Rudrashtakam - English Translation and Meaning with Sanskrit Lyrics

Goswami Tulsidas Ji

नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं
विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम् ।
निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं
चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम् ॥१॥

namami-shamishan-nirvaan-roopam
vibhum-vyapakam-brahma-veda-swarupam
nijam-nirgunam-nirvikalpam-niriham
chidakasham-akasa-vasam-bhaje-[a]ham||1||

I bow down to Bhagvan Ishaan(Shiva),
whose form represents liberation, who is all-capable,
who is present everywhere, who is brahman himself,
who is embiodement of vedas.
who is always absorbed in true self, who is beyond gunas(satva, rajas, tamas),
who is changeless, who does not move,
who is spread everywhere as sky,
I worship that Bhagavan Shiva ||1||

निराकारमोङ्करमूलं तुरीयं
गिराज्ञानगोतीतमीशं गिरीशम् ।
करालं महाकालकालं कृपालं
गुणागारसंसारपारं नतोऽहम् ॥२॥

nirakar-omkar-mulam-turiyam
gira-gyaan-goti-tamisam-girsam
karalam-mahakal-kalam-kripalam
guna-gaara-sansar-param-na-to-[a]ham||2||

(I bow down to Bhagavan Shiva),
who is formless, who is embiodement of omkar
that is root cause (of creation),
who is absorbed in the fourth statein which brahman is experienced,
who is beyond speech, intellect and senses,
who is lord of kailash, who is superior to vikral and mahakal,
who is compassionate,
who takes (devotees) beyond the wordly existence which dwells in gunas,
I worship that Bhagavan Shiva ||2||

तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरं गभिरं
मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्री शरीरम् ।
स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनी चारुगङ्गा
लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजङ्गा ॥३॥

tushaar-[a]-adri-sankaash-gauram-gabhiram
mano-bhuta-koti-prabha-shri-shariram
sphuran-mauli-kallolini-charu-ganga
lasad-bhalendu-kanthe-bhujanga ||3||

(I bow down to Bhagavan Shiva),
who is shinning white apperance as mountain of snow,
who has calm perosnality and whose radiance
is as of thousand kama-deva put togethger.
From whose head ganga flows, whose head shines with small moon,
and whose neck becomes more beautiful wearing garland of snake ||3||

चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रूसुनेत्रं विशालं
प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम् ।
मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं
प्रियं शङ्करं सर्वनाथं भजामि ॥४॥

chalat-kundalam-bhru-sunetram-vishalam
prasanna-nannam-neel-khantam-dayalam
mriga-dhisha-charmam-baram-munda-malam
priyam-shankaram-sarva-natham-bhajami ||4||

(I bow down to Bhagavan Shiva),
whose earrings moves(when he walks),
whose eyebrow and eyes are beautiful and large, whose face is blissfull
and has blue throat, and who is compasionate.
who wears clothes of skin of tiger, who wears garland of skulls,
I worship beloved shankar, who is lord of all ||4||  

प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं
अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशं ।
त्र्यःशूलनिर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं
भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यम् ॥५॥

prachandam-prakristam-pragalbham-paresham
akhandam-ajam-bhanu-koti-prakasham
trayah-shula-nirmulanam-shula-panim
bhaje-[a]ham-bhavani-patim-bhava-gamyam||5||

(I bow down to Bhagavan Shiva),
who is terrible, superior, brave, parmeshawar,
who is complete, eternal, whose radiance is like million suns.
who holds trident in hand, and uproots the sufferings
(i.e. take devotee beyond three gunas)
I worship consort of Bhavani who can be attained by deotion ||5||

कलातीतकल्याण कल्पान्तकारी
सदा सज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी ।
चिदानन्दसंदोह मोहापहारी
प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी ॥६॥

kalatita-kalyan-kalpanta-kari
sada-sajjan-[a]nanda-data-purari
chidananda-sandoha-moha-pahari
prasida-prasida-prabho-manmathari||6||

(I bow down to Bhagavan Shiva),
who beyond the worldly materials, who is favourable (to devotees),
who ends the cycle of creation, who gives bliss to the wise men(dharmic people),
and who destroyed demon tripurasura(adharmic people),
who destroys attachments and bestows knowledge(to devotees),
please be kind, please be kind, destroyer of kama deva ||6||

 यावद् उमानाथपादारविन्दं
भजन्तीह लोके परे वा नराणाम् ।
 तावत्सुखं शान्ति सन्तापनाशं
प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासं ॥७॥

na-yavad-umanaath-padarvindam
bhajantiha-loke-pare-va-nara-nam
na-tavat-sukham-shanti-santaap-nasham
prasida-prabho-sarva-bhuta-dhivasam||7||

Until feet of lord of Uma is not worshipped,
by humans, they will not get peace and prosperity in this world
and beyond, and they will not be free of sorrow,
please be kind O lord who resides in all beings ||7||

 जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां
नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भुतुभ्यम् ।
जराजन्मदुःखौघ तातप्यमानं
प्रभो पाहि आपन्नमामीश शंभो ॥८॥

na-janami-yogam-japam-naiva-pujam
natoham-sada-sarvada-sambhu-tubhyam
jara-janma-dukh-[a]ud-tatapya-manam
prabho-paahi-aapan-ma-misa-sambho||8||

(I bow down to Bhagavan Shiva),
I do not know yoga, nor chanting, nor devotion
I always, at all times, bow down to you, O Shambhu
Please protect me from the pain of old age, birth (and death),
and sins which lead to sufering,
Please protect me O lord from sufferings O Shambhu ||8||

रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये
ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति ॥९॥

rudrashtakam-idam-proktam-viprena-hara-toshaye
ye-pathanti-nara-bhaktya-tesham-shambhu-prasidati||9||

It is said by the knowledgeables, whoever reads this rudrashtakam
with devotion to please shiva, with them shambhu gets pleased easily ||9||

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Verse-by-Verse Exploration of Rudrashtakam: A Divine Ode to Lord Shiva

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.