Shiva Lingashtakam is one of the most popular hymns that is devoted to Lord Shiva. It explains the significance of worshipping Lord Shiva in Linga. The name of the stotram itself defines as Ashtakam, which means eight stanzas. The hymn is written in a poetic way emphasizing the greatness of Lord Shiva.
Lingayatism is a Shaivite Hindu religion that was founded in 12th century. In the beginning of the century, Veerashaivism was synonymously used for Lingayatism. Lingayatism was revived by the philosopher and statesman Basava in Karnataka. The movement strikes within the community, was about considering them as an independent religion. Congress-ed and Karnataka government supported their request but was opposed by others. Lingyatism were considered as a Hindu sect as their many belief holds Hindu elements. The movement opposed many social discriminations including, cast system. They have their influence in South India, especially in Karnataka. They celebrate anniversaries of their religious leaders, and many other Hindu festivals. They have their own temples, shrines, and other devotional hymns devoted to Lord Shiva.
ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गम् निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम् ।
जन्मजदुःखविनाशकलिङ्गम् तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥१॥
देवमुनिप्रवरार्चितलिङ्गम् कामदहम् करुणाकरलिङ्गम् ।
रावणदर्पविनाशनलिङ्गम् तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥२॥
सर्वसुगन्धिसुलेपितलिङ्गम् बुद्धिविवर्धनकारणलिङ्गम् ।
सिद्धसुरासुरवन्दितलिङ्गम् तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥३॥
कनकमहामणिभूषितलिङ्गम् फणिपतिवेष्टितशोभितलिङ्गम् ।
दक्षसुयज्ञविनाशनलिङ्गम् तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥४॥
कुङ्कुमचन्दनलेपितलिङ्गम् पङ्कजहारसुशोभितलिङ्गम् ।
सञ्चितपापविनाशनलिङ्गम् तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥५॥
देवगणार्चितसेवितलिङ्गम् भावैर्भक्तिभिरेव च लिङ्गम् ।
दिनकरकोटिप्रभाकरलिङ्गम् तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥६॥
अष्टदलोपरिवेष्टितलिङ्गम् सर्वसमुद्भवकारणलिङ्गम् ।
अष्टदरिद्रविनाशितलिङ्गम् तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥७॥
सुरगुरुसुरवरपूजितलिङ्गम् सुरवनपुष्पसदार्चितलिङ्गम् ।
परात्परं परमात्मकलिङ्गम् तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥८॥
लिङ्गाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेत् शिवसन्निधौ ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥
Translation and Meaning
Verse 1
Brahmamurari Surarchitha Lingam
Nirmalabhasitha Shobitha Lingam
Janmaja dhukha Vinasaka Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam
Meaning
I bow to the SadaShiva Lingam,
he is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and the Devas
The Lingam is orified by the pure and holy words
The Lingam that destroys the sorrows of the cycle of birth and death
Verse 2
Devamuni Pravararchitha Lingam
Kamadahana Karunakara Lingam
Ravanadarpa Vinasaka Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam
Meaning
I bow to the SadaShiva Lingam
He is worshipped by gods and saints,
The Lingam that destroyed the kama and the one that shower mercy on people.
The Lingam that subdued the pride of Ravana.
Verse 3
SarvaSugandha sulepitha Lingam
Buddhivivardhana karana Lingam
Siddhasuraasura vamditha Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam
Meaning
I bow to the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam is lavishly applied with all the aromatic and scented pastes
The Lingam supreme power behind all elevated thoughts
The Lingam is prostrated by the Siddhas, Suras, and Asuras.
Verse 4
Kanaka Mahamani bhooshitha Lingam
Phanipati vesthitha sobhitha Lingam
Dakshasuyagna Vinasana Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam
Meaning
I bow to the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam is adorned with gold and precious gems
The Lingam looks great by having Lord of Snakes coiled around it.
The Lingam that destroyed the Daksha’s Yagna
Verse 5
Kumkuma Chandana lepitha Lingam
Pankajahaara SuShobhitha Lingam
Samchitha papa vinasana Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam
Meaning
I bow to the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam is applied with Kumkuma and sandalwood paste
The shining Lingam that is adorned with lotus garlands
The Lingam wipes out the accumulated sins
Verse 6
Devaganrchitha sevitha Lingam
Bhavairbhakthi bhirevacha Lingam
Dinakara koti Prabhakara Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam
Meaning
I bow to the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam is worshipped by deva ganas
The Lingam that is worshipped with genuine feel, great devotion, and consciousness
The Lingam who shine is like that of a million suns
Verse 7
Asthadalo Parivesthitha Lingam
Sarvasamudbhava Karana Lingam
Astadaridra vinasana Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam
Meaning
I bow to the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam resides on the eight petals
The Lingam is the cause of the entire creation
The Lingam has a power that can destroy the eight aspects of the poverty
Verse 8
Suraguru Suravara Poojitha Lingam
Suravana Pushpa Sadarchitha Lingam
Paratparam Paramatmaka Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam
Meaning
I bow to the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam is worshipped by the Brihaspati and suravaras
The Lingam is worshipped by the flowers from the celestial gardens of gods
The Lingam is a power that is always supreme and divine of all
Verse 9
Lingashtakamidam Punyam Yah Phate Sshiva Sannidhou
Shivaloka mavapnothi shivena sahamodate
Meaning
The one who recites this Lingashtakam in the abode of God Shiva will attain Shivloka andenjoys Shiva’s bliss.
Significance of Lingashtakam
Worshiping a God can be done in both idolistic and devotional forms. The great Lord Shiva is worshipped as Arupa-rupi, which means ‘ a form with no form’.The shloka when chanted brings the devotee much closer to Lord Shiva. Lingam Worship is known to be one of the ancient practices of Hinduism. The hymn can be performed in many ways like abhishekams, rituals, and are often chanted with stotras, and shlokas. The hymn describes different aspects of Linga. The shloka signifies the devotee who chant this hymn regularly will attain shivaloka and enjoys the divine bliss of Lord Shiva.
