Shiva, who is also known as “The Auspicious One,” holds a significant role as one of the primary controllers of the material world. He is revered as the most devout follower of Vishnu, and is appointed as the exclusive overseer of the mode of ignorance in the material creation. As one of the twelve mahajans, or authorities on the devotion to Krishna, Shiva is responsible for annihilating the universe during the time of destruction. He is also married to Durga, who is known by various names such as Maya, Uma, Parvati, Sati, etc, and who personifies Krishna’s material energy. Shiva does not belong to the category of ordinary living entities, jiva, or typical demigods. Rather, he is in a unique category of existence known as shiva-tattva. Those who recite the 108 sacred Names of Shiva will receive divine blessings from the Lord. The recitation of this Shiva-Stotra has the power to cleanse one of all sins. The Supreme Lord of all beings will be immensely pleased with those who have memorized, recited or meditated upon these names with unwavering focus.
108 Names of Lord Shiva
#1 Om Shivaya Namaha – Obeisances to the Auspicious One
#2 Om Maheshvaraya Namaha – Obeisances to the Great Lord Shiva
#3 Om Shambhave Namaha – Obeisances to the Lord who exists for our happiness alone
#4 Om Pinakine Namaha – Obeisances to Shiva, who guards the path of dharma
#5 Om Shashishekharaya Namaha – Obeisances to the Lord who wears the crescent moon in his hair
#6 Om Vamadevaya Namaha – Obeisances to the Lord who is pleasing and auspicious in every way
#7 Om Virupakshaya Namaha – Obeisances to the Lord of spotless form
#8 Om Kapardine Namaha – Salutations to the Lord with thickly matted hair
#9 Om Nilalohitaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord splendid as the red sun at daybreak
#10 Om Shankaraya Namaha – Salutations to the source of all prosperity
#11 Om Shulapanaye Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who carries a spear
#12 Om Khatvangine Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who carries a knurled club
#13 Om Vishnuvallabhaya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva, who is dear to Lord Vishnu
#14 Om Shipivishtaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord whose appearance radiates brilliant beams of light.
#15 Om Ambikanathaya Namaha – Salutations to Ambika’s Lord
#16 Om Shrikantaya Namaha – Salutations to he whose neck is radiating a blue glow.
#17 Om Bhaktavatsalaya Namaha – Homage to the Lord who cherishes His devotees with the same tenderness as a newborn calf.
#18 Om Bhavaya Namaha – Homage to the deity who embodies the very essence of being.
#19 Om Sarvaya Namaha – Obeisances to Shiva who embodies all
#20 Om Trilokeshaya Namaha – Obeisances to Shiva who is the Lord of all the three worlds
#21 Om Shitakanthaya Namaha – Salutations to the primal soul whose throat is deep blue
#22 Om Shivapriyaya Namaha – Salutations to the deity who is dear to Shakti
#23 Om Ugraya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva whose presence is awesome and overwhelming
#24 Om Kapaline Namaha – Salutations to the the Lord whose begging bowl is a human skull
#25 Om Kamaraye Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who conquers all passions
#26 Om Andhakasura Sudanaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who killed the asura Andhaka
#27 Om Gangadharaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who holds the Ganges River in his hair
#28 Om Lalatakshaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord whose sport is creation
#29 Om Kalakalaya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who is the death of death
#30 Om Kripanidhaye Namaha – Salutations to the deity who is the treasure of compassion
#31 Om Bhimaya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva whose strength is awesome
#32 Om Parashu Hastaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who wields an axe in his hands
#33 Om Mrigapanayae Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who looks after the soul in the wilderness
#34 Om Jatadharaya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who bears a mass of matted hair
#35 Om Kailasavasine Namaha – Salutations to the deity who resides at Mount Kailash.
#36 Om Kavachine Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who is wrapped in armor
#37 Om Kathoraya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who causes all growth
#38 Om Tripurantakaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who destroyed the three demonic cities
#39 Om Vrishankaya Namaha – Salutations to the deity whose emblem is a bull (Nandi)
#40 Om Vrishabharudhaya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who rides a bull
#41 Om Bhasmoddhulita Vigrahaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord covered with holy ash
#42 Om Samapriyaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who is exceedingly fond of hymns from the Sama Veda
#43 Om Svaramayaya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who creates through sound
#44 Om Trayimurtaye Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who is worshiped in three forms
#45 Om Anishvaraya Namaha – Salutations to the undisputed Lord
#46 Om Sarvagyaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who knows all things
#47 Om Paramatmane Namaha – Salutations to the Supreme Self
#48 Om Somasuragni Lochanaya Namaha – Salutations to the light of the eyes of Soma, Surya and Agni
#49 Om Havishe Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who receives oblations of ghee
#50 Om Yagyamayaya Namaha – Salutations to the architect of all sacrificial rites
#51 Om Somaya Namaha – Salutations to the Moon-glow of the mystic’s vision
#52 Om Panchavaktraya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord of the five activities
#53 Om Sadashivaya Namaha – Salutations to the eternally auspicious benevolent Shiva
#54 Om Vishveshvaraya Namaha – Salutations to the all-pervading ruler of the cosmos
#55 Om Virabhadraya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva the foremost of heroes
#56 Om Gananathaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord of the Ganas
#57 Om Prajapataye Namaha – Salutations to the Creator
#58 Om Hiranyaretase Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who emanates golden souls
#59 Om Durdharshaya Namaha – Salutations to the unconquerable being
#60 Om Girishaya Namaha – Salutations to the monarch of the holy mountain Kailash
#61 Om Girishaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord of the Himalayas
#62 Om Anaghaya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who can inspire no fear
#63 Om Bujangabhushanaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord adorned with golden snakes
#64 Om Bhargaya Namaha – Salutations to the foremost of rishis
#65 Om Giridhanvane Namaha – Salutations to the deity whose weapon is a mountain
#66 Om Giripriyaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who is fond of mountains
#67 Om Krittivasase Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who wears clothes of hide
#68 Om Purarataye Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who is thoroughly at home in the wilderness
#69 Om Bhagavate Namaha – Salutations to the Lord of prosperity
#70 Om Pramathadhipaya Namaha – Salutations to the deity who is served by goblins
#71 Om Mritunjayaya Namaha – Salutations to the conqueror of death
#72 Om Sukshmatanave Namaha – Salutations to the subtlest of the subtle
#73 Om Jagadvyapine Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who fills the whole world
#74 Om Jagadgurave Namaha – Salutations to the guru (spiritual master) of all the worlds
#75 Om Vyomakeshaya Namaha – Salutations to the deity whose hair forms the vast expanse of the sky above us.
#76 Om Mahasenajanakaya Namaha – Salutations to the origin of Mahasena
#77 Om Charuvikramaya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva, the guardian of wandering pilgrims
#78 Om Rudraya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who is fit to be praised
#79 Om Bhutapataye Namaha – Salutations to the source of living creatures, including the Bhutas, or ghostly creatures
#80 Om Sthanave Namaha – Salutations to the firm and immovable deity
#81 Om Ahirbudhnyaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who waits for the sleeping kundalini
#82 Om Digambaraya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva whose robes is the cosmos
#83 Om Ashtamurtaye Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who has eight forms
#84 Om Anekatmane Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who is the one soul
#85 Om Satvikaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord of boundless energy
#86 Om Shuddha Vigrahaya Namaha – Salutations to him who is free of all doubt and dissension
#87 Om Shashvataya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva, endless and eternal
#88 Om Khandaparashave Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who dispels the anguish of the mind.
#89 Om Ajaya Namaha – Salutations to the instigator of all that occurs
#90 Om Papavimochakaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who releases all fetters
#91 Om Mridaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who shows only mercy
#92 Om Pashupataye Namaha – Salutations to the ruler of all evolving souls, the animals
#93 Om Devaya Namaha – Salutations to the foremost of devas, demigods
#94 Om Mahadevaya Namaha – Salutations to the greatest of the demigods
#95 Om Avyayaya Namaha – Salutations to the one never subject to change
#96 Om Haraye Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who dissolves all bondage
#97 Om Pashudantabhide Namaha – Salutations to the one who punished Pushan
#98 Om Avyagraya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who is steady and unwavering
#99 Om Dakshadhvaraharaya Namaha – Salutations to the destroyer of Daksha’s conceited sacrifice
#100 Om Haraya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who retracts the universe
#101 Om Bhaganetrabhide Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who taught Bhaga to see more clearly
#102 Om Avyaktaya Namaha – Salutations to Shiva who is subtle and unseen
#103 Om Sahasrakshaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord of limitless forms
#104 Om Sahasrapade Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who is standing and walking everywhere
#105 Om Apavargapradaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who gives and takes all things
#106 Om Anantaya Namaha – Salutations to the Lord who is unending
#107 Om Tarakaya Namaha – Salutations to the great liberator of mankind
#108 Om Parameshvaraya Namaha – Salutations to the great Lord
Shiva Ashtakam : Prayers to Lord Shiva – by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
‘Sri Krishna Chaitanya Carita Maha Kavya’ written by Murari Gupta cites the below captivating Shiva Ashtakam (prayers offered unto Lord Shiva) composed by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and recited at a place called Ekamraka (situated near Bhubaneswar). Murari Gupta describes that Lord Gauranga walking like a ferocious lion eventually reached the village of Ekamraka. Gaura’s heart ran wild to meet with Shiva (the great Vaishnava). Great longings filled His heart. He became wild with ecstatic loving emotions. Seeing the flag fluttering on top of the temple, Lord Gaurahari offered His obeisances. He got up and continued walking until he was able to enter the temple of Shiva. Being overwhelmed with ecstasy, Mahaprabhu recited the below prayers again and again.
(1)
namo namas te tri-dasesvaraya
bhutadi nathaya mrdaya nityam
ganga tarangotthita bala chandra
cudaya gauri nayanotsavaya
(2)
su-tapta camikara chandra nila padma
pravalambuda kanti vastraih
su-ntya rangeta vara pradaya
kaivalya nathaya va dhvajaya
(3)
sudhasu suryagni vilocanena
tamo bhide te jagatah sivaya
sahasra subhrasu sahasra rasmi
sahasra sanjittvara tejase ‘stu
(4)
nagesa ratnojjvala vigrahaya
sarddula carmasukha divya tejase
sahasra patropari samsthitaya
varangadamukta bhuja dvayaya
(5)
su nupuraranjita pada padma
karat sudha bhtya sukha pradaya
vicitra ratnaugha vibhuitaya
premanam evadya harau vidhehi
(6)
sri rama govinda mukunda saure
sri krsna narayana vasudeva
ity adi namamta pana matta
bhngadhipayakhila duhkha hantre
(7)
sri naradadyaih satata sugopya
jijnasitayasu vara pradaya
tebhyo harer bhakti sukha pradaya
sivaya sarvva gurave namah
(8)
sri gauri-netrotsava mangalaya
tat prana nathaya rasa pradaya
sada samutkantha govinda lila
gana pravinaya namo stu tubhyam
Translation
(1)
I forever offer my obesisances unto you, the controller of the thirty primal demigods; unto you, who is the original father of created beings and who is gracious, and from whose head, which is crested by the sickle moon, arises the waves of Ganga. I offer my obeisances unto you, who is a festival for the eyes of Gauri, the fair goddess.
(2)
I offer my obeisances unto you, who resembles a moon of molten gold hue, who is dressed in garments glowing like fresh blue lotuses or like radiant rainclouds; (I offer my obeisances) unto you who bestows the most desirable boons upon your devotees through your delightful dancing; (I offer my obeisances) unto you who are the Lord of the impersonalists and whose flag bears the image of the bull.
(3)
I offer my obeisances unto you, who dispels darkness with your three eyes – the moon, the sun, and the fire; (I offer my obeisances) unto you, who generates auspiciousness for all the living entities of the universe and you, whose potency easily defeats that of thousands of moons and suns.
(4)
I offer my obeisances unto you, whose form is brilliantly illuminated by the jewels of Ananta Deva, the king of snakes. I offer my obeisances unto you, who possesses divine potencies and are clothed in a tiger skin, who sits upon a lotus of thousand petals, and whose two arms are adorned by radiant bangles.
(5)
I offer my obeisances unto you, who carries happiness unto your servitors as you pour on them the liquid nectar flowing from your reddish lotus-feet, that rings with charming ankle bells. Obeisances unto you, who are embellished with an abundance of gems. Please endow me today with pure love for Sri Hari!
(6)
O, Sri Rama! O, Govinda! O Mukunda! O Sauri! O, Sri Krishna! O Narayana! O Vasudeva! I offer my obeisances unto you, Sri Shiva, who is the monarch of intoxicated bee-like devotees, who are mad to drink the nectar of these and other innumerable Holy Names of Lord Hari. Obeisances unto you, who destroys all grief.
(7)
I offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto you, who are forever inquired confidentially by Sri Narada and other sages. You also grant favors upon them very quickly. (I offer my respectful obeisances) unto you, who bestows the happiness of Hari bhakti (devotion unto Lord Hari) unto those who seek boons from you and thereby creating auspiciousness. You are thus the Guru (spiritual master) of everyone.
(8)
I offer my obeisances unto you, who is a festival of auspiciousness for the eyes of goddess Gauri (Durga). You are the monarch of her life-air. (I offer my obeisances) unto you who bestows rasa and are expert in eagerly singing songs praising the pastimes of Govinda.
Benefits of hearing this Shiva Ashtakam prayers with love and rapt attention :
etat sivasyatakam adbhuta mahat
srnvan hari-prema labheta sighram
jnanam ca vijnanam apurva vaibhavam
yo bhava purnah paramam samadaram
–
A person who lovingly hears with rapt attention to these eight-fold prayers to Shiva can quickly gain devotion unto Lord Hari as well as transcendental knowledge, the realization of that knowledge, and unprecedented devotional potency.