अष्टकम् · Shiva

Shiva Ashtakam

शिव अष्टकम्

The Shiva Ashtakam "Prabhum Prananatham Vibhum Vishwanatham" is a classical Sanskrit hymn of eight stanzas dedicated to Lord Shiva in his many magnificent aspects. The hymn praises Shiva as the supreme lord (Vishwanatha), the one who bears the sacred Ganga in his matted locks, whose third eye burned the god of desire, and who wears the crescent moon on his brow. Each verse illuminates a different aspect of Mahadeva's cosmic form and divine power. Reciting this ashtakam on Mondays and during Maha Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious and is said to grant moksha (liberation).

Sanskrit · 8 shlokas

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Shloka 1

प्रभुं प्राणनाथं विभुं विश्वनाथं जगन्नाथनाथं सदानन्दभाजम्। भवद्भव्यभूतेश्वरं भूतनाथं शिवं शङ्करं शम्भुमीशानमीडे॥

Shloka 2

जटाभारभ्राजिष्णुगांगाप्रवाहं विभूत्यङ्गरागं विसंगं विशालम्। त्रिनेत्रं त्रिलोकं त्रिशूलाभिरामं शिवं शङ्करं शम्भुमीशानमीडे॥

Shloka 3

कृपासागरं दक्षयज्ञविनाशं त्रिलोकेशमाद्यं गुणातीतमेकम्। सुरारिद्रुमं स्वर्णवर्णं सुरेशं शिवं शङ्करं शम्भुमीशानमीडे॥

Shloka 4

कलाकाष्ठातीतं कालकण्ठं करालं कृपालुं स्वभक्तेषु दीनेषु शान्तम्। क्वचिद्भस्मलिप्तं क्वचिद्वारिधौतं शिवं शङ्करं शम्भुमीशानमीडे॥

Shloka 5

स्वभक्तामरायासदातुम्बरुणां मनोऽभीष्टकामं कलादिप्रदातुम्। सदा नाथमन्त्रैर्विचिन्त्यं सुनित्यं शिवं शङ्करं शम्भुमीशानमीडे॥

Shloka 6

शरच्चन्द्रगात्रं गणेशं गिरीशं गणानां पतिं दक्षिणामूर्तिरूपम्। जटाजूटमध्ये स्फुरद्गांगधाराम् शिवं शङ्करं शम्भुमीशानमीडे॥

Shloka 7

भवं भव्यमेव स्वभावेन भूतं भवानीपतिं भक्तलोकस्य नाथम्। हरं शेषनागेन्द्रभूषाभिरामं शिवं शङ्करं शम्भुमीशानमीडे॥

Shloka 8

इदमेव नित्यं सदा शम्भुगीतं पठन्तीह मर्त्याः शिवानन्दमेति। मृतौ मोक्षमेति ध्रुवं तत्क्षणेन शिवं शङ्करं शम्भुमीशानमीडे॥

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Frequently Asked Questions about Shiva Ashtakam

What is the Shiva Ashtakam?

The Shiva Ashtakam "Prabhum Prananatham Vibhum Vishwanatham" is a Sanskrit hymn of eight stanzas (ashtakam) glorifying Lord Shiva in his various cosmic forms and aspects. It is a traditional prayer composed in the classical Sanskrit stotra tradition and is recited at Shiva temples and during personal devotion.

What are the 8 forms or names of Shiva praised in this Ashtakam?

The eight verses praise Shiva as: (1) Vishwanatha — Lord of the Universe, (2) bearer of the Ganga in his locks with three eyes and trident, (3) destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice and ocean of compassion, (4) Kalakantha — the blue-throated one beyond time, (5) the wish-fulfilling teacher who is ever meditated upon, (6) Dakshinamurti — the cosmic teacher with the Ganga in his locks, (7) Bhava — existence itself, lord of Parvati, adorned with Shesha Naga, and (8) the Phalashruti granting bliss and liberation.

What does "Vishwanatha" mean?

"Vishwanatha" (विश्वनाथ) means "Lord of the Universe" — Vishwa means universe or all, and Natha means lord or master. It is one of the most important names of Shiva, and the renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is dedicated to Shiva as Vishwanatha. Kashi (Varanasi) is believed to be the city on Shiva's trident.

When should the Shiva Ashtakam be recited on Maha Shivaratri?

On Maha Shivaratri, devotees traditionally remain awake throughout the night (jagran) and perform four prahar (quarter-night) pujas. The Shiva Ashtakam is ideally recited during each of these four pujas — at dusk, midnight, dawn, and sunrise — along with the Panchakshara Mantra (Om Namah Shivaya) for maximum benefit.

Why is Monday (Somavara) special for Shiva worship?

Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva because the Moon (Soma/Chandra) resides on Shiva's head as his crown ornament, and Monday is the day of the Moon (Soma-vara). Fasting on Mondays (Somvar Vrat) and reciting the Shiva Ashtakam is believed to bring peace, good health, and blessings from Mahadeva, and is especially recommended for marital harmony.