śrī kāśī viśvanāthāṣṭakam

Worship Vishvanatha, the Lord of Varanasi, whose matted locks are adorned beautifully by the waves of the Ganga, whose left side is eternally graced by Gauri, who is dear to Narayana, and who destroyed the pride of Ananga, the bodiless god of love.

Worship Vishvanatha, the Lord of Varanasi, whose true nature lies beyond the reach of words and who embodies countless divine qualities. His lotus feet are served by Brahma the Lord of Speech, by Vishnu, and by all the celestial beings. He is united with his beloved consort Parvati, who graces his left side in her most beautiful form.

Worship Vishvanatha, the Lord of all beings and spirits, whose body is adorned with serpent ornaments, who wears the tiger skin as his garment, who has matted locks and three eyes. He holds the noose, the goad, and the trident in his hands, granting fearlessness and boons. He is the Lord of the city of Varanasi.

Worship Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi, who shines resplendent with a crown adorned by the cool-rayed moon, who reduced the five-arrowed Kama to ashes with the fire of His forehead eye, and whose radiant ear ornaments are fashioned by the serpent king.

Worship Vishvanatha, the Lord of Varanasi, who is like a five-faced lion to the mad elephants of sin, the destroyer of serpents to the great serpent-demons among the Danavas, and a blazing forest fire to the dense forest of death, grief, and old age.

Worship Vishvanatha, the Lord of Varanasi, who is effulgent with divine radiance, who is both with attributes and without attributes, the one without a second. He is the bulb of bliss, unconquered and immeasurable. He is the essence of the serpent, both complete and partless, the very form of the Self.

Abandoning all desires, forsaking the criticism of others, and firmly restraining the mind from attachment to sin, establishing it in deep meditation — take hold of the Supreme Lord who dwells in the lotus of your heart and worship Vishwanath, the Lord of the universe, the sovereign of the city of Varanasi.

Worship Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi, who is free from attachment and all such defects, yet bears loving affection for His devotees. He is the abode of dispassion and perfect peace, with Girija (Parvati) as His divine consort. He is blessed with sweetness and steadfast courage, and appears beautiful even while bearing the deadly poison. Worship Him, the sovereign of the sacred city!

The person who recites this eightfold hymn of praise to Shiva, the Lord of the city of Varanasi, which has been thus expounded, attains knowledge, prosperity, abundant happiness, and eternal fame. And at the dissolution of the body, such a one attains liberation.

Whoever recites this sacred Vishvanatha Ashtakam in the presence of Lord Shiva attains the realm of Shiva and rejoices eternally in the company of the Lord Himself.