The ways to worship Shiva are innumerable. From offering him an elaborate Puja, observing the Somvar Vrat (Monday fast) to reciting “Om Namah Shivay”, devotees have their own methods of calling upon Mahadeva, whose answers to all the forms of prayers offered to him with devotion and purity in heart.
One of the many ways to remember Shiva is through a powerful hymn known as “Rudrashtakam”. An eight-part hymn, it is devoted to Rudra-Shiva, and Goswami Tulsi Das is credited with its creation. Chanted during a longer Puja, or separately, Rudrashtakam is a lyrical journey into the incomprehensible aura of Shiva.
In the pages of Rig Veda, Rudra emerges as a potent and supreme deity, who controls the balance of the universe. He is Vastospati- the protector of Vastu or the sacred order of Srishti. He is Pashupati, who controls the frantic soul in the forest of the world. In the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, it is Rudra, who is being evoked for the powers that he holds over death and time. Rudra of Rigveda merges with Shiva in the Puranas, becoming an aspect of the Lord, when he is angered and takes up the task of protection of good and destruction of negative forces.
Ashtak, Ashtaka, or Ashtakam, is a form of sacred poetry or hymn, which has eight parts or verses, placed in a bundle of four lines each. Since the Rig Vedic times, Ashtakam with its lyrical flow has been a popular way of creating and reciting religious poetry dedicated to various gods and goddesses.
The hymn of Rudra begins with a salutation to the Lord.
नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं
विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम्
निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं
चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेहम्
“I bow down to He who is Nirvana or Moksha incarnate
I worship the Lord of all beings, who is all-pervading, the form of Veda
Devoid of worldly desires
I only think of Shiva, whose garment is the vast sky”
निराकारमोङ्करमूलं तुरीयं
गिराज्ञानगोतीतमीशं गिरीशम् ।
करालं महाकालकालं कृपालं
गुणागारसंसारपारं नतोहम्
“He who is shapeless, the origin of Omkar, and beyond the three qualities
Beyond conception, senses, expression, the benevolent Lord of Mounts
The mighty one, who bestows grace and is the reigns over death and time
I pray to him who helps one cross the ocean of existence
तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरं गभिरं
मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्री शरीरम् ।
स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनी चारुगङ्गा
लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजङ्गा
“He who shines like a mountain of white snow, He who is supremely profound Whose mind glows with a million rays, which combined form his divine body
In whose hair resides the flowing Ganga, who trickles with a lovely sound
On whose forehead shines the moon and in his neck is the serpent”
चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रूसुनेत्रं विशालंप्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम् ।मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालंप्रियं शङ्करं सर्वनाथं भजामि
“Whose lovely earrings glimmer adorn his divine countenance marked by his beautiful brows and large eyes
Who is Joyful, blue-throated and ever-benevolent
Who wears the hide of tiger and a garland of skulls
I bow down to him who is Lord of All beings, the lovely Shankara”
प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं
अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशं ।
त्र्यःशूलनिर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं
भजेहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यम्
“Who is extremely powerful, above all, the Lord of Gods
Unbroken, ever-youthful, glowing like a million Suns
With the trident in his hand, he cuts the bonds of three Gunas
I worship the beloved of Bhavani (Uma), reachable only through devotion”
कलातीतकल्याण कल्पान्तकारी
सदा सज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी ।
चिदानन्दसंदोह मोहापहारी
प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी
“The gracious one, who causes the end of a Kalpa (billions of years)
Who brings bliss to the good ones, the enemy of Tripuri of asuras
Removing Moha, he brings the soul into supreme bliss or Chidananda
I evoke the destroyer of Manmath (Kama) within me”
न यावद् उमानाथपादारविन्दं
भजन्तीह लोके परे वा नराणाम् ।
न तावत्सुखं शान्ति सन्तापनाशं
प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासं
“Until the lotus feet of Umanath (Shiva)
Are not revered in the Universe
Bliss, peace cannot come, pains cannot end
Thus, He who resides in all beings, shower us with your benevolence”
न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजांनतोहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भुतुभ्यम् ।जराजन्मदुःखौघ तातप्यमानंप्रभो पाहि आपन्नमामीश शंभो
“I neither know recitation, Yoga, nor worship
I only surrender myself to Shambhu (Shiva)
Guard me against pains of birth and aging, and the sins that cause suffering
Protect me from sufferings of this world, O Shambhu”
रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये
ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति ॥
This Rudrashtakam is beleived to cause joy to Hara (Shiva)
They who recite this with devotion, will always recive benevolence of Shambhu
इति श्रीगोस्वामितुलसीदासकृतं श्रीरुद्राष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ।
“Thus, comes to an end, the Rudrashtakam composed by Sri Goswami Tuslidas”
In words that stir devotion of the devotee and imagination of the artist, Rudrashtakam of Tulsidas revers Rudra whose benevolence and wrath are the seeds of Srishti (creation) and Pralaya (destruction).
As a hymn recited by Shiva Bhaktas to gain proximity to Shiva-tattva (Shiva’s essence), Rudrashtakam removes worldly ties, cleanses the soul, and strengthens the mind. It increases one’s focus on Shiva and becomes a shield against the troubles of the world. Sowing seeds of spiritual virtues and Shiva’s benevolence, Rudrashtakam is a vehicle that uplifts one to higher levels of devotion and realization of Shiva’s powers.
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