Shiva Rudra Ashtakam — Word-by-Word 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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!