Shiva occupies a unique position in the pantheon of Hindu deities. Here are some of the powerful Shiva Mantras that, when recited or meditated upon with complete devotion and surrender, can lift you above the mundane and fill your being with bliss. These hymns of Lord Shiva are part of the legacy of saints and sages from across the wide chasm of time.
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Lord Shiva Mantras In Sanskrit | Powerful Shiva Mantras
These powerful mantras of Shiva, which overflow with devotion are also timeless gems of wisdom and owe their origins to countless Vedic sages not to forget the colossus of Hindu religion and philosophy, Adi Shankaracharya, whose works include the Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram, and the Shivananda Lahari. Shiv Mantras include easy-to-understand and easy-to-recite simple mantras to complex ones with deep meaning like the Rudram Chamakam, and Shivananda Lahari. The Puranas, especially the Shiva Purana are a rich source of powerful Shiva mantras.
Powerful Mantras Of Shiva | Shiva Dhyan Mantra | Shiva Mantra For Success
Here is a Shiva Mantras List, that is ideal for contemplation on Shiva, especially on the occasion of Mahashivratri. If you are keeping vigil throughout the night of Shivratri, these are excellent mantras to focus your mind on and become one with the cosmos who is Shiva, himself.
The simplest and yet powerful Shiv mantra for meditation is the five-syllabled mantra, Panchakshara Mantra.
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya.
The Om which is prefixed to the mantra makes it a six-syllable mantra. It is believed that this mantra is the first ever mantra that came into existence and was created by Lord Shiva himself. The five syllables represent the five elements that make up the universe, earth, water, fire, wind, and sky. “Na,” represents the element earth, “Ma,” represents the element water, “Si,” represents the element fire, “Va,” represents the element wind, and, ‘Ya,” represents the element sky.
There are numerous benefits of chanting this simple yet powerful Shiva Mantra. Reciting and meditating on this mantra energizes, the mind, body, and soul. According to the great Adi Shankaracharya, “Whoever recites this panchakshara hymn in praise of the five syllables Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya, he is near Shiva every time, and will attain the abode of Shiva and enjoy his bliss.” Indeed the Shiva Panchakshara Stotram is a layman’s gateway to bliss and reality.
Powerful Mantras Of Shiva | Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
This mantra from the Rig Veda is an ancient mantra with tremendous potency that helps diminish the fear of death, restores health, and removes fear. This famous Shiva mantra helps maintain mental and emotional balance. Many have reaped the benefits of inculcating meditation of this ancient mantra in their daily routine. The Maha Mrityunajaya Mantra japa removes fear and uncertainty from the mind and also helps in the prevention of untimely death.
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्
मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात् ॥
Om Try-Ambakam Yajaamahe
Sugandhim Pusstti-Vardhanam
Urvaarukam-Iva Bandhanaan
Mrtyor-Mukssiiya Maa-[A]mrtaat ||
Meaning of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra In English
We worship the three-eyed One (Shiva), who is fragrant and who nourishes all.
Like the cucumber falls off from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated from death, from mortality.
Powerful Shiva Mantras | Shiva Dhyan Mantra | Shiva Gayatri Mantra
The Gayatri Mantra is a sacred mantra that is meditated upon. With slight variations, there is a Gayatri Mantra associated with all Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. The same is true with Lord Shiva also. The Gayatri Mantra associated with Shiva is as under:
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि तन्नो रुद्र: प्रचोदयात् ॥
Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodyat.
Om, Let me meditate on the great Purusha, Oh, greatest God, give me higher intellect, And let God Rudra illuminate my mind.
The Shiva Gayatri Mantra is used as a standalone mantra for praying to Lord Shiva and meditating on his form. It is also used as a salutation to Shiva during his ritualistic worship.
Powerful Shiva Mantras – Nirvana Shatakam By Adi Shankaracharya
One of the most powerful mantras of Shiva was given to the world by Adi Shankaracharya. This is Nirvana Shatakam, a hymn consisting of six stanzas. The word, “Shivoham,” which literally means, “I am Shiva,” is repeated in the hymn.
॥ निर्वाण षटकम्॥
मनो बुद्ध्यहंकारचित्तानि नाहम् न च श्रोत्र जिह्वे न च घ्राण नेत्रे
न च व्योम भूमिर् न तेजॊ न वायु: चिदानन्द रूप: शिवोऽहम् शिवॊऽहम् ॥
न च प्राण संज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायु: न वा सप्तधातुर् न वा पञ्चकोश:
न वाक्पाणिपादौ न चोपस्थपायू चिदानन्द रूप: शिवोऽहम् शिवॊऽहम् ॥
न मे द्वेष रागौ न मे लोभ मोहौ मदो नैव मे नैव मात्सर्य भाव:
न धर्मो न चार्थो न कामो ना मोक्ष: चिदानन्द रूप: शिवोऽहम् शिवॊऽहम् ॥
न पुण्यं न पापं न सौख्यं न दु:खम् न मन्त्रो न तीर्थं न वेदा: न यज्ञा:
अहं भोजनं नैव भोज्यं न भोक्ता चिदानन्द रूप: शिवोऽहम् शिवॊऽहम् ॥
न मृत्युर् न शंका न मे जातिभेद: पिता नैव मे नैव माता न जन्म
न बन्धुर् न मित्रं गुरुर्नैव शिष्य: चिदानन्द रूप: शिवोऽहम् शिवॊऽहम् ॥
अहं निर्विकल्पॊ निराकार रूपॊ विभुत्वाच्च सर्वत्र सर्वेन्द्रियाणाम्
न चासंगतं नैव मुक्तिर् न मेय: चिदानन्द रूप: शिवोऽहम् शिवॊऽहम् ॥
Mano Budhya Ahankara Chithaa Ninaham,
Na Cha Srothra Jihwe Na Cha Graana Nethrer,
Na Cha Vyoma Bhoomir Na Thejo Na Vayu,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham 1
Na Cha Praana Samgno Na Vai Pancha Vaayur,
Na Vaa Saptha Dhathur Na Va Pancha Kosa,
Na Vak Pani Padam Na Chopa Stha Payu,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham 2
Na Me Dwesha Raghou Na Me Lobha Mohou,
Madho Naiva Me Naiva Matsarya Bhava,
Na Dharmo Na Cha Artha Na Kamo Na Moksha,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham 3
Na Punyam Na Paapam Na Soukhyam Na Dukham,
Na Manthro Na Theertham Na Veda Na Yagna,
Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhoktha,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham 4
Na Mruthyur Na Sankha Na Me Jathi Bhedha,
Pitha Naiva Me Naiva Matha Na Janma,
Na Bhandhur Na Mithram Gurur Naiva Sishya,
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham 5
Aham Nirvi Kalpi Nirakara Roopi,
Vibhuthwascha Sarvathra Sarvendriyanaam,
Na Cha Sangatham Naiva Mukthir Na Meya
Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham 6
Meaning And Essence of Nirvana Shatakam Stotra In English
I am not the mind or the intellect or the ego, nor am I the five senses or the five elements, I am the form of the bliss of consciousness, I am Shiva.
I am not praana the life force nor am I the 5 types of breath, I am not the 7 dhaatus(materials), nor the five sheaths (Pancha Koshas). I am also not the five elements of elimination, procreation, motion, grasping, or speaking. I am the form of the bliss of consciousness, I am Shiva.
I have no hatred or passion, I have no greed, delusion, intoxication, or envy:I am neither Dharma nor Artha nor desire nor liberation; I am the form of the bliss of consciousness, I am Shiva.
No merit, no sin, no happiness, no suffering, no mantra, no holy place, no Vedas, no sacrifices:
I am the food, not the eater, nor the enjoyer; I am the form of the bliss of consciousness; I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
I have no death, no doubt, no race, no father, no mother, no birth:
I am neither a companion nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a disciple; I am the form of the bliss of consciousness, I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
I am all-pervasive. I am without any attributes, and without any form. I have neither attachment to the world, nor to liberation. I have no wishes for anything because I am everything, everywhere, every time, always in equilibrium. I am the form of the bliss of consciousness, I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
Powerful Mantras Of Shiva – Bilvashtakam
The many symbols associated with Lord Shiva, like the Shiva Linga, the Rudraksha beads, the Trishul, and Damaru contribute to the intriguing aura of mysticism that envelops Shiva. The Bilva leaf is also in many ways synonymous with Shiva. It is considered auspicious and dear to Shiva. The worship of Shiva with the Bilva leaves is considered to be sacred and auspicious. The Bilvashtaka which is a hymn of eight stanzas, created by Adi Shankaracharya is generally recited while worshipping Shiva with the Bilva leaves.
त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनेत्रं च त्रियायुधम् ।
त्रिजन्मपापसंहारं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ १॥
त्रिशाखैः बिल्वपत्रैश्च ह्यच्छिद्रैः कोमलैः शुभैः ।
शिवपूजां करिष्यामि ह्येकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ २॥
अखण्ड बिल्व पत्रेण पूजिते नन्दिकेश्वरे ।
शुद्ध्यन्ति सर्वपापेभ्यो ह्येकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ३॥
शालिग्राम शिलामेकां विप्राणां जातु चार्पयेत् ।
सोमयज्ञ महापुण्यं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ४॥
दन्तिकोटि सहस्राणि वाजपेय शतानि च ।
कोटिकन्या महादानं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ५॥
लक्ष्म्यास्तनुत उत्पन्नं महादेवस्य च प्रियम् ।
बिल्ववृक्षं प्रयच्छामि ह्येकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ६॥
दर्शनं बिल्ववृक्षस्य स्पर्शनं पापनाशनम् ।
अघोरपापसंहारं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ७॥
काशीक्षेत्रनिवासं च कालभैरवदर्शनम् ।
प्रयागमाधवं दृष्ट्वा ह्येकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥
मूलतो ब्रह्मरूपाय मध्यतो विष्णुरूपिणे ।
अग्रतः शिवरूपाय ह्येकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ८॥
बिल्वाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेत् शिवसन्निधौ ।
सर्वपाप विनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोकमवाप्नुयात् ॥
॥ इति बिल्वाष्टकम् ॥
tridalam trigunakaram trinetram cha triyāyudhaṁ |
trijanmapāpasaṁhāraṁ eka bilvam shivarpanam || 1 ||
triśākhairbilvapatraiścha hyacchidraiḥ kōmalaiśśubhaiḥ |
śivapūjāṁ kariṣyāmi eka bilvam shivarpanam || 2 ||
akhaṇḍabilvapatrēṇa pūjitē nandikēśvarē |
śuddhyanti sarvapāpēbhyaḥ eka bilvam shivarpanam || 3 ||
sālagrāmaśilāmēkāṁ jātu viprāya yō:’rpayēt |
sōmayajñamahāpuṇyaṁ eka bilvam shivarpanam || 4 ||
dantikōṭisahasrāṇi vājapēyaśatāni cha |
kōṭikanyāmahādānāṁ eka bilvam shivarpanam || 5 ||
pārvatyāssvēdatōtpannaṁ mahādēvasya cha priyaṁ |
bilvavr̥kṣaṁ namasyāmi eka bilvam shivarpanam || 6 ||
darśanaṁ bilvavr̥kṣasya sparśanaṁ pāpanāśanaṁ |
aghōrapāpasaṁhāraṁ eka bilvam shivarpanam || 7 ||
mūlatō brahmarūpāya madhyatō viṣṇurūpiṇē |
agrataśśivarūpāya eka bilvam shivarpanam || 8 ||
bilvāṣṭaka midaṁ puṇyaṁ yaḥ paṭhēcchivasannidhau |
sarvapāpa vinirmuktaḥ śivalōka mavāpnuyāt || 9 ||
Ithi Shri Bilvashtakam Sampurnam ||
Meaning And Essence of Bilvashtakam In English
I offer one bilva leaf to Shiva. This leaf embodies the three qualities of sattva, rajas and tamas. This leaf is like the three eyes, and the sun, moon and fire. It is like three weapons. It is the destroyer of sins committed in three earlier births.
I offer this one bilva leaf to Shiva. I complete the pooja for Nandikeshwara by the bilva patra to him, and thus become free of sin.
I offer the bilva leaf to Shiva. This leaf is soft and free of blemishes. It is complete in itself. It is like three branches. I perform pooja for Shiva with the bilva patra.
The offering of this one bilva leaf is greater than any sacrifice, or charity.
The bilva tree was created by Goddess Lakshmi. It is the beloved of Lord Shiva. I offer this one bilva leaf to Shiva.
Looking at the Bilva tree and touching it destroys the worst sins, such a leaf of bilwa, I offer to Lord Shiva.
After beholding Kalabhairava residing in Kashi and Madhava in Prayag, I offer this bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
The lower part of the bilva is Brahma, Vishnu is the middle, and the top is Shiva himself. I offer this bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
One who recites this sacred Bilvashtakam in the presence of Shiva has his sins destroyed and reaches the abode of Shiva.
Powerful Shiva Mantras | Shiv Mantra List
Here is a list of some of the powerful mantras of Shiva.
- Panchakshari Shiva Mantra
- Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
- Shiva Tandav Stotra
- Shiva Gayatri Mantra
- Lingashtakam
- Bilvashtakam
- Rudram Chamakam
- Rudrashtakam
- Nirvana Shatakam
- Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Shloka
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