Shri Lingashtakam Stotram

Shri Lingashtakam Stotram is an 8-verse devotional hymn composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of the Shiva Lingam, the formless yet form-bearing symbol of Lord Shiva.

The word Lingam literally means "sign", "symbol", or "mark of the unmanifest Supreme Consciousness". The Shiva Lingam represents the infinite pillar of cosmic light (Jyotirlinga) that has no beginning (Anadi) and no end (Ananta).

Each verse of the Lingashtakam ends with the glorious chorus: "Tat-Praṇamāmi Sadā-Śiva-Liṅgam" ("I bow before that eternal Shiva Lingam"). Reciting the Lingashtakam during Shiva Abhishekam invokes divine purity, peace, and spiritual awakening.

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According to scriptural tradition and verse 9 of this stotram, daily recitation of Shri Lingashtakam grants the following blessings:

• Destruction of Sins (Papa Nashana): Cleanses sins committed across lifetimes.
• Freedom from Sorrows and Afflictions: Eradicates mental distress, poverty, and grief.
• Attainment of Shivaloka: Grants residence in Lord Shiva's eternal abode (Shiva Loka).
• Peace and Prosperity: Bestows family harmony, wisdom, and spiritual progress.

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Verse 1

Brahma-Murāri-Surārcita-Liṅgaṃ
Nirmala-Bhāskara-Śobhita-Liṅgam ।
Janmaja-Duḥkha-Vināśaka-Liṅgaṃ
Tat-Praṇamāmi Sadā-Śiva-Liṅgam ॥ 1 ॥

Verse 2

Devamuni-Pravarārcita-Liṅgaṃ
Kāmadahaṃ Karuṇākara-Liṅgam ।
Rāvaṇa-Darpa-Vināśaka-Liṅgaṃ
Tat-Praṇamāmi Sadā-Śiva-Liṅgam ॥ 2 ॥

Verse 3

Sarva-Sugandha-Sulepita-Liṅgaṃ
Buddhi-Vivardhana-Kāraṇa-Liṅgam ।
Siddha-Surāsura-Vandita-Liṅgaṃ
Tat-Praṇamāmi Sadā-Śiva-Liṅgam ॥ 3 ॥

Verse 4

Kanakamahāmaṇi-Bhūṣita-Liṅgaṃ
Phaṇipati-Veṣṭita-Śobhita-Liṅgam ।
Daksha-Suyajña-Vināśana-Liṅgaṃ
Tat-Praṇamāmi Sadā-Śiva-Liṅgam ॥ 4 ॥

Verse 5

Kumkuma-Candana-Lepita-Liṅgaṃ
Pankaja-Hāra-Suśobhita-Liṅgam ।
Sañcita-Pāpa-Vināśaka-Liṅgaṃ
Tat-Praṇamāmi Sadā-Śiva-Liṅgam ॥ 5 ॥

Verse 6

Devagaṇārcita-Sevita-Liṅgaṃ
Bhavair-Bhakti-Bhireva Ca Tūṣita-Liṅgam ।
Dinakara-Koṭi-Prabhākara-Liṅgaṃ
Tat-Praṇamāmi Sadā-Śiva-Liṅgam ॥ 6 ॥

Verse 7

Aṣṭadalo-Pariveṣṭita-Liṅgaṃ
Sarvasamudbhava-Kāraṇa-Liṅgam ।
Aṣṭadaridra-Vināśana-Liṅgaṃ
Tat-Praṇamāmi Sadā-Śiva-Liṅgam ॥ 7 ॥

Verse 8

Suraguru-Suravara-Pūjita-Liṅgaṃ
Suravana-Puṣpa-Sadārcita-Liṅgam ।
Parātparaṃ Paramātmaka-Liṅgaṃ
Tat-Praṇamāmi Sadā-Śiva-Liṅgam ॥ 8 ॥

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Liṅgāṣṭakam-Idaṃ Puṇyaṃ Yaḥ Paṭhet Śiva-Saṃnidhau ।
Śivalokam-Avāpnoti Śivena Saha Modate ॥ 9 ॥

Meaning of Phalashruti

Whoever recites this holy Lingashtakam in the presence of Lord Shiva will attain the realm of Shiva (Shivaloka) and rejoice eternally with Lord Shiva.

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Om Namah Shivaya!
Brahma Murari Surarchita Lingam Nirmala Bhaskara Shobhita Lingam |
Janmaja Dukha Vinashaka Lingam Tat Pranamami Sada Shiva Lingam ||

O Eternal Shiva Lingam, worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu, shining radiant like the spotless sun, and destroying all sorrows of birth! I bow before You forever.

Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!

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Sri Adi Shankaracharya composed Lingashtakam to help devotees visualize the infinite qualities of Lord Shiva while worshipping the physical Shiva Lingam.

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The Shiva Lingam represents the source and dissolution of the cosmos:

1. Brahma-Murari Worshipped: Verse 1 highlights that Lord Brahma (creator) and Lord Vishnu (Murari/preserver) both worship the Shiva Lingam.
2. Destruction of Poverty: Verse 7 (Ashta-Daridra-Vinashana-Lingam) promises destruction of eight types of poverty (material, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc.).
3. Anointing with Sandalwood and Kumkum: Verses 3 and 5 describe worshipping the Lingam with fragrant pastes, lotus garlands, and precious gems.

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• Verse 1: I bow to the eternal Shiva Lingam worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu, shining like the sun, destroying sorrows of birth.
• Verse 2: I bow to the Lingam worshipped by sages, which burnt Kama (god of desire), and crushed Ravana's pride.
• Verse 3: I bow to the Lingam anointed with fragrant perfumes, which enhances intellect, worshipped by Siddhas and gods.
• Verse 4: I bow to the Lingam adorned with gems and gold, encircled by the serpent king, which destroyed Daksha's sacrifice.
• Verse 5: I bow to the Lingam anointed with Kumkum and sandalwood, adorned with lotus garlands, destroying accumulated sins.
• Verse 6: I bow to the Lingam worshipped with devotion by devas, shining with the brilliance of ten million suns.
• Verse 7: I bow to the Lingam surrounded by eight-petaled lotus, the cause of all creation, destroying eightfold poverty.
• Verse 8: I bow to the supreme Lingam worshipped by Brihaspati with celestial flowers, the transcendent Self.
• Verse 9 (Phalashruti): Reciting Lingashtakam near Shiva leads to Shivaloka and eternal joy.

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