Sri Shankara Ashtakam
Shree shankaraasht'akam
Sheershajat'aaganabhaaram' garalaahaaram' samastasam'haaram |
Kailaasaadrivihaaram' paaram' bhavavaaridheraham' vande || 1 ||
Chandrakalojjvalaphaalam' kant'havyaalam' jagattrayeepaalam |
Kri'tanaramastakamaalam' kaalam' kaalasya komalam' vande || 2 ||
Kopekshanahatakaamam' svaatmaaraamam' nagendrajaavaamam |
Sam'sri'tishokaviraamam' shyaamam' kant'hena kaaranam' vande || 3 ||
Kat'itat'avilasitanaagam' khand'itayaagam' mahaadbhutatyaagam |
Vigatavishayarasaraagam' bhaagam' yajnyeshu bibhratam' vande || 4 ||
Tripuraadikadanujaantam' girijaakaantam' sadaiva sam'shaantam |
Leelaavijitakri'taantam' bhaantam' svaanteshu devaanaam' vande || 5 ||
Surasaridaaplutakesham' tridashakulesham' hri'daalayaavesham |
Vigataasheshaklesham' desham' sarvesht'asampadaam' vande || 6 ||
Karatalakalitapinaakam' vigatajalaakam' sukarmanaam' paakam |
Parapadaveetavaraakam' naakangamapoogavanditam' vande || 7 ||
Bhootavibhooshitakaayam' dustaramaayam' vivarjitaapaayam |
Pramathasamoohasahaayam' saayam' praatarnirantaram' vande || 8 ||
Yastu padaasht'akametadbrahmaanandena nirmitam' nityam |
Pat'hati samaahitachetaah' praapnotyante sa shaivameva padam || 9 ||
Iti shreematparamaham'sa svaamibrahmaanandavirachitam' shreeshankaraasht'akam |
Meaning
Sri Shankarashtakam is a powerful hymn composed by Swami Brahmananda, praising Lord Shiva as the destroyer of ignorance, the remover of sorrow, and the divine protector of all beings. Every verse ends with “vande” — signifying complete surrender at Shiva’s lotus feet.
Essence of Each Verse
1 — The Lord who carries Ganga in his matted hair, bears the poison for the welfare of the universe, and dwells in Kailasa.
2 — The moon-crested One, the serpent-ornamented One, the destroyer of demons, the annihilator of Time.
3 — The destroyer of desire, the self-blissful yogi, the consort of Girija, and the remover of worldly sorrow.
4 — The one adorned with serpents, detached from worldly pleasures, and the protector of yajnas.
5 — The slayer of Tripurasuras, peaceful, ever radiant in the hearts of devas.
6 — The One whose hair is drenched by the Ganga, who removes all suffering and blesses devotees with prosperity.
7 — The wielder of Pinaka, the giver of righteous results, worshipped by gods.
8 — The One adorned by bhoota ganas, beyond illusion, and the eternal refuge for devotees.
Benefits
• Destroys sorrow & negativity
• Brings inner stability & divine protection
• Strengthens spiritual discipline
• Grants Shiva’s grace & liberation
Frequently Asked Questions
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