Shiva Rudra Ashtakam in Gujarati
ગુજરાતી
Origin & Story
Composed by Goswami Tulsidas · Goswami Tulsidas · 16th century CE
Tulsidas composed this ashtakam as an expression of his deepest devotion to Lord Shiva. While Tulsidas is primarily known as a Ram devotee, he held Shiva in the highest reverence — in the Ramcharitmanas, he presents Shiva as the first devotee of Ram. This ashtakam moves from the most abstract philosophy (Nirguna Brahman) to the most personal surrender (a helpless devotee crying out), mirroring the complete spiritual journey in just 8 verses.
✦ As told in scripture
The final verse of this ashtakam — 'Na Janami Yogam Japam Naiva Poojam' (I know not yoga, japa or worship) — is considered one of the most powerful expressions of surrender in all of Hindu devotional literature. Saints and scholars teach that when a devotee truly means these words — admitting complete helplessness and dependence on God's grace alone — Shiva's protection becomes absolute. Tulsidas himself, despite being one of the greatest scholars of his age, chose to present himself as knowing nothing — because true wisdom begins with this humility.
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Complete Text with Meaning
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નમામીશમીશાન નિર્વાણરૂપં વિભું વ્યાપકં બ્રહ્મવેદસ્વરૂપમ્। નિજં નિર્ગુણં નિર્વિકલ્પં નિરીહં ચિદાકાશમાકાશવાસં ભજેઽહમ્॥
Namamishamishan Nirvanarupam Vibhum Vyapakam Brahmavedasvarupam Nijam Nirgunam Nirvikalpam Nireeham Chidakashamakashvasam Bhajeham
Meaning:I bow to the Lord of lords, whose form is liberation itself. All-pervading, the essence of Brahman and the Vedas. Self-existent, beyond qualities, beyond thought, beyond desire. I worship him who dwells in the space of consciousness, who resides in the sky.
નિરાકારમોંકારમૂલં તુરીયં ગિરા જ્ઞાન ગોતીતમીશં ગિરીશમ્। કરાલં મહાકાલ કાલં કૃપાલં ગુણાગાર સંસારપારં નતોઽહમ્॥
Nirakaramonkaramulam Turiyam Gira Gyana Goteetameesha Girisham Karalam Mahakala Kalam Kripalam Gunagara Sansaraparam Natoham
Meaning:Formless, the root of Om, the fourth state of consciousness. Beyond speech, knowledge and the senses — the Lord of mountains. Fierce yet compassionate, great Time itself, the destroyer of Time. I bow to him, the abode of all virtues, who is beyond worldly existence.
તુષારાદ્રિ સંકાશ ગૌરં ગભીરં મનોભૂત કોટિપ્રભા શ્રી શરીરમ્। સ્ફુરન્મૌલિ કલ્લોલિની ચારુગંગા લસદ્ભાલબાલેન્દુ કણ્ઠે ભુજંગા॥
Tusharadri Sankasha Gauram Gambhiram Manobhuta Kotiprabha Shri Shariram Sfuranmauli Kallolini Charuganga Lasat Bhalabaalendu Kanthe Bhujanga
Meaning:White as the snow mountain, profound and deep. His divine body shines with the radiance of millions of Kamadevas. The beautiful Ganga cascades from his crown. The crescent moon adorns his forehead, serpents adorn his neck.
ચલત્કુણ્ડલં ભ્રૂસુનેત્રં વિશાલં પ્રસન્નાનનં નીલકણ્ઠં દયાલમ્। મૃગાધીશચર્મામ્બરં મુણ્ડમાલં પ્રિયં શંકરં સર્વનાથં ભજામિ॥
Chalakundalam Bhrusunetram Vishalam Prasannaananam Neelakantham Dayalam Mrigadhishcharmambaram Mundamalam Priyam Shankaram Sarvanatham Bhajami
Meaning:With swaying earrings, beautiful eyebrows and vast eyes. With a serene face, blue throat, and compassionate nature. Wearing a lion skin, a garland of skulls. I worship the beloved Shankara, Lord of all.
પ્રચણ્ડં પ્રકૃષ્ટં પ્રગલ્ભં પરેશં અખણ્ડં અજં ભાનુકોટિપ્રકાશમ્। ત્રયઃ શૂલનિર્મૂલનં શૂલપાણિં ભજેઽહં ભવાનીપતિં ભાવગમ્યમ્॥
Prachandam Prakrishtam Pragalbham Paresham Akhandam Ajam Bhanukotiprakasham Trayah Shulanirmoolanam Shulapanim Bhajeham Bhavanipatim Bhavagamyam
Meaning:Fierce, supreme, bold, the ultimate Lord. Undivided, unborn, blazing with the light of billions of suns. He who uproots the three afflictions with his trident in hand. I worship the Lord of Bhavani, attainable through devotion.
કલાતીત કલ્યાણ કલ્પાન્તકારી સદા સજ્જનાનન્દદાતા પુરારી। ચિદાનન્દસંદોહ મોહાપહારી પ્રસીદ પ્રસીદ પ્રભો મન્મથારી॥
Kalaateeta Kalyana Kalpantakari Sada Sajjanananddadata Purari Chidanandasandoha Mohaphari Praseeda Praseeda Prabho Manmathari
Meaning:Beyond time, auspicious, destroyer at the end of creation. Always giving bliss to the righteous, destroyer of Tripura. A mass of bliss-consciousness, remover of delusion. Be pleased, be pleased, O Lord, destroyer of desire.
ન યાવદ્ ઉમાનાથ પાદારવિન્દં ભજન્તીહ લોકે પરે વા નરાણામ્। ન તાવત્સુખં શાન્તિ સન્તાપનાશં પ્રસીદ પ્રભો સર્વભૂતાધિવાસમ્॥
Na Yavad Umanatha Padaaravindam Bhajantiha Loke Pare Va Naranaam Na Tavatsukham Shanti Santapanasham Praseeda Prabho Sarvabhutadhivasam
Meaning:As long as people do not worship the lotus feet of Uma's Lord in this world or the next, they cannot find happiness, peace, or end to suffering. Be pleased, O Lord who dwells in all beings.
ન જાનામિ યોગં જપં નૈવ પૂજાં નતોઽહં સદા સર્વદા શમ્ભુ તુભ્યમ્। જરા જન્મ દુઃખૌઘ તાતપ્યમાનં પ્રભો પાહિ આપન્નમામીશ શમ્ભો॥
Na Janami Yogam Japam Naiva Poojam Natoham Sada Sarvada Shambhu Tubhyam Jara Janma Duhkhaugha Tatapyamanam Prabho Pahi Aapannamameesh Shambho
Meaning:I know not yoga, nor japa, nor even worship. I simply bow to you always and forever, O Shambhu. Burning with the sorrows of old age, birth and suffering — O Lord, protect this helpless one, O Isha, O Shambho!
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Shiva Rudra Ashtakam
Written by Tulsidas — one of the most profound Shiva prayers ever composed
The 8th verse is a complete surrender: 'I know nothing — just protect me'
Describes Shiva from the highest philosophy (Nirguna) to the most personal (Shambho)
Extremely powerful for Monday worship and Maha Shivaratri
Each verse deepens the devotion — from awe to love to surrender
The final plea 'Prabho Pahi' (Lord, protect) is heartbreakingly sincere
How to Chant Shiva Rudra Ashtakam
This ashtakam is best recited with deep feeling, especially the final verse where Tulsidas surrenders completely. Sit before a Shiva Lingam or image. Light a diya. Chant slowly, letting each verse's meaning penetrate. The progression from philosophical description to personal surrender mirrors the devotee's journey.
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Read the full Shiva Rudra Ashtakam with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts