शिव अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली — Word-by-Word Meaning
शिव अष्टोत्तर शतनामावली
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ शिवाय नमः
Om Shivaya Namah
Salutations to the Auspicious One, the source of all goodness
ॐ महेश्वराय नमः
Om Maheshvaraya Namah
Salutations to the Great Lord, the supreme controller
ॐ शम्भवे नमः
Om Shambhave Namah
Salutations to Shambhu, the giver of joy and well-being
ॐ पिनाकिने नमः
Om Pinakine Namah
Salutations to the wielder of the Pinaka bow
ॐ शशिशेखराय नमः
Om Shashishekharaya Namah
Salutations to the one who wears the moon as a crest-jewel
ॐ गङ्गाधराय नमः
Om Gangadharaya Namah
Salutations to the bearer of the river Ganga in his locks
ॐ कालकालाय नमः
Om Kalakalaya Namah
Salutations to the Death of Death itself (the conqueror of time)
ॐ त्रिपुरान्तकाय नमः
Om Tripurantakaya Namah
Salutations to the destroyer of the three cities (Tripura)
ॐ भस्मोद्धूलितविग्रहाय नमः
Om Bhasmoddhulita-vigrahaya Namah
Salutations to the one whose form is anointed with sacred ash
ॐ सोमसूर्याग्निलोचनाय नमः
Om Soma-suryagni-lochanaya Namah
Salutations to the one whose three eyes are the moon, sun, and fire
ॐ पञ्चवक्त्राय नमः
Om Panchavaktraya Namah
Salutations to the five-faced Lord
ॐ सदाशिवाय नमः
Om Sadashivaya Namah
Salutations to the eternally auspicious Sadashiva
ॐ विश्वेश्वराय नमः
Om Vishveshvaraya Namah
Salutations to the Lord of the universe
ॐ वीरभद्राय नमः
Om Virabhadraya Namah
Salutations to the fierce, heroic form Virabhadra
ॐ मृत्युञ्जयाय नमः
Om Mrityunjayaya Namah
Salutations to the conqueror of death
ॐ जगद्गुरवे नमः
Om Jagadgurave Namah
Salutations to the teacher of the entire world
ॐ रुद्राय नमः
Om Rudraya Namah
Salutations to Rudra, the remover of suffering
ॐ दिगम्बराय नमः
Om Digambaraya Namah
Salutations to the one clad in the directions (sky-clad)
ॐ अष्टमूर्तये नमः
Om Ashtamurtaye Namah
Salutations to the one of eight forms (earth, water, fire, air, ether, sun, moon, soul)
ॐ पशुपतये नमः
Om Pashupataye Namah
Salutations to the Lord of all beings (Pashupati)
ॐ महादेवाय नमः
Om Mahadevaya Namah
Salutations to the Great God Mahadeva
ॐ परमेश्वराय नमः
Om Parameshvaraya Namah
Salutations to the Supreme Lord (the concluding 108th name)
Complete Translation
यह भगवान शिव के एक सौ आठ पवित्र नामों की नामावली है, जिनमें से प्रत्येक 'ॐ ... नमः' के रूप में श्रद्धापूर्वक अर्पित किया जाता है। ये नाम उन्हें शिव (मंगलमय), महेश्वर (महान प्रभु), शम्भु (आनन्ददाता), पिनाकधारी, चन्द्रशेखर, गंगाधर, कालों के काल, त्रिपुरान्तक, भस्मविलेपित विग्रह वाले, सूर्य-चन्द्र-अग्निलोचन त्रिनेत्र, पंचमुख सदाशिव, विश्वेश्वर, वीरभद्र, मृत्युञ्जय, जगद्गुरु, रुद्र, अष्टमूर्ति दिगम्बर, पशुपति, महादेव — के रूप में पुकारते हैं और अन्त में परमेश्वर (परम प्रभु) पर समाप्त होते हैं। इन नामों का जप करते हुए भक्त शिव की अनन्त महिमा के प्रत्येक रूप का ध्यान करता है।
Origin & History
Source: Puranic tradition (the 108 names of Shiva, as found across the Shiva and Skanda Puranas)
Author: Traditional (Puranic)
Period: Ancient (Puranic era)
The custom of worshipping a deity through 108 of his names (ashtottara-shatanama) is woven throughout the Puranas. Shiva's 108 names gather together the many faces of the Lord that appear across his myths — the auspicious Shambhu, the ash-clad ascetic, the slayer of Tripura, the conqueror of death, the cosmic Rudra of eight forms. Devotees have for ages used this namavali for daily archana, offering a bilva leaf at each name, regarding it as a complete and especially dear form of Shiva worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali?▼
'Ashtottara Shatanamavali' means a garland (avali) of one hundred and eight (ashtottara-shata) names (nama). It is a litany of 108 sacred names of Lord Shiva, each recited as 'Om ... Namah', praising his many divine qualities and deeds.
How is it different from the Shiva Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram?▼
The namavali presents each name separately with 'Om' before and 'Namah' after, ideal for archana where an offering is made at each name. The stotram weaves the same 108 names into flowing verse meant to be recited as a hymn. Both honour the same names of Shiva.
How do I use the 108 names in worship?▼
During archana, keep 108 bilva leaves or flowers and offer one to the Shiva Lingam with each name. Otherwise, simply chant all 108 names with devotion before an image of Shiva, beginning and ending with 'Om Namah Shivaya.'
Why 108 names?▼
108 is a deeply sacred number in Hindu tradition, representing wholeness and the cosmos. Reciting 108 names is a complete, auspicious offering that covers the full spectrum of the deity's glory.
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