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Chandrashekhara Ashtakam

चन्द्रशेखर अष्टकम् in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 8× repetitions·🕐 Monday mornings, Pradosh Kaal, Maha Shivaratri, or during times of fear, illness, or danger·📜 Traditional Shaiva stotra literature, popularly attributed to the sage Markandeya
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Meaning

The Chandrashekhara Ashtakam is a powerful hymn to Lord Shiva, addressed as Chandrashekhara — 'the one who wears the moon on his crest.' Each verse vividly describes a glorious form or deed of Shiva and ends with the fearless refrain, 'I take refuge in Chandrashekhara — what indeed can Yama, the lord of death, do to me?' Traditionally associated with the boy-sage Markandeya who conquered death by clinging to Shiva, it is chanted for protection, fearlessness, and victory over the fear of death.

Origin & Story

Traditional Shaiva stotra literature, popularly attributed to the sage Markandeya · Traditionally attributed to Markandeya Rishi · Classical (ancient)

The Chandrashekhara Ashtakam is traditionally linked to Markandeya, the boy who was fated to die at the age of sixteen. As the appointed hour arrived and Yama's noose descended, Markandeya clung to the Shiva Lingam and poured out his devotion. Lord Shiva, the conqueror of death, emerged from the Lingam, struck down Yama, and blessed the boy with deathlessness. The hymn's defiant refrain — 'I take refuge in Chandrashekhara, what can Yama do to me?' — captures this victory of devotion over death, and it has been chanted ever since for fearlessness and protection.

As told in scripture

It is said that the boy-sage Markandeya, embracing the Shiva Lingam as Yama's noose fell upon him, was spared death itself when Lord Shiva burst forth and granted him eternal youth. Devotees believe that chanting the Chandrashekhara Ashtakam with this same spirit of total refuge shields one from untimely death and turns the heart utterly fearless.

Complete Text with Meaning

Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited

Verse 1

Chandrashekhara Chandrashekhara Chandrashekhara Pahi Mam Chandrashekhara Chandrashekhara Chandrashekhara Raksha Mam

Meaning:O Chandrashekhara, Chandrashekhara, Chandrashekhara — protect me! O Chandrashekhara, Chandrashekhara, Chandrashekhara — save me!

Verse 2

Ratna-sanu-sharasanam Rajatadri-shringa-niketanam Shinjini-krita-pannageshvaram Achyutanana-sayakam Kshipra-dagdha-pura-trayam Tridashalayair-abhivanditam Chandrashekharam-ashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah

Meaning:He whose bow is the jewelled mountain, who dwells upon the peak of the silver mountain, who made the king of serpents his bowstring and Vishnu his arrow, who swiftly burned the three cities, who is worshipped by the dwellers of heaven — I take refuge in that Chandrashekhara. What indeed can the lord of death do to me?

Verse 3

Pancha-padapa-pushpa-gandha-padambuja-dvaya-shobhitam Bhala-lochana-jata-pavaka-dagdha-manmatha-vigraham Bhasma-digdha-kalevaram Bhava-nashanam Bhavam-avyayam Chandrashekharam-ashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah

Meaning:He whose two lotus feet are fragrant and worshipped with flowers, who burned the body of Manmatha with the fire of his forehead eye, whose body is smeared with ash, who destroys worldly bondage and is himself imperishable — I take refuge in that Chandrashekhara. What indeed can the lord of death do to me?

Verse 4

Matta-varana-mukhya-charma-kritottariya-manoharam Pankajasana-padma-lochana-pujitanghri-saroruham Deva-sindhu-taranga-sikara-sikta-shubhra-jatadharam Chandrashekharam-ashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah

Meaning:He who is beautiful, wearing the hide of the mighty elephant as an upper garment, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the lotus-eyed lotus-seated Brahma, who bears bright matted locks moistened by the spray of the celestial Ganga's waves — I take refuge in that Chandrashekhara. What indeed can the lord of death do to me?

Verse 5

Yaksha-raja-sakham Bhagaksha-haram Bhujanga-vibhushanam Shaila-raja-sutaparishkrita-charu-vama-kalevaram Kshvela-neela-galam Parashvadha-dharinam Mriga-dharinam Chandrashekharam-ashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah

Meaning:He who is the friend of Kubera, who destroyed Bhaga's eyes, who is adorned with serpents, whose lovely left half is shared by the daughter of the mountain king (Parvati), whose throat is blue from poison, who holds an axe and a deer — I take refuge in that Chandrashekhara. What indeed can the lord of death do to me?

Verse 6

Kundali-krita-kundalishvara-kundalam Vrisha-vahanam Naradadi-muneeshvara-stuta-vaibhavam Bhuvaneshvaram Andhakantakam-ashritamara-padapam Shamanantakam Chandrashekharam-ashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah

Meaning:He who wears coiled serpent earrings, who rides the bull, whose glory is praised by Narada and the great sages, the lord of the worlds, the slayer of Andhaka, the wish-fulfilling tree for those who take refuge, the ender of Yama — I take refuge in that Chandrashekhara. What indeed can the lord of death do to me?

Verse 7

Bheshajam Bhava-roginam-akhilapadam-apaharinam Daksha-yajna-vinashanam Triguna-atmakam Tri-vilochanam Bhukti-mukti-phala-pradam Sakalagha-sangha-nibarhanam Chandrashekharam-ashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah

Meaning:He who is the medicine for those sick with worldly existence, who removes all calamities, who destroyed Daksha's sacrifice, who embodies the three gunas and has three eyes, who grants both enjoyment and liberation and annihilates all heaps of sin — I take refuge in that Chandrashekhara. What indeed can the lord of death do to me?

Verse 8

Bhakta-vatsalam-architam Nidhim-akshayam Haridambaram Sarva-bhuta-patim Paratparam-aprameyam-anuttamam Soma-vari-nabho-hutashana-somapa-mareshvaram Chandrashekharam-ashraye Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah

Meaning:He who is affectionate to devotees, who is worshipped, an inexhaustible treasure, who wears the directions as his garment (sky-clad), the lord of all beings, supreme beyond the supreme, immeasurable, unsurpassed, who is the moon, water, sky, fire, and the great lord — I take refuge in that Chandrashekhara. What indeed can the lord of death do to me?

Word-by-Word Meaning

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Chandrashekhara🔊One who wears the moon (chandra) upon his crest (shekhara) — Lord Shiva
Pahi Mam🔊Protect me
Raksha Mam🔊Save me, guard me
Ratna-sanu-sharasanam🔊One whose bow is the jewelled mountain Meru
Rajatadri-shringa-niketanam🔊One whose abode is the peak of the silver mountain (Kailasa)
Shinjini-krita-pannageshvaram🔊One who made Vasuki, the king of serpents, his bowstring
Kshipra-dagdha-pura-trayam🔊One who swiftly burned the three cities (Tripura)
Tridashalayair-abhivanditam🔊One who is worshipped by the dwellers of heaven (the devas)
Ashraye🔊I take refuge in
Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah🔊What indeed can Yama, the lord of death, do to me?
Bhala-lochana-jata-pavaka🔊The fire born from the eye on his forehead (third eye)
Dagdha-manmatha-vigraham🔊One who burned the body of Manmatha (Kamadeva, god of desire)
Bhasma-digdha-kalevaram🔊One whose body is smeared with sacred ash (vibhuti)
Deva-sindhu-taranga🔊The waves of the celestial river (Ganga)
Shubhra-jatadharam🔊One who bears bright, matted locks of hair
Kshvela-neela-galam🔊One whose throat is blue from the (halahala) poison
Vrisha-vahanam🔊One whose vehicle is the bull (Nandi)
Andhakantakam🔊The slayer of the demon Andhaka
Bheshajam Bhava-roginam🔊The medicine for those afflicted with the disease of worldly existence
Bhukti-mukti-phala-pradam🔊The bestower of both worldly enjoyment and liberation
Sarva-bhuta-patim🔊The lord of all beings
Paratparam🔊Higher than the highest, supreme

Benefits of Chanting चन्द्रशेखर अष्टकम्

Grants fearlessness and freedom from the fear of death (mrityu-bhaya)

Invokes Shiva's protection against accidents, illness and untimely danger

The refrain 'what can Yama do to me?' instils deep courage and surrender

Associated with Markandeya's victory over death — chanted for longevity

Removes obstacles, calamities and the burden of accumulated sins

Bestows both worldly well-being (bhukti) and liberation (mukti)

Calms the mind and deepens unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva

How to Chant चन्द्रशेखर अष्टकम्

Repetitions8times
Best TimeMonday mornings, Pradosh Kaal, Maha Shivaratri, or during times of fear, illness, or danger

Sit facing east or north before an image or Lingam of Shiva, light a lamp, and begin with the opening refrain 'Chandrashekhara... Pahi Mam... Raksha Mam' three times. Then chant the eight verses slowly, returning in your heart to the closing line 'Mama Kim Karishyati Vai Yamah' as a declaration of complete refuge. It is especially recited during illness or fear, and on behalf of the sick for protection and recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete चन्द्रशेखर अष्टकम् written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.
Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.
Chandrashekhara means 'one who wears the moon (chandra) as his crest-jewel (shekhara)'. It is one of Lord Shiva's most beloved names, depicting the crescent moon adorning his matted locks — a symbol of his serenity and his mastery over time.
The refrain 'I take refuge in Chandrashekhara — what indeed can Yama do to me?' expresses fearless surrender. Once one has taken complete refuge in Shiva, the conqueror of death (Mrityunjaya), even Yama holds no terror. This is why the hymn is chanted for protection and freedom from the fear of death.
Yes. The boy-sage Markandeya, destined to die at sixteen, embraced the Shiva Lingam and was saved when Shiva burst forth and stopped Yama. The fearless spirit of this hymn — clinging to Shiva and defying death — reflects that timeless story, and it is often chanted for longevity and protection.
It is ideally chanted on Mondays (Shiva's day), during Pradosh Kaal, and on Maha Shivaratri. It is also recited in times of illness, fear, or danger, and on behalf of those who are sick, to invoke Shiva's protective grace.

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Read the full चन्द्रशेखर अष्टकम् with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts