Shiva Ashtakam - Eight verses in the Glory of Lord Shiva

1. Prabhum Praananaatham Vibhum Vishwanaatham
Jagannaatha Naatham Sadaananda Bhaajam
Bhavadbhavya Bhooteshwaram Bhootanaatham
Shivam Shankaram Shambhumeeshaanameede.
 

2. Galerundamaalam Tanau Sarpajaalam
Mahaakaalakaalam Ganeshaadhipaalam
Jataajoota Gangottarangair Vishaalam

(Shivam Shankaram…)
 

3. Mudaamaakaram Mandanam Mandayantam
Mahaamandalam Bhasma Bhooshaadharam Tam
Anaadim Hyapaaram Mahaamohamaaram 

(Shivam Shankaram…)
 

4. Vataadhonivaasam Mahaattaattahaasam
Mahaapaapanaasham Sadaasuprakasham
Gireesham Ganesham Suresham Mahesham 

(Shivam Shankaram)

  5. Sharaschandra Gaatram Ganaananda Paatram

Trinetram Pavitram Dhaneshasya Mitram
Aparnaa Kalatram Sadaa Satcharitram 

(Shivam Shankaram…)
 

6. Gireendraatmajaasam Gruheetaardha Deham
Girau Samsthitam Sarvadaa Sannageham
Parabrahma Brahmaadibhirvandhya Maanam 

(Shivam Shankaram)
 

7. Kapaalam Trishoolam Karaabhyaam Dadhaanam
Padaambhojanamraaya Kaamam Dadaanam
Baleevardayaanam Suraanaam Pradhaanam 

(Shivam Shankaram)
 

8. Haram Sarpahaaram Chidaabhoovihaaram
Bhavam Vedasaaram Sadaa Nirvikaaram
Smashaane Vasantam Manojam Dahantam 

(Shivam Shankaram)

Stavam Yah Prabhaate Narah Shoolapaaneh
Pathet Stotra Ratnam Twihapraapya Ratnam
Suputram Sudhaanyam Sumitram Kalatram
Vichitraih Samaaraadhya Moksham Prayaati.

SHIVA ASHTAKAM (MEANING)

1. I pray to Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who is the Lord, who is the Lord of our lives, who is Vibhu, who is the Lord of the world, who is the Lord of Vishnu (Jagannatha), who is always dwelling in happiness, who imparts light or shine to everything, who is the Lord of living beings, who is the Lord of ghosts, and who is the Lord of everyone.
 

2. I pray to Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who has a garland of skulls around His neck, who has a net of snakes around His body, who is the destroyer of the immense-destroyer Kaala, who is the Lord of Gaṇesha, whose matted-hair are spread-out by the presence of the waves of Ganga falling on His head, and who is the Lord of everyone.
 

3. I pray to Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who scatters happiness (in the world), who is ornating the universe, who is the immense universe Himself, who is possessing the adornment of ashes, who is without a beginning, who is without a measure, who removes the greatest attachments, and who is the Lord of everyone.
 

4. I pray to Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who resides below a Vata (Banyan) tree, who possesses an immense laughter, who destroys the greatest sins, who is always resplendent, who is the Lord of Himalayas, various tormentor-groups and the demi-Gods, who is the great Lord, and who is the Lord of everyone.

5. I pray to Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who shares half of His body with the daughter of Himalayas (Mother Parvati), who is situated in a mountain (Kailasha), who is always a resort for the depressed, who is the Atman, who is revered by (or who is worthy of reverence by) Brahma and others, and who is the Lord of everyone.

 

6. I pray to Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who holds a skull and a trident in His hands, who endows the desires of those who are humble to His lotus-feet, who uses an ox as a vehicle, who is supreme and above various demi-Gods, and who is the Lord of everyone.
 

7. I pray to Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who has a face like the winter-moon, who is the subject of happiness of Ganas, who has three eyes, who is pure, who is the friend of Kubera (Lord of wealth), who is the consort of Aparna (Parvati), who has eternal characteristics, and who is the Lord of everyone.
 

8. I pray to Shiva, Shankara, Shambhu, who is known as Hara, who has a garland of snakes, who roams around the cremation grounds, who is the universe, who is the essence of the Vedas (or the One discussed by Vedas), who is always dispassionate, who lives in the cremation grounds, who burns the desires born in the mind, and who is the Lord of everyone.
 

Those who study this prayer every morning with effulgence and devotion for the trident-holding Shiva, achieve Moksha, after having attained a dutiful son, wealth, friends, wife, and a fruitful life.

Source: Song 25, Section 2, Stotrams: Sanskrit Hymns, Vandana: Students Prayer Book