Wednesday, November 28, 2007

108 Names of Shiva

शिव अष्टोत्तरशत नामावलि
śiva aṣṭottaraśata nāmāvali

ॐ शिवाय नमः ~ om śivāya namaḥ

1. Aum, Salutations to Shiva, the Auspicious One

ॐ महेश्वराय नमः ~ om maheśvarāya namaḥ

2. Aum, Salutations to Maheshvara, the Great Lord

ॐ शम्भवे नमः ~ om śambhave namaḥ

3. Aum, Salutations to Shambhu, the One who bestows happiness

ॐ पिनाकिने नमः ~ om pinākine namaḥ

4. Aum, Salutations to Pinakin, the Wielder of the bow

ॐ शशिशेखराय नमः ~ om śaśiśekharāya namaḥ

5. Aum, Salutations to Shashishekhara, the Bearer of the moon

ॐ वामदेवाय नमः ~ om vāmadevāya namaḥ

6. Aum, Salutations to Vamadeva, the beautiful Lord

ॐ विरूपाक्षाय नमः ~ om virūpākṣāya namaḥ

7. Aum, Salutations to Virupaksha, the One of spotless form

ॐ कपर्दिने नमः ~ om kapardine namaḥ

8. Aum, Salutations to Kapardin, the One with matted hair

ॐ नीललोहिताय नमः ~ om nīlalohitāya namaḥ

9. Aum, Salutations to Nilalohita, the One who is bluish-red in hue

ॐ शङ्कराय नमः ~ om śaṅkarāya namaḥ

10. Aum, Salutations to Shankara, the Causer of all good

ॐ शूलपाणये नमः ~ om śūlapāṇaye namaḥ

11. Aum, Salutations to Shulapani, the Wielder of the trident

ॐ खट्वाङ्गिने नमः ~ om khaṭvāṅgine namaḥ

12. Aum, Salutations to Khatvangin, the Wielder of the axe

ॐ विष्णुवल्लभाय नमः ~ om viṣṇuvallabhāya namaḥ

13. Aum, Salutations to Vishnu-vallabha, the One loved by Vishnu

ॐ शिपिविष्टाय नमः ~ om śipiviṣṭāya namaḥ

14. Aum, Salutations to Shipivishta, the One encircled in rays of light

ॐ अम्बिकानाथाय नमः ~ om ambikānāthāya namaḥ

15. Aum, Salutations to Ambika-natha, the Lord of Ambika (Shakti)

ॐ श्रीकण्ठाय नमः ~ om śrīkaṇṭhāya namaḥ

16. Aum, Salutations to Srikantha, the One with a shining throat

ॐ भक्तवत्सलाय नमः ~ om bhaktavatsalāya namaḥ

17. Aum, Salutations to Bhakta-vatsala, the One who loves His devotees

भवाय नमः ~ om bhavāya namaḥ

18. Aum, Salutations to Bhava, the One who is existence itself

ॐ शर्वाय नमः ~ om śarvāya namaḥ

19. Aum, Salutations to Sharva, the great Archer

ॐ त्रिलोकेशाय नमः ~ om trilokeśāya namaḥ

20. Aum, Salutations to Trilokesha, the Ruler of the three worlds

ॐ शितिकण्ठाय नमः ~ om śitikaṇṭhāya namaḥ

21. Aum, Salutations to Shitikantha, the One with a white throat

ॐ शिवाप्रियाय नमः ~ om śivāpriyāya namaḥ

22. Aum, Salutations to Shivapriya, the Beloved of Shivā (Shakti)

ॐ उग्राय नमः ~ om ugrāya namaḥ

23. Aum, Salutations to Ugra, the fierce One

ॐ कपालिने नमः ~ om kapāline namaḥ

24. Aum, Salutations to Kapalin, the Wielder of a skull-bowl

ॐ कामारये नमः ~ om kāmāraye namaḥ

25. Aum, Salutations to Kamara, the Destroyer of all passions

ॐ अन्धकासुरसूदनाय नमः ~ om andhakāsurasūdanāya namaḥ

26. Aum, Salutations to Andhakasura-sudana, the Destroyer of the demon of blindness

ॐ गङ्गाधराय नमः ~ om gaṅgādharāya namaḥ

27. Aum, Salutations to Gangadhara, the Bearer of the river Ganga

ॐ ललाटाक्षाय नमः ~ om lalāṭākṣāya namaḥ

28. Aum, Salutations to Lalataksha, the One with a forehead eye

ॐ कालकालाय नमः ~ om kālakālāya namaḥ

29. Aum, Salutations to Kalakala, the Ender of time (death)

ॐ कृपानिधये नमः ~ om kṛpānidhaye namaḥ

30. Aum, Salutations to Kripanidhi, the Treasure of compassion

ॐ भीमाय नमः ~ om bhīmāya namaḥ

31. Aum, Salutations to Bhima, the formidable One

ॐ परशुहस्ताय नमः ~ om paraśuhastāya namaḥ

32. Aum, Salutations to Parashu-hasta, the One who holds an axe

ॐ मृगपाणये नमः ~ om mṛgapāṇaye namaḥ

33. Aum, Salutations to Mrigapani, the One who bears a deer in His hand

ॐ जटाधराय नमः ~ om jaṭādharāya namaḥ

34. Aum, Salutations to Jatadhara, the One who wears matted locks

ॐ कैलासवासिने नमः ~ om kailāsavāsine namaḥ

35. Aum, Salutations to Kailasavasin, the One who dwells in Kailasa

ॐ कवचिने नमः ~ om kavacine namaḥ

36. Aum, Salutations to Kavachin, the One who is dressed in armor

ॐ कठोराय नमः ~ om kaṭhorāya namaḥ

37. Aum, Salutations to Kathora, the strong One

ॐ त्रिपुरान्तकाय नमः ~ om tripurāntakāya namaḥ

38. Aum, Salutations to Tripurantaka, the Destroyer of the three cities

ॐ वृषाङ्काय नमः ~ om vṛṣāṅkāya namaḥ

39. Aum, Salutations to Vrishanka, the One with the Bull standard

ॐ वृषभारूढय नमः ~ om vṛṣabhārūḍhaya namaḥ

40. Aum, Salutations to Vrishabha-rudha, the Rider of the Bull (Nandi)

ॐ भस्मोद्धूलितविग्रहाय नमः ~ om bhasmoddhūlitavigrahāya namaḥ

41. Aum, Salutations to Bhasmadhulita-Vigraha, the One who is covered in holy ash

ॐ सामप्रियाय नमः ~ om sāmapriyāya namaḥ

42. Aum, Salutations to Samapriya, the One who loves Sama chants

ॐ स्वरमयाय नमः ~ om svaramayāya namaḥ

43. Aum, Salutations to Svaramaya, the One who is infused with sound (of creation)

ॐ त्रयीमूर्तये नमः ~ om trayīmūrtaye namaḥ

44. Aum, Salutations to Trimurti, the One Being of three forms

ॐ अनीश्वराय नमः ~ om anīśvarāya namaḥ

45. Aum, Salutations to Anishvara, the One without a superior

ॐ सर्वज्ञाय नमः ~ om sarvajñāya namaḥ

46. Aum, Salutations to Sarvajna, the omniscient One

ॐ परमात्मने नमः ~ om paramātmane namaḥ

47. Aum, Salutations to Paramatman, the supreme Self

ॐ सोमसूर्याग्निलोचनाय नमः ~ om somasūryāgnilocanāya namaḥ

48. Aum, Salutations to Somasuryagni-lochana, the One whose eyes are the Moon, Sun and Fire

ॐ हविषे नमः ~ om haviṣe namaḥ

49. Aum, Salutations to Havisha, the Receiver of oblations (of yajna ritual)

ॐ यज्ञमयाय नमः ~ om yajñamayāya namaḥ

50. Aum, Salutations to Yajnamaya, the One who represents the yajna

सोमाय नमः ~ om somāya namaḥ

51. Aum, Salutations to Soma, the One with Uma (sa + uma; Shakti)

पञ्चवक्त्राय नमः ~ om pañcavaktrāya namaḥ

52. Aum, Salutations to Panchavaktra, the five-faced One

ॐ सदाशिवाय नमः ~ om sadāśivāya namaḥ

53. Aum, Salutations to Sadashiva, the ever-auspicious One

ॐ विश्वेश्वराय नमः ~ om viśveśvarāya namaḥ

54. Aum, Salutations to Vishveshvara, the Ruler of the universe

ॐ वीरभद्राय नमः ~ om vīrabhadrāya namaḥ

55. Aum, Salutations to Virabhadra, the foremost Hero

ॐ गणनाथाय नमः ~ om gaṇanāthāya namaḥ

56. Aum, Salutations to Gananatha, the Lord of hosts of beings

ॐ प्रजापतये नमः ~ om prajāpataye namaḥ

57. Aum, Salutations to Prajapati, the Lord of all people

ॐ हिरण्यरेतसे नमः ~ om hiraṇyaretase namaḥ

58. Aum, Salutations to Hiranyaretas, the One who emanates the golden (light)

ॐ दुर्धर्षाय नमः ~ om durdharṣāya namaḥ

59. Aum, Salutations to Durdhasha, the unconquered One

ॐ गिरीशाय नमः ~ om girīśāya namaḥ

60. Aum, Salutations to Giriisha, the Lord of the mountains

ॐ गिरिशाय नमः ~ om giriśāya namaḥ

61. Aum, Salutations to Girisha, the One who resides in the mountains

ॐ अनघाय नमः ~ om anaghāya namaḥ

62. Aum, Salutations to Anagha, the untainted One

ॐ भुजङ्गभूषणाय नमः ~ om bhujaṅgabhūṣaṇāya namaḥ

63. Aum, Salutations to Bhujanga-bhushana, the One adorned in serpents

ॐ भर्गाय नमः ~ om bhargāya namaḥ

64. Aum, Salutations to Bharga, the radiant One

ॐ गिरिधन्वने नमः ~ om giridhanvane namaḥ

65. Aum, Salutations to Giridhanvan, the One who holds the mountains like a bow

ॐ गिरिप्रियाय नमः ~ om giripriyāya namaḥ

66. Aum, Salutations to Giripriya, the One who loves the mountains

ॐ कृत्तिवाससे नमः ~ om kṛttivāsase namaḥ

67. Aum, Salutations to Krittivasin, the One adorned in skins

ॐ पुरारातये नमः ~ om purārātaye namaḥ

68. Aum, Salutations to Purarata, the One who resides in the wild

ॐ भगवते नमः ~ om bhagavate namaḥ

69. Aum, Salutations to Bhagavan, the glorious Lord

ॐ प्रमथाधिपाय नमः ~ om pramathādhipāya namaḥ

70. Aum, Salutations to Pramatha-Adhipa, the Lord of the spirits

ॐ मृत्युञ्जयाय नमः ~ om mṛtyuñjayāya namaḥ

71. Aum, Salutations to Mrityunjaya, the Conquerer of death

ॐ सूक्ष्मतनवे नमः ~ om sūkṣmatanave namaḥ

72. Aum, Salutations to Sukshmatana, the One with the subtlest of bodies

ॐ जगद्व्यापिने नमः ~ om jagadvyāpine namaḥ

73. Aum, Salutations to Jagadvyapin, the One who pervades the whole world

ॐ जगद्गुरवे नमः ~ om jagadgurave namaḥ

74. Aum, Salutations to Jagadguru, the Guru of the whole world

ॐ व्योमकेशाय नमः ~ om vyomakeśāya namaḥ

75. Aum, Salutations to Vyomakesha, the One whose hair is space

ॐ महासेनजनकाय नमः ~ om mahāsenajanakāya namaḥ

76. Aum, Salutations to Mahasena-janaka, the Father of Mahasena (Kartikeya)

ॐ चारुविक्रमाय नमः ~ om cāruvikramāya namaḥ

77. Aum, Salutations to Charuvikrama, the pleasantly heroic One

ॐ रुद्राय नमः ~ om rudrāya namaḥ

78. Aum, Salutations to Rudra, the praiseworthy One

ॐ भूतपतये नमः ~ om bhūtapataye namaḥ

79. Aum, Salutations to Bhutapati, the Lord of all entities

ॐ स्थाणवे नमः ~ om sthāṇave namaḥ

80. Aum, Salutations to Sthanu, the Immovable One

ॐ अहिर्बुध्न्याय नमः ~ om ahirbudhnyāya namaḥ

81. Aum, Salutations to Ahirbudhnya, the Serpent of the depths (Kundalini)

ॐ दिगम्बराय नमः ~ om digambarāya namaḥ

82. Aum, Salutations to Digambara, the One clad in the directions

ॐ अष्टमूर्तये नमः ~ om aṣṭamūrtaye namaḥ

83. Aum, Salutations to Ashtamurti, the One of eight forms

ॐ अनेकात्मने नमः ~ om anekātmane namaḥ

84. Aum, Salutations to Anekatma, the One soul of numerous (beings)

ॐ सात्विकाय नमः ~ om sātvikāya namaḥ

85. Aum, Salutations to Satvika, the purest One

ॐ शुद्धविग्रहाय नमः ~ om śuddhavigrahāya namaḥ

86. Aum, Salutations to Shuddha-vigraha, the One of stainless form

ॐ शाश्वताय नमः ~ om śāśvatāya namaḥ

87. Aum, Salutations to Shashvata, the eternal One

ॐ खण्डपरशवे नमः ~ om khaṇḍaparaśave namaḥ

88. Aum, Salutations to Khanda-parasha, the One who breaks through all problems

ॐ अजाय नमः ~ om ajāya namaḥ

89. Aum, Salutations to Aja, the unborn One

ॐ पाशविमोचकाय नमः ~ om pāśavimocakāya namaḥ

90. Aum, Salutations to Papa-vimochaka, the Absolver of sin

ॐ मृडाय नमः ~ om mṛḍāya namaḥ

91. Aum, Salutations to Mrida, the joyful One

ॐ पशुपतये नमः ~ om paśupataye namaḥ

92. Aum, Salutations to Pashupati, the Lord of all souls (creatures)

ॐ देवाय नमः ~ om devāya namaḥ

93. Aum, Salutations to Deva, the shiny One

ॐ महादेवाय नमः ~ om mahādevāya namaḥ

94. Aum, Salutations to Mahadeva, the great shiny One

ॐ अव्ययाय नमः ~ om avyayāya namaḥ

95. Aum, Salutations to Avyaya, the changeless One

ॐ हरये नमः ~ om haraye namaḥ

96. Aum, Salutations to Hara, the Absolver (of sins, bondages)

ॐ भगनेत्रभिदे नमः ~ om bhaganetrabhide namaḥ

97. Aum, Salutations to Bhaganetra-bhida, the One who plucked the eye of Bhaga

ॐ अव्यक्ताय नमः ~ om avyaktāya namaḥ

98. Aum, Salutations to Avyakta, the unmanifest One

ॐ दक्षाध्वरहराय नमः ~ om dakṣādhvaraharāya namaḥ

99. Aum, Salutations to Dakshadhvara-hara, the Destroyer of the sacrifice of Daksha

ॐ हराय नमः ~ om harāya namaḥ

100. Aum, Salutations to Hara, the Withdrawer of all things

ॐ पूषदन्तभिदे नमः ~ om pūṣadantabhide namaḥ

101. Aum, Salutations to Pushadanta-bhida, the One who broke Pushan’s tooth

ॐ अव्यग्राय नमः ~ om avyagrāya namaḥ

102. Aum, Salutations to Avagra, the steady One

ॐ सहस्राक्षाय नमः ~ om sahasrākṣāya namaḥ

103. Aum, Salutations to Sahasraksha, the One of a thousand eyes

ॐ सहस्रपदे नमः ~ om sahasrapade namaḥ

104. Aum, Salutations to Saharaspada, the One of a thousand feet

ॐ अपवर्गप्रदाय नमः ~ om apavargapradāya namaḥ

105. Aum, Salutations to Apavarga-prada, the Bestower of absolution

ॐ अनन्ताय नमः ~ om anantāya namaḥ

106. Aum, Salutations to Ananta, the endless One

ॐ तारकाय नमः ~ om tārakāya namaḥ

107. Aum, Salutations to Taraka, the One who liberates

ॐ परमेश्वराय नमः ~ om parameśvarāya namaḥ

108. Aum, Salutations to Parameshvara, the supreme Lord

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Ashtottarashata Namavali is a prayer that invokes God, one of the Gods, or even a great saint or sage using 108 names. There are are dozens of such prayers in existence. The characteristic of all Namavalis is that each name begins with Aum and ends with Namah. Above is the list of 108 names of Shiva. There are other such Namavalis addressed to Shiva in other forms (Bhairava, Ardhanarishvara, etc.), but the one above is perhaps the most famous. This particular Namavali is recited in temple by priests during Shiva puja. Traditionally, the priest will offer either a few petals or a whole flower with each name recited. Sometimes instead of flowers, the icon of the Lord (Shiva Lingam) is offered bilva (bael) leaves, especially during special puja on Shivaratri. Many people also recite Shiva's 108 names at home pujas or as part of their prayers, particularly on Mondays.

Note: the names Giriisha and Girisha (no. 60 and 61) are slightly different and not repetitions.

Aum Namah Shivaya.

Printable version of the Shiva Ashtottarashata Namavali.

5 comments:

  1. Hi!
    I am greatful for the Namavali on Shiva's 108 names which I found on you site. However I have made an observation on the following mantras which I'd like to bring to your attention.

    ॐ गिरीशाय नमः ~ om girīśāya namaḥ


    60. Aum, Salutations to Girisha, the Lord of the mountains


    ॐ गिरिशाय नमः ~ om girīśāya namaḥ


    61. Aum, Salutations to Girisha, the Lord of the mountains


    If you look at the devanagari it seems that the second Girisha (61) should be transliterated as giriśāya (means both "i" are short). This gives a different pronounciation. Re the meaning however I am at loss. However I have some feeling that the gender of Giri+Isha versus Giree+Isha may be a lead?

    Happy if you can enlighten me on this point!

    Bo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Bo,

    That was a good catch! I hadn't noticed the error. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I've fixed the errors.

    You are absolutely correct. #60 should read girīśāya and #61 should be transliterated giriśāya.

    I was not aware of the subtle difference, but upon looking it up, I found that they have slightly different meanings:

    girīśāya means Lord of the Mountains (giri + īśa) as you've noted.

    giriśāya implies dweller/resider of the mountain.

    I am not certain of the exact etymology of the latter. But, it turns out a similar word - giriśanta - is found in the Sri Rudram (I.3) and the Shvetashvatara Upanishad (III.5).

    Hope that helps.

    Regards,
    A.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Was wondering if you knew the origin of the 108 names of Shiva? Does it come from the 1008 names found in the Mahabharata?

    ReplyDelete
  4. The tradition of listing multiple names originally comes from the Sri Rudram Hymn. Later texts went further and started the sahasranama tradition as found in the Mahabharata and other texts. You are probably right that 108 names are short-form versions of 1008 names (Sahasranama), which became inconvenient for recitation. However, the 108 name stotras are found independent of any book. They are short and convenient prayers.

    ReplyDelete