Lingashtakam: Lyrics, Meaning, & Importance

Lingashtakam is one of the most popular songs of God Shiva that explains the importance of worshipping God Shiva in the form of Linga. The name Lingashtakam clearly gives the meaning that it is an Ashtakam (Eight stanzas) written in a poetic way to explain the greatness of Shiva Lingam and its worship along with several aspects of great God Shiva and how worshipping the Lingam can help you.

Lyrics and Complete Meaning of Lingashtakam

I bow before the SadaShiva Lingam
which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and the Devas
The Lingam that is glorified by the pure and holy words
The Lingam that destroys the sorrows of cycle of birth and death

Devamuni Pravararchitha Lingam
Kamadahana Karunakara Lingam
Ravanadarpa Vinasaka Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam (2)

I bow before the SadaShiva Lingam
That is worshipped by gods and saints,
The Lingam that destroyed the kama and the one that bestows mercy on people.
The Lingam that subdued the pride of Ravana.

SarvaSugandha sulepitha Lingam
Buddhivivardhana karana Lingam
Siddhasuraasura vamditha Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam (3)

I bow before the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam that is lavishly applied with all the aromatic and scented pastes
The Lingam behind the power of elevated thoughts
The Lingam that is prostrated by the Siddhas, Suras and Asuras.

Kanaka Mahamani bhooshitha Lingam
Phanipati vesthitha sobhitha Lingam
Dakshasuyagna Vinasana Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam (4)

I bow before the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam that is adorned with gold and precious gems
The Lingam that looks great by having Lord of Snakes coiled around it.
The Lingam that destroyed the Dakshas Yagna

Kumkuma Chandana lepitha Lingam
Pankajahaara SuShobhitha Lingam
Samchitha papa vinasana Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam (5)

I bow before the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam that is applied with Kumkuma (sindhoor) and sandalwood paste
The shining Lingam that is adorned with lotus garlands
The Lingam that wipes out the accumulated sins

Devaganrchitha sevitha Lingam
Bhavairbhakthi bhirevacha Lingam
Dinakara koti Prabhakara Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam (6)

I bow before the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam that is worshipped by deva ganas
The Lingam that is worshipped with genuine feel, great devotion, and consciousness
The Lingam whose splendor is like that of a million suns

Asthadalo Parivesthitha Lingam
Sarvasamudbhava Karana Lingam
Astadaridra vinasana Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam (7)

I bow before the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam that resides on the eight petals
The Lingam that was the cause of the entire creation
The Lingam that can destroy the eight aspects of the poverty

Suraguru Suravara Poojitha Lingam
Suravana Pushpa Sadarchitha Lingam
Paratparam Paramatmaka Lingam
Tatpranamami SadaSiva Lingam (8)

I bow before the SadaShiva Lingam
The Lingam that is worshipped by the guru of sura’s (Brihaspati) and suravaras
The Lingam that is worshipped by the flowers from the celestial gardens of gods
The Lingam that is always supreme and divine of all (I bow to that Lingam)

Lingashtakamidam Punyam Yah Phate Sshiva Sannidhou
Shivaloka mavapnothi shivena sahamodate

The one who recites this Lingashtakam in the abode of God Shiva will attain ShivaLoka and enjoys the compassion of Great God Shiva.

Importance of this Stotram

Worshipping a god can be done as a rupa (visible form) or arupa (invisible form). Along with this Great God Shiva is also known to be worshipped as ‘Arupa-rupi’  which means  ‘a form with no form’ that is the Shiva Lingam.

Worshipping of Lingam brings the devotee much closer to God Shiva and is often prescribed by the Shivagamas, Puranas, and many other holy Shaivate scriptures as this form is greater to the usual mruthi form for worshiping.

Worshipping of Lingam was known to be one of the ancient practices in Hinduism. Such Linga worship can be done in many ways like abhishekams, rituals, or even by praising with holy chants, stotras and ashtakas.

One such is Lingashtakam, that explains the greatness of Shiva in the Linga form and describes many aspects of Lingam.

In order to understand how mighty the spiritual importance of Linga form can be, easily known by reciting the Lingashtakam as some of its stanzas like ‘Brahma Murari Surarchitha Lingam…’ and ‘Siddhasurasura Vanditha Lingam’ clearly explains its greatness as the Shiva Lingam form is not only worshiped by Vishnu, Brahma and several other Gods but also by the Asuras and demons.

Reciting simple yet in depth Astakas like Lingashtakam meaningfully, enlightens the devotees and brings them much closer to the Great Gods mercy.

Also, the Phalastuti of the Lingashtakam (the last two lines) clearly explains the significance as once who recites it in the abode of god Shiva will drive the devotee towards attaining the Shivaloka and enjoys the divine bliss in the Shiva’s vicinity.

Who Composed the Lingashtakam?

To be frank, there is no solid evidence to give credit on who composed this beautiful Lingashtakam. However, many believe that it was written by Sri Adi Shankaracharya considering his poetic way of writing the Astakams and also looking at the phalastuti that matches with that of Shiva Panchakshara stotram composed by the Shakaracharya.

However, some people believe it was not his work and says Lingashtakam is much older to his date, and gives credit to Maha Muni Agasthya.