Lingashtakam: Complete Text & Meaning

Lingashtakam is one of the most widely sung Shiva stotras, composed of eight beautiful verses (ashtakam) glorifying the Shiva Linga, the aniconic form through which Lord Shiva's formless, infinite nature is worshipped. Each verse ends with the refrain "tat pranamami sadashiva lingam" - I bow to that eternal Shiva Linga - making it easy to sing in temples, satsangs, and daily household worship.

The Linga is not merely an idol; in Shaiva philosophy it represents the union of the manifest and unmanifest, the point where the formless Shiva chooses to reveal himself to devotees. Lingashtakam captures this idea beautifully, describing the Linga as worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and the devas, as radiant and pure, as the destroyer of the sorrows of birth and death, as the one who humbled Ravana's pride, and as the very source from which the entire universe is born.

ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गं निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम्। जन्मजदुःखविनाशकलिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥१॥

देवमुनिप्रवरार्चितलिङ्गं कामदहं करुणाकरलिङ्गम्। रावणदर्पविनाशनलिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥२॥

सर्वसुगन्धिसुलेपितलिङ्गं बुद्धिविवर्धनकारणलिङ्गम्। सिद्धसुरासुरवन्दितलिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥३॥

कनकमहामणिभूषितलिङ्गं फणिपतिवेष्टितशोभितलिङ्गम्। दक्षसुयज्ञविनाशनलिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥४॥

कुंकुमचन्दनलेपितलिङ्गं पंकजहारसुशोभितलिङ्गम्। संचितपापविनाशनलिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥५॥

देवगणार्चितसेवितलिङ्गं भावैर्भक्तिभिरेव च लिङ्गम्। दिनकरकोटिप्रभाकरलिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥६॥

अष्टदलोपरिवेष्टितलिङ्गं सर्वसमुद्भवकारणलिङ्गम्। अष्टदरिद्रविनाशितलिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥७॥

सुरगुरुसुरवरपूजितलिङ्गं सुरवनपुष्पसदार्चितलिङ्गम्। परात्परं परमात्मकलिङ्गं तत्प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥८॥

लिङ्गाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ। शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते॥

Verse 1: I bow to that eternal Shiva Linga which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and all the devas, which shines with a pure and radiant light, and which destroys the sorrows born of birth and death, the endless cycle of samsara.

Verse 2: I bow to that Shiva Linga which is worshipped by the greatest of devas and sages, which burnt Kamadeva (the god of desire) to ash yet is the very embodiment of compassion, and which destroyed the arrogance of the demon king Ravana when he tried to lift Mount Kailash.

Verse 3: I bow to that Shiva Linga which is anointed with every fragrant substance, which is the cause of the growth of wisdom and intellect in the devotee, and which is revered by siddhas, devas and asuras alike.

Verse 4: I bow to that Shiva Linga which is adorned with gold and precious gems, which is beautifully wrapped by the serpent king Vasuki, and which destroyed the arrogant yagna performed by Daksha Prajapati without honouring Shiva.

Verse 5: I bow to that Shiva Linga which is anointed with kumkum and sandalwood paste, which is beautifully decorated with garlands of lotus flowers, and which destroys the accumulated sins of countless lifetimes.

Verse 6: I bow to that Shiva Linga which is worshipped and served by the hosts of devas, which is honoured through pure devotion and feeling rather than mere ritual, and which shines with the radiance of a million suns.

Verse 7: I bow to that Shiva Linga which is surrounded by an eight-petalled lotus, which is the very cause of the origin of the entire universe, and which destroys the eight forms of poverty - material, mental and spiritual.

Lingashtakam is chanted to express reverence for the Shiva Linga as the symbol of the formless, infinite consciousness of Shiva. Its simple, melodious structure makes it a favourite for group singing during Monday prayers, Shivratri, Shravan month, and Rudrabhishek ceremonies. Devotees believe that reciting it with devotion removes accumulated sins, sharpens the intellect, and draws one closer to moksha.

Lingashtakam may be chanted daily, but it holds special significance on Mondays (Somvar, sacred to Shiva), during Shravan month, on Maha Shivratri, and during any Rudrabhishek or Shivling puja. It is traditionally sung while offering water, milk, bilva leaves and flowers to a Shiva Linga, either at home or in a temple. It can be recited individually or in a group, and no elaborate preparation is required beyond a clean body, a calm mind, and a sincere heart turned towards Shiva.

Regular recitation of Lingashtakam is believed to purify the mind, remove obstacles, and bring one's thoughts closer to the eternal truth that Shiva represents. It is especially cherished because of its short length and simple language, making it accessible to devotees of all ages, including children, as an easy way to build a daily connection with Shiva.

Question: What does Lingashtakam mean? Answer: Lingashtakam means "an ashtakam (eight verses) in praise of the Linga" - it is a devotional hymn glorifying the Shiva Linga as the symbol of Lord Shiva's infinite, formless nature.

Question: When is the best time to recite Lingashtakam? Answer: It can be recited any day, but is especially auspicious on Mondays, during Shravan month, on Maha Shivratri, and during Rudrabhishek or any Shivling puja.

Question: Can Lingashtakam be sung by anyone, even without knowing Sanskrit well? Answer: Yes. Its simple, rhythmic structure makes it easy to learn and sing for devotees of all ages and backgrounds - understanding the meaning deepens the experience but is not a prerequisite for chanting it with devotion.

Question: What is the benefit of chanting Lingashtakam daily? Answer: Devotees believe daily recitation purifies the mind, removes past sins, increases wisdom, and draws one closer to Shiva's grace and, ultimately, to liberation (moksha).