ardha nārīśvara stotram

Salutations to the one whose body is half-golden like the champaka flower and half-fair like camphor; salutations to the one who is adorned with beautifully braided hair and the one who wears matted locks; salutations to the Goddess and salutations to Shiva.

Salutations to the one smeared with musk and saffron, and the one smeared with the ashes of the funeral pyre; salutations to the one who awakens love and the one who destroys desire; salutations to the Goddess and salutations to Shiva.

Salutations to the one whose bracelets and anklets jingle melodiously, and the one whose lotus-like feet are adorned with a serpent as an anklet; salutations to the one adorned with golden armlets and the one adorned with serpents; salutations to the Goddess and salutations to Shiva.

Salutations to the one with eyes like large blue lotuses and the one with eyes like a blossoming lotus; salutations to the one with beautiful, balanced eyes and the one with the uneven three eyes; salutations to the Goddess and salutations to Shiva.

Salutations to the one whose hair is adorned with a garland of mandara flowers and the one whose neck is decorated with a garland of skulls; salutations to the one clad in divine garments and the one who is sky-clad (digambara); salutations to the Goddess and salutations to Shiva.

Salutations to the one with locks as dark as rain-bearing clouds and the one whose matted hair shines with the reddish hue of lightning; salutations to the one who is the supreme mistress and the one who is the lord of all; salutations to the Goddess and salutations to Shiva.

Salutations to the one whose graceful lasya dance is inclined toward the creation of the universe and the one whose fierce tandava dance causes the dissolution of all; salutations to the Mother of the world and the sole Father of the world; salutations to the Goddess and salutations to Shiva.

Salutations to the one wearing earrings shining with radiant gems and the one adorned with great, shimmering serpents; salutations to the one who is unified with Shiva and the one in whom Shiva is unified; salutations to the Goddess and salutations to Shiva.

Whoever reads this octet with devotion, granting all desires, shall be honored on earth and live a long life. They shall attain eternal prosperity, and may all perfections always be theirs.