Shiva Asthakam Stotra - Complete meaning and benefits of chanting

Shiva Ashtakam Stotram is a revered hymn comprising eight verses dedicated to Lord Shiva. It extols His various attributes, such as his formlessness, compassion, and role as the destroyer of ignorance. Devotees chant it to seek blessings, protection, and spiritual upliftment from Lord Shiva. The stotram is widely recited during daily prayers, on Mondays, during the month of Shravan, and on auspicious occasions like Mahashivratri.                    

 Stotra

Prabhuan prāṇanāthan vibhuan vishvanāthan jagannāthanāthan sadānandabhājam ।
Bhavadbhavyabhūteshvaran bhūtanāthan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 1॥:

Gale ruṇḍamālan tanau sarpajālan mahākālakālan gaṇeshādhipālam ।
Jaṭājūṭagangottarangairvishālan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 2॥

Mudāmākaran maṇḍanan maṇḍayantan mahāmaṇḍalan bhasmabhūṣhādharan tam ।
Anādihyapāran mahāmohahāran shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 3॥

Vaṭādhonivāsan mahāṭṭāṭṭahāsan mahāpāpanāshan sadāsuprakāsham ।
Girīshan gaṇeshan maheshan sureshan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 4॥

Girindrātmajāsangrahītārdhadehan girau sansthitan sarvadā sannageham ।
Parabrahmabrahmādibhirvandhyamānan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 5॥

Kapālan trishūlan karābhyāan dadhānan padāmbhojanamrāya kāman dadānam ।
Balīvardayānan surāṇāan pradhānan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 6॥

Sharachchandragātran guṇānanda pātran trinetran pavitran dhaneshasya mitram ।
Aparṇākalatran charitran vichitran shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 7॥

Haran sarpahāran chitā bhūvihāran bhavan vedasāran sadā nirvikāram ।
Shmashāne vasantan manojan dahantan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 8॥

Stavan yah prabhāte narah shūlapāṇe paṭhet sarvadā bhargabhāvānuraktah ।
S putran dhanan dhānyamitran kalatran vichitran samāsādya mokṣhan prayāti ॥ 9॥

Stotra with meaning

Prabhuan prāṇanāthan vibhuan vishvanāthan jagannāthanāthan sadānandabhājam ।
Bhavadbhavyabhūteshvaran bhūtanāthan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 1॥:
I pray to you, Shiva, Shankar, Shambhu, who is the Lord, who is the Lord of our life, who is Vibhu, who is the Lord of the world, who is the Lord of Vishnu (Jagannath), who always abides in happiness, who gives light or brightness to everything, who is the Lord of living beings, who is the Lord of ghosts, and who is the Lord of all.

Gale ruṇḍamālan tanau sarpajālan mahākālakālan gaṇeshādhipālam ।
Jaṭājūṭagangottarangairvishālan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 2॥
I pray to you, O Shiva, Shankaracharya, Shambhu, who has a garland of heads around his neck, who has a net of snakes around his body, who is the destroyer of the infinite time, who is the Lord of the Ganas, in whose matted hair resides the Ganges herself, and who is the Lord of everyone.

Mudāmākaran maṇḍanan maṇḍayantan mahāmaṇḍalan bhasmabhūṣhādharan tam ।
Anādihyapāran mahāmohahāran shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 3॥
I pray to you, Shiva, Shankar, Shambhu, who spreads happiness in the world, around whom the universe revolves, who is himself the vast universe, who possesses the adornment of ashes, who is without beginning, who is the one remedy, who removes the greatest attachments, and who is the Lord of all.

Vaṭādhonivāsan mahāṭṭāṭṭahāsan mahāpāpanāshan sadāsuprakāsham ।
Girīshan gaṇeshan maheshan sureshan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 4॥
I pray to you, Shiva, Shankar, Shambhu, who lives under a Vaata (banyan) tree, who has an immense laughter, who destroys the greatest sins, who is ever resplendent, who is the Lord of the Himalayas, who is the Lord of the various Ganas and the Asuri.

Girindrātmajāsangrahītārdhadehan girau sansthitan sarvadā sannageham ।
Parabrahmabrahmādibhirvandhyamānan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 5॥
Hindi Meaninga -hiandī artha :I pray to Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who shares half of his body with the daughter of the Himalayas, who is situated in a mountain (Kailasa), who is always a support to the sad ones, who is the superhuman, who is worshipful (or who is worthy of reverence), who is the Lord of Brahma and all others

Kapālan trishūlan karābhyāan dadhānan padāmbhojanamrāya kāman dadānam ।
Balīvardayānan surāṇāan pradhānan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 6॥
I pray to you Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who holds a skull and trident in his hands, who is humble to his lotus-feet, who uses a bull as a vehicle, who is supreme and above the various gods and goddesses, and the Lord of all.

Sharachchandragātran guṇānanda pātran trinetran pavitran dhaneshasya mitram ।
Aparṇākalatran charitran vichitran shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 7॥
I pray to you, O Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who has a face like the winter-moon, who is the delight of all the Ganas, who has three eyes, who is always pure, who is the friend of Kubera (the controller of wealth), who has Aparna (Parvati) as his wife, who has eternal attributes, and who is the Lord of all

Haran sarpahāran chitā bhūvihāran bhavan vedasāran sadā nirvikāram ।
Shmashāne vasantan manojan dahantan shivan shankaran shambhumīshānamīḍe ॥ 8॥
I pray to you, Shiva, Shankar, Shambhu, who is known as Hara, who has a garland of snakes, who moves around the cremation ground, who is the universe, who is the essence of the Vedas, who is always reverent, who lives in the cremation ground, who burns the desires arising in the mind, and who is the Lord of all.

Stavan yah prabhāte narah shūlapāṇe paṭhet sarvadā bhargabhāvānuraktah ।
S putran dhanan dhānyamitran kalatran vichitran samāsādya mokṣhan prayāti ॥ 9॥
Those who chant this prayer every morning with devotion to the trident-holding Shiva will be blessed with a dutiful son, wealth, friend, spouse and attain salvation after completing a fruitful life. May Shiva Shambho Gauri Shankar bless you all with His love and protect you under His care

Benifits of Shiva Astakham Stotra

Some of the major benefits associated with reciting this stotra are as follows:

1. Protection from diseases
2. Protection from Evil Spirits
3. Fulfillment of wishes
4. Longevity and Happiness
5. Victory and Success

Overall, the Shiva Raksha Stotra is revered for its ability to invoke the grace of Lord Shiva and bestow a multitude of blessings on its practitioners, leading them to a life of fulfillment, prosperity and spiritual awakening.

How to chant the stotra?

Before chanting the Shiv Ashtakam Stotra, here are some traditional practices that devotees may follow to prepare for a more focused and meaningful experience:

Inner Cleanliness: Take a bath or wash your hands and face to feel physically clean. This can symbolize inner purification as well.
Peaceful Environment: Find a quiet, clean space free from distractions where you can focus on the chanting.
Simple Attire: Wear comfortable and clean clothes that allow you to sit comfortably.
Devotional Mindset: Approach the chanting with reverence and devotion to Lord Shiva. Set an intention for your chanting, whether it's seeking protection, peace, or spiritual growth.
Prayer (Optional): You can offer a short prayer to Lord Shiva before chanting, expressing your gratitude and seeking his blessings.

Who can chant Shiv Ashtakam Stotram & When to chant?
Shiv Ashtakam Stotram can be chanted by anyone who wishes to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity associated with destruction and transformation. There are no specific restrictions on who can chant this stotram.

As for when to chant Shiv Ashtakam Stotram, it can be chanted on any day and at any time. However, it is particularly auspicious to chant it on Mondays, as Monday is considered sacred to Lord Shiva. Additionally, it is common to chant this stotram during the morning or evening prayers as part of one's daily devotional practice. Some devotees also choose to chant it during the month of Shravan (July-August), which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, or during the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, which celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Ultimately, the timing of chanting Shiv Ashtakam Stotram can vary based on individual preference and devotion.