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

 

horizontal rule

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."


horizontal rule

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


Glory to Lord Ganesh, the Divine Son of Goddess Girija, the cause of all auspiciousness and intelligence. Ayodha Dass (the composer of these verses) humbly requests that every one be blessed with the boon of being fearless.

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.

 

horizontal rule

 

  Additional Shiva Mantras

[These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com]

horizontal rule


[Home] [Back to the Prayer Book page] Back ] Next ]