Mahashivaratri
Deity Page: SHIVA
ABOUT Mahashivaratri:
About Shiva:
Shiva, also known by numerous other names like Shankara, Mahādeva, Shambhu etc., is one of the Trimūrtti, or the Divine Trinity in which the Supreme Divine God (Brahman) manifests. In this Trinity, Shiva, along with his Shakti (Power) performs the role of the Dissolver of the Universe. The other two members of the Trinity are Brahmā, who along with His Divine Consort Saraswatī creates this Universe of knowledge and form; and Vishṇu, the Sustainer and Preserver who nourishes the Universe with Lakshmi, His consort.
Shiva, Vishṇu, and Shakti are the most popular Deities through which Hindus worship the Supreme Being today.
Significance of Mahashivaratri and WHY it is celebrated:
The Great Night of Shiva is celebrated every year on the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Maagha/Phaalguna of the Hindu lunar calendar.
It falls in the February-March months of the Gregorian Calendar. It is a moonless night and falls during the months of February or March. Devotees observe a full day fast to celebrate this festival. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are at most optimum positions, which are believed to help boost a person’s spiritual energy.
It is also believed that the Shiva principle (Tattva) is most active on this day of the year. Several sacred stories are given as the cause for celebrating this festival.
Stories associated with Mahashivaratri:
In the first story, a hunter chasing a deer, reached a pond at the bank of which was a Bilva tree. Just as the hunter cornered the deer and was about to shoot her, he saw the look of fear and desperation in her eyes at abandoning her children. The hunter took pity and allowed her to go. He decided to climb the tree and wait the night there. As the bilva leaves obstructed his vision, he started plucking them one by one and dropped them from the branch he was sitting on. Unknown to him, the leaves fell on a Shiva Linga (an iconic representation of Shiva) hidden within bushes at the base of the tree. As he waited, the leaves dropped by him created a heap on the Shiva Linga. To keep awake, the hunter had also been uttering the favorite mantra of Shiva, “Om Namah Shivaaya” (Om, I bow to Shiva). Before daybreak, the deer returned to the hunter, ready to be shot dead with his arrow. But the compassionate hunter, impressed with her sincerity, forgave her and allowed her to leave. Instantly, Shiva appeared to him and the deer and said, “Dear hunter, by chanting a prayer to me, and offering bilva leaves to me tonight, you have pleased me. Furthermore, both you and the deer have demonstrated the two qualities I like in my devotees – kindness and truth. Therefore, I will reward you both by taking you to the heavens.” Shiva then took the hunter and the deer to the sky, where they can be seen even today as the constellation ‘Orion’ (‘Mrigasheersha Nakshatra’) that resembles a hunter and his prey. In the memory of this incident, Hindus stay awake all night during the anniversary of that night, observe a fast just as the hunter stayed hungry, offer bilva leaves to Shiva Lingas at the local temples, and chant the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaaya’.
In another version of the story, the hunter climbs a tree to escape a tiger chasing him in the night. And to ensure that the tiger does not climb up the tree to kill him in case he falls asleep, he plucks the bilva leaves and drops them below and chants ‘Om Namah Shivaaya’ to ask for Divine protection. Therefore, Hindus worship Shiva also for protection on this night. Note that the Bilva leaves occur in triads and represent the three eyes of Shiva (the third eye being the one of wisdom) and have great medicinal properties.
In the Shiva Purāṇa, a Hindu spiritual text, it is said that on this day, Shiva manifested as an infinite pillar of light to Brahmā and Vishṇu, representing that the Divine is infinite wisdom and knowledge, and is the light of the Universe.
Another story relates this day and night as the anniversary of Shiva consuming the deadly poison that emerged from the cosmic ocean as the Devas (divine beings) and Asuras (demonic forces) churned it. The poison threatened to annihilate the entire universe but Shiva, out of compassion, and as our Protector, consumed it. Drops of it fell on the ground, giving rise to snakes that coiled around Shiva’s neck and prevented the poison from reaching his belly. As a result, Shiva’s neck became blue and he came to be known as the ‘blue necked One’ (Neelakantha). Mahāshivarātri also celebrates the benevolence of Shiva who consumed the deadly poison to save the entire creation from being killed.
This festival also regards this night as the wedding anniversary of Shiva and Pārvatī (a manifestation of Shakti).
Another reason for celebrating this festival is because it is the anniversary of the day on which Shiva, also known as ‘Natarāja’ (The King of all Dancers) performed his beautiful and vigorous Tāṇdava dance.
Where Mahashivaratri is celebrated:
Hindus throng temples or can observe the Mahashivaratri celebrations and fast at their home.
Grand festival scale celebrations are especially carried out at the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines and other major temples dedicated to Shiva, especially at Somanātha (western Gujarat), Mahākāla (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh), Vishvanātha (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh), Pashupatinātha (Nepal) and so on. The following morning, the devotees break their fast and eat delicacies after first offering them to Shiva. According to spiritual texts, these practices are essential to the ‘Shivarātri vrata’ (vrata = vow) and must be performed with a pure mind that is free of evil tendencies like greed, hate etc. The locations of the 12 Jyotirlingas are shown in this map.
The followers of the Ārya Samāj tradition of Hindus does not believe in the worship of images and they celebrate this day as ‘Rishi Bodhotsava Divas’ (the day of enlightenment of the Rishi) because it was on this night that the founder of their tradition, Rishi Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883 CE) became disenchanted about image worshiper as a teenager.
In the Hindu tradition, the bride’s wedding entourage does not eat till the groom has eaten. Therefore, Hindus observe a fast till their wedding is over that night. However, Kashmiri Hindus are a part of the bridegroom Shiva’s entourage. Therefore, in Kashmir, the Shivarātri is the culmination of an eighteen-day feast and is not observed as a fast as in other Hindu communities. The festival there is referred to as ‘Herath’ which means a ‘miracle’ or ‘wonder’. In the late 18th century, Kashmir was ruled by an Afghan chief. One particular year he forced Hindus to postpone their Shivaratri festival from February (during snowy months) to the hot month of June. This would be disruptive to their celebrations as many prayers were geared towards Shiva’s wedding procession through snowfall and celebrations included carving Shivalinga in snow. Miraculously, that year in June, Kashmir faced unprecedented blizzards in the middle of the summer, ultimately destroying the entire crop. The ruler ended up apologizing to the Hindu community acknowledging this Hairat (miracle) and was soon driven out ending his rule.
How to do Mahashivaratri Puja at home:
The worship of Shiva Lingas is performed by offering and pouring milk and other offerings on the images.
A commonly used offering is the ‘Panchāmrita’ comprising a mixture of milk, curds, clarified butter (ghee), sugar and honey.
One may take a vow to observe fast, stay awake the entire night and worship Shiva for 12, 14 or 24 hours culminating in a closure ceremony.
Those who cannot visit the temple can perform the Shivaratri Vrata and Puja at their home:
You can observe a complete fast or a partial fast, like avoiding salt or grains or drinking water completely while consuming other items of food.
In the morning, after bath, sit in front of an image or a picture of Shiva and chant the Shiva Panchaakshari Mantra a few times (10 times), the mantra 'tryambakam yajaamahe...' 11 times, or sing a hymn (e.g. Shivamahimna Stotra of Pushpadanta, or Lingaashtakam) or a Bhajan to Bhagavan Shiva. You can also recite one of the stories associated with the festival to your family members and visitors. It is considered very meritorious to offer a trefoil of Bilva leaves, juice of bilva fruit, milk either alone or mixed with substances like curds, honey etc to the image ceremoniously. These are said to be cooling substances and counteract the enthusiastic nature of Shiva .
If you have a Shiva Linga at home, bathe it with milk and then place the bilva terfoil on top of it. If possible, apply sandalwood paste thereafter on the image. Other objects that you could offer are hibiscus flowers and dhatura seeds. The rest of the day, you, as a devotee, shall take care to avoid things that pollute one's body (like impure food) or the mind (like anger, lies, hate etc.). You should also reflect on the auspicious qualities of Shiva, like austere living, protective nature, fidelity, practice of meditation and so on.
At night, you should plan to stay awake for at least a few hours, and chant the Shiva Panchaakshari Mantra, or another hymn of choice. If you know the Rudram from the Vedas, the same might be chanted. Before sleeping, meditate on Shiva and silently mutter 'Om Namah Shivaaya' till you fall asleep. If staying awake the entire night, devote the time for chanting the prayers, or narrating, reading or hearing sacred narratives related to Shiva such as his destruction of the Tripura (three cities), or his partaking the cosmic poison to save the universe, or how he assisted the descent of the Ganga River from heavens to earth.
The next morning, take a bath, offer another worship to Shiva and then freshly prepared food to Him and then break your fast. Unlike other Hindu festivals, the Shiva Ratri Vrata ceremony is performed with great austerity and without any pomp and show. This is to honor the ascetic nature of Shiva.
Foods to eat during fasting (vrat):
It is recommended to eat saatvik food during fasting. This diet is based on pure, wholesome, nourishing, light, and energy producing foods.
To eat: milk, yogurt, tapioca, amaranth, pumpkin, beets, cucumbers, fruits, nuts, honey, potatoes, kuttu flour, makhana. OK to stay hydrated with water and electrolyte-rich liquids. It is also ok to fast without intaking any water.
To avoid: wheat, rice, pulses, legumes, alcohol, meat, eggs.
To limit: spices, caffeine, too much sugar, fried food.
Prayers to follow during Mahashivaratri:
The most popular prayer is the five syllabled Shiva Mantra (‘Shiva Panchāksharī’), “Om Namah Shivaaya”, which simply means, “Om, I bow to Shiva”. The five syllables – Na, Ma, Shi, Va and Ya respectively represent the five basic elements of nature namely Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. This indicates that God is present within and rules over the entire nature comprising of these five elements. In many Indian and Nepalese vernaculars, there are numerous popular hymns or ‘bhajans’ that are sung with great fervor by devotees. In particular, Kashmiri, Nepali, Tamil and Kannada languages have a great repertoire of devotional hymns that celebrate Him as the Almighty, Protector, Merciful, Beautiful and Giver of Boons.
From the very ancient times, Shiva has been extolled by the splendid ‘Shatarudriyam’ hymn which is so called because it has over a 100 (‘shata’) names of Shiva (‘Rudra’) and because it occurs in all the 100 branches of the Yajurveda. Today, the most popular branches from which this hymn is sung are the Mādhyandina branch with 63 mantras in its 16th chapter, and the Taittirīya branch comprising of 11 Anuvākas or sections. The chanting of the Shatarudriyam or Rudram is done collectively by the community by whosoever knows it.
Mahashivaratri Activities for Kids:
Damaru with paper cups - supplies: paper cups, construction paper, tape, yarn marker, decoration items, beads, markers/crayons/paint, scissors, glue, etc
Trishul bookmarks with popsicle sticks - supplies: popsicle sticks or paper straws, pip- cleaner, markers/crayons/paint, scissors, glue, etc
Make Shivalinga: inside - eco friendly clay, play doh / outdoors - snow, sand
SRI RUDRAM (follow along):
To follow along in other Indian scripts: https://vignanam.org/veda/sri-rudram-namakam-devanagari.html
श्री रुद्र प्रश्नः
कृष्ण यजुर्वेदीय तैत्तिरीय संहिता
चतुर्थं वैश्वदेवं काण्डम् पञ्चमः प्रपाठकः
shree rudra prashnaH
kRRishhNa yajurvedeeya taittireeya saMhitaa
chaturthaM vaishvadevaM kaaNDam paMchamaH prapaaThakaH
ANUVAKA 1
ॐ नमो भगवते' रुद्राय ||
oM namo bhagavate' rudraaya ||
Om. Salutations to the Omnipresent Bhagavan Rudra
नम'स्ते रुद्र मन्यव' उतोत इष'वे नमः' | नम'स्ते अस्तु धन्व'ने बाहुभ्या'मुत ते नमः' |
nama'ste rudra manyava' utota ishha've nama'H | nama'ste astu dhanva'ne baahubhyaa'muta te nama'H | 1.1
Rudra, salutations to your anger and to your arrows. Salutations to your bow and to your two hands.
या त इषुः' शिवत'मा शिवं बभूव' ते धनुः' | शिवा श'रव्या' या तव तया' नो रुद्र मृडय |
yaa ta ishhu'H shivata'maa shivaM babhoova' te dhanu'H | shivaa sha'ravyaa' yaa tava tayaa' no rudra mRRiDaya | 1.2
Rudra, by favor of your arrow, bow, and quiver, which have shed their anger and turned auspicious, please render us happy.
या ते' रुद्र शिवा तनूरघोराऽपा'पकाशिनी | तया' नस्तनुवा शन्त'मया गिरि'शंताभिचा'कशीहि |
yaa te' rudra shivaa tanooraghoraa.apaa'pakaashinee | tayaa' nastanuvaa shanta'mayaa giri'shaMtaabhichaa'kasheehi | 1.3
Rudra, you who dwell on Mount Kailash and who confer happiness, by that form of yours which is not terrible, which will not injure us, and which is highly auspicious, behold and illuminate us.
यामिषुं' गिरिशंत हस्ते बिभर्ष्यस्त'वे | शिवां गि'रित्र तां कु'रु मा हिगं'सीः पुरु'षं जग'त्|
yaamishhu'M girishaMta haste bibharshhyasta've | shivaaM gi'ritra taaM ku'ru maa hig'MseeH puru'shhaM jaga't| 1.4
My Ishwar, who dwells on Mount Kailash and shares sweetness to all. You, who fulfills your vow of protecting all who serve you and take refuge in you; that arrow of yours which you hold ready to let fly, withhold it and make it tranquil and auspicious.
शिवेन वच'सा त्वा गिरिशाच्छा'वदामसि | यथा' नः सर्वमिज्जग'दयक्ष्मग्^म् सुमना अस'त् |
shivena vacha'saa tvaa girishaachChaa'vadaamasi | yathaa' naH sarvamijjaga'dayakshhmagM sumanaa asa't | 1.5
Bhagwan of Mount Kailash of the Vedas. We pray to attain you by our auspicious words. We ask that for all our days, this entire world will be free from ills and discord, and that we may live in amity and concord.
अध्य'वोचदधिवक्ता प्र'थमो दैव्यो' भिषक् | अहीग्'/श्च सर्वां''जम्भयन्त्सर्वा''श्च यातुधान्यः' |
adhya'vochadadhivaktaa pra'thamo daivyo' bhishhak | aheeg'/shcha sarvaa''MjaMbhayantsarvaa''shcha yaatudhaanya'H | 1.6
He who is the foremost One, held in high in honor by the Gods. He who is the physician to cure all sins. Let him annihilate the seen and unseen enemies of mine.
असौ यस्ताम्रो अ'रुण उत बभ्रुः सु'मङ्गलः' | ये चेमाग्^म् रुद्रा अभितो' दिक्षु श्रिताः स'हस्रशोऽवैषाग्ं हेड' ईमहे |
asau yastaamro a'ruNa uta babhruH su'maMgaLa'H | ye chemaagM rudraa abhito' dikshhu shritaaH sa'hasrasho avaishhaagM heDa' eemahe | 1.7
This Sun who is copper-red when he arises, then golden-yellow, this highly auspicious and benefit one is truly Rudra. These other Rudras who are quartered round in all directions of this earth, may I ward off their anger by my praise.
असौ यो'ऽवसर्प'ति नील'ग्रीवो विलो'हितः | उतैनं' गोपा अ'दृशन्-नदृ'शन्-नुदहार्यः' | उतैनं विश्वा' भूतानि स दृष्टो मृ'डयाति नः |
asau yo'.avasarpa'ti neela'greevo vilo'hitaH | utaina'M gopaa a'dRRishan-nadRRi'shan-nudahaarya'H | utainaM vishvaa' bhootaani sa dRRishhTo mRRi'Dayaati naH | 1.8
The blue-necked Rudra who has assumed the form of the sun that glows red when rising. The cowherds, those carrying water, and all the creatures behold. He, who is seen by all, let Him send happiness to us.
नमो' अस्तु नील'ग्रीवाय सहस्राक्षाय मीढुषे'' | अथो ये अ'स्य सत्वा'नोऽहं तेभ्यो'ऽकरन्नमः' |
namo' astu neela'greevaaya sahasraakshhaaya meeDhushhe'' | atho ye a'sya satvaa'no.ahaM tebhyo'.akarannama'H | 1.9
My salutations be to the blue-throated one, who has a thousand eyes. I also bow to his followers.
प्रमुं'च धन्व'नस्-त्वमुभयोरार्त्नि' योर्ज्यां | याश्च ते हस्तइष'वः परा ता भ'गवो वप |
pramu'Mcha dhanva'nas-tvamubhayoraartni' yorjyaaM | yaashcha te hasta ishha'vaH paraa taa bha'gavo vapa | 1.10
Bhagwan Rudra, loosen the string from both ends of your bow. Remove out of sight the arrows from your hands.
अवतत्य धनुस्त्वग्^म् सह'स्राक्ष शते'षुधे | निशीर्य' शल्यानां मुखा' शिवो नः' सुमना' भव |
avatatya dhanustvagM saha'sraakshha shate'shhudhe | nisheerya' shalyaanaaM mukhaa' shivo na'H sumanaa' bhava | 1.11
You, having a thousand eyes, and bearing a hundred quivers, after loosening your bow, kindly blunt the edges of your shafts. Assume your peaceful and auspicious Siva form and become well-intentioned towards us.
विज्यं धनुः' कपर्दिनो विश'ल्यो बाण'वाग्^म् उत | अने'शन्-नस्येष'व आभुर'स्य निषङ्गथिः' |
vijyaM dhanu'H kapardino visha'lyo baaNa'vaagM uta | ane'shan-nasyeshha'va aabhura'sya nishhaMgathi'H | 1.12
Let the bow of Kapardin, Rudra of the matted locks, be without its string. Let there be no arrows in His quiver. Let His arrows lose their capacity to strike and pierce. Let His scabbard contain little power.
या ते' हेतिर्-मी'डुष्टम हस्ते' बभूव' ते धनुः' | तयाऽस्मान्, विश्वतस्-त्वम'यक्ष्मया परि'ब्भुज |
yaa te' hetir-mee'DushhTama haste' babhoova' te dhanu'H | tayaa.asmaan, vishvatas-tvama'yakshhmayaa pari'bbhuja | 1.13
You, the one who showers all blessings, with your weapons and the bow in Your hand, completely protect us.
नम'स्ते अस्त्वायुधायाना'तताय धृष्णवे'' | उभाभ्या'मुत ते नमो' बाहुभ्यां तव धन्व'ने |
nama'ste astvaayudhaayaanaa'tataaya dhRRishhNave'' | ubhaabhyaa'muta te namo' baahubhyaaM tava dhanva'ne | 1.14
Let there be salutations to your sturdy and potent weapons, and also to both your hands and your bow.
परि' ते धन्व'नो हेतिरस्मान्-वृ'णक्तु विश्वतः' | अथो य इ'षुधिस्तवारे अस्मन्निधे'हि तं |
pari' te dhanva'no hetirasmaan-vRRi'Naktu vishvata'H | atho ya i'shhudhistavaare asmannidhe'hi taM | 1.15
Let the arrow of Your bow spare us in all ways. Place your quiver of arrows far away from us.
शम्भ'वे नमः' |
shambha've nama'H |
नम'स्ते अस्तु भगवन्-विश्वेश्वराय' महादेवाय'
nama'ste astu bhagavan-vishveshvaraaya' mahaadevaaya'
Salutations to You, Bhagwan of the Universe, greatest of them all
त्र्यम्बकाय' त्रिपुरान्तकाय' त्रिकाग्निकालाय'
tryambakaaya' tripuraantakaaya' trikaagnikaalaaya'
He who has three eyes (eye of omniscience), he who gives enlightenment which is beyond three (astral, physical, casual) worlds. He who like fire, devours all three times (past, present, future) within himself.
कालाग्निरुद्राय' नीलकण्ठाय' मृत्युंजयाय'
kaalaagnirudraaya' neelakaNThaaya' mRRityuMjayaaya'
Like Time, he who ends everything, like time he who disciplines the world into order, He whose body is vast (blue like sky, oceans), He who has conquered Yama, the God of Death/Time.
सर्वेश्व'राय' सदाशिवाय' श्रीमन्-महादेवाय नमः' |
sarveshva'raaya' sadaashivaaya' shreeman-mahaadevaaya nama'H |
God of all Beings, consciousness which is untouched by the world, yet everything in the world is because of Him. Salutations to you.
ANUVAKA 2
नमो हिर'ण्य बाहवे सेनान्ये' दिशां च पत'ये नमो
namo hira'Nya baahave senaanye' dishaaM cha pata'ye namo | 2.1
Salutations to Rudra, with the golden arms, the chief of armies, the leader of the four directions, salutations.
नमो' वृक्षेभ्यो हरि'केशेभ्यः पशूनां पत'ये नमो
namo' vRRikshhebhyo hari'keshebhyaH pashoonaaM pata'ye namo | 2.2
Salutations to Him who shines as trees tufted with green leaves, to the God of all beings.
नमः' सस्पिञ्ज'राय त्विषी'मते पथीनां पत'ये नमो
nama'H saspiMja'raaya tvishhee'mate patheenaaM pata'ye namo | 2.3
Salutations to Him who is light yellow-red tinged and radiant, who leads us in different directions.
नमो' बभ्लुशाय' विव्याधिनेऽन्ना'नां पत'ये नमो
namo' babhlushaaya' vivyaadhine.annaa'naaM pata'ye namo | 2.4
Salutations to Him who rides on the bull, to him who has the power to pierce all things. To the Ishwar of food, salutations.
नमो हरि'केशायोपवीतिने' पुष्टानां पत'ये नमो नमो' भवस्य' हेत्यै जग'तां पत'येनमो
namo hari'keshaayopaveetine' pushhTaanaaM pata'ye namo | namo' bhavasya' hetyai jaga'taaM pata'ye namo | 2.5
Salutations to Him who is always black-haired, who wears the yajnopavita (sacred thread). Salutations to Him, the instrument that destroys Samsara (ignorance); to the Deva of all the words, salutations.
नमो' रुद्राया'तताविने क्षेत्रा'णां पत'ये नमो
namo' rudraayaa'tataavine kshhetraa'NaaM pata'ye namo | 2.6
Salutations to Him who protects the world by the might of His drawn bow, to Rudra, the destroyer of all miseries; to the Deva of the fields and sacred places, salutations.
नमः' सूतायाहं'त्याय वना'नां पत'ये नमो
nama'H sootaayaaha'Mtyaaya vanaa'naaM pata'ye namo | 2.7
Salutations to the charioteer, He who cannot be overcome and slain. Salutations to the Deva of the forests.
नमो रोहि'ताय स्थपत'ये वृक्षाणां पत'ये नमो
namo rohi'taaya sthapata'ye vRRikshhaaNaaM pata'ye namo | 2.8
Salutations to the red one, the Deva of trees, salutations.
नमो' मन्त्रिणे' वाणिजाय कक्षा'णां पत'ये नमो
namo' maMtriNe' vaaNijaaya kakshhaa'NaaM pata'ye namo | 2.9
Salutations to the counselor of assemblies, the chief of traders, to the Devas of dense impenetrable clumps and clusters of thickets, salutations.
नमो' भुवन्तये' वारिवस्कृता-यौष'धीनां पत'ये नमो
namo' bhuvaMtaye' vaarivaskRRitaa-yaushha'dheenaaM pata'ye namo | 2.10
Salutations to Him who has created the world and spread it broad, the creator of riches and lover of those who are devoted to Him; to the Deva of all vegetation, salutations.
नम' उच्चैर्-घो'षायाक्रन्दय'ते पत्तीनां पत'येनमो
nama' uchchair-gho'shhaayaakrandaya'te patteenaaM pata'ye namo | 2.11
Salutations to Him of the fearsome war cry, who cause His enemies to weep. To the leader of the foot-soldiers, salutations.
नमः' कृत्स्नवीताय धाव'ते सत्त्व'नां पत'ये नमः'
nama'H kRRitsnaveetaaya dhaava'te sattva'naaM pata'ye nama'H | 2.12
Salutations to Him, who surrounds His enemies completely, and cuts off their retreat by running swiftly after the retreating stragglers; to the protector of the good who have taken refuge under Him, salutations.
ANUVAKA 3
नमः सह'मानाय निव्याधिन' आव्याधिनी'नां पत'ये नमो
namaH saha'maanaaya nivyaadhina' aavyaadhinee'naaM pata'ye namo | 3.1
Salutations to Him who cannot only withstand the shock of the onset of His enemies but overpower them. He who can effortlessly pierce His enemies; the God of those who can fight on all sides, salutations to Him.
नमः' ककुभाय' निषङ्गिणे'' स्तेनानां पत'ये नमो
nama'H kakubhaaya' nishhaMgiNe'' stenaanaaM pata'ye namo | 3.2
Salutations to Him who stands prominent, the wielder of the sword; to the prince of thieves, salutations.
नमो' निषङ्गिण' इषुधिमते' तस्क'राणां पत'ये नमो
namo' nishhaMgiNa' ishhudhimate' taska'raaNaaM pata'ye namo | 3.3
Salutatiosn to Him who holds a dart in His hand to fit in His bow, who has a quiver in His back; who is the leader of even those who thieve openly, salutations.
नमो वञ्च'ते परिवञ्च'ते स्तायूनां पत'ये नमो
namo vaMcha'te parivaMcha'te staayoonaaM pata'ye namo | 3.4
Salutations to Him who wins the confidence of others, occasionally by systematically cheating; to Him pretending to be an acquaintance, salutations.
नमो' निचेरवे' परिचरायार'ण्यानां पत'ये नमो
namo' nicherave' paricharaayaara'NyaanaaM pata'ye namo | 3.5
Salutations to Him who moves about guardedly ever with intention to steal; to Him who moves amidst crowds; to the God of forest thieves, salutations.
नमः' सृकाविभ्योजिघागं'सद्भ्यो मुष्णतां पत'ये नमो नमो'ऽसिमद्भ्यो नक्तञ्चर'द्भ्यः प्रकृन्तानां पत'ये नमो
nama'H sRRikaavibhyo jighaag'Msadbhyo mushhNataaM pata'ye namo | namo'.asimadbhyo naktaMchara'dbhyaH prakRRintaanaaM pata'ye namo | 3.6
Salutations to Him who is in the form of those who protect themselves in armor, who want to trouble others; to the God of those who may want to steal, salutations. Salutations to Him, who is in the form of swordsmen who wander about at night; to the God of those who seize others, salutations.
नम' उष्णीषिने' गिरिचराय' कुलुञ्चानां पत'येनमो
nama' ushhNeeshhine' giricharaaya' kuluMchaanaaM pata'ye namo | 3.7
Salutations to Him who wears a turban, who wanders about the mountains; to the leader of the landlords, salutations.
नम इषु'मद्भ्यो धन्वाविभ्य'श्च वो नमो नम' आतन्-वानेभ्यः' प्रतिदधा'नेभ्यश्च वो नमो
nama ishhu'madbhyo dhanvaavibhya'shcha vo namo | nama' aatan-vaanebhya'H pratidadhaa'nebhyashcha vo namo | 3.8
Salutations to You, who bears darts, who carries bows, to You, salutations. Salutations to You who strings your bows (stretches) and You who fits arrows in them (places), to them my salutations.
नम' आयच्छ'द्भ्यो विसृजद्-भ्य'श्च वो नमो
nama' aayachCha'dbhyo visRRijad-bhya'shcha vo namo | 3.9
Salutations to You, who pulls the bowstrings (bends) and sends the arrows (lets go), to You, salutations.
नमोऽस्स'द्भ्यो विद्य'द्-भ्यश्च वो नमो
namo.assa'dbhyo vidya'd-bhyashcha vo namo | 3.10
Salutations to You, who loosens the arrows and pierces the persons You aim at, to You, salutations.
नम आसी'नेभ्यः शया'नेभ्यश्च वो नमो नमः' स्वपद्भ्यो जाग्र'द्-भ्यश्च वो नमो
nama aasee'nebhyaH shayaa'nebhyashcha vo namo | nama'H svapadbhyo jaagra'd-bhyashcha vo namo | 3.11
Salutations to you Rudras who are seated and who are reclining, salutations. To you Rudras who are asleep and who awake, salutations.
नमस्तिष्ठ'द्भ्योधाव'द्-भ्यश्च वो नमो
namastishhTha'dbhyo dhaava'd-bhyashcha vo namo | 3.12
To you Rudras who are standing still and who are running, salutations.
नमः' सभाभ्यः' सभाप'तिभ्यश्च वो नमो
nama'H sabhaabhya'H sabhaapa'tibhyashcha vo namo | 3.13
To you Rudras who are amongst members of assemblies, and those who preside over audiences, salutations.
नमो अश्वेभ्योऽश्व'पतिभ्यश्च वो नमः'
namo ashvebhyo.ashva'patibhyashcha vo nama'H | 3.14
To you Rudras who are in the form of the horse and who command them, salutations.
ANUVAKA 4
नम' आव्याधिनी''भ्यो विविध्य'न्तीभ्यश्च वो नमो
nama' aavyaadhinee''bhyo vividhya'nteebhyashcha vo namo | 4.1
Salutations to You who can hit and pierce from all sides, and You who can pierce in diverse and manifold ways.
नम उग'णाभ्यस्तृगं-हतीभ्यश्च' वो नमो
nama uga'NaabhyastRRigaM-hateebhyashcha' vo namo | 4.2
Salutations to You who are in the form of the superior female Gods and fierce vengeful and powerful Goddesses.
नमो' गृत्सेभ्यो' गृत्सप'तिभ्यश्च वो नमो
namo' gRRitsebhyo' gRRitsapa'tibhyashcha vo namo | 4.3
Salutations to You, the covetous and greedy, and the leader of all who are attached.
नमोव्राते''भ्यो व्रात'पतिभ्यश्च वो नमो
namo vraate''bhyo vraata'patibhyashcha vo namo | 4.4
Salutations to You, of diverse crowds and races, and the leaders of them.
नमो' गणेभ्यो' गणप'तिभ्यश्च वो नमो
namo' gaNebhyo' gaNapa'tibhyashcha vo namo | 4.5
Salutations to You, of the Ganas (clan) and leader of Ganas.
नमो विरू'पेभ्यो विश्वरू'पेभ्यश्च वो नमो
namo viroo'pebhyo vishvaroo'pebhyashcha vo namo | 4.6
Salutations to You, who assumes monstrous forms and other diverse shapes.
नमो' महद्भ्यः', क्षुल्लकेभ्य'श्च वो नमो
namo' mahadbhya'H, kshhullakebhya'shcha vo namo | 4.7
Salutations to You, the great/strong ones and small/weak ones.
नमो' रथिभ्योऽरथेभ्य'श्च वो नमो
namo' rathibhyo.arathebhya'shcha vo namo | 4.8
Salutations to You, who rides in chariots and walks on foot.
नमो रथे''भ्यो रथ'पतिभ्यश्च वो नमो
namo rathe''bhyo ratha'patibhyashcha vo namo | 4.9
Salutations to You, who are in the form of chariots and those who own them.
नमः' सेना''भ्यः सेनानिभ्य'श्च वो नमो
nama'H senaa''bhyaH senaanibhya'shcha vo namo | 4.10
Salutations to You, who is the soldier and leader of the armies.
नमः', क्षत्तृभ्यः' सङ्ग्रहीतृभ्य'श्च वो नमो
nama'H, kshhattRRibhya'H saMgraheetRRibhya'shcha vo namo | 4.11
Salutations to You, who drives the chariot and who can hold the chariot from moving.
नमस्तक्ष'भ्यो रथकारेभ्य'श्च वो नमो' नमः कुला'लेभ्यः कर्मारे''भ्यश्च वो नमो
namastakshha'bhyo rathakaarebhya'shcha vo namo' | namaH kulaa'lebhyaH karmaare''bhyashcha vo namo | 4.12
Salutations to You, who are in the form of carpenters and fashioners of chariots. Salutations to You, who is the potter and black smith.
नमः' पुञ्जिष्टे''भ्यो निषादेभ्य'श्च वो नमो
nama'H puMjishhTe''bhyo nishhaadebhya'shcha vo namo | 4.13
Salutations to You, who are in the form of hunters and fishermen.
नमः' इषुकृद्भ्यो' धन्वकृद्-भ्य'श्च वो नमो
nama'H ishhukRRidbhyo' dhanvakRRid-bhya'shcha vo namo | 4.14
Salutations to You, who are in the form of makers of arrows and bows.
नमो' मृगयुभ्यः' श्वनिभ्य'श्च वो नमो
namo' mRRigayubhya'H shvanibhya'shcha vo namo | 4.15
Salutations to You, who are in the form of hunters and leaders of the hounds.
नमः श्वभ्यः श्वप'तिभ्यश्च वो नमः'
namaH shvabhyaH shvapa'tibhyashcha vo nama'H | 4.16
Salutations to You, who is the hound and the protector of the hounds.
ANUVAKA 5
नमो' भवाय' च रुद्राय' च
namo' bhavaaya' cha rudraaya' cha | 5.1
Salutations to Him, who is the source of all things and to Him who is destroyer of all ills.
नमः' शर्वाय' च पशुपत'ये च
nama'H sharvaaya' cha pashupata'ye cha | 5.2
Salutations to the destroyer and the protector of all beings.
नमो नील'ग्रीवाय च शितिकण्ठा'य च नमः' कपर्धिने' च व्यु'प्तकेशाय च
namo neela'greevaaya cha shitikaMThaa'ya cha | nama'H kapardhine' cha vyu'ptakeshaaya cha | 5.3
Salutations to Him, whose neck is blue and also covered with white ash. Salutations to Him, who has matted locks and also clean-shaven.
नमः' सहस्राक्षाय' च शतध'न्वने च
nama'H sahasraakshhaaya' cha shatadha'nvane cha | 5.4
Salutations to Him, who has a Thousand eyes and a hundred bows.
नमो' गिरिशाय' च शिपिविष्टाय' च
namo' girishaaya' cha shipivishhTaaya' cha | 5.5
Salutations to Him, who dwells on the mountain and who is in the form of Vishnu.
नमो' मीढुष्ट'माय चेषु'मते च नमो'' ह्रस्वाय' च वामनाय' च
namo' meeDhushhTa'maaya cheshhu'mate cha | namo'' hrasvaaya' cha vaamanaaya' cha | 5.6
Salutations to Him, who is the most bountiful and bears arrows. Salutations to Him, who assumes a small size of a dwarf.
नमो' बृहते च वर्षी'यसे च
namo' bRRihate cha varshhee'yase cha | 5.7
Salutations to Him, the great and majestic one, to Him who is full of all excellence.
नमो' वृद्धाय' च संवृध्व'ने च
namo' vRRiddhaaya' cha saMvRRidhva'ne cha | 5.8
Salutations to the Ancient One, who is loudly praised by the scriptures.
नमो अग्रि'याय च प्रथमाय' च
namo agri'yaaya cha prathamaaya' cha | 5.9
Salutations to Him, who was before all things and beings, and who is foremost.
नम' आशवे' चाजिराय' च
nama' aashave' chaajiraaya' cha | 5.10
Salutations to Him, who pervades all and moves swiftly.
नमः शीघ्रि'याय च शीभ्या'य च
namaH sheeghri'yaaya cha sheebhyaa'ya cha | 5.11
Salutations to Him, who is in fast moving things and in headlong cascades.
नम' ऊर्म्या'य चावस्वन्या'य च
nama' oormyaa'ya chaavasvanyaa'ya cha | 5.12
Salutations to Him, who is in great waves and in the still waters.
नमः' स्त्रोतस्या'य च द्वीप्या'य च
nama'H strotasyaa'ya cha dveepyaa'ya cha | 5.13
Salutations to Him, who is in the floods and in the islands.
ANUVAKA 6
नमो'' ज्येष्ठाय' च कनिष्ठाय' च
namo'' jyeshhThaaya' cha kanishhThaaya' cha | 6.1
Salutations to Him, who is elder and who is younger.
नमः' पूर्वजाय' चापरजाय' च
nama'H poorvajaaya' chaaparajaaya' cha | 6.2
Salutations to Him, who was born before all and who will be born after all.
नमो' मध्यमाय' चापगल्भाय' च
namo' madhyamaaya' chaapagalbhaaya' cha | 6.3
Salutations to Him, who is middle aged and who is too young.
नमो' जघन्या'य च बुध्नि'याय च
namo' jaghanyaa'ya cha budhni'yaaya cha | 6.4
Salutations to Him, who is born from the middle and born out of roots.
नमः' सोभ्या'य च प्रतिसर्या'य च
nama'H sobhyaa'ya cha pratisaryaa'ya cha | 6.5
Salutations to Him, who is born in the mixed world of good and bad and in things that move.
नमो याम्या'य च क्षेम्या'य च
namo yaamyaa'ya cha kshhemyaa'ya cha | 6.6
Salutations to Him, who is in the worlds of Yama and in the worlds of safety.
नम' उर्वर्या'य च खल्या'य च
nama' urvaryaa'ya cha khalyaa'ya cha | 6.7
Salutations to Him, who is in the form of the bountiful fields, and the threshing floors.
नमः श्लोक्या'य चाऽवसान्या'य च
namaH shlokyaa'ya chaa.avasaanyaa'ya cha | 6.8
Salutations to Him, who is praised by the Vedic Mantras and who is expounded in the Vedantic Upanishads.
नमो वन्या'य चकक्ष्या'य च नमः' श्रवाय' च प्रतिश्रवाय' च
namo vanyaa'ya cha kakshhyaa'ya cha | nama'H shravaaya' cha pratishravaaya' cha | 6.9
Salutations to Him, who is in the form of trees in the forests and of creepers in shaded areas. Salutations to Him, who is sound and the echo of the sound.
नम' आशुषे'णाय चाशुर'थाय च
nama' aashushhe'Naaya chaashura'thaaya cha | 6.10
Salutations to Him, whose armies move swiftly and who rides on a swift chariot.
नमः शूरा'य चावभिन्दते च
namaH shooraa'ya chaavabhindate cha | 6.11
Salutations to Him, who is the warrior, who pierces his enemies.
नमो' वर्मिणे' च वरूधिने' च नमो' बिल्मिने' च कवचिने' च
namo' varmiNe' cha varoodhine' cha | namo' bilmine' cha kavachine' cha | 6.12
Salutations to Him, who is clad in armor Himself, and who has provided for the safety of His charioteer. Salutations to Him, who wears a helmet and armor.
नमः' श्रुताय' च श्रुतसे'नाय च
nama'H shrutaaya' cha shrutase'naaya cha | 6.13
Salutations to Him, who is praised in the Vedas and whose army is also praised.
ANUVAKA 7
नमो' दुंदुभ्या'य चाहनन्या'य च
namo' duMdubhyaa'ya chaahananyaa'ya cha | 7.1
Salutations to Him, who is the kettle drum and who is also the drumstick.
नमो' धृष्णवे' च प्रमृशाय' च
namo' dhRRishhNave' cha pramRRishaaya' cha | 7.2
Salutations to Him, who never turns his back in fight, but is at the same time prudent.
नमो' दूताय' च प्रहि'ताय च
namo' dootaaya' cha prahi'taaya cha | 7.3
Salutations to Him, who is in the form of the messenger and the representative sent for special purposes.
नमो' निषङ्गिणे' चेषुधिमते' च
namo' nishhaMgiNe' cheshhudhimate' cha | 7.4
Salutations to Him, who has a sword and a quiver of arrows.
नम'स्-तीक्ष्णेष'वे चायुधिने' च
nama's-teekshhNeshha've chaayudhine' cha | 7.5
Salutations to Him, who has sharp shafts and all weapons.
नमः' स्वायुधाय' च सुधन्व'ने च
nama'H svaayudhaaya' cha sudhanva'ne cha | 7.6
Salutations to Him, who bears a beautiful and powerful weapon and bow.
नमः स्रुत्या'य च पथ्या'य च
namaH srutyaa'ya cha pathyaa'ya cha | 7.7
Salutations to Him, who is in the narrow footpaths and in wide roads.
नमः' काट्या'य च नीप्या'य च
nama'H kaaTyaa'ya cha neepyaa'ya cha | 7.8
Salutations to Him, who is in the narrow flow of waters and in their descent form higher to lower levels.
नमः सूद्या'य च सरस्या'य च
namaH soodyaa'ya cha sarasyaa'ya cha | 7.9
Salutations to Him, who is in the small water of the pools and in the water of the lakes.
नमो' नाद्याय' च वैशन्ताय' च
namo' naadyaaya' cha vaishaMtaaya' cha | 7.10
Salutations to Him, who is in the flowing waters of rivers and in the still water of mountain tarns.
नमः कूप्या'य चावट्या'य च
namaH koopyaa'ya chaavaTyaa'ya cha | 7.11
Salutations to Him, who is in the water of the wells and the water of springs.
नमो वर्ष्या'य चावर्ष्याय' च
namo varshhyaa'ya chaavarshhyaaya' cha | 7.12
Salutations to Him, who is born in the rivers as river water and in the absence of rains.
नमो' मेघ्या'य च विद्युत्या'य च
namo' meghyaa'ya cha vidyutyaa'ya cha | 7.13
Salutations to Him, who is in the clouds and the lightning.
नम ईध्रिया'य चातप्या'य च नमो वात्या'य च रेष्मि'याय च
nama eedhriyaa'ya chaatapyaa'ya cha | namo vaatyaa'ya cha reshhmi'yaaya cha | 7.14
Salutations to Him, who is in the clear autumn clouds and who is in the rains mixed with sunshine. Salutations to Him, who is in the rains accompanied by winds and the rains accompanied by hail.
नमो' वास्तव्या'य च वास्तुपाय' च
namo' vaastavyaa'ya cha vaastupaaya' cha | 7.15
Salutations to Him, who is household wealth and guardian deity of the household.
ANUVAKA 8
नमः सोमा'य च रुद्राय' च
namaH somaa'ya cha rudraaya' cha | 8.1
Salutations to Him, who is with his consort Uma.
नम'स्ताम्राय' चारुणाय' च
nama'staamraaya' chaaruNaaya' cha | 8.2
Salutations to Him, who is the copper color of the dawn.
नमः' शङ्गाय' च पशुपत'ये च
nama'H shaMgaaya' cha pashupata'ye cha | 8.3
Salutations to Him, who brings happiness and is the God of all creatures.
नम' उग्राय' च भीमाय' च
nama' ugraaya' cha bheemaaya' cha | 8.4
Salutations to Him, who is fierce and strikes terror at sight into His enemies.
नमो' अग्रेवधाय' च दूरेवधाय' च
namo' agrevadhaaya' cha doorevadhaaya' cha | 8.5
Salutations to Him, who leads and kills in front and from afar.
नमो' हन्त्रे च हनी'यसे च
namo' hantre cha hanee'yase cha | 8.6
Salutations to Him, who is in the form of everyone who slays, and who kills all at the time of Pralaya (end).
नमो' वृक्षेभ्यो हरि'केशेभ्यो
namo' vRRikshhebhyo hari'keshebhyo | 8.7
Salutations to Him, who the trees with green leaves.
नम'स्ताराय नम'श्शम्भवे' च मयोभवे' च
nama'staaraaya nama'shshaMbhave' cha mayobhave' cha | 8.8
Salutations to Him, who is the mantra Om. Salutations to Him, who is the source of happiness here and after.
नमः' शंकराय' च मयस्कराय' चनमः' शिवाय' च शिवत'राय च
nama'H shaMkaraaya' cha mayaskaraaya' cha | nama'H shivaaya' cha shivata'raaya cha | 8.9
Salutations to Him, who gives the pleasure of this world and all other worlds. Salutations to Him, the auspicious one, who is more auspicious than all others.
नमस्तीर्थ्या'य च कूल्या'य च
namasteerthyaa'ya cha koolyaa'ya cha | 8.10
Salutations to Him, who is ever present in all Holy places and banks of rivers.
नमः' पार्या'य चावार्या'य च
nama'H paaryaa'ya chaavaaryaa'ya cha | 8.11
Salutations to Him, who stands in the further shore and on this shore.
नमः' प्रतर'णाय चोत्तर'णाय च नम' आतार्या'य चालाद्या'य च
nama'H pratara'Naaya chottara'Naaya cha | nama' aataaryaa'ya chaalaadyaa'ya cha | 8.12
Salutations to Him, who guides beings over sins of Samsara (illusions of the world), who grants knowledge to cross over into Salvation. Salutations to Him, who is born again and again in Samsara (material world) and who tastes the fruits of Karmas in the form of Jeeva (life).
नमः शष्प्या'य च फेन्या'य च
namaH shashhpyaa'ya cha phenyaa'ya cha | 8.13
Salutations to Him, who is in the form of tender grass and the foam of the river.
नमः' सिकत्या'य च प्रवाह्या'य च
nama'H sikatyaa'ya cha pravaahyaa'ya cha | 8.14
Salutations to Him, who is in the form of the sands and flowing water.
ANUVAKA 9
नम' इरिण्या'य च प्रपथ्या'य च
nama' iriNyaa'ya cha prapathyaa'ya cha | 9.1
Salutations to Him, who abides in barren land and trodden pathways.
नमः' किगंशिलाय' च क्षय'णाय च
nama'H kigMshilaaya' cha kshhaya'Naaya cha | 9.2
Salutations to Him, who is in the rocky uninhabitable and rugged tracts and in habitable places.
नमः' कपर्दिने' च पुलस्तये' च
nama'H kapardine' cha pulastaye' cha | 9.3
Salutations to Him, who binds His matted locks and wears them majestically like ak crown, and Him who ever stands before His devotees.
नमो गोष्ठ्या'य च गृह्या'य च
namo goshhThyaa'ya cha gRRihyaa'ya cha | 9.4
Salutations to Him, who lives in the stables and in the homes.
नमस्-तल्प्या'य च गेह्या'य च
namas-talpyaa'ya cha gehyaa'ya cha | 9.5
Salutations to Him, who reclines on cots and who lives in mansions.
नमः' काट्या'य च गह्वरेष्ठाय' च
nama'H kaaTyaa'ya cha gahvareshhThaaya' cha | 9.6
Salutations to Him, who lives in thorny impenetrable forest places and in accessible mountain caves.
नमो'' हृदय्या'य च निवेष्प्या'य च
namo' hRRidayyaa'ya cha niveshhpyaa'ya cha | 9.7
Salutations to Him, who is in deep waters and in the dew drops.
नमः' पाग्^म् सव्या'य च रजस्या'य च
nama'H paagM savyaa'ya cha rajasyaa'ya cha | 9.8
Salutations to Him, who is in the visible and invisible dust.
नमःशुष्क्या'य च हरित्या'य च
namaH shushhkyaa'ya cha harityaa'ya cha | 9.9
Salutations to Him, who is in dry things and green things.
नमो लोप्या'य चोलप्या'य च
namo lopyaa'ya cholapyaa'ya cha | 9.10
Salutations to Him, who exists in hard places which do not sustain even grace and who exists in the green pastures.
नम' ऊर्म्या'य च सूर्म्या'य च
nama' oormyaa'ya cha soormyaa'ya cha | 9.11
Salutations to Him, who is in the earth and in the fair waves.
नमः' पर्ण्याय च पर्णशद्या'य च
nama'H parNyaaya cha parNashadyaa'ya cha | 9.12
Salutations to Him, who is in the green leaves and the dried ones.
नमो'ऽपगुरमा'णाय चाभिघ्नते च
namo' apaguramaa'Naaya chaabhighnate cha | 9.13
Salutations to the Rudraganas, who have their weapons uplifted and who strike from the front.
नम' आख्खिदते च प्रख्खिदते च
nama' aakhkhidate cha prakhkhidate cha | 9.14
Salutations to the Rudraganas, who afflict slightly and also grievously.
नमो' वः किरिकेभ्यो' देवानागं हृद'येभ्यो
namo' vaH kirikebhyo' devaanaagM hRRida'yebhyo | 9.15
Salutations to Him, who showers wealth and who dwells in the hearts of the Gods.
नमो' विक्षीणकेभ्यो नमो' विचिन्वत्-केभ्यो
namo' vikshheeNakebhyo namo' vichinvat-kebhyo | 9.16
Salutations to You, who are not liable to decay. Salutations to You, who searches and examines the good and bad that each one does.
नम' आनिर् हतेभ्यो नम' आमीवत्-केभ्यः'
nama' aanir hatebhyo nama' aameevat-kebhya'H | 9.17
Salutations to them, who have rooted out sin utterly. Salutations to them, who have assumed a gross form and stand in the material shape of the universe.
ANUVAKA 10
द्रापे अन्ध'सस्पते दरि'द्रन्-नील'लोहित | एषां पुरु'षाणामेषां प'शूनां मा भेर्माऽरो मो ए'षां किंचनाम'मत् |
draape andha'saspate dari'dran-neela'lohita | eshhaaM puru'shhaaNaameshhaaM pa'shoonaaM maa bhermaa.aro mo e'shhaaM kiMchanaama'mat | 10.1
You who makes people lead contemplative lives, God and dispenser of food. You are dark in the neck and blue elsewhere. Please do not give fear to these beings. Please let us not perish or fall ill.
या ते' रुद्र शिवा तनूः शिवा विश्वाह'भेषजी | शिवा रुद्रस्य' भेषजी तया' नो मृड जीवसे'' |
yaa te' rudra shivaa tanooH shivaa vishvaaha'bheshhajee | shivaa rudrasya' bheshhajee tayaa' no mRRiDa jeevase'' | 10.2
Oh Rudra! By that form of yours which is peaceful and auspicious, as the solution for human ills, as the one with the knowledge and illumination. Please bless us with that form, and make us lead a full and happy life.
इमाग्^म् रुद्राय' तवसे' कपर्दिने'' क्षयद्वी'राय प्रभ'रामहे मतिं | यथा' नःशमस'द् द्विपदे चतु'ष्पदे विश्वं' पुष्टं ग्रामे' अस्मिन्नना'तुरं |
imaagM rudraaya' tavase' kapardine'' kshhayadvee'raaya prabha'raamahe matiM | yathaa' naH shamasa'd dvipade chatu'shhpade vishva'M pushhTaM graame' asminnanaa'turaM | 10.3
May we foster and cherish this attitude of mind towards Rudra, the strong one with the matted locks. Opposing whom even his enemies are defeated and meet their doom. May we adopt a mental inclination which results in Rudra maintaining friendship with our human relations and our wealth and health.
मृडा नो' रुद्रोत नो मय'स्कृधि क्षयद्वी'राय नम'सा विधेम ते | यच्छं च योश्चमनु'रायजे पिता तद'श्याम तव' रुद्र प्रणी'तौ |
mRRiDaa no' rudrota no maya'skRRidhi kshhayadvee'raaya nama'saa vidhema te | yachChaM cha yoshcha manu'raayaje pitaa tada'shyaama tava' rudra praNee'tau | 10.4
Confer on us happiness in this world, and in the next. You, who has destroyed our sins, we shall serve and worship you by our salutations. That freedom from sorrow, which our progenitor sought for and the happiness which he obtained, shall we also taste it, if You are inclined and gracious to us.
मा नो' महान्त'मुत मा नो' अर्भकं मा न उक्ष'न्तमुत मा न' उक्षितं | मा नो'ऽवधीः पितरं मोत मातरं' प्रिया मा न'स्तनुवो' रुद्र रीरिषः |
maa no' mahaanta'muta maa no' arbhakaM maa na ukshha'ntamuta maa na' ukshhitaM maa no'.avadheeH pitaraM mota maatara'M priyaa maa na'stanuvo' rudra reerishhaH | 10.5
Do not afflict troubles to the elders in our midst, nor the tender children, nor the youth, nor the children in the womb, nor the father or mother, nor those near and dear to us.
मा न'स्तोके तन'ये मा न आयु'षि मा नो गोषु मा नो अश्वे'षु रीरिषः | वीरान्मा नो' रुद्र भामितोऽव'धीर्-हविष्म'न्तो नम'सा विधेम ते |
maa na'stoke tana'ye maa na aayu'shhi maa no goshhu maa no ashve'shhu reerishhaH | veeraanmaa no' rudra bhaamito.ava'dheer-havishhma'nto nama'saa vidhema te | 10.6
Do not cause sorrow to our children, our cattle and horses, our warriors. We make offerings into the sacred fire; we offer salutations to You.
आरात्ते' गोघ्न उत पू'रुषघ्ने क्षयद्वी'राय सुम्-नमस्मे ते' अस्तु | रक्षा' च नो अधि' च देव ब्रूह्यथा' च नः शर्म' यच्छ द्विबर्हा''ः |
aaraatte' goghna uta poo'rushhaghne kshhayadvee'raaya sum-namasme te' astu | rakshhaa' cha no adhi' cha deva broohyathaa' cha naH sharma' yachCha dvibarhaa''H | 10.7
Let that terrible form of yours be far away from us, that which afflicts all beings. Let that form which confers happiness be near to us. Protect us. You, who increases the happiness of all worlds, please bestow happiness upon us.
स्तुहि श्रुतं ग'र्तसदं युवा'नं मृगन्न भीममु'पहन्तुमुग्रम् | मृडा ज'रित्रे रु'द्र स्तवा'नो अन्यन्ते' अस्मन्निव'पन्तु सेना''ः |
stuhi shrutaM ga'rtasadaM yuvaa'naM mRRiganna bheemamu'pahantumugram | mRRiDaa ja'ritre ru'dra stavaa'no anyante' asmanniva'pantu senaa''H | 10.8
I praise You, the famous one, seated in the heart, the ever-youthful, terrible like the lion, fierce for the purpose of dissolution. Rudra, having been praised by us, help us overcome our enemies.
परि'णो रुद्रस्य' हेतिर्-वृ'णक्तु परि' त्वेषस्य' दुर्मति र'घायोः | अव' स्थिरा मघव'द्-भ्यस्-तनुष्व मीढ्-व'स्तोकाय तन'याय मृडय |
pari'No rudrasya' hetir-vRRi'Naktu pari' tveshhasya' durmati ra'ghaayoH | ava' sthiraa maghava'd-bhyas-tanushhva meeDh-va'stokaaya tana'yaaya mRRiDaya | 10.9
Let the weapon of Rudra move away from us. Let the fearful form of Rudra blazing with just anger depart from us. Shower us with blessings. Your purpose and your shaft are ever unerring, loosen them in regard to us. We, who approach you with sacrifices and prayers. Make our progeny happy.
मीढु'ष्टम शिव'मत शिवो नः' सुमना' भव | परमे वृक्ष आयु'धन्निधाय कृत्तिं वसा'न आच'र पिना'कंबिभ्रदाग'हि |
meeDhu'shhTama shiva'mata shivo na'H sumanaa' bhava | parame vRRikshha aayu'dhannidhaaya kRRittiM vasaa'na aacha'ra pinaa'kaM bibhradaaga'hi | 10.10
Rudra, the greatest among all who grant wishes. Be auspicious and beneficent and bear goodwill to us. Place your weapons on a distant tree. Approach us wearing your hide of tiger. Come bearing your Pinaka bow.
विकि'रिद विलो'हित नम'स्ते अस्तु भगवः | यास्ते' सहस्रगं' हेतयोन्यमस्मन्-निवपन्तु ताः |
viki'rida vilo'hita nama'ste astu bhagavaH | yaaste' sahasrag'M hetayonyamasman-nivapantu taaH | 10.11
Oh God of wealth, white one, Bhagwan. Salutations to You. Let your thousands of weapons not attack us.
सहस्रा'णि सहस्रधा बा'हुवोस्तव' हेतयः' | तासामीशा'नो भगवः पराचीना मुखा' कृधि |
sahasraa'Ni sahasradhaa baa'huvostava' hetaya'H | taasaameeshaa'no bhagavaH paraacheenaa mukhaa' kRRidhi 10.12
In your arms exist thousands of kinds of weapons. Bhagwan, the master of all the weapons, turn their hurtful faces away from us.
ANUVAKA 11
सहस्रा'णि सहस्रशो ये रुद्रा अधि भूम्या''म्
sahasraa'Ni sahasrasho ye rudraa adhi bhoomyaa''m | 11.1
Those Rudras who live on the face of the earth in thousands of varieties.
तेषागं' सहस्रयोजनेऽवधन्वा'नि तन्मसि
sahasraa'Ni sahasrasho ye rudraa adhi bhoomyaa''m | teshhaag'M sahasrayojane.avadhanvaa'ni tanmasi | 11.2
We shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened, and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
अस्मिन्-म'हत्-य'र्णवे''ऽन्तरि'क्षे भवा अधि'
asmin-ma'hat-ya'rNave''.antari'kshhe bhavaa adhi' | 11.3
Those Rudras who dwell in the sublime ocean and the space between sky and earth, we shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
नील'ग्रीवाः शितिकण्ठा''ः शर्वा अधः, क्ष'माचराः
neela'greevaaH shitikaNThaa''H sharvaa adhaH, kshha'maacharaaH | 11.4
The Rudraganas, the blue-throated, where the Kalakuta poison rested; and white-throated. Those Rudras who dwell below the earth, we shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
नील'ग्रीवाः शितिकण्ठा दिवगं' रुद्रा उप'श्रिताः
neela'greevaaH shitikaNThaa divag'M rudraa upa'shritaaH | 11.5
Those Rudraganas, the blue-throated and white-throated. Those Rudras who dwell in the heavens, we shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
ये वृक्षेषु' सस्पिञ्ज'रा नील'ग्रीवाविलो'हिताः
ye vRRikshheshhu' saspiMja'raa neela'greevaa vilo'hitaaH | 11.6
Those who are red in color, who live in trees, we shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
ये भूतानाम्-अधि'पतयो विशिखासः' कपर्दि'नः
ye bhootaanaam-adhi'patayo vishikhaasa'H kapardi'naH | 11.7
Those Rudras who are soldiers and captains of soldiers, we shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
ये अन्ने'षु विविध्य'न्ति पात्रे'षु पिब'तो जनान्'
ye anne'shhu vividhya'nti paatre'shhu piba'to janaan' | 11.8
Those Rudras who take food and liquid, those who trouble others, we shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
ये पथां प'थिरक्ष'य ऐलबृदा' यव्युधः'
ye pathaaM pa'thirakshha'ya ailabRRidaa' yavyudha'H | 11.9
Those Rudras who are he protectors of the pathways, the givers of food, who fight with enemies, we shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
ये तीर्थानि' प्रचर'न्ति सृकाव'न्तो निषङ्गिणः'
ye teerthaani' prachara'nti sRRikaava'nto nishhaMgiNa'H | 11.10
Those Rudras, who haunt the sacred places, wearing short daggers and long swords, we shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
य एताव'न्तश्च भूयागं'सश्च दिशो' रुद्रा वि'तस्थिरे
ya etaava'ntashcha bhooyaag'Msashcha disho' rudraa vi'tasthire | 11.11
Those Rudras so far mentioned, and over and above them, who have entered the quarters and occupied them, we shall cause the strings of their bows to be loosened and the bows themselves to be deposited far away from us.
तेषागं' सहस्रयोजनेऽवधन्वा'नि तन्मसि
teshhaag'M sahasrayojane.avadhanvaa'ni tanmasi | 11.12
Those Rudras who are on this earth, I bow to them with my speech.
नमो' रुध्रेभ्यो ये पृ'थिव्यां ये''ऽन्तरि'क्षे ये दिवि येषामन्नं वातो' वर्-षमिष'वस्-तेभ्यो दश प्राचीर्दश' दक्षिणा दश' प्रतीचीर्-दशो-दी'चीर्-दशोर्ध्वास्-तेभ्यो नमस्ते नो' मृडयन्तु ते यं द्विष्मो यश्च' नो द्वेष्टि तं वो जम्भे' दधामि
namo' rudhrebhyo ye pRRi'thivyaaM ye''.antari'kshhe ye divi yeshhaamannaM vaato' var-shhamishha'vas-tebhyo dasha praacheerdasha' dakshhiNaa dasha' prateecheer-dasho-dee'cheer-dashordhvaas-tebhyo namaste no' mRRiDayantu te yaM dvishhmo yashcha' no dveshhTi taM vo jambhe' dadhaami | 11.13
Those Rudras who dwell in the middle region between heaven and earth, with my hands joined, I bow to them with my body facing east, south, west, north, and upwards. I bow to them with my mind. Salutations to them. May they render me happy. They whom we hate, and they who hate us, I deliver to them. Those Rudras who dwell in heaven, salutations to them.
त्र्यं'बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पु'ष्टिवर्ध'नं
उर्वारुकमि'व बन्ध'नान्-मृत्यो'र्-मुक्षीय माऽमृता''त्
trya'MbakaM yajaamahe sugandhiM pu'shhTivardha'naM
urvaarukami'va baMdha'naan-mRRityo'r-mukshheeya maa.amRRitaa''t
Salutations to Him who has three eyes, who has divine fragrance, who increases the nourishment of His devotees. We pray to help move us away from the bonds of Samsara (the world), similar to that of a cucumber from its stalk. Help us be liberated from attachment and put us on the path of enlightenment.
यो रुद्रो अग्नौ यो अप्सु य ओष'धीषु यो रुद्रो विश्वा भुव'ना विवेश तस्मै' रुद्राय नमो' अस्तु
yo rudro agnau yo apsu ya oshha'dheeshhu yo rudro vishvaa bhuva'naa vivesha tasmai' rudraaya namo' astu |
That Rudra who has even entered into and pervaded fire, waters, vegetation, and all the worlds, my salutations.
तमु' ष्टुहि यः स्विषुः सुधन्वा यो विश्व'स्य क्षय'ति भेषजस्य'
यक्ष्वा''महे सौ''मनसाय' रुद्रं नमो''भिर्-देवमसु'रं दुवस्य
tamu' shhTuhi yaH svishhuH sudhanvaa yo vishva'sya kshhaya'ti bheshhajasya'
yakshhvaa''mahe sau''manasaaya' rudraM namo''bhir-devamasu'raM duvasya
He who holds a beautiful and powerful shaft and a strong bow, He who is the source and repository of all medicine, praise Him alone. To gain the favor and goodwill of that supreme Rudra. Let us worship Him, honor and adore Him by salutations.
अयं मे हस्तो भग'वानयं मे भग'वत्तरः
अयं मे'' विश्वभे''षजोऽयग्^म् शिवाभि'मर्शनः
ayaM me hasto bhaga'vaanayaM me bhaga'vattaraH
ayaM me'' vishvabhe''shhajo.ayagM shivaabhi'marshanaH
(Due to contact with the Linga) This hand of mine is fortunate. This hand has a blessing touch.
ये ते' सहस्र'मयुतं पाशा मृत्यो मर्त्या'य हन्त'वे
तान् यज्ञस्य' मायया सर्वानव' यजामहे
ye te' sahasra'mayutaM paashaa mRRityo martyaa'ya hanta've
taan yagnyasya' maayayaa sarvaanava' yajaamahe
Oh death in the form of Rudra, who destroys with hundreds of knots, I worship you with this yajna for protection.
मृत्यवे स्वाहा' मृत्यवे स्वाहा''
mRRityave svaahaa' mRRityave svaahaa''
I offer this sacred food offering in sacrifice to Rudra, the destroyer.
प्राणानां ग्रन्थिरसि रुद्रो मा' विशान्तकः
तेनान्नेना''प्यायस्व
praaNaanaaM granthirasi rudro maa' vishaantakaH
tenaannenaa''pyaayasva
Rudra, you are the knot of prana and the ender of people.
ॐ नमो भगवते रुद्राय विष्णवे मृत्यु'र्मे पाहि
oM namo bhagavate rudraaya vishhNave mRRityu'rme paahi
Salutations to Rudra and Vishnu, may you always protect me.
सदाशिवों
sadaashivoM
ॐ शांतिः शांतिः शान्तिः'
oM shaaMtiH shaaMtiH shaaMti'H
ABOUT Sri Rudram:
About:
From the very ancient times, Shiva has been extolled by the splendid ‘Shatarudriyam’ hymn which is so called because it has over a 100 (‘shata’) names of Shiva (‘Rudra’) and because it occurs in all the 100 branches of the Yajurveda. Today, the most popular branches from which this hymn is sung are the Mādhyandina branch with 63 mantras in its 16th chapter, and the Taittirīya branch comprising of 11 Anuvākas or sections. The chanting of the Shatarudriyam or Rudram is done collectively by the community by whosoever knows it.
At HSMN, the Shaturudriyam, or Sri Rudram, from the Taittriya branch is chanted:
It is divided into 11 anuvakas (passages)
It celebrates Siva’s form as the all-pervading, at times terrible, the form at the time of dissolution and destruction
‘Rudra’ meaning: mighty, large, dreadful, fit to be praised, terrific
Significance:
Sri Rudram is chanted for the perspective that God is present in this world as both good and bad, beautiful and ugly, right and wrong, positive and negative, high and low, existent and non-existent. God (as Siva/Rudra) is imminent in every particle of creation and unit of time.
Chanting the Rudram helps purify one’s self. It helps gain the understanding of both worldly pleasures and ultimate liberation.
Summary:
Anuvāka 1: For beseeching the destruction of sins, Rudra is prayed to turn away his fierce appearance and to keep his followers’ weapons at bay. Having been pacified, Rudra is requested to destroy the sins of those for whom it is being chanted.
Anuvāka 2: As a cosmic vision, Rudra is prayed to as one who pervades the earth and as the green foliage and heritage of medicinal herbs. He is also asked to loosen the bonds of worldly illusion.
Anuvāka 3: Rudra is described as the prince of thieves and cheats. Rudra is the God not only of the pleasant and praiseworthy things like the sun, the moon and the stars, the green trees and the grassy earth, but of the shocking and the terrible as well. He is the in-dweller of every being. He is the Self of all, whatever shape or form exists, He too exists in that shape and form. In this context, we who are unenlightened have stolen the immortal status of the Self and replaced it with our own limited conception of ego. And in turn, it is Rudra who will come and steal our ignorance from us, restoring us to our natural status of enlightenment.
Anuvāka 4: Rudra is described as the creator and worker of all kinds. He is the cause of both the significant and the minor.
Anuvāka 5: Rudra’s existence in running water is praised and his five activities are described: creation of the Universe, preservation of the Universe, destruction of the Universe at the time of dissolution of the world, bondage in ignore ignorance, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Anuvāka 6: Gives perspective to Rudra’s connection with the concepts of time and age, with four kinds of birth, with different kinds of worlds, with Vedas and Vedanta, and the warrior aspect of Him and His army.
Anuvāka 7: Rudra’s all-pervading presence in waters, rains, clouds, storms and His various other forms are described.
Anuvāka 8: Focal piece of the Śrī Rudram: It declares that God’s real nature is Omkara, the sacred symbol om which represents God, and which is the surest means for attaining Him.
Anuvāka 9: The strength and power of His attendants, Rudra Gaṇas, is celebrated who are the manifestations of the great power and glories of the one supreme God Himself and who illumine the Gods and the world and control the forces of the Universe.
Anuvāka 10: Repeats the same ideas, words and phrases of the first anuvāka, but this time with a great difference. The earlier was in sheer terror, but this one is with assurance, for Rudra and his Gaṇas have been beheld and understood for what they are. Rudra is thus prayed to shed his fury and shower his benevolence by displaying his bow without arrows and to gracefully appear with his tiger skin on his body with pleasing countenance ready to shower boons upon his devotees.
Anuvāka 11: The countless Rudra Gaṇas are praised and His benevolence is invoked with unconditional salutations.
External References:
Rao, Sheshagii and Kapil Kapoor (eds.). 2011. Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 6, pp. 417-418. Rupa & Co.: New Delhi
Sri Sri Rangapriya Swami. 2015. Yogic and Vedic Heritage Festivals of India. Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana: Bengaluru
Swami Harshananda. 2008. A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, volume II. Ramakrishna Math: Bangalore
15 Hindu Festivals, published by The Himalayan Academy, Kauai (Hawaii, USA) www.hindu.org
Nivaran Mehta. 2017. Vrata-Kathaamritam (in Hindi). Eastern Book Linkers: New Delhi
Sadhu Mukundcharandas. 2010. Hindu Festivals. Swaminarayan Aksharpith: Ahmedabad
World Hindu Council of America. 2017. Hindu Vrat & Upavas. Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference.
https://www.hinduismtoday.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/guidelines-for-fasting/11454.html
http://www.vedaunion.org/static/pdf/Sri-Rudram-Exposition-EN.pdf
https://shaivam.org/scripture/English-Translation/1431/rudram-english-translation
http://aumamen.com/stotra/om-namaste-astu-bhagavan-shiva-stotram
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