śrī śivāṣṭakam

I salute that Shiva, who is the real cause of causes, Who has reddish brown eyes which shine like light, Who wears garlands and ear drops made of the king of snakes, And who is the one who gives boons to Brahma and Vishnu.

I salute that Shiva, who always wears, The clear moon and the snake as ornaments, Whose eyes are kissed by the daughter of the mountain, Who lives in the Kailasa peak and Mahendra mountain, And who defeats the sorrow of the people of three worlds.

I salute that Shiva, who has neck of the colour of blue lotus, Who wears ear rings made of Padma raga, who rides on a bull, Who applies fragrance of aloe and coats himself with plenty of sandal paste, And who applies ash on his body and wears a garland of opened lotus flowers.

I salute that Shiva who is saluted by lords of the three worlds, Who has large matted crown of hair of reddish brown colour, Who appears fierce and fearful due to his pointed teeth, And who is very pretty wearing the hide of a tiger.

I salute that Shiva, who is Yoga and is saluted by yogis, Who destroyed fire sacrifice conducted by Daksha prajapathi, Who quickly killed the great asura called Tripurasura, And who cut off the fifth head of Brahma, who was proud.

I salute that Shiva, who wears the skin of a tiger, Who keeps on destroying and creating the world, Who takes care of the different demons and crowds of sidhas, And who is served by sidhas, serpents, planets and chiefs of ganas.

I salute that Shiva, who is as white as a stream of cow’s milk, Who applies ash all over him but is bewitchingly handsome, Who is the support for those pious people who take shelter in forests, Who with half closed eyes sees the side long glance of Gowri.

I salute that Shiva, who takes care of a bull and is venerated by it, Who is served by Sun, moon, The god of rain and the god of fire, Who lives in places sanctified by the smoke of fire sacrifices, And who is sung by sages well learned in Rik and Sama Veda.

He who reads this octet on Shiva, In front of the temple of Shiva, Would reach the world of Shiva, And would be happy along with Shiva.