Shri Shiva Mahimna Stotram

Verse 1

Mahimnaḥ Pāraṃ Te Param-Viduṣo Yady-Asadṛśī
Stutir-Brahmādīnām-Api Tad-Avasannāḥ Tvayi Giraḥ ।
Athā'vācyaḥ Sarvaḥ Sva-Mati-Parīṇāmā-Vadhi Gṛṇan
Mamāpy-Eṣa Stotre Hara Nirapavādaḥ Parikaraḥ ॥ 1 ॥

Verse 2

Atītaḥ Panthānaṃ Tava Ca Mahimā Vāṅmanasayoḥ
Atad-Vyāvṛttyā Yaṃ Cakitam-Abhidhatte Śrutir-Api ।
Sa Kasya Stotavyaḥ Katiya-Guṇa-Kāśya-Viṣayaḥ
Pade Tvarvācīne Patati Na Manaḥ Kasya Na Giraḥ ॥ 2 ॥

Brahmerāma-Shrīma-Dhvaja-Pramukha-Vānijya-Nirataiḥ
Kṛtā Pañca-Vaktrā-Sa-Purahara-Gāthā Sura-Gaṇaiḥ ।
Śiva-Mūrtir-Jātā Jagad-Avana-Hetuḥ Śubha-Karī
Śriyai Bhūyād-Bhūyo Bhava-Bhaya-Harā Te Paśupate ॥ 3 ॥

Shri Shiva Mahimna Stotram (literally meaning "Hymn on the Greatness of Lord Shiva") is considered one of the grandest, most majestic, and scripturally elevated hymns in Shaiva literature. Composed by Gandharvaraja Pushpadanta (the king of celestial musicians), this stotram consists of 43 verses in complex Sanskrit meters (Sikharini).

The legend behind its origin is famous. Pushpadanta, a celestial singer, used to secretly pluck divine flowers from King Chitraratha's garden every night to offer to Lord Shiva. Invisible due to his celestial powers, Pushpadanta went unnoticed until the king spread sacred Bilva leaves and Shiva Nirmalya on the garden path. Unknowingly stepping on the holy flowers, Pushpadanta lost his divine powers of invisibility and flight.

Realizing his offense, Pushpadanta fell at the spot and composed this 43-verse stotram praising Shiva's infinite glory. Pleased by Pushpadanta's sublime poetry and devotion, Lord Shiva forgave him and restored his powers.

According to scriptural declaration in verses 32 to 43 of this stotram, daily recitation of Shri Shiva Mahimna Stotram grants immense blessings:

Eradication of All Sins (Sarva Papa Prashamanam): Destroys sins of speech, mind, and body.
Grant of Wealth, Honor, and Kingdom (Raja Sampat): Bestows leadership, wisdom, and material prosperity.
Protection from Untimely Death: Shielded by Shiva's grace, devotees fear no evil.

Shivaratri, Mondays, Pradosham, and during morning/evening meditation.

Verse 7 is quoted by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda as proof of the universal harmony of all religions (Sarva Dharma Samabhava).

Gandharvaraja Pushpadanta composed Shiva Mahimna Stotram after losing his celestial power of invisibility in King Chitraratha's garden.

Shiva Mahimna Stotram is a monument of Sanskrit literature:

Unity of All Paths (Verse 7): Famous verse Trayi Sankhyam Yogah Pasupatamatham Vaisnavamiti... declares that just as all rivers flow into the single ocean, all spiritual paths (Vedas, Sankhya, Yoga, Pasupata, Vaishnava) ultimately lead to Lord Shiva alone!
Infinite Glories (Verse 32): Uses the ocean-inkwell metaphor praising Shiva's limitless attributes.
Tripura Samhara & Halahala: Verses describe Shiva destroying Tripura, drinking Halahala poison, and holding Ganga.

Whoever memorizes, recites, or listens to this Shiva Mahimna Stotram composed from the lotus mouth of Pushpadanta will have all sins destroyed. Lord Maheshwara, the master of all living beings, is immensely pleased by this stotram and bestows both worldly prosperity and ultimate liberation.

Om Namah Shivaya!
Asitagiri Samam Syat Kajjalam Sindhu Patre Surataru Vara Shakha Lekhani Patram Urvi |
Likhati Yadi Grihitva Sarvakamam Sarasvati Tadapi Tava Gunanam Isa Pararn Na Yati ||

O Lord Shiva! Even if Goddess Sarasvati were to write using the mountain of black ink in the ocean paper, with the celestial tree as pen and the whole earth as paper, She could never reach the end of Your infinite glories!

Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!

Verses 1–3: Even Brahma cannot fully praise Shiva; my speech is purified by trying to praise You.
Verses 4–10: Refuting atheists who doubt creation; praising Shiva as the sole source of Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra.
Verse 7: All spiritual paths (Sankhya, Yoga, Vaishnava) lead to the same Shiva like rivers to the sea.
Verses 8–30: Praising Shiva's forms, drinking poison, swallowing Kama, holding Ganga, and lifting Kailasha.
Verses 31–43 (Phalashruti): Ocean-inkwell metaphor, Pushpadanta's story, and promises of wealth and Mukti.

Stotram Name	Shri Shiva Mahimna Stotram
Primary Deity	Lord Shiva (Mahadeva)
Composer	Gandharvaraja Pushpadanta
Language	IAST English Transliteration
Meter	Sikharini Chandas
Tradition	Shaiva / Advaita
Verse Count	31 Core Verses + 12 Phalashruti Slokas