Rudrashtakam

रुद्राष्टकम्

Stotram Tulsidas

तुलसीदास

Shiva

नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम् । निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम् ॥

Namami Isham Ishana Nirvana Rupam Vibhum Vyapakam Brahma Veda Svarupam Nijam Nirgunam Nirvikalpam Niriham Chidakasham Akasha Vasam Bhaje'ham

I bow to the supreme Lord Ishana, whose very form is liberation and the dissolution of all bondage. He is the all-pervading, omnipresent reality, the living essence of Brahman and the Vedas. He is the Self beyond all qualities, free from all duality and worldly desire. I worship that Lord who dwells as pure consciousness in the infinite sky of awareness.

निराकारमोङ्करमूलं तुरीयं गिराज्ञानगोतीतमीशं गिरीशम् । करालं महाकालकालं कृपालं गुणागारसंसारपारं नतोऽहम् ॥

Nirakaram Onkara Mulam Turiyam Gira Jnana Gotitam Isham Girisham Karalam Mahakala Kalam Kripalam Gunagara Samsara Param Nato'ham

He is formless, the very root of the sacred syllable Om, abiding in the fourth state of consciousness beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. He transcends all that speech can utter and all that the mind can know; he is the Lord of the mountains. Fearsome yet infinitely compassionate, he is the death of Death itself, the conqueror of time. I bow to that Lord who is the abode of all virtues and who carries the soul beyond the ocean of worldly existence.

तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरं गभीरं मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्री शरीरम् । स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनी चारुगङ्गा लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजङ्गा ॥

Tusharadri Sankasha Gauram Gabhiram Manobhuta Koti Prabha Shri Shariram Sphuran Mauli Kallolini Charu Ganga Lasad Bhala Balendu Kanthe Bhujanga

His complexion is luminous white like the snow-clad Himalayas, and his being is fathomlessly deep. His divine body radiates a beauty surpassing that of a million gods of love. The sacred Ganga playfully cascades from his matted locks, a young crescent moon gleams upon his forehead, and serpents adorn his throat like living garlands.

चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रूसुनेत्रं विशालं प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम् । मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं प्रियं शङ्करं सर्वनाथं भजामि ॥

Chalat Kundalam Bhru Sunetram Vishalam Prasannanam Nilakantham Dayalam Mrigadhisha Charmambaram Mundamalam Priyam Shankaram Sarvanatham Bhajami

His earrings sway gracefully, his brows and wide eyes are exquisitely beautiful, and his face shines with a serene, joyful expression. His throat bears the blue mark of the cosmic poison he willingly consumed to protect all creation, for his compassion knows no limit. Clad in the skin of a lion, wearing a garland of skulls that speaks of his sovereignty over death, he is the beloved Shankara, the Lord of all. I worship him.

प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशम् । त्र्यःशूलनिर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यम् ॥

Prachandam Prakristam Pragalbham Paresham Akhandam Ajam Bhanu Koti Prakasham Trayah Shula Nirmulanam Shula Panim Bhaje'ham Bhavani Patim Bhava Gamyam

He is fierce and supreme, bold and absolute, the highest Lord beyond all other lords. He is indivisible and unborn, blazing with the radiance of ten million suns. With the trident in his hand, he uproots the three kinds of suffering: physical, mental, and spiritual. I worship the consort of Bhavani, who can be reached only through the sincerity of pure devotion.

कलातीतकल्याण कल्पान्तकारी सदा सज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी । चिदानन्दसंदोह मोहापहारी प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी ॥

Kalatita Kalyana Kalpantakari Sada Sajjana Ananda Data Purari Chidananda Sandoha Mohaphari Prasida Prasida Prabho Manmathari

He transcends all divisions of time, he is the embodiment of auspiciousness, and he brings about the dissolution of entire cosmic cycles. He is the destroyer of the three demon cities and the ever-flowing source of bliss for the righteous. He is the overflowing abundance of pure conscious bliss, the one who removes the veil of delusion. O Lord, O vanquisher of Kamadeva, be gracious, be gracious to me!

न यावद् उमानाथपादारविन्दं भजन्तीह लोके परे वा नराणाम् । न तावत्सुखं शान्ति सन्तापनाशं प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासम् ॥

Na Yavad Umanatha Padaaravindam Bhajanti Iha Loke Pare Va Naranam Na Tavat Sukham Shanti Santapa Nasham Prasida Prabho Sarva Bhutadhivasam

As long as mortals do not worship the lotus feet of the Lord of Uma, neither in this world nor in any world beyond can they find true happiness, lasting peace, or freedom from the burning anguish of existence. O Lord who dwells within the heart of every living being, be gracious to me!

न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भुतुभ्यम् । जराजन्मदुःखौघ तातप्यमानं प्रभो पाहि आपन्नमामीश शम्भो ॥

Na Janami Yogam Japam Naiva Pujam Nato'ham Sada Sarvada Shambhu Tubhyam Jara Janma Duhkhaugha Tatapyamanam Prabho Pahi Apannam Amisha Shambho

I know nothing of yoga, nor of sacred chanting, nor of the rituals of worship. Yet I bow to you always and at all times, O Shambhu. I am scorched by the relentless flood of suffering born of old age, birth, and death. O Lord, O Shambhu, protect this helpless one who has fallen at your feet with nothing to offer but surrender.

रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये । ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति ॥

Rudrashtakam Idam Proktam Viprena Hara Toshaye Ye Pathanti Nara Bhaktya Tesham Shambhuh Prasidati

This Rudrashtakam has been composed by the learned one for the delight of Lord Hara. Those who recite it with sincere devotion will surely receive the grace of Lord Shambhu, who will be forever pleased with them.