Shivratri by Shiva Rea

FIREKEEPING RITUAL— A L L - N I G H T V I G I L F O R S H I V R AT R I This retreat can be adapted to any new or full moon or to any time of personal transformation. An allnight candle vigil is part of the spirit of tapas. The word tapas can be translated as “burning, unwavering devotion,” and “transformation through dedication.” In tending the Heart Fire, a tapas practice is anything you dedicate yourself to for a cycle of transformation. Maha Shivratri is a tapas-oriented, nightlong festival that has been celebrated for thousands of years by hundreds of millions of devotees of Shiva around the world. Held on the night before the new moon in the month of February–March, Maha Shivratri honors the night (ratri means “night”) that Shiva performed the tandava nritya—the dance of primordial creation, preservation, and destruction—and the night of the marriage of Shiva and Shakti. Householders stay up through the night chanting mantras, bathing

lingam forms, offering puja, and in meditation for the Mahadev, King of the Yogis, Lord of the Dance, bathed in the light of lamps burning ghee. Devotees fast on water, milk, fruits, kitchari, or special fasting foods from sunrise until dawn the next day. Maha Shivatri is considered an auspicious time for women. Married women pray for a long, prosperous marriage and the well-being of their husbands and sons. Unmarried women pray for a husband who is like Lord Shiva—spouse of Kali, Durga, and Parvati—considered the ideal husband for his devotion; virility; and loving, enlightened, wild, and fun ways of being—and for his ability to transform poison into nectar. This festival is an outer and inner pilgrimage, the tending of the lamp fire and the fire of consciousness through the night. All yoga practices are said to have emanated from Shiva, particularly those having to do with internal transformation, and Maha Shivratri is a vigil of awakening consciousness.

S H I V R AT R I : T H E N I G H T I M A R R I E D S H I VA The days before shivratri, the darkest days before the

I left our tea with this reverberating in my heart and walked

new moon, can be intensely transformative. My first

to the dance academy. A little shop caught my eye, and

shivratri in India was in 1990 when I spent a year as an

in the window I found the most beautiful murti, or divine

exchange student at the University of Delhi. I was also

image, of Shiva. He was meditating on a tiger skin with the

studying Odissi, an Indian temple dance form that blends

most beatific expression. I felt the awakening in my heart

the strong dynamic footwork of Shiva’s tandava and the

of a primordial love at the center of the center of my being:

flowing form of curves and bends of Shakti’s lasya.

a sudden flash of recognition.

When I came home from dance practice, my roommates greeted me at the door looking desperate and pale. One of my dear friends had just returned from a Vipassana retreat and was in the midst of a nervous breakdown— I was shocked to learn that she was trying to gouge her eyes out. Together we held her through this terrible, dark passage as further help came to her aid. The next day as I was walking to the bus stop, I passed by a man lying dead on the street with his guts spilling out. My own body was on the edge, dealing with intestinal amoebas. I felt the death cycle everywhere around me, and the dark days before the new moon shook the ground beneath me. The world seemed surreal, hurtling toward dissolution. My father had named me Shiva. It seemed I was fulfilling the name now in the aspect of Shiva’s meditation in the cremation grounds. I felt fortunate to have Ramachandra Gandhi, grandson of the great Mahatma Gandhi, as one of my teachers. I continued on my journey and met him for tea, telling him all that had transpired and that I felt my world was embodying a dark aspect of Shiva right now. “Your name is Shivaaaa,” he said, “pronounced with a long a. You are the wife of Shiva.”

This became my first altarpiece, and along with a garland of flowers I brought it to my dance lesson. My teacher saw my murti and, more importantly, a shift within me. He beckoned me to place the murti on the altar and drape the garland over it. Then he said, “Ahhh. Now you will be married to Shiva, as tomorrow is shivratri, the great night for realizing Shiva.” On that night, I stayed with my murti and I felt an effortless surge, my first intimate experience of chanting truly pouring from my heart in a flood of devotion. Namah Shivaya Namah Shivaya Namah Shivaya Jai Shiva Shankara Nataraja! The dark nights before shivratri often involve death or dissolution in some form, making way for the fire of rebirth and a deeper union to emerge out of the darkness. The allnight firekeeping of this special holy day is a threshold to transformation, to the reigniting of the fires of realization.

Mantras'for'Shivratri' ! Om!Sri!Ganeshaya!Namah!–!Invocation!of!Auspiciousness! ! ! ! Atman'Puja''Nyasa' Om!Atmane!Namaha! Om!Antaratmane!Namaha! Om!Jnanatmane!Namaha! Om!Paraatmane!Namaha! Om!Atmapuja!Samparayami! ! ! ! Maha'Mrytunjaya'Mantra' ! Om!Try=Ambakam!Yajaamahe!! Sugandhim!Pusstti=Vardhanam! Urvaarukam=Iva!Bandhanaan!! Mrtyor=Mukssiiya!Maa=Amrtaat!! ! !Om,!We!honor!the!the!Three=Eyed!One!(Mahadev!Shiva,! Who!is!Fragrant!(Spiritual!Essence)!and!Who!Nourishes!all!beings.! May!we!be!liberated!from!our!the!bondages!like!a!cucumber!(severed!from!the!bondage! of!its!Creeper)! Liberate!us!from!the!fear!of!death!through!realizing!! we!are!never!separated!from!amrita=soma!(immortal!essence)! ! ! ! Om'Hrim'Namah'Shivaya'

Puja List candle or aarti lamp with camphor   incense  japa mala or your body  shiva ligam in a large bowl for "bathing with milk"  pitcher of milk of your choice - whole milk, almond etc….it will not be drunk but I give the offering of milk from the bowl to my plants and they love it!   or a bowl with a spoon to offer the milk   pitcher of water for washing off milk  clean cloth used only for puja for wiping down lingam sandalwood paste, kumkum (red vermillion) past (optional) and vibhuti (ash from a ritual fire) flowers or leaves fruit!

the spirit of offering: puja—natural rituals to integrate into your retreat A puja is a heartfelt offering. There are probably an infinite number of ways to make a puja, and even if you always follow the same steps, it will have a different quality or feeling each time. The following twelve-step puja is a method of altar care that can be practiced in the flow of yoga based upon the guidance of Sree Devi Bringi, and includes many beautiful elements. You can choose to complete all twelve steps or do a shorter form that stops after step five, at which point you can begin meditation or another practice.

S TA G E S O F A P U J A O F F E R I N G Krama One—renew yourself and sacred space— atma shuddhi—purification of the soul Before you begin your puja, take a bath or splash water on your face and change into fresh clothes. Clean and refresh your altar space so that everything is vital and alive. Chant Om for three rounds and offer a prostration to become connected to your heart. Then offer this mantra, sipping water from your right palm after each repetition: Chant Om three rounds and then Om achutaya namaha, Om anantaya namaha, Om govindaya namaha I honor the Divine, the Infinite Divine, and the Source of the Senses Krama Two—balance and purify your energy field through your breath—nadi shodhana pranayama Do three or seven rounds of alternate-nostril breathing (nadi shodhana pranayama). Krama Three—invoke your puja You can invoke your puja and connect to your outer and inner altars using any of the meditation practices from part 2, such as the invocation of Om with mudra or the use of a mantra or the mandala invocation. Across yoga traditions, the auspicious

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current embodied in the energy of Ganesha is

You can end your puja ritual here if you like and

often the focus of the invocation step; he is revered as the remover of all vibrational dissonance and

move directly to mantra japa or meditation, or to your closing prayer. If you choose to continue, the

obstacles on the path.

following stages of the puja will allow a deepening connection to the Heart Fire.

Recite Om gam ganapataye namaha to invoke the auspicious current.

Krama Six—honor the Divine Self

Krama Four—offer your intention,

within: atmapuja

or samkalpa Every time you enter into ritual space is an opportunity to declare and affirm your intention for this sacred time. This can be a simple connection to the living sacred or a specific dedication or samkalpa for a ritual period. Bring your hands together with your left palm placed on top of the right for samkalpa mudra.

Embody the art of nyasa (touch with awareness and mantra). You can use your touch by itself or with healing herbal powders such as sandalwood, sacred ash from a ritual fire (vibhuti), red turmeric powder (kumkum), or essential oils. You can touch your heart, throat, third eye, and then crown of the head accompanied by your own prayer or with the mantras that follow. Pause and connect to each part of the body with the mantra, meaning, and intention of deep communion. For the last nyasa, you can also offer a flower with reverence for the Supreme Self within you:

Om atmane namaha (touch heart): I honor/bow to/realize the Divine Self (atma)

Om antaratmane namaha (touch throat): I honor/bow to/realize the Divine Self (atma) existing within all (antar)

Om jnanatmane namaha Krama Five—ignite your altar Offer a prayer as you light your candle (use a nonpolluting kind such as soy or beeswax) or oil lamp (containing pure oils or ghee), with reverence for the fire element and the fiery flow of consciousness. You can: Offer the mantra Om dipayai namaha as you light the flame or your own prayer.

(touch third eye): I honor/bow to/realize the Wisdom (jnana) Self (atma) within

Om paramatmane namaha (touch top of head): I honor/bow to/realize the Self (atma) beyond all conceptions (para)

Om atmapuja samarpayami (place a flower on top of your head): I worship and love with devotion the Divine Self within

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Krama Nine—offer food (naivedyam) Sprinkle water upon your food offering (prasad) of fruit, rice grains, or a prepared dish, and chant the following mantras, honoring the movement of life (prana) that is manifested from food. This is a wonderful mantra to say before a meal as well, while visualizing the movement of prana through your body. Chant the movements of life as you offer fruit or food: Om prana swaha: I honor the in-drawing, rising energy within all creation Om apana swaha: I honor the downward, rooting THE SPIRIT OF OFFERING IN PUJA Krama Seven—offer water (achamaniyam) In this practice, you offer a spoonful of water to your central altar image or just to the heavens, and then while sipping the water recite the mantra and visualize yourself being nourished by the sublime flow of love.

flow within all creation Om samana swaha: I honor the energy that contracts to the core within all creation Om vyana swaha: I honor the energy that expands omnidirectionally from the core within all creation Om udana swaha: I honor the energy that rises and moves outward within all creation

Offer the mantra Om namaha achamaniyam samarpayami while sipping water. Krama Eight—offer flowers (pushpanjali) The offering of flowers or leaves or any living substance is an intrinsic conduit of the heart. You can change the flowers you offer with the season. I often use fresh wildflowers from the nearby hillside. It is the heart exchange that matters, which can also be just within one’s mind, with the most extraordinary flowers referred to as the highest offering from one’s heartmind (manaspuja). Offer flowers or flower petals from your heart with a prayer or a mantra of your chosen ishta devata.

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Krama Ten—awaken heart consciousness (hridaya nyasa) Place your right hand in tattwa mudra (touching the thumb to the base of the ring finger) and place it over your heart. Gaze into your heart and combine mantra and touch as a form of hridaya nyasa. Offer the mantra Om aim hrdayaya namaha: I bow to the sacred Self in the heart chakra.

Krama Twelve—offer light, or arati, with mantra, kirtan, or prayers There are many ways to end your puja. One firekeeping way within yoga and many spiritual traditions is to wave your candle or lamp above and around your altar in an offering of light—a ritual called arati. Chant a mantra, sing or make joyful music (kirtan), or pray. All of these are ways to celebrate the time you have dedicated to communion with your Heart Krama Eleven—make offerings through meditation, or mantra japa Now, here within the sacred ritual rhythm and space of the puja, you can enter meditation, including mantra connected to your seasonal sadhana and what is arising from within your heart or dedicated practices. You may also offer something from your altar to your heart—a flower or some rice—with each repetition of the mantra; if you have an image on your altar that symbolizes a deity, a teacher, or an ancestor whom you wish to honor, you may offer

Fire as you draw your puja to a close. Offer the light, or arati, with Om or a mantra, kirtan, or prayer such as lokha samastaha sukihinoh bhavantu or Om shantih, shantih, shantih—Om peace, peace, peace.

flowers or rice to this symbol instead. Remember that offerings can come in all forms, from the pure vibrational substance of feelings and intentions, to the universal altar materials of flowers, rice, incense, fruit, and nectars (holy water, milk, or honey). Also remember that all outer offerings are also inner offerings. You can release difficulties as offerings as well. Offer challenging states of being, thoughts, emotions, objects symbolizing life challenges, sour-hot fruits such as lemons or chili peppers, or written prayers for letting go. These are equally beautiful offerings because they represent the full spectrum of life. Rest in meditation or offer the mantra of your choosing for nine, eighteen, twenty-seven, fifty-four, or 108 rounds in full connection to your heart.

©"Shiva"Rea"2013"

.. eS:v:aÄ:ð¶:rS:t: n:am:av:el:H .. shiva-ashtottarashata-namavali

The 108 Names of Lord Shiva 1

! eS:v:ay: n:m:H . Om Shivaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Auspicious One

! m:hðÃ:ray: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the Great God Shiva

! S:öB:v:ð n:m:H .

Om Shambhave Namaha

Obeisances to the God who exists for our happiness alone

! ep:n:aekn:ð n:m:H . Om Pinakine Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva, who guards the path of dharma

! S:eS:S:ðK:ray: n:m:H .

Om Shashishekharaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God who wears the crescent moon in his hair

! v:am:dðv:ay: n:m:H .

Om Vamadevaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God who is pleasing and auspicious in every way

! ev: p:ax:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the God of spotless form

! kp:edün:ð n:m:H .

Om Kapardine Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord with thickly matted hair

! n:il:l::ðeht:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the God splendid as the red sun at daybreak

Om Maheshvaraya Namaha

Om Virupakshaya Namaha

Om Nilalohitaya Namaha

! S:ökray: n:m:H .

Om Shankaraya Namaha

Obeisances to the source of all prosperity

! S:Ül:p:aN:y:ð n:m:H .

Om Shulapanaye Namaha

Obeisances to the God who carries a spear

! K:XÏv:aöeg:n:ð n:m:H .

Om Khatvangine Namaha

Obeisances to the God who carries a knurled club

! ev:\N:Øv:ll:B:ay: n:m:H .

Om Vishnuvallabhaya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva, who is dear to Lord Vishnu

! eS:ep:ev:Äay: n:m:H . Om Shipivishtaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord whose form emits great rays of light

! Aöeb:kan:aT:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to Ambika's Lord

! Â:ikNYay: n:m:H . Om Shrikantaya Namaha

Obeisances to he whose throat is shining blue

! B:Vt:v:ts:l:ay: n:m:H . Om Bhaktavatsalaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who loves His devotees like new born calves

! B:v:ay: n:m:H .

Om Bhavaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God who is existence itself

! S:v:aüy: n:m:H .

Obeisances to Shiva who is all

! e*:l::ðkS ñ :ay: n:m:H . Om Trilokeshaya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who is the Lord of all the three worlds

! eS:et:kNYay: n:m:H . Om Shitakanthaya Namaha

Obeisances to the primal soul whose throat is deep blue

! eS:v:a e)y:ay: n:m:H . Om Shivapriyaya Namaha

Obeisances to the god who is dear to Shakti

! ug:Òay: n:m:H .

Om Ugraya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva whose presence is awesome and overwhelming

! kp:ael:n:ð n:m:H . Om Kapaline Namaha

Obeisances to the God whose begging bowl is a human skull

! Kam:ary:ð n:m:H .

Om Kamaraye Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who conquers all passions

! AnD:kas:Ørs:àdn:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the Lord who killed the asura Andhaka

Om Ambikanathaya Namaha

Om Sarvaya Namaha

Om Andhakasura Sudanaya Namaha

! g:ög:aD:ray: n:m:H .

Om Gangadharaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God who holds the Ganges River in his hair

! l:l:aXax:ay: n:m:H . Om Lalatakshaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord whose sport is creation

! kal:kal:ay: n:m:H . Om Kalakalaya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who is the death of death

! káp:aen:D:y:ð n:m:H .

Om Kripanidhaye Namaha

Obeisances to the God who is the treasure of compassion

! B:im:ay: n:m:H .

Om Bhimaya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva whose strength is awesome

! p:rS:Øhst:ay: n:m:H .

Om Parashu Hastaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God who wields an axe in his hands

! m:àg:p:aN:y:ð n:m:H .

Om Mrigapanayae Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who looks after the soul in the wilderness

! j:XaD:ray: n:m:H .

Om Jatadharaya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who bears a mass of matted hair

! kól:aS:v:aes:n:ð n:m:H . Om Kailasavasine Namaha

Obeisances to the God who abides on Mount Kailas

! kv:ec:n:ð n:m:H .

Om Kavachine Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who is wrapped in armor

! kY:ðray: n:m:H .

Om Kathoraya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who causes all growth

! e*:p:Ørant:kay: n:m:H . Om Tripurantakaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who destroyed the three demonic cities

! v:à\:aökay: n:m:H .

Om Vrishankaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God whose emblem is a bull (Nandi)

! v:à\:B:a Zay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to Shiva who rides a bull

! B:sm::ð¹Þel:t: ev:g:Òhay: n:m:H .

! s:am:e)y:ay: n:m:H . Om Samapriyaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God exceedingly fond of hymns from the Sama Veda

! sv:rm:y:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to Shiva who creates through sound

Om Vrishabharudhaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord covered with Om Bhasmoddhulita Vigrahaya Namaha holy ash

Om Svaramayaya Namaha

! *:y:im:Üt:üy:ð n:m:H .

Om Trayimurtaye Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who is worshiped in three forms

! An:iÃ:ray: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the undisputed Lord

! s:v:üway: n:m:H .

Om Sarvagyaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God who knows all things

! p:rm:atm:n:ð n:m:H .

Obeisances to the Supreme Self

! s::ðm:s:Üy:aüegn:l::ðc:n:ay: n:m:H . Om Somasuragni Lochanaya Namaha

Obeisances to the light of the eyes of Soma, Surya and Agni

! hev:\:ð n:m:H .

Om Havishe Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who receives oblations of ghee

! y:wm:y:ay: n:m:H .

Om Yagyamayaya Namaha

Obeisances to the architect of all sacrificial rites

! s::ðm:ay: n:m:H .

Om Somaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Moon-glow of the mystic's vision

! p:öc:v:V*:ay: n:m:H .

Om Panchavaktraya Namaha

Obeisances to the God of the five activities

! s:daeS:v:ay: n:m:H . Om Sadashivaya Namaha

Obeisances to the eternally auspicious benevolent Shiva

! ev:Ã:ðÃ:ray: n:m:H .

Om Vishveshvaraya Namaha

Obeisances to the all-pervading ruler of the cosmos

! v:irB:dÓay: n:m:H .

Om Virabhadraya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva the foremost of heroes

! g:N:n:aT:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the God of the Ganas

! )j:ap:t:y:ð n:m:H .

Obeisances to the Creator

! ehrNy:rðt:s:ð n:m:H .

Om Hiranyaretase Namaha

Obeisances to the God who emanates golden souls

! dÙD:ü\:aüy: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the unconquerable being

! eg:riS:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the monarch of the holy mountain Kailas

Om Anishvaraya Namaha

Om Paramatmane Namaha

Om Gananathaya Namaha Om Prajapataye Namaha

Om Durdharshaya Namaha Om Girishaya Namaha

! eg:erS:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the Lord of the Himalayas

! An:G:ay: n:m:H .

Om Anaghaya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who can inspire no fear

! B:Øj:ög:B:Ü\:N:ay: n:m:H .

Om Bujangabhushanaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord adorned with golden snakes

! B:g:aüy: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the foremost of rishis

! eg:erD:nv:n:ð n:m:H .

Om Giridhanvane Namaha

Obeisances to the God whose weapon is a mountain

! eg:ere)y:ay: n:m:H . Om Giripriyaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who is fond of mountains

! káe¶:v:as:s:ð n:m:H . Om Krittivasase Namaha

Obeisances to the God who wears clothes of hide

! p:Ørarat:y:ð n:m:H . Om Purarataye Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who is thoroughly at home in the wilderness

! B:g:v:t:ð n:m:H .

Obeisances to the Lord of prosperity

! )m:T:aeD:p:ay: n:m:H .

Om Pramathadhipaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God who is served by goblins

! m:àty:Øöj:y:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the conqueror of death

! s:Üxm:t:n:v:ð n:m:H .

Obeisances to the subtlest of the subtle

! j:g:¾Ðy:aep:n:ð n:m:H . Om Jagadvyapine Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who fills the whole world

! j:g:dÏg:Ø,v:ð n:m:H .

Obeisances to the guru of all the worlds

! vy::ðm:kñS:ay: n:m:H .

Om Vyomakeshaya Namaha

Obeisances to the God whose hair is the spreading sky above

! m:has:ðn:j:n:kay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the origin of Mahasena

! c:a,ev:#m:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to Shiva, the guardian of wandering pilgrims

Om Girishaya Namaha

Om Bhargaya Namaha

Om Bhagavate Namaha

Om Mritunjayaya Namaha

Om Sukshmatanave Namaha

Om Jagadgurave Namaha

Om Mahasenajanakaya Namaha Om Charuvikramaya Namaha

! ,dÓay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the Lord who is fit to be praised

! B:Üt:p:t:y:ð n:m:H .

Om Bhutapataye Namaha

Obeisances to the source of living creatures, including the Bhutas, or ghostly creatures

! sT:aN:v:ð n:m:H .

Om Sthanave Namaha

Obeisances to the firm and immovable deity

! Ahy:ðb:Ø¿y:ay: n:m:H .

Om Ahirbudhnyaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who waits for the sleeping kundalini

! edg:öb:ray: n:m:H .

Om Digambaraya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva whose robes is the cosmos

! AÄm:Üt:üy:ð n:m:H .

Om Ashtamurtaye Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who has eight forms

! An:ðkatm:n:ð n:m:H . Om Anekatmane Namaha

Obeisances to the God who is the one soul

! s:aetv:kay: n:m:H . Om Satvikaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord of boundless energy

! S:Ø¹ev:g:Òhay: n:m:H .

Om Shuddha Vigrahaya Namaha

Obeisances to him who is free of all doubt and dissension

! S:aÃ:t:ay: n:m:H .

Om Shashvataya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva, endless and eternal

! K:NRp:rS:v:ð n:m:H .

Om Khandaparashave Namaha

Obeisances to the God who cuts through the mind's despair

! Away: n:m:H . Om Ajaya Namaha

Obeisances to the instigator of all that occurs

! p:aS:ev:m::ðc:kay: n:m:H . Om Papavimochakaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who releases all fetters

! m:àRay: n:m:H .

Om Mridaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who shows only mercy

! p:S:Øp:t:y:ð n:m:H .

Om Pashupataye Namaha

Obeisances to the ruler of all evolving souls, the animals

! dðv:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the foremost of devas, demigods

! m:hadðv:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the greatest of the gods

Om Rudraya Namaha

Om Devaya Namaha Om Mahadevaya Namaha

! Avy:y:ay: n:m:H . Om Avyayaya Namaha

Obeisances to the one never subject to change

! hry:ð n:m:H .

Om Haraye Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who dissolves all bondage

! p:Ü\:dnt:eB:dð n:m:H .

Om Pashudantabhide Namaha

Obeisances to the one who punished Pushan

! Avy:g:Òay: n:m:H .

Om Avyagraya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who is steady and unwavering

! dx:aDv:rhray: n:m:H .

Om Dakshadhvaraharaya Namaha

Obeisances to the destroyer of Daksha's conceited sacrifice

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! hray: n:m:H .

Om Haraya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who withdraws the cosmos

101

! B:g:n:ð*:eB:dð n:m:H .

Om Bhaganetrabhide Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who taught Bhaga to see more clearly

102

! Avy:Vt:ay: n:m:H . Om Avyaktaya Namaha

Obeisances to Shiva who is subtle and unseen

103

! s:h+ax:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the Lord of limitless forms

104

! s:h+p:dð n:m:H .

Om Sahasrapade Namaha

Obeisances to the God who is standing and walking everywhere

105

! Ap:v:g:ü)day: n:m:H .

Om Apavargapradaya Namaha

Obeisances to the Lord who gives and takes all things

106

! An:nt:ay: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the God who is unending

107

! t:arkay: n:m:H . Om Tarakaya Namaha

Obeisances to the great liberator of mankind

108

! p:rm:ðÃ:ray: n:m:H .

Obeisances to the great God

Om Sahasrakshaya Namaha

Om Anantaya Namaha

Om Parameshvaraya Namaha

.. Eet: Â:ieS:v:aÄ:ð¶:rS:t: n:am:av:el:H .. Iti Sri Shiva-Ashtottarashata-Namavali Whoever chants these 108 auspicious Names of Lord Shiva, will be blessed by the Lord. This Shiva-Stotra is capable of removing all sins. May the lord of all beings become greatly pleased with anyone who has learnt this by heart and/or reads or recalls these names with singlemindedness!