Shri Krishna Das Ji Maharaj
STANZA 1
शिव शिव शक्तिनाथं संहारं शं स्वरूपम्
नव नव नित्यनृत्यं ताण्डवं तं तन्नादम्
घन घन घूर्णिमेघं घंघोरं घंन्निनादम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||1|
Shiva Shiva Shakti-Naatham Sanhaaram Sham Svaroopam
Nava Nava Nitya-Nrutyam Taandavam Tam Tannaadam
Ghana Ghana Ghurni-Megham Ghan-Ghoram Gham Ninaadam
Bhaja Bhaja Bhasma-Lepam Bhajaami Bhoota-Naatham ||1||
I worship Shiva, who is all auspicious, the Lord of Shakti and the one who embodies destruction.
He performs the ever new, eternal dance form, the Tandava and as he performs the dance,
he remains absorbed in an unbroken state of meditation.
The naada or sound that emerges from him is like that of dark, dense,
swiftly swirling clouds of a fierce storm. I worship him, the one who is smeared with ash,
the Lord of all Bhootas (living beings) over and over again!
STANZA 2
कळकळकाळरूपं कल्लोळंकंकराळम्
डम डम डमनादं डम्बुरुं डंकनादम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||2||
सम सम शक्तग्रिवं सर्वभूतं सुरेशम्
Kala Kala Kaala-Roopam Kallolam Kam Karaalam
Dama Dama Dama-Naadam Damburum Danka-Naadam
Sama Sama Shakta-Gribam Sarbabhootam Suresham
Bhaja Bhaja Bhasma-Lepam Bhajaami Bhoota-Naatham ||2||
I worship him, who himself is the embodiment of time that flows like waves,
the destroyer of all fears, whose instrument Damaru, makes intense (“Dam Dam”) sounds
that resonates in the entire universe, who has a beautiful, strong neck (that can bear the weight of the giant serpent Vasuki),
the one who is like Indra to all bhootas, who has smeared ash all over his body,
I worship him, the Lord of all bhootas over and over again!
STANZA 3-
रम रम रामभक्तं रमेशं रां रारावम्
मम मम मुक्तहस्तं महेशं मं मधुरम्
बम बम ब्रह्मरूपं बामेशं बं विनाशम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||3||
Rama Rama Raama-Bhaktam Ramesham Raam Raaraabam
Mama Mama Mukta-Hastam Mahesham Mam Madhuram
Bama Bama Brahma Roopam Baamesham Bam Binaasham
Bhaja Bhaja Bhasma-Lepam Bhajaami Bhoota-Naatham ||3||
I worship Shiva, the one whose Lord is Shri Raama and who is ever absorbed in Him,
constantly chanting and reverberating His name. I worship the great controller,
who is sweet, gentle, extremely generous, free-handed (Mukta Hasta) in giving boons to his devotees,
who is the embodiment of Brahman and who has smeared ash all over his body.
I worship him, the Lord of all bhootas over and over again!
STANZA 4
हर हर हरिप्रियं त्रितापं हं संहारम्
खमखम क्षमाशीळं सपापं खं क्षमणम्
द्दग द्दग ध्यानमूर्त्तिं सगुणं धं धारणम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||4||
Hara Hara Hari-Priyam Tritaapam Ham Sanhaaram
Khama Khama Kshamaashilam Sapaapam Kham Kshamanam
Dhaga Dhaga Dhyaana Moorttim Sagunam Dham Dhaaranam
Bhaja Bhaja Bhasma-Lepam Bhajaami Bhoota-Naatham ||4||
The one who is dear to Shri Hari, who is the destroyer of all the three kinds of
sufferings and afflictions (Adhyatmik, Adhidaivik, Adhyatmik),
who is ever forgiving and compassionate, who pardons all sins, who is the embodiment of meditation,
the bearer of all good properties, who has smeared ash all over his body,
I worship him,the Lord of all Bhootas, over and over again!
STANZA 5-
पम पम पापनाशं प्रज्वलं पं प्रकाशम्
गम गम गुह्यतत्त्वं गिरीशं गं गणानाम्
दम दम दानहस्तं धुन्दरं दं दारुणम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||5||
Pama Pama Paapa-Naasham Prajjvalam Pam Prakaasham
Gama Gama Guhyatattvam Girisham Gam Ganaanaam
Dama Dama Daana-Hastam Dhundaram Dam Daarunam
Bhaja Bhaja Bhasma-Lepam Bhajaami Bhoota-Naatham || 5 ||
The destroyer of sins of all living beings and the one who takes them towards the right path;
the path of light, who resides on a mountain along with his Ganas, the one
who is open-handed; generous yet fierce looking, the one who has smeared ash all
over his body, I worship him the, Lord of all Bhootas, over and over again!
STANZA 6
गम गम गीतनाथं दूर्गमं गं गंतव्यम्
टम टम रूंडमाळं टंकारं टंकनादम्
भम भम भ्रम् भ्रमरं भैरवं क्षेत्रपाळम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||6||
Gama Gama Geeta-Naatham Doorgamam Gam Gantavyam
Tama Tama Runda-Maalam Tankaaram Tankanaadam
Bhama Bhama Bhram Bhramaram Bhairavam Kshetrapaalam
Bhaja Bhaja Bhasma-Lepam Bhajaami Bhoota-Naatham ||6||
I worship him, who is a ‘difficult to reach’ destination. The skulls in his garland create intense roars
when they strike each other as he performs the Tandava. The one who protects sacred Kshetras (areas) in the form of Bhairava
and the one who has smeared ash over his body, I worship him, the Lord of all Bhootas, over and over again!
STANZA 7
त्रिशुळधारी संहारकारी गिरिजानाथम् ईश्वरम्
पार्वतीपति त्वं मायापति शुभ्रवर्णम् महेश्वरम्
कैळाशनाथ सतीप्राणनाथ महाकालं कालेश्वरम्
अर्धचंद्रं शिरकिरीटं भूतनाथं शिवं भजे ||7||
Trishula-Dhaari Sanghaara-Kaari Girija-Naatham Ishvaram
Paarvati-Pati Tvam Maayaa-Pati Shubhra-Varnam Maheshvaram
Kailaasha-Naatha Satee-Praana-Naatha Mahaa-Kaalam Kaaleshvaram
Ardha-Chandram Shira-kiritam Bhoota-Naatham Shivam Bhaje ||7||
I worship the Lord of all Bhootas, the wielder of the Trident (Trishool),
the one who brings destruction with his Trishool. O’ the Lord of Girija,
the husband of Mata Parvati (Mahamaya), O’ the fair-complexioned one,
O’ the great controller, whose abode is Kailash, I worship you!
I worship the Lord of Mata Sati’s life force, the great controller of time,
who bears the crescent moon as his headgear. I worship him over and over again!
STANZA 8
नीलकंठाय सत्स्वरूपाय सदाशिवाय नमो नमः
यक्षरूपाय जटाधराय नागदेवाय नमो नमः
इंद्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय गंगाधराय नमो नमः
अर्धचंद्रं शिरकिरीटं भूतनाथं शिवं भजे ||8||
Neela-Kanthaaya Sat-Svaroopaaya SadaaShivaaya Namo Namah
Yaksha-Roopaaya Jataa-Dharaaya Naaga-Devaaya Namo Namah
Indra-Haaraaya Tri-Lochanaaya Gangaa-Dharaaya Namo Namah
Ardha-Chandram Shira-Kiritam Bhoota-Naatham Shivam Bhaje ||8||
I bow to Sada Shiva, the one who has a blue throat, the embodiment of truth.
I bow to his form of a Yaksha, to the one with matted locks, to the Lord of the serpent (Vasuki).
I bow to the one who has the best garland (the serpent Vasuki), to the three-eyed one,
to the one whose matted locks hold the Ganga, and through them, she flows.
I worship the Lord of all Bhootas, who wears the crescent moon as his crown!
Bhoothnath Ashtakam: A Devotional Hymn to Lord Shiva
The Bhoothnath Ashtakam, composed by Shri Krishnadas Ji Maharaj, is a profound devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva, the supreme deity known as the Lord of all Bhootas (living beings). This text consists of eight verses that encapsulate the multifaceted nature of Shiva, praising him for his attributes, powers, and the immense compassion he shows towards his devotees.
Verse 1 portrays Shiva as the all-auspicious Lord of Shakti, embodying destruction through his eternal dance, the Tandava. His meditation is unbroken, resonating with the powerful sound reminiscent of a fierce storm. The worshipper reveres him for his divine presence, often represented by the ash that adorns his form.
Verse 2 emphasizes Shiva as the embodiment of time and the destroyer of fears. His powerful instrument, the Damaru, reverberates through the universe, symbolizing his connection with all Bhootas. The imagery of his strong neck bearing the serpent Vasuki highlights his strength and grace.
Verse 3 describes Shiva as the eternal devotee of Shri Raama, continuously chanting his name. This verse illustrates Shiva’s gentle and generous nature, embodying Brahman and expressing his open-handedness in granting boons to those who seek his favor.
Verse 4 presents Shiva as the compassionate destroyer of sufferings, forgiving and embodying meditation. He is depicted as the ultimate protector, alleviating the pains of his devotees and maintaining the virtues of kindness and grace.
Verse 5 highlights Shiva as the destroyer of sins, guiding all beings toward the path of light. His abode is on a mountain alongside his Ganas, where his fierce yet generous nature shines through, emphasizing his role as the Lord of all Bhootas.
Verse 6 captures Shiva’s enigmatic nature, portraying him as a 'difficult to reach' destination, adorned with a garland of skulls. This verse also acknowledges his form as Bhairava, protector of sacred Kshetras, and his eternal connection to ash as a symbol of his transcendence.
Verse 7 honors Shiva as the wielder of the Trident (Trishool), acknowledging his destructive power and his deep connection to Mata Parvati. The imagery of the crescent moon atop his headgear reinforces his divine status as the great controller, residing in Kailash.
Verse 8 concludes with a heartfelt bow to Sada Shiva, describing his form adorned with the serpent Vasuki and his connection to the Ganga. This verse encapsulates the essence of devotion, honoring Shiva as the ultimate truth and a source of eternal blessings.
Through the Bhoothnath Ashtakam, devotees express their unwavering reverence for Lord Shiva, seeking his grace and protection. Reciting this hymn is believed to lead the worshipper to Shiva loka, the abode of Lord Shiva, when done with pure intentions.