Vishwanatha Ashtakam

Lord Vishwanatha - The form of Lord Shiva worshipped as the Lord of Universe

1.  Gangaataranga Ramaneeya Jataa Kalaapam

    Gauree Nirantara Vibhooshita Vaamabhaagam

    Naaraayana Priyamananga Madaapahaaram

    Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishwanaatham.

2.  Vaachaama Gocharam Aneka Gunaswaroopam

    Vaageesha Vishnu Surasevita Paadapeetham

    Vaamena Vigraha Varena Kalatra Vantam

    Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishwanaatham.

3.  Bhootaadhipam Bhujaga Bhooshana Bhooshitaangam

    Vyaaghrajinaambaradharam Jatilam Trinetram

    Paashaankushaabhaya Varaprada Shoolapaanim

    Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishwanaatham.

4.  Sheetaamsushobhita Kireeta Viraaja Maanam

    Phaalekshanaanala Vishoshita Panchabaanam

    Naagaadhipaa Rachita Bhaasura Karnapooram

    Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishwanaatham.

5.  Panchaananam Durita Matta Matangajaanaam

    Naagaantakam Danuja Pungava Pannagaanaam

    Daavaanalam Marana Shoka Jaraataveenaam

    Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishwanaatham.

6.  Tejomayam Saguna Nirgunam Adviteeyam

    Aananda Kandam Aparaajitam Aprameyam

    Naagaatmakam Sakala Nishkalam Aatmaroopam

    Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishwanaatham.

7.  Aashaam Vihaaya Parihrutya Parasya Nindaam

    Paaperatim Cha Sunivaarya Manah Samaadhau

    Aadhaaya Hrutkamala Madhyagatam Paresham

    Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishwanaatham.

8.  Raagaadi Dosha Rahitam Swajanaanu Raagam

    Vairaagya ShaantiNilayam Girijaa Sahaayam

    Maadhurya Dhairya Subhagam Garalaabhiraamam

    Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishwanaatham.

Vaaraanaseepurapateh Stavanam Shivasya

Vyaakhyaatam Ashtakamidam Pathate Manushya

Vidyaam Shriyam Vipula Soukhyam Ananta Keertim

Sampraapya Dehavilaye Labhate Cha Moksham

Vishwanaatha Ashtakam Idam Punyam Yah Pathet Shiva Sannidhau

Shiva Lokam Avaapnoti Shivena Saha Modate

Shri Adi Shankaracharya composing the Vishwanatha Ashtakam at the Vishwanath Temple at Kashi
(Source: This photo is from the play titled Shankara Digvijayam presented by students of the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus on January 14, 2013 at the Sai Kulwant Hall)

MEANING

1.  I serve Lord Vishwanatha, the Master of Varanasi (a city), who has matted hair beautified by the waves of Ganga, whose left part of the body is adorned by Mother Gauri and who is dear to Narayana and is the destroyer of the pride of cupid. 

2.  I serve Lord Vishwanatha, the Master of Varanasi, who is the embodiment o f many attributes that are beyond comprehension and description, whose foot-pedestal is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and other Gods, and who has His consort as a part of His body on the left side. 

3.  I serve Lord Vishwanatha, the Master of Varanasi, who is the Lord of all beings, whose limbs are adorned by the serpents as jewels, who is clothed with the tiger-skin, who has matted hair and three eyes, who assures protection with His upraised hand and holds the noose, the goad and the trident. 

4.  I serve Lord Vishwanatha, the Master of Varanasi, who shines with the crown radiant with the moon, who has burnt down cupid with the fire of His third eye, and whose effulgent ear rings are made up of the king of serpents. 

5.  I serve Lord Vishwanatha, the Master of Varanasi, who is like a lion to the elephants i.e. people intoxicated by sinful acts, is like the eagle to the serpents i.e. the demon-chiefs, and is like the forest fire to the forests of old age, grief and death. 

6.  I serve Lord Vishwanatha, the Master of Varanasi, the One without the second, who has many auspicious qualities, who is at the same time attributeless, who has emerged from the very source of bliss, who is one with the serpents, who transcends all the attributes being the very embodiment of the Atma (the Supreme Principle). 

7.  I serve Lord Vishwanatha, the Master of Varanasi, by giving up all desires, criticism of others and involvement in any sinful acts and by steadying the mind in communion with the supreme Lord residing in the lotus of the heart. 

8.  I serve Lord Vishwanatha, the Master of Varanasi, who is totally devoid of any lacunae like passion and is very affectionate to His people, who is the abode of detachment and peace, and is the support of Girija, and who shines with courage and sweetness, and is completely at peace with Himself inspite of the poison in His throat. 

He who chants this Ashtakam (eight verses) describing the glory of Lord Shiva as the Master of Varanasi, attains education, wealth, infinite joy and great fame in this life and liberation when he gives up the body. 

Note: These eight verses (Ashtakam) have been composed by Shri Adi Shankaracharya.

Source: Vandana: Students Prayer Book, Section 2, Sanskrit Hymns, Hymn 33