Lingashtakam (Brahma Murari Surarchita Lingam) — Lyrics with Meaning
Lingashtakam is an eight-verse hymn to Lord Shiv in the form of the Linga. Every verse ends with 'tat pranamami sadashiva lingam'. It is popularly linked with Adi Shankaracharya, though its author is not certain. It is sung while offering water to the Shivling, on Mondays and on Mahashivratri.
Brahmamurarisurarchita lingam nirmalabhasitashobhita lingam | Janmajaduhkhavinashaka lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||1||
Devamunipravararchita lingam kamadaham karunakara lingam | Ravanadarpavinashana lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||2||
Sarvasugandhisulepita lingam buddhivivardhanakarana lingam | Siddhasurasuravandita lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||3||
Kanakamahamanibhushita lingam phanipativeshtitashobhita lingam | Dakshasuyajnavinashana lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||4||
Kunkumachandanalepita lingam pankajaharasushobhita lingam | Sanchitapapavinashana lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||5||
Devaganarchitasevita lingam bhavairbhaktibhireva cha lingam | Dinakarakotiprabhakara lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||6||
Ashtadalopariveshtita lingam sarvasamudbhavakarana lingam | Ashtadaridravinashita lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||7||
Suragurusuravarapujita lingam suravanapushpasadarchita lingam | Paratparam paramatmaka lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||8||
Lingashtakamidam punyam yah pathechchhivasannidhau | shivalokamavapnoti shivena saha modate ||9||
Meaning
Verse 1
Brahmamurarisurarchita lingam nirmalabhasitashobhita lingam | Janmajaduhkhavinashaka lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||1||
The Linga worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and the gods, pure and shining, which destroys the sorrows that come with birth — to that Linga of Sadashiv I bow.
Verse 2
Devamunipravararchita lingam kamadaham karunakara lingam | Ravanadarpavinashana lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||2||
Worshipped by gods and the greatest sages, the burner of desire, a mine of compassion, which crushed Ravan's pride — to that Linga of Sadashiv I bow.
Verse 3
Sarvasugandhisulepita lingam buddhivivardhanakarana lingam | Siddhasurasuravandita lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||3||
Anointed with every fragrant substance, the cause of growing wisdom, saluted by siddhas, gods and asuras alike — to that Linga of Sadashiv I bow.
Verse 4
Kanakamahamanibhushita lingam phanipativeshtitashobhita lingam | Dakshasuyajnavinashana lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||4||
Adorned with gold and great gems, made lovelier by the serpent king coiled around it, which destroyed Daksha's grand sacrifice — to that Linga of Sadashiv I bow.
Verse 5
Kunkumachandanalepita lingam pankajaharasushobhita lingam | Sanchitapapavinashana lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||5||
Smeared with kumkum and sandalwood, beautiful with a garland of lotuses, which destroys accumulated sins — to that Linga of Sadashiv I bow.
Verse 6
Devaganarchitasevita lingam bhavairbhaktibhireva cha lingam | Dinakarakotiprabhakara lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||6||
Worshipped and served by hosts of gods with true feeling and devotion, shining with the light of millions of suns — to that Linga of Sadashiv I bow.
Verse 7
Ashtadalopariveshtita lingam sarvasamudbhavakarana lingam | Ashtadaridravinashita lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||7||
Encircled by an eight-petalled lotus, the cause from which all creation arises, which removes the eight kinds of poverty — to that Linga of Sadashiv I bow.
Verse 8
Suragurusuravarapujita lingam suravanapushpasadarchita lingam | Paratparam paramatmaka lingam tatpranamami sadashiva lingam ||8||
Worshipped by Brihaspati, guru of the gods, and the finest gods, always honoured with flowers from heaven's gardens, beyond the beyond, the Supreme Self — to that Linga of Sadashiv I bow.
Verse 9
Lingashtakamidam punyam yah pathechchhivasannidhau | shivalokamavapnoti shivena saha modate ||9||
Whoever recites this holy Lingashtakam in Shiv's presence attains Shiv's abode and rejoices with Shiv — so tradition says.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
When should the Lingashtakam be recited?
While offering water or milk to the Shivling during morning or evening worship. Mondays, Pradosh, Sawan and Mahashivratri are considered especially fitting.
Who wrote the Lingashtakam?
It is commonly attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, but its authorship is not firmly known.
What does the Shivling represent?
The Shivling is the formless symbol of Lord Shiv — a form without beginning or end. Devotees see it as a sign of the source of creation and Shiv's infinite consciousness.