Goswami Tulsidas Ji
नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं
विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम् ।
निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं
चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम् ॥१॥
निराकारमोङ्करमूलं तुरीयं
गिराज्ञानगोतीतमीशं गिरीशम् ।
करालं महाकालकालं कृपालं
गुणागारसंसारपारं नतोऽहम् ॥२॥
तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरं गभीरं
मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्री शरीरम् ।
स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनी चारुगङ्गा
लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजङ्गा ॥३॥
चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रूसुनेत्रं विशालं
प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम् ।
मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं
प्रियं शङ्करं सर्वनाथं भजामि ॥४॥
प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं
अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशं ।
त्र्यःशूलनिर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं
भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यम् ॥५॥
कलातीतकल्याण कल्पान्तकारी
सदा सज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी ।
चिदानन्दसंदोह मोहापहारी
प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी ॥६॥
न यावद् उमानाथपादारविन्दं
भजन्तीह लोके परे वा नराणाम् ।
न तावत्सुखं शान्ति सन्तापनाशं
प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासं ॥७॥
न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां
नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भुतुभ्यम् ।
जराजन्मदुःखौघ तातप्यमानं
प्रभो पाहि आपन्नमामीश शंभो ॥८॥
रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये
ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति ॥९॥
Rudrashtakam, a sacred hymn composed by Goswami Tulsidas Ji, unfolds in nine verses, each dedicated to the divine attributes of Lord Shiva. In this verse-by-verse exploration, we delve deep into the profound verses that extol the Lord's multifaceted nature, from his serene appearance to his role as the protector of devotees. Let's embark on a spiritual journey through the verses of Rudrashtakam.
Verse 1: The Serene Lord In the first verse, we bow down to Bhagavan Ishaan, whose form represents liberation. He is all-capable, omnipresent, and the very embodiment of the Vedas. His tranquil nature, untouched by the material world, is vividly described. This verse sets the tone for our journey through Rudrashtakam.
Verse 2: The Formless One Verse two pays homage to Bhagavan Shiva in his formless state, representing the root cause of creation. This verse invites us to contemplate Shiva beyond speech, intellect, and senses, and to recognize his compassion in leading devotees beyond worldly existence.
Verse 3: The Radiant Lord In the third verse, Bhagavan Shiva's radiance is compared to a thousand suns. His connection to the holy river Ganga and the crescent moon adorning his head is beautifully depicted, making us appreciate his divine attributes even more.
Verse 4: The Beautiful and Compassionate Lord Verse four takes us on a journey through Shiva's enchanting physical attributes. His smiling face, large, beautiful eyes, and serene blue throat are celebrated. His attire of tiger skin and a garland of skulls symbolizes his role as the beloved lord of all.
Verse 5: The Supreme and Terrible One The fifth verse describes Bhagavan Shiva as terrible yet compassionate, superior, and the destroyer of suffering. His trident symbolizes his power to liberate devotees from worldly attachments.
Verse 6: Beyond Worldly Attachments In the sixth verse, we acknowledge Bhagavan Shiva's transcendence of worldly materials. His role as the destroyer of demon Tripurasura and bestower of knowledge is celebrated. This verse invites us to seek his kindness.
Verse 7: Seeking Peace and Prosperity Until Lord Shiva's feet are worshipped, humans are said to remain in the cycle of suffering. The seventh verse is a plea for peace and prosperity for all, emphasizing Shiva's omnipresence.
Verse 8: The Simple Devotee's Prayer The eighth verse conveys the simplicity of devotion. Regardless of one's knowledge of yoga, chanting, or rituals, a heartfelt prayer to Shambhu can protect us from the pains of old age, birth, and suffering.
Verse 9: A Path to Pleasing Shiva The final verse highlights the significance of reciting Rudrashtakam with devotion. It is believed that those who do so please Lord Shiva, and in his grace, they find liberation from suffering.
Summary: Rudrashtakam is a timeless hymn that takes us on a spiritual journey, guiding us through the multifaceted nature of Lord Shiva. Each verse invites us to explore different aspects of the divine, from his serene form to his compassionate role as the protector of devotees. As we conclude this exploration, we are reminded of the power of devotion and the path to liberation through the grace of Lord Shiva.
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