महिम्नः पारं ते, परमविदुषो यज्ञसदृशी
स्तुतिर्ब्रह्मादीना मपि तदवसन्नास्त्वयि गिरः ।
अथावाच्यः सर्वः स्वमतिपरिणामधि गृणन्
ममाप्येषः स्तोत्रे हर निरपवादः परिकरः ॥१॥
O, Lord Shiva, remover of all types of miseries, what wonder is there, if
The prayer to you, chanted by one who is ignorant about your greatness, is
Worthless! Because, even the utterance ( speech ) of Brahmaa and other gods
Is not able to fathom your merits ( ie, greatness )
Hence, if persons with
Very limited intellect ( and I am one of them ) try to offer you a prayer,
Their attempt deserve your special favour If it is so, I should not be an
Exception hence, (thinking like this ) I begin this prayer (1)
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अतीतः पंथानं तव च महिमा वाड् मनसयो
रतद्व्यावृत्यायं चकितमभिधत्ते श्रुतिरपि ।
स कस्य स्तोतव्यः कतिविधगुणः कस्य विषयः
पदे त्वर्वाचीने पतति न मनः कस्य न वचः ॥२॥
O, great god, so great is your majesty that it cannot be reached by speech
And mind Even the Vedas also, having become surprised, confirm your
Greatness by only saying `neti', `neti' (not this, not this) while
Describing you Who can praise this type of greatness of yours? With how
Many qualities is it composed? Whose subject of description can it be ? And
Yet even then whose mind and speech are not attached to your this new
Saguna form ? (2)
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मधुस्फीता वाचः परमममृतं निर्मितवत
स्तव ब्रह्मन्किं वा गपि सुरगुरोर्विस्मयपदम् ।
मम त्वेतां वाणीं गुणकथनपुण्येन भवतः
पुनामीत्यर्थेस्मिन् पुरमथनबुद्धिर्व्यवसिता ॥३॥
O, Paramaatmaa (greatest Soul), as you are the very creator of speech of
The Vedas, which is like highest type of nectar and as sweet as honey, how
Can even the speech of Brahaspati (guru, or spiritual guide of gods)
Surprise you ? (ie, the speech of even Brahaspati is worthless before you)
O, destroyer of three Cities of the demons, thinking that my speech may
Become purified by this act, my intellect (Buddhi) has become prepared to
Sing your greatness (3)
तवैश्चर्यें यत्तद् जगदुदयरक्षाप्रलयकृत
त्रयी वस्तु व्यस्तं तिसृषु गुणभिन्नासु तनुषु ।
अभव्यानामस्मिन् वरद रमणीयामरमणीं
विहंतुं व्योक्रोशीं विदधत इहै के जडधियः ॥४॥
O, giver of Boons, your greatness is the cause of creation, maintenance,
And destruction of the whole universe; this is supported by three Vedas
(ie, rigveda, yajurveda, and Saamaveda); it is distributed in the three
Qualities (ie, Satva, rajas and tamas) and three bodies (of Brahmaa, Vishhnu
And mahesha) Such is your greatness but certain stupid persons in this
World are trying to destroy it by slander, which may be delightful to them
But is really undelightful (4)
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किमिहः किंकायः स खलु किमुपायस्त्रिभुवनं
किमाधारो धाता सृजति किमुपादान इति च ।
अतकर्यैश्वर्येत्वय्यनवसरदुःस्थो हतधियः
कुतर्कोडयंकांश्चि न्मुखरयति मोहाय जगतः ॥५॥
If the Paramaatmaa (the greatest Soul) creates the three worlds (ie, the
Whole universe), what is his gesture ? What is his body ? What is his plan
? What is his basis (support)? What are his means (instruments,resources) ?
These are the useless questions raised by some stupid critics, in order to
Mislead people, against one (ie, you) who always remains incompatible to
Senses (5)
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अजन्मानो लोकाः किमवयवंवतोडपि जगता
मधिष्ठातारं किं भवविधिरनादत्य भवति ।
अनीशो वा कुर्याद भुवनजनने कः परिकरो
यतो मंदास्त्वां प्रत्यमरवर संशेरत इमे ॥६॥
O, Best Of the gods, are the seven Lokas (It is believed that there are
Seven worlds in this universe, namely, Bhooloka, Bhuvarloka, Svargaloka,
Maharloka, Janaloka, tapaloka, and Satyaloka) unborn ? Was the birth of
The universe independent of its Lord (ie, you) ? If it was so, then what
Were the means by which it was created that the stupid critics are creating
Doubts about you? (ie, you are the only creater of the whole
Universe) (6)
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त्रयी सांख्यं योगः पशुपतिमतं वैष्णवमिति
प्रभिन्ने प्रस्थाने परमिदमदः पथ्यमिति च ।
रुचीनां वैचित्र्या दजुकुटिलनानापथजुषां
नृणामेको गम्य स्त्वमसि पयमामर्णव इव ॥७॥
The different practices based on the three Vedas, Samkhya, yoga,
Pashupata-mata, Vaishhnava-mata etc are but different paths (to
Reach to the greatest truth) and people on account of their different
Aptitude choose from them whatever they think best and deserved to be
Accepted But as the sea is the final resting place for all types of
Streams , you are the only reaching place for all people whichever
Path,straight or zigzag, they may accept (7)
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महोक्षः खड्वांगं परशुरजिनं भस्म फणिनः
कपालं चेतीय त्तव वरद तंत्रोपकरणम् ।
सुरास्तां तामृद्धिं दधति तु भव द्भ्रूप्रणिहितां
नहि स्वात्मारामं विषयमृगतृष्णा भ्रमयति ॥८॥
O, giver of the Boons, the bull, the parts of a cot, chisel, the
Elephant-skin, ashes, the serpent, the skull : these are the articles of
Your house-hold and yet gods get all their riches merely by the movement
Of your eye-brows really, false desires for worldly things do not deceive (
Mislead ) one who is always is absorbed in his soul ( ie, the yogi- in fact
You) (8)
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ध्रुवं कश्चित्सर्वं सकलमपरस्त्वद्ध्रुवमिदं
परो ध्रोव्याध्रोव्ये जगति गदति व्यस्तविषये ।
समस्तेडप्येतस्मि न्पुरमथन तैर्विस्मित इव
स्तुवंजिह्रेमि त्वां न खलु ननु धृष्टा मुखरता ॥९॥
O, destroyer Of ( three ) Cities, some persons call this universe eternal
( ever lasting), others call it temporary, and yet others call it both
Eternal and temporary hence, being surprised ( perplexed ) by these
Contradictory opinions on this subject, I am really becoming immodest in
Loquaciously praising you (9)
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तवैश्वर्यं यत्ना द्यदुपरि विरिंचिर्हरिरधः
परिच्छेतुं याता वनलमनलस्कंधवपुषः ।
ततो भक्तिश्रद्धा भरगुरुगृणद्भ्यां गिरिश यत्
स्वयं तस्थे ताभ्यां तव किमनुवृत्तिने फलति ॥१०॥
Brahma and Vishhnu wanted to measure your wealth iegreatness you took
The form of Fire and your whole body was a column of fire extending over
Space While Brahma took the form of a swan and flew high to see the
Top(head), Vishhnu took the form of a boar and dug up downwards to see the
Bottom (feet)neither could succeed(While Vishhnu confessed the truth,
Brahma falsely claimed that he had found the top and persuaded the Ketaki
Flower to bear false witnessshiva punished Brahma by removing one of his 5
Heads and ordered that henceforth the Ketaki flower should not be used for
His worship)When ultimately both praised you with full devotion and faith,
You stood before them revealing your normal form O, mountain-dweller, does
Not toeing your line always bear fruit? (10)
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अयत्नादापाद्य त्रिभुवनमवैरव्यतिकरं
दशास्यो यद्बाहू नभृन रणकंडुपरवशान् ।
शिरःपद्मश्रेणी रचितचरणांभोरुहबलेः
स्थिरायास्त्वद्भक्ते स्त्रिपुरहर विस्फूर्जितमिदम् ॥११॥
Oh,destroyer of the three cities! The effortless achievement of the
Ten-headed ravana in making the three worlds enemyless( having conquered)
And his arrant eagerness for further fight by stretching his arms,are but
The result of his constant devotion to your lotus feet at which he ever
Laid the lotus garland consisting of his 10 heads! (11)
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अमुष्य त्वत्सेवा समधिगतसारं भुजवनं
बलात्कैलासेडपि त्वदधिवसतौ विक्रमयतः ।
अलभ्यापाताले डप्यलसचलितांगुष्ठशिरसि
प्रतिष्ठा प्रत्वय्या सीद्ध्रुवमुपचितो मुह्यति खलः ॥१२॥
Having obtained all his prowess through worshipping you, ravana once dared
To test the power of his arms at your own dwelling place(Kailas
Mountain) When he tried to lift it up, you just moved a toe of your foot
On a head of his and lo! Ravana could not find rest or peace even in the
Nether-world Surely, power maddens the wicked Finally ravana
Reestablished his faith in you (12)
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यदद्धिं सुत्राम्णो वरद परमोच्चैरपि सती
मधश्चक्रे बाणः परिजनविधेयस्त्रिभुवनः ।
न तच्चित्रं तस्मिंन्वरिवसितरि त्वच्चरणयो
र्न कस्याप्युन्नत्यै भवति शिरसस्त्वय्यवनतिः ॥१३॥
Oh boon-giver! Baana, the demon king made all the three worlds serve him
With all their attendants and even the greatest wealth of Indra was a
Trifle for him It was not a surprise at all, since he `dwelt' in your
Feet; who does not rise in life by bowing his head to you? (13)
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अकाण्डब्रह्माण्डक्षयचकितदेवासुरकृपा
विधेयस्यासीद्यस्त्रिनयविषं संह्रतवतः ।
स कल्माषः कण्ठे तव न कुरुते न श्रियमहो
विकारोडपि श्लाध्यो भुवनभयभंगव्यसनिनः ॥१४॥
When the ocean was being churned by the gods and demons for
`amrith'(nectar),various objects came forth: at one point, there emerged
The `kalakuta' poison which threatened to consume everything the gods as
Well as the demons were stunned at the prospect of the entire universe
Coming to an end, O, three-eyed lord, who is ever compassionate and engaged
In removing the fear of the world, you took it(poison) on yourself by
Consuming it (On Parvati's holding Shiva's throat at that point, the
Poison froze blue there itself and Shiva became `neelakantha') It is
Strange that this stain in your neck, though appearing to be a deformity,
Actually adds to your richness and personality (14)
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असिद्धार्था नैव कवचिदपि सदेवासुरनरे
निवर्तन्ते नित्यं जगति जयिनो यस्य विशिखाः ।
स पश्यन्नीश त्वामितरसरुरसाधारणमभूत्
स्मरः स्मर्तव्यात्मा नहि वशिषु पथ्यः परिभवः ॥१५॥
The cupid's(love-god `manmatha's) (flower) arrows never return
Unaccomplished whether the victims were gods or demons or men however O,
Master! He has now become just a remembered soul (without body),since he
Looked upon you as any other ordinary god, shot his arrow and got burnt to
Ashes,in no time Insulting, masters (who have controlled their senses),
Does one no good (15)
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मही पादाधाताद् व्रजति सहसा संशयपदं
पदं विष्णोर्भ्राम्यद्भुजपरिघरुग्णग्रहगणम् ।
मुहुद्यौंर्दोस्थ्यं यात्यनिभृतजटाताडिततटा
जगद्रक्षायै त्वं नटसि ननु वामैव विभुता ॥१६॥
You dance for protecting the world, but strangely, your glorious act
Appears to produce the opposite result in that the earth suddenly struck by
Your dancing feet doubts that it is coming to an end; even Vishhnu's domain
Is shaken in fear when your mace like arms bruise the planets; the godly
Region feels miserable when its banks are struck by your agitated matted
Locks (of hair)! (16)
वियद्व्यापी तारागणगुणितफेनोद्गमरुचिः
प्रवाहो वारां यः पृषतलघुदष्टः शिरसि ते ।
जगद् द्वीपाकारं जलधिवलयं तेन कृतमि
त्यनेनैवोन्नेयं धृतमहिम दिव्यं तव वपुः ॥१७॥
The divine river flows extensively through the sky and its charm is
Enhanced by the illumination of the foam by the groups of stars (Brought
Down to the earth by the King Bhagiratha by propitiating Lord Shiva and
Known as ganga) it creates many islands and whirlpools on the earth the
Same turbulent river appears like a mere droplet of water on your head
This itself shows how lofty and divine your body(form) is! (17)
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रथः क्षोणी यन्ता शतधृतिरगेन्द्रो धनुरथो
रथाडगे चन्द्रार्कौ रथचरणपाणिः शर इति ।
दिधक्षोस्ते कोडयं त्रिपुरतृणमाडम्बरविधिर्
विधेयैः क्रीडन्त्यो न खलु परतन्त्राः प्रभुधियः ॥१८॥
When you wanted to burn the three cities, you had the earth as the chariot,
Brahma as the charioteer,the meru mountain as the bow, the sun and the moon
As the parts of the chariot and Vishhnu himself(who holds the
Chariot-wheeel in his hand -Sudarshan chakra?), as the arrow Why this
Demonstrative show when you as the dictator of everything, could have done
The job as a trifle? The Lord's greatness is not dependent on anybody or
Anything ( Incidentally there is a view that the burning of the three
Cities would refer to the burning of three kinds of bodies of man ie
`sthula sharira', `sukshma sharira' and `karana sharira') (18)
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हरिस्ते साहस्त्रं कमलबलिमाधाय पदयो
यदिकोने तस्मिन् निजमुदहरन्नेत्रकमलम् ।
गतो भकत्युद्रेकः परिणतिमसौ चक्रवपुषा
त्रयाणां रक्षायै त्रिपुरहर जागर्ति जगताम् ॥१९॥
Vishhnu once brought 1000 lotuses and was placing them at your feet;
After placing 999 flowers he found that one was missing; he plucked out one
Of his own eyes and offered it as a lotus; this supreme exemplification of
Devotion on his part was transformed into the wheel (sudarshana chakra) in
His hand, which he uses for protecting the world (19)
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क्रतौ सुप्ते जाग्रत्त्वमसि फलयोगे क्रतुमतां
क्व कर्म प्रध्वस्तं फलति पुरुषाराधनमृते ।
अतस्त्वां सम्प्रेक्ष्य क्रतुषु फलदानप्रतिभुवं
श्रुतौ श्रद्धां बद्ध्वा दटपरिकरः कर्मसु जनः ॥२०॥
You ensure that there is a connection between cause and effect and hence
When men perform a sacrifice they obtain good results Otherwise how can
There be future result for a past action? Thus on seeing your power in
Rewarding people performing sacrificial worship, with good results, men
Believe in Vedas and firmly engage themselves in various
Worshipful acts (20)
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क्रियादक्षो दक्षः क्रतुपतिरधीशस्तनुभृता
मृषीणामार्त्विज्यं शरणद सदस्याः सुरगणाः ।
क्रतुभ्रंषस्त्वत्तः क्रतुफलविधानव्यसनिनो
ध्रुवं कर्तुः श्रद्धाविधुरमभिचाराय हि मखाः ॥२१॥
All the same,O Protector though you exert to reward all sacrifices those
Done without faith in you become counter-productive, as exemplified in the
Case of the sacrifice performed by daksha; daksha was well-versed in the
Art of sacrifices and himself the Lord of Creation; besides, he was the
Chief performer: the great maharishis were the priests and the various gods
Were the participants! (daksha did not invite Shiva and insulted him
Greatly; thus enraged, Shiva destroyed the sacrifice and daksha
Too) (21)
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प्रजानाथं नाथ प्रसभमभिकं स्वां दुहितरं
गतं रोहिद्भूतां रिरमयिषुमृष्यस्य वपुषा ।
धनुष्पाणेर्यातं दिवमपि सपत्राकृतंममुं
त्रसन्तं तेडद्यापि त्यजति न मृगव्याधरभसः ॥२२॥
O, Protector! Once Brahma became infatuated with his own daughter When she
Fled taking the form of a female deer he also took the form of a male deer
And chased her you took the form of a hunter and went after him, with a
Bow in hand Struck by your arrow and very much frightened, Brahma fled to
The sky taking the form of a star Even today he stands frightened by
You (22)
स्वलावण्याशंसाधृतधनुषमह्नाय तृणवत्
पुरः प्लुष्टं दष्टवा पुरमथन पुष्पायुधमपि ।
यदि स्त्रैणं देवी यमनिरत देहार्धघटना
दवैति त्वामद्धा बत वरद मुग्धा युवतयः ॥२३॥
O, destroyer of the three cities! Boon-giver! Practitioner of austerities!
Before the very eyes of Parvati, you reduced manmatha (the god of love) to
Ashes,the moment he tried to arouse passion in you for Parvati, by
Shooting his famous flower arrows Even after witnessing this, if Parvati,
Thinks that you are attracted by her physical charm, on the basis of your
Sharing half the body with her, certainly women are under self-
Delusion (23)
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स्मशानेष्वाक्रीडा स्महर पिशाचाः सहचरा
श्चिताभस्मालेपः स्तगपि नृकरोटीपरिकरः ।
अमंगल्यं शीलं तव भवतु नामैवमखिलं
तथाडपि स्मर्तृणां वरद परमं मंगलमसि ॥२४॥
O,boon giver! O,destroyer of Cupid! You play in the burning ghats your
friends are the ghosts your body is smeared with the ashes of the dead
bodies your garland is of human skulls Every aspect of your character is
thus inauspicious Let it be It does not matter Because, with all these
known oddness, you are quick to grant all auspicious things to the people
who just think of you (It is interesting to note here that in his devi
aparaadha kshamapana stotra Shankaracharya says that,despite his poor and
deficient possessions,Shiva got the power to grant boons entirely because
of his having taken the hand of Parvathi in marriage; in the
previous shloka, Pushhpadanta calls it naive on the part of Parvati, if she
thinks that Shiva is attracted by her charm simply because he is sharing
half the body with herthis dichotomy etc is due to the custom that when a
particular lord is to be extolled, the other gods are to be belittled to
some extent) (24)
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मनः प्रत्यक्चित्ते सविधमवधायात्तमरुतः
प्रह्रष्यद्रोमाणः प्रमदसलिलोत्संगितदशः ।
यदालोक्याह्लादं ह्रद इव निमज्ज्यामृतमये
दद्यत्यंतस्तत्त्वं क्रिमपि यमिनस्तत्किल भवान् ॥२५॥
The great yogis regulate their breath, control and still their mind, look
inward and enjoy the bliss with their hair standing on edge and eyes filled
with tears of joy It looks as though they are immersed in nectar that
bliss which they see in their heart and exult thus, is verily
You yourself! (25)
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त्वमर्कस्त्वं सोमस्त्वमसि पवनस्त्वं हुतवह
स्त्वमापस्त्वं व्योम त्वमु धरणिरात्मा त्वमिति च ।
परिच्छिन्नामेवं त्वयिपरिणता बिभ्रतु गिरं
न विद्मस्तत्तत्वं वयमिह तु यत्त्वं न भवसि ॥२६॥
You are the sun, the moon, the air, the fire, the water, the
sky(ether/space), and the earth (the five elements or `bhuta's) you are
the Self which is omnipresent thus people describe in words every
attribute as yours On the other hand, I do not know any fundamental
principle or thing or substance, which you are not! (26)
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त्रयीं तिस्त्रो वृत्तीस्त्रिभुवनमथो त्रीनपि सुरा
नकाराद्यैर्वर्णै स्त्रिभिरभिदधत्तीर्ण विकृतिः ।
तुरीयं ते धाम ध्वनिभिरवरुन्धानमणुभिः
समस्तं व्यस्तं त्वां शरणद गृणात्योमिति पदम् ॥२७॥
O, grantor of refuge and protection! The word `Om' consists of the three
letters `a', `u' and `m' It refers to the three Vedas(rik, yajuh and
Sama), the three states (Jaagrath, Swapna, and sushhupti-awakened,
dreaming and sleeping),the three worlds(Bhuh, bhuvah and suvah) and the
three gods (Brahma, Vishhnu amd mahesha)It refers to you yourself both
through the individual letters as well as collectively; in the latter form
(ie the total word `Om') it refers to your omnipresent absolute nature,
as the fourth state of existence ie `turiyam' (sleep-like yet awakened and
alert state, as a fully- drawn bow) (27)
-----
भवः शर्वो रुद्रः पशुपतिरथोग्रः सहमहां
स्तथां भीमशानाविति यदभिधानाष्टकमिदम् ।
अमुष्मिन्प्रत्येकं प्रवितरति देव श्रुतिरपि
प्रियायास्मै धाम्ने प्रणिहितनमस्योडस्मि भवते ॥२८॥
I salute you as the dear abode of the following 8 names:bhava, sharva,
Rudra, pashupati, ugra, sahamahanh, bhiima, and Ishaana; the `Vedas' also
discusses individually about these names (28)
नमो नेदिष्ठाय प्रियदवदविष्ठाय च नमो
नमः क्षोदिष्ठाय स्मरहर महिष्ठाय च नमः ।
नमोवर्षिष्ठाय त्रिनयन यविष्ठा च नमः
नमः सर्वस्मै ते तदिदमितिशर्वाय च नमः ॥२९॥
O, destroyer of Cupid! O, the three-eyed one! Salutations to you, who is
the forest-lover, the nearest and the farthest; the minutest and the
biggest, the oldest and the youngest; salutations to you who is everything
and beyond everything! (29)
-----
बहलरजसे विश्वोत्पत्तौ भवाय नमो नमः
प्रबलतमसे तत्संहारे हराय नमो नमः ।
जनसुखकृते सत्त्वोद्रिक्तौ मृडाय नमो नमः
प्रमहसि पदे निस्त्रैगुण्ये शिवाय नमो नमः ॥३०॥
Salutations to you in the name of'bhava' in as much as you create the world by
taking the `rajas' as the dominant quality; salutations to you in the name
of `hara' in as much as you destroy the world by taking the `tamas' as the
dominant quality; salutations to you in the name of `mrida', in as much as
you maintain and protect the world by taking `satva' as the dominant
quality again salutations to you in the name of Shiva in as much as you are
beyond the above-mentioned three qualities and are the seat of the supreme
bliss (30)
-----
कृशपरिणति चेतः क्लेशवश्यं क्व चेदं
क्व च तव गुणसीमोल्लंधिनी शश्वद्रद्धिः
इति चकितममन्दीकृत्य मां भक्तिराधाद्
वरद चरणयोस्ते वाक्य-पुष्पोपहारम् ॥३१॥
O, boon-giver! I was very perplexed to sing your praise considering my
little awareness and afflicted mind vis-a-vis your ever increasing
limitless quality; however, my devotion to you made me set aside this
diffidence and place these floral lines at your feet (31)
असितगिरिसमंस्यात् कज्जलं सिंधुपात्रे
सुरतरुवरशाखा लेखिनी पत्रमुर्वि ।
लिखति यदि गृहीत्वा शारदा सर्वकालं
तदपि तव गुणाना मीश पारं न याति ॥३२॥
O, great master! Even, if one were to assume that the blue mountain , the
ocean, the heavenly tree and the earth are the ink,the ink-pot, the pen and
the paper respectively and the goddess of learning (Saraswati) herself is
the writer,she will not be able to reach the frontiers of your
greatness,however long she were to write! (32)
-----
असुरसुरमुनीन्द्रैरर्चितस्येन्दुमौले
र्ग्रथितगुणमहिम्नो निर्गुणस्येश्वरस्य ।
सकलगणवरिष्ठः पुष्पदन्ताभिधानो
रुचिरमलधुवृत्तैः स्तोत्रमेतच्चकार ॥३३॥
The best one among all groups(gandharva?), Pushhpadanta by name, composed
this charming hymn in none too short metres, in praise of the great lord
who wears the moon in his head(Shiva), who is worshipped and glorified by
all demons, gods and sages and who is beyond all attributes and
forms (33)
-----
अहरहरनवद्यं धूर्जटेः स्तोत्रमेतत्
पठति परमभक्त्या शुद्धचित्तः पुमान्यः ।
स भवति शिवलोके रुद्रतुल्यस्तथाडत्र
प्रचुरतरधनायुः पुत्रवान्कीर्तिमांश्च ॥३४॥
Whoever reads this faultless hymn of Shiva daily, with pure mind and great
devotion, ultimately reaches Shiva's domain and becomes equal to him; in
this world, he is endowed with children, great wealth,
long life and fame (34)
-----
महेशान्नापरो देवो महिम्नो नापरा स्तुतिः ।
अघोरान्नापरो मंत्रो नास्ति तत्त्वं गुरोः परम् ॥३५॥
There is no god higher than mahesha; there is no hymn better than this one
There is no `mantra' greater than `Om' and there is no truth or principle
beyond one's teacher/spiritual guide (35)
-----
दीक्षा दानं तपस्तीर्थं ज्ञानं यागादिकाः क्रियाः ।
महिम्नस्तवपाठस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम् ॥३६॥
Initiation(into spiritual development), charity, penance,
pilgrimage,spiritual knowledge and religious acts like sacrifices are not
capable of yielding even one-sixteenth of the return that will result from
the reading of this hymn (36)
कुसुमदशननामा सर्वगन्धर्वराजः
शिशुशशिधरमौलेर्देव देवस्य दासः ।
स खलु निजमहिम्नो भ्रष्ट एवास्य रोषात्
स्तवनमिदमकार्षीद् दिव्यदिव्यं महिम्नः ॥३७॥
Kusumadanta(equivalent of Pushhpadanta) was the king of all gandharvas and
he was a devotee of the Lord of lords, Shiva, who wears the baby moon (with
a few digits only) in his head he fell from his glorious position due to
Shiva's wrath at his misconduct It was then that the gandharva composed
this hymn which is the most divine (37)
-----
सुरवरमुनिपूज्यं स्वर्गमोक्षैकहेतुं
पठति यदि मनुष्यः प्रांजलिर्नान्यचेताः ।
व्रजति शिवसमीपं किन्नरैः स्तूयमानः
स्तवनमिदममोघं पुष्पदन्तप्रणीतम् ॥३८॥
If an aspirant for heaven and liberation, worships Shiva,the teacher of
Gods, at first and then reads this unfailing hymn, composed by
Pushhpadanta, with folded hands and single-mindedness, he attains Shiva's
abode, being praised by `kinnaras'(a group of semi-gods known for their
singing talent) (38)
-----
आसमाप्तमिदं स्तोत्रं पुण्यं गंधर्वभाषितम् ।
अनौपम्यं मनोहारिशिवमीश्वरवर्णनम् ॥३९॥
Here ends this meritorious,charming and incomparable hymn, uttered by the
Gandharva, all in description of the great master (39)
-----
इत्येषा वाडमयी पूजा श्रीमच्छंकरपादयोः ।
अर्पिता तेन देवेशः प्रीयतां मे सदाशिवः ॥४०॥
Thus, this worship in the form of words, is dedicated at the feet of Shri
Shankara; may the ever-auspicious lord of the gods be
pleased with this (40)
-----
तव तत्त्वं न जानामि कीद्शोडसि महेश्वर ।
याद्सोडसि महादेव ताद्शाय नमो नमः ॥४१॥
I do not know the truth of your nature and how you are O, great god! My
salutations are to that nature of yours of which you really are (41)
-----
एककालं द्विकालं वा त्रिकालं यः पठेन्नरः ।
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोके महीयते ॥४२॥
Whoever reads this once, twice or thrice (in a day) revels in the domain of
Shiva, bereft of all sins (42)
श्री पुष्पदंतमुखपंकजनिर्गतेन
स्तोत्रेंण किल्बिहरेण हरप्रियेण ।
कंठस्थितेन पठितेन समाहितेन
सुप्रीणितो भवति भूतपतिर्महेशः ॥४३॥
This hymn which is dear to Shiva, has emerged out of the lotus-like mouth
Of Pushhpadanta and is capable of removing all sins may the lord of all
Beings become greatly pleased with anyone who has learnt this by heart
and/or reads or recalls this with single-mindedness! (43)
Iti Sri Pushhpadanta virachitam Shiva Mahima stotram samaptam
पुरः प्लुष्टं दष्टवा पुरमथन पुष्पायुधमपि ।
यदि स्त्रैणं देवी यमनिरत देहार्धघटना
दवैति त्वामद्धा बत वरद मुग्धा युवतयः ॥२३॥
O, destroyer of the three cities! Boon-giver! Practitioner of austerities!
Before the very eyes of Parvati, you reduced manmatha (the god of love) to
Ashes,the moment he tried to arouse passion in you for Parvati, by
Shooting his famous flower arrows Even after witnessing this, if Parvati,
Thinks that you are attracted by her physical charm, on the basis of your
Sharing half the body with her, certainly women are under self-
Delusion (23)
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स्मशानेष्वाक्रीडा स्महर पिशाचाः सहचरा
श्चिताभस्मालेपः स्तगपि नृकरोटीपरिकरः ।
अमंगल्यं शीलं तव भवतु नामैवमखिलं
तथाडपि स्मर्तृणां वरद परमं मंगलमसि ॥२४॥
O,boon giver! O,destroyer of Cupid! You play in the burning ghats your
friends are the ghosts your body is smeared with the ashes of the dead
bodies your garland is of human skulls Every aspect of your character is
thus inauspicious Let it be It does not matter Because, with all these
known oddness, you are quick to grant all auspicious things to the people
who just think of you (It is interesting to note here that in his devi
aparaadha kshamapana stotra Shankaracharya says that,despite his poor and
deficient possessions,Shiva got the power to grant boons entirely because
of his having taken the hand of Parvathi in marriage; in the
previous shloka, Pushhpadanta calls it naive on the part of Parvati, if she
thinks that Shiva is attracted by her charm simply because he is sharing
half the body with herthis dichotomy etc is due to the custom that when a
particular lord is to be extolled, the other gods are to be belittled to
some extent) (24)
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मनः प्रत्यक्चित्ते सविधमवधायात्तमरुतः
प्रह्रष्यद्रोमाणः प्रमदसलिलोत्संगितदशः ।
यदालोक्याह्लादं ह्रद इव निमज्ज्यामृतमये
दद्यत्यंतस्तत्त्वं क्रिमपि यमिनस्तत्किल भवान् ॥२५॥
The great yogis regulate their breath, control and still their mind, look
inward and enjoy the bliss with their hair standing on edge and eyes filled
with tears of joy It looks as though they are immersed in nectar that
bliss which they see in their heart and exult thus, is verily
You yourself! (25)
-----
त्वमर्कस्त्वं सोमस्त्वमसि पवनस्त्वं हुतवह
स्त्वमापस्त्वं व्योम त्वमु धरणिरात्मा त्वमिति च ।
परिच्छिन्नामेवं त्वयिपरिणता बिभ्रतु गिरं
न विद्मस्तत्तत्वं वयमिह तु यत्त्वं न भवसि ॥२६॥
You are the sun, the moon, the air, the fire, the water, the
sky(ether/space), and the earth (the five elements or `bhuta's) you are
the Self which is omnipresent thus people describe in words every
attribute as yours On the other hand, I do not know any fundamental
principle or thing or substance, which you are not! (26)
-----
त्रयीं तिस्त्रो वृत्तीस्त्रिभुवनमथो त्रीनपि सुरा
नकाराद्यैर्वर्णै स्त्रिभिरभिदधत्तीर्ण विकृतिः ।
तुरीयं ते धाम ध्वनिभिरवरुन्धानमणुभिः
समस्तं व्यस्तं त्वां शरणद गृणात्योमिति पदम् ॥२७॥
O, grantor of refuge and protection! The word `Om' consists of the three
letters `a', `u' and `m' It refers to the three Vedas(rik, yajuh and
Sama), the three states (Jaagrath, Swapna, and sushhupti-awakened,
dreaming and sleeping),the three worlds(Bhuh, bhuvah and suvah) and the
three gods (Brahma, Vishhnu amd mahesha)It refers to you yourself both
through the individual letters as well as collectively; in the latter form
(ie the total word `Om') it refers to your omnipresent absolute nature,
as the fourth state of existence ie `turiyam' (sleep-like yet awakened and
alert state, as a fully- drawn bow) (27)
-----
भवः शर्वो रुद्रः पशुपतिरथोग्रः सहमहां
स्तथां भीमशानाविति यदभिधानाष्टकमिदम् ।
अमुष्मिन्प्रत्येकं प्रवितरति देव श्रुतिरपि
प्रियायास्मै धाम्ने प्रणिहितनमस्योडस्मि भवते ॥२८॥
I salute you as the dear abode of the following 8 names:bhava, sharva,
Rudra, pashupati, ugra, sahamahanh, bhiima, and Ishaana; the `Vedas' also
discusses individually about these names (28)
नमो नेदिष्ठाय प्रियदवदविष्ठाय च नमो
नमः क्षोदिष्ठाय स्मरहर महिष्ठाय च नमः ।
नमोवर्षिष्ठाय त्रिनयन यविष्ठा च नमः
नमः सर्वस्मै ते तदिदमितिशर्वाय च नमः ॥२९॥
O, destroyer of Cupid! O, the three-eyed one! Salutations to you, who is
the forest-lover, the nearest and the farthest; the minutest and the
biggest, the oldest and the youngest; salutations to you who is everything
and beyond everything! (29)
-----
बहलरजसे विश्वोत्पत्तौ भवाय नमो नमः
प्रबलतमसे तत्संहारे हराय नमो नमः ।
जनसुखकृते सत्त्वोद्रिक्तौ मृडाय नमो नमः
प्रमहसि पदे निस्त्रैगुण्ये शिवाय नमो नमः ॥३०॥
Salutations to you in the name of'bhava' in as much as you create the world by
taking the `rajas' as the dominant quality; salutations to you in the name
of `hara' in as much as you destroy the world by taking the `tamas' as the
dominant quality; salutations to you in the name of `mrida', in as much as
you maintain and protect the world by taking `satva' as the dominant
quality again salutations to you in the name of Shiva in as much as you are
beyond the above-mentioned three qualities and are the seat of the supreme
bliss (30)
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कृशपरिणति चेतः क्लेशवश्यं क्व चेदं
क्व च तव गुणसीमोल्लंधिनी शश्वद्रद्धिः
इति चकितममन्दीकृत्य मां भक्तिराधाद्
वरद चरणयोस्ते वाक्य-पुष्पोपहारम् ॥३१॥
O, boon-giver! I was very perplexed to sing your praise considering my
little awareness and afflicted mind vis-a-vis your ever increasing
limitless quality; however, my devotion to you made me set aside this
diffidence and place these floral lines at your feet (31)
असितगिरिसमंस्यात् कज्जलं सिंधुपात्रे
सुरतरुवरशाखा लेखिनी पत्रमुर्वि ।
लिखति यदि गृहीत्वा शारदा सर्वकालं
तदपि तव गुणाना मीश पारं न याति ॥३२॥
O, great master! Even, if one were to assume that the blue mountain , the
ocean, the heavenly tree and the earth are the ink,the ink-pot, the pen and
the paper respectively and the goddess of learning (Saraswati) herself is
the writer,she will not be able to reach the frontiers of your
greatness,however long she were to write! (32)
-----
असुरसुरमुनीन्द्रैरर्चितस्येन्दुमौले
र्ग्रथितगुणमहिम्नो निर्गुणस्येश्वरस्य ।
सकलगणवरिष्ठः पुष्पदन्ताभिधानो
रुचिरमलधुवृत्तैः स्तोत्रमेतच्चकार ॥३३॥
The best one among all groups(gandharva?), Pushhpadanta by name, composed
this charming hymn in none too short metres, in praise of the great lord
who wears the moon in his head(Shiva), who is worshipped and glorified by
all demons, gods and sages and who is beyond all attributes and
forms (33)
-----
अहरहरनवद्यं धूर्जटेः स्तोत्रमेतत्
पठति परमभक्त्या शुद्धचित्तः पुमान्यः ।
स भवति शिवलोके रुद्रतुल्यस्तथाडत्र
प्रचुरतरधनायुः पुत्रवान्कीर्तिमांश्च ॥३४॥
Whoever reads this faultless hymn of Shiva daily, with pure mind and great
devotion, ultimately reaches Shiva's domain and becomes equal to him; in
this world, he is endowed with children, great wealth,
long life and fame (34)
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महेशान्नापरो देवो महिम्नो नापरा स्तुतिः ।
अघोरान्नापरो मंत्रो नास्ति तत्त्वं गुरोः परम् ॥३५॥
There is no god higher than mahesha; there is no hymn better than this one
There is no `mantra' greater than `Om' and there is no truth or principle
beyond one's teacher/spiritual guide (35)
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दीक्षा दानं तपस्तीर्थं ज्ञानं यागादिकाः क्रियाः ।
महिम्नस्तवपाठस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम् ॥३६॥
Initiation(into spiritual development), charity, penance,
pilgrimage,spiritual knowledge and religious acts like sacrifices are not
capable of yielding even one-sixteenth of the return that will result from
the reading of this hymn (36)
कुसुमदशननामा सर्वगन्धर्वराजः
शिशुशशिधरमौलेर्देव देवस्य दासः ।
स खलु निजमहिम्नो भ्रष्ट एवास्य रोषात्
स्तवनमिदमकार्षीद् दिव्यदिव्यं महिम्नः ॥३७॥
Kusumadanta(equivalent of Pushhpadanta) was the king of all gandharvas and
he was a devotee of the Lord of lords, Shiva, who wears the baby moon (with
a few digits only) in his head he fell from his glorious position due to
Shiva's wrath at his misconduct It was then that the gandharva composed
this hymn which is the most divine (37)
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सुरवरमुनिपूज्यं स्वर्गमोक्षैकहेतुं
पठति यदि मनुष्यः प्रांजलिर्नान्यचेताः ।
व्रजति शिवसमीपं किन्नरैः स्तूयमानः
स्तवनमिदममोघं पुष्पदन्तप्रणीतम् ॥३८॥
If an aspirant for heaven and liberation, worships Shiva,the teacher of
Gods, at first and then reads this unfailing hymn, composed by
Pushhpadanta, with folded hands and single-mindedness, he attains Shiva's
abode, being praised by `kinnaras'(a group of semi-gods known for their
singing talent) (38)
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आसमाप्तमिदं स्तोत्रं पुण्यं गंधर्वभाषितम् ।
अनौपम्यं मनोहारिशिवमीश्वरवर्णनम् ॥३९॥
Here ends this meritorious,charming and incomparable hymn, uttered by the
Gandharva, all in description of the great master (39)
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इत्येषा वाडमयी पूजा श्रीमच्छंकरपादयोः ।
अर्पिता तेन देवेशः प्रीयतां मे सदाशिवः ॥४०॥
Thus, this worship in the form of words, is dedicated at the feet of Shri
Shankara; may the ever-auspicious lord of the gods be
pleased with this (40)
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तव तत्त्वं न जानामि कीद्शोडसि महेश्वर ।
याद्सोडसि महादेव ताद्शाय नमो नमः ॥४१॥
I do not know the truth of your nature and how you are O, great god! My
salutations are to that nature of yours of which you really are (41)
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एककालं द्विकालं वा त्रिकालं यः पठेन्नरः ।
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोके महीयते ॥४२॥
Whoever reads this once, twice or thrice (in a day) revels in the domain of
Shiva, bereft of all sins (42)
श्री पुष्पदंतमुखपंकजनिर्गतेन
स्तोत्रेंण किल्बिहरेण हरप्रियेण ।
कंठस्थितेन पठितेन समाहितेन
सुप्रीणितो भवति भूतपतिर्महेशः ॥४३॥
This hymn which is dear to Shiva, has emerged out of the lotus-like mouth
Of Pushhpadanta and is capable of removing all sins may the lord of all
Beings become greatly pleased with anyone who has learnt this by heart
and/or reads or recalls this with single-mindedness! (43)
Iti Sri Pushhpadanta virachitam Shiva Mahima stotram samaptam
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