Rudrashtakam – Eightfold Hymn of praise to please Lord Shiva
I bow to the Ruler of the Universe, whose very form is Liberation,the omnipotent and all pervading Brahma, manifest as the Vedas. I worship Shiva, shining in his own glory, without physical qualities,Undifferentiated, desireless, all pervading sky of consciousness and wearing the sky itself as His garment. ||1||
I bow to the supreme Lord who is the formless source of “OM” The Self of All, transcending all conditions and states,
Beyond speech, understanding and sense perception, Awe-full, but gracious, the ruler of Kailash, Devourer of Death, the immortal abode of all virtues. ||2||
Beyond speech, understanding and sense perception, Awe-full, but gracious, the ruler of Kailash, Devourer of Death, the immortal abode of all virtues. ||2||
I worship Shankara, whose form is white as the Himalyan snow, Radiant with the beauty of countless Cupids, Whose head sparkles with the Ganga. With crescent moon adorning his brow and snakes coiling his neck ||3||
The beloved Lord of All, with shimmering pendants hanging from his ears, Beautiful eyebrows and large eyes, Full of Mercy with a cheerful countenance and a blue speck on his throat. ||4||
I worship Shankara, Bhavani’s husband,The fierce, exalted, luminous supreme Lord.Indivisible, unborn and radiant with the glory of a million suns; Who, holding a trident, tears out the root of the three-fold suffering,And who is reached only through Love. ||5||
You who are without parts, ever blessed, The cause of universal destruction at the end of each round of creation, A source of perpetual delight to the pure of heart,Slayer of the demon, Tripura, consciousness and bliss personified,
Dispeller of delusion Have mercy on me, foe of Lust. ||6||
Dispeller of delusion Have mercy on me, foe of Lust. ||6||
Oh Lord of Uma, so long as you are not worshipped there is no happiness, peace or freedom from suffering in this world or the next. You who dwell in the hearts of all living beings, and in whom all beings have their existence, Have mercy on me, Lord. ||7||
I don’t know yoga, prayer or rituals, But everywhere and at every moment, I bow to you, Shambhu! Protect me my Lord, miserable and afflicted as I am with the sufferings of birth, old-age and death. ||8||
This eightfold hymn of praise was sung by the Brahman to please Shankara. Shambhu will be pleased with whomever heartfully recites it.