Lingashtakam
Eight verses praising the Shiva Linga, each ending 'I bow to that eternal Linga,' plus a ninth verse naming the fruit of reciting it.
Verses
I bow before that Sada Shiva Lingam, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu, and the gods, which is pure and resplendent, and which destroys the sorrows arising from birth.
Verse 1
I bow before that Sada Shiva Lingam, which is worshipped by great sages and gods, which destroyed the god of love, which is the source of compassion, and which crushed the pride of Ravana.
Verse 2
I bow before that Sada Shiva Lingam, which is beautifully smeared with all fragrant pastes, which is the cause for the elevation of wisdom, and which is worshipped by Siddhas, gods, and demons.
Verse 3
I bow before that Sada Shiva Lingam, which is adorned with gold and great jewels, which is beautifully coiled by the king of serpents, and which destroyed the grand sacrifice of Daksha.
Verse 4
I bow before that Sada Shiva Lingam, which is anointed with saffron and sandalwood paste, which is adorned with garlands of lotus flowers, and which wipes out all accumulated sins.
Verse 5
I bow before that Sada Shiva Lingam, which is worshipped and served by the multitudes of gods with true faith and devotion, and whose splendor is like that of millions of suns.
Verse 6
I bow before that Sada Shiva Lingam, which is enveloped by an eight-petalled lotus, which is the ultimate cause of all creation, and which destroys the eight types of poverty.
Verse 7
I bow before that Sada Shiva Lingam, which is worshipped by the preceptor of gods and the best of gods, which is always offered flowers from the celestial gardens, and which is the Supreme Being and the highest truth.
Verse 8
Whoever recites this holy Lingashtakam in the presence of Lord Shiva will attain the abode of Shiva and rejoice eternally with Him.
Verse 9
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Monday (Somwar) & Pradosham
Early Morning (Brahma Muhurta) or Evening Twilight (Sandhya)
Bilva leaves, Ganga water, Bhasma (sacred ash), Dhatura & White flowers
- Inner stillness, destruction of negative karma, and freedom from fear of death (Mrityunjaya)
Background
This is a traditional Sanskrit hymn from the Shaiva tradition, a major branch of Hinduism devoted to the god Shiva. It is popularly attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, though scholars do not regard its authorship or date as historically settled. It is often recited during daily worship (puja) of the Shiva Linga, and especially on sacred occasions such as Maha Shivaratri or on Mondays (Somvar), which are considered auspicious for Shiva. The stotra has eight verses of praise, each closing with the same refrain, and a ninth verse (verse 9) that promises the reciter a place in Shiva's realm.
About this Text
Composed by: Adi Shankaracharya · Classical Philosopher-Saint · 8th century CE, Kaladi (Kerala)
A philosopher and monk born in Kaladi, Kerala, credited with systematizing Advaita Vedanta (non-dual philosophy) and establishing four monastic seats (mathas) across India. Alongside his commentaries on the Upanishads and Brahma Sutras, he composed numerous devotional hymns to various deities in classical Sanskrit.
Did You Know?
Structure and Title
The Shiva Lingashtakam is an eight-verse hymn (ashtaka) with a ninth verse declaring its merit. Each verse ends with the refrain "tat praṇamāmi sadāśivaliṅgam", "I bow to that eternal, auspicious Linga." It is popularly attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, though the attribution is not historically settled.
Mythological References
Verse 2 alludes to two key stories: Shiva burning the god of love, Kama (Kamadahana), and the demon-king Ravana's pride being crushed when Shiva pressed Mount Kailash down upon him. Verse 4 references the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice (Daksha yajna), where Shiva's wrath demolished the ritual after his wife Sati gave up her life.
Symbolic Significance
The Linga is described as worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and other gods (verse 1), and as the very cause of all creation (verse 7: "sarvasamudbhava kāraṇaliṅgam"). Verse 8 calls it "parāt paraṁ paramātmaka liṅgam", the Linga that is beyond the highest and is the Supreme Self, establishing it as the formless, all-encompassing reality.
Promised Benefits
The concluding verse (9) declares that reciting this hymn in the presence of a Shiva linga grants the devotee entry to Shiva's eternal realm (Shiva loka) and joyful union with Him. Specific verses also promise relief from birth-and-death sorrows (verse 1), destruction of accumulated sins (verse 5), and removal of the eight kinds of poverty (verse 7).
Shiva
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