Rudrashtakam (Namami Shamishan) — Lyrics with Meaning

Verse 1

Namamishamishana nirvanarupam vibhum vyapakam brahmavedasvarupam | Nijam nirgunam nirvikalpam niriham chidakashamakashavasam bhajeaham ||1||

I bow to Ishan, the Lord whose form is liberation itself, all-pervading, the very nature of Brahman and the Vedas. Self-existent, beyond qualities, beyond distinctions, free of desire, the sky of pure awareness — him I worship.

Verse 2

Nirakaramonkaramulam turiyam gira jnana gotitamisham girisham | Karalam mahakala kalam kripalam gunagara samsaraparam natoaham ||2||

Formless, the root of Om, the fourth state beyond waking, dream and sleep, beyond speech, knowledge and senses, Lord of Kailash, fearsome, death even to Mahakal, yet merciful, home of virtues, beyond worldly life — to him I bow.

Verse 3

Tusharadri sankasha gauram gabhiram manobhuta koti prabha shri shariram | Sphuranmauli kallolini charu ganga lasadbhalabalendu kanthe bhujanga ||3||

Fair like the snowy Himalaya and deep, his body shines with the beauty of countless Kamadevs; on his head the lovely Ganga ripples, a young moon glows on his brow, and serpents adorn his neck.

Verse 4

Chalatkundalam bhru sunetram vishalam prasannananam nilakantham dayalam | Mrigadhishacharmambaram mundamalam priyam shankaram sarvanatham bhajami ||4||

With swaying earrings, fine brows and large eyes, a joyful face, a blue throat, kind, wearing a lion skin and a garland of skulls — I worship dear Shankar, Lord of all.

Verse 5

Prachandam prakrishtam pragalbham paresham akhandam ajam bhanukotiprakasham | Trayah shula nirmulanam shulapanim bhajeaham bhavanipatim bhavagamyam ||5||

Fierce, supreme, radiant, the highest Lord, undivided, unborn, bright as millions of suns, uprooting the three kinds of suffering, trident in hand, reached through loving devotion — I worship Bhavani's Lord.

Verse 6

Kalatita kalyana kalpantakari sada sajjananandadata purari | Chidananda sandoha mohapahari prasida prasida prabho manmathari ||6||

Beyond time, all-auspicious, who brings the age to its end, ever giving joy to the good, foe of Tripura, mass of awareness and bliss, remover of delusion, foe of Kamadev — O Lord, be pleased with me, be pleased.

Verse 7

Na yavad umanatha padaravindam bhajantiha loke pare va naranam | Na tavatsukham shanti santapanasham prasida prabho sarvabhutadhivasam ||7||

O Lord of Uma, until people worship your lotus feet, they find neither happiness, nor peace, nor an end to suffering, in this world or the next. O Lord who dwells in all beings, be pleased.

Verse 8

Na janami yogam japam naiva pujam natoaham sada sarvada shambhu tubhyam | Jara janma duhkhaugha tatapyamanam prabho pahi apannamamisha shambho ||8||

I know neither yoga, nor chanting, nor ritual worship. O Shambhu, I simply bow to you always. I burn in the flood of old age, birth and sorrow — O Lord Shambhu, protect me in my distress.

Verse 9

Rudrashtakamidam proktam viprena haratoshaye | ye pathanti nara bhaktya tesham shambhuh prasidati ||9||

This Rudrashtakam was spoken by a Brahmin to please Lord Shiv. Shambhu is pleased with those who recite it with devotion.