INTRODUCTION
Shivashtakam is the popular poem, which praises the glory of Lord Shiva. It is believed that this poem was written by Sri Adishankara. It is highly recommended for the devotees, that they must take bath before going to the Shiva Temple, and must wear clean clothes, and should take pure milk of cow, in order to bath the holy Shivalingam in the temple. They also must carry with them fruits, flowers and flower garlands, and they must contain a pure heart, in order to get the blessings of Lord Shiva.
The contents present in the holy Shivashtakam are as follows:
I pray to you, the great Lord Shiva, who is also called by various other names such as Shankara and Shambhu, and you are the Lord of the Lords, and you are the one who gives permanent happiness, and your powers are unthinkable and unimaginable by anyone in this world.
I pray to You, Lord Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, Who wears skull and snake garlands on your body, and who is the destroyer of Lord Yama, and he is the one who had released the Holy Ganges to the earth, in order to prosper the earth.
I pray to You, Lord Shiva, who contains the entire universe on his body, and who applies the sacred ash throughout his body, and he has no beginning and no end.
I pray to You, Lord Shiva, Who resides below a Banyan tree, and performs meditation, and you are the Lord of Mount Kailash, and you are the master for various Shiva Ganas, who always chants your names and sing songs on you.
I pray to You, Lord Shiva who shares half of your body with Ma Parvati, and you are the one, who resides in the souls of everyone.
I pray to You, Lord Shiva, Who holds the divine weapon trident in his hands, and who uses the great Lord Nandi Bhagavan as his vehicle.
I pray to You, Lord Shiva, who is having beautiful face, and who is the friend and guide of Lord Kubera, and who is consort of Ma Parvati.
I pray to You, Lord Shiva, who roams around the cremation grounds, and who contains the four Vedas on his body, and who burns the sins of his devotees.
Those who chant this prayer during every morning, especially on Mondays, Shivarathri and other auspicious days, with sincere devotion on Lord Shiva, would attain salvation after their death.
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR
