Lingashtakam — The Eight Verses Praising the Sacred Shiva Lingam
The universal 8-verse prayer glorifying the Shiva Lingam as the formless form (Arupa-Rupa) of Para-Brahman. Sung during daily Abhishekam across temples worldwide, this stotra destroys the eight kinds of poverty and leads to Shivaloka.
लिङ्गाष्टकम् — Lingashtakam
Auspicious Hymn of the Sacred Lingam
The Symbol of the Formless Divine
The Shiva Lingam represents the primordial egg of the cosmos (Brahmanda) and the infinite pillar of radiant consciousness (Jyotir-Stambha). It is neither male nor female, but the unmanifest source from which all names and forms emanate. Lingashtakam is the foundational chant recited during holy bath (Jalabhishekam) and milk offering (Ksheerabhishekam).
Verse 1
ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गं
निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम् ।
जन्मजदुःखविनाशकलिङ्गं
तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ १ ॥Transliteration:
Brahma-murāri-surārcita-liṅgaṁ
Nirmala-bhāsita-śobhita-liṅgam |
Janmaja-duḥkha-vināśaka-liṅgaṁ
Tat-praṇamāmi sadāśiva-liṅgam || 1 ||
Meaning:
I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam: which is reverently worshiped by Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu (Murari), and all celestials; which shines spotless and lustrous with divine purity; and which destroys the sorrows and afflictions born of mortal rebirth!
Verse 2
देवमुनिप्रवरार्चितलिङ्गं
कामदहं करुणाकरलिङ्गम् ।
रावणदर्पविनाशनलिङ्गं
तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ २ ॥Meaning:
I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam: worshiped by foremost gods and ascetics; which reduced Kamadeva (lust) to ashes; which is an ocean of mercy; and which shattered the arrogant pride of King Ravana!
Verse 3
सर्वसुगन्धिसुलेपितलिङ्गं
बुद्धिविवर्धनकारणलिङ्गम् ।
सिद्धसुरासुरवन्दितलिङ्गं
तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ३ ॥Meaning:
I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam: anointed with celestial sandalwood paste and divine fragrances; which expands higher intellect and spiritual clarity; and which is adored equally by Siddhas, Devas, and Asuras!
Verse 4
कनकमहामणिभूषितलिङ्गं
फणिपतिवेष्टितशोभितलिङ्गम् ।
दक्षसुयज्ञविनाशनलिङ्गं
तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ४ ॥Meaning:
I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam: adorned with pure gold and precious gems; encircled gracefully by the King of Serpents (Vasuki); and which extinguished the defiled sacrifice of King Daksha!
Verse 5
कुङ्कुमचन्दनलेपितलिङ्गं
पङ्कजहारसुशोभितलिङ्गम् ।
सञ्चितपापविनाशनलिङ्गं
तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ५ ॥Meaning:
I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam: smeared with sacred kumkuma and cool white sandalwood; beautifully decorated with garlands of fresh lotuses; and which incinerates the heaps of accumulated karmic sins!
Verse 6
देवगणार्चितसेवितलिङ्गं
भावैर्भक्तिभिरेव च लिङ्गम् ।
दिनकरकोटिप्रभाकरलिङ्गं
तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ६ ॥Meaning:
I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam: worshiped by assemblies of celestials with genuine love and pure devotion; and which radiates the brilliance of ten million blazing suns!
Verse 7
अष्टदलोपरिवेष्टितलिङ्गं
सर्वसमुद्भवकारणलिङ्गम् ।
अष्टदरिद्रविनाशनलिङ्गं
तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ७ ॥Meaning:
I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam: resting upon an eight-petaled lotus altar (Ashta-dala); which is the primordial cause behind all manifestation; and which completely eradicates the eight types of poverty and lack!
Verse 8
सुरगुरुसुरवरपूजितलिङ्गं
सुरवनपुष्पसदार्चितलिङ्गम् ।
परात्परं परमात्मकलिङ्गं
तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ८ ॥Meaning:
I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam: worshiped by Brihaspati, guru of the gods, and by all great devas; continuously offered blossoms from the celestial Parijata gardens; which is higher than the highest, the ultimate Paramatman!
फलश्रुति — Phala Shruti
लिङ्गाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥Meaning:
Whoever recites this sacred Lingashtakam in the presence of Lord Shiva or before a Shiva Lingam attains the divine realm of Shiva (Shivaloka), and rejoices in eternal companionship and oneness with Lord Shiva.