Rudrashtakam: The most powerful Shiva Mantra

The Rudrashtakam is an important hymn in Sanskrit literature, written by Goswami Tulsidas, the composer of the Ramcharitmanas. This hymn is dedicated to Lord Shiva and extols his glory. Reciting the Rudrashtakam can bestow the grace of Lord Shiva upon the devotees.

Rudrashtakam Verses and Their English Meaning

Verse 1

Namamīśamīśāna nirvāṇa rūpaṁ
Vibhuṁ vyāpakaṁ brahma veda svarūpam।
Nijaṁ nirguṇaṁ nirvikalpaṁ nirīhaṁ
Cidākāśa māśa vāsāṁ bhaje’ham।।

English Meaning: I bow to the Supreme Lord Shiva, the form of liberation, omnipresent, the essence of Brahman and the Vedas. He is self-existent, beyond qualities, changeless, desireless, residing in the sky of consciousness, and I worship Him.

Verse 2

Nirākāramoṁkāramūlaṁ turīyaṁ
Girā jñāna gotītamīśaṁ girīśam।
Karālaṁ mahākāla kālaṁ kṛpālaṁ
Guṇāgāra saṁsāra pāraṁ nato’ham।।

English Meaning: I bow to the formless Lord Shiva, the root of Om, transcendent, beyond speech and knowledge, the Lord of mountains. He is fierce, the great destroyer, time itself, compassionate, the abode of virtues, and beyond the world.

Verse 3

Tuṣārādri saṁkāśaṁ gauraṁ gabhīraṁ
Manobhūta koṭi prabhā śrī śarīram।
Sphuranmauli kallolini cāru gaṅgā
Lasadbālabālendu kaṇṭhe bhujangā।।

English Meaning: He is as white as the snow-capped Himalayas, profound, and his divine body shines with the radiance of millions of Cupids. With the beautiful Ganga flowing from his matted hair, adorned with the crescent moon on his forehead and a serpent around his neck, I bow to Him.

Verse 4

Calatkuṇḍalaṁ bhru sunetraṁ viśālaṁ
Prasannānanaṁ nīlakaṇṭhaṁ dayālam।
Mṛgādhiśa carmāmbaram muṇḍamālaṁ
Priyaṁ śaṅkaraṁ sarvanāthaṁ bhajāmi।।

English Meaning: With swinging earrings, beautiful brows, large eyes, a serene face, blue throat, and compassionate nature. He wears the hide of a lion and a garland of skulls, beloved Shankara, the Lord of all, I worship Him.

Verse 5

Pracaṇḍaṁ prakṛṣṭaṁ pragalbhaṁ pareśaṁ
Akhaṇḍaṁ ajaṁ bhānukoṭi prakāśam।
Trayaḥ śūla nirmūlanaṁ śūla pāṇiṁ
Bhaje’ham bhavānīpatim bhāva gamyam।।

English Meaning: Fierce, supreme, resplendent, eternal, unborn, shining like millions of suns. The wielder of the trident that destroys all suffering, I worship the consort of Bhavani, who is attained through devotion.

Verse 6

Kalātīta kalyaṇa kalpānta kāri
Sadā saccidānanda dātā purāri।
Cidānanda sandoha mohaāpahāri
Prasīda prasīda prabho manmathāri।।

English Meaning: Beyond time, the bestower of good fortune, the ender of the cosmic cycle, always the giver of truth, consciousness, and bliss, destroyer of cities. The embodiment of consciousness and bliss, remover of delusion, be pleased, be pleased, O enemy of Kamadeva.

Verse 7

Na yāvad umānātha pādāravindaṁ
Bhajanti hi loke pare vā narāṇām।
Na tāvatsukhaṁ śānti santāpa nāśaṁ
Prasīda prabho sarva bhūtādhivāsaṁ।।

English Meaning: As long as people do not worship the lotus feet of the Lord of Uma, they do not attain happiness, peace, or relief from suffering. O Lord, the abode of all beings, please be pleased.

Verse 8

Na jānāmi yogaṁ japaṁ naiva pūjāṁ
Nato’ham sadā sarvadā śambhu tubhyam।
Jarā janma duḥkhaugha tātapya mānaṁ
Prabho pāhi āpannamāmīśa śambho।।

English Meaning: I do not know yoga, recitation, or worship. I always and forever bow to Shambhu. Suffering from the pain of old age and birth, O Lord, protect me, I bow to you, O Shambhu.

The Mythological Story Behind Rudrashtakam

The mythological story behind the Rudrashtakam is fascinating. This hymn illustrates the glory and boundless grace of Lord Shiva. Goswami Tulsidas composed the Rudrashtakam while creating the Ramcharitmanas to praise Lord Shiva.

According to the story, after the completion of the Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidas experienced a divine feeling. He realized that Lord Shiva himself was pleased with this composition. To express his devotion, Tulsidas composed the Rudrashtakam in praise of Lord Shiva.

An important aspect of this story is that reciting the Rudrashtakam grants the devotees immense grace from Lord Shiva. Known as Bholenath, Lord Shiva quickly gets pleased with his devotees and fulfills their wishes. Reciting the Rudrashtakam brings peace, prosperity, and happiness to one’s life.

The Rudrashtakam is a unique hymn that glorifies Lord Shiva. The verses describe various aspects of Lord Shiva, inspiring devotees towards spiritual upliftment. Through mythological stories, we understand that reciting the Rudrashtakam brings immense grace from Lord Shiva. Worshiping Lord Shiva through the Rudrashtakam brings peace, prosperity, and happiness to devotees’ lives.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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