Asitha Krutha Shiva Stotram

In this hymn, the sage Asita praises Lord Shiva as the Supreme Guru — the guru of yogis and the guru of all gurus. He salutes Shiva as the bestower of auspiciousness, the destroyer of fear, and the one who grants liberation. Shiva is described as Mrityor Mrityu, the death of death, the one who destroys the root of mortality and liberates beings from the cycle of samsara.

Asita worships Shiva as the master of time — the cause behind time, the Lord who transcends time, and the one who devours time at dissolution. Though Shiva is beyond all gunas (qualities), He is also the support of the gunas and the seed of creation. He is the witness, the inner self, and the guiding light of all beings.

Shiva is the very form of Brahman, the knower of Brahman, and the one who abides steadfast in the realization of Brahman. Asita, overwhelmed with devotion, stands before Shiva with tears, humility, and trembling joy.

The phalaśruti explains that one who chants this stotram with devotion, and lives with purity for a year, receives immense blessings: a virtuous son endowed with knowledge, prosperity, long life, removal of misery, and wisdom even for a dull person. An unmarried devotee gains a noble spouse, enjoys happiness in this world, and attains Shiva’s presence after death.

This hymn is ancient, handed from Brahma to Prachetas, and from Prachetas to his son Asita — a lineage of spiritual wisdom.

Benefits:
    •    Freedom from fear, sorrow, and the cycle of death
    •    Attainment of knowledge, purity, strength, and peace
    •    Blessings of children, prosperity, and righteous family life
    •    Liberation from poverty and suffering
    •    Ultimately leads to Shiva’s abode and divine companionship