Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam - Complete meaning and benefits of chanting

Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam is a Sanskrit hymn dedicated to Lord Vishwanath, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, worshipped primarily at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, India. Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, it consists of eight verses praising the divine attributes of Lord Vishwanath and seeking his blessings for spiritual enlightenment, liberation, and protection. Devotees chant the Vishwanath Ashtakam with reverence to deepen their connection with Lord Shiva and receive his grace in their lives.

Table of Contents
1. Stotra

2. Meaning

3. Benefits of chanting Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam

4. Who can chant Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam & When to chant?

5. How to chant the stotram?

Stotra

Gangā taranga ramaṇīya jaṭā kalāpan
Gaurī nirantar vibhūṣhit vām bhāgam
Nārāyaṇ priyamananga madāpahāran
Vārāṇasī purapatian bhaj vishvanātham
।।1।।

Vāchāmagocharamanek guṇ svarūpan
Vāgīsh viṣhṇu sur sevit pād pīṭham
Vāmen vigrah vareṇ kalatra vantan
Vārāṇasīpurapatian bhaj vishvanātham
।।2।।

Bhūtādhipan bhujag bhūṣhaṇ bhūṣhitāngan
Vyāghrājināmbar dharan jaṭilan trinetram
Pāshānkushābhaya varaprad shūlapāṇian
Vārāṇasīpurapatian bhaj vishvanātham
।।3।।

Shītāanshu shobhit kirīṭ virāj mānan
Bhālekṣhaṇānal vishoṣhitapanycha bāṇam
Nāgādhipārachit bhāsur karṇapuran
Vārāṇasīpurapatian bhaj vishvanātham
।।4।।

Panychānanan durit matta matanga jānāan
Nāgāntakan danuj pungav pannagānām
Dāvānalan maraṇ shok jarāṭ vīnāan
Vārāṇasīpurapatian bhaj vishvanātham
।।5।।

Tejomayan saguṇ nirguṇ madvitīyam
Ānanda kandamaparājitamaprameyam
Nāgātmakan sakal niṣhkalamātmarūpan
Vārāṇasīpurapatian bhaj vishvanātham
।।6।।

Rāgādi doṣh rahitan svajanānurāgan
Vairāgya shānti nilayan girijā sahāyam
Mādhurya dhairya subhagan garalābhirāman
Vārāṇasīpurapatian bhaj vishvanātham
।।7।।

Āshāan vihāya parihṛutya parasya nindāan
Pāpe ratian ch sunivārya manah samādhau
Ādāya hṛutkamal madhyagatan pareshan
Vārāṇasīpurapatian bhaj vishvanātham
।।8।।

Vārāṇasī purapateah stavanan shivasya
Vyākhyātamaṣhṭakamidan paṭhate manuṣhyah
Vidyāan shriyan vipulasaukhyamananta kīrtian
Samprāpya dehavilaye labhate ch mokṣham।।9।।

Stotra with meaning

ganGgaa tharanGga ramaNeeya jataa kalaapaM
gauree niranthara vibhooShitha vaama bhaagam
naaraayaNa priyam-ananGga madha-apahaaraM
vaaraaNasee pura-pathiM bhaja vishvanaaTham..1.
Meaning - Lord Shiva has the charmingly arranged matted hair ornamented with the flowing streams of the river Ganga. His consort Gowri permanently adorns His left half. He is loved by Sri Narayana. He has diminished the vanity of Manmadha, the Deity of love.
I sincerely worship Sri Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi.

vaachaam-agocharam-anaeka guNa svaroopaM
vaageesha visNu sura saevitha paadha peeTam
vaamaena vigraha varaeNa kalathra vanthaM
vaaraaNasee pura-pathiM bhaja vishvanaaTham: 2.
Meaning - Lord Shiva is beyond oral recitations as He is the personification so many characteristics in His divine attributes. Sri Brahma, Sri Vishnu and other Devas ardently worship His holy feet. His form is adorned by His consort Sri Parvathi at His left half.
I sincerely worship Sri Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi.

bhootha-aDhipaM bhujaga bhooshaNa bhooShitha-anGgaM
vyaaghra-ajina-ambara Dharam jatilam thri-naethram
paasha-anGkusha-abhaya vara-pradha shoola-paaNiM
vaaraaNasee pura-pathiM bhaja vishvanaaTham .3.
Meaning - Lord Shiva is the Lord of the living beings. He wears snakes as the ornaments. He adorns the tiger skin. He has the matted hair. He has three eyes (sun, moon and fire). He holds the noose (pasha), the hook (ankusha) and the trident and He blesses and bestows protection from fears.
I sincerely worship Sri Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi.

sheethaaMshu shobhitha kireeta viraaja maanaM
bhaalaekShaNa-anala vishosHitha panjchcha baaNam
naaga-aDhipa-arachitha bhaasura karNapuraM
vaaraaNasee pura-pathiM bhaja vishvanaaTham.4
Meaning:-Lord Shiva has the dazzling cool rayed Chandra on His head as the crown. The fire from His third eye had devoured the five arrows of Manmadha. The King of serpents dazzle as His ear ornament.
I sincerely worship Sri Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi.

panjchaananaM duritha maththa mathanGga jaanaaM
naaga-anthakaM dhanuja punGgava pannagaanaam
dhaavaanalaM maraNa shoka jaraata veenaaM
vaaraaNasee pura-pathiM bhaja vishvanaaTham.5
Meaning:- Lord Shiva is similar to the lion. He subdues our sins and desires which are as huge as elephant. He diminishes the serpents of devil in us like a Garuda. He is like the wild fire which devours the fear of death and sorrows in us.
I sincerely worship Sri Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi.

thejomayaM saguNa nirguNa madhvi-theeyam
aanandha kandham-aparaajitham-apramaeyam
naaga-ahtmakam sakala niShkalama-athmaroopaM
vaaraaNasee pura-pathiM bhaja vishvanaaTham..6
Meaning:-Lord Shiva is spiritually resplendent. He can take the form of all characteristics. He can also be without any definable attribute. He is full of bliss which is not surpassed or conquered by anyone and which is beyond measurement. His person is decorated with snakes. He is without blemish. He is in the form of the athma unified with all.

raagaadhi dhoSha rahithaM svajana-anuraagaM
vairagya shaanthi nilayaM girijaa sahaayam
naaDhurya Dhairya subhagaM garala-abhiraamaM
vaaraaNasee pura-pathiM bhaja vishvanaaTham.7
Meaning:-Lord Shiva is beyond and away from all desires and passions. He is compassionate towards His devotees. He is dwelling in peace which arose out of His distancing from worldly desires. His companion is Sri Parvathi Devi, the daughter of the mountain King. He is always present with sweetness and mercy. His presence is auspicious. His throat is blue from the consumption of halahala (from the churning of cosmic ocean).
I sincerely worship Sri Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi.

aashaaM vihaaya parihruthya parasya nindhaaM
paapae rathiM cha sunivaarya manah samaaDhau
aadhaaya hruth-kamala maDhyagathaM pareshaM
vaaraaNasee pura-pathiM bhaja vishvanaaTham.8
Meaning:-Let me distance myself from the desires, do away with the finding fault in others and keep myself away from the indulgence in pleasurable sins. Let me meditate on the Supreme God Lord Shiva in my heart like lotus.
I sincerely worship Sri Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi.

vaaraaNasee pura-patheh sthavanaM shivasya
vyaakhyaatham-aShtakam-idhaM paTathe manuShyah
vidhyaaM shriyaM vipula-saukhyam-anantha keerthiM
sampraapya dheha-vilaye labhathe cha mokSham.9
Meaning:-The persons who sincerely and devoutly read and recite this Visvanatha Ashtakam describing the attributes of the Lord of Varanasi shall be blessed with good education and wisdom, prosperity, happiness, endless fame and moksha.

Benefits of chanting Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam

Chanting Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam is believed to offer several benefits to devotees:

1. Spiritual Connection
2. Blessings for Liberation
3. Protection from Obstacles
4. Inner Peace and Harmony
5. Fulfillment of Desires

Overall, chanting Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam is considered a powerful spiritual practice that brings blessings, protection, and spiritual growth to the devotee's life, leading them towards greater peace, prosperity, and enlightenment.

Who can chant Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam & When to chant?

Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam can be chanted by anyone who has devotion towards Lord Vishwanath and seeks his blessings. There are typically no restrictions based on age, gender, or religious background. The hymn is open to all individuals who wish to express their reverence and seek the grace of Lord Vishwanath.

As for when to chant Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam, there are no strict guidelines. However, many devotees prefer to recite it during auspicious occasions, such as during morning or evening prayers, or as part of their daily worship routine. Additionally, it can be chanted before visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi or during times of spiritual reflection and meditation.

How to chant the stotram?
Before chanting the Shri Vishwanath Ashtakam here are some traditional practices that devotees may follow to prepare for a more focused and meaningful experience:

1. Take a bath or wash your hands and face to feel physically clean. This can symbolize inner purification as well.
2. Find a quiet, clean space free from distractions where you can focus on the chanting.
3. Wear comfortable and clean clothes that allow you to sit comfortably.
4. Approach the chanting with reverence and devotion to Lord Vishnu. Set an intention for your chanting, whether it's seeking protection, peace, or spiritual growth.
5. You can offer a short prayer to Lord Vishnu before chanting, expressing your gratitude and seeking his blessings.