Shiva Namavali Ashtakam
Shree shivanaamaaval'yasht'akam'
He chandrachood'a madanaantaka shoolapaane
Sthaano gireesha girijesha mahesha shambho |
Bhootesha bheetabhayasoodana maamanaatham'
Sam'saaraduh'khagahanaajjagadeesha raksha || 1 ||
He paarvateehri'dayavallabha chandramaul'e
Bhootaadhipa pramathanaatha gireeshachaapa |
He vaamadeva bhava rudra pinaakapaane
Sam'saaraduh'khagahanaajjagadeesha raksha || 2 ||
He neelakant'ha vri'shabhadhvaja panchavaktra
Lokesha sheshavalaya pramathesha sharva |
He dhoorjat'e pashupate girijaapate maam'
Sam'saaraduh'khagahanaajjagadeesha raksha || 3 ||
He vishvanaatha shiva shankara devadeva
Gangaadhara pramathanaayaka nandikesha |
Baaneshvaraandhakaripo hara lokanaatha
Sam'saaraduh'khagahanaajjagadeesha raksha || 4 ||
Vaaraanaseepurapate manikarnikesha
Veeresha dakshamakhakaala vibho ganesha |
Sarvajnya sarvahri'dayaikanivaasa naatha
Sam'saaraduh'khagahanaajjagadeesha raksha || 5 ||
Shreemanmaheshvara kri'paamaya he dayaal'o
He vyomakesha shitikant'ha ganaadhinaatha |
Bhasmaangaraaga nri'kapaalakalaapamaala
Sam'saaraduh'khagahanaajjagadeesha raksha || 6 ||
Kailaasashailavinivaasa vri'shaakape he
Mri'tyunjaya trinayana trijagannivaasa |
Naaraayanapriya madaapaha shaktinaatha
Sam'saaraduh'khagahanaajjagadeesha raksha || 7 ||
Vishvesha vishvabhavanaashaka vishvaroopa
Vishvaatmaka tribhuvanaikagunaadhikesha |
He vishvanaatha karunaamaya deenabandho
Sam'saaraduh'khagahanaajjagadeesha raksha || 8 ||
Gaureevilaasabhavanaaya maheshvaraaya
Panchaananaaya sharanaagatakalpakaaya |
Sharvaaya sarvajagataamadhipaaya tasmai
Daaridryaduh'khadahanaaya namah' shivaaya || 9 ||
Iti shreematparamaham'saparivraajakaachaaryasya shreegovindabhagavatpoojyapaadashishyasya shreemachchhankarabhagavatah' kri'tau shreeshivanaamaaval'yasht'akam' sampoornam ||
Meaning
The “Shiva Namavali Ashtakam,” composed by Adi Shankaracharya, is a devotional hymn where the devotee lovingly recites many sacred names of Lord Shiva. Each verse invokes Shiva through His powerful attributes — the moon-crested Lord, the destroyer of desire, the wielder of the trident, the Lord of mountains, the protector of beings, the remover of fear, and the savior from worldly sorrow.
Every verse concludes with the heartfelt plea, “O Lord of the Universe, save me from the deep ocean of worldly suffering,” reflecting true surrender.
The hymn praises Shiva as Parvati’s beloved, Neelakantha who drank the poison for the welfare of the cosmos, the five-faced Lord worshipped by devas, the remover of darkness, the Lord of Kashi, Ganga-bearing Mahadeva, and the destroyer of demons like Andhaka and Bana. Shiva is glorified as the all-knowing indweller of every heart, the compassionate guardian of devotees, and the supreme Yogi who resides in Kailasa.
The Ashtakam reveals Shiva’s nature as the destroyer of fear, giver of grace, embodiment of purity, master of the three worlds, and the ultimate refuge for all beings. The final verse praises Him as the destroyer of poverty and sorrow, the wish-fulfilling tree for the surrendered soul.
Chanting this Ashtakam brings the devotee closer to Shiva, dissolving suffering and filling the mind with peace and devotion.
Benefits
• Removes fear, sorrow, poverty, and karmic suffering
• Grants peace, protection, and spiritual upliftment
• Strengthens surrender, devotion, and inner clarity
• Invokes Shiva’s compassion and divine grace
• Helps overcome obstacles and emotional burdens
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