Archive for the ‘Shiva’ Category

The Shiva Mahimna Stotra is very popular among the devotees of Lord Shiva and is considered one of the best among all Stotras (or Stutis) offered to Lord Shiva. The legend about the circumstances leading to the composition of this Stotra is as follows.

 The Composition (Story of Pushpadanta)

A king named Chitraratha had constructed a nice garden . There were beautiful flowers in this garden . These flowers were used every day by the king in worshipping Lord Shiva. One day a Gandharva (Heavenly Singer in the court of Indra, the Lord of the Heaven) named Pushhpadanta being fascinated by the beautiful flowers, began to stealthem, as a consequence of which king Chitraratha could not offer flowers to Lord Shiva . He tried very hard to capture the thief, but in vain, because the Gandharvas have divine power to remain invisible.

Finally the king spread the Shiva Nirmaalya in his garden . Shiva Nirmaalya consists of the Bilva leaves, flowers, etc. which have been used in worshipping Lord Shiva . The Shiva Nirmaalya is considered holy.

The thief Pushhpadanta, not knowing this, walked on the Shiva Nirmaalya, and by that he incurred the wrath of Lord Shiva and lost the divine power of invisibility . He then designed a prayer to Lord Shiva for forgiveness. In this prayer he sung the greatness of the Lord. 

This very prayer became well known as the ‘Shiva Mahimna Stotra’. Lord Shiva became pleased by this Stotra, and returned Pushhpadanta’s divine powers.

The legend has some basis since the name of the author is mentioned in verse number 38 of the stotram. The recital of this stotra is very beneficial, therefore let its recitation be beneficial to all beings!
 

Text 1

mahimnah param te parama vidusho yadyasadrishi
stutir brahma dina mapitadava sannastvayi girah,
atha vacyah sarvah svamati parina mavadhi grinan
mamapyeshah stotre hara nirapavadah parikarah

Sri Pushpadanta said:

If it is unseemly to praise You when ignorant of the extent of’ Your greatness, then even the praises of Brahma and others are inadequate. If no one can be blamed when they praise You according to their intellectual powers, then my attempt to compose a hymn cannot be reproached. (1)

Text 2

Atitah panthanam tava ca mahima vanmanasayor
atad vyavrttya yam cakita mabhi dhatte shrutirapi,
sa kasya stotavyah katividha gunah kasya vishayah
pade tvarvacine patati na manah kasya na vacah.

Your greatness is beyond the reach of mind and speech. Who can properly praise that which even the Vedas describe with trepidation, by means of’ ‘neti-neti / not this, not this’? How many qualities does He possess? By whom can He be perceived? Yet whose mind and speech do not turn to the form later taken by Him (saguna) (2)

 Text 3

Madhu sphita vacah paramam amritam nirmitavatas
tava brahman kim vag api suraguror vismaya padam,
mama tvetam vanim guna kathana punyena bhavatah
punam ityarthe’smin puramathana buddhir vyavasita.

O Brahman! Do even Brihaspati’s praises cause wonder to You, the author of the nectar like sweet Vedas? 0 destroyer of the three cities, the thought that by praising Your glories I shall purify my speech has prompted me to undertake this work. (3) 

Text 4

Tavaisvaryam yat taj jagadudaya raksa  pralayakrit
trayivastu vyastam tisrishu guna-bhinnasu tanushu,
abhavyanam asmin varada ramaniyama ramanim
vihantum vyakrosim vidadhata ihaike jadadhiyah.

O Giver of boons! Some stupid people produce arguments–pleasing to the ignorant but in fact hateful– to refute Your Divinity, which creates, preserves and destroys the world, which is divided into three bodies (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) according to the three gunas, and which is described in the three Vedas. (4)

Text 5

Kimihah kimkayah sa khalu kimupaya stribhuvanam
kimadharo dhata srijati kimupadana iti ca,
atarkyaish varye tvay yanavasara duhstho hatadhiyah
kutarko’yam kamshcin mukharayati mohaya jagatah.

To fulfill what desire, assuming what form, with what instruments, support and material does that Creator create the three worlds? This kind of futile argumentation about You whose divine nature is beyond the reach of intellect, makes the perverted vociferous, and brings delusion to men. (5)

Text 6

Ajanmano lokah kimavayava vanto’pi jagatam
adhisthataram kim bhavavidhir-anadritya bhavati,
anisho va kuryad bhuvana janane kah parikaro
yato mandastvam praty-amaravara samsherata ime.

O Lord of gods! Can the worlds be without origin, though they have bodies? Is their creation possible with­out a creator? Who else but God can initiate the creation of the worlds?  Because they are fools they raise doubts about Your existence. (6)

Text 7

Trayi sankhyam yogah pasupati matam vaishnavamiti
prabhinne prasthane paramidamadah pathyamiti ca,
rucinam vaicitryad riju kutila nana pathajusham
nrinameko gamyas tvamsasi payasa marnava iva.

Different paths (to realization) arc enjoined by the three Vedas, by Sankhya, Yoga, Pashupata (Shaiva) (doctrine and Vaishnava Shastras. People follow different paths, straight or crooked, according to their temperament, depending on which they consider best, or most appropriate–and reach You alone just as rivers enter the ocean. (7)

Text 8

Mahokshah khatvangam parashu-rajinam bhasma haninah
kapalam cetiyat tava varada tantro pakaranam,
surastam tamriddhim dadhati tu bhavad bhru pranihitam
na hi svatma ramam vishaya mriga trishna bhramayati.

 O Giver of boons! A great bull, a wooden hand rest, an axe, a tiger skin, ashes, serpents, a human skull and other such things–these are all You own, though simply by casting Your eyes on gods You gave them great treasures which they enjoy. Indeed one whose delight is in the Self cannot be deluded by the mirage of sense objects. (8)

Text 9

Dhruvam kascit sarvam sakala mapara stva dhruva midam
paro dhrau vyadhrauvye jagati gadati vyasta vishaye,
samaste’pye tasmin puramathana tair vismita iva
stuvan jihremi tvam na khalu nanu dhrishta mukharata.

O Destroyer of the demon Pura, some say that the whole universe is eternal while others say that all is transi­tory. Others still, hold that it is eternal and non-eternal — having different characteristics. Bewildered by all this, I do not feel ashamed to praise You; indeed my loquacity is an indication of my boldness. (9)

  Text 10

Tavaisvaryam yatnad yadupari virincir-hari-radhah
paricchettum yatav anala manala skandha vapushah,
tato bhakti sraddha bhara-guru-grinad-bhyam girisha yat
svayam tasthe tabhyam tava kim anuvrittir na phalati.

O Girisha, when You took the form of a pillar of fire, Brahma trying from above and Vishnu trying from below failed to measure You. Afterwards, when they praised You with great faith and devotion, You revealed yourself to them of Your own accord; does not surrender to You bear fruit? (10)

Text 11

Ayatnadapadya tribhuvanama-vairavya-tikaram
dashasyo yadbahun abhrita ranakandu paravashan,
sthirah padmasreni racita caranam bhoruhabaleh
sthiraya stvad bhaktes tripurahara visphur jitamidam.

O Destroyer of Tripura, it was because of that great devotion, which prompted him to offer his heads as lotuses to Your feet, that the ten-headed Ravana was still with arms and eager for fresh war after he had effortlessly rid the three worlds of all traces of enemies. (11)

Text 12

Amushya tvatseva samadhigata-saram bhujavanam
balat-kailase’pi tvadadhivasatau vikramayatah,
alabhya patale pyalasa-calitan-gustha-shirasi
pratishtha tvayyasid dhruvamupacito muhyati khalah

But when he (Ravana) extended the valour of his arms-whose strength was obtained by worshipping You- to Kailas, Your abode, You moved the tip of Your toe, and he did not find a resting place even in the nether world. Truly, when affluent the wicked become deluded. (12)

Text 13

Yadriddhim sutramno varada paramo-ccairapi satim
adhashcakre banah parijana vidheya tribhuvanah,
na taccitram tasmin varivasitari tvac caranayor
na kasya unnatyai bhavati srirasastvay yavanatih.

O Giver of boons, since Bana was the worshipper of Your feet is it to be wondered at that he had the three worlds at his command and put to shame the wealth of Indra? What prosperity does not come from bowing down the head to You? (13)

Text 14

Akanda brahmanda kshaya cakita devasura kripa
vidheya syasidyas trinayana visham samhrita vatah,
sa kalmashah kanthe tava na kurute na shriya maho
vikaro’pi shlaghyo bhuvana-bhaya-bhangavyasaninah.

O Three-Eyed One, who drank poison out of compassion for gods and demons when they were distraught at the sudden prospect of the destruction of the universe, surely the dark blue stain on Your throat has beautified You. Even deformity is to be admired in one who is given to freeing the world of fear. (14)

Text 15

Asiddhartha naiva kvacidapi sadeva suranare
nivartante nityam, jagati jayino yasya vishikhah,
sa pashyannisa tvam itara surasadharana mabhut
smarah smarta-vyatma na hi vasishu pathyah paribhavah

O Lord, the god of love, whose arrows never fail in the world of gods and men, become nothing but an object of memory because he looked on You as an ordinary god (his body being burnt by Your look of wrath). An insult to the self-controlled is not conducive to good. (15)

Text 16

Mahi padaghatad vrajati sahasa samshaya-padam
padam visnor-bhramyad bhujaparigha-rugna-graha-ganam,
muhur-dyaur-dausthyam yat-­yanibhrita-jata-taditatata
jagad-rakshayai tvam natasi nanu vamaiva vibhuta.

 When You danced to save the world, the earth was suddenly thrown into a precarious state at the striking of Your feet; the spatial regions and the hosts of stars felt oppressed by the movement of Your massive club-like arms; and the heavens became miserable as their sides were constantly struck by Your waving matted hair.  Indeed it is Your very mightiness which is the cause of the trouble. (16)  

Text 17

Viyad-vyapi tara gana-gunita phenod-gama-rucih
pravaho varam yah prishata-laghu-dristah shirasi te,
jagad-dvipakaram jaladhivalayam tena kritami-
tyane-naivon-neyam dhrita-mahima divyam tava vapuh.

The river which pervades the sky and whose foam crests look all the more beautiful because of stars and planets, seems no more than a drop of water when on Your head. That same river has turned the world into islands surrounded by waters. From this can be judged  vastness of Your divine body. (17)

Text 18

Rathah kshoni yanta shata-dhriti-ragendro dhanuratho
rathange candrarkau rathacarana-panih shara iti,
didhakshoste ko’yam tripura-trina-madambara-vidhir
vidheyaih kridantyo na khalu paratantrah prabhu-dhiyah.

When You wanted to burn the three cities of the demons – which were but a piece of straw to You–the earth was Your chariot, Brahma Your charioteer, the great mountain Meru Your bow, the sun and the moon the wheels of Your chariot, Vishnu Your arrow. Why all this paraphernalia? The Lord is not dependent on others. He was only playing with things at His command. (18)

Text 19

Hariste sahasram kamala-balima-dhaya padayor
yadekone tasmin nija-mudaharan-netra-kamalam,
gato bhaktyu-drekah parinatim-asau cakra-vapusha
trayanam rakshayai tripura-hara jagarti jagatam.

O Destroyer of the three cities, Hari rooted out His own lotus-eye to make up the difference when one flower was missing in His offering of 1,000 lotuses to Your feet. For this great devotion You awarded the discus (Sudarshan Chakra) ~ with which Hari protects the three worlds. (19)

Text 20

Kratau supte jagrat tvamasi phalayoge kratumatam
kva karma pradhvastam phalati purusha-radhana-mrite,
atas-tvam sam-preksya kratusu phala-dana-pratibhuvam
shrutau shraddham baddhva dridha-parikarah karmasu janah.

When a sacrifice has ended, You ever keep awake to bestow its fruit on the sacrificer. How can any action bear fruit if not accompanied by worship of You, 0 Lord? Therefore, knowing You to be the Giver of fruits of sacrifices and putting faith in the Vedas, people become resolute about the performance of sacrificial acts. (20)

Text 21

Kriyadakso dakshah kratupati-radhisha-stanubhritam
rishinamartvijyam sharanada sadasyah suraganah,
kratu-bhramshas-tvattah kratuphala-vidhana-vyasanino
dhruvam kartuh sraddha vidhura-mabhicaraya hi makhah.

O Giver of refuge, even that sacrifice where Daksha, the Lord of creation and expert in sacrifices, was the sacrificer, rishis were priests, gods participants, was destroy­ed by You who are habitually the Giver of fruits of sacrifices. Surely sacrifices cause injury to the sacrificers in the absence of faith and devotion. (21)

Text 22

Praja-natham natha prasabha-mabhikam svam duhitaram
gatam rohid-bhutam rira-mayishumrishyasya vapusha,
dhanus paner yatam divamapi sapatra kritamamum
trasantam te’dyapi tyajati na mriga-vyadharabhasah.

O Lord, the fury of You who became a hunter with a bow in hand has not as yet left Brahma who, overcome by incestuous lust and finding his own daughter transforming herself into a hind, desired to ravish her in the body of a stag and keenly pierced by Your arrows, he (Brahma) has fled to the sky(22)

Text 23

Svalavanya-shamsa dhrita-dhanusha-mahnnaya trinavat
purah plustam drishtva pura-mathana pushpa-yudhamapi,
yadi strainam devi yama-nirata dehardha-ghatana
davaiti tvam-addha bata varada mugdha yuvatayah.

O Destroyer of the three cities, 0 Giver of boons, is Parvati who saw the god of love, bow in hand, burnt like a piece of straw in a minute by You, still proud of her beauty and believing that You are fascinated by her, because she was allowed to occupy half Your body because of her austerities?  Ah, surely all women are under delusion. You have completely conquered Your senses. (23)

Text 24

Shmashanesva-krida smarahara pishacah sahacarash
cita-bhasma-lepah sragapi nrikaroti-parikarah.
amangalyam shilam tava bhavatu namaiva-makhilam
tathapi smartrinam varada paramam mangalamasi.

O Destroyer of the god of love, 0 Giver of boons, Your play is in cremation grounds, Your companions are ghosts, You smear Your body with the ashes of burnt bodies, human skulls are Your garland-all Your conduct is indeed inauspicious. But You promote the greatest good of those who remember You. (24)

Text 25

Manah pratyak-citte savidha-mavadhayatta-marutah
prahrishyadromanah pramada-salilot-sangitadrisah
yada-lokyah-ladam hrada iva nimajya-mritamaye
dadhat-yantas-tattvam kimapi yaminas-tat kila bhavan.

You are indeed that inexpressible Truth which the yogis realize within through concentrating their minds on the Self and controlling the breath according to the directions laid down in the scriptures, and realizing which Truth they experience rapturous thrills and shed profuse tears of joy; swimming as it were in a pool of nectar they enjoy inner bliss. (25)

Text 26

Tvamarkas-tvam somas tvamasi pavanas tvam hutavahas
tvamapas-tvam vyoma tvamu dharanir-atma tvamiti ca,
paricchinnam-evam tvayi parinata bibhratu giram
na vidmas-tat-tattvam vayamiha tu yat-tvam na bhavasi.

The wise hold this limiting view of You: You are the sun, You are the moon, You are fire, You are air, You are water, You are space, You are the earth and You are the Self.  But we do not know the things which You are not. (26)

Text 27

Trayim tisro vrittis tribhuvana-matho trinapi sura
nakaradyair-varnais tribhir-abhi-dadhat-tirnavikriti,
turiyam te dhama dhvanibhi-rava-rundhana-manubhih
samastam vyastam tvam sharanada grinat-yomiti padam.

O Giver of refuge, with the three letters A, U, M, indicating the three Vedas, three states, three worlds and the three gods, the word AUM(Om) describes You separately.  By its subtle sound the word Om collectively denotes You – Your absolute transcendental state which is free from change. (27)

Text 28

Bhavah sarvo rudrah pasupati-rathograh sahamahan
statha bhime-shanav iti yadabhi-dhana-shtakam-idam,
amushmin-pratyekam pravicarati deva shrutirapi
priyayasmai dhamne pravihita-namasyo’smi bhavate.

O Lord! Bhava, Sharva, Rudra, Pashupati, Ugra, Mahadeva, Bhima, and Ishana-these eight names of Yours are each treated in detail in the Vedas.  To You, most beloved Lord Shankara, of resplendent form, I offer salutations. (28)

Text 29

Namo nedisthaya priyadava davishthaya ca namo
namah kshodisthaya smarahara mahishthaya ca namah
namo varshishthaya trinayana yavishthaya ca namo
namah sarvasmai te tadida-mitisarvaya ca namah.

O Lover of solitude, my salutations to You who are the nearest and the farthest. 0 Destroyer of the god of love, my salutations to You who are the minutest and also the largest. 0 Three-eyed one, my salutations to You who are the oldest and also the youngest. My salutations to You again and again who are all and also transcending all. (29)          

Text 30

Bahala-rajase vishvot-pattau bhavaya namo namah
prabala-tamase tat-samhare haraya namo namah,
jana-sukhakrite sattvo-driktau mridaya namo namah
pramahasi pade nistraigunye shivaya namo namah.

Salutations to You as Brahma in whom rajas prevails for the creation of the universe. Salutations to You as Rudra in whom tamas prevails for its destruction. Salutations to You as Vishnu in whom sattva prevails for giving happiness to the people. Salutations to You, 0 Shiva, who are effulgent and beyond the three attributes. (30)

Text 31

Krisha-parinati cetah klesha-vashyam kva cedam
kva ca tava gunasimol langhini shashva-driddhih,
iti cakita-mamandi kritya mam bhakti-radhad
varada caranayo-ste vakya-pushpo-paharam.

O Giver of boons, how poor is my ill-developed mind, subject to afflictions, and how boundless Your divinity- Eternal and possessing infinite virtues. Though terror–stricken because of this, I am inspired by my devotion to offer this hymnal garland at Your feet. (31)

Text 32

Asita-giri-samam syat kajjalam sindhu-patre
sura-taruvara-shakha lekhani patra-murvi,
likhati yadi grhitva sharada sarva-kalam
tadapi tava gunanam isha param na yati.

O Lord, if the black mountain be ink, the ocean the inkpot, the branch of the stout wish-fulfilling tree a pen, the earth the writing leaf, and if taking these the Goddess of Learning writes for eternity, even then the limit of Your virtues will not be reached. (32)

Text 33

Asura-sura-munindrair arcita-syendu-mauler
grathita-guna-mahimno nirguna-syesvarasya,
sakala-gana-varisthah pushpadanta-bhidhano
rucira-malaghu-vrittaih stotra-metac-cakara.

The best of Gandharvas, Pushpadanta by name, composed in great devotion this beautiful hymn to the Lord, who is worshipped by demons, gods, and the best of sages, whose praises have been sung, who has the moon on His forehead, and who is attributeless. (33)

Text 34

Ahara-harana-vadyam dhurjateh stotra-metat
pathati paramabhaktya shuddhacittah pumanyah.
sa bhavati shivaloke rudra-tulya-stathatra
pracuratara-dhanayuh putravan-kirtimanshca.

The person who with purified heart and in great devotion always reads this beautiful and elevating hymn to Shiva, becomes like Shiva (after death) in the abode of Shiva, and while in this world gets abundant wealth, long life, progeny and fame. (34)

Text 35

Maheshannaparo devo mahimno napara stutih,
aghorannaparo mantro nasti tattvam guroh param.

There is no God higher than Shiva, there is no hymn better than the hymn on the greatness of Shiva, there is no mantra more powerful than the name of Shiva, there is nothing higher to be known than the real nature of the Guru. (35)

Text 36

Diksha danam tapas tirtham jnanamyaga-dikah kriyah,
mahimnah stava pathasya kallam narhanti shodashim

Initiation into spiritual life, charities, austerities, pilgrimages, practice of yoga, performance of sacrificial rites – none of these give even a sixteenth part of the merit that one gets by reciting the hymn on the greatness of Shiva. (36)

Text 37

Kusuma-dashana-nama sarva-gandharva-rajah
shishu-shashadhara-mauler deva-devasya dasah
sa khalu nija-mahimno bhrashta evasya roshat
stavanamidamakarsid divya-divyam mahimnah.

The Lord of Gandharvas, Pushpadanta by name, is the servant of the God of gods who has the crescent moon on his forehead. Fallen from his glory due to the wrath of the Lord, he composed this very beautiful uplifting hymn on the greatness of Shiva to regain His favor. (37)

Text 38

Suravaramuni-pujyam sarvagamokshaikahetum
pathati yadi manushyah pranjalir-nanyacetah,
vrajati shiva-samipam kinnaraih stuyamanah
stavanamidamamogham puspadanta-pranitam.

If one with single-minded devotion and folded palms reads this unfailing hymn composed by Pushpadanta, which is adored by great gods and the best of sages and which grants heaven and liberation, one goes to Shiva and is worshipped by Kinnaras (celestial beings). (38)

Text 39

Asamapta-midam stotram punyam gandharva bhashitam,
anaupamyam manohari shiva-mishvara-varnanam.

Thus ends this unparalleled sacred hymn composed by Pushpadanta and describing the glory of God Shiva in a most fascinating manner. (39)

Text 40

Ityesa vanmayi puja shrimac shankara padayoh,
arpita tena devesah priyatam me sadashivah.

This hymn worship is offered at the feet of Shiva. May the ever beneficent Lord of gods be pleased with me at this! (40)

Text 41

Tava tattwamna janami kidrishosi maheshwara
yadrashosi mahadeva tadrashaya namo namah

I do not know the truth of your nature and who you are- O great God my salutations to your true nature. (41)

Text 42

Eka kalam dwikalam wa trikalam yah pathennarah
sarva papa vinirmuktah shivaloke mahiyate

Whoever reads this once, twice or thrice (in a day) revels in the domain of Shiva, bereft of all sins. (42)

Text 43

Sri pushpadanta mukha pankaja nirgatena
stotrena kilbisha harena hara-priyena,
kanthas thitena pathitena samahitena
suprinito bhavati bhutapatir maheshah.

If a person learns by heart and recites this hymn, which flowed from the lotus mouth of Pushpadanta, which destroys sins and is dear to Shiva and which equally promotes the good of all, Shiva, the Lord of creation, becomes very pleased. (43)

Ithi Sri Pushpadanta Virachith Shiva Mahimna Stotram Samaptham

thus ends the hymn called – “Shiva Mahimna Stotra” composed by Pushpadanta

 tags: shivamanhimna stotra, siva mahimna stotram, shivamahimna storam, stotram online shiva mahimana stotram, shiva slokas, shiva mantra, pushpadanta shiva mahimna stotram in egnlish, shivamahimna lyrics, with meanings,free

Shivaratri Pooja has been given tremendous significance in Hindu mythology. It is said that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri day pleases Lord Shiva the most. Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.

Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of Shiva Linga with six different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord Shiva the most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in the abhisheka blesses a unique quality:

Milk   - For the blessing of purity and piousness.
Yogurt   – For prosperity and progeny.
Honey   _ For sweet speech.
Ghee - For victory.
Sugar  – For happiness.
Water  – For purity.

Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also considered to be extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to Shiva for the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

Performing Maha Shivaratri Pooja :

On Mahashiv Ratri devotees wake up early and take early bath,then wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition, devotees observe a fast on a Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of water. They keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra Om Namah Shivaya continues. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the Lingam. Bael leaves are very sacred as, it is said, Lakshmi resides in them.

After this, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga to cool the hot-tempered deity. Ber or jujube fruit is also offered to Lord Shiva, as it is symbolic of longevity and gratification of desires. Some devotees also offer the auspicious betel leaves to Lord Shiva marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures. Garlanding of Linga with flowers and garlands is also a part of the ritual Shivaratri Puja. Devotees also burn incense sticks as is said to yield wealth. Many also light lamps to symbolize attainment of knowledge. It is said that by offering water, hugging the Linga, lighting the diya and incense and ringing the temple bells, devotees call into focus all their senses, making them acutely aware of themselves and the universe to which they belong.

Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the Lingashtakam, Shiva Manasa Puja, Shiva Mahimna Stotra of Pushpadanta, Shivashtaka, bhilvashtakam are sung with great fervour and devotion. People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra, Om Namah Shivaya. He who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples.

Following the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, priests perform ritual puja of Shiva Linga every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. During this pooja, chants of Om Namah Shivaya and sounds of bells reverberate in the temple. Following the bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water that helps in the purification of the soul a vermilion paste is applied on the Linga as it represents virtue. Devotees stay awake and spent the night in Shiva temples by chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and singing hymns and verses in praise of Lord Shankar. Devotees observing vrat on Shivaratri break it only the next morning by partaking prasad offered to Lord Shiva. 

MAHASHIVRATRI VRAT

tags: mahashivratri puja, maha shivaratri pooja, mahashivratri pooja, mahashivratri puja process, procedure of mahashivratri, shivaratri puja, sivaratri pooja process, mahasivaratri puja online, mantras slokas for shivaratri puja

CLICK ON THE aSHTAKAM TO VIEW LARGE

Jai Shiv Omkara Har Jai Shiv OmKaraBrahma Vishnu Sadashiv Ardhaangi Dhaara

Ekanan Chaturanan Panchanan Raajey

Hansanan Garurasan Vrishvaahan Saajey

Jai Shiv Omkara Har Jai Shiv OmKara

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Ardhaangi Dhaara

Do Bhuj Chaar Chaturbhuj Das Bhuj Te Sohey

Teeno Roop Nirakhta Tribhuvan Jan Mohey

Jai Shiv Omkara Har Jai Shiv OmKara

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Ardhaangi Dhaara

Akshmala Banmala Mundmala Dhaari

Chandan Mrigmad Sohay Bholay Shubhkari

Jai Shiv Omkara Har Jai Shiv OmKara

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Ardhaangi Dhaara

Shwetambar Pitambar Baagambar Angey

Sankadik Brahmadik Bhutadik Sangey

Jai Shiv Omkara Har Jai Shiv OmKara

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Ardhaangi Dhaara

Karkey Madhya Kamandal Chakra Trishul Dharta

Jagkarta Jagbharta Jagsanhaarkarta

Jai Shiv Omkara Har Jai Shiv OmKara

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Ardhaangi Dhaara

Brahma Vishnu Sada Shiv Jaanat Aviveka

Pranvaakshar Madhye Ye Teeno Eka

Jai Shiv Omkara Har Jai Shiv OmKara

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Ardhaangi Dhaara

Trigun Shivji Ki Aarti Jo Koi Nar Gaavey

Kahat Shivanand Swami Manvaanchit Phal Paavey

Jai Shiv Omkara Har Jai Shiv OmKara

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Ardhaangi Dhaara

 

tags: shiv aarti, shiva puja, daily aartis, devotional aarti,free,devotional, online, free, slokas and mantras

The above are some of the slokhas of both Lord shiva and Parvathi which are recieted Daily or on every Mondays.

Namah s(h)ivaabhyaam nava yovanaabhyaam

Parasparaas(h)lishta vapurdharaabhyaam

Nagaendrakanyaa vr(u)shakaethanaabhyaam

Namo namah s(h)ankara paarvatheebhyaam

==========================================================
Maathaa cha paarvathee daevee pithaa daevo mahaes(h)varah

Bhaandhavaa s(h)iva bhakthaas(h)cha svadaes(h)o bhuvanathrayam

==========================================================

Vaagarthaaviva sampr(u)kthow vaagartha prathipaththayo

Jagathah pitharouvandae paarvathee paramaes(h)varou

================================================================

Mandaara maalaalulithaalakaayai

Kapaala maalaangitha s(h)aekaraaya

Divyaambaraayai cha digambaraaya

Namah s(h)ivaayai cha namah s(h)ivaaya

========================================================  ( slokams,slokh, shivparvathi,daily slokhaas)

Siva Puja is done on the day of Shiva Ratri.  To get Lord grace you need not recite or do special mantras bu what is needed is sincere love for the Lord.  The sincere love will  make a person totally dedicated and pure .  This Purness and dedication, leads to self-realisation leading him, in  eternal blist and joyness.

There are tow popular stories of devotees who did fast without any spiritual knowledge . Veda assures us that when a disciple is ready, the disciple need not ‘look’ for a spiritual teacher, the spiritual teacher will ‘find’ the disciple and ‘take’ the disciple to the abode of the Lord.  The two stories are “The King of Chandrabhanu Story” and another one is  the popular story of the hunter turned Divine Kannappa Nayanar stories.

Story of King Chandrabhanu:

King Chitrabhanu ofIkshvaku dynasty, who ruled whole Jambudvipa  had a fasting on Shivaratri  and a sage Ashtavakra visit him and asks his ”Why he did Fasting” and  he expalins his previous birth.  He was a hunter and made living by killing and selling birds and animals. One night, he was trapped in the forest and was unable to return home. He climbed a ‘bael’ tree and hung the dead deer there . He was hungry and thirsty, and at the same time weeping for his wife and children at home who were also starving and waiting for his return. In order to pass the time, he started plucking the ‘bael’ leaves and dropping them on the ground.

He returned home the next day and sold the deer and brought food for his family. As he was going to break his fast, a beggar asks for a food. he realized that a beggar . He served the food to the stranger and later had  his food.

During his death, two messengers of Shiva came to take his soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. They told him that he had earned the merit due to his unconscious worship of the Lord Shiva at the night of the Maha Shivaratri. He got to know that the leaves he dropped fell on the lingam and his tears washed the lingam. He unconsciously fasted all that day and night. This led to his unconscious worship of the Lord and he enjoyed the divine bliss at the Abode of the Lord for many ages and was reborn as Chitrabhanu. one

Divine Kannappa Nayanar:

 The story of Divine Kannappa also resembles to Chantrabhanu. Kannappa  real name is Tinnan who resited in kalahasthi ,near swarna mukhi river with a bunch of hunters. He was a succesful hunter and married . His wife is a shiva diety but he doesn’t believe in God. One day he chased a boar and missed it. and was hungry whole day and on night Thinnan saw a rock in the slope of a mountain and it happened to be shiva Lingam. He was overwhelmed. He also saw some leaves and flowers on the rock but to him the ‘the Lord’ seemed to be not looked after properly. 

He immediately brings roasted meat ,some wild flowers  and since his two hands were now full, he took a mouthful of water from the river, and came back to the Shiva Lingam.   He spit the water from his mouth on to the Shiva Lingam as if to clean, and offers the roasted meat and the wild flowers on to the Lingam and lovingly requested the Lord to take them. He felt profound joy and happiness  and slept peacefully, resolving that he will again ‘treat’ the Lord next night with more love and sincerity. 

Next day, the traditional priest (Shiva-Koachariar), who daily worships the Lord, came to the Shiva Lingam, with pure water, Bilva leaves and flowers, noticed the apparent desecration, and noticed the meat pieces and blood stains on the Sacred Symbol.   He was at a loss.  He cleaned again and again the sacred Shiva Lingam, chanting Vedic mantra, did proper abhishekam and preyed to the Lord for forgiveness.  He stayed there till nightfall and returned backs and at night  Thinnan returns and repeat the same offered meat pieces and poured water from his mouth danced around the Lord, and returned happily. 

Next day morning, the priest noticed and was very sad and upset.  He begged  for fogivenes and did puja in a sacred way and returns back fearing of wild animals. After several days passed  he learned that someone was offering all this  and wanted to know him and give punishment . He prayed the Lord sincerly and in the dream lord shiva informed about the hunter and wants to show his true worship . The priest stayed till mid night near the Shiva lingam to see what the ignorant hunter will be doing hiding in the bushes  with Lord shiva stood by him. 

Soon thinnan came and  cleaned all the  flowers, Bilwa leaves and fruits near the Sacred Lingam, Thinnan went to the river took mouthful of water and poured on the Lingam, put meat pieces  and started running around the Sacred lingam in Joy as was his routine ever since he happened to see his beloved Lord. 

The Lord pointed out to the priest that Thinnan was a hunter, with his limited knowledge he is doing the worship in total sincerity and full love this is real worship.  The priest could see the dedication and the sincerity of purpose.   He felt ashamed and doubted his own sincerity.  Now after Thinnan,  finishing his worship, was ready to leave the place Lord told the Priest to watch carefully, and wanted to show further the sincerity of the hunter.   By Maya, the Lord forced blood streaks from the right eye of the Lingam.   Thinnan noticed it  and was shocked to see the Lord suffering.   He immediately took his right eye and applied to the bleeding site.   Suddenly the bleeding stopped.   The one eyed Thinnan was happy and ecstatic.   His happiness knew no bounds.   Suddenly he saw the left eye of the Lingam also bleeding. 

He now knows the exact medicine for treatment.  So he measured the distance from him to the Shiva Lingam using his foot, since he knew, when he take out his remaining eye, he will be totally blind, therefore he has to be sure of the place to put the eye in the right place, and  then unflinchingly took a spear to take his remaining eye to treat the Lord.   He did not care for his eyes, his life or anything.   He wanted his Lord to get well and happy.   The priest was totally amazed and  stunned.   As Thinnan was attempting to take his remaining eye Lord Shiva appeared in front of Thinnan  blessed him and gave back his two eyes, called him affectionately” Kannappa” (stands for the Eye).   Kannappa was blessed and given a place on the right side of the Lord, and thus attained Moksha.  He is adored as one of many Shiva Bhakthas.

SriKalahasthi Shiva Linga

                                                                  

No, doubt Vedic (vaidika) worship will eventually help the devotees to increase the love and dedication.   But the important is the sincerity of purpose and total dedication out of selfless love.  The sacred Veda equivocally says the importance of selfless service.

(shivratri, sivaratri, ratiri, lord, shiva, stories, puja, imp of shiv ratri, shivratri importance, shivratri stories

S(h)ivam s(h)ivakaram s(h)antham s(h)ivaathmaanam s(h)ivoththamam

S(h)ivamarga pranaedhaaram pranatho(a)smi sadaas(h)ivam

Anyathaa s(h)aranam naasthi tvamaeva s(h)aranam mama

Thasmaath kaarunya bhaavaena raksha raksha mahaes(h)vara

===============================================================
 

Vandaes(h)ambum umaapathim suragurum vandae jagathkaaranam

Vandae pannagabhooshanam mr(u)gadharam vandae pas(h)oonaam pathim

Vandae soorya s(h)as(h)aanka vahni nayanam vandae mukundapriyam

Vandae bhaktha janaas(h)rayam cha varadam vandae s(h)ivam s(h)ankaram

==========================================================

Baalaambikaes(h)a vaidyaes(h)a bhava roga haraethicha
Japannaama thrayam nithyam mahaaroga nivaaranam

==========================================================

 S(h)ivo mahaes(h)varah s(h)ambuh rudro vishnuh pithaamahah
Samsaara vidya sarvaes(h)a paramaathmaa sadaas(h)ivah

==========================================================The

The above are some of the slokhas of Lord Shiva,

The Dieties of Lord Shiva reciete this slokhas on Mondays and on Masa Sivarathri (which comes end of every month on Chaturdasi) .   (slokhams, slokha, shiva slokh, slokham)

Linga Ashtakam – With Meaning

Brahma Murari surarchita Lingam
Nirmala bhasita sobhita Lingam
Janmaja dukha vinasaka Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

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.

Devamuni pravararchita Lingam
Kamadahana karunakara Lingam
Ravana darpa vinasaka Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

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.

Sarva sugandhi sulepita Lingam
Buddhi vivardhana karana Lingam
Siddha surasura vandita Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

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.

Kanaka maha mani bhushita Lingam
Paniphati veshtitha shobhita Lingam
Dakshasu yajna vinashana Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

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.

Kumkuma chandana lepita Lingam
Pankaja hara sushosbhita Lingam
Sanchita papa vinashana Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

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.

Devaganarchita sevita Lingam
Bhavair bhaktibhi revacha Lingam
Dinakarakoti prabhakara Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

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.

Ashtadalo pariveshtia Lingam
Sarva samudbhava karana Lingam
Ashtadaridra vinashana Lingam
Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam

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.

Suraguru suravara pujita Lingam
Suravana pushpa sadarchita Lingam
Paratparam paramatmaka Lingam
Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam

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.

Lingashtakamidam punyam
Yat Pathet Shivasannidhau
Shivalokamavapnoti
Shivena saha modate.

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.

tags:lingastakam online,free,lingastakam meaning,linga astakam,lingashtakam meaning, lingastak meaning

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

OM. Tryambakam yajamahe

Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam

Urvarukamiva bandhanan

Mrityor mukshiya mamritat

tags: Mrityunjaya Mantra,  Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, shiva mantras, lord shiva slokas, daily pujas, mantras

 

Parameshwara Stotra

Prayer to the God Ultimate
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

Here is a prayer to the God ultimate. In some stanza it addresses Lord Shiva and in another Lord Vishnu but what it aims is to address God who is beyond such limited descriptions. It is extremely musical and taken from Stotra Rathnavali published by Gita press, Gorakhpur.

Jagadeesa sudheesa bhavesa vibho,
Parameshwara parathpara pootha pitha,
Pranatham pathitham hatha budhi balam,
Janatarana taraya thapithakam. 1

Hey Lord of universe, Hey Lord of good people,
Hey source of everything, Hey supreme one,
Hey primeval God, Hey very holy one, Hey son, Hey father,
I pray, take care of this sinner who lacks wisdom and strength,
And help me cross this painful life which is difficult to cross.

Guna heena sudheena malina mathim,
Thwayi pathari dathari chaparathim,
Thamasa rajasa vrutha vruthimimam,
Janatarana taraya thapithakam. 2

Oh God who helps people to cross this life,
Please help me, who am troubled by this life
Who does not have good qualities, who is miserable,
Who possesses a very dirty mind,
And who has base and egoistic personality,
To cross this life though I am,
Far away from your protective and endowing glance.

Mama Jeevana meenamimam pathitham,
Marughora bhveeha suveehamaho,
Karunabdhi chalomirjala nayanam,
Janatarana taraya thapithakam. 3

Oh God who helps people to cross this life,
I am a fish which has fallen in the arid desert of life,
And you can save me by a mere glance,
Of your eyes which are the ocean of mercy,
And so please help me to cross this trouble giving life.

Bhava vaarana karana karma thathou,
Bhava sindhujale shiva magnamatha,
Karunancha samarpaya thareem twaritham,
Janatarana taraya thapithakam. 4

Oh God who helps people to cross this day to day life,
Oh destroyer of universe and who is the cause of that universe,
I am drowned in this ocean of day to day life, Oh Lord Shiva,
And so please speedily give me the boat of your mercy,
And so please help me to cross this trouble giving life.

Aathinasaya janur mama punya ruche,
Durithou gabharou paripoorna bhuva,
Sujaganya maganyamapunyaruchim,
Janatarana taraya thapithakam. 5

Oh God who helps people to cross this day to day life,
Oh God who appreciates good acts, quickly destroy my life,
Which has filled the earth with huge amount of sins committed,
Due to my infinite interest in evil and sin, all my life.

Bhava karaka narakahaaraka hey,
Bhavatharaka pathakadaraka hey,
Hara Sankara kinkara karma chayam,
Janatarana taraya thapithakam. 6

Oh God who helps people to cross this day to day life,
Who is the creator of the world, who liberates one from hell,
Who is the destroyer of the world and who uplifts sinners,
Oh God Shankara, please save this, your slave from his existence.

Trishithaschirmasmi sudhaam hitha may,
Aachyutha chinmaya dehi vadanya vara,
Athimohaavasena vinashtakrutham,
Janatarana taraya thapithakam. 7

Oh God who helps people to cross this day to day life,
I am very thirsty for life giving nectar of knowledge,
Oh infallible one, Oh blissful one, please give it to me,
Who has lost everything due to a great delusion, Oh giver of boons.

Pranamami namami, namami bhavam,
Bhava janma kruthi prani shoodanakam,
Guna heena mananthamitham saranam,
Janatarana taraya thapithakam. 8

Oh God who helps people to cross this day to day life
I bow to you, I salute you, and I salute the God who is the originator,
Oh God who removes the fear in the mind of animals who are born,
Oh God who is beyond qualities, Oh limitless one, I surrender to you.