Shri Rudrashtakam
Introduction to Shri Rudrashtakam
The Shri Rudrashtakam beginning with "Namamishmishannirvanarupam Vibhu" is one of the most revered eight-verse hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva in His fierce Rudra form. Composed by the great saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas, this ashtakam appears in the Uttara Kanda of the Ramcharitmanas and is a sublime expression of devotion to the formless, all-pervading Mahadeva.
Goswami Tulsidas, the celebrated author of Ramcharitmanas, composed this Rudrashtakam as a heartfelt prayer to Lord Shiva, describing His nirvan (formless) nature, His cosmic dance of creation and destruction, and His compassionate grace toward all beings. The hymn beautifully captures Shiva's dual nature — the terrifying Rudra who destroys evil and the benevolent Shankara who bestows peace and liberation.
Reciting the Rudrashtakam with devotion is believed to please Lord Shiva immensely, remove all sins and sorrows, and grant the devotee spiritual liberation. It is especially powerful when chanted during Maha Shivaratri, on Mondays, during Shravan, and at Shiva temples.
Watch Shri Rudrashtakam
Shri Rudrashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses
॥ श्रीरुद्राष्टकम् ॥
नमामीशमीशाननिर्वाणरूपं विभुं
व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम्।
निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं
निरीहं चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम्॥1॥
निराकारमोङ्कारमूलं तुरीयं
गिराज्ञानगोतीतमीशं गिरीशम्।
करालं महाकालकालं कृपालं
गुणागारसंसारपारं नतोऽहम्॥2॥
तुषाराद्रिसङ्काशगौरं गभीरं
मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्रीशरीरम्।
स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनी चारुगङ्गा
लसद्भालबालेन्दुकण्ठे भुजङ्गा॥3॥
चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रूसुनेत्रं विशालं
प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम्।
मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं
प्रियंशङ्करं सर्वनाथं भजामि॥4॥
प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं
परेशमखण्डमजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशम्।
त्रयःशूलनिर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं
भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यम्॥5॥
कलातीतकल्याणकल्पान्तकारी
सदासज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी।
चिदानन्दसन्दोहमोहापहारी
प्रसीदप्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी॥6॥
न यावद् उमानाथ पादारविन्दं
भजन्तीह लोके परे वा नराणाम्।
न तावत्सुखं शान्तिसन्तापनाशं
प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासम्॥7॥
न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां
नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भु तुभ्यम्।
जराजन्मदुःखौघतातप्यमानं
प्रभोपाहि आपन्नमामीश शम्भो॥8॥
रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं
विप्रेण हरतोषये।
ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या
तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति॥9॥
॥ इति श्रीरामचरितमानसे उत्तरकाण्डे श्रीगोस्वामितुलसीदासकृतं श्रीरुद्राष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Shri Rudrashtakam ॥
Namamishamishananirvanarupam VibhumVyapakam Brahmavedasvarupam।
Nijam Nirgunam NirvikalpamNiriham Chidakashamakashavasam Bhajeaham॥1॥
Nirakaramonkaramulam TuriyamGirajnanagotitamisham Girisham।
Karalam Mahakalakalam KripalamGunagarasamsaraparam Natoaham॥2॥
Tusharadrisankashagauram GabhiramManobhutakotiprabhashrishariram।
Sphuranmaulikallolini CharugangaLasadbhalabalendukanthe Bhujanga॥3॥
Chalatkundalam Bhrusunetram VishalamPrasannananam Nilakantham Dayalam।
Mrigadhishacharmambaram Mundamalam PriyamShankaram Sarvanatham Bhajami॥4॥
Prachandam Prakrishtam PragalbhamPareshamakhandamajam Bhanukotiprakasham।
Trayahshulanirmulanam ShulapanimBhajeaham Bhavanipatim Bhavagamyam॥5॥
Kalatitakalyanakalpantakari SadaSajjananandadata Purari।
Chidanandasandohamohapahari PrasidaPrasida Prabho Manmathari॥6॥
Na Yavad Umanatha PadaravindamBhajantiha Loke Pare Va Naranam।
Na Tavatsukham ShantisantapanashamPrasida Prabho Sarvabhutadhivasam॥7॥
Na Janami Yogam Japam Naiva PujamNatoaham Sada Sarvada Shambhu Tubhyam।
Jarajanmaduhkhaughatatapyamanam PrabhoPahi Apannamamisha Shambho॥8॥
Rudrashtakamidam ProktamViprena Haratoshaye।
Ye Pathanti Nara BhaktyaTesham Shambhuh Prasidati॥9॥
॥ Iti Shriramacharitamanase Uttarakande Shrigosvamitulasidasakritam Shrirudrashtakam Sampurnam ॥
॥ ஶ்ரீருத்ராஷ்டகம் ॥
நமாமீஶமீஶானநிர்வாணரூபம் விபும்வ்யாபகம் ப்ரஹ்மவேதஸ்வரூபம்।
நிஜம் நிர்குணம் நிர்விகல்பம்நிரீஹம் சிதாகாஶமாகாஶவாஸம் பஜே(அ)ஹம்॥1॥
நிராகாரமோங்காரமூலம் துரீயம்கிராஜ்ஞானகோதீதமீஶம் கிரீஶம்।
கராலம் மஹாகாலகாலம் க்ருபாலம்குணாகாரஸம்ஸாரபாரம் நதோ(அ)ஹம்॥2॥
துஷாராத்ரிஸங்காஶகௌரம் கபீரம்மனோபூதகோடிப்ரபாஶ்ரீஶரீரம்।
ஸ்புரன்மௌலிகல்லோலினீ சாருகங்காலஸத்பாலபாலேந்துகண்டே புஜங்கா॥3॥
சலத்குண்டலம் ப்ரூஸுநேத்ரம் விஶாலம்ப்ரஸன்னானனம் நீலகண்டம் தயாலம்।
ம்ருகாதீஶசர்மாம்பரம் முண்டமாலம் ப்ரியம்ஶங்கரம் ஸர்வநாதம் பஜாமி॥4॥
ப்ரசண்டம் ப்ரக்ருஷ்டம் ப்ரகல்பம்பரேஶமகண்டமஜம் பானுகோடிப்ரகாஶம்।
த்ரயःஶூலநிர்மூலனம் ஶூலபாணிம்பஜே(அ)ஹம் பவானீபதிம் பாவகம்யம்॥5॥
கலாதீதகல்யாணகல்பாந்தகாரீ ஸதாஸஜ்ஜனானந்ததாதா புராரீ।
சிதானந்தஸந்தோஹமோஹாபஹாரீ ப்ரஸீதப்ரஸீத ப்ரபோ மன்மதாரீ॥6॥
ந யாவத் உமாநாத பாதாரவிந்தம்பஜந்தீஹ லோகே பரே வா நராணாம்।
ந தாவத்ஸுகம் ஶாந்திஸந்தாபநாஶம்ப்ரஸீத ப்ரபோ ஸர்வபூதாதிவாஸம்॥7॥
ந ஜாநாமி யோகம் ஜபம் நைவ பூஜாம்நதோ(அ)ஹம் ஸதா ஸர்வதா ஶம்பு துப்யம்।
ஜராஜன்மதுःகௌகதாதப்யமானம் ப்ரபோபாஹி ஆபந்நமாமீஶ ஶம்போ॥8॥
ருத்ராஷ்டகமிதம் ப்ரோக்தம்விப்ரேண ஹரதோஷயே।
யே படந்தி நரா பக்த்யாதேஷாம் ஶம்புः ப்ரஸீததி॥9॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீராமசரிதமானஸே உத்தரகாண்டே ஶ்ரீகோஸ்வாமிதுலஸீதாஸக்ருதம் ஶ்ரீருத்ராஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ శ్రీరుద్రాష్టకం ॥
నమామీశమీశాననిర్వాణరూపం విభుంవ్యాపకం బ్రహ్మవేదస్వరూపం।
నిజం నిర్గుణం నిర్వికల్పంనిరీహం చిదాకాశమాకాశవాసం భజేఽహం॥1॥
నిరాకారమోంకారమూలం తురీయంగిరాజ్ఞానగోతీతమీశం గిరీశం।
కరాలం మహాకాలకాలం కృపాలంగుణాగారసంసారపారం నతోఽహం॥2॥
తుషారాద్రిసంకాశగౌరం గభీరంమనోభూతకోటిప్రభాశ్రీశరీరం।
స్ఫురన్మౌలికల్లోలినీ చారుగంగాలసద్భాలబాలేందుకంఠే భుజంగా॥3॥
చలత్కుండలం భ్రూసునేత్రం విశాలంప్రసన్నాననం నీలకంఠం దయాలం।
మృగాధీశచర్మాంబరం ముండమాలం ప్రియంశంకరం సర్వనాథం భజామి॥4॥
ప్రచండం ప్రకృష్టం ప్రగల్భంపరేశమఖండమజం భానుకోటిప్రకాశం।
త్రయఃశూలనిర్మూలనం శూలపాణింభజేఽహం భవానీపతిం భావగమ్యం॥5॥
కలాతీతకల్యాణకల్పాంతకారీ సదాసజ్జనానందదాతా పురారీ।
చిదానందసందోహమోహాపహారీ ప్రసీదప్రసీద ప్రభో మన్మథారీ॥6॥
న యావద్ ఉమానాథ పాదారవిందంభజంతీహ లోకే పరే వా నరాణాం।
న తావత్సుఖం శాంతిసంతాపనాశంప్రసీద ప్రభో సర్వభూతాధివాసం॥7॥
న జానామి యోగం జపం నైవ పూజాంనతోఽహం సదా సర్వదా శంభు తుభ్యం।
జరాజన్మదుఃఖౌఘతాతప్యమానం ప్రభోపాహి ఆపన్నమామీశ శంభో॥8॥
రుద్రాష్టకమిదం ప్రోక్తంవిప్రేణ హరతోషయే।
యే పఠంతి నరా భక్త్యాతేషాం శంభుః ప్రసీదతి॥9॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీరామచరితమానసే ఉత్తరకాండే శ్రీగోస్వామితులసీదాసకృతం శ్రీరుద్రాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Rudrashtakam
1 First Verse
व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम्।
निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं
निरीहं चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम्॥
2 Second Verse
गिराज्ञानगोतीतमीशं गिरीशम्।
करालं महाकालकालं कृपालं
गुणागारसंसारपारं नतोऽहम्॥
3 Third Verse
मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्रीशरीरम्।
स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनी चारुगङ्गा
लसद्भालबालेन्दुकण्ठे भुजङ्गा॥
4 Fourth Verse
प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम्।
मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं
प्रियंशङ्करं सर्वनाथं भजामि॥
5 Fifth Verse
परेशमखण्डमजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशम्।
त्रयःशूलनिर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं
भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यम्॥
6 Sixth Verse
सदासज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी।
चिदानन्दसन्दोहमोहापहारी
प्रसीदप्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी॥
7 Seventh Verse
भजन्तीह लोके परे वा नराणाम्।
न तावत्सुखं शान्तिसन्तापनाशं
प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासम्॥
8 Eighth Verse
नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भु तुभ्यम्।
जराजन्मदुःखौघतातप्यमानं
प्रभोपाहि आपन्नमामीश शम्भो॥
✦ Phala Shruti (Concluding Verse on Fruit of Recitation)
विप्रेण हरतोषये।
ये पठन्ति नरा भक्त्या
तेषां शम्भुः प्रसीदति॥
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Rudrashtakam
- Destroys Sins: Burns away accumulated sins and negative karma from past lives
- Grants Liberation: Opens the path to moksha and freedom from the cycle of rebirth
- Removes Fear: Eliminates all fears, anxieties, and worldly sorrows
- Divine Protection: Invokes the fierce protection of Lord Rudra against all evils
- Purifies Mind: Cleanses the consciousness and removes mental impurities
- Spiritual Elevation: Raises the devotee's spiritual consciousness to higher realms
- Inner Peace: Bestows deep tranquility and freedom from worldly agitation
- Fulfills Desires: Grants righteous wishes when chanted with pure devotion
Chanting Instructions
- Sit facing east or north in a clean, quiet place
- Light a diya (lamp) and incense before Lord Shiva's image or Shiva Lingam
- Offer bilva leaves, water, and white flowers to Mahadeva
- Chant with pure devotion and clear pronunciation
- Ideal times: early morning, during Maha Shivaratri, or Mondays
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
- Conclude with a prayer seeking Lord Shiva's continued blessings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Shri Rudrashtakam
What is the Rudrashtakam and who composed it?
The Rudrashtakam (also called Shri Rudrashtakam or Namamishmishana Rudrashtakam) is a sacred eight-verse hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva in His fierce Rudra form. It was composed by the great saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas and appears in the Uttara Kanda (final chapter) of the Ramcharitmanas. The hymn begins with "Namamishmishannirvanarupam Vibhum" and is a sublime expression of devotion to the all-pervading, formless Mahadeva.
Who is Rudra and how is He related to Lord Shiva?
Rudra is a Vedic name of Lord Shiva — it literally means "the one who roars" or "the one who drives away sorrow" (from the root 'rud', meaning to cry or to remove suffering). In the Vedas, Rudra is described as the fierce, howling deity who destroys evil and disease. Over time, Rudra became identified with Shiva Himself. The Rudrashtakam celebrates both aspects — the terrifying cosmic power (Rudra) and the benevolent giver of auspiciousness (Shankara/Shambhu).
What are the spiritual benefits of chanting Rudrashtakam?
Chanting the Rudrashtakam with devotion is believed to destroy accumulated sins, remove fears and sorrows, grant divine protection from evil forces, purify the mind and consciousness, and open the path to spiritual liberation (moksha). The Phala Shruti verse at the end declares that Lord Shambhu Himself becomes pleased with those who recite it devotionally. It is especially powerful for overcoming the three types of afflictions — adhyatmika (bodily), adhibhautika (worldly), and adhidaivika (divine/natural).
When is the best time to recite the Rudrashtakam?
The Rudrashtakam can be recited at any time, but certain occasions are considered especially auspicious: during the Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn hours), on Mondays (Somvar — Lord Shiva's day), during the holy month of Shravan (July–August), on Maha Shivaratri, on Pradosh Vrat days, and during Shiva Puja or abhishekam. Reciting it 1, 3, or 11 times is considered ideal for maximum spiritual benefit.
What is the meaning of the term 'Ashtakam' in Rudrashtakam?
'Ashtakam' is a Sanskrit term derived from 'ashta' meaning eight. An Ashtakam is a devotional hymn consisting of eight verses (shlokas). The Rudrashtakam consists of eight main verses praising Lord Rudra/Shiva, followed by a ninth Phala Shruti (fruit-of-recitation) verse that describes the benefits of chanting. This form of devotional poetry is widely used in Hindu devotional literature (stotras).
Can the Rudrashtakam be chanted by anyone, or are there specific rules?
The Rudrashtakam can be chanted by anyone regardless of age, gender, or caste — there are no strict restrictions. Goswami Tulsidas composed it in accessible Sanskrit so that all devotees of Lord Shiva could benefit from it. The most important requirement is sincere devotion (bhakti) and a pure heart. As Tulsidas himself says in the eighth verse, even without knowledge of yoga, japa, or elaborate puja, one can simply bow to Shambhu with love, and the Lord will be pleased.
Is Shri Rudrashtakam available in Tamil?
Yes. This page includes Shri Rudrashtakam in Tamil script along with Sanskrit (Devanagari) and English transliteration, helping devotees chant in their preferred script.