ௐ நமஸ்தே அஸ்து பகவந்-விஶ்வேஶ்வராய

Namaste astu bhagavan viśveśvarāya - is a traditional invocation to Lord Shiva, commonly recited with Sri Rudram. One of the most frequently chanted verses in Shiva worship, it appears in various Rudra stotras and is regularly recited during Rudrabhishekam and other Shiva puja rituals This verse is a powerful invocation of Lord Shiva, acknowledging His many forms and qualities. The opening "Om nama̍stē astu bhagavan viśvēśva̠rāya̍" is a reverent bow to the Lord (Bhagavan) who is the ruler of the universe (viśvēśva̠rāya̍). "Mahādē̠vāya̍" addresses him as the great God, while "Tryambakāya" refers to the three-eyed one, whose third eye represents spiritual wisdom.