Lingashtakam
लिंगाष्टकम्
Origin & Story
Traditional Sanskrit hymn (Shaiva tradition) · Unknown (attributed to ancient Shaiva tradition) · Ancient
The Lingashtakam celebrates the Shiva Lingam — the most sacred symbol in Shaivism. According to the Shiva Purana, when Brahma and Vishnu argued over who was supreme, an infinite pillar of fire (Jyotirlinga) appeared between them. Neither could find its beginning or end. Shiva revealed himself from the pillar, establishing his supremacy. The Lingam represents this infinite, formless divine presence, and the Lingashtakam is the most popular hymn praising it.
✦ As told in scripture
The Shiva Purana narrates that the 12 Jyotirlingas across India are self-manifested Lingams of light where Shiva appeared. At Somnath, after the Lingam was destroyed by invaders multiple times, it was always rebuilt because devotees who chanted before it reported visions, healings, and the dissolving of lifetimes of karma in a single night of worship. The final verse declares the Lingam as 'Paratparam' — beyond even the concept of 'beyond'.
Complete Text with Meaning
ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गं निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम्। जन्मजदुःखविनाशकलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥
Brahma Murari Surarchita Lingam Nirmala Bhasita Shobhita Lingam Janmaja Duhkha Vinashaka Lingam Tat Pranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Meaning:I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam, which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and all the gods, which shines with immaculate purity, which destroys all sorrows born of life.
देवमुनिप्रवरार्चितलिङ्गं कामदहनकरुणाकरलिङ्गम्। रावणदर्पविनाशनलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥
Deva Muni Pravararchita Lingam Kama Dahana Karunakara Lingam Ravana Darpa Vinashana Lingam Tat Pranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Meaning:I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam, worshipped by the greatest gods and sages, which burned Kama yet is an ocean of compassion, which destroyed Ravana's pride.
सर्वसुगन्धिसुलेपितलिङ्गं बुद्धिविवर्धनकारणलिङ्गम्। सिद्धसुरासुरवन्दितलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥
Sarva Sugandhi Sulepita Lingam Buddhi Vivardhana Karana Lingam Siddha Surasura Vandita Lingam Tat Pranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Meaning:I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam, anointed with all fragrances, which enhances intellect, which is revered by Siddhas, gods and demons alike.
कनकमहामणिभूषितलिङ्गं फणिपतिवेष्टितशोभितलिङ्गम्। दक्षसुयज्ञविनाशनलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥
Kanaka Mahamani Bhushita Lingam Phanipati Veshtita Shobhita Lingam Daksha Suyajna Vinashana Lingam Tat Pranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Meaning:I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam, adorned with gold and great jewels, beautifully encircled by the lord of serpents, which destroyed Daksha's sacrifice.
कुङ्कुमचन्दनलेपितलिङ्गं पङ्कजहारसुशोभितलिङ्गम्। सञ्चितपापविनाशनलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥
Kunkuma Chandana Lepita Lingam Pankaja Hara Sushobhita Lingam Sanchita Papa Vinashana Lingam Tat Pranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Meaning:I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam, anointed with saffron and sandalwood, adorned with lotus garlands, which destroys all accumulated sins.
देवगणार्चितसेवितलिङ्गं भावैर्भक्तिभिरेव च लिङ्गम्। दिनकरकोटिप्रभाकरलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥
Deva Ganarchita Sevita Lingam Bhavair Bhaktibhireva Cha Lingam Dinakara Koti Prabhakara Lingam Tat Pranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Meaning:I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam, served and worshipped by hosts of gods, approached only through devotion, whose brilliance equals a billion suns.
अष्टदलोपरिवेष्टितलिङ्गं सर्वसमुद्भवकारणलिङ्गम्। अष्टदरिद्रविनाशितलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥
Ashta Dalopari Veshtita Lingam Sarva Samudbhava Karana Lingam Ashta Daridra Vinashita Lingam Tat Pranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Meaning:I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam, encircled by eight petals, the cause of all creation, the destroyer of eight types of poverty.
सुरगुरुसुरवरपूजितलिङ्गं सुरवनपुष्पसदार्चितलिङ्गम्। परात्परं परमात्मकलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम्॥
Sura Guru Sura Vara Poojita Lingam Suravana Pushpa Sadarchita Lingam Paratparam Paramatmaka Lingam Tat Pranamami Sadashiva Lingam
Meaning:I bow to that Sadashiva Lingam, worshipped by the guru of gods and the greatest deities, always adorned with celestial flowers — that Lingam which is the Supreme Soul, beyond all that is beyond.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Lingashtakam
Deep connection with Lord Shiva in his formless (Nirguna) aspect
Each verse describes a different quality of the divine — comprehensive Shiva worship
Destroys sorrows, sins, pride, poverty and ignorance (as stated in each verse)
Enhances intellect and spiritual understanding
Extremely powerful when chanted while performing Shiva Lingam abhishekam
Regular recitation on Mondays and Maha Shivaratri brings Shiva's direct grace
How to Chant Lingashtakam
Ideally chanted while performing abhishekam (ritual bathing) of a Shiva Lingam with water, milk, or Ganga water. If no Lingam is available, chant while meditating on the formless divine. Each verse ends with 'Tat Pranamami Sadashiva Lingam' — bow at each refrain. The eight verses systematically describe eight aspects of the divine, making this a complete meditation on Shiva.