Ashtakam is a poetic composition containing eight stanzas or verses. Shiva Lingashtakam is one of the most popular Ashtakams, which spiritually awakens countless people every day at their nearby Shiva temples—penned by Adi Shankaracharya, who was considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It declares loyalty, faith, obedience, and devotion towards Lord Shiva. Shiva Lingashtakam enlists Lord Shiva’s glories and the benefits of worshipping him.
People chant Shiva Lingashtakam during the Shiva Pooja, which is performed daily in the Shravan month (between July and August). Devotees chant Lingashtakam early in the morning or in the evening, preferably at sunrise and sunset, in front of a Shiva Lingam or remembering Lord Shiva. Let us read the Shiva Lingashtakam and its English meaning.
Brahma Murari surarchita Lingam
Nirmala bhasita sobhita Lingam
Janmaja dukha vinasaka Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam || 1 ||
Devamuni pravararchita Lingam
Kamadahana karunakara Lingam
Ravana darpa vinasaka Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam || 2 ||
Sarva sugandhi sulepita Lingam
Buddhi vivardhana karana Lingam
Siddha surasura vandita Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam || 3 ||
Kanaka maha mani bhushita Lingam
Paniphati veshtitha shobhita Lingam
Dakshasu yajna vinashana Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam || 4 ||
Kumkuma chandana lepita Lingam
Pankaja hara sushosbhita Lingam
Sanchita papa vinashana Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam || 5 ||
Devaganarchita sevita Lingam
Bhavair bhaktibhi revacha Lingam
Dinakarakoti prabhakara Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam || 6 ||
Ashtadalo pariveshtia Lingam
Sarva samudbhava karana Lingam
Ashtadaridra vinashana Lingam
Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam || 7 ||
Suraguru suravara pujita Lingam
Suravana pushpa sadarchita Lingam
Paratparam paramatmaka Lingam
Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam || 8 ||
Lingashtakamidam punyam Yat Pathet Shivasannidhau
Shivalokamavapnoti Shivena saha modate
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Lingashtakam Stotram Meaning
I bow in front of the Shiva Lingam, the eternal deity,
Who is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other celestial deities,
He is pure and magnificent,
And he destroys the grief of birth.
I kneel before Shiva Lingam, the endless deity,
Who is worshipped by great celestial bodies,
Who destroyed the god of love,
Who showers mercy,
And who destroyed the pride of Ravana.
I bow before Shiva Lingam, the eternal Shiva,
Who is anointed by perfumes,
Which paves the way to the improvement of wisdom,
And who is worshipped by Devas, Asuras and sages.
I bend down before Shiva Lingam, the eternal supreme power,
Who is decorated with gold jewels,
Who shines with the serpent around it,
And who destroyed the Yagna of Daksha.
I kneel in front of the Shiva Lingam, the timeless power,
Sandal paste and saffron adorn him,
Who wears the garland of lotus flowers,
And who can annihilate past sins.
I bow before Shiva, the embodiment of power,
All celestial beings serve him,
Who is the gateway for devotion and decent thought,
And he shines like innumerable Suns.
I kneel before Lingam, the eternal supreme,
Who is surrounded by eight petals,
Who is the key reason for all riches,
And who destroys eight types of poverty.
I kneel before Shiva Lingam, the eternal Shiva,
Who is revered by the teachers of gods,
Who is worshipped by the best of gods,
Who is worshipped by the flowers,
from the celestial garden,
the eternal abode,
And which is the eventual truth.
Anyone who chants the holy octet (Lingashtakam) of the Lingam,
In the presence of Lord Shiva,
Would end and reach the world of Shiva
To be with his company.