Shiva Ramashtakam
Introduction to Shiva Ramashtakam
The Shiva Ramashtakam beginning with "Shivahare Shivarama Sakhe" is a unique and deeply moving eight-verse hymn that celebrates the divine and extraordinary relationship between Lord Shiva and Lord Rama. This sacred composition beautifully weaves together the devotion of these two supreme deities for each other, revealing a profound spiritual truth about the unity underlying all divine forms.
In Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva is known as the greatest devotee of Lord Rama, constantly chanting the name "Rama" in meditation. Conversely, Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva with utmost devotion, establishing the famous Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga before crossing the ocean to Lanka. The Shiva Ramashtakam captures this beautiful mutual devotion, where the destroyer and the preserver of the universe honor each other with love and reverence.
Reciting this ashtakam with devotion is believed to invoke the combined blessings of both Lord Shiva and Lord Rama, offering the devotee protection, spiritual wisdom, and the grace of two of Hinduism's most beloved deities. It is especially auspicious when chanted on Mondays, during Ram Navami, and on Maha Shivaratri.
Shiva Ramashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses
॥ श्री शिवरामाष्टकस्तोत्रम् ॥
शिवहरे शिवराम सखे प्रभो,त्रिविधताप-निवारण हे विभो।
अज जनेश्वर यादव पाहि मां,शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥1॥
कमल लोचन राम दयानिधे,हर गुरो गजरक्षक गोपते।
शिवतनो भव शङ्कर पाहिमां,शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥2॥
स्वजनरञ्जन मङ्गलमन्दिर,भजति तं पुरुषं परं पदम्।
भवति तस्य सुखं परमाद्भुतं,शिवहरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥3॥
जय युधिष्ठिर-वल्लभ भूपते,जय जयार्जित-पुण्यपयोनिधे।
जय कृपामय कृष्ण नमोऽस्तुते,शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥4॥
भवविमोचन माधव मापते,सुकवि-मानस हंस शिवारते।
जनक जारत माधव रक्षमां,शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥5॥
अवनि-मण्डल-मङ्गल मापते,जलद सुन्दर राम रमापते।
निगम-कीर्ति-गुणार्णव गोपते,शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥6॥
पतित-पावन-नाममयी लता,तव यशो विमलं परिगीयते।
तदपि माधव मां किमुपेक्षसे,शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥7॥
अमर तापर देव रमापते,विनयतस्तव नाम धनोपमम्।
मयि कथं करुणार्णव जायते,शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥8॥
हनुमतः प्रिय चाप कर प्रभो,सुरसरिद्-धृतशेखर हे गुरो।
मम विभो किमु विस्मरणं कृतं,शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥9॥
नर हरेति परम् जन सुन्दरं,पठति यः शिवरामकृतस्तवम्।
विशति राम-रमा चरणाम्बुजे,शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥10॥
प्रातरूथाय यो भक्त्या पठदेकाग्रमानसः।
विजयो जायते तस्य विष्णु सान्निध्यमाप्नुयात्॥11॥
॥ इति श्रीरामानन्दस्वामिना विरचितं श्रीशिवरामाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Shri Shivaramashtaka Stotram ॥
Shivahare Shivarama Sakhe Prabho, Trividhatapa-Nivarana He Vibho।
Aja Janeshvara Yadava Pahi Mam, Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥1॥
Kamala Lochana Rama Dayanidhe, Hara Guro Gajarakshaka Gopate।
Shivatano Bhava Shankara Pahimam, Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥2॥
Svajananranjana Mangalamandira, Bhajati Tam Purusham Param Padam।
Bhavati Tasya Sukham Paramadbhutam, Shivahare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥3॥
Jaya Yudhishthira-Vallabha Bhupate, Jaya Jayarjita-Punyapayonidhe।
Jaya Kripamaya Krishna Namo'stute, Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥4॥
Bhavavimochana Madhava Mapate, Sukavi-Manasa Hamsa Shivarte।
Janaka Jarata Madhava Rakshamam, Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥5॥
Avani-Mandala-Mangala Mapate, Jalada Sundara Rama Ramapate।
Nigama-Kirti-Gunarnava Gopate, Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥6॥
Patita-Pavana-Namamayi Lata, Tava Yasho Vimalam Parigiyate।
Tadapi Madhava Mam Kimupekshase, Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥7॥
Amara Tapara Deva Ramapate, Vinayatastava Nama Dhanopamam।
Mayi Katham Karunarnava Jayate, Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥8॥
Hanumatah Priya Chapa Kara Prabho, Surasarid-Dhritashekhara He Guro।
Mama Vibho Kimu Vismaranam Kritam, Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥9॥
Nara Hareti Param Jana Sundaram, Pathati Yah Shivaramakritastavam।
Vishati Rama-Rama Charanambuje, Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam॥10॥
Prataruthaya Yo Bhaktya Pathadekagramanasah।
Vijayo Jayate Tasya Vishnu Sannidhyamapnuyat॥11॥
॥ Iti Shriramananda Svamina Virachitam Shri Shivaramashtakam Sampurnam ॥
॥ ஶ்ரீ ஶிவராமாஷ்டகஸ்தோத்ரம் ॥
ஶிவஹரே ஶிவராம ஸகே ப்ரபோ,த்ரிவிததாப-நிவாரண ஹே விபோ।
அஜ ஜனேஶ்வர யாதவ பாஹி மாம்,ஶிவ ஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥1॥
கமல லோசன ராம தயாநிதே,ஹர குரோ கஜரக்ஷக கோபதே।
ஶிவதனோ பவ ஶங்கர பாஹிமாம்,ஶிவ ஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥2॥
ஸ்வஜனரஞ்ஜன மங்கலமந்திர,பஜதி தம் புருஷம் பரம் பதம்।
பவதி தஸ்ய ஸுகம் பரமாத்புதம்,ஶிவஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥3॥
ஜய யுதிஷ்டிர-வல்லப பூபதே,ஜய ஜயார்ஜித-புண்யபயோநிதே।
ஜய க்ருபாமய க்ருஷ்ண நமோ(அ)ஸ்துதே,ஶிவ ஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥4॥
பவவிமோசன மாதவ மாபதே,ஸுகவி-மானஸ ஹம்ஸ ஶிவாரதே।
ஜனக ஜாரத மாதவ ரக்ஷமாம்,ஶிவ ஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥5॥
அவனி-மண்டல-மங்கல மாபதே,ஜலத ஸுந்தர ராம ரமாபதே।
நிகம-கீர்தி-குணார்ணவ கோபதே,ஶிவ ஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥6॥
பதித-பாவன-நாமமயீ லதா,தவ யஶோ விமலம் பரிகீயதே।
ததபி மாதவ மாம் கிமுபேக்ஷஸே,ஶிவ ஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥7॥
அமர தாபர தேவ ரமாபதே,வினயதஸ்தவ நாம தனோபமம்।
மயி கதம் கருணார்ணவ ஜாயதே,ஶிவ ஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥8॥
ஹனுமதः ப்ரிய சாப கர ப்ரபோ,ஸுரஸரித்-த்ருதஶேகர ஹே குரோ।
மம விபோ கிமு விஸ்மரணம் க்ருதம்,ஶிவ ஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥9॥
நர ஹரேதி பரம் ஜன ஸுந்தரம்,படதி யः ஶிவராமக்ருதஸ்தவம்।
விஶதி ராம-ரமா சரணாம்புஜே,ஶிவ ஹரே விஜயம் குரூ மே வரம்॥10॥
ப்ராதரூதாய யோ பக்த்யா படதேகாக்ரமானஸः।
விஜயோ ஜாயதே தஸ்ய விஷ்ணு ஸாந்நித்யமாப்னுயாத்॥11॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீராமானந்தஸ்வாமினா விரசிதம் ஶ்ரீஶிவராமாஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ శ్రీ శివరామాష్టకస్తోత్రం ॥
శివహరే శివరామ సఖే ప్రభో,త్రివిధతాప-నివారణ హే విభో।
అజ జనేశ్వర యాదవ పాహి మాం,శివ హరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥1॥
కమల లోచన రామ దయానిధే,హర గురో గజరక్షక గోపతే।
శివతనో భవ శంకర పాహిమాం,శివ హరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥2॥
స్వజనరంజన మంగలమందిర,భజతి తం పురుషం పరం పదం।
భవతి తస్య సుఖం పరమాద్భుతం,శివహరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥3॥
జయ యుధిష్ఠిర-వల్లభ భూపతే,జయ జయార్జిత-పుణ్యపయోనిధే।
జయ కృపామయ కృష్ణ నమోఽస్తుతే,శివ హరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥4॥
భవవిమోచన మాధవ మాపతే,సుకవి-మానస హంస శివారతే।
జనక జారత మాధవ రక్షమాం,శివ హరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥5॥
అవని-మండల-మంగల మాపతే,జలద సుందర రామ రమాపతే।
నిగమ-కీర్తి-గుణార్ణవ గోపతే,శివ హరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥6॥
పతిత-పావన-నామమయీ లతా,తవ యశో విమలం పరిగీయతే।
తదపి మాధవ మాం కిముపేక్షసే,శివ హరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥7॥
అమర తాపర దేవ రమాపతే,వినయతస్తవ నామ ధనోపమం।
మయి కథం కరుణార్ణవ జాయతే,శివ హరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥8॥
హనుమతః ప్రియ చాప కర ప్రభో,సురసరిద్-ధృతశేఖర హే గురో।
మమ విభో కిము విస్మరణం కృతం,శివ హరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥9॥
నర హరేతి పరం జన సుందరం,పఠతి యః శివరామకృతస్తవం।
విశతి రామ-రమా చరణాంబుజే,శివ హరే విజయం కురూ మే వరం॥10॥
ప్రాతరూథాయ యో భక్త్యా పఠదేకాగ్రమానసః।
విజయో జాయతే తస్య విష్ణు సాన్నిధ్యమాప్నుయాత్॥11॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీరామానందస్వామినా విరచితం శ్రీశివరామాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shiva Ramashtakam
1 First Verse
अज जनेश्वर यादव पाहि मां, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
2 Second Verse
शिवतनो भव शङ्कर पाहिमां, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
3 Third Verse
भवति तस्य सुखं परमाद्भुतं, शिवहरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
4 Fourth Verse
जय कृपामय कृष्ण नमोऽस्तुते, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
5 Fifth Verse
जनक जारत माधव रक्षमां, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
6 Sixth Verse
निगम-कीर्ति-गुणार्णव गोपते, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
7 Seventh Verse
तदपि माधव मां किमुपेक्षसे, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
8 Eighth Verse
मयि कथं करुणार्णव जायते, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
9 Ninth Verse
मम विभो किमु विस्मरणं कृतं, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
10 Tenth Verse
विशति राम-रमा चरणाम्बुजे, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
✦ Phala Shruti (Verse 11)
विजयो जायते तस्य विष्णु सान्निध्यमाप्नुयात्॥
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shiva Ramashtakam
- Dual Divine Blessings: Invokes the combined grace of Lord Shiva and Lord Rama simultaneously
- Removes Obstacles: Clears all hurdles with the power of two supreme deities
- Deepens Devotion: Teaches the beauty of selfless devotion through the Shiva-Rama bond
- Spiritual Unity: Reveals the oneness underlying all divine forms and names
- Protection: Grants the fierce protection of Mahadeva and the righteous shield of Rama
- Purifies Heart: Cleanses the heart with the purity of divine love and devotion
- Grants Wisdom: Bestows the philosophical insight of Advaita — unity in apparent duality
- Liberation: Accelerates the path toward moksha through the grace of both deities
Chanting Instructions
- Sit facing east or north in a clean, quiet place
- Light a diya (lamp) and incense before images of Lord Shiva and Lord Rama
- Offer bilva leaves and tulsi leaves as sacred offerings
- Chant with pure devotion and clear pronunciation
- Ideal times: early morning, during Maha Shivaratri, Ram Navami, or Mondays
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
- Conclude with a prayer seeking blessings of both Shiva and Rama
Frequently Asked Questions about Shiva Ramashtakam
What is the Shiva Ramashtakam?
The Shiva Ramashtakam (श्री शिवरामाष्टकम्) is a sacred eight-verse hymn composed by Shri Ramananda Swami that celebrates the divine unity of Lord Shiva and Lord Rama. Beginning with "Shivahare Shivarama Sakhe Prabho," each verse ends with the refrain "Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam" — "O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory." It uniquely addresses both deities as one, reflecting the Advaitic view that all divine forms are manifestations of the same supreme reality.
Who composed the Shiva Ramashtakam?
The Shiva Ramashtakam was composed by Shri Ramananda Swami, as stated in the colophon ("Iti Shri Ramananda Svamina Virachitam Shri Shivaramashtakam Sampurnam"). Ramananda Swami was a great Vaishnava saint and the founder of the Ramanandi sect, who taught that devotion to Rama transcends caste and social barriers. His composition of this hymn reflects his deep understanding that Shiva and Vishnu are not separate but complementary aspects of the Divine.
When is the best time to chant Shiva Ramashtakam?
The phala shruti (verse 11) specifically recommends chanting in the early morning ("Pratar uthaya yo bhaktya") with a one-pointed mind. The most auspicious occasions include Maha Shivaratri, Ram Navami, and every Monday (Shiva's sacred day). It can also be chanted during Pradosha Kala (twilight hours), on Ekadashi days, and during the holy months of Shravan and Chaitra. Regular daily recitation 1, 3, or 11 times is recommended for sustained spiritual benefit.
What are the spiritual benefits of reciting Shiva Ramashtakam?
The Shiva Ramashtakam invokes the combined blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Rama simultaneously. Its phala shruti promises that the devoted reciter attains victory (vijaya) in all endeavors and reaches the divine presence of Lord Vishnu (Vishnu sannidhya). The hymn removes the threefold afflictions (trividha-tapa), grants spiritual liberation, purifies the heart, and deepens devotion. It also cultivates the understanding of the essential unity of Shiva and Vishnu, leading to the highest wisdom of non-duality.
Why does this hymn address both Shiva and Rama together?
Hindu tradition holds that Lord Shiva is the greatest devotee of Lord Rama — He constantly chants the Rama Nama in Kashi. Similarly, Lord Rama worshipped Shiva with supreme devotion, establishing the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga before the Lanka war. The Shiva Ramashtakam reflects this beautiful mutual devotion and the deeper philosophical truth that Shiva and Vishnu (Rama) are ultimately one Supreme Being manifesting in different forms. The name "Shivahare" itself merges both names, symbolizing this divine unity.
What does the refrain "Shiva Hare Vijayam Kuru Me Varam" mean?
The refrain "शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्" translates to "O Shiva! O Hari! Grant me the boon of victory!" Here, "Shiva" addresses Lord Shiva and "Hare" addresses Lord Hari (Vishnu/Rama). "Vijayam" means victory — not merely worldly victory, but victory over ignorance, ego, and the cycle of birth and death. "Kuru me varam" is a humble prayer: "bestow upon me this boon." The refrain repeated in every verse serves as a powerful mantra that invokes both deities with each recitation.
Is Shiva Ramashtakam available in Tamil?
Yes. This page includes the complete Shiva Ramashtakam in Tamil script along with Sanskrit (Devanagari) and English transliteration for easier reading and chanting.