Rudrastakam - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Rudrastakam is a Sanskrit

Sanskrit

Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...

composition in devotion of Lord Rudra

Rudra

' is a Rigvedic God, associated with wind or storm, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "The Roarer", or "The Howler"....

or Shiva

Shiva

Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...

, composed by the Hindu

Hindu

Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...

Bhakti

In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...

poet Sant Tulsidas

Tulsidas

Tulsidas , was a Hindu poet-saint, reformer and philosopher renowned for his devotion for the god Rama...

. Tulsidas

Tulsidas

Tulsidas , was a Hindu poet-saint, reformer and philosopher renowned for his devotion for the god Rama...

composed in the late fifteenth century Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...

of India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

and created many other literary pieces including the magnum opus Ram Charit Manas.

The devotional hymn "Rudrastakam" appears in the Uttara Kand of the celebrated Ram Charit Manas, where demon King Ravana

Ravana

' is the primary antagonist character of the Hindu legend, the Ramayana; who is the great king of Lanka. In the classic text, he is mainly depicted negatively, kidnapping Rama's wife Sita, to claim vengeance on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister...

composed the hymn to propitiate Lord Shiva

Shiva

.

The Astakam

Astakam

The term Astakam is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Astak', meaning "Eight". In context of poetic compositions, 'Astakam' refers to a particular form of poetry. The form of a composition is an 'Astakam' where eight stanzas make the piece.-Form:...

is in reverence to Lord Rudra

Rudra

' is a Rigvedic God, associated with wind or storm, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "The Roarer", or "The Howler"....

, though the context pertains to the benevolent Lord Shiva

Shiva

, the post-Vedic

Vedic

Vedic may refer to:* the Vedas, the oldest preserved Indic texts** Vedic Sanskrit, the language of these texts** Vedic period, during which these texts were produced** Vedic pantheon of gods mentioned in Vedas/vedic period...

transformation of the malevolent Rudra

Rudra

' is a Rigvedic God, associated with wind or storm, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "The Roarer", or "The Howler"....

. It is arguable that the distinction between Rudra

Rudra

' is a Rigvedic God, associated with wind or storm, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "The Roarer", or "The Howler"....

and Shiva

Shiva

was already lost by the time of Goswami Tulsidas

Tulsidas

Tulsidas , was a Hindu poet-saint, reformer and philosopher renowned for his devotion for the god Rama...

.

The Rudrastakam is lucid and simple in style and plays an instrumental role in the Shaiva traditions.

Astakam as a Form and a Genre

The term "Astakam

Astakam

" is derived from the Sanskrit word , meaning "eight". An astakam is made up of eight stanzas.

An Astakam belong to the genre of lyric poetry, which tends to be short, extremely melodic, and contemplative. It reflects and portrays the poet's own feelings, states of mind, and perceptions about the theme or character in the Astakam.

Context

The Rudrastakam narrates the qualities and deeds of Lord Shiva

Shiva

.

The body of the Rudrastakam includes many qualities, attributes and motifs associated with Shiva

Shiva

, including the destruction of Tripura (mythology)

Tripura (mythology)

Tripura meaning three cities, was constructed by the great Sura architect Mayasura. They were great cities of prosperity, power and dominance over the world, but due to their impious nature, Maya's cities were destroyed by god Tripurantaka, an aspect of Shiva...

, the annihilation of Kamadeva

Kamadeva

Kāmadeva is the Hindu god of human love or desire. Other names for him include; Atanu , Ragavrinta , Ananga , Kandarpa , Manmatha , Manasija ,...

etc. These symbols and motifs related to the life and deeds of Lord Rudra

Rudra

' is a Rigvedic God, associated with wind or storm, and the hunt. The name has been translated as "The Roarer", or "The Howler"....

or Shiva

Shiva

Text

See Sanskrit

Sanskrit

for details of pronunciation.

Devanagari Devanagari Devanagari \|deva]]" and "nāgarī" ), also called Nagari , is an abugida alphabet of India and Nepal...	IAST IAST The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration is a transliteration scheme that allows a lossless romanization of Indic scripts as employed by the Sanskrit language.-Popularity:...	English Translation
॥ रुद्राष्टकम ॥	.. rudrāṣṭakam ..	Eight Stanzas on Rudra
*आचार्य तुलसीदास*	*ācārya tulsidas*	*Acharya Tulsidas*

नममिशामिशाना	Namami Isham Ishana	O Lord, O' Īśāna Ishana Īśāna has its roots in the word "ish" which means the invisible power that governs the universe. The wielder of this power is "Īśāna". It is synonymous with Ishwar which means 'The Lord'. In Hindu Scriptures this is a name given to Shiva... ! I prostrate before thee
निर्वानारुपम	nirvana rupam	Who is the embodiment of Nirvāṇa Nirvana Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha... bliss
विभुं व्यापकं	bibhu vyapakam	Who is omni-present
ब्रह्मवेदास्वरुपम, ।	brahmaveda svarupam,	Who is knowledge of the Brahman Brahman In Hinduism, Brahman is the one supreme, universal Spirit that is the origin and support of the phenomenal universe. Brahman is sometimes referred to as the Absolute or Godhead which is the Divine Ground of all being... in reality and totality
निजम निर्गुणं	Nijam	Who is ever dwelling in his own self,
निजम निर्गुणं	nirgunam	Who is quality-less, beyond attributes
निर्विकल्पं निरीहं	nirvikalpam	Who is immutable
निर्विकल्पं निरीहं	niriham	Who is dispassionate, desireless
चिदाकशामाकशावासम	chidakaram akashavasam	Who is immeasurable like the sky, and Who dwells in the sky.
भाजेहम ॥ १ ॥	bhajeham .. 1 ..	I beseech.

निराकरामोम्करामुलम	Nirakara	Formless
निराकरामोम्करामुलम	omkara-mulam	The root of Om
चरितं मधुरं	turiyam	Always in stateless Turiya Turiya In Hindu philosophy, turiya is the experience of pure consciousness. It is the background that underlies and transcends the three common states of consciousness: the state of waking consciousness , the state of dreaming , and dreamless sleep .-Advaita concept:The first two states are not true... – The fourth and most sublime state of existence
गिराज्ञान गोतितामिषम गिरीशं	gira	Mount Kailash
गिराज्ञान गोतितामिषम	gyanaga atitam	Who is beyond the scope of tongue, knowledge
गिरीशं	isham girisham	The ruler of Mount Kailash
करालं महाकाला कालम ।	Karalam	Fierce
करालं महाकाला कालम ।	mahakala-kalam.	Destroyer of Death
कृपालं	kripalam	benevolent and compassionate
गुनागार	gunagara	Who is the treasury of all qualities
संसारपारं	sansara param	beyond the Samsara Samsara thumb\|right\|200px\|Traditional Tibetan painting or [[Thanka]] showing the [[wheel of life]] and realms of saṃsāraSaṅsāra or Saṃsāra , , literally meaning "continuous flow", is the cycle of birth, life, death, rebirth or reincarnation within Hinduism, Buddhism, Bön, Jainism, Sikhism, and other... , the mundane universe
नटोहम ॥ २ ॥	natoaham .. 2 ..	I bow.

तुष्हरदरी	Tushharadri	>-	संकाशा	sankasha	(His) face is sweet
गौरम	gauram	Fair and resplendent
गभीरं ।	gabhiram	Who is profound
मनोभुता	manobhuta	Who is the mind of all beings
कोटिप्रभा	kotiprabha	Of immense splendor
श्रीशारिरम	shri shariram	Beautiful bodied
स्फुरंमौली	Sphuran mauli	shining forehead
कल्लोलिनी चारू गंगा	kallolini charu ganga	Wavy and enticing Ganga
लासद्भालाबलेंदु	lasad	Shiny
लासद्भालाबलेंदु	bhala	forehead
लासद्भालाबलेंदु	balendu	A youthful (crescent) moon
कंठे भुजंगा ॥ ३ ॥	kanthe bhujanga.. 3 ..	Snake garlands in the neck

चलात्कुंदालम	Chalat kundalam	swaying earrings
भ्रू सुनेत्रं विशालं	bhru sunetram vishalam	With beautiful eye brow and broad eyes
प्रसन्नाननं	prasanna ananam	happy countenance
नीलकंठं।	nilakantham	blue throated one
दयालं	dayalam	Compassionate
म्रिगढ़िशाचार्माम्बरम	Mrigadhisha charma ambaram	lion-skin around His waist
मुंडा मालाम	munda malam	Skull-cap garland
प्रियं संकरं	priyam samkaram	Beloved Shankar Shiva Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
सर्वनाथं भजामि ॥ ४ ॥	sarvanatham bhajami.. 4 ..	I meditate upon the Lord of the Universe.

प्रचंडं	Prachandam	Fierce
प्रक्रिश्ह्तम	prakrishhtam	Immense
प्रगल्भं	pragalbham	Mature and bold
परेशं।	paresham	The supreme Lord
अखंडम	akhandam	Whole and Immeasurable
अजम	ajam	Birthless
भानुकोतिप्रकषम	bhanukoti prakasham	Splendor of a billion Suns
त्रयह	Trayah	Three – The Vedas
शुला निर्मुलानम	shula nirmulanam	One who does not have any origin
शुलापनिम भजेअहम	shulapanim bhajeaham	I pray the holder of the trident
भवनिपतिम	bhavanipatim	The divine consort of Bhavani Bhavani Bhavani is a ferocious aspect of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Bhavani means "giver of life", the power of nature or the source of creative energy. In addition to her ferocious aspect, she is also known as Karunaswaroopini, "filled with mercy"....
भावगम्यं॥ ५ ॥	bhavagamyam.. 5 ..	One who is achieved easily through emotions (devotion)

कालातीत	Kalatita	Timeless, beyond time and death
कल्याण	kalyana	Blissful
कल्पान्तकारी	kalpantakari	The terminator of Kalpas - The desroyer
सदा सज्जनानन्ददाता	sada sajjanananda data	Always blissful and giver of boons to righteous
पुरारी।	purari	The enemy of the Puras – The destroyer of Tripura (mythology) Tripura (mythology) Tripura meaning three cities, was constructed by the great Sura architect Mayasura. They were great cities of prosperity, power and dominance over the world, but due to their impious nature, Maya's cities were destroyed by god Tripurantaka, an aspect of Shiva...
चिदानंदा संदोहा मोहापहारी	Chidananda samdoha mohapahari	Who is eternal bliss, and Who absolves abundant passion
प्रसिद प्रसिद	prasida prasida	Be propitious, Bless me
प्रभो मन्मथारी॥ ६ ॥	prabho manmathari.. 6 ..	Lord, the destroyer of Kamadeva

न यावथ	Na yavath	Those who do not
उमानाथ पदाराविन्दम	umanatha padaravindam	The lotus feet of Umanath Shiva Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
भजंतीह	bhajantiha	Pray
लोके परे वा	loke pare va	In the universe
नारानाम	naranam	Of men
न तावथ ।	Na tavath	Not their
सुखं शांति	sukham shanti	Happiness and peace
संतापनाषम	santapa nasham	Ameliorate agonies
प्रसिद	prasida	Be propitious
प्रभो सर्वभुताधिवासम॥ ७ ॥	prabho sarvabhuta adhivasam.. 7 ..	O’ Lord! The Lord of all beings

न जानामि	Na janami	I don’t know
योगम	yogam	Yoga Yoga Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
जपम	japam	Meditation
नैव	naiva	nor
पूजाम	pujam	Oblations
नतोहम	natoaham	I always bow
सदा सर्वदा	sada sarvada	Ever, always
शम्भू	shambhu	O' shambhu Shiva Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a... , the bliss-giver
तुभ्यं ।	tubhyam	Before you
जरा	Jara	Old age
जन्म	janma	Birth and life
दुह्खओघ	duhkhaugha	Immense sorrows of mundane life and existence
ताताप्यामनम	tatapyamanam	Pangs of pain and agony
प्रभो	prabho	O’ Lord
पाहि	pahi	Redeem me
अपन्नामामिषा	apan namamisha	I am saluting You, O’ Lord!
शम्भो ॥ ८ ॥	shambho.. 8 ..	O' Shambhu!

External links

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