Among the many sacred chants in Hinduism, Lingashtakam holds a special place in the hearts of Lord Shiva’s devotees. This eight-verse hymn, composed in classical Sanskrit, is a poetic tribute to the Shiva Linga, the symbolic representation of Shiva and Shakti — the divine masculine and feminine principles. Its rhythm, its depth, and the grace of its words make Lingashtakam a favorite in temples, especially during festivals like Mahashivaratri.
What is Lingashtakam?
Lingashtakam is a Sanskrit hymn (stotram) made up of eight verses (Ashtakam) glorifying the Shiva Linga. This form represents not only Lord Shiva but also the union of cosmic energies — the Linga (phallic) representing Shiva and the Yoni (womb-shaped base) symbolizing Shakti. Together, they portray the eternal creative dance of the universe.
Traditionally sung in the soothing raga Shivaranjini, Lingashtakam has been a part of devotional practice across generations, and is especially heard in temples during sacred rituals, Abhishekam, and evening aartis.
Why Chant Lingashtakam?
The Lingashtakam’s significance lies in its ability to evoke surrender, devotion, and inner purification. Each verse praises a unique quality of the Shiva Linga — its ability to destroy ego, cleanse sins, and lead the devotee to higher wisdom and liberation.
Many gurus and teachers recommend reciting Lingashtakam during personal Shiva sadhana, particularly in front of a Shiva Linga. The vibrational energy of the Sanskrit words, combined with heartfelt intention, creates a powerful meditative state.
Lingashtakam: Sacred Verses in Sanskrit, Roman Transliteration, and English Translation
1. ब्रह्ममुरारि सुरार्चित लिङ्गं
निर्मलभासित शोभित लिङ्गम् ।
जन्मज दुःख विनाशक लिङ्गं
तत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥
brahmamurāri surārcita liṅgaṃ
nirmalabhāsita śobhita liṅgam ।
janmaja duḥkha vināśaka liṅgaṃ
tat-praṇamāmi sadāśiva liṅgam ॥
Brahma Murari surarchita Lingam
Nirmala bhasita sobhita Lingam
Janmaja dukha vinasaka Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
2. देवमुनि प्रवरार्चित लिङ्गं
कामदहन करुणाकर लिङ्गम् ।
रावण दर्प विनाशन लिङ्गं
तत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥
devamuni pravarārcita liṅgaṃ
kāmadahana karuṇākara liṅgam ।
rāvaṇa darpa vināśana liṅgaṃ
tat-praṇamāmi sadāśiva liṅgam ॥
Devamuni pravararchita Lingam
Kamadahana karunakara Lingam
Ravana darpa vinasaka Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
3. सर्व सुगन्ध सुलेपित लिङ्गं
बुद्धि विवर्धन कारण लिङ्गम् ।
सिद्ध सुरासुर वन्दित लिङ्गं
तत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥
sarva sugandha sulepita liṅgaṃ
buddhi vivardhana kāraṇa liṅgam ।
siddha surāsura vandita liṅgaṃ
tat-praṇamāmi sadāśiva liṅgam ॥
Sarva sugandhi sulepita Lingam
Buddhi vivardhana karana Lingam
Siddha surasura vandita Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
4. कनक महामणि भूषित लिङ्गं
फणिपति वेष्टित शोभित लिङ्गम् ।
दक्ष सुयज्ञ विनाशन लिङ्गं
तत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥
kanaka mahāmaṇi bhūṣita liṅgaṃ
phaṇipati veṣṭita śobhita liṅgam ।
dakṣa suyajña vināśana liṅgaṃ
tat-praṇamāmi sadāśiva liṅgam ॥
Kanaka maha mani bhushita Lingam
Paniphati veshtitha shobhita Lingam
Dakshasu yajna vinashana Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
5. कुङ्कुम चन्दन लेपित लिङ्गं
पङ्कज हार सुशोभित लिङ्गम् ।
सञ्चित पाप विनाशन लिङ्गं
तत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥
kuṅkuma candana lepita liṅgaṃ
paṅkaja hāra suśobhita liṅgam ।
sañcita pāpa vināśana liṅgaṃ
tat-praṇamāmi sadāśiva liṅgam ॥
Kumkuma chandana lepita Lingam
Pankaja hara sushosbhita Lingam
Sanchita papa vinashana Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
6. देवगणार्चित सेवित लिङ्गं
भावैः भक्तिभिरेव च लिङ्गम् ।
दिनकर कोटि प्रभाकर लिङ्गं
तत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥
devagaṇārcita sevita liṅgaṃ
bhāvaiḥ bhaktibhireva ca liṅgam ।
dinakara koṭi prabhākara liṅgaṃ
tat-praṇamāmi sadāśiva liṅgam ॥
Devaganarchita sevita Lingam
Bhavair bhaktibhi revacha Lingam
Dinakarakoti prabhakara Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam
7. अष्टदलोपरिवेष्टित लिङ्गं
सर्वसमुद्भव कारण लिङ्गम् ।
अष्टदरिद्र विनाशन लिङ्गं
तत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥
aṣṭadalopariveṣṭita liṅgaṃ
sarvasamudbhava kāraṇa liṅgam ।
aṣṭadaridra vināśana liṅgaṃ
tat-praṇamāmi sadāśiva liṅgam ॥
Ashtadalo pariveshtia Lingam
Sarva samudbhava karana Lingam
Ashtadaridra vinashana Lingam
Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam
8. सुरगुरु सुरवर पूजित लिङ्गं
सुरवन पुष्प सदार्चित लिङ्गम् ।
परात्परं परमात्मक लिङ्गं
तत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥
Suraguru suravara pujita Lingam
Suravana pushpa sadarchita Lingam
Paratparam paramatmaka Lingam
Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam
लिङ्गाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेत् शिव सन्निधौ ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥
liṅgāṣṭakam idaṃ puṇyaṃ yaḥ paṭhet śiva sannidhau ।
śivalokam avāpnoti śivena saha modate ॥
Lingashtakamidam punyam
Yat Pathet Shivasannidhau
Shivalokamavapnoti
Shivena saha modate.
In today’s fast-paced world, devotional practices like chanting Lingashtakam offer us a refuge of silence, devotion, and spiritual grounding. It is not just a hymn — it is a doorway to connecting with the formless through form, to embracing both Shiva’s stillness and Shakti’s movement.
As you chant this ancient stotram, allow its energy to wash over your being, cleanse old patterns, and reconnect you with your eternal truth — for Shiva is not just a god in the temple, but the infinite presence in your own heart.
