Shri Rudraashtakam by the great saint Goswami Tulsidas.


shivji10The Rudraashtakam (Sanskrit: रुद्राष्टकम, Rudrāaṣhṭakam) is a Sanskrit composition in devotion of Rudra (Shiva), composed by Saint Tulsidas. Tulsidas who lived in the late fifteenth century in Uttar Pradesh in India and created many other literary pieces including the magnum opus Ram Charit Manas.
The devotional hymn “Rudraashtakam” appears in the Uttara Kand of the celebrated Ram Charit Manas, where a brahmana composed the hymn to propitiate God Shiva. His main purpose was to set his pupil free from the curse of Shiva. He succeeded and asked also a second boon ( i.e. devotion for himself). His pupil would be the bird ‘Kaga-Bhusundi’ in the next life, a devotee of Shri Rama and an excellent teller of the life story of Shri Rama.
The Ashtakam is in reverence to Rudra, a warrior form of God Shiva. The Rudraashtakam is lucid and simple in style and plays an instrumental role in the Shaiva traditions.

रुद्राष्टकम/ Rudraashtakam
नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं
विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम् ।
निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं
चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम् ॥१॥
Namaamishamishaana Nirvaana-Roopam
Vibhum Vyaapakam Brahmavedasvaroopam
Nijam Nirgunam Nirvikalpam Niriiham
Cidaakaashamaakaashavaasam Bhaje-[A]ham
O Ishan! I pray You, the one Who is the God of all, Who is in eternal Nirvana(bliss), Who is resplendent, Who is omni-present, and Who is Brahman and Ved in totality. I adore You, Who is for self, Who is formless, Who is without change, Who is passionless, Who is like the sky (immeasurable), and Who lives in the sky.||1||

निराकारमोङ्करमूलं तुरीयं
गिराज्ञानगोतीतमीशं गिरीशम् ।
करालं महाकालकालं कृपालं
गुणागारसंसारपारं नतोऽहम् ॥२॥
Niraakaaram Onkaramoolam Tureeyam
Giraadnyaanagoteetameesham Girisham
Karaalam Mahaakaala-Kaalam Krupaalam
Gunnaagaara-Sansaara-Paaram Nato-[A]ham
I prostrate to You, Who is without a form, Who is the root of sounds, Who is the fourth impersonal state of the Atman, Who is beyond the scope of tongue, knowledge and sense-organs, Who is the God, Who is the God of the Himalaya, Who is fierce, Who is the destroyer of fierce Kala, Who is benevolent, Who is the abode of qualities, and is beyond the universe.||2||

तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरं गभिरं
मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्री शरीरम् ।
स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनी चारुगङ्गा
लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजङ्गा ॥३॥
Tussaaraadri-Samkaasha-Gauram Gabhiram
Mano-Bhoota-Koti-Prabhaa-Shri Shariram
Sphuran-Mauli-Kallolini Chaaru-Ganga
Lasad-Bhaala-Bhaalendu Kanthe Bhujangaa
I bow to You, Who is white on all like the snow, Who is profound, Who is mind, Who is in the form of living beings, Who has immense splendor and wealth. He has shining forehead with playful and enticing Ganga, He has shiny forehead with a crescent moon, and He has snake garlands in the neck.||3||

चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रूसुनेत्रं विशालं
प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम् ।
मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं
प्रियं शङ्करं सर्वनाथं भजामि ॥४॥
Chalat-Kundalam Bhru-Sunetram Vishaalam
Prasannaananam Nila-Kanntham Dayaalam
Mruga-Adhisha-Charmaambaram Munda-Maalam
Priyam Shankaram Sarva-Naatham Bhajaami
I adore Shankara, Who has swaying earrings, Who has beautiful eye on the forehead, Who is spreadout and large, Who is pleasant at face, Who has a blue-throat, Who is benevolent, Who has a lion-skin around His waist, Who has skull-cap garland, and Who is the dear-God of everyone.||4||

प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं
अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशं ।
त्र्यःशूलनिर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं
भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यम् ॥५॥
Prachandam Prakrshtam Pragalbham Paresham
Akhandam Ajam Bhaanu-Koti-Prakaasham
Tryah-Shoola-Nirmoolanam Shoola-Paannim
Bhajeham Bhavaani-Patim Bhaava-Gamyam
I adore the Master of Bhavani, Who is fierce, Who is immense, Who is mature and brave, Who is beyond everyone, Who is indivisible, Who is unborn, Who is resplendent like millions of sun, Who uproots the three qualities (and makes us dispassionate), Who holds a trident, and Who can be achieved with spiritual emotions.||5||

कलातीतकल्याण कल्पान्तकारी
सदा सज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी ।
चिदानन्दसंदोह मोहापहारी
प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी ॥६॥
Kalaateeta-Kalyaana Kalpaanta-Kaari
Sadaa Sajjanaananda-Daataa Puraari
Chid-Aananda-Sandoha Mohapahaari
Prasida Prasida Prabho Manmathaari
O Destroyer of Kamadev, Who is beyond artwork, Who is auspicious, Who causes the end of the universe, Who always provides bliss to good people, Who destroyed Pura, Who is eternal bliss, Who absolves abundant passion! O Prabhu! Please get pleased, get pleased.||6||

न यावद् उमानाथपादारविन्दं
भजन्तीह लोके परे वा नराणाम् ।
न तावत्सुखं शान्ति सन्तापनाशं
प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासं ॥७॥
Na Yaavad Umaa-Naatha-Paadaravindam
Bhajantiha Loke Pare Vaa Naraanaam
Na Taavat-Sukham Shaanti Santaapa-Naasham
Prasida Prabho Sarva-Bhootaadhi-Vaasam
Those who don’t adore the lotus-feet of the God of Uma (Shiv), that men don’t get happiness, comfort, and peace in this world or the other worlds after death. O the abode of all the living beings! O Prabhu! Kindly be pleased |7||

न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां
नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भुतुभ्यम् ।
जराजन्मदुःखौघ तातप्यमानं
प्रभो पाहि आपन्नमामीश शंभो ॥८॥
Na Jaanaami Yogam Japam Naiva Pujaam
Natoham Sadaa Sarvadaa Shambhu-Tubhyam
Jaraa-Janma-Duhkhauagha Taatapyamaanam
Prabho Paahi Aapannamaameesha Shambho
I don’t know yoga, japa (chanting of names), or prayers. Still, I am bowing continuously and always to You. O Shambhu! O Prabhu! Save me from the unhappiness due to old age, birth, grief, sins, and troubles. I bow to You, Who is the God.||8||

रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये
ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति ॥९॥
Rudraashtakamidam Proktam Viprena Hara-Toshaye
Ye Pathanti Naraa Bhaktyaa Tessaam Shambhuh Prasidati ||9||
This Rudrashtaka (eight verses in praise of Rudra) has been Said (i.e. Composed) by the Pandit or Brahman for Pleasing Hara (another name of Sri Shiva),
Those Persons who Recite this with Devotion, with them Sri Shambhu will be always Pleased. ||9|



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