Shiva Chalisa
Shiva Chalisa is a "forty verse" prayer. Verses are recited or chanted by groups. The acts and deeds of Shiva are recalled in these verses to aid the devotee to meditate on virtuous and noble qualities.
108 Names of Lord Shiva
OM SHIVAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
Auspicious One
OM MAHESHVARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
Great God Shiva
OM SHAMBHAVE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who exists for our happiness alone
OM PINAKINE NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva,
who guards the path of dharma
OM SHASHISHEKHARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who wears the crescent moon in his hair
OM VAMADEVAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who is pleasing and auspicious in every way
OM VIRUPAKSHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
of spotless form
OM KAPARDINE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
with thickly matted hair
OM NILALOHITAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
splendid as the red sun at daybreak
OM SHANKARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
source of all prosperity
OM SHULAPANAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who carries a spear
OM KHATVANGINE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who carries a knurled club
OM VISHNUVALLABHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva,
who is dear to Lord Vishnu
OM SHIPIVISHTAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
whose form emits great rays of light
OM AMBIKANATHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Ambika's
Lord
OM SHRIKANTAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to he whose
throat is shining blue
OM BHAKTAVATSALAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who loves His devotees like new born calves
OM BHAVAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who is existence itself
OM SARVAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who is all
OM TRILOKESHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who is the Lord of all the three worlds
OM SHITAKANTHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
primal soul whose throat is deep blue
OM SHIVAPRIYAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the god
who is dear to Shakti
OM UGRAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
whose presence is awesome and overwhelming
OM KAPALINE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
whose begging bowl is a human skull
OM KAMARAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who conquers all passions
OM ANDHAKASURA SUDANAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who killed the asura Andhaka
OM GANGADHARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who holds the Ganges River in his hair
OM LALATAKSHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
whose sport is creation
OM KALAKALAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who is the death of death
OM KRIPANIDHAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who is the treasure of compassion
OM BHIMAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
whose strength is awesome
OM PARASHU HASTAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who wields an axe in his hands
OM MRIGAPANAYAE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who looks after the soul in the wilderness
OM JATADHARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who bears a mass of matted hair
OM KAILASAVASINE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who abides on Mount Kailas
OM KAVACHINE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who is wrapped in armor
OM KATHORAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who causes all growth
OM TRIPURANTAKAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who destroyed the three demonic cities
OM VRISHANKAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
whose emblem is a bull (Nandi)
OM VRISHABHARUDHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who rides a bull
OM BHASMODDHULITA VIGRAHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
covered with holy ash
OM SAMAPRIYAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
exceedingly fond of hymns from the Sama Veda
OM SVARAMAYAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who creates through sound
OM TRAYIMURTAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who is worshiped in three forms
OM ANISHVARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
undisputed Lord
OM SARVAGYAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who knows all things
OM PARAMATMANE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
Supreme Self
OM SOMASURAGNI LOCHANAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
light of the eyes of Soma, Surya and Agni
OM HAVISHE NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who receives oblations of ghee
OM YAGYAMAYAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
architect of all sacrificial rites
OM SOMAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
Moon-glow of the mystic's vision
OM PANCHAVAKTRAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
of the five activities
OM SADASHIVAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
eternally auspicious benevolent Shiva
OM VISHVESHVARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
all-pervading ruler of the cosmos
OM VIRABHADRAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
the foremost of heroes
OM GANANATHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
of the Ganas
OM PRAJAPATAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
Creator
OM HIRANYARETASE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who emanates golden souls
OM DURDHARSHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
unconquerable being
OM GIRISHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
monarch of the holy mountain Kailas
OM GIRISHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
of the Himalayas
OM ANAGHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who can inspire no fear
OM BUJANGABHUSHANAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
adorned with golden snakes
OM BHARGAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
foremost of rishis
OM GIRIDHANVANE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
whose weapon is a mountain
OM GIRIPRIYAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who is fond of mountains
OM KRITTIVASASE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who wears clothes of hide
OM PURARATAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who is thoroughly at home in the wilderness
OM BHAGAVATE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
of prosperity
OM PRAMATHADHIPAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who is served by goblins
OM MRITUNJAYAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
conqueror of death
OM SUKSHMATANAVE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
subtlest of the subtle
OM JAGADVYAPINE NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who fills the whole world
OM JAGADGURAVE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the guru
of all the worlds
OM VYOMAKESHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
whose hair is the spreading sky above
OM MAHASENAJANAKAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
origin of Mahasena
OM CHARUVIKRAMAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva,
the guardian of wandering pilgrims
OM RUDRAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who is fit to be praised
OM BHUTAPATAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
source of living creatures, including the Bhutas, or ghostly creatures
OM STHANAVE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the firm
and immovable deity
OM AHIRBUDHNYAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who waits for the sleeping kundalini
OM DIGAMBARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
whose robes is the cosmos
OM ASHTAMURTAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who has eight forms
OM ANEKATMANE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who is the one soul
OM SATVIKAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
of boundless energy
OM SHUDDHA VIGRAHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to him who
is free of all doubt and dissension
OM SHASHVATAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva,
endless and eternal
OM KHANDAPARASHAVE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who cuts through the mind's despair
OM AJAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
instigator of all that occurs
OM PAPAVIMOCHAKAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who releases all fetters
OM MRIDAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who shows only mercy
OM PASHUPATAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
ruler of all evolving souls, the animals
OM DEVAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
foremost of devas, demigods
OM MAHADEVAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
greatest of the gods
OM AVYAYAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the one
never subject to change
OM HARAYE NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who dissolves all bondage
OM PASHUDANTABHIDE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the one
who punished Pushan
OM AVYAGRAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who is steady and unwavering
OM DAKSHADHVARAHARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
destroyer of Daksha's conceited sacrifice
OM HARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who withdraws the cosmos
OM BHAGANETRABHIDE NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who taught Bhaga to see more clearly
OM AVYAKTAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to Shiva
who is subtle and unseen
OM SAHASRAKSHAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
of limitless forms
OM SAHASRAPADE NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who is standing and walking everywhere
OM APAVARGAPRADAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the Lord
who gives and takes all things
OM ANANTAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the God
who is unending
OM TARAKAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
great liberator of mankind
OM PARAMESHVARAYA NAMAHA
Obeisances to the
great God
Sri Sivastakam
(Eight prayers glorifying Lord Shiva, spoken by Sriman Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Recorded in Murari Gupta's "Sri Caitanya Carita Mahakavya")
1) namo namaste tri-dasheshvaraya
bhutadi nathaya mridaya nityam
gagga-taraggotthita-bala-chandra-
chudaya gauri-nayanotsavaya
"I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you, the controller of the thirty primal demigods; unto you, the original father of all created beings; unto you, whose character is gracious; unto you, whose head is crested by the sickle moon arisen from the waves of the Ganga and unto you, who are a festival for the eyes of the fair goddess Gauri."
2) sutapta chamikara-chandra-nila-
padma-pravalambuda-kanti-vastraih
sa nritya-raggesta-vara-pradaya
kaivalya-nathaya vrisa-dhvajaya
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who are dressed in garments resembling molten gold, the moon, blue lotuses, coral, and dark rain clouds; unto you, who bestow the most desirable boons on your devotees by means of your delightful dancing; unto you, who are the master of the impersonalists and unto you, whose flag bears the image of the bull."
3) sudhamzu-suryagni-vilochanena
tamo-bhide te jagatah shivaya
sahasra-shubhramshu-sahasra-rashmi-
sahasra-sajjit-tvara-tejase'stu
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who dispells darkness with your three eyes - the moon, the sun and fire; unto you, who causes auspiciousness for all the living entities of the universe and unto you, whose potency easily defeats that of thousands of moons and suns."
4) nageza-ratnojjvala-vigrahaya
shardula-charmamzuka-divya-tejase
sahasra-patropari samsthitaya
varaggada-mukta-bhuja-dvayaya
"I offer my obeisances unto you, whose form is brilliantly illuminated by the jewels of Ananta, the king of snakes; unto you, who are clothed by a tiger-skin and thus radiate divine effulgence; unto you, who sits upon a thousand-petalled lotus and unto you, whose two arms are adorned by
lusterous bangles."
5) su-nupura-ragjita-pada-padma
ksarat-sudha-bhritya-sukha-pradaya
vichitra-ratnaugha-vibhusitaya
premanam evadya harau videhi
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who brings happiness to your servitors, as you pour on them the liquid nectar from your two reddish lotus feet, which ring with charming anklebells. Obeisances unto you, who is adorned with an abundance of gems - please endow me with pure love for Lord Hari."
6) sri rama govinda mukunda shaure
sri krishna narayana vasudeva
ity-adi namamririta-pana-matta-
bhriggadhi-payakhila-dukha-hantre
"O Shri Rama, O Govinda, O Mukunda, O Shauri, O Shri krsna, O Narayana, O Vaasudeva!' I offer my obeisances unto you, Lord Shiva, the monarch of intoxicated bee-like devotees, maddened by drinking the nectar of these and other holy names of the Lord. Obeisances unto you, the destroyer of all grief."
7) sri naradadyaih satatam sugopya-
jijjasita-yashu vara-pradaya
tebhyo harer bhakti-sukha-pradaya
shivaya sarva-gurave namo namaha
"I offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto you, who is forever enquired of confidentially by Shri Narada and other sages; unto you, who also grants favors to them very quickly; unto you, who bestows the happiness of Hari-bhakti; unto you, who creates auspiciousness and unto you, who is the guru of everyone."
8) sri gaura-netrosava-maggalaya
tat-prana-nathaya rasa-pradaya
sada samutkantha-govinda-lila-
gana-pravinaya namo'stu tubhyam
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who are a festival of auspiciousness for the eyes of Goddess Gauri; unto you, who is the monarch of her life-breath; unto you, who is capable of bestowing transcendental rasa and unto you, who is expert in forever singing songs of the pastimes of Lord Govinda with great longing."
9) etat shivasyastakam adbhutam mahat
shrinvan hari-prema labheta shighram
jjanam ca vijjanam apurva-vaibhavam
yo bhava-purnah paramam samadaram
"A person, filled with loving feelings, who hears with rapt attention this wonderful eight-fold prayer to Lord Shiva, can quickly gain Sri Hari-prema as well as transcendental knowledge, the realization of that knowledge, and unprecedented powers."
Shiva Chalisa
Shiva Chalisa is a "forty verse" prayer. Verses are recited or chanted by groups. The acts and deeds of Shiva are recalled in these verses to aid the devotee to meditate on virtuous and noble qualities.
ll Doha ll
Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan, Mangal Mool Sujaan l l
Kahat Ayodhyadas Tum, Dehu Abhaya Vardan l
ll Chaupai ll
Jai Girijapati Deen Dayala, Sada Karat Santan Pratipala
Bhal Chandrama Sohati Neeke, Kanan Kundal Nag Phani Ke
O Glorious Lord, consort of Parvati You are most merciful.
You always bless the poor and pious devotees. Your beautiful form is adorned
with the moon on Your forehead and on your ears are earrings of snakes'
hood.
Ang Gaur Shiv Ganga Bahaye, Mundamal Tan Kshar Lagaye
Vastra Khaal Baghambar Sohe, Chhavi Ko Dekh Nag Muni Mohe
The holy Ganges flows from your matted hair. The saints
and sages are attracted by Your splendid appearance. Around Your neck is a
garland of skulls. White ash beautifies Your Divine form and clothing of
lion's skin adorns Your body.
Maina Matu Ki Priya Dulari, Bam Ang Sohat Chhavi Pyari
Kar Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari, Karat Sada Shatrun Shaykari
O Lord, the beloved daughter of Maina on Your left adds to Your splendid
appearance. O Wearer of the lion's skin, the trishul in Your hand destroys
all enemies.
Nandi Ganesh Sohe Tanha Kaise, Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise
Kartik Shyam Aur Gana Raau, Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jaat Na Kaau
Nandi and Shri Ganesh along with Lord Shiva appear as
beautiful as two lotuses in the middle of an ocean. Poets and philosophers
cannot describe the wonderful appearance of Lord Kartikeya and the dark
complexioned Ganas (attendants).
Devan Jabhee Jaaye Pukara,Tabahin Dukh Prabhu Ap Nivaara
Keen Upadrava Taarak Bhari, Devan Sab Mili Tumhee Pukari
O
Lord, whenever the Deities humbly sought Your assistance, You kindly and
graciously uprooted all their problems. You blessed the Deities with Your
generous help when the demon Tarak outraged them and You destroyed him.
Turat Shadanan Ap Pathayo, Luv Nimesh Mahi Mar Girayo
Ap Jallandhar Asur Sanhara, Suyash Tumhar Vidit Sansara
O Lord, You sent Shadanan without delay and thus destroyed
the evil ones Lava and Nimesh. You also destroyed the demon Jalandhara. Your
renown is known throughout the world.
Tripurasur Sang Yuddha Machayi, Sabahin Kripa Kari Leen Bachayi
Keeya Taphin Bhagirath Bhari, Purahi Pratigya Tasu Purari
O Lord, Purari, You saved all Deities and mankind by
defeating and destroying the demons Tripurasura. You blessed Your devotee
Bhagirath and he was able to accomplish his vow after rigorous penance.
Danin Mahan Tum Sama Kou Nahin, Sevak Astuti Karat Sadahin
Veda Nam Mahima Tab Gayaee, Akatha Anandi Bhed Nahin Payee
O Gracious One, devotees always sings Your glory. Even the
Vedas are unable to describe Your greatness. No one is as generous as You
are.
Pragati Udadhi Manthan Mein Jwala, Jare Surasur Bhaye Vihaala
Mahadeva Tab Kari Sahayee, Neelkantha Tav Nam Dharayee
Lord, when the ocean was churned and the deadly poison
emerged, out of Your deep compassion for all, You drank the poison and saved
the world from destruction. Your throat became blue, thus You are known as
Nilakantha.
Poojan Ramchandra Jab Keenha, Lanka Jeet Vibhishan Deenha
Sahas Kamal me ho rahe dhaari, Keenha Pareeksha Tabahi Purari
When Lord Rama worshipped You, He became victorious over the king of demons, Ravana. When Lord Rama wished to worship Thee with one thousand lotus flowers, the Divine Mother, to test the devotion of Shri Ram, hid all the flowers at Your request.
Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu johee, Kamal Nayan Poojan Chahin Soyee
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar, Bhaye Prasanna Deya Icchhit Var
O Lord, You kept on looking at Shri Ram, who wished to
offer His lotus-like eyes to worship Thee. When You observed such intense
devotion, You were delighted and blessed Him. You granted His heart's
desire.
Jai Jai Jai Ananta Avinasi, Karat Kripa Sab Ke Ghatvasi
Dushta Sakal Mohi Nitya Sataven, Bhramita Rahe Mohe Chain Na Aave
Glory be unto You O Gracious, Infinite, Immortal, All-pervading Lord. Evil
thought torture me and I keep on travelling aimlessly in this world of
mundane existence. No relief seems to be coming my way.
Trahi Trahi Main Nath Pukaro, Yeh Avasar Mohi Ani Ubaro
Lai Trishool Shatrun Ko Maro, Sankat Se Mohi Ani Ubaro
O Lord! I beseech Your help and seek your divine blessing
at this very moment. Save and protect me. Destroy my enemies with Your
Trishul. Release me from the torture of evil thoughts.
Mata Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi, Sankat Mein Poochat Nahi Koi
Swami Ek Hai Aas Tumhari, Aaye Harahu Mam Sankat Bhaari
O
Lord, when I am in distress, neither my parents, brothers, sisters nor loved
ones can relieve my suffering. I depend only on You. You are my hope.
Eliminate the cause of this tremendous torture and bless me with Your
compassion.
Dhan Nirdhan Kon Det Sadaee, Arat Jan Ki Peer Mitaee
Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karahu Tumhari, Shamhu Naath Ab Chook Hamari
O Lord, You bless the downtrodden with prosperity and grant wisdom to the
ignorant. Lord, due to my limited knowledge, I omitted to worship Thee.
Please forgive me and shower Your grace upon me.
Shanker Ho Sankat Ke Nashan, Vighna Vinashan Mangal Kaaran
Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagave, Sharad Narad Sheesh Navave
O
Lord Sankar, You are the destroyer of all miseries. You remove the cause of
all obstacles and grant Your devotees eternal bliss. The saints and sages
meditate upon Thy most beautiful form. Even celestial beings like Sharad and
Narad bow in reverence to You.
Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaye, Sur Brahmadik Par Na Paaye
Jo Yeh Path Kare Man Layee, Tapar Hot Hain Shambu Sahayee
O
Lord, prostration to You. Even Brahma is unable to describe Thy greatness.
Whosoever recites these verses with faith and devotion receives Your
infinite blessings.
Riniya Jo Koi Ho Adhikaari, Paath Kare So Paavanhaari
Putra Heen Ichha Kar Koi, Nishchaya Shiv Prasad Tehi Hoi
Devotees who chant these verses with intense love become
prosperous by the grace of Lord Shiva. Even the childless wishing to have
children, have their desires fulfilled after partaking of Shiva-prasad with
faith and devotion.
Pandit Triyodashi Ko Lave, Dhyan Poorvak Hom Karave
Triyodashi Vrata Kare Hamesha, Tan Nahi Take Rahe Kalesha
On Trayodashi (13th day of the dark and bright fortnights) one should invite
a pandit and devotedly make offerings to Lord Shiva. Those who fast and pray
to Lord Shiva on Trayodashi are always healthy and prosperous.
Dhoop Deep Naivedya Chadhavai, Shanker Sanmukha Path Karavahi
Janam Janam Ki Pap Nasave, Anta Vaas Shivpur Men Paave
Whosoever offers incense, prasad and performs arti to Lord
Shiva, with love and devotion, enjoys material happiness and spiritual bliss
in this world and hereafter ascends to the abode of Lord Shiva. The poet
prays that Lord Shiva removed the suffering of all and grants them eternal
bliss.
Hey Shankar Hai Aas Tumhari, Dukh Peera Ab Harahu Hamari
ll Doha ll
Nit Nem Kar Praatha Hee ,Paath Karo Chaalis l
Tum Meri Manokaamna, Puran Karo Jagdeesh ll
Magsar Chhati Hemant Ritu, Sanvat Chausadh Jaan l
Astuti Chaalisa Shivhi, Puran Keen Kalyaan ll
O Universal Lord,
every morning as a rule I recite this Chalisa with devotion. Please bless me so
that I may be able to accomplish my material and spiritual desires.
Additional Shiva Mantras
[These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com]
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