Shiva Rudrastakam

1-Namaa miisha mishaana-nirvaana rupam

vibhum vyaapakam brahma-veda-svaroopam

nijam nirgunam nirvikalpam niriham

chidaakaasha maakaasha-vaasam bhaje ham

I bow to the Ruler of the Universe, whose very form is Liberation,

the omnipotent and all pervading Brahma, manifest as the Vedas.

I worship Shiva, shining in his own glory, without physical qualities,

Undifferentiated, desireless, all pervading sky of consciousness

and wearing the sky itself as His garment.

niraakaara monkaara-moolam turiiyam

giraa gnaana gotiita miisham giriisham

karaalam mahaa-kaala-kaalam krpaalam

gunaagaara samsara paaram nato ham

I bow to the supreme Lord who is the formless source of "OM"

The Self of All, transcending all conditions and states,

Beyond speech, understanding and sense perception,

Awe-full, but gracious, the ruler of Kailash,

Devourer of Death, the immortal abode of all virtues.

tushaa raadri-sankaasha-gauram gabhiram

manobhuta-koti prabha sri sariram

sphuran mauli-kallolini-charu-ganga

lasad-bhaala-balendu kanthe bhujangaa

I worship Shankara, whose form is white as the Himalyan snow,

Radiant with the beauty of countless Cupids,

Whose head sparkles with the Ganga

With crescent moon adorning his brow and snakes coiling his neck,

chalatkundalam bhru sunetram visalam

prasannaa-nanam nila-kantham dayaalam

mrgadhisa charmaambaram mundamaalam

priyam sankaram sarvanaatham bhajaami

The beloved Lord of All,

with shimmering pendants hanging from his ears,

Beautiful eyebrows and large eyes,

Full of Mercy with a cheerful countenance and a blue speck on his throat.

pracandam prakrstam pragalbham paresham

akhandam ajam bhaanukoti-prakaasam

trayah-shula-nirmulanam shula-paanim

bhaje ham bhavaani-patim bhaava-gamyam

I worship Shankara, Bhavani's husband,

The fierce, exalted, luminous supreme Lord.

Indivisible, unborn and radiant with the glory of a million suns;

Who, holding a trident, tears out the root of the three-fold suffering,

And who is reached only through Love.

kalaatitata-kalyaana-kalpanta-kaari

sadaa sajjanaa-nanda-daataa purarih

chidaananda-sandoha-mohaapahaari

prasida praslda prabho manmathaarih

You who are without parts, ever blessed,

The cause of universal destruction at the end of each round of creation,

A source of perpetual delight to the pure of heart,

Slayer of the demon, Tripura, consciousness and bliss personified,

Dispeller of delusion?

Have mercy on me, foe of Lust.

na yaavad umaanaatha-paadaaravindam

bhajantiha loke parevaa naraanam

na taavat-sukham shaanti-santaapa-naasham

praslda prabho sarva bhutaa-dhivaasam

Oh Lord of Uma, so long as you are not worshipped

There is no happiness, peace or freedom from suffering

in this world or the next.

You who dwell in the hearts of all living beings,

and in whom all beings have their existence,

Have mercy on me, Lord.

na janaami yogam japam naiva pujam

nato ham sadaa sarvadaa sambhu tubhyam

jaraa janma-duhkhaugha taatapya maanam

prabho paahi apan-namaamisha shambho

I don't know yoga, prayer or rituals,

But everywhere and at every moment, I bow to you, Shambhu!

Protect me my Lord, miserable and afflicted as I am

with the sufferings of birth, old-age and death.

rudrastakam idam proktam viprena haratosaye

ye pathanti nara bhaktya tesam sambhuh prasidati

This eightfold hymn of praise was sung by the Brahman to please Shankara.

Shambhu will be pleased with whomever heartfully recites it.

karpoora gauram karunaavataaram samsaara saaram bhujagendra haaram

He is white like camphor and the very incarnation of mercy and compassion,

The only good thing in this world, wearing a king cobra as a garland

sadaavasantam hridayaara vinde bhavam bhavaani sahitam namaami

It is always springtime in the lotus of His heart I bow down to Bhava (Shiva), as well as to Bhavani (Parvati) who accompanies Him

Shambho Sadaa Shiva!