Rudrashtakam

Last updated: 14 June 2026

By Goswami Tulsidas | Ramcharitmanas, Uttarkand

Rudrashtakam is a powerful 8-verse hymn to Lord Shiva composed by Goswami Tulsidas, included in Uttarkand of Ramcharitmanas. Daily recitation bestows liberation, well-being, and divine grace.

Verse 1

नमामि शमीशान निर्वाणरूपम्। विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम्। निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहम्। चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम्॥

Namāmi Shamīśāna Nirvāṇarūpam, Vibhuṃ Vyāpakaṃ Brahmaveda-svarūpam; Nijaṃ Nirguṇaṃ Nirvikalpaṃ Nirīham, Cidākāśam ākāśavāsaṃ bhaje'ham.

Meaning: I bow to Shiva, the Lord of the Universe, the form of Nirvana, omnipresent, embodiment of Brahma and Vedas. I worship the one who is self-existent, beyond qualities, without alternatives, desireless, pure consciousness, dwelling in the sky.

Verse 2

निराकारमोंकारमूलं तुरीयम्। गिरा ज्ञान गोतीतमीशं गिरीशम्। करालं महाकाल कालं कृपालम्। गुणागार संसारपारं नतोऽहम्॥

Nirākāram oṃkāramūlaṃ turīyam, Girā jñāna gotītam īśaṃ girīśam; Karālaṃ mahākāla kālaṃ kṛpālam, Guṇāgāra saṃsārapāraṃ nato'ham.

Meaning: I bow to the formless, root of OM, in the fourth state of consciousness, beyond speech, knowledge and senses, Lord of Himalaya, the fearsome Mahakaal, merciful, abode of virtues, and beyond this world.

Verse 3

तुषाराद्रि संकाश गौरं गभीरम्। मनोभूतकोटि प्रभा श्री शरीरम्। स्फुरन्मौलि कल्लोलिनी चारु गंगा। लसद्भाल बालेंदु कण्ठे भुजंगा॥

Tuṣārādri saṃkāśa gauraṃ gambhīram, Manobhūta koṭi prabhā śrī śarīram; Sphurānmauli kallolini cāru gaṅgā, Lasadbhāla bālendu kaṇṭhe bhujaṅgā.

Meaning: Fair as the Himalaya mountain, profound and deep, with a body radiant as a crore of Cupids, with the waves of the Ganga flowing from the crown, a young crescent moon on the brow, and a serpent around the neck.

Verse 4

चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रू सुनेत्रं विशालम्। प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम्। मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालम्। प्रियं शंकरं सर्वनाथं भजामि॥

Calat kuṇḍalaṃ bhrū sunetraṃ viśālam, Prasannānanaṃ nīlakaṇṭhaṃ dayālam; Mṛgādhīśa carmāmbaraṃ muṇḍamālam, Priyaṃ śaṃkaraṃ sarvanāthaṃ bhajāmi.

Meaning: I worship the beloved Shankara, Lord of all — with swaying earrings, wide eyebrows and large eyes, a pleasant face, blue throat, merciful, wearing a lion's skin and garland of skulls.

Verse 5

प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशम्। अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटि प्रकाशम्। त्रयः शूल निर्मूलनं शूलपाणिम्। भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यम्॥

Pracaṇḍaṃ prakṛṣṭaṃ pragalbhaṃ pareśam, Akhaṇḍaṃ ajaṃ bhānukoṭi prakāśam; Trayaḥ śūla nirmūlanaṃ śūlapāṇim, Bhaje'haṃ bhavānīpatiṃ bhāvagamyam.

Meaning: I worship the husband of Bhavani (Parvati), who is fierce, excellent, bold, Supreme Lord, whole, unborn, radiant as crores of suns, the trident-bearer who uproots all three types of suffering, known through pure devotion.

Verse 6

कलातीत कल्याण कल्पान्त कारी। सदा सज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी। चिदानन्द सन्दोह मोहापहारी। प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी॥

Kalātīta kalyāṇa kalpānta kārī, Sadā sajjanānandadātā purārī; Cidānanda sandoha mohāpahārī, Prasīda prasīda prabho manmathārī.

Meaning: O Lord beyond all arts, the embodiment of welfare, the destroyer at the end of cosmic cycle, ever the giver of joy to the righteous, Purari, mass of pure bliss-consciousness, remover of delusion, destroyer of Kamadeva — be pleased, be pleased!

Verse 7

न यावद् उमानाथ पादारविन्दम्। भजंतीह लोके परे वा नराणाम्। न तावत् सुखं शांति सन्तापनाशम्। प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासम्॥

Na yāvad umānātha pādāravindam, Bhajantīha loke pare vā narāṇām; Na tāvat sukhaṃ śāntiṃ santāpanāśam, Prasīda prabho sarvabhūtādhivāsam.

Meaning: As long as people in this world or beyond do not worship the lotus feet of the Lord of Uma (Parvati), they cannot attain happiness, peace, or relief from suffering. O Lord dwelling in all beings, be pleased.

Verse 8

न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजाम्। नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भु तुभ्यम्। जरा जन्म दुःखौघ तातप्यमानम्। प्रभो पाहि आपन्नमामीश शंभो॥

Na jānāmi yogaṃ japaṃ naiva pūjām, Nato'haṃ sadā sarvadā śambhu tubhyam; Jarā janma duḥkhaugha tātapyamānam, Prabho pāhi āpannamāmīśa śambho.

Meaning: O Shambhu! I know neither yoga, nor japa, nor worship. I always and ever bow to you. Burned by waves of old age, birth, and suffering — protect this helpless one, O Lord, O Shambhu!

Related Stotrams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rudrashtakam?

The Rudrashtakam is a sacred Hindu devotional hymn (stotram) dedicated to Shiva. VedKosh provides its complete text in Hindi and English with transliteration for regional readers.

What are the benefits of reciting the Rudrashtakam?

Reciting the Rudrashtakam with devotion is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Shiva, calm and focus the mind, and create an auspicious, sattvic atmosphere. It is practised as an act of bhakti (devotion) rather than for any guaranteed material outcome.

When should the Rudrashtakam be recited?

The Rudrashtakam can be recited during daily morning or evening worship of Shiva, and especially on the deity's sacred days and festivals. A clean, quiet space and a steady, devotional mind are the main requirements.

Updated for 2026

Independently reviewed for authenticity. Please verify meanings and rituals yourself before following.

Rudrashtakam

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rudrashtakam?

What are the benefits of reciting the Rudrashtakam?

When should the Rudrashtakam be recited?

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