good,
Ayodhya Das you requests for boon of fearlessness.
Jai Girija Pati Dinadayala
Sada Karat Santan Pratipala 3
Bhala Chandrama Sohat Nike
Kanan Kundal Nagaphani Ke 4
Victory to the consort of Girija,
Who is very kind to the oppressed,
You always bless the saints,
Wear the baby moon on forehead,
And wear the snake’s hood as ear studs.
Anga Gaur Shira Ganga Bahaye
Mundamala Tan Chhara Lagaye 5
Vastra Khala Baghambar Sohain
Chhavi Ko Dekha Naga Muni Mohain 6
His body is fair and ganges flows from his head,
He wears a garland of skulls and smears ash on his body,
He wears the hide of lion on his waist,
And seeing his pretty form the Naga sages are enchanted.
Maina Matu Ki Havai Dulari
Vama Anga Sohat Chhavi Nyari 7
Kara Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari
Karat Sada Shatrun Chhayakari 8
The darling daughter Of Maina,
On your left side adds to your beauty,
With trident in hand and wearing skin of lion,
You always destroy your enemies.
Nandi Ganesh Sohain Tahan Kaise
Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise 9
Kartik Shyam Aur Gana rauo
Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jata Na Kauo 10
You are with Ganesh and Nandi,
And look like the lotus flower in the middle of the sea.
You have with you the dark Karthikeya and Ganesh,
And who can describe this great scene.
Devan Jabahi Jaya Pukara
Tabahi Dukha Prabhu Apa Nivara 11
Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari
Devan Sab Mili Tumahi Juhari 12
When the Devas called for victory,
Oh Lord, you swept away their sorrow,
When Tharakasura filled them with troubles,
All the devas got your generous help.
Turata Shadanana Apa Pathayau
Luv nimesh Mahi Mari Girayau 13
Apa Jalandhara Asura Sanhara
Suyash Tumhara Vidit Sansara 14
With haste you sent to them the six faced God,
Who within no time destroyed him,
Then you killed the asura called Jalandhara,
And your fame spread all over the world.
Tripurasur Sana Yudha Machai
Sabhi Kripakar Lina Bachai 15
Kiya Tapahin Bhagiratha Bhari
Purahi Pratigya Tasu Purari 16
You then waged war against Tripurasura,
And with great mercy on all gods,
The king Bhagirath undertook great penance,
And you helped him to fulfill his vow.
Darpa chod Ganga thabb Aayee
Sevak Astuti Karat Sadahin 17
Veda Nam Mahima Tav Gai
Akatha Anandi Bhed Nahin Pai 18
Then the Ganga came down leaving her house,
And your devotees sing your praise always.
Even Vedas tried to sing your praise,
But Oh, primeval limitless one,
It did not succeed in its effort.
Pragati Udadhi Mantan te Jvala
Jarae Sura-Sur Bhaye bihala 19
Mahadev thab Kari Sahayee,
Nilakantha Tab Nam Kahai 20
Out of the churning of the ocean came the flame,
Of poison which made devas and Asuras greatly scared,
And then you as Mahadev swallowed the poison,
And then you were called the blue necked one.
Pujan Ramchandra Jab Kinha
Jiti Ke Lanka Vibhishan Dinhi 21
Sahas Kamal Men Ho Rahe Dhari
Kinha Pariksha Tabahin Purari 22
Then Lord Ramachandra worshipped you,
And won Lanka and gave it to Vibheeshana,
He wanted to worship thee with thousand lotus,
And Oh, Lord you decided to test him.
Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu goyee
Kushal-Nain Pujan Chahain Soi 23
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar
Bhaye Prasanna Diye-Ichchhit Var 24
Oh Lord you hid one of those lotus flowers,
And Lord Rama instead gave one of his lotus like eyes,
Seeing the great devotion, You Lord Shankar,
Were delighted and granted him the desired boon.
Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi
Karat Kripa Sabake Ghat Vasi 25
Dushta Sakal Nit Mohin Satavai
Bhramat Rahe Man Chain Na Avai 26
Victory, victory to you limitless, deathless one,
Shower your grace on all, Oh omniscient one,
I am being troubled by evil thoughts always,
And I am distressed and have no peace of mind.
Trahi-Trahi Main Nath Pukaro
Yahi Avasar Mohi Ana Ubaro 27
Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro
Sankat Se Mohin Ana Ubaro 28
Help me , help me, I call you Lord,
And I request your blessing just now,
Bring your trident and kill my enemies,
And free me from all these sorrow.
Mata Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi
Sankat Men Puchhat Nahin Koi 29
Swami Ek Hai Asha Tumhari
Ai Harahu Ab Sankat Bhari 30
I have mother, father , brothers and others,
But when I am in distress nobody enquires,
Oh Lord, I have only you left as hope,
Please remove this heavy sorrow from me.
Dhan Nirdhan Ko Deta Sadahin
Arat jan ko peer mitaee, 31
Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karai Tumhari
Shambhunath ab tek tumhari 32
Oh Lord You always give wealth to those who are poor,
And you wipe away their difficulties,
Except you I do not know any one else,
Oh Shambhunath, please hear my prayer to you.
Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nashan
Vighna Vinashan Mangal Karan 33
Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavan
Sharad Narad Shisha Navavain 34
Oh Lord Shankar, you are the destroyer of sorrows,
And also remover of obstacles and giver of good,
Sages seers and great ones meditate on you,
And even Saraswathi and sage Narada bow before you.
Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaya
Sura Brahmadik Par Na Paya 35
Jo Yah Patha Karai Man Lai
To kon Hota Hai Shambhu Sahai 36
Salutation, salutations, victory and salutations to Lord Shiva,
Even Gods and Brahma could not describe you
He who with devotion recites this prayer,
Would without doubt be helped by Shamboo.
Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari
Patha Karai So Pavan Hari 37
Putra-hin Ichchha Kar Koi
Nischaya Shiva Prasad Tehin Hoi 38
He who recites this with intense love,
Becomes rich by the grace of the lord.
He who desires for a Son,
Would get one surely by grace of Shiva.
Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lavai
Dhyan-Purvak Homa Karavai 39
Trayodashi Vrat Kare Hamesha
Tan Nahin Take Rahe Kalesha 40
He who brings the priest on thirteenth day of moon,
And conducts fire sacrifice with devotion,
And observes the penance of the thirteenth moon,
Would get peaceful mind and healthy body.
Dhupa Dipa Naivedya Charhavai
Anta Vasa Shivapur Men Pavai 41
Kahai Ayodhya Asha Tumhari
Jani Sakal Dukha Harahu Hamari 42
He who worships him with light and incense,
Would at the end live in the city of Shiva,
Ayodhya Prasad wishes to you,
Long life and eternal bliss.
Nitya Nema kari Pratahi
Patha karau Chalis 43
Tum Meri Man Kamana
Purna Karahu Jagadish 44
After doing the days regular duty,
I recite these forty verses with devotion,
Oh Lord of the universe, please fulfill,
All the desires of my mind.

Shivashtakam
[The octet on Shiva]
By Adi Shankara Bhagawat Pada
Translated by P. R. Ramachander
Thasmai nama parama karana karanaya,
Deepthojjwalitha pingala lochanaya,
Nagendra hara krutha kundala bhooshanaya,
Brahmendra Vishnu varadaya Nama Shivaya. 1

(I salute that Shiva, who is the real cause of causes,
Who has reddish brown eyes which shine like light,
Who wears garlands and ear drops made of the king of snakes,
And who is the one who gives boons to Brahma and Vishnu.)
Srimath prasanna sasi pannaga bhooshanaya,
Shailendraja vadana chumbitha lochanaya,
Kailasa mandara mahendra nikethanaya,
Loka trayarthi haranaya nama shivaya. 2

(I salute that Shiva, who always wears,
The clear moon and the snake as ornaments,
Whose eyes are kissed by the daughter of the mountain,
Who lives in the Kailasa peak and Mahendra mountain,
And who defeats the sorrow of the people of three worlds.)
Padmavadatha mani kundala govrushaya,
Krishnagaru prachura chandana charchithaya,
Basamanushaktha vikachothpala mallikaya,
Neelabhja kanda sadrusaya namashivaya. 3

(I salute that Shiva, who has neck of the colour of blue lotus,
Who wears ear rings made of Padma raga, who rides on a bull,
Who applies fragrance of aloe and coats himself with plenty of sandal paste,
And who applies ash on his body and wears a garland of opened lotus flowers.)
Lambathsa pingala jata makutothkataya,
Damshtra karala vikatothkata bhairavaya,
Vyagara jinambaradharaya manoharaya,
Trilokya natha namithaya namashivaya. 4

(I salute that Shiva who is saluted by lords of the three worlds,
Who has large matted crown of hair of reddish brown colour,
Who appears fierce and fearful due to his pointed teeth,
And who is very pretty wearing the hide of a tiger.)
Daksha prajapathi maha makha nasanaya,
Kshipram maha Tripura dhanava gathanaya,
Brahmorjithordhwaga karoti nikrunthanaya,
Yogaya, yoganamithaya namashivaya. 5

(I salute that Shiva, who is yoga and is saluted by yogis,
Who destroyed fire sacrifice conducted by Daksha prajapathi,
Who quickly killed the great asura called Tripurasura,
And who cut off the fifth head of Brahma, who was proud)
Samsara srushti ghatana parivarthanaya,
Raksha pisacha gana sidha samakulaya,
Sidhoragagraha ganendra nishevithaya,
Sardhoola charma vasanaya Nama Shivaya. 6

(I salute that Shiva, who wears the skin of a tiger,
Who keeps on destroying and creating the world,
Who takes care of the different demons and crowds of sidhas,
And who is served by sidhas, serpents, planets and chiefs of ganas.
Basmanga raga krutha roopa manoharaya,
Soumyaavadatha vanamasrithamasrithaya,
Gowri kataksha nayanardha nireekshnaya,
Go ksheera dhara davalaya nama shivaya. 7

(I salute that Shiva, who is as white as a stream of cow’ss milk,
Who applies ash all over him but is bewitchingly handsome,
Who is the support for those pious people who take shelter in forests,
Who with half closed eyes sees the side long glance of Gowri.)
Adithya Soma Varuna anila sevithaya,
Yagnagni hothra vara dhooma nikethanaya,
Rik sama veda munibhi sthuthi samyuthaya,
Gopaya gopa namithaa nama shivaya. 8

(I salute that Shiva, who takes care of a bull and is venerated by it,
Who is served by Sun, moon, the god of rain and the god of fire,
Who lives in places sanctified by the smoke of fire sacrifices,
And who is sung by sages well learned in Rik and Sama Veda.)
Shivashtakamidham punyam ya padeth shiva sannidhou,
Shivalokamapnothi shivena saha modhathe.

(He who reads this octet on Shiva,
In front of the temple of Shiva,
Would reach the world of Shiva,
And would be happy along with Shiva.)

Vaidynatha Ashtakam

Vaidyanatha Ashtakam
(The Octet to the king of physicians.)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Lord Shiva is considered as the king among physicians. He is worshipped in this form in Purlee Vaijyanath. He is also worshipped in this form at a great temple in Tamil Nadu known as Vaitheeswaran Koil(Temple of the lord of physicians). It is believed that Lord Rama performed the cremation of the bird Jatayu in this spot.It is also believed that Lord Angaraka(planet Mars) who was afflicted by leprosy got cured in this place. It is also believed that Lord Subramanya got his trident(vel) after worshipping in this temple.
There is a temple tank called Siddha Amrutha Theertha(the all curing nectar water) in this temple. Bathing in this tank is supposed to cure all diseases. Tiru Chandu pills distributed in this temple are considerd as a cure of all diseases. This is purported to be the medicine, which Vaidyanatha gave to Angaraka to cure his illness. Pilgrims who come here to get their illness cured take this medicine after observing the following directions. They are first required to take bath in the Angasanatana Teertham on an auspicious day during the Sukla Paksha, get the Mrittika (mud) in a new pot to the temple, mix it with sacred ash and a few drops of water from Siddhamurta Teertham.
They should grind this into a paste and offer it in prayer to the Goddess and take it in with a little water from the Teertham, whereby they will be relieved of any sort of illness. After the abhishekam, the feet of Lord Subrahmanya are covered with sandal paste mixed with saffron powder in equal weight and devotees receive it as prasad.
Devotees who are desirous of getting cured of diseases are also requested to recited the Vaidyanatha Ashtakam, thrice a day.)
Vaidyanatha Ashtakam
Sree rama soumithri jatayu veda,
Shadanadithya kujarchithya,
Sree neelakandaya daya mayaya,
Sree vaidyanathaya namasivaya. (I salute that God Shiva,

(Who is the king among physicians,
Who is worshipped by Rama and Lakshmana,
Who is woshipped by Jatayu,
Who is worshipped by the Vedas,
Who is worshipped by Lord Subrahmanya,
Who is worshipped by the Sun God,
Who is worshipped by the Mars God,
Who is having a blue neck,
And who is the personification of mercy.)

Ganga pravahendu jada dharaya,
Trilochanaya smara kala hanthre,
Samstha devairapi poojithaya,
Sree vaidyanathata namasivaya.

(I salute that God Shiva,
Who is the king among physicians,
Who wears the flow of Ganges and the moon,
On his head,
Who has three eyes,
Who had killed the God of love and death,
And who is worshipped by all devas.)

Bhaktha priyaya, tripuranthakaya,
Pinakine dushta haraya nithyam,
Prathyaksha leelaya manushya loke,
Sree vaidyanathaya namasivaya.

(I salute that God Shiva,
Who is the king among physicians,
Who is the lover his devotees,
Who has destroyed the three cities,
Who holds the bow called Pinaka,
Who destroys bad people daily,
And who plays in the world of humans).

Prabhootha vadadhi samastha roga,
Pranasa karthre muni vandhthithaya,
Prabhakarennd wagni vilochanaya,
Sri vaidyanathaya nama sivaya.

(I salute that God Shiva,
Who is the king among physicians,
Who cures all great diseases,
Like rheumatism and arthritis,
Who is saluted by great sages,
And to whom, the sun god,
Moon and God of fire are eyes.)

Vakchrothra nethrangiri viheena jantho,
Vakchrothra nethrangiri sukha pradaya,
Kushtadhi sarvonnatha roga hanthre,
Sri Vaidyanathaya nama sivaya.

(I salute that God Shiva,
Who is the king among physicians,
Who blesses those beings,
Who have lost their speech, hearing, sight and ability to walk,
With these abilities,
And who provides cure,
For devastating diseases like leprosy.)

Vedantha vedhyaya jagan mayaya,
Yogiswara dhyeya Padambujaya,
Trimurthy roopaya sahasra namne,
Sri vaidyanathaya nama sivaya.

(I salute that God Shiva,
Who is the king among physicians,
Who can be known through vedantha,
Who is spread through out the universe,
Who has a lotus feet ,
That is meditated upon by great sages,
Who is of the form of the holy trinity,
And who has thousand names.)

Swatheertha mrudbasma brudanga bajam,
Pisacha dukha arthi bhayapahaya,
Athma swaroopaya sareera bajaam,
Sri Vaidyanaathaya namasivaya.

(I salute that God Shiva,
Who is the king among physicians,
Who removes all suferings,
Caused by bad spirits, sorrows and fears,
By dip in his holy tank,
By the holy ash in the temple,
And by the mud below the neem tree of the temple,
And who is the personification of soul,
Occupying human body.)

Sree neelakandaya vrushaba dwajaya,
Sarakkanda basmadhya abhi shobithaya,
Suputhradarathi subagyathaya,
Sri vaidyanathaya nama sivaya.

(I salute that God Shiva,
Who is the king among physicians,
Who has a blue neck,
Who has the the bull on his flag,
Who shines by flowers, sacred ash and sandal,
Who grants good children and good wife,
And who blesses us with all good luck.)

Balambikesa vaidyesa bava roga haredisa,
Japen nama thrayam nithyam maha roga nivaranam.

(Those who recite this prayer,
Thrice a day with devotion,
And pray the Lord Vaidyanatha,
Who is with his consort Balambika,
And who removes the fear of birth and death,
Would get cured of all great diseases.

SHIVA RAKSHA STOTRA

(Prayer of protection to Lord Shiva)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(This great Stotra was revealed by Lord Shiva himself to sage Yagnavalkya, in his dream.)
Asya Sri Shiva Raksha stotra mantrasya
For the chant of Protection of Lord Shiva
Yagna Valkya rishi
The sage is Yagna Valkya
Sri Sadashivo devatha
God is Sada Shiva
Anushtup chanda
Meter is Anushtup
Sri Sada shiva preethyartham Shiva raksha stotra jape viniyoga
For pleasing Lord Sada Shiva, the chanting of Shiva Raksha stotra is being done.
Charitham deva devasya , maha devasya pavanam,
Aparam paramodharam, chathur vargasya sadhanam. 1
The story of God of Gods,
The blessed story of Lord Shiva,
Which is great , which is elevating,
And blesses one with four types of wealth.
Gowri vinayakopetham , pancha vakthram trinethrakam,
Shivam dyathwa dasa bhujam Shiva Rakshaam paden nara. 2
After meditating on Lord Shiva,
Who has five necks and three eyes,
And who is accompanied by Parvathi and Ganesa,
Men should read the protection of Lord Shiva.
Gangadhara sira pathu, Phalam ardendu shekara,
Nayane madana dwamsi, karnou sarpa vibhooshana. 3
Let he who carries Ganga protect my head,
Let he who keeps the crescent of moon protect my forehead,
Let the killer of Cupid protect my eyes,
Let he who wears Snakes as ornament protect my ears.
Granam pathu purar aathi, mukham pathu jagath pathi,
Jihwam vaggeswara pathu, kandharam shiva kandhara. 4
Let my nose me protected by the destroyer of puras(cities),
Let my face be protected by Lord of Universe.
Let my toungue be protected by the Lord of words,
And let my neck be protected by Shiva who lives in caves.
Sri Kanda pathu may kandam, skandhou viswa durandhara,
Bhujow bhoo bhara samhartha, karou pathu pinaka dhruk. 5
Let my throat be protected by the God with a blessed throat,
Let my shoulders be protected by , he who removes ills of the world,
Let my arms be protected by he who lessens the burden of earth,
And let he who holds Pinaka bow protect my hands.
Hrudayam Shankara Pathu, jataram girija pathi,
Nabhim mruthyunjaya pathu , katim vyagra jinambara. 6
Let Shankara protect my heart,
Let my belly be protected by consort of Girija,
Let my navel be protected by he who won over death,
And let my waist be protected by he who dresses in Tiger skin.
Sakthinee pathu deenartha, saranagatha vathsala,
Ooru maheswara pathu, janunee jagad easwara. 7
Let the God who takes mercy on the oppressed,
Who is dear to those who surrender to him protect my joints,
Let my thighs be protected by the great God,
And knees by the God of the universe.
Jange pathu jagath kartha, gulphou pathu ganathipa,
Charanou Karuna Sindhu, sarvangani sada shiva. 8
Let my calves be protected by the creator of the world,
Lat my ankles be protected by leader of Ganas,
Let my feet be protected by ocean of mercy,
And let all my body parts be protected by Sada Shiva.
Yetham shiva balo petham., raksam ya sukruthee padeth,
Sa bhukthwa sakalan kaamaan , shiva sayujyamapnuyath,
Graha bhootha pisachadhya , trilokyepi charanthi ye,
Dhoorad aasu palayanthe Shiva namabhi rakshanath. 9
That blessed one who reads this protection,
Which is blessed with power of Lord Shiva,
Would get all his desires fulfilled,
Attain nearness to Lord Shiva after death,
And planets , ghosts and ghouls ,
Which travel in any of the three worlds,
Would run immediately , far, far away,
Due to the protection given by names of Shiva.
Abhayam kara namedham kavacham Parvathi pathe,
Bhakthya bibarthee ya kande, thasya vasyam jagat thrayam,
Imam Narayana swapne Shiva Raksham yadha disath,

Prathar uthaya yogeendro, Yagna valya sthadha likath. 10

This armour of the names of the consort of Parvathi,

Would remove fears and provide protection,

To the devotees who sing these often,

And the lord of the three worlds would be within his hold,

For this protection of Lord Shiva was revealed,

By Lord Vishnu in the dream to Yagna Valkya,
Who wrote it , as he was told, as soon as he woke up in the morning.

Chidambareswara Stotram

Chidambareswara Stotram
(The prayer to Lord of Chidambara)
Translated by P.R.Ramachander
( The Lord of the Chidambara temple is Lord Shiva in the dancing pose called Nataraja. It is the holiest Shiva temple of the south India. It is also a Pancha Bhootha sthala glorifying Shiva in the form of ether (sky). The great Shaivite saints have written voluminously about this great temple. Here is a mellifluous stotra praising that “Sea of mercy”)
Krupa samaudram, sumukham, trinethram,
Jadadaharam, Parvathi vama bhagam,
Sada shivam, rudramanantha roopam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 1
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the ocean of mercy,
Who has a pleasant mien,
Who has three eyes,
Who has matted locks,
Who keeps Parvathy on his left side,
Who is ever peaceful,
And who is limitless and angry.)
Vachamatheetham phani bhooshanangam,
Ganesa thatham dhanadasya mithram,
Kandarpa nasam, Kamlothpalaksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 2
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is beyond words,
Who wears the serpent as ornament,
Who is the father of Ganesa,
Who is the friend of Kubhera,
Who destroys pride,
And who has eyes like the lotus flower.)
Ramesavandhyam rajathadrinatham,
Sri vamadevam bhava dukhanasam,
Rakshakaram rakshasa peedithanam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 3
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is worshipped by Lord Vishnu,
Who is the lord of the silver mountain,
Who judges and awards punishments,
Who destroys the sorrow of the future,
And who protects those troubled by rakshasas.)
Devathidevam jagadeka nadam.
Devesa vandyam sasi ganda choodam,
Gowri sametham krutha vigna daksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 4
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the lord of all devas.
Who is the one lord of the universe,
Who is worshipped by Indra,
Who wears the crescent of the moon,
Who is with goddess Gowri,
And who stopped the yaga of Daksha.)
Vedanthavedhyam, Sura vairi vignam,
Shubhapradam bhakthimadantharanam,
Kaalanthakam sri karuna kadaksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 5
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the ultimate end of Vedas,
Who destroys enemies of devas,
Who blesses with good his devotees,
Who killed the god of death,
And who has a merciful look.)
Hemadri chapam trigunathmabhavam,
Guhathmajam vyagrapureesamadhyam,
Smasana vasam, vrusha vaha nadam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 6
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who made the golden mountain as his bow,
Who is the soul principle of three qualities,
Who is the father of Lord Subhramanya,
Who is the lord of the town of tiger,
Who lives in cremation ground,
And who rides on a bull.)
Adhyantha soonyam tripurarimeesam,
Nandeesa mukhya sthuti vaibhavadyam,
Samastha devai pari poojithamgrim,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 7
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is nothing from beginning to end,
Who is the god of the enemies of the three cities,
Who is the chief ,worshipped by lord Nandi,
And who is again and again worshipped by all devas.)
Thameva bhantham, hyanubhoothi sarvam,
Anekaroopam paramarthamekham,
Pinakapanim bhava nasa hethum,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 8
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is with in himself the end,
Who is all that is to happen,
Who has several forms,
Who is the only truth,
Who holds the bow called Pinaka,
And who is the reason for destruction in future.)
Visweswaram nithyamananthamadhyam,
Trilochanam chandrakalavathamsam,
Pathim pasoonam hrudhi sannivishtam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 9
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the lord of the universe,
Who is stable from beginning to end,
Who has three eyes,
Who wears the crescent of the moon,
Who lives in the mind of beings as their lord.)
Viswadhikam vishnumukhairupasyam,
Trilochanam pancha mukham prasannam,
Umapathim papaharam prasantham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 10
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is more than the universe,
Who is present in the face of Vishnu,
Who has three eyes,
Who has five faces which are having a pleasant look,
Who is the lord of Goddess Uma,
And who destroys sins and is ever peaceful.)
Karpoora gathram kamaneeya nethram,
Kamasari mithram kamalendu vakthram,
Kandarpa gathram kamalesa mithram,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 11
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Whose body shines like burning camphor,
Who has very pretty eyes,
Who is the friend of the enemy of Kamsa,
Who has a lotus and moon like face,
Who has a very strong and zestful body,
And who is the friend of Lord Brahma.)
Visalanethram paripoornagathram,
Gowri kalathram haridambaresam,
Kubhera mithram jagatha pavithram,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 12
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who has very broad eyes,
Who has a complete body,
Who is the consort of Gowri,
Who is the god of Lord Vishnu,
Who is the friend of Khubera,
And who makes the world holy.)
Kalyana murthim kanakadri chapam,
Kantha samakrantha nijardha deham,
Kapardhinam kamaripum purarim,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 13
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the God of good,
Who makes the golden mountain as his bow,
Who has given and shares his body with his wife,
Who is the God with matted locks,
Who is the enemy of the lord of love,
And who is the destroyer of the cities.)
Kalpantha kalahitha chanda nrutham,
Samastha vedantha vacho nigoodam,
Ayugma nethram , girija sahayam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 14
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who at time of deluge dances the dance of destruction,
Who is not understood by all the philosophies,
Who has odd number of eyes,
And who helps the daughter of the mountain.)
Digambaram,sankha sithalpahasam,
Kapalinam soolinam aprameyam,
Nagathmaja vakthra payoja sooryam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 15
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who wears the directions as apparel,
Who laughs mildly like a conch,
Who carries a skull,
Who is armed with a trident,
And who is beyond description.)
Sadshivam sad purushair anekai,
Sadarchitham samasirassu geetham,
Vaiyagra charmambara mugra meesam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 16
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is always peaceful,
Who is always worshipped by many good people,
Who likes the songs of Sama Veda,
And who is the terrible god who wears a tiger hide.)
Phalasruthi
Chidambarasya sthavanam padedhya,
Pradosha kaleshu puman cha dhanya,
Bhogaan asesham anubhooya bhooya,
Sayujyamapyethi chidambarasya.

Telling of benefits.
(That blessed gentleman,
Who reads this prayer of Chidambara,
During the time of pradosha,
Will enjoy fully all the pleasures of this world,
And in the end attain the presence of the lord of Chidambara,

Shiva Manasa Pooja

Shiva Manasa Pooja
(The mental worship of Lord Shiva)
BY Adhi Sankara Bhagwat Pada
Translated By P.R.Ramachander

Aaradhayami mani sannibham athma lingam,
Maayapuri hrudaya pankaja sannivishtam,
Sradha nadhi vimala chitha jalabishegai,
Nithyam samadhi kusmaira punarbhavai.
(This stanza does not appear in most of the texts of Shiva Manasa Pooja but appears in Nirguna Manasa Pooja. But the version which I consult includes it here as the first stanza)

(I worship that Linga,
Which is in me as my soul,
Residing in the illusory lotus of my heart,
Getting bathed by the clear water,
Of the river of my devotion,
And worshipped daily by the Lotus,
Of my meditation for avoiding another birth.)

Rathnai Kalpitham asanam, Himajalai snanam cha divyambaram,
Naana rathna vibhooshitham mruga madha modhanvitham Chandanam,
Jathi champaka bilwa pathra rachitham, pushpam cha deepam Thada,
Deepam deva dayanithe pasupathe, hrud kalpyatham gruhyatham.
(I offer you an imaginary throne made of precious jewels,
I offer you bath in the water of melted snow from the Himalayas,
I offer you holy silken cloth to wear,
I adorn you with very many precious jewels,
I offer you musk and sandal,
I offer you Bilwa and Champaka flowers,
And I offer you the holy lamp,
But all these I offer in the portal of my mind,
Please God who is merciful and who is the Lord of all beings,
Accept my offerings and bless me.)

Souvarne nava rathna Ganda Rachithe, pathre Grutham Payasam,
Bakshyam pancha vidam Payo dadhiyutham, rambha phalam panakam,
Saaka namayutham jalam ruchikaram, karpoora gandojwalam,
Thamboolam manasa maya virachitham Bhakthyo prabho sweekuru
(Sweet rice in a golden bowl inlaid with the nine jewels, the five kinds of food made from milk and curd, bananas, vegetables, sweet water scented with camphor, and betel leaves - I have prepared all these in my mind with devotion. O lord, please accept them.)
(I offer you Ghee and the sweet payasam in golden vessel ,
Decorated with nine type of precious gems,
I offer you five different dishes made of curd and milk,
I offer you panakam made of sweet fruits,
I offer you tasty sweet scented water to drink,
I offer you the lamp made of camphor along with tinkling bells,
And I offer you betel leaf and nut,
But these are offered by my mind with utter devotion to you,
So Lord Kindly accept and bless.)

Chathram Chamarayoryugam vyajanagam, chaa darshakam nirmalam,
Veena bheri mrudanga kahala kala geetha nruthyam thada,
Sasthangam pranthi sthuthir bahu vidha, hyethat samastham maya,
Sankalpena samapitham thava vibho , poojam gruhana prabho.
(I offer you a pretty stage,
I offer you couple of decorative fans,
I also offer you shining mirror,
I offer you Veena, kettledrums, Mrudanga and a very big drum,
I offer you song and dance,
I offer you full prostration,
I offer you several types of prayers,
But all these I offer you my Lord, in my mind
So Lord kindly accept this my worship.)

Aathma thwam Girija Mathi sahacharaa, prana sarreram gruham,
Pooja theey vishayopa bhoga rachana, nidhra samadhi sthithi,
Sanchara padayo pradakshina vidhi, , sthothrani sarva giraa,
Yadyath karma karomi thathad akhilam, shambho thavaradhanam.

(My soul is your temple my lord,
My activities are thine attendants,
My body is thine home,
My acts to please my senses are thine worship,
My act of sleep is the deep meditation on thee,
All my walks with my feet are thine perambulations,
What ever falls from my mouth are thine prayers,
Oh Lord, everything I say and do are thine forms of worship.)

Kara charana krutham vaak kayajam karmajam vaa,
Sravana nayanajam vaa maanasam vaa aparadham,
Vihithamavihitham vaa sarva methath Kshamaswa,
Jaya Jaya katunabdhe sri Mahadeva Shambho.

(Please pardon Oh lord
All those acts committed by me,
By hands, by action, by body or
By hearing, by my sight, or by my mind,
Whether they are proper or improper..
Victory oh victory, Oh, ocean of mercy,
Oh, The greatest of Gods and Oh benevolent one.)

Matha cha Parvathy Devi,
Pitha devo Maheswara,
Bandhava Shiva Bakthamscha,
Swadeso Bhuvana thray.

My mother is the goddess Parvathy,
My father is the Lord Shiva,
My friends are the devotees of Shiva
And my native place is all the three worlds.

Rudhrashtakam

Rudhrashtakam
(Octet on Rudhra)
Composed by
Goswami Thulasi Das
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Here is a very rare prayer on Lord Shiva Composed by Goswami Thulasi das who was
the author of Ramacharith Manas in Hindi a great Vaishnavite saint)
Namam Meesana nirvana roopam,
Vibhum vyapakam Brahma Veda swaroopam,
Nijam nirgunam nirvikalpam nireeham,
Chidakasamaakasa vasam Bhajeham. 1
(I salute your Eesana form bereft of everything,
Who blesses, who has spread everywhere,
Who the form of Brhamam is as described in Vedas,
Who is true, who is property less, and who is everywhere
Who does not have any differences ,
And who is like a sky and resides in the divine cosmos, I pray him.)

Niraakara monkaara moolam thureeyam ,
Giraa jnana gotheethamesam gireesam,
Karalam maha kala kalam krupalam,
Gunaa gara samsara param nathoham. 2
(I salute that God who is without properties,
Who is the source of the holy sound Om,
Who is thureeya*, who is beyond sound, wisdom and senses.
Who is the God of mountains, who is cruel,
Who is the death to God of death , who is merciful,
Who is beyond properties and the bridge to cross life.
The fourth and most holy state of human beings.)
Thushaaraadhi sankasa gowram gabheeram,
Mano bhootha koti prabha sree sareeram,
Sphuran mouli kallolini charu ganga,
Lasaddala balendu kante bhujanga. 3
(I salute that God who is more whiter ,
Than the Himalayas and the conch,
Who is majestic , whose shine ,
Is superior to crores of god of love,
On whose head is the holy Ganges with waves,
Who wears the crescent on his forehead,
And a serpent encircles his neck.)
Chalath kundalam bru sunethram vishaalam,
Prasannananam neela kandam dhayalam,
Mugadheesa charmambaeam munda malam,
Priyam shankaram sarva nadham bhajami. 4
(I salute that God, with swinging ear globes,
Who has broad clear eyes, , whose face is happy,
Whose neck is blue, who is merciful,
Who wears the lion’s skin and a garland of skulls,
Who is God of all , loving and the destroyer.)
Prachandam prakrushtam Prakalbham paresam,
Akhandam ajam bhanu koti prakasam,
Thraya soola nirmoolanam soola panim,
Bhajeham bhavani pathim bhava gamyam. 5
(I salute that God who is vehement,
Who is superior , capable and divine,
Who is limitless, who is not born,
Who has the luster of billions of Suns,
Who holds the trident , who completely destroys,
Who holds the spear, who is consort of Parvathi,
And who goes in to the state of divine.)
Kalatheetha kalyani kalpanthakari,
Sada sajjananda datha purari,
Chidananda sandoha mohapahari,
Praseeda praseeda prabho mamamadhari. 6
(Oh Lord you are beyond time and ages,
You are the blissful and one who destroys ,
This world at the end of the eons,
You are the one who gives happiness to the good,
You are the destroyer of the three cities,
You are the Lord who grants us all,
Eternal bliss and destroy wrong passions,
And Oh killer of God of love, be pleased, be pleased.)
Na yavad Umanada padaravindam ,
Bhajantheeha loke pare vaa naraanaam,
Na thath sukham shanthi santhapa nasam,
Praseedha prabho Sarva bhoothadhivasam. 7
(Till one does not pray the lotus like feet ,
Of Lord Shiva, men would not get pleasure,
Peace and freedom from all sorrows
In this world or in the next world,
So please bless me God who lives in all beings.)
Na janami yogam , japam , naiva poojaam,
Nathoham sada sarvadha Shambhu thubhyam,
Jara janma dukhogha thathpyamanam,
Prabho pahi aapannamameesa Shambho. 8
(I do not know Yoga , chanting nor worship,
But I am always your devotee , Oh Shambho,
I being surrounded by old age , birth and sorrows,
Oh Lord Oh Shambo please save me from these dangers.)
Rudhrashtakamidham proktham Viprena hara thoshaye,
Ye padanthi naraa bhakthya thesham Shambhu praseedathi.
(This octet on Rudhra has been ,
Composed by a Brahmin to please the Lord,
And the man who reads this with devotion,
Would be blessed by the Lord Shambhu.)
Ithi Sri Goswami Thulasi dasa krutham Sri Rudhrashtakam sampoornam.
Thus ends The octet on Rudra, composed by Goswami Thulasidas

Kasi Viswanathashtakam

Viswanathashtakam
By Adhi Sankara Bhagawat Pada
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
Ganga tharanga ramaneeya jata kalapam,
Gowri niranthara vibhooshitha vama bhagam,
Narayana priya mananga madapaharam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 1

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who has the tufted hair made by waves of river Ganga,
Who for ever has Gowri as ornament on his left side,
Who is the friend of Lord Narayana ,
And who destroyed the pride of the god of love.)

Vachamagocharamanekaguna swaroopam,
Vageesa Vishnu sura sevitha pada padmam,
Vamena vigraha varena kalathravantham,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 2

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who is beyond the meaning of words,
Who is the store house of several good qualities,
Who has the lotus feet,
Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas,
And who keeps his better half on his left side.)

Bhoothadhipam bhujaga bhooshana bhooshithangam,
Vygrajinambaradharam, jatilam, trinethram,
Pasungusa bhaya vara pradha soola panim,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 3

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who is the lord of all beings,
Who is having a body decorated by snakes,
Who clothes himself with the skin of a tiger,
Who is having matted hair,
Who is having three eyes,
And who holds trident , rope and goad ,
And is the giver of boons.)

Seethamsu shobitha kireeta virajamanam,
Balekshananila visoshitha pancha banam,
Nagadhiparachitha basaura karma pooram,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 4

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who shines with the crown decorated by moon,
Who burnt the god of love by the fire of his eyes,
And who wears king of snakes as an ear ring.)

Panchananam durutha matha mathangajanaam,
Naganthagam danuja pungava pannaganam,
Davanalam marana soka jarataveenam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 5

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who is like a lion to the pride called elephant,
Who is like Garuda the king of birds to the snake like asuras,
And who is like the forest fire that swallows sorrow, death and old age.)

Thejomayam suguna nirgunamadweetheeyam,
Anandakandamaparajithamaprameyam,
Nagathmakam sakala nishkalamathma roopam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 6

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who has a glittering mien ,
Who is the first among those with and without shape,
Who is the reason for happiness in this world,
Who is never defeated,
Who is beyond the subject of reasoning,
Who is the soul of all serpents,
And who has a soul which is both pure and mixed.)

Aasam vihaya parihruthya parasya nindam,
Pape rathim cha sunivarya mana samadhou,
Aadhaya hruth kamala Madhya gatham paresam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 7

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
And Sing of him who is in the middle of your lotus like heart,
When it is bereft of all desires and nature of finding fault,
When it is not attached to the sinful acts,
And when it is parked in the deep meditation of Samadhi.)

Ragadhi dosha rahitham sujananuraga,
Vairagya santhi nilayam girija sahayam,
Madhurya dhairya subhagam garalabhi ramam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 8


(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who does not have faults like passion,
Who loves good people,
Who is the home of detachment and peace,
Who is helped by the daughter of the mountain,
Who has a pleasing form, full of sweetness and courage,
And wears the strongest poison.)

Phala Sruthi.

Varanasi pura pathe sthavanam sivasya,
Vyakhyathamashtakamitham patahe manushya,
Vidhyam sriyaam vipula soukhya manantha keerthim,
Samprapya deva nilaye labhathe cha moksham.


Narration of fruits

That man who reads this octet with its meaning,
Which sings the praise of Siva who is the lord of Varanasi,
Would get knowledge, wealth, great pleasure and great fame,
And in the end also attain salvation.

Shiva Thandava Stotram

Shiva thandava stotram by Ravana

Translated by P.R.Ramachander.

(It is believed that Lord Shiva is the king of all dancers. He was an expert in the thandava style of dancing. This is a vigorous manly style of dancing. This stotra is about him while in the act of dancing. Alliteration and onomatopoeia create roiling waves of resounding beauty in this great stotra. This stotra which is so majestic was composed by none other than Ravana, the demon king, who ruled over Sri Lanka who was one of the great devotees of Lord Shiva. Once the proud Ravana conquered the entire India and approached Mount Kailas on top of which Lord Shiva resides with his consort Goddess Parvathi. Ravana called Lord Shiva to come down. When he did not, he uprooted the mountain with his twenty hands. This made Goddess Parvathi jittery. Then Lord Shiva pressed down the mountain with his thumb. Ravana was crushed by the weight of the mountain. There he praised Lord Shiva by singing the Sama Veda and this great stotra composed by him. Lord Shiva was pleased and pardoned him.)

Jatatavee gala jjala pravaha pavitha sthale,
Gale avalabhya lambithaam bhujanga thunga malikaam,
Dama ddama dama ddama ninnadava damarvayam,
Chakara chanda thandavam thanothu na shiva shivam. 1

(From the forest of his matted lock , water flows and wets his neck,
On which hangs the greatest of snake like a garland,
And his drum incessantly plays damat , damat, damat , damat,
And Shiva is engaged in the very vigorous manly dance,
To bless and shower, prosperity on all of us.)

Jata kataha sambhramabrama nillimpa nirjari,
Vilola veechi vallari viraja mana moordhani,
Dhaga dhaga daga jjwala lalata patta pavake,
Kishora Chandra shekare rathi prathi kshanam mama. 2

(The celestial river agitatedly moving through his matted hair,
Which makes his head shine with those soft waves,
And his forehead shining like a brilliant fire-daga daga,
And the crescent of moon which is an ornament to his head,
Makes my mind love him each and every second.)

Dara darendra nandini vilasa bhandhu bhandura,
Sphuradigantha santhathi pramodha mana manase,
Krupa kadaksha dhorani niruddha durdharapadi,
Kwachi digambare mano vinodhamethu vasthuni. 3

(The consort of the ever sportive daughter of the mountain,
Whose mind rejoices at her side long glances,
With the stream of merciful look which removes hardships,
Makes my mind take pleasure in him who wears the directions as apparel).

Jada bhujanga pingala sphurath phana mani prabha,
Kadamba kumkuma drava praliptha digwadhu mukhe,
Madhandha sindhura sphurathwagu utthariya medhure,
Mano vinodhamadhbutham bibarthu bhootha bharthari. 4

(He, with the shining lustrous gem on the hood
Of the serpent entwining his matted locks,
He, who is with his bride whose face is decorated
By the melting of red saffron Kumkum,
And He who wears on his shoulder the hide
Of the elephant which was blind with ferociousness,
Makes my mind happy and contented,
In him who is the leader of Bhoothas*.
can be taken to mean as souls or
mythical beings guarding Kailasa.)

Sahasra lochana prabhoothyasesha lekha shekhara,
Prasoona dhooli dhorani vidhu sarangri peedabhu,
Bhujangaraja Malaya nibhadha jada jhootaka,
Sriyai chiraya jayatham chakora bandhu shekhara. 5

May he whose foot stool is decorated
By the ever flowing flower dust.
Falling the bent head of Indra and other Gods,
And may He, whose matted locks are tied by the king of serpents,
And may he , whose head is decorated
By the crescent moon who a friend of Chakora*
Shower prosperity for ever on me.
* A mythical bird which lives by drinking moon light.)

Lalata chathwara jwaladhanam jaya sphulingabha,
Nipeetha pancha sayagam saman nilimpanayakam,
Sudha mayookha lekhaya virajamana shekharam,
Maha kapali sampade, siro jadalamasthu na. 6

(May he with the raging fire
In his forehead, who burnt the God of love,
May He who is forever being saluted by king of devas,
And may he who has collected
The cool ambrosia like crescent moon on his head,
And may he who wears the collection of skulls,
Bless us to create wealth for us.)

Karala bhala pattika dhagadhaga jjwala,
Ddhanam jayahuthi krutha prachanda pancha sayage ,
Dharadharendra nandhini kuchagra chithrapathraka,
Prakalpanaika shilpini, trilochane rather mama. 7

(May He in whose dreadful forehead, fire burns “Dhahaga”, “Dhaga,”
May He who burnt the one with five arrows* as an offering to fire,
May He who is the only one who can write decorative lines,
On the tip of the breasts of the daughter of the mountain,
And May He with three eyes make mind enjoy in him.
* The God of love)
Naveena megha mandali nirudha durdharath sphurath,
Kahoo niseedhi neethama prabhandha bandha kandhara,
Nilimpa nirjari darsthanothu kruthi sindhura,
Kala nidhana bandhura sriyam jagat durandhara. 8

(May He whose black neck is as dark
As several layers of new clouds,
Packed closely on the night of the new moon.
May He who wears the celestial river on his head,
May He who killed the Gajasura with an elephant head,
May He who is very handsome because of the crescent that he wears,
And may he who carries the entire burden of the world,
Bless us with all sorts of wealth .)

Prafulla neela pankaja prapancha kalima prabha,
Valambhi kanda kanthali ruchi prabandha kandharam,
Smarschidham puraschidham bhavaschidham makhachidham,
Gajachidandakachidham tham anthakachidham bhaje. 9

(I salute him, who shines with a black neck
Similar to the well opened blue lotus,
On which all the temples depend for prayer,
And him who destroyed God of love, the three cities,
The worldly problems and yaga destroyers,
And him who destroyed elephant faced Asura and also God of death.,)

Agarva sarva mangalaa kalaa kadamba manjari,
Rasa pravaha madhuri vijrumbha mana madhu vrtham,
Suranthakam, paranthakam, bhavanthakam, makhandakam,
Gajandhakandhakandakam thamanthakanthakam bhaje. 10

(I salute him who is like the bee who drinks the sweetened honey ,
That flows from the flower bunch of collection of arts of the Goddess,
And him who destroyed God of love, the three cities,
The worldly problems and yaga destroyers,
And him who destroyed elephant faced Asura and also God of death.)

Jayathwadhabra vibramadbujaamga maswasath,
Vinirgamath, kramasphurath, karala bhala havya vat,
Dhimi dhimi dhimi dhwanan mrudanga thunga mangala,
Dhwani karma pravarthitha prachanda thandawa shiva. 11

(Victory to the great Shiva , who has the fire burning in his forehead,
Which is increased by the breath of the snake wandering in the sky,
And to Him who dances to the changing tunes and fierce sound,
Of Dhimi, dhimi, dhimi coming out the auspicious drum.)

Drusha dwichi thra thalpayor bhujanga moukthika srajo,
Garishta rathna loshtayo suhrudhwi paksha pakshayo,
Trunara vinda chakshusho praja mahee mahendrayo,
Samapravarthika kadha sadashivam bhajamyaham. 12

(When will I be able to worship that eternal shiva,
With a feeling of equanimity towards snake and a garland,
Towards great gems and dirt or friends and enemies,
Or Towards a blade of grass and lotus like eyes,
Or emperor and ordinary men.)

Kada nilampa nirjaree nikunja kotare vasan,
Vimuktha durmathee sada sirasthanjaleem vahan,
Vilola lola lochano lalama bhala lagnaka,
Shivethi manthamucharan kada sukhee bhavamyaham. 13

(When will I live the life of pleasure , meditating on Shiva,
Sitting near a hollow place near the celestial river Ganga,
Releasing all my bad thoughts and with hands clasped above my head,
After releasing all passion for the pretty women with shifting eyes?)

Imam hi nithya meva muktha muthamothamam sthavam,
Padan , smaran broovan naro vishudhimethi santhatham,
Hare Gurou subhakthimasu yathi nanyadha gatheem,
Vimohinam hi dehinaam sushakarasya chithanam. 14

(This greater than the great prayer if read,
Remembered, or recited daily by man,
Will make him pure, eternal,
And he would get devotion to Shiva leading him to salvation,
For remembering Lord Shiva, is a sure method of removal of detachment.)

Poojavasana samaye dasa vakhra geetham,
Ya shambhu poojana param padthi pradhoshe,
Thasya sthiraam radha gajendra thuranga yuktham,
Lakshmeem sadaiva sumukheem pradadathi shambu. 15

(He who sings this song composed by the ten headed one,
At the end of every worship or ,
Reads it after worship of Shiva on the Pradosha day ,
Will get by the blessing of lord Shiva, chariots, elephants and horses,
As well as the affectionate sight of god of wealth.)

Ithi Ravana krutham,
Shiva thandava stotram, Sampoornam,
Thus ends the prayer of the dancing Shiva,

Composed by Ravana.

MAHA MRUTYUNJAYA STOTRAM

Maha mrutyunjaya stotram
(Prayer of the great victor over death)
By Sage Markandeya
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(Sage Mrukandu, prayed Lord Shiva for a son. Lord Shiva asked him whether he wanted an intelligent son who will live only for 16 years or foolish son, who will live for one hundred years. The sage chose the former. A son was born to him and was named as Markandeya. This boy became a very great devotee of Lord Shiva. On his sixteenth birthday, he entered the sanctum sanctorum of the lord and embraced him. Yama, the lord of death came to take away his soul. Lord Shiva killed Yama. Then the boy Markandeya sang the following stotra. This prayer is supposed to ward of all evils, remove fear of death and realize all wishes.)
MAHA MRUTYUNJAYA STOTRAM
Atha nyasam (now the Introduction)

Om Sri Ganesaya Nama.

Om asya Sri Maha mrutyunjaya stotra mantrasya ,

Sri Markandeya rishi,

Anushtup chanda, Sri Mrutyunjayo devatha,

Gowri shakthi, , samastha mrutyu santhyartham , sakala aiswarya prapthyartham ,

jape viniyoga

(Salutations to Lord Ganesa. I am chanting this “Maha mrutyunjaya mantra(Chant to win over death), which is composed by Sage Markandeya, in anushtup meter, with Mrutyunjaya as God, Gowri as the strength, with a view to win over death and getting of all sorts of wealth.)

Atha dhyanam (Now the prayer)

Chandrarkagni vilochanam, smitha mukam,
Padmadwayantha sthitham,
Mudra pasa mrugakshasuthra vilasath paanim
Himaam suprabham,
Kotindu prakalathsudhaplutha thanum haaraathi,
Bhooshojwalam,
Kantham viswa vimohanam, pasupathim,
Mruthyunjayam bhavayeth.

(I meditate on that victor over death,
Who has moon, sun and fire as eyes,
Who has a smiling face,
Who sits on two lotus flowers,
Whose hands shine with the sign the rope,
The deer and the garland of rudraksha,
Who has the pleasant shine of the ice,
Who has a body drenched by nectar,
From billions of moons,
Who ornaments himself with several garlands,
Who is very handsome,
Who can attract the entire world,
And who is the lord of all beings. )

Jape Viniyoga(Now the chant is being started)

Rudram , pasupathim, sthanum, neelakandam, umapathim,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 1

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is the angry one,
Who is the lord of all beings,
Who is stable,
Who has a blue neck,
And who is the consort of Uma. )

Neelakandam, kalamoorthim kalagnamr kalanasanam,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 2

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is having a blue neck,
Who is the form of death,
Who knows paste, present and future,
And who destroyed the god of death. )

Neelakandam, viroopaksham nirmalam vimalapradham,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 3

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who has a blue neck,
Who has a different eye,
Who is clean,
And who is dazzlingly bright. )

Vamadevam mahadevam lokanadham jagatgurum,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 4

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who judges according to merit,
Who is the greatest god,
Who is the lord of the universe,
And who is the teacher of the world. )

Devadevam jagannatham devesam vrushabhadwajam,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 5

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is the God of gods,
Who is the lord of the earth,
Who is the god of devas,
And who has a bull flag.)

Traiksham chathurbhujam santham jata makuta dharanam,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 6

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who has three eyes,
Who has four hands,
Who is peaceful,
And who wears matted hair and a crown. )

Bhasmoddulitha sarvangam nagabharana bhooshitham,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 7

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is covered with ash,
All over his body,
And who wears the serpent,
As an ornament. )

Anatham avyayam santham akshamala dharam haram,.
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 8

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is limitless,
Who cannot be explained,
Who is peaceful,
Who is the killer,
And who wears the garland of eyes )

Aaandham paramam nithyam kaivalya pada dhayinam,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 9

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is happiness,
Who is beyond thought,
Who is stable,
And who grants salvation.)

Ardhanaareeswaram devam parvathy prana nayakam,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 10

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is the god half male half female,
And who is the darling of Parvathy. )

Pralaya sthithi karthaaram adhi kartharameeswaram,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 11

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who creates the state of deluge,
And who is the god who made the beginning.)

Vyomakesam viroopaksham chandrardha krutha shekaram,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 12

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Whose hair is the sky,
Who has a different eye,
And who has collected half of the moon.)

Gangadharam sasidharam sankaram shoolapaninam,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 13

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who carries the river ganga,
Who keep moon as an ornament,
Who is Lord Shankara,
And who carries a trident. )

Swargapavarga datharam srushti sthithyanthakarinam,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 14

(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that God,
Who grant heaven and salvation,
Who looks after creation , upkeep and destruction. )

Kalpa ayur dehi mey punyam yavad ayur arogatham,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 15


(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who can grant a life of an eon,
Who can bless you with a long life,
Bereft of any sickness. )

Shivesanam mahadevam vamadevam sadashivam,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 16


(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is Shiva as well as Easwara,
Who is the great god,
Who gives correct judgments,
And who is always peaceful. )

Uthpathi sthithi samhara karthara meeswaram gurum,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. 17


(What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who takes responsibility,
Of creation, upkeep and destruction,
And who is a great teacher. )

Markandeya krutham stotram ya padeth shiva sannidhou,
Thasya mruthyu bhayam nasthi na agni chora bhayaam kwachith. 18

Any one reading this prayer,
Written by Markandeya,
In front of Lord Shiva,
Would not have,
Fear of death,
Nr fear of fire and thieves.

Shathavrutham prakarthavyam sankate kashta nasanam,
Suchir bhoothwa padeth stotram sarva sidhi pradhayakam 19

Reading it one hundred times,
In times of misery,
Will get rid of it,
And reading it with a clean mind,
Would make one get all his wants.

Mruthyunjaya mahadeva thrahi maam saranagatham,
Janma mrutyu jara rogai , peeditham karma bandhanai. 20

(Oh great god, Who has won over god of death,
Please save me as I am submitting to you,
From births, deaths, old age and disease,
And also the ties of Karma which affect me. )


Thaavaka stvad gatha prana thawa chithoham sada mruda,
Ithi vignapya devesam thryambakakhyam japeth,
Nama sivaya Sambaya haraye paramathmane,
Pranatha klesa naasaya yoginaam pathaye nama. 21-22

(I appeal to the God that,
“My soul goes towards you,
And my mind always meditates on you,”
And then chant of thryambaka* mantra,
And salute that Samba,
Who is the inner soul of the destroyer,
And pray,” destroy all life’s problems,
Oh Lord of Yoga, I salute you.” )

chandraskharashtakam

Chandrasekharashtakam
By Sage MarkandeyaTranslated by P. R. Ramachander
[Sage Markandeya was saved by Lord Shiva of certain death at the age of 16 by killing the God of death. This stotra is supposed to have been sung by the sage after that.]

Rathna sanu sarasanam, rajathadri srunga nikethanam,

Sinchini krutha pannageswarachyuthahana sayakam,

Kshipra dhagdha pura thrayam thri divalayairabhi vanditham,

Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.1

(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who made the mountain of jewels in to his bow,Who resides on the mountain of silver,Who made the serpent Vasuki as rope,Who made Lord Vishnu as arrows,And quickly destroyed the three cities,And who is saluted by the three worlds,And so what can the God of death do to me? )

Pancha paada pa pushpa gandhambhuja dwaya shobitham,

Phala lochana jatha pavaka dagdha manmatha vigraham,

Basma digdha kalebharam, bhava nasanam, bhava mavyayam,

Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.2

(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who shines with the pair of his lotus like feet,Which are worshipped by the scented flowers of five kalpaka trees,Who burnt the body of God of love,Using the fire from the eyes on his forehead,Who applies ash all over his body,Who destroys the sorrow of life,And who does not have destruction,And so what can the God of death do to me? )

Matha varana mukhya charma kruthothareeya mahoharam,

Pankajasana padma lochana poojithangri saroruham,

Deva sindhu tharanga seekara siktha jatadharam,

Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.3

(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who is the stealer of minds because of his upper cloth,Made of the skin of the ferocious elephant,Who has lotus like feet which are worshipped,By Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu,And who has matted hair drenched by drops,Of the waves of the holy river Ganga,And so what can God of death do to me? )

Yaksha raja sakham bhagaksha haram bhujanga bhooshanam,

Shila raje suthaa parish krutha charu vama kalebharam,

Kshweda neela galam praswadha dharinam mruga dharinam,

Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.4

(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who is friend of Lord Khubhera,Who destroyed the eyes of Bhaga,Who wears serpent as ornament,Whose left part of the body is decorated,By the daughter of the king of mountain,Whose neck is blue because of the poison,Who is armed with an axe,And who carries a deer with Him,And so what can God of death do to me? )
Kundali krutha kundaleeswara kundalam vrusha vahanam,

Naradadhi muneeswara sthutha vaibhavam bhuvaneswaram,

Andhakandhaka masrithamara padapam samananthakam,

Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.5

(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who wears the ear studs made of a curling serpent,Who is the great one being praised by Narada and other sages,Who is the Lord of the entire earth,Who is the killer of Anthakasura.Who is the wish giving tree to his devotees,And who is the killer of God of death,And so what can God of death do to me? )

Bheshajam bhava roginamkhilapadamapa harinam,

Daksha yagna vinasanam trigunathmakam trivilochanam,

Bhukthi mukthi phala pradham sakalagha sanga nibharhanam,

Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.6(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who is the doctor who cures sorrowful life,Who destroys all sorts of dangers,Who destroyed the fire sacrifice of Daksha,Who is personification of three qualities,Who has three different eyes,Who bestows devotion and salvation,And who destroys all types of sins,And so what can God of death do to me? )

Bhaktha vathsala marchitham, nidhim,akshayam, Haridambaram,

Sarva bhoothapathim, Parathparam apreya manuthamam,

Soma varinabhoohuthasana somapanilakha krutheem,

Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.7

(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who is worshipped as darling of devotees,Who is the treasure which is perennial,Who clothes Himself with the directions,Who is the chief of all beings,Who is beyond the unreachable God,Who is not understood by any one,Who is the holiest of every one,And who is served by moon, water, sun, earth,Fire, ether, boss and the WindAnd so what can god of death do to me? )

Viswa srushti vidhayinam, punareva palana thathparam,

Sam harathamapi prapanchamasesha loka nivasinam,

Kredayantha maharnisam, gana nadha yudha samnvitham,

Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.8
(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who does the creation of the universe,Who then is interested in its upkeep,Who at proper time destroys the universe,Who lives in every being of the universe,Who is plays day and night with all beings,Who is the leader of all beings,And who is like any one of them,And so what can god of death do to me? )
Mruthyu bheetha mrukandu soonu krutha sthavam shiva sannidhou,

Yathra Thathra cha ya padennahi thasya mruthyu bhayam bhaveth,

Poorna mayor aroghitha makhilarthasambadamdhyam,

Chandra Shekara Eva thasya dadadhathi mukthi mayathnatha. 9He who reads this prayer,Composed by the son of Mrukandu,Who was fear struck with death,,In the temple of Lord Shiva,Will not have fear of death,He would have full healthy life,With all grains and all wealth,And Lord Chandra Shekara,Would give Him,Salvation in the end.

Bilwashtakam

Bilwashtakam

[The Octet to the Bilwa]Translated by P. R. Ramachander[

The leaves of Bilwa (Aegle marmelos),

which has multiple leaves, with each leaf consisting of three leaves is very dear to Lord Shiva. Offering this leaf to Lord Shiva pleases him especially on the Shivarathri .There are several stories how people got salvation by offering one Bilwa leaf to Lord Shiva.]
Tridalam trigunakaaram trinethram cha triyayusham,
Trijanma papa samharam Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 1
(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
Which has three leaves,
Which causes three qualities,
Which are like the three eyes of Shiva,
Which is like the triad of weapons,And which destroys sins of three births.)
Trishakhai bilwapathraischa hyachidrai komalai shubai,
Shiva poojam karishyami, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 2
(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, Which has three shoots,Which do not have holes,Which are good and pretty,And worship Lord Shiva.)
Aganda bilwa pathrena poojithe nandikeshware,
Shudhyanthi sarva papebhyo, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 3
(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,For if an uncut leaf is offered,To his steed the god Nandi,We get cleaned of all our sins.)
Salagrama shilamekaam vipranam jatha cha arpayeth,
Soma yagna maha punyam, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 4
(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,For it is equal to, offering a saligrama to a Brahmin,Or the great blessing got out of performing Soma Yaga,)
Dandi koti sahasrani vajapeya sathani cha,
Koti kanya maha danam, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 5
(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,For it is equal to gifting thousand elephants,Or the performing of hundred fire sacrifices,Or giving away billions of girls.)
Lakshmyasthanutha uthpannam mahadevasya cha priyam,
Bilwa vruksham prayachami, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 6
(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,For it is equal to giving a tree of Bilwa,Which was born from the breast of Lakshmi,And which is very dear to the Lord Shiva.)
Darshanam bilwa vrukshasya, sparsanam papa nasanam,
Aghora papa samharam, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 7
(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,As seeing and touching of a tree of Bilwa,Washes away ones sins and also very great sins.)
Kasi kshethra nivasam cha kala bhairava darshanam,
Prayaga madhavam drushtwa, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 8
(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,After living in the city of Kasi,Seeing the Kala Bhairawa,And also visiting the temple Of Madhawa in Allahabad.)
Moolatho brahma roopaya, madhyatho Vishnu roopini
Agratha shiva roopaya, Eka bilwam shivarpanam 9
(I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,As Brahma resides at its bottom,Lord Vishnu lives in its middle,And Lord Shiva lives in its tip.)
Bilwashtakam idham punyaam, padeth shiva sannidhou,
Sarva papa nirmuktha Shiva loka maapnuyath. 10
(Reading this holy octet of Bilwa,In the presence of Lord Shiva,Would save one from all sins,And in the end take him to the world of Shiva )

UMA MAHESWARW STOTRAM

Uma Maheswara Stotram
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

Nama Sivabhyam, Nava Youvanabhyam,
Paraspara slishta Vapurtharabhyam,
Nagendra Kanya vrusha Kethabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam

(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,Who are always in fresh stage of youth,Who cling to each other in tight embrace,Of whom one is the daughter of the mountain,And the other is one whose symbol is a bull,Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess Parvathy.)

Nama Shivaabhyam sarasothsavabhyam,
Namaskruthabheeshta vara prathabhyam,
Narayanenarchitha padukabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam

(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,Whose playful love is a festival,Who grant boons to those who salute them,And whose feet is worshipped by Lord Narayana,Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess Parvathy.)

Nama Shivaabhyam vrusha vahanabhyam,
Virinchi vishnveendra su poojithaabhyam,
Vibhoothi pattera vilepanaabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.

(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,Who ride on the divine bull,Who are worshipped by Vishnu, Brahma and Indra,And whose bodies are anointed with Sandal and holy ash,Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess Parvathy.)

Nama Shivaabhyam Jagadeeswarabhyam,
Jagat pathibhyabhyam , Jaya vigrahabhyam,
Jambhari mukhyair abhi vandidabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.

(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,Who are the lord and lady of the universe,Who are always victorious,And who are worshipped by Indra and his chiefs,Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess Parvathy)

Namashivaabhyam paramoushadabhyam,
Panchakshari panjara ranjithabhyam,
Prapancha srushti sthithi samhruthibhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.

(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,Who are themselves the greatest medicineWho are happy to hear panchakshari repeated,And who create , rule and destroy the universe,Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess Parvathy)

Namashivaabhyam Athi sundarabhyam,
Athyanthamasaktha hrudambujabhyam,
Asesha lokaika hithamkarabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.

Uma Maheswara Stotram

Uma Maheswara Stotram

Translated by P. R. RamachanderNama Sivabhyam,
Nava Youvanabhyam,
Paraspara slishta Vapurtharabhyam,
Nagendra Kanya vrusha Kethabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam
(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,

Who are always in fresh stage of youth,

Who cling to each other in tight embrace,

Of whom one is the daughter of the mountain,

And the other is one whose symbol is a bull,

Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess )Parvathy.

Nama Shivaabhyam sarasothsavabhyam,
Namaskruthabheeshta vara prathabhyam,
Narayanenarchitha padukabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam
(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,

Whose playful love is a festival,

Who grant boons to those who salute them,

And whose feet is worshipped by Lord Narayana,

Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess Parvathy.)

Nama Shivaabhyam vrusha vahanabhyam,
Virinchi vishnveendra su poojithaabhyam,
Vibhoothi pattera vilepanaabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,

Who ride on the divine bull,

Who are worshipped by Vishnu, Brahma and Indra,

And whose bodies are anointed with Sandal and holy ash,

Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess Parvathy.)
Nama Shivaabhyam Jagadeeswarabhyam,
Jagat pathibhyabhyam ,
Jaya vigrahabhyam,
Jambhari mukhyair abhi vandidabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,

Who are the lord and lady of the universe,

Who are always victorious,

And who are worshipped by Indra and his chiefs,

Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess Parvathy)

Namashivaabhyam paramoushadabhyam,
Panchakshari panjara ranjithabhyam,
Prapancha srushti sthithi samhruthibhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.
(Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shivaa,

Who are themselves the greatest medicine

Who are happy to hear panchakshari repeated,

And who create , rule and destroy the universe,

Salutations and salutations to Lord Sankara And to that Goddess Parvathy)

Namashivaabhyam Athi sundarabhyam,
Athyanthamasaktha hrudambujabhyam,
Asesha lokaika hithamkarabhyam,
Namo Nama Sankara Parvatheebhyam.

LORD SHIVA SLOKAS

LORD SHIVA SLOKAS;
Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli
Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee
Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree
Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree
Meaning: Oh, Lord Shiva, who is seated on Mount Kailas, whose forhead is decorated with the moon and the king of serpents as a crown, who is the Ocean of Mercy and the remover of delusion, You alone can protect me. I surrender to thee.
MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA
Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahey
Sugandhim Pusti Vardhanam
Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaath
Mrutyor Muksheeya Maamritaat
Meaning: We worship the three eyed One (Lord Shiva) who is fragrant and who nourishes all beings; may He liberate me from death, for the sake of immortality, even as cucumber is severed from its bondage of the vine.
Mrutyunjayaaya Rudraaya
Neelakantaaya Shambhave

Amriteshaaya Sarvaaya
Mahadevaaya Te Namaha
Meaning: I pray to Lord Mahadeva who has conquered death, who is the destroyer of the universe, who has a blue neck and who gives happiness to all.
Vande Deva Umaa Pathim Suragurum
Vande Jagat Kaaranam
Vande Pannaga Bhooshanam Mruga Dharam
Vande Pashoonam Pathim
Vande Soorya Shashanka Vahni Nayanam
Vande Mukunda Priyam
Vande Bhakta Jana Ashrayam Cha Varadam
Vande Shiva Shankaram
Meaning:I bow down to the Lord of Uma (Parvathi), the divine Guru, the cause of the universe. I bow down to the Lord who is adorned with snake and wears tiger skin, the Lord of all creatures. I bow down to the Lord whose three eyes are the sun, moon and fire and to whom Lord Vishu is near. I bow down to the Lord who is the refuge of all devotees and the giver of boons, Shiva Shanakara.
Gauri Vallabha Kaamaarey
Kaala Koota Vishaasana
Maam Uddhhare Padambhoje
Tripura Agnyata Kaantaka
Meaning: Please save me, oh Lord Kaamaarey (another name for Lord Shiva). You are mother Gauri's consort; You are the One who drank the kaala koota poison (which resulted from the churning of the ocean); You are the destroyer of the three cities. Oh Lord I have taken refuge at Your Feet.
LINGAASHTAKAM
Brahma Muraari Suraarchita Lingam
Nirmala Bhashita Shobhita Lingam
Janmaja Dukha Vinaashaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods, which is praised by pure and holy speeches and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.
Devamuni Pravaraarchita Lingam
Kaamadaham Karunaakara Lingam
Raavana Darpa Vinaashaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sada Shiva Lingam
Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is the destroyer of desires, which the Devas and the sages worship, which is infinitely compassionate and which subdued the pride of Raavana.
Sarva Sugandha Sulepitha Lingam
Buddhi Vivardhana Kaarana Lingam
Siddha Suraasura Vanditha Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is lavishly smeared with variegated perfumes and scents, which elevates the power of thought and enkindles the light of discrimination, and before which the Siddhas and Suras and Asuras prostrate.
Kanaka Mahaamani Bhushitha Lingam
Phanipathi Veshtitha Shobhitha Lingam
Daksha Suyajna Vinaashaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, the destroyer of Dakshas sacrifice, which is decorated with various ornaments, studded with different gems and rubies and which glows with the garland of the serpent Lord coiled around it.
Kumkuma Chandana Lepitha Lingam
Pankaja Haara Sushobhitha Lingam
Sanchitha Paapa Vinaashaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is smeared with saffron and sandal paste, which is decorated with lotus garlands and which wipes out all accumulated sins.
Devaganaarchitha Sevitha Lingam
Bhaavair Bhakti Bhirevacha Lingam
Dinakara Koti Prabhakara Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga which is worshipped by the multitude of Gods with genuine thoughts full of faith and devotion and whose splendor is like that of a million suns.
Ashta Dalopari Veshtitha Lingam
Sarva Samudbhava Kaarana Lingam
Ashta Daridra Vinaashaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, destroyer of all poverty and misery in its eight aspects, which is the cause of all creation and which stands on the eight petalled Lotus.
Suraguru Suravara Pujitha Lingam
Suravana Pushpa Sadaarchitha Lingam
Paraatparam Paramatmaka Lingam
Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga which is the Transcendent Being and the Supreme Self, worshipped by all Suras and their preceptor (Brhaspathi), with innumerable flowers from the celestial gardens.
SHIVA PANCHAAKSHARA STOTRA
Nagendra Haaraaya Thrilochanaaya
Bhasmaanga Raagaaya Maheshvaraaya
Nityaaya Suddhaaya Digambaraaya
Tasmai Nakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya.
Meaning: I offer my humble salutations to Lord Mahesvara - who has a garland of serpents around the neck; who has three eyes; whose body is covered with ash (vibhuti); who is eternal; who is pure; who has the entire sky as His dress and who is embodies as the first letter Na.
Mandaakini Salila Chandana Chaarthitaaya
Nandeesvara Pramatha Naatha Mahesvaraaya
Mandaara Pushpa Vahu Pushpa Supoojitaaya
Tasmai Makaaraaya Namah Shivaaya
Meaning: I bow to Lord Mahesvara, who is embodied as Makaara (letter Ma), whose body is anointed with holy waters from the river Ganges and sandal paste, who is the sovereign king of the Pramatha Ganas and who is adorned with innumerable divine flowers such as Mandaara.
Shivaaya Gauri Vadana Aravinda
Sooryaaya Dakshaadhvara Naashakaaya
Sree Neelakantaaya Vrisha Dhvajaaya
Tasmai Shikaaraaya Namah Shivaaya
Meaning: I offer my salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the resplendent sun for mother Gauri's lotus face (sun causes the lotus flower to open up and bloom; Lord Shiva makes mother Gauri's face bloom), who is the destroyer of Daksha's sacrificial ritual, who is the blue necked Lord (due to the Haalahala poison which He agreed to consume), whose banner bears the emblem of a bull and who is embodied as the letter Shi.
Vasishta Kumbhodbhava Gautamaaya
Muneendra Devaarchita Sekharaaya
Chandraarka Vaishvaanara Lochanaaya
Tasmai Vakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya
Meaning: I prostrate before the God of Gods, who is worshipped and prayed to by great sages such as Vashishta, Agastya and Gautama, whose eyes are sun, moon and the fire and who is embodied as Vakaara (letter Va).
Yajna Swaroopaaya Jataadharaaya
Pinaaka Hasthaaya SanaatanaayaDivyaaya
Devaaya Digambaraaya
Tasmai Yakaraaya Namah Shivaaya.
Meaning: Prostrartions to the sacred Lord who is the Yaksa incarnate, whose hairs are long and matted, who holds Pinaaka (trident) in His hand, who has the entire sky as His attire and who is embodied as the letter Ya.
Panchaaksharam Idam Punyam
Yah Pateh Shiva Sannidhau
Shivaloka Mavaapnothee
Shivena Saha Modate
Meaning: Whoever repeats this prayer composed with the five holy letters before Lord Shiva, attains that supreme abode of His and enjoys the eternal Bliss.

Thathpurushyaaya Vidhmahe
Mahadevaaya Dheemahi
Thanno Rudra(h) Prachodayaath

Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahey
Sugandhim Pusti Vardhanam
Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaath
Mrutyor Muksheeya Maamritaat'

Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli
Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee
Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree
Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree

Mrutyunjayaaya Rudraaya
Neelakantaaya Shambhave
Amriteshaaya Sarvaaya
Mahadevaaya Te Namaha

Gauri Vallabha Kaamaarey
Kaala Koota Vishaasana
Maam Uddhhare Padambhoje
Tripura Agnyata Kaantaka

Vandhe Sambumumapathimh suragurum
Vandhe Jagathkaaranam
Vandhe PanaBhooshanam mruhadharam
Vandhe Pasoonaam pathim
Vandhe Soorya Shasaankavahninayanam
Vandhe Mukundhapriyam
Vandhe Baktha Janasrayamsvratham
Vandhe Shivam Sankaram