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Rudrashtakam

Text in Roman script

Devotional text

āṭakaṃ ( tulasīdāsa )
{|| āṭakaṃ ( tulasīdāsa ) ||}
|| īāṭaka ||
namāmīśamīśāna inavaṇapaṃ ivabhuṃ yāpakaṃ vedavapa |
inajaṃ inaguṇaṃ inavakapaṃ inarīhaṃ icadākāśamākāśavāsaṃ bhaje'ha || 1||
inarākāramakāramūlaṃ turīyaṃ igarā āna gotītamīśaṃ igarīśa |
karālaṃ mahākāla kālaṃ kṛpālaṃ guṇāgāra saṃsārapāraṃ nato'ha || 2||
tuṣārāi saṃkāśa gauraṃ gabhīraṃ manobhūta koiṭabhā ī śarīra |
phuramauila kaloilanī cā gagā lasaālabāledu kaṭhe bhujagā || 3||
calakuḍalaṃ ū suneṃ ivaśālaṃ sanānanaṃ nīlakaṭhaṃ dayāla |
mṛgādhīśacamabaraṃ muḍamālaṃ iyaṃ śaṃkaraṃ savanāthaṃ bhajāima || 4||
caḍaṃ kṛṭaṃ gabhaṃ pareśaṃ akhaḍaṃ ajaṃ bhānukoiṭakāśa |
yaḥ śūla inamūlanaṃ śūlapāṇa bhaje'haṃ bhavānīpata bhāvagaya || 5||
kalātīta kayāṇa kapātakārī sadā sajanānadadātā purārī |
icadānada saṃdoha mohāpahārī sīda sīda bho mamathārī || 6||
na yāva umānātha pādārivadaṃ bhajatīha loke pare vā narāṇā |
na tāva sukhaṃ śāita satāpanāśaṃ sīda bho savabhūtāidhavāsa || 7||
na jānāima yogaṃ japaṃ naiva pūjāṃ nato'haṃ sadā savadā śabhu tuya |
jarā jama duḥkhaugha tātayamānaṃ bho pāiha āpanamāmīśa śabho || 8||
āṭakimadaṃ otaṃ ivaeṇa haratoṣaye |
ye paṭhita narā bhayā teṣāṃ śabhuḥ sīdita ||
|| iita īgovāimatulasīdāsakṛtaṃ īāṭakaṃ sapūṇa ||

About this ashtakam — Shiva

Devotional recitation is one of the simplest and most powerful practices in the Hindu tradition. Regular chanting calms the mind, purifies the atmosphere of the home, and deepens one’s connection with the deity. These sacred compositions have been sung by devotees for generations and are suitable for daily practice, during morning or evening puja, or on special festival days.

How to chant

Sit comfortably facing your home altar or a clean, quiet space. Light a lamp or incense if you wish. Begin with a short prayer to Ganesha, then recite the text slowly and clearly, focusing on the meaning rather than speed. Consistency matters more than duration — even five minutes of daily chanting brings visible peace of mind.

maha-shivaratrimondayshaivasanskritashtakamdevotional