Dakshinamurti Ashtakam
दक्षिणामूर्ति अष्टकम् in English · English
Origin & Story
Traditional · Vrishabhadeva · Classical
The Dakshinamurti Ashtakam is traditionally ascribed to Vrishabhadeva. Eight verses to Dakshinamurti — Shiva as the supreme silent Guru, the youthful teacher who imparts the highest knowledge of the Self through silence to the aged sages at His feet.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that to recite the Dakshinamurti 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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agaṇitaguṇagaṇamapramemādyaṃ sakalajagatsthitisamyamādihetum | uparatamanoyogihṛnmandiramtaṃ satatamahaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtimīḍe || 1|| niravadhisukhamiṣṭadātāramīḍyaṃ natajanamanastāpabhedaikadakṣam | bhavavipinadavāgnināmadheyaṃ satatamahaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtimīḍe || 2|| tribhuvanagurumāgamaikapramāṇaṃ trijagatkāraṇasūtrayogamāyam | raviśatabhāsvaramīhitapradhānaṃ satatamahaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtimīḍe || 3|| aviratabhavabhāvanādidūraṃ padapadmadvayabhāvināmadūram | bhavajaladhisutāraṇamaṅghripotaṃ satatamahaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtimīḍe || 4|| kṛtanilayamaniśaṃ vaṭākamūle nigamaśikhāvrātabodhitaikarūpam | dhṛtamudrāṅgul̤igamyacārurūpaṃ satatamahaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtimīḍe || 5|| druhiṇasutapūjitāṅghripadmaṃ padapadmānatamokṣadānadakṣam | kṛtagurukulavāsayogimitraṃ satatamahaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtimīḍe || 6|| yativarahṛdaye sadā vibhāntaṃ ratipatiśatakoṭisundarāṅgamādyam | parahitaniratātmanaṃ susevyaṃ satatamahaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtimīḍe || 7|| smitadhaval̤avikāsitānanābjaṃ śrutisulabhaṃ vṛṣabhādhirūḍhagātram | sitajalajasuśobhidehakāntiṃ satatamahaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtimīḍe || 8|| vṛṣabhakṛtamidamiṣṭasiddhidaṃ guruvaradevasannidhau paṭhedyaḥ | sakaladuritaduḥkhavargahāniṃ vrajati ciraṃ jñānavān śambhulokam || 9|| iti śrīvṟ^ṣabhadevaviracitaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtyaṣṭakaṃ sampūrṇam |
Meaning:Eight verses to Dakshinamurti — Shiva as the supreme silent Guru, the youthful teacher who imparts the highest knowledge of the Self through silence to the aged sages at His feet.
Benefits of Chanting दक्षिणामूर्ति अष्टकम्
Recitation of the Dakshinamurti 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 दक्षिणामूर्ति अष्टकम्
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of the deity. Light a lamp and recite the Dakshinamurti 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 दक्षिणामूर्ति अष्टकम् with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts