Shiva Ramashtakam

Introduction to Shiva Ramashtakam

Shiva Ramashtakam - Lord Shiva and Lord Rama - भगवान शिव

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

शिवहरे शिवराम सखे प्रभो, त्रिविधताप-निवारण हे विभो।
अज जनेश्वर यादव पाहि मां, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: शिवहरे (Shivahare) = O Shiva and Hari combined; शिवराम (Shivarama) = O Shiva-Rama; सखे (sakhe) = O friend; प्रभो (prabho) = O Lord; त्रिविधताप (trividha-tapa) = the threefold afflictions (adhyatmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika); निवारण (nivarana) = remover; हे विभो (he vibho) = O all-pervading One; अज (aja) = unborn; जनेश्वर (janeshvara) = lord of the people; यादव (yadava) = descendant of Yadu (Krishna); पाहि (pahi) = protect; मां (mam) = me; विजयं (vijayam) = victory; कुरु (kuru) = grant; मे (me) = to me; वरम् (varam) = boon
Translation: O Shiva-Hari! O friend Shiva-Rama! O Lord! O remover of the threefold afflictions! O all-pervading One! O Unborn! O Lord of the people! O descendant of Yadu! Protect me! O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

2 Second Verse

कमल लोचन राम दयानिधे, हर गुरो गजरक्षक गोपते।
शिवतनो भव शङ्कर पाहिमां, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: कमल-लोचन (kamala-lochana) = lotus-eyed; राम (Rama) = Lord Rama; दयानिधे (dayanidhe) = O ocean of compassion; हर (Hara) = Shiva (the remover of sins); गुरो (guro) = O Guru/teacher; गजरक्षक (gajarakshaka) = protector of the elephant (Gajendra); गोपते (gopate) = lord of the earth/cows; शिवतनो (shivatano) = O one with an auspicious body; भव (bhava) = become/be; शङ्कर (Shankara) = bestower of auspiciousness; पाहि (pahi) = protect; मां (mam) = me
Translation: O lotus-eyed Rama, ocean of compassion! O Hara, O Guru, O protector of Gajendra, O Lord of the earth! O auspicious-bodied One, O Shankara, protect me! O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

3 Third Verse

स्वजनरञ्जन मङ्गलमन्दिर, भजति तं पुरुषं परं पदम्।
भवति तस्य सुखं परमाद्भुतं, शिवहरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: स्वजन-रञ्जन (svajana-ranjana) = one who delights His own people; मङ्गल-मन्दिर (mangala-mandira) = abode of auspiciousness; भजति (bhajati) = worships; तं (tam) = that; पुरुषं (purusham) = Supreme Person; परं (param) = supreme; पदम् (padam) = abode/goal; भवति (bhavati) = becomes/arises; तस्य (tasya) = for him; सुखं (sukham) = happiness; परम-अद्भुतं (parama-adbhutam) = supremely wondrous
Translation: He who is the delight of His devotees and the abode of all auspiciousness — whoever worships that Supreme Person, the highest goal, for him there arises supremely wondrous bliss. O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

4 Fourth Verse

जय युधिष्ठिर-वल्लभ भूपते, जय जयार्जित-पुण्यपयोनिधे।
जय कृपामय कृष्ण नमोऽस्तुते, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: जय (jaya) = victory/hail; युधिष्ठिर-वल्लभ (Yudhishthira-vallabha) = beloved of Yudhishthira; भूपते (bhupate) = O lord of the earth; अर्जित (arjita) = earned/accumulated; पुण्य (punya) = merit; पयोनिधे (payonidhe) = O ocean; कृपामय (kripamaya) = full of mercy; कृष्ण (Krishna) = Lord Krishna; नमः अस्तु ते (namah astu te) = salutations be unto You
Translation: Hail to the beloved of Yudhishthira, O Lord of the earth! Hail, hail to the ocean of earned merit! Hail to the compassion-filled Krishna — salutations unto You! O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

5 Fifth Verse

भवविमोचन माधव मापते, सुकवि-मानस हंस शिवारते।
जनक जारत माधव रक्षमां, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: भव-विमोचन (bhava-vimochana) = liberator from worldly existence; माधव (Madhava) = a name of Vishnu (husband of Lakshmi/descendant of Madhu); मापते (mapate) = O lord of Maya/Lakshmi; सुकवि (sukavi) = great poets; मानस (manasa) = lake (of the mind); हंस (hamsa) = swan; शिव (Shiva) = auspicious; आरते (arte) = O beloved One; जनक (janaka) = O father/progenitor; रक्ष (raksha) = protect; मां (mam) = me
Translation: O Liberator from the cycle of birth and death! O Madhava, Lord of Lakshmi! O divine Swan gliding in the lake of great poets' minds! O auspicious beloved One! O Father, O Madhava, protect me! O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

6 Sixth Verse

अवनि-मण्डल-मङ्गल मापते, जलद सुन्दर राम रमापते।
निगम-कीर्ति-गुणार्णव गोपते, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: अवनि (avani) = earth; मण्डल (mandala) = circle/realm; मङ्गल (mangala) = auspiciousness; मापते (mapate) = O lord of Lakshmi; जलद (jalada) = rain cloud; सुन्दर (sundara) = beautiful; राम (Rama) = Lord Rama; रमापते (Ramapate) = O lord of Rama/Lakshmi; निगम (nigama) = Vedas; कीर्ति (kirti) = glory/fame; गुण (guna) = virtues; अर्णव (arnava) = ocean; गोपते (gopate) = O lord of the earth/cows
Translation: O auspiciousness of the entire earthly realm! O Lord of Lakshmi! O one beautiful as a rain cloud! O Rama, Lord of Ramaa (Lakshmi)! O ocean of virtues whose glory is celebrated in the Vedas! O Lord of the earth! O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

7 Seventh Verse

पतित-पावन-नाममयी लता, तव यशो विमलं परिगीयते।
तदपि माधव मां किमुपेक्षसे, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: पतित-पावन (patita-pavana) = purifier of the fallen; नाम-मयी (namamayi) = consisting of the divine Name; लता (lata) = creeper/vine; तव (tava) = Your; यशः (yasho) = glory/fame; विमलं (vimalam) = pure/stainless; परिगीयते (parigiyate) = is sung everywhere; तदपि (tadapi) = yet/even so; माधव (Madhava) = O Madhava; मां (mam) = me; किम् (kim) = why; उपेक्षसे (upekshase) = do You neglect/overlook
Translation: Your divine Name is a creeper that purifies the fallen; Your stainless glory is sung throughout the world. Yet even so, O Madhava, why do You overlook me? O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

8 Eighth Verse

अमर तापर देव रमापते, विनयतस्तव नाम धनोपमम्।
मयि कथं करुणार्णव जायते, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: अमर (amara) = immortal; तापर (tapara) = O one beyond affliction; देव (deva) = O God; रमापते (Ramapate) = O Lord of Lakshmi; विनयतः (vinayatah) = with humility; तव (tava) = Your; नाम (nama) = name; धन-उपमम् (dhanopamam) = comparable to (the greatest) treasure; मयि (mayi) = in me; कथं (katham) = how; करुणा-अर्णव (karuna-arnava) = ocean of compassion; जायते (jayate) = arises/manifests
Translation: O immortal God beyond all suffering, O Lord of Lakshmi! Your Name, approached with humility, is the greatest treasure. How may that ocean of compassion arise in me? O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

9 Ninth Verse

हनुमतः प्रिय चाप कर प्रभो, सुरसरिद्-धृतशेखर हे गुरो।
मम विभो किमु विस्मरणं कृतं, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: हनुमतः (Hanumatah) = of Hanuman; प्रिय (priya) = dear/beloved; चाप-कर (chapa-kara) = bow in hand (refers to Rama); प्रभो (prabho) = O Lord; सुरसरित् (surasarit) = the celestial river (Ganga); धृत (dhrita) = bearing/holding; शेखर (shekhara) = on the crest (refers to Shiva); हे गुरो (he guro) = O Guru; मम (mama) = my; विभो (vibho) = O all-pervading One; किमु (kimu) = have You indeed; विस्मरणं (vismaranam) = forgetting; कृतं (kritam) = done
Translation: O beloved of Hanuman! O Lord with bow in hand! O one who bears the celestial Ganga upon His crest! O Guru! O all-pervading One, have You indeed forgotten me? O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

10 Tenth Verse

नर हरेति परम् जन सुन्दरं, पठति यः शिवरामकृतस्तवम्।
विशति राम-रमा चरणाम्बुजे, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम्॥
Word Meanings: नर (nara) = among people; हरे इति (hare iti) = chanting 'Hare'; परम् (param) = supreme; जन (jana) = person; सुन्दरं (sundaram) = beautiful; पठति (pathati) = recites; यः (yah) = whoever; शिवराम-कृत-स्तवम् (Shivarama-krita-stavam) = this hymn composed for Shiva-Rama; विशति (vishati) = enters; राम-रमा (Rama-Rama) = of Rama and Lakshmi; चरण-अम्बुजे (charana-ambuje) = at the lotus feet
Translation: Among people, whoever recites this supreme and beautiful hymn praising Shiva and Rama with the chant of 'Hare' — he enters the lotus feet of Lord Rama and Goddess Lakshmi. O Shiva and Hari, grant me the boon of victory!

✦ Phala Shruti (Verse 11)

प्रातरूथाय यो भक्त्या पठदेकाग्रमानसः।
विजयो जायते तस्य विष्णु सान्निध्यमाप्नुयात्॥
Word Meanings: प्रातः (pratah) = in the early morning; उत्थाय (utthaya) = having risen; यः (yah) = whoever; भक्त्या (bhaktya) = with devotion; पठत् (pathat) = recites; एकाग्र-मानसः (ekagra-manasah) = with one-pointed mind; विजयः (vijayah) = victory; जायते (jayate) = is born/arises; तस्य (tasya) = for him; विष्णु (Vishnu) = Lord Vishnu; सान्निध्यम् (sannidhyam) = proximity/presence; आप्नुयात् (apnuyat) = attains
Translation: He who rises in the early morning and recites this hymn with devotion and a one-pointed mind — victory arises for him, and he attains the divine presence of Lord Vishnu.

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.