Vishwanatha Ashtakam
Vishwanatha Ashtakam in English · English
Origin & Story
Traditional · Traditional · Classical
The Vishwanatha Ashtakam is a cherished traditional hymn. Eight verses in praise of Vishwanatha — Lord Shiva as the Lord of Kashi (Varanasi) — the supreme refuge of the city of liberation. A beloved hymn of pilgrims to the holy city on the Ganga.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that to recite the Vishwanatha Ashtakam with a sincere and devoted heart is to draw near to the grace of the Lord, who never forsakes those who lovingly call upon Him.
The Mantra
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ādiśambhu-svarūpa-munivara-candraśīśa-jaṭādharaṃ muṇḍamāla-viśālalocana-vāhanaṃ vṛṣabhadhvajam | nāgacandra-triśūlaḍamarū bhasma-aṅgavibhūṣaṇaṃ śrīnīlakaṇṭha-himādrijaladhara-viśvanāthaviśveśvaram || 1|| gaṅgasaṅga-umāṅgavāme-kāmadeva-susevitaṃ nādabinduja-yogasādhana-pañcavaktatrilocanam | indu-binduvirāja-śaśidhara-śaṅkaraṃ suravanditaṃ śrīnīlakaṇṭha-himādrijaladhara-viśvanāthaviśveśvaram || 2|| jyotiliṅga-sphuliṅgaphaṇimaṇi-divyadevasusevitaṃ mālatīsura -puṣpamālā -kañja-dhūpa-niveditam | analakumbha-sukumbhajhalakata-kalaśakañcanaśobhitaṃ śrīnīlakaṇṭhahimādrijaladhara-viśvanāthaviśveśvaram || 3|| mukuṭakrīṭa-sukanakakuṇḍalarañjitaṃ munimaṇḍitaṃ hāramuktā-kanakasūtrita-sundaraṃ suviśeṣitam | gandhamādana-śaila-āsana-divyajyotiprakāśanaṃ śrīnīlakaṇṭha-himādrijaladhara-viśvanātha-viśveśvaram || 4|| meghaḍamvarachatradhāraṇa-caraṇakamala-vilāsitaṃ puṣparatha-paramadanamūrati-gaurisaṅgasadāśivam | kṣetrapāla-kapāla-bhairava-kusuma-navagrahabhūṣitaṃ śrīnīlakaṇṭha-himādrijaladhara-viśvanātha-viśveśvaram || 5|| tripuradaitya-vināśakāraka-śaṅkaraṃ phaladāyakaṃ rāvaṇāddaśakamalamastaka-pūjitaṃ varadāyakam | koṭimanmathamathana-viṣadhara-hārabhūṣaṇa-bhūṣitaṃ śrīnīlakaṇṭha-himādrijaladhara-viśvanāthaviśveśvaram || 6|| mathitajaladhija-śeṣavigalita-kālakūṭaviśoṣaṇaṃ jyotivigalitadīpanayana-trinetraśambhu-sureśvaram | mahādevasudeva-surapatisevya-devaviśvambharaṃ śrīnīlakaṇṭha-himādrijaladhara-viśvanāthaviśveśvaram || 7|| rudrarūpabhayaṅkaraṃ kṛtabhūripāna-halāhalaṃ gaganavedhita-viśvamūla-triśūlakaradhara-śaṅkaram | kāmakuñjara-mānamardana-mahākāla-viśveśvaraṃ śrīnīlakaṇṭha-himādrijaladhara-viśvenāthaviśveśvaram || 8|| ṛtuvasantavilāsa-cahu~diśi dīpyate phaladāyakaṃ divyakāśikadhāmavāsī-manujamaṅgaladāyakam | ambikātaṭa-vaidyanāthaṃ śailaśikharamaheśvaraṃ śrīnīlakaṇṭha-himādrijaladhara-viśvanāthaviśveśvaram || 9|| śivastotra-pratidina-dhyānadhara-ānandamaya-pratipāditaṃ dhana-dhānya-sampati-gṛhavilāsita-viśvanātha-prasādajam | hara-dhāma-ciragaṇa-saṅgaśobhita-bhaktavara-priyamaṇḍitaṃ ānandavana-ānandachavi-ānanda-kanda-vibhūṣitam || 10|| iti śrīśivadattamiśraśāstrisaṃskṛtaṃ viśvanāthāṣṭakastotraṃ sampūrṇam |
Meaning:Eight verses in praise of Vishwanatha — Lord Shiva as the Lord of Kashi (Varanasi) — the supreme refuge of the city of liberation. A beloved hymn of pilgrims to the holy city on the Ganga.
Benefits of Chanting Vishwanatha Ashtakam
Recitation of the Vishwanatha Ashtakam is held to bring the grace, blessings and protection of the Lord.
Cultivates devotion, calms the mind and steadies the heart in the Lord’s remembrance.
Most auspicious on Mondays, and during Maha Shivaratri, Pradosh and the month of Shravan.
A short, melodious hymn that anyone can learn and recite daily with faith.
How to Chant Vishwanatha Ashtakam
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of the deity. Light a lamp and recite the Vishwanatha Ashtakam slowly and with devotion. It may be chanted daily, or especially during Maha Shivaratri, Pradosh and the month of Shravan. Conclude with a prayer for grace and protection.
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Read the full Vishwanatha Ashtakam with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts