Lingashtakam

The Shiva Lingam is one of the most important and worshiped religious symbols in the Hindu religion. It is considered as the representation of the God of the Universe from which the entire creation emerged. This is an Ashtakam or an Octet, which is a rhyming eight verse prayer dedicated to the Shiva Lingam.

The Shivalingam is a sacred symbol of the Hindus whom they revere as the manifestation of the Universal Self in His awakened aspect in union with His dynamic energy Shakti. This prayer is a declaration of faith, obedience, love and devotion to Lord Shiva in His aspect as Shivalingam.

Sanskrit-

              लिङ्गाश्टकम

ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गम निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम l

जन्मजदुःखविनाशकलिङ्गम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम ll

देवमुनिप्रवरार्चितलिङ्गम कामदहम करुणाकर लिङ्गम l

रावणदर्पविनाशनलिङ्गम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम ll

सर्वसुगन्धिसुलेपितलिङ्गम बुद्धिविवर्धनकारणलिङ्गम l

सिद्धसुरासुरवन्दितलिङ्गम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम ll

कनकमहामणिभूश्हितलिङ्गम फनिपतिवेश्ह्टित शोभित लिङ्गम l

दक्शसुयघ्य़ विनाशन लिङ्गम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम ll

कुङ्कुमचन्दनलेपितलिङ्गम पङ्कजहारसुशोभितलिङ्गम l

सञ्चितपापविनाशनलिङ्गम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम ll

देवगणार्चित सेवितलिङ्गम भावैर्भक्तिभिरेव च लिङ्गम l

दिनकरकोटिप्रभाकरलिङ्गम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम ll

अश्ह्टदलोपरिवेश्ह्टितलिङ्गम सर्वसमुद्भवकारणलिङ्गम l

अश्ह्टदरिद्रविनाशितलिङ्गम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम ll

सुरगुरुसुरवरपूजित लिङ्गम सुरवनपुश्ह्प सदार्चित लिङ्गम l

परात्परं परमात्मक लिङ्गम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम ll

लिङ्गाश्ह्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेत शिवसन्निधौ l

शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ll

Lyrics-

Lingashtakam

Brahma Murari Sura architha Lingam,Nirmala bashitha Shobitha Lingam l

Janmaja dukha vinasaka lingam.That pranamami sada shiva lingam ll

Deva Murari pravarchitha Lingam,Kama dahana Karunakara lingam l

Ravana darpa vinashana lingam,That pranamami sad shiva lingam ll

Sarva sukandhi sulepitha lingam,Budhi vivarthana karana lingam l

Siddha surasura vandhitha lingam,That pranamami sada shiva lingam ll

Kanaka mahamani bhooshitha lingam,Panipathi veshtitha shobitha lingam lll

Daksha suyagna vinasana lingam,That pranamami sada shiva lingam ll

Kunkuma chandana lepitha lingam,Pankaja hara sushobitha lingam l

Sanchitha papa vinasana lingam,That pranamami sada shiva lingam ll

Deva Ganarchitha sevitha lingam,Bhavair bakthi pravesa lingam l

Dinakara koti prabhakara lingam,That pranamami sada shiva lingam ll

Ashta dalopari veshtitha lingam,Sarva samudbhava karana lingam l

Ashta daridra vinasana lingam,That pranamami sada shiva lingam ll

Suraguru sura vara poojitha Lingam,Sura vana pushpa sadarchitha lingam l

Parathparam paramathmaka lingam,That pranamai sada shiva lingam ll

Lingashtakam, Idam Punyam padeth Shiva Sannidhow l

Shivalokam avapnothi shive na sahamodathe ll

Meaning-

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas,

Which is pure and resplendent,

And which destroys sorrows of birth.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Which is worshipped by great sages and devas,

Which destroyed the god of love,

Which showers mercy,

And which destroyed the pride of Ravana.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Which is anointed by perfumes,

Which leads to growth of wisdom,

And which is worshipped by sages, devas and asuras.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Which is served by gods and other beings,

Which is the doorway for devotion and good thought,

And which shines like billions of Suns.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Which is ornamented by gold and great jewels,

Which shines with the snake being with it,

And which destroyed the Yagna of Daksha.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Which is adorned by sandal paste and saffron,

Which wears the garland of lotus flowers,

And which can destroy accumulated sins.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Which is surrounded by eight petals,

Which is the prime reason of all riches,

And which destroys eight types of poverty.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,

Which is worshipped by the teacher of gods,

Which is worshipped by the best of gods,

Which is always worshipped by the flowers,

From the garden of Gods,

Which is the eternal abode,

And which is the ultimate truth.

Any one who chants the holy octet of the Lingam,

In the holy presence of Lord Shiva,

Would in the end reach the world of Shiva,

And keep him company.