Markandeya Shivashtakam
Markandeya Shivashtakam in English · English
Origin & Story
Traditional (sage Markandeya) · Markandeya · Puranic
The Markandeya Shivashtakam is traditionally ascribed to Markandeya. An eight-verse hymn to Shiva by the sage Markandeya — who by Shiva’s grace conquered death itself — adoring the Lord of the Godavari bank, Pashupati, the destroyer of fear and death.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that to recite the Markandeya Shivashtakam with a sincere and devoted heart is to draw near to the grace of the Lord, who never forsakes those who lovingly call upon Him.
The Mantra
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sadā godāvaryāstaṭanikaṭavāsaṃ paśupatiṃ vadānyaṃ sarveśaṃ varadamakhilārthaika ghaṭanam | śivaṃ gaurīnāthaṃ śaśidharamanantārcitapadaṃ bhaje mārkaṇḍeyaṃ bhasitaniṭalaṃ bhavyanaṭanam || 1|| sadā kailāsādri svapadamanaghaṃ sarvajagatāṃ prabhuṃ śrīviśveśaṃ prakaṭita parandhāmasaratham | naṭeśaṃ gaurīśaṃ lalitaravicandrānalasadṛśaṃ bhaje mārkaṇḍeyaṃ bhasitaniṭalaṃ bhavyanaṭanam || 2|| mahādevaṃ sarvaṃ madhuripusakhaṃ maṅgalakaraṃ paraṃ śambhuṃ sāmbaṃ puramathanamīśaṃ bhavaharam | smarāriṃ sarvajñaṃ smaraharamanādiṃ mṛgadharaṃ bhaje mārkaṇḍeyaṃ bhasitaniṭalaṃ bhavyanaṭanam || 3|| pradoṣeṣu svāntaṃ prabalataratauryatrikakṛtaṃ trayatriṃśatkoṭi triśadapravaraiḥ saṃ parivṛtam | ramāvāṇīndra śrīpati vidhikṛtollāsyakaraṇaṃ bhaje mārkaṇḍeyaṃ bhasitaniṭalaṃ bhavyanaṭanam || 4|| bhavānīhṛtpadmāruṇamahini nīlotpalagalaṃ sahasrāre padmāniśamavivasantaṃ suragurum | stutibhyo bhaktānāṃ nikhilasukhadaṃ susthirapadaṃ bhaje mārkaṇḍeyaṃ bhasitaniṭalaṃ bhavyanaṭanam || 5|| śivastvaṃ viṣṇutvaṃ sakalabhuvanastvaṃ raviśaśi- nabhastvaṃ kāyastvaṃ sakalajagātmā tvamasi bho | yatirdeyaṃ sānte sukhatamakhilaṃ jaiminivareḥ bhaje mārkaṇḍeyaṃ bhasitaniṭalaṃ bhavyanaṭanam || 6|| sadoccairāhvānaṃ haraharahareti pravacasā sadā bhaktyānando śivaśivaśiveti svamanasā | stutiṃ vāraṃ vārambhavabhavabhaveti pratibhayā | bhaje mārkaṇḍeyaṃ bhasitaniṭalaṃ bhavyanaṭanam || 7|| yamāhūtaṃ bhītaṃ munivaranutaṃ pāśanihatiṃ bhavantaṃ sadbhaktyā hṛdiśiśumavantaṃ karuṇayā | śaraṇyaṃ bhaktānāṃ paramagatimīśaṃ paraśivaṃ bhaje mārkaṇḍeyaṃ bhasitaniṭalaṃ bhavyanaṭanam || 8|| śrīkolācalasadvaṃśavāridestu sudhākaraḥ | yajñeśo bhūsuraścakre mārkaṇḍeyaśivāṣṭakam || 9|| iti śrīmārkaṇḍeyakṛtaṃ śivāṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇam |
Meaning:An eight-verse hymn to Shiva by the sage Markandeya — who by Shiva’s grace conquered death itself — adoring the Lord of the Godavari bank, Pashupati, the destroyer of fear and death.
Benefits of Chanting Markandeya Shivashtakam
Recitation of the Markandeya Shivashtakam is held to bring the grace, blessings and protection of the Lord.
Cultivates devotion, calms the mind and steadies the heart in the Lord’s remembrance.
Most auspicious on Mondays, and during Maha Shivaratri, Pradosh and the month of Shravan.
A short, melodious hymn that anyone can learn and recite daily with faith.
How to Chant Markandeya Shivashtakam
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of the deity. Light a lamp and recite the Markandeya Shivashtakam slowly and with devotion. It may be chanted daily, or especially during Maha Shivaratri, Pradosh and the month of Shravan. Conclude with a prayer for grace and protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Read the full Markandeya Shivashtakam with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts