Shiva Bhakti:

Stotras of Lord Shiva: (Stotras)

• Slokas:

• Kara Carana Kritam
- करचरण कृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा
- Surrendering the Fruits of Works to Lord Shiva
• Karpura Gauram
- कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतार संसारसारम् भुजगेन्द्रहारम्
- Meditation on Shiva and Parvati together

• Stotras:

• Dakshinamurthy Stotram (Adi Shankara)
- दक्षिणामूर्ति स्तोत्रम् - विश्वं दर्पणदृश्यमाननगरीतुल्यं निजान्तर्गतं
- Meditation on Sri Dakshinamurthy
• Kalabhairava Ashtakam (Adi Shankara)
- कालभैरवाष्टकम् - देवराजसेव्यमानपावनांघ्रिपङ्कजं
- Meditation on Sri Kalabhairava
• Lingashtakam
- लिङ्गाष्टकम् - ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गं निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम्
- Meditation on the glories of Shiva Lingam
• Rudrashtakam (Goswami Tulsidas)
- श्रीरुद्राष्टकम् - नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपम्
- Meditation on the Transcendental Aspects of Sri Rudra
• Shambhu Stuti
- शम्भु स्तुति - नमामि शम्भुं पुरुषं पुराणं
- Meditation on Sri Shambhu
• Shiva Manasa Puja (Adi Shankara)
- शिवमानसपूजा - रत्नैः कल्पितमासनं हिमजलैः स्नानं च दिव्याम्बरं
- Mental Worship of Lord Shiva
• Shiva Panchakshara Stotram (Adi Shankara)
- शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्रम् - नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्माङ्गरागाय महेश्वराय
- Meditation on the Shiva Panchakshara Mantra: Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya
• Shiva Pratah Smaran Stotram (Adi Shankara)
- शिवप्रातःस्मरणस्तोत्रम् - प्रातः स्मरामि भवभीतिहरं सुरेशं
- Meditation on Lord Shiva in the early morning
• Shiva Shadakshara Stotram (Rudra Yamala)
- शिव षडक्षर स्तोत्रम् - ॐकारं बिंदुसंयुक्तं नित्यं ध्यायंति योगिनः
- Meditation on Shiva Shadakshara Mantra: Om-Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya
• Shiva Tandava Stotram (Ravana)
- शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम् - जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
- Meditation on the Tandava dance of Lord Shiva
• Shivashtakam (Adi Shankara)
- शिवाष्टकम् - तस्मै नमः परमकारणकारणाय
- Meditation on the different Aspects of Lord Shiva
• Vedasara Shiva Stava (Adi Shankara)
- वेदसारशिवस्तवः - पशूनां पतिं पापनाशं परेशं
- Meditation on the Vedic Essence of Lord Shiva
• Vishwanathashtakam (Adi Shankara)
- श्रीविश्वनाथाष्टकम् - गङ्गातरङ्गरमणीयजटाकलापं
- Meditation on Sri Vishwanatha

• Vedic Mantras:

• Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Rig Veda 7.59.12)
- महामृत्युंजय मन्त्रः - ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
- Vedic Invocation of Rudra to severe the Bondages of Life and take one towards Immortality

• Pilgrimage Slokas:

• Dwadasa Jyotirlingani
- द्वादशज्योतिर्लिङ्गानि - सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम्
- Meditation on the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
• Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam Namavali
- ॐ नमः शिवाय
- Meditation on the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams of Lord Shiva

• Nama Japa & Others:

• Om Namah Shivaya Japa - 1
• Om Namah Shivaya Japa - 2
- ॐ नमः शिवाय
- Om Namah Shivaya Mantra Japa
• Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Japa
- महामृत्युंजय मन्त्रः - ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
- Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Japa
• Shiva Gayatri Mantra Japa
- शिव गायत्री मन्त्रः - ॐ महादेवाय विद्महे रुद्रमूर्तये धीमहि
- Shiva Gayatri Mantra Japa



Form of Lord Shiva: (Form)

• Serpents: नागेन्द्रहाराय (Nagendra-Haraye): Who has a Garland of Serpents
• Three Eyes: त्रिलोचनाय (Tri-Locanaya): Who has Three Eyes
• Ashes: भस्माङ्गरागाय (Bhasma-Anga-Ragaya): Who is smeared with Sacred Ashes
• Blue Throat: श्रीनीलकण्ठाय (Sri-Nila-Kanthaya): Who has a Blue Throat
• Bull: वृषध्वजाय (Vrsha-Dhvajaya): Who has the Bull as his emblem
• Sun, Moon and Fire: चन्द्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनाय (Candra-Arka-Vaishvanara-Locanaya): Who has the Sun, Moon and Fire as his Three Eyes
• Matted Hairs: जटाधराय (Jata-Dharaya): Who has Matted Hairs
• Trident: पिनाकहस्ताय (Pinaka-Hastaya): Who has the Trident in his Hand
• Meditative Posture: महाध्यानं परायणम् (Maha-Dhyanam Parayanam): Who abides in Deep Meditation
• Shakti: वामे शक्तिधरं देवम् (Vame Shakti-Dharam Devam): Who bears Shakti on his left side
• White Color: तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरं गभिरम् (Tushara-Adri-Sankasha-Gauram Gabhiram): Who is White like the Mountain of Snow
• River Ganga: स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनी चारुगङ्गा (Sphuran-Mauli-Kallolini Caru-Ganga): Who holds River Ganga on his Head
• Crescent Moon: लसद्भालबालेन्दु (Lasad-Bhala-Balendu): Who holds the Crescent Moon on his Forehead
• Ear-Rings: चलत्कुण्डलम् (Calat-Kundalam): Who wears Ear-Rings on his ears
• Large Eyebrows: भ्रूसुनेत्रं विशालम् (Bhru-Sunetram Vishalam): Who has Beautiful Eyes with Large Eyebrows
• Joyous Face: प्रसन्नाननम् (Prasanna-Aananam): Who has a Joyous Face
• Tiger Skin: मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरम् (Mrga-Adhiisha-Carma-Ambaram): Who wears the Tiger Skin
• Garland of Skulls: मुण्डमालम् (Munda-Malam): Who wears a Garland of Skulls
• Mountains: कैलासमन्दरमहेन्द्रनिकेतनाय (Kailasa-Mandara-Mahendra-Niketanaya): Who abide in the Kailasha, Mandara and Mahendra mountains
• Pishacas and Siddhas: पिशाचगणसिद्धसमाकुलाय (Pishaca-Gana-Siddha-Samakulaya): Who is surrounded by Pishacas and Siddhas
• Damaru: डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयम् (Ddamadd-Ddamadd-Ddamadd-Ddaman-Ninaadavadd-Ddamar-Vayam): Whose Damaru makes the sound of Damad-Damad-Damad
• Linga Form: ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गम् (Brahma-Murari-Sura-Arcita-Lingam): Whose Shiva Lingam is worshipped by Brahma, Murari and the Suras


Transcendental Qualities of Lord Shiva: (Qualities)

• Embodiment of Nirvana: निर्वाणरूपम् (Nirvana-Ruupam): Who is the embodiment of the state of Nirvana
• All-Pervading: विभुं व्यापकम् (Vibhum Vyapakam): Who is All-Pervading
• Embodiment of Vedas: ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम् (Brahma-Veda-Svarupam): Who is the embodiment of the Vedas
• Beyond Gunas: निजं निर्गुणम् (Nijam Nirgunam): Who is beyond the Gunas
• Changeless: निर्विकल्पम् (Nirvikalpam): Who is Changeless
• Desireless: निरीहम् (Niriham): Who is Desireless
• Formless: निराकारम् (Nirakaram): Who is Formless
• Source of Omkara: ॐकारमूलम् (Omkara-Mulam): Who is the Source of Omkara
• Beyond Speech and Sense Perception: गिराज्ञानगोतीत (Gira-Jnyana-Go-Atita): Who is beyond Speech and Sense Perception
• Eternal: नित्याय (Nityaya): Who is Eternal
• Ever Pure: शुद्धाय (Shuddhaya): Who is Ever Pure
• Ever Free: दिगम्बराय (Digambaraya): Who is Ever Free
• Auspicious: शिवाय (Shivaya): Who is Auspicious
• Birthless: अजम् (Ajam): Who is Birthless
• Cause of all causes: कारणं कारणानाम् (Karanam Karananam): Who is the Cause of all causes
• Lord of the World: जगन्नाथम् (Jaganatham): Who is the Lord of the World



Incarnations of Lord Shiva: (Incarnations)

• Incarnations: Sadyojata - Vamadeva - Tatpurusha - Aghora - Ishana

• Presiding Deities: Sharva - Bhava - Rudra - Ugra - Bhima - Pashupati - Ishana - Mahadeva

• 28 Incarnations: Sweta Muni - Sutara - Damana - Suhotra - Kanka - Lokakshi - Jaigishavya - Dadhivahana - Rishabha - (Unnamed) - Kali - (Unnamed) - Bali - Gautama - Vedashira - Gokarna - Guhavasi - Sikhandi - Jattimali - Attahasa - Daruka - Languli Bhima - Sweta - Shula - Dandi - Sahishnu - Shomasharma - Lakuli

• Incarnations: Ardhanareeshwara - Nandi - Bhairava - Virabhadra - Sarabha - Grihapati - Yaksheshwara

• Dasa Mahavidya Bhairavas: Mahakala - Tara - Bhuvanesha - Srividyesha - Bhairava - Chinnamastaka - Dhumavan - Bagalamukha - Matanga - Kamala

• 11 Rudras: Kapali - Pingala - Bhima - Virupaksha - Vilohita - Shasta - Ajapada - Ahirbudniya - Shambhu - Canda - Bhava

• Incarnations: Durvasa - Hanuman - Mahesha - Vrisheshwara - Pippalada - Vaishyanatha - Dwijeshwara - Yatinatha - Krishna-Darshana - Avaduteshwara - Bhikshuvarya - Sureshwara - Brahmachari - Sunartaka-Nata - Sadhu-Dwija - Ashwatthama - Kirata

• 12 Jyotirlinga Incarnations: Somanatha - Mallikarjuna - Mahakaleshwara - Omkareshwara - Kedarnatha - Bhimashankara - Vishwanatha - Tryambakeshwara - Vaidyanatha - Nageshwara - Rameshwara - Grishneshwara



Deeds of Lord Shiva: (Deeds)

• Deeds of Lord Shiva


Scriptures of Lord Shiva: (Scriptures)

• Shiva Purana
• Linga Purana
• Skanda Purana: Kedara Khanda
• Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya
• Skanda Purana: Kashi Khanda
• Srikalahasteeswara Sthala Purana
• Periya Puranam
• Tevaram
• Thiruvilayadal
• Thiruvasagam



Devotees of Lord Shiva: (Devotees)



1. Devotees from Puranas:

• Nandeeshwar
• Veda Priya (Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga)
• Sudakshina (Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga)
• Supriya (Nageshwar Jyotirlinga)
• Ghushma (Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga)
• Sage Dadhichi (Daksha Yagna)


2. Saint Devotees:

• Nayanmars (5th - 10th century): Nayanmars (or Nayanars) were saints mostly from Tamil Nadu whose lives embodied deep devotion towards Lord Shiva. They sang divine hymns praising the 176 sacred shrines of Lord Shiva which are called the Paadal Petra Sthalams. The collection of their divine hymns are known as Thevarams. Their lives are recorded in the book Periya Puranam. The 63 Nayanmars are:

[1. Sundara Murthy Nayanar] - [2. Thiruneelakanta Nayanar] - [3. Iyarpahai Nayanar] - [4. Ilayankudimara Nayanar] - [5. Meypporul Nayanar] - [6. Viranminda Nayanar] - [7. Amarneethi Adigal] - [8. Eripattha Nayanar] - [9. Yenadhi Nayanar] - [10. Kanappa Nayanar] - [11. Kunkuliya Kalaya Nayanar] - [12. Manakkanjhara Nayanar] - [13. Arivattaya Nayanar] - [14. Aanaya Nayanar] - [15. Moorti Nayanar] - [16. Muruga Nayanar] - [17. Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar] - [18. Thirunalaip Povaar Nayanar] - [19. Thirukkuripput Thonda Nayanar] - [20. Chandesura Nayanar] - [21. Thirunavukku Arasar (Appar)] - [22. Kulachirayar] - [23. Kurumba Nayanar] - [24. Karaikkal Ammayar] - [25. Appodhi Adigal Nayanar] - [26. Thiruneelanakkar] - [27. Naminandi Adigal Nayanar] - [28. Thirujnana Sambandhar] - [29. Eyarkoan (Kalikkama Nayanar)] - [30. Tirumoola Nayanar] - [31. Dhandi Adigal Nayanar] - [32. Moorkha Nayanar] - [33. Somasimara Nayanar] - [34. Sakkiya Nayanar] - [35. Chirappuli Nayanar] - [36. Siruthonda Nayanar] - [37. Kazharitru Arivar (Cheraman Perumal Nayanar)] - [38. Gananatha Nayanar] - [39. Kotruva Nayanar] - [40. Puhazh Chozhan] - [41. Narasinga Munaiyaraiya Nayanar] - [42. Athipattha Nayanar] - [43. Kalikkamba Nayanar] - [44. Kaliya Nayanar] - [45. Satti (Sakti) Nayanar] - [46. Aiyadigal (Kadavarkone) Nayanar] - [47. Kanampulla Nayanar] - [48. Kari Nayanar] - [49. Ninraseer Nedumara Nayanar] - [50. Vayilar Nayanar] - [51. Munai Aduvar Nayanar] - [52. Kazharchinga Nayanar] - [53. Idangazhi Nayanar] - [54. Serutthunai Nayanar] - [55. Puhazh-Thunai Nayanar] - [56. Koatpuli Nayanar] - [57. Poosalar Nayanar] - [58. Mangaikkarasiar] - [59. Nesa Nayanar] - [60. Koacchengat Chozha Nayanar] - [61. Thiru Neelakanta Nayanar] - [62. Sadaiya Nayanar] - [63. Isaijnaniyar]

• Akka Mahadevi



Penances on Lord Shiva: (Penances)

• Penance of Devi Sati: Devi Sati performed Nanda Vrata to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Lord Shiva appeared before her and granted her wish.
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Himalayas): Devi Parvati performed long severe penance in Shringi Tirtha (later Gauri Shikhara) in the Himalayas to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Lord Shiva became pleased and granted her wish.
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Kanchipuram): Devi Parvati performed penance at Kanchipuram under a mango tree to get united with Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva told her to go to Arunachala and perform penance, after which he granted her wish.
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Thiruvanaikaval): Devi Parvati performed penance at Thiruvanaikaval to get clarification of certain doubts. Lord Shiva appeared before her and clarified the doubts.
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Arunachala): Devi Parvati performed penance at Arunachala following her penance at Kanchipuram after which she was reunited with Lord Shiva.
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Thirumayilai): Devi Parvati performed penance at Thirumayilai as a peahen to get united with Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before her and granted her wish.
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Mayiladuthurai): Devi Parvati performed penance at Mayiladuthurai as a peahen to get united with Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before her and granted her wish.
• Penance of Sandhya (Chandrabhaga): Sandhya performed penance in the Chandrabhaga mountain on the bank of river Chandrabhaga to atone a sin. Lord Shiva blessed her with his vision. Sandhya gave up her body and was later born as Devi Arundhati (wife of sage Vasishtha).
• Penance of Chandradeva (Somanatha Jyotirlinga): Chandradeva performed penance at Prabhasa Kshetra to get relieved of his disease of consumption due to the curse of Daksha. Lord Shiva appeared before him and relieved him of his curse.
• Penance of Vindhya mountain (Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga): Vindhya Mountain performed penance at Omkareshwara to get the power to become higher. Lord Shiva appeared before him and granted the boon.
• Penance of sage Gautama (Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga): Sage Gautama worshipped Lord Shiva at Brahmagiri mountain as an act of repentance for (a false accusation of) killing a cow. Lord Shiva appeared and relieved him from the false accusation. Lord Shiva also released river Ganga from his matted hairs which became famous in the world as Gautami Ganga (Godavari).
• Penance of Ravana (Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga): Ravana performed penance worshipping Lord Shiva at Kailasha. Lord Shiva appeared and gave him an Atma Linga. The Atma Linga got stuck in the ground while Ravana was carrying it back to Lanka.



Pilgrimages of Lord Shiva: (Pilgrimages)

1. Jyotirlingas: 12 most sacred Pilgrimages of Lord Shiva mentioned in Shiva Purana where he manifested in response to ardent prayers of the devotees.

2. Pancha Kedars: 5 Temples of Lord Shiva (in Uttarakhand) connected with the legend of the Pandavas.

3. Pancha Bhoota Sthalams: 5 Temples of Lord Shiva (in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh), each representing a prime element of Nature.

4. Astha Veerattha Sthalams: 8 Pilgrimages of Lord Shiva (in Tamil Nadu) where he performed heroic deeds.

5. Paadal Petra Sthalams: 276 Temples of Lord Shiva praised by the Nayanmars.

6. Sapta Vidanga Sthalams: 7 Temples of Lord Shiva (in Tamil Nadu) where the image of Lord Thayaraja is installed.

7. Pancha Puliyur Sthalams: 5 Pilgrimages where sage Vyaghrapada worshipped Lord Shiva.

8. Pancharama Kshetras: 5 ancient Shiva Temples in Andhra Pradesh associated with the legend of Kartikeya and Tarakasura.

9. Nava Kailayams (Kailashams): 9 Temples of Lord Shiva (in Tamil Nadu) on the banks of river Thamirabarani installed by sage Uromasa and as guided by sage Agastya. They are also Navagraha temples.

10. 108 Shivalayas of Parashurama: 108 Shiva Temples (in Kerala) created by Lord Parasurama.

11. Other Shiva Pilgrimages



Sacred Geography associated with Lord Shiva: (Mountains) (Forests) (Rivers) (Trees)

1. Mountains: (Mountains)

• कैलास (Kailasha): Kailasha is the mountain-abode of Lord Shiva in the Himalayas.
• श्रीशैल (Srisaila): Srisaila is the place of the sacred Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga where Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati appeared there to see their son Kumara and abided in the form of Jyoti (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 15).
• विन्ध्य (Vindhya): Vindhya mountain is the place of the sacred Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga where Lord Shiva appeared before the Vindhya mountain who was performing penance and granted him the power of becoming higher (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 18).
• केदारनाथ (Kedarnatha): Kedarnatha in the Himalayas is the sacred place of Kedaranatha Jyotirlinga, where Lord Shiva appeared before Nara and Narayana and granted them the boon of abiding there for their worship (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 19).
• ब्रह्मगिरि (Brahmagiri): Brahmagiri mountain is the sacred place of the Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga where Lord Shiva appeared before sage Gautama and relieved him from the false accusation of killing a cow; Lord Shiva also released river Ganga (Gautami Ganga) from his matted hairs (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 24 to 27).
• अरुणाचल (Arunachala): Arunachala mountain is the sacred place where Lord Shiva manifested as the infinite Taijasha Lingam before Brahma and Vishnu, and later changed to Arunachala mountain for the worship of the Devas (Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya - 1 and 2).
• अमरनाथ (Amaranatha): Amaranatha is the famous cave pilgrimage in the Kashmir Himalayas where Lord Shiva told the Amar Katha to Devi Parvati.


2. Forests: (Forests)

• दारुकवन (Darukavana): Darukavana forest is the sacred place of Nageshwara Jyotirlinga where Lord Shiva protected devotee Supriya from the atrocities of demon Daruka; later Lord Shiva abided there as Nageshwara and Devi Parvati as Nageshwari (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 29 to 30).
• Thillaivana: Chidambaram is the ancient Thillaivana where Lord Shiva performed the Ananda Tandava before the devas and sages.


3. Rivers: (Rivers)

• गङ्गा (Ganga): Lord Shiva held river Ganga on his matted hairs during her descent from the higher loka (and thus came to be known as Gangadhara) (Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 35 to 44).
• गोदावरी (Godavari): Lord Shiva released river Ganga (Gautami Ganga or Godavari) from his matted hairs in Brahmagiri mountain when he abided there as Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 24 to 27).
• नर्मदा (Narmada): Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga temple is situated on an island on river Narmada in a place of exquisite natural beauty (Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh).


5. Trees: (Trees)

• बिल्व (Bilva): The Bilva Tree is a form of Mahadeva (Glory of Bilva) (Shiva Purana - Vidyeshwara Samhita - 22).
• रुद्राक्ष (Rudraksha): The Rudraksha Tree originated from the tear-drops of Mahadeva (Glory of Rudraksha) (Shiva Purana - Vidyeshwara Samhita - 25).
• वट (Vata): Lord Dakshinamurthy is depicted as sitting under a Banyan tree and instructing his disciples through his meditative silence (Dakshinamurthy Stotram).
• अर्क (Arka): The Arka flower is used in the worship of Lord Shiva.

• See also Trees associated with Shiva




Festivals of Lord Shiva: (Festivals)

1. Shishira Ritu: Pausha Masa (Dec - Jan)
2. Shishira Ritu: Magha Masa (Jan - Feb)
3. Vasanta Ritu: Phalguna Masa (Feb - Mar) → Krishna Paksha Chaturdasi: Maha Shivaratri
4. Vasanta Ritu: Chaitra Masa (Mar - Apr)
5. Grishma Ritu: Vaishakha Masa (Apr - May)
6. Grishma Ritu: Jyaishtha Masa (May - Jun)
7. Varsha Ritu: Ashadha Masa (Jun - Jul) → Aani Masa when Uthiram nakshatra is in ascendancy: Aani Uthiram
8. Varsha Ritu: Shravana Masa (Jul - Aug)
9. Sharad Ritu: Bhadrapada Masa (Aug-Sep) → Poornima: Uma Maheshwar Vrata
10. Sharad Ritu: Ashwina Masa (Sep - Oct)
11. Hemanta Ritu: Karthika Masa (Oct - Nov) → Poornima: Karthik Poornima
12. Hemanta Ritu: Agrahayana Masa (Nov - Dec) → Krishna Paksha Ashtami: Bhairava Ashtami - Shukla Paksha when Arudra Nakshatra presides: Arudra Darshanam