Articles — Shiva

The Rudrashtakam is an ashtakam or octet (a prayer with eight rhyming verses) dedicated to the manifestation of Bhagwan Shiva. This eightfold hymn of praise was sung to please Shiv Shankara. Lord Shiva will be pleased with whomever heartfully recites it or listens it. श्री रुद्राष्टकम नमामि शमीशान निर्वाण रूपं विभु व्यापकं ब्रह्म वेदस्वरूपं ।। निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहं ।। निराकारमोंकारमूलं तुरीयं गिरा ग्यान गोतीतमीशं गिरीशं ।। करालं महाकाल कालं कृपालं । गुणागार संसारपारं नतोऽहं ।। तुषाराद्रि संकाश गौरं गभीरं मनोभूत कोटि प्रभा श्री शरीरं ।। स्फुरन्मौलि कल्लोलिनी चारू गंगा लसद्भालबालेन्दु कंठे भुजंगा ।। चलत्कुंडलं भ्रू सुनेत्र विशाल प्रसन्नानं...

Shri Pradosha Strotra Ashtakam is mentioned in Skanda Purana . Pradosha kaal is period which starts just at the time of Sunset, and it lasts up to two Muhurtas or four Ghatis. Pradosh Kaal (time) is the most auspicious time to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. One who chants Shri Pradosha Strotra Ashtakam during Pradosha kaal will get constant growth in wealth, grains , property and happiness of their kids , its mentioned in ashtakam. श्री प्रदोषस्तोत्राष्टकम् श्री गणेशाय नमः ॥ सत्यं ब्रवीमि परलोकहितं ब्रवीमि सारं ब्रवीम्युपनिषद् हृदयं ब्रवीमि । संसारमुल्बणमसारमवाप्य जन्तो: सारोऽयमीश्वरपदाम्बुरुहस्य सेवा ॥ १ ॥ ये नाऽर्चयन्ति गिरिशं समये प्रदोषे ये...

Omkareshwar or better known as Mandhata Omkareshwar is one of the foremost of the 12 Joytirlingas or it is luminous physical self-presentation of Lord Shiva of the Hindus. Omkareshwar, the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. Here, at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the devout gather to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the twelve throughout India) at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata. And here, as in so many of Madhya Pradesh's sacred shrines, the works of Nature complement those of man...

Shri Kedarnath is one of the best known Shivasthalams in India and is considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers of the country, located in the lofty Himalayas. It is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingams - the Northern most one, while the Southernmost one is Rameswaram. The spiritual leader Adi Sankaracharya is closely associated with Kedarnath. Kedarnath is a shrine steeped in antiquity, rich in legend and religious significance. At the approach of winters in the month of November, the holy statue of Lord Shiva, is carried down from Garhwal (Kedarkhand) to Ukhimath, and is reinstated...

Shri Bhimashankar in Maharashtra is an ancient shrine, enshrining Bhimashankara one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Bhimashankar is located in the village of Bhorgiri 50 km north west of Khed, near Pune. It is located 125 km away from Pune in the ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima.A unique bell (roman style) can be seen in front of the temple which was presented by Chimaji Appa ( Brother of Bajirao Peshwa and uncle of Nanasaheb Peshwa ) Chimaji Appa collected two large bells after he won war against Portugue from...

Trimbakeshwar is an ancient Hindu temple in the town of Trimbak, in the Nashik District of Maharashtra, 28 km from the city of Nashik and 40 km from nashik road. The place is memorable due to its picturesque hills, roads and cool breeze .This hill station like place lies in the formidable shadow of Brahmagiri hills in the Sahyadri range and it is the source of holy river Godavari. The place is also known for its Simhastha Kumbha Mela, which comes every 12 years as per the Hindu calendar.What makes the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga unique is that it has three faces embodying...

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana (kotirudra sahinta, Ch.32-33 referred as "Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga"). Grishneshwar is believed as the Last or 12th (twelfth) Jyotirlinga on the earth. This pilgrimage site is located at a village called Verul which lies at a distance of 11 km from Daulatabad and 30 km from Aurangabad. It lies at a close proximity to the Ellora caves. Being the abode of one of the holiest and ancient temples known by the name of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple, the popularity of Grishneshwar can be ascertained. The village through its serenity and...

Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameshwaram is an important pilgrimage site for the followers of Hinduism. It is believed that a visit to this temple washes away one's sins and brings salvation (moksha). Located on an island off the Sethu coast of Rameshwaram, Shri Ramanathaswamy Mandir can be reached via Pamban Bridge across the sea. Being situated in Rameswaram, the shrine is popularly known as Rameshwaram Temple. Rameswaram is a town in Ramanathpuram district of Tamil Nadu. The town is particularly famous for its religious shrine of Ramanathaswamy. The nearest airport to Rameshwaram is located at Madurai, which lies at a...

Shri Nageshwar near Dwarka in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.The Jyotirlinga in the temple is known as Nageshwar Mahadev. The temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. The Jyotirlinga situated in the temple is considered to protect everybody from all sort of poisons. It is believed that one who offers prayers in the temple becomes poison free. The temple is located between Dwarka and Dwarka island in Gujarat on the coast of Surat. According to the legends, a devotee called Supriya was attacked by a demon named Daaruka in a boat. The demon...

Mahakaal is the Lord of time and Death. One of the 12 jyotirlingas in India, the lingam at Mahakal is believed to be swayambhu (born of itself) deriving currents of power (shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams which are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti. "Aakasha tavakam lingam HatkashwaramBhulokhe Cha Mahakalah lingatrayah namaustuteye "Translated as - "In the sky is the Taraka linga, in the nether region is the Haatkeshwara and on the earth is Mahakaleshwara. We venerate the three lingas".The ancient and historic city of Ujjain or Avanti in Madhya Pradesh is home to the...

The temple of Lord Mallikarjuna is situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is situated in the town of Srisailam on the banks of River Patalganga Krishna. Srisailam mountain is looked upon reverentially as the Kailash of South. The temple situated here is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple sculptures narrate in stone, epics from the great Hindu epics- Ramayana nand Mahabharata. This temple is considered very holy and is dedicated to Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba. One unique feature of the temple is that all the devotees who visit the...

Shri Shiva Mangalashtakam  (Mangala Octet on Lord Shiva) Translated by Shri P.R.Ramachander   (Mangala stotras are normally recited at the end of reciting several stotras or the end of singing several songs or at the end of an auspicious function. The devotee wishes auspiciousness to the Lord. Mangalam may also mean “good wishes”, or “wishes for a happy ending”.) Bhavvaya Chandra choodaya , Nirgunaya gunathmane, Kalakalaya rudhraya Neelagreevaya Mangalam, 1   Mangalam to him who has a blue neck, Who makes things happen, Who wears the crescent of moon, Who is without properties, Who is the soul of good conduct,...

Shri Shiva Tandava Stotram (शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम्) is a stotra (Hindu hymn) that describes the Hindu God Shiva's power and beauty. It is traditionally attributed to Ravana, the rakshasa King of Lanka and devotee of Shiva. Both the ninth and tenth quatrains of this hymn conclude with lists of Shiva's epithets as destroyer, even the destroyer of death itself. Alliteration and onomatopoeia create roiling waves of resounding beauty in this example of Hindu devotional poetry. In the final quatrain of the poem, after tiring of rampaging across the Earth, Ravana asks, "When will I be happy?" Because of the intensity of his...

Shri Daaridraya dhahan stotra is dedicated to Lord Shiva. If one worships Lord Shiva and chants Shri Daaridraya dhahan stotra daily then he gets rid of poverty and gets immense wealth. Shri Daaridraya dhahan stotra is must if you are suffering from poverty, burden of loans etc. हर श्रद्धालु को प्रतिदिन भगवान शंकर का पूजन करके दारिद्रयदहन शिवस्तोत्रम्‌ का पाठ करना चाहिए। इससे शिव की कृपा प्राप्ति होकर दारिद्रय का नाश होता है तथा अथाह धन-संपत्ति की प्राप्ति होती है।।  श्री दारिद्रय दहन स्तोत्रम् ।। विश्वेशराय नरकार्णवतारणाय कर्णामृताय शशिशेखर धारणाय। कर्पूर कान्ति धवलाय, जटाधराय, दारिद्रय दुख दहनाय नमः शिवाय।।1।। गौरी प्रियाय रजनीश कलाधराय, कालांतकाय...

India is a country with thousand race, the land of thousands beliefs and the abode of a many Gods. The most important pilgrim centres particularly for the Shaivities are 12 Jyotirlingas which are situated in different parts of India. Reference of these Jyotirlingas is also found in the Shiv Purana. They are called jyotirlingas because Lord Shiva is said to have revealed himself to his devotees in the form of Jyoti – light. Even today devotees are said to have got his darshan in the form of jyoti at these places. The 12 jyotirlinga shrines, popularly known as the Dwadasa...

Shri Shiva tandav stotram was composed by Ravana , the king of Lanka. Shiva Tandava Stotra is a stotra that describes Shiva's power and beauty. Both the ninth and tenth quatrains of this hymn conclude with lists of Shiva's epithets as destroyer, even the destroyer of death itself. Alliteration and onomatopoeia create roiling waves of resounding beauty in this example of Hindu devotional poetry. In the final quatrain of the poem, after tiring of rampaging across the Earth, Ravana asks, "When will I be happy?" Because of the intensity of his prayers and ascetic meditation, of which this hymn was an example, Ravana...

Shri Ganadhisha Stotra Shiv Shakti Krutha in Sanskrit is devoted to Shri Ganesha. Chanting of Shri Ganadhisha Stotra provides all luxeries to devotees and removes their all obstacles in life. Shri Ganesha is worshipped as the lord of wisdom and success, beginnings and as the lord of defender and remover of obstacles, patron of arts and sciences. ॥ श्रीगणाधीशस्तोत्रं शिवशक्तिकृतम् ॥श्रीगणेशाय नमः ।श्रीशक्तिशिवावूचतुः ।नमस्ते गणनाथाय गणानां पतये नमः ।भक्तिप्रियाय देवेश भक्तेभ्यः सुखदायक ॥ १॥स्वानन्दवासिने तुभ्यं सिद्धिबुद्धिवराय च ।नाभिशेषाय देवाय ढुण्ढिराजाय ते नमः ॥ २॥वरदाभयहस्ताय नमः परशुधारिणे ।नमस्ते सृणिहस्ताय नाभिशेषाय ते नमः ॥ ३॥अनामयाय सर्वाय सर्वपूज्याय ते नमः ।सगुणाय नमस्तुभ्यं ब्रह्मणे निर्गुणाय च ॥...

Karacharana Krtam Vaakkaayajam Karmajam Vaa is a famous Sloka or actually a prayer for forgiveness to bhagwan Mahadev Shambhu ie god Shiva. This bedtime Sloka is a prayer to God Shiva asking him to excuse our mistakes and maintain his mercy on us. Lord Shiva is known as the lord of Mercy and Compassion. Karacharana Krtam Vaakkaayajam Karmajam Vaa, Shravananayanajam Vaa Maanasam Vaaparaadham, Vihitamavihitam Vaa Sarvametatkshamasva, Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe Shri Mahaadeva Shambho करचरण कृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा ।श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधं ।विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व ।जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ Meaning: "O God, kindly pardon my incorrect actions done consciously or unconsciously,...

The Somnath temple is dedicated to Someshwara, another name of Lord Shiva with moon on his head. The temple is situated in Saurashtra. It is believed that Somraj, the Moon God himself had originally built the temple out of gold. Somnath is the first of all the 12 jyotirlingas. Though the temple is of Hindu origin, the Architecture has Jain influences. The Somnath temple has been destroyed six times and have been rebuilt. The temple faces the east direction. Externally the Somnath temple resembles the Rudramala temple at Siddhapur. The dome of the temple is the biggest ever made in...

Vande Bodhmayam Nityam Gurum Shankar rupinam ,Yamaashrito hi vakropi chandrah sarvatra vandhyatey is a chaupai taken from Shri Ramcharitmanas. A Shiv shishya or Shiv shisya is a disciple of Lord Shiva who worships Shiva as their Guru teacher, in the Hindu religion. It is mentioned in various texts of Hindus that Lord Shiva works as teacher.   वन्दे बोधमयं नित्यं गुरुं शंकररूपिणम्‌।यमाश्रितो हि वक्रोऽपि चन्द्रः सर्वत्र वन्द्यते॥ Vande Bodhmayam Nityam Gurum Shankar rupinamYamaashrito hi vakropi chandrah sarvatra vandhyatey॥   ज्ञानमय, नित्य, शंकर रूपी गुरु की मैं वन्दना करता हूँ, जिनके आश्रित होने से ही टेढ़ा चन्द्रमा भी सर्वत्र वन्दित होता है॥I worship Lord Shankar, the eternal preceptor, who is all wisdom, and...

Panch Kedar refers to five holy places of the Shaivite sect dedicated to god Shiva. Panch Kedar temples are located in the Garhwal Himalayan region in Uttarakhand, India. The Kedar Khand region of the Garhwal Himalayas is home to Panch Kedar temples named as Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheswar and Kalpeshwar. In these Five Kedars Lord Shiva is worshipped in five divine forms.  All of them are situated in the Kedar Valley. At Kedarnath, situated at the head of the Mandakini River, the Linga is a natural rock that resembles the hump of a bull. Madhyamaheshwar, situated at the base of Chaukhamba Peak is at an...

Anaayesaena maranam , Vinaa dhainyaena jeevanam is a beautiful Sloka with deep meaning. One must chant this daily and pray to Lord Shiva. This is a prayer to Shiva, requesting him to give death without trouble or pain, life without poverty , and devotion in Shiva . We all must have this as our daily prayer. The exact meaning of Sloka is given below अनायासेन मरणं विनादैन्येन जीवनं ।देहि मे कृपया शम्भो त्वयि भक्तिं अचन्चलं ॥ Anaayesaena maranam ,Vinaa dhainyaena jeevanamDaehi mae Kripayaa shambho ,Thvaya bhakthim achanchalam Meaning : Requesting Lord Shiva to kindly grant three wishes:- To give a peaceful death without any bodily...

Sloka Vishuddhou the shuddha sphatika visadham has been taken from Soundarya Lahari ( sloka 37 ). This sloka is chanted to get Immunity From Devils and Spirits/Removal of Bhootha , Pretha Pisacha and Brahma Rakshasa. Soundarya lahari meaning waves of beauty consists of two parts viz. Ananda Lahari meaning waves of happiness (first 41 stanzas) and Soundarya Lahari (the next 59 stanzas). It is believed that Lord Ganesha himself has etched the Ananda Lahari on Mount Meru (Some people believe that Sage Pushpa Dhantha did the etching). It was read from there by Sage Goudapada who taught it to Adi Sankara. Adi...

This is easy remedy to get your slow business on track again. Sometimes, despite hard work and everything positive businessmen  find that business is slow or not working as usual , if your expenses are more than your income and you are facing new troubles everyday. Here is a small remedy to get it back to track again:- Any thursday morning after bath, make dough ( malleable mixture of flour and liquid) , put a small piece of Jaggery (gur) in it and feed a bull. Chant ' Om namah shivay ' mantra 108 times after coming back to home. Pray...

The Thousand Pillar Temple or Rudreshwara Swamy Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the town of Hanumakonda, Telangana State, India. Thousand Pillar Temple, a fine specimen of 'Kakatiya' architecture and sculpture. The temple was built by 'Rudra Devi' in 1163 AD. The temple is in shape of a star and has three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The temple is built on a 1m high platform on the slopes of the Hanumakonda hill, and has a majestic monolithic Nandi. The black basalt Nandi, a monolith, has a lovely polished finish.  There are many small lingam...

Om Jai Shiv Omkara is famous Shiva aarti. Lord Shiva is 'shakti' or power, Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon and one of the godheads in the Hindu Trinity. Known by many names - Mahadeva, Mahayogi, Pashupati, Nataraja, Bhairava, Vishwanath, Bhava, Bhole Nath - Lord Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities. One who recites this Om Jai Shiv Omkara Aarti to the Lord gets rid of all problems and attains fulfillment of his heart’s desire. जय शिव ओंकारा, ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा ।ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, सदाशिव, अर्द्धांगी धारा ॥ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा Jai Shiv Omkara, Om...

Shri Murudeshwar Temple or Murudeshwara Shiva Temple is famous Lord Shiva  temple, located in the beach town of Murudeshwar, 16 km from Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka. Murudeswara or Murudeshwar means Shiva or Eeshwara and the statue of Lord Shiva here is the World's tallest Shiva Statue, measuring 123 feet (37 m) in height. The statue of Lord Siva is constructed so that it directly gets sun light and thus appears sparkling. Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, the town of Murudeshwara is also a beautiful picnic spot bounded by the hills of Western Ghats and situated...

Shri Lingaraj Temple is one of the oldest temples of Bhubaneswar, in Odisha ,India . This thousand years old temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is an outstanding specimen of the Orissa style of temple building. Shri Lingaraj Temple is the largest temple of Bhubaneswar - the highly revered Hindu pilgrimage center famous as “the city of temples” or “Temple City of India”. was built in the 11th century by Somavamsi dynasty while the surrounding complex was built later by the rulers of Ganga Dynasty. Lord Shiva is enshrined as ‘Lingaraj' means 'the king of Lingas', where 'linga' is the phallic...

Shri Amarnath cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. An enshrined image of ice naturally formed in a cylindrical form which resembles Lord Shivlinga, begins to take its shape on the first day of the bright half of the month and reaches its full size on the full moon day (Poornima). After getting its fullest shape, it begins to wane and disappear on the new moon day. According to the tradition, the largest ice formation is considered as Lord Shiva Linga, one on the left side of the linga is an ice formation of Lord Ganesha, and on the right...

Karpura gauram Karunavtaaram is an ancient Sanskrit sloka related to Lord Shiva. This sloka is found in Yajurveda. It is said that Lord Vishnu praised to the new couple in the wedding of Shiva and Parvathi through this Sloka. करपूर गौरम करूणावतारमसंसार सारम भुजगेन्द्र हारम |सदा वसंतम हृदयारविंदेभवम भवानी सहितं नमामि || karpura gauram karunavataaramsansar saram bhujagendra haram |sada vasantam hrdayaravindebhavam bhavani sahitam namami || Pure White like Camphor, an Incarnation of Compassion, the Essence of worldly existence, Whose Garland is the King of Serpents,always Dwelling inside the Lotus of the Heart. I Bow to Shiva and Parvati (Shakti) together.  जिनका...