Shiva Manasa Puja
शिव मानस पूजा
Origin & Story
Composed by Adi Shankaracharya · Adi Shankaracharya · 8th century CE
Shankaracharya's Shiva Manasa Puja is the most beloved of all 'mental worships'. In five verses the devotee offers Shiva a jewelled throne, a Himalayan bath, divine robes, a feast in a golden bowl, music, dance and prostration — all imagined within the heart — then realises that his very Self is Shiva, his every act a worship, and finally begs forgiveness for all his faults. It is the perfect prayer for the devotee who has only love to give.
✦ As told in scripture
It is taught that this mental worship, offered with true devotion, pleases Shiva no less than the costliest temple puja — for the Lord receives not the gold and flowers but the love that fashions them in the heart, and to one who has nothing else, the Manasa Puja is a complete and accepted offering.
Listen & Chant Along
Complete Text with Meaning
रत्नैः कल्पितमासनं हिमजलैः स्नानं च दिव्याम्बरं नानारत्नविभूषितं मृगमदामोदाङ्कितं चन्दनम्। जातीचम्पकबिल्वपत्ररचितं पुष्पं च धूपं तथा दीपं देव दयानिधे पशुपते हृत्कल्पितं गृह्यताम्॥
Ratnaih kalpitamasanam himajalaih snanam cha divyambaram nanaratnavibhushitam mrigamadamodankitam chandanam Jatichampakabilvapatrarachitam pushpam cha dhupam tatha dipam deva dayanidhe pashupate hritkalpitam grihyatam
Meaning:A throne fashioned of jewels, a bath in cool Himalayan waters, divine raiment adorned with many gems, and sandal-paste scented with musk; flowers of jasmine, champak and bilva leaves, incense and a lamp — O Lord, ocean of compassion, Pashupati, accept this worship fashioned within my heart.
सौवर्णे नवरत्नखण्डरचिते पात्रे घृतं पायसं भक्ष्यं पञ्चविधं पयोदधियुतं रम्भाफलं पानकम्। शाकानामयुतं जलं रुचिकरं कर्पूरखण्डोज्ज्वलं ताम्बूलं मनसा मया विरचितं भक्त्या प्रभो स्वीकुरु॥
Sauvarne navaratnakhandarachite patre ghritam payasam bhakshyam panchavidham payodadhiyutam rambhaphalam panakam Shakanamayutam jalam ruchikaram karpurakhandojjvalam tambulam manasa maya virachitam bhaktya prabho svikuru
Meaning:In a golden bowl set with the nine gems: ghee and sweet payasam, the five kinds of food, milk and curds, plantains and a sweet drink; a host of vegetables, delicious water bright with flecks of camphor, and betel — all of this, fashioned in my mind with devotion, accept, O Lord.
छत्रं चामरयोर्युगं व्यजनकं चादर्शकं निर्मलं वीणाभेरिमृदङ्गकाहलकला गीतं च नृत्यं तथा। साष्टाङ्गं प्रणतिः स्तुतिर्बहुविधा ह्येतत्समस्तं मया सङ्कल्पेन समर्पितं तव विभो पूजां गृहाण प्रभो॥
Chhatram chamarayoryugam vyajanakam chadarshakam nirmalam vinabherimridangakahalakala gitam cha nrityam tatha Sashtangam pranatih stutirbahuvidha hyetatsamastam maya sankalpena samarpitam tava vibho pujam grihana prabho
Meaning:A parasol, a pair of fly-whisks, a fan, and a spotless mirror; the music of vina, kettledrum, mridanga and trumpet, with song and dance; full prostration of the eight limbs, and praises of many kinds — all this I offer you by my heartfelt resolve (sankalpa), O all-pervading Lord; accept this worship, O Master.
आत्मा त्वं गिरिजा मतिः सहचराः प्राणाः शरीरं गृहं पूजा ते विषयोपभोगरचना निद्रा समाधिस्थितिः। सञ्चारः पदयोः प्रदक्षिणविधिः स्तोत्राणि सर्वा गिरो यद्यत्कर्म करोमि तत्तदखिलं शम्भो तवाराधनम्॥
Atma tvam girija matih sahacharah pranah shariram griham puja te vishayopabhogarachana nidra samadhisthitih Sancharah padayoh pradakshinavidhih stotrani sarva giro yadyatkarma karomi tattadakhilam shambho tavaradhanam
Meaning:You are my very Self; Parvati (Girija) is my intellect; my life-breaths are your attendants; my body is your house; all my enjoyment of the senses is your worship; my sleep is the state of samadhi; my every step is a circumambulation of you, and all my words are your praise — whatever act I do, O Shambhu, all of it is worship of you.
करचरणकृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधम्। विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो॥
Karacharanakritam vakkayajam karmajam va shravananayanajam va manasam vaparadham Vihitamavihitam va sarvametatkshamasva jaya jaya karunabdhe shrimahadeva shambho
Meaning:Whatever offence I have committed — by hand or foot, by speech, body or deed, by ear or eye, or in the mind; whether sanctioned by rule or forbidden — forgive it all, O ocean of compassion; victory, victory to you, Shri Mahadeva, Shambhu!
Word-by-Word Meaning
Click any word to hear its pronunciation
Benefits of Chanting Shiva Manasa Puja
Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, this is the supreme 'mental worship' of Lord Shiva — offering a throne, bath, robes, food, music and homage entirely within the heart.
It teaches that worship needs no outer materials: a devotee with nothing to offer may still perform the most complete puja in the mind, with love alone.
The fourth verse dissolves the worshipper into the worshipped — 'whatever act I do, O Shambhu, all of it is your worship' — cultivating constant remembrance of God.
The closing verse is a beloved prayer of forgiveness (kshama), begging pardon for every fault of hand, word, eye and mind — recited to conclude any puja.
Especially recited on Maha Shivaratri and Mondays, in meditation, and whenever outer worship is not possible.
How to Chant Shiva Manasa Puja
Sit quietly with eyes closed and recite each verse slowly, vividly imagining each offering being placed before Lord Shiva — the jewelled throne, the bath, the food, the music and the homage. Let the fourth verse merge your every act into his worship, and close with the prayer of forgiveness. No materials are needed; devotion is the only offering.
Frequently Asked Questions
You May Also Like
ॐ
Explore more sacred mantras with complete meaning and chanting guides