candraśekhara aṣṭakam

(Composed by Markandeya, from within the Shiva Rahasya) O Chandrashekhara! O Chandrashekhara! O Chandrashekhara! Protect me. O Chandrashekhara! O Chandrashekhara! O Chandrashekhara! Save me.

I seek refuge in Lord Chandrashekhara, who made the mountain of gems (Meru) His bow, whose abode is on the peak of the silver mountain (Kailash), who made the king of serpents (Vasuki) the bowstring, who had Lord Achyuta (Vishnu) and Agni (Fire) as His arrows, who quickly burnt the three cities (Tripura), and who is worshipped by the dwellers of heaven (Gods). What indeed can Yama (the God of Death) do to me?

I seek refuge in Lord Chandrashekhara, whose pair of lotus feet shine and smell like the flowers of the five celestial trees, who burnt the body of Manmatha (God of Love) with the fire born from the eye on His forehead, whose body is smeared with ash, who destroys worldly existence, who is the source of all (Bhava) and the imperishable one. What indeed can Yama do to me?

I seek refuge in Lord Chandrashekhara, who looks beautiful wearing the skin of a prominent maddened elephant as His upper garment, whose lotus-like feet are worshipped by Brahma (the lotus-seated one) and Vishnu (the lotus-eyed one), who has cool matted hair moistened by the spray of the waves of the celestial river (Ganga). What indeed can Yama do to me?

I seek refuge in Lord Chandrashekhara, who wears the king of serpents coiled as His earrings, whose vehicle is the bull (Nandi), whose greatness is praised by Narada and other great sages, who is the Lord of the Universe, who destroyed the demon Andhaka, who is like the celestial wish-fulfilling tree to those who seek refuge in Him, and who is the ender of the ender (Yama). What indeed can Yama do to me?

I seek refuge in Lord Chandrashekhara, who is the friend of the King of Yakshas (Kubera), who destroyed the eye of Bhaga, who is adorned with serpents, whose beautiful left half of the body is graced by the daughter of the King of Mountains (Parvati), whose throat is blue from poison (Halahala), who holds an axe, and who holds a deer. What indeed can Yama do to me?

I seek refuge in Lord Chandrashekhara, who is the medicine for those suffering from the disease of worldly existence, who takes away all calamities, who destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha, who embodies the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas), who has three eyes, who grants the fruits of enjoyment and liberation, and who destroys the multitude of all sins. What indeed can Yama do to me?

I seek refuge in Lord Chandrashekhara, who loves His devotees, who is worshipped, who is an inexhaustible treasure, who wears the directions as His garments, who is the Lord of all beings, who is higher than the highest, who is immeasurable, who is free from disease, and whose form is composed of the Moon, Water, Earth, Fire, Sun, Wind, and Sky. What indeed can Yama do to me?

I seek refuge in Lord Chandrashekhara, who is the creator of the universe, who is devoted to its preservation, and who eventually destroys the cosmos, who dwells in all the worlds, who plays day and night, and who is surrounded by hosts of Ganas led by Gananatha (Ganesha). What indeed can Yama do to me?

Phalashruti - Whoever reads this hymn, composed by the death-fearing son of Mrikandu (Markandeya), anywhere in the presence of Shiva, will certainly have no fear of death. To him, Chandrashekhara Himself affectionately grants long life, freedom from disease, all kinds of wealth, and liberation without effort.