Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam
Introduction to Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam
The Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam beginning with "Gangatarangara-maniyajatakalapam" is a magnificent eight-verse hymn that celebrates Lord Shiva as Vishwanath — the Lord of the Universe — who resides in the sacred city of Kashi (Varanasi). The opening verse beautifully describes Shiva's matted locks adorned by the waves of the holy Ganga, painting a divine portrait of the supreme deity in His most iconic form.
Kashi Vishwanath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the most sacred Shiva temple in Hinduism. This ashtakam captures the spiritual grandeur of Lord Vishvanath, describing His cosmic form, His benevolent nature, and the liberation He grants to those who worship Him in the holy city of Varanasi. It is believed that Lord Shiva Himself whispers the taraka mantra (the liberating name of Rama) into the ears of those who die in Kashi.
Reciting the Vishvanath Ashtakam with devotion is believed to be equivalent to a pilgrimage to Kashi itself. It invokes the blessings of Lord Vishwanath, grants spiritual merit, and guides the soul toward ultimate liberation. It is especially powerful when chanted on Mondays, during Shravan, and on Maha Shivaratri.
Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam: Sanskrit, English, Tamil & Telugu Verses
॥ श्रीविश्वनाथाष्टकम् ॥
गङ्गातरङ्गरमणीयजटाकलापं
गौरीनिरन्तरविभूषितवामभागम्।
नारायणप्रियमनङ्गमदापहारं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥1॥
वाचामगोचरमनेकगुणस्वरूपं
वागीशविष्णुसुरसेवितपादपीठम्।
वामेन विग्रहवरेण कलत्रवन्तं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥2॥
भूताधिपं भुजगभूषणभूषिताङ्गं
व्याघ्राजिनाम्बरधरं जटिलं त्रिनेत्रम्।
पाशाङ्कुशाभयवरप्रदशूलपाणिं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥3॥
शीतांशुशोभितकिरीटविराजमानं
भालेक्षणानलविशोषितपञ्चबाणम्।
नागाधिपारचितभासुरकर्णपूरं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥4॥
पञ्चाननं दुरितमत्तमतङ्गजानां
नागान्तकं दनुजपुङ्गवपन्नगानाम्।
दावानलं मरणशोकजराटवीनां
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥5॥
तेजोमयं सगुणनिर्गुणमद्वितीय-
मानन्दकन्दमपराजितमप्रमेयम्।
नागात्मकं सकलनिष्कलमात्मरूपं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥6॥
रागादिदोषरहितं स्वजनानुरागं
वैराग्यशान्तिनिलयं गिरिजासहायम्।
माधुर्यधैर्यसुभगं गरलाभिरामं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥7॥
आशां विहाय परिहृत्य परस्य निन्दां
पापे रतिं च सुनिवार्य मनः समाधौ।
आदाय हृत्कमलमध्यगतं परेशं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥8॥
वाराणसीपुरपतेः स्तवनं शिवस्य
व्याख्यातमष्टकमिदं पठते मनुष्यः।
विद्यां श्रियं विपुलसौख्यमनन्तकीर्तिं
सम्प्राप्य देहविलये लभते च मोक्षम्॥9॥
विश्वनाथाष्टकमिदं यः
पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति
शिवेन सह मोदते॥10॥
॥ इति श्रीमहर्षिव्यासप्रणीतं श्रीविश्वनाथाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Shri Vishvanathashtakam ॥
GangatarangaramaniyajatakalapamGaurinirantaravibhushitavamabhagam
NarayanapriyamanangamadapaharamVaranasipurapatim Bhaja Vishvanatham॥1॥
VachamagocharamanekagunasvarupamVagishavishnusurasevitapadapitham।
Vamena Vigrahavarena KalatravantamVaranasipurapatim Bhaja Vishvanatham॥2॥
Bhutadhipam BhujagabhushanabhushitangamVyaghrajinambaradharam Jatilam Trinetram।
PashankushabhayavarapradashulapanimVaranasipurapatim Bhaja Vishvanatham॥3॥
ShitamshushobhitakiritavirajamanamBhalekshananalavishoshitapanchabanam।
NagadhiparachitabhasurakarnapuramVaranasipurapatim Bhaja Vishvanatham॥4॥
Panchananam DuritamattamatangajanamNagantakam Danujapungavapannaganam।
Davanalam MaranashokajaratavinamVaranasipurapatim Bhaja Vishvanatham॥5॥
Tejomayam Sagunanirgunamadvitiya-Manandakandamaparajitamaprameyam।
Nagatmakam SakalanishkalamatmarupamVaranasipurapatim Bhaja Vishvanatham॥6॥
Ragadidosharahitam SvajananuragamVairagyashantinilayam Girijasahayam
Madhuryadhairyasubhagam GaralabhiramamVaranasipurapatim Bhaja Vishvanatham॥7॥
Asham Vihaya Parihritya Parasya NindamPape Ratim Cha Sunivarya Manah Samadhau।
Adaya Hritkamalamadhyagatam PareshamVaranasipurapatim Bhaja Vishvanatham॥8॥
Varanasipurapateh Stavanam ShivasyaVyakhyatamashtakamidam Pathate Manushyah।
Vidyam Shriyam VipulasaukhyamanantakirtimSamprapya Dehavilaye Labhate Cha Moksham॥9॥
Vishvanathashtakamidam YahPathechchhivasannidhau।
ShivalokamavapnotiShivena Saha Modate॥10॥
॥ Iti Shrimaharshivyasapranitam Shrivishvanathashtakam Sampurnam ॥
॥ ஶ்ரீவிஶ்வநாதாஷ்டகம் ॥
கங்காதரங்கரமணீயஜடாகலாபம்கௌரீநிரந்தரவிபூஷிதவாமபாகம்
நாராயணப்ரியமனங்கமதாபஹாரம்வாராணஸீபுரபதிம் பஜ விஶ்வநாதம்॥1॥
வாசாமகோசரமனேககுணஸ்வரூபம்வாகீஶவிஷ்ணுஸுரஸேவிதபாதபீடம்।
வாமேன விக்ரஹவரேண கலத்ரவந்தம்வாராணஸீபுரபதிம் பஜ விஶ்வநாதம்॥2॥
பூதாதிபம் புஜகபூஷணபூஷிதாங்கம்வ்யாக்ராஜினாம்பரதரம் ஜடிலம் த்ரிநேத்ரம்।
பாஶாங்குஶாபயவரப்ரதஶூலபாணிம்வாராணஸீபுரபதிம் பஜ விஶ்வநாதம்॥3॥
ஶீதாம்ஶுஶோபிதகிரீடவிராஜமானம்பாலேக்ஷணானலவிஶோஷிதபஞ்சபாணம்।
நாகாதிபாரசிதபாஸுரகர்ணபூரம்வாராணஸீபுரபதிம் பஜ விஶ்வநாதம்॥4॥
பஞ்சானனம் துரிதமத்தமதங்கஜானாம்நாகாந்தகம் தனுஜபுங்கவபன்னகானாம்।
தாவானலம் மரணஶோகஜராடவீனாம்வாராணஸீபுரபதிம் பஜ விஶ்வநாதம்॥5॥
தேஜோமயம் ஸகுணநிர்குணமத்விதீய-மானந்தகந்தமபராஜிதமப்ரமேயம்।
நாகாத்மகம் ஸகலநிஷ்கலமாத்மரூபம்வாராணஸீபுரபதிம் பஜ விஶ்வநாதம்॥6॥
ராகாதிதோஷரஹிதம் ஸ்வஜனானுராகம்வைராக்யஶாந்திநிலயம் கிரிஜாஸஹாயம்
மாதுர்யதைர்யஸுபகம் கரலாபிராமம்வாராணஸீபுரபதிம் பஜ விஶ்வநாதம்॥7॥
ஆஶாம் விஹாய பரிஹ்ருத்ய பரஸ்ய நிந்தாம்பாபே ரதிம் ச ஸுநிவார்ய மனः ஸமாதௌ।
ஆதாய ஹ்ருத்கமலமத்யகதம் பரேஶம்வாராணஸீபுரபதிம் பஜ விஶ்வநாதம்॥8॥
வாராணஸீபுரபதேः ஸ்தவனம் ஶிவஸ்யவ்யாக்யாதமஷ்டகமிதம் படதே மனுஷ்யः।
வித்யாம் ஶ்ரியம் விபுலஸௌக்யமனந்தகீர்திம்ஸம்ப்ராப்ய தேஹவிலயே லபதே ச மோக்ஷம்॥9॥
விஶ்வநாதாஷ்டகமிதம் யःபடேச்சிவஸந்நிதௌ।
ஶிவலோகமவாப்னோதிஶிவேன ஸஹ மோததே॥10॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீமஹர்ஷிவ்யாஸப்ரணீதம் ஶ்ரீவிஶ்வநாதாஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ శ్రీవిశ్వనాథాష్టకం ॥
గంగాతరంగరమణీయజటాకలాపంగౌరీనిరంతరవిభూషితవామభాగం
నారాయణప్రియమనంగమదాపహారంవారాణసీపురపతిం భజ విశ్వనాథం॥1॥
వాచామగోచరమనేకగుణస్వరూపంవాగీశవిష్ణుసురసేవితపాదపీఠం।
వామేన విగ్రహవరేణ కలత్రవంతంవారాణసీపురపతిం భజ విశ్వనాథం॥2॥
భూతాధిపం భుజగభూషణభూషితాంగంవ్యాఘ్రాజినాంబరధరం జటిలం త్రినేత్రం।
పాశాంకుశాభయవరప్రదశూలపాణింవారాణసీపురపతిం భజ విశ్వనాథం॥3॥
శీతాంశుశోభితకిరీటవిరాజమానంభాలేక్షణానలవిశోషితపంచబాణం।
నాగాధిపారచితభాసురకర్ణపూరంవారాణసీపురపతిం భజ విశ్వనాథం॥4॥
పంచాననం దురితమత్తమతంగజానాంనాగాంతకం దనుజపుంగవపన్నగానాం।
దావానలం మరణశోకజరాటవీనాంవారాణసీపురపతిం భజ విశ్వనాథం॥5॥
తేజోమయం సగుణనిర్గుణమద్వితీయ-మానందకందమపరాజితమప్రమేయం।
నాగాత్మకం సకలనిష్కలమాత్మరూపంవారాణసీపురపతిం భజ విశ్వనాథం॥6॥
రాగాదిదోషరహితం స్వజనానురాగంవైరాగ్యశాంతినిలయం గిరిజాసహాయం
మాధుర్యధైర్యసుభగం గరలాభిరామంవారాణసీపురపతిం భజ విశ్వనాథం॥7॥
ఆశాం విహాయ పరిహృత్య పరస్య నిందాంపాపే రతిం చ సునివార్య మనః సమాధౌ।
ఆదాయ హృత్కమలమధ్యగతం పరేశంవారాణసీపురపతిం భజ విశ్వనాథం॥8॥
వారాణసీపురపతేః స్తవనం శివస్యవ్యాఖ్యాతమష్టకమిదం పఠతే మనుష్యః।
విద్యాం శ్రియం విపులసౌఖ్యమనంతకీర్తింసంప్రాప్య దేహవిలయే లభతే చ మోక్షం॥9॥
విశ్వనాథాష్టకమిదం యఃపఠేచ్ఛివసన్నిధౌ।
శివలోకమవాప్నోతిశివేన సహ మోదతే॥10॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీమహర్షివ్యాసప్రణీతం శ్రీవిశ్వనాథాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam
1 First Verse
गङ्गातरङ्गरमणीयजटाकलापं गौरीनिरन्तरविभूषितवामभागम्।
नारायणप्रियमनङ्गमदापहारं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
नारायणप्रियमनङ्गमदापहारं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
Word Meanings: गङ्गातरङ्ग (Gangā-taraṅga) = waves of the Ganga; रमणीय (ramaṇīya) = beautiful; जटाकलापम् (jaṭā-kalāpam) = mass of matted locks; गौरी (Gaurī) = Goddess Parvati; निरन्तर (nirantara) = constantly; विभूषित (vibhūṣita) = adorned; वामभागम् (vāma-bhāgam) = left side; नारायणप्रिय (Nārāyaṇa-priya) = dear to Lord Vishnu; अनङ्गमदापहारम् (anaṅga-madāpahāram) = destroyer of Kamadeva's pride; वाराणसीपुरपतिम् (Vārāṇasī-pura-patim) = Lord of the city of Varanasi; भज (bhaja) = worship; विश्वनाथम् (Viśvanātham) = Vishvanath.
Translation: Worship Lord Vishvanath, the Lord of Varanasi, whose beautiful mass of matted locks is adorned by the playful waves of the holy Ganga, whose left side is eternally graced by Goddess Gauri (Parvati), who is dear to Lord Narayana (Vishnu), and who destroys the pride of Kamadeva (the god of love).
2 Second Verse
वाचामगोचरमनेकगुणस्वरूपं वागीशविष्णुसुरसेवितपादपीठम्।
वामेन विग्रहवरेण कलत्रवन्तं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
वामेन विग्रहवरेण कलत्रवन्तं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
Word Meanings: वाचाम् (vāchām) = of words/speech; अगोचरम् (agocharam) = beyond the reach; अनेकगुणस्वरूपम् (aneka-guṇa-svarūpam) = whose nature embodies countless virtues; वागीश (Vāgīśa) = Lord of Speech (Brahma); विष्णु (Viṣṇu) = Lord Vishnu; सुर (sura) = gods; सेवित (sevita) = served; पादपीठम् (pāda-pīṭham) = footstool; वामेन (vāmena) = with the left; विग्रहवरेण (vigraha-vareṇa) = with the beautiful form; कलत्रवन्तम् (kalatra-vantam) = having a wife (Parvati).
Translation: Worship Lord Vishvanath, the Lord of Varanasi, who is beyond the reach of speech, whose nature embodies countless divine virtues, whose footstool is served by Brahma (the Lord of Speech), Vishnu, and all the gods, and who has a beautiful consort (Parvati) at His left side.
3 Third Verse
भूताधिपं भुजगभूषणभूषिताङ्गं व्याघ्राजिनाम्बरधरं जटिलं त्रिनेत्रम्।
पाशाङ्कुशाभयवरप्रदशूलपाणिं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
पाशाङ्कुशाभयवरप्रदशूलपाणिं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
Word Meanings: भूताधिपम् (bhūtādhipam) = lord of all beings/spirits; भुजगभूषण (bhujaga-bhūṣaṇa) = serpent ornaments; भूषिताङ्गम् (bhūṣitāṅgam) = adorned body; व्याघ्राजिनाम्बरधरम् (vyāghra-ajina-ambara-dharam) = wearer of tiger-skin garment; जटिलम् (jaṭilam) = with matted locks; त्रिनेत्रम् (trinetram) = three-eyed; पाश (pāśa) = noose; अङ्कुश (aṅkuśa) = goad; अभय (abhaya) = fearlessness; वरप्रद (vara-prada) = boon-granting; शूलपाणिम् (śūla-pāṇim) = trident in hand.
Translation: Worship Lord Vishvanath, the Lord of Varanasi, who is the sovereign of all beings, whose body is adorned with serpent ornaments, who wears a tiger-skin garment, who has matted locks and three eyes, and who holds a noose, goad, and trident while granting fearlessness and boons.
4 Fourth Verse
शीतांशुशोभितकिरीटविराजमानं भालेक्षणानलविशोषितपञ्चबाणम्।
नागाधिपारचितभासुरकर्णपूरं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
नागाधिपारचितभासुरकर्णपूरं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
Word Meanings: शीतांशु (śītāṃśu) = cool-rayed one (the moon); शोभित (śobhita) = adorned; किरीट (kirīṭa) = crown; विराजमानम् (virājamānam) = shining splendidly; भाल (bhāla) = forehead; ईक्षण (īkṣaṇa) = eye; अनल (anala) = fire; विशोषित (viśoṣita) = dried up/burnt; पञ्चबाणम् (pañca-bāṇam) = five-arrowed one (Kamadeva); नागाधिप (nāgādhipa) = king of serpents; अर्चित (archita) = fashioned; भासुर (bhāsura) = brilliant; कर्णपूरम् (karṇa-pūram) = ear ornaments.
Translation: Worship Lord Vishvanath, the Lord of Varanasi, who shines magnificently with a crown adorned by the cool-rayed moon, who burnt the five-arrowed Kamadeva with the fire of His third eye on the forehead, and whose brilliant ear ornaments are crafted by the king of serpents (Vasuki).
5 Fifth Verse
पञ्चाननं दुरितमत्तमतङ्गजानां नागान्तकं दनुजपुङ्गवपन्नगानाम्।
दावानलं मरणशोकजराटवीनां वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
दावानलं मरणशोकजराटवीनां वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
Word Meanings: पञ्चाननम् (pañchānanam) = five-faced (like a lion); दुरित (durita) = sins; मत्त (matta) = intoxicated/maddened; मतङ्गजानाम् (mataṅga-jānām) = of elephants; नागान्तकम् (nāgāntakam) = destroyer of serpents; दनुजपुङ्गव (danuja-puṅgava) = foremost among demons; पन्नगानाम् (pannagānām) = of serpents; दावानलम् (dāvānalam) = forest fire; मरण (maraṇa) = death; शोक (śoka) = grief; जरा (jarā) = old age; अटवीनाम् (aṭavīnām) = of forests.
Translation: Worship Lord Vishvanath, the Lord of Varanasi, who is five-faced like a lion to the maddened elephants of sins, who is the destroyer of the great serpent-demons among the foremost of evil beings, and who is like a raging forest fire to the forests of death, grief, and old age.
6 Sixth Verse
तेजोमयं सगुणनिर्गुणमद्वितीयमानन्दकन्दमपराजितमप्रमेयम्।
नागात्मकं सकलनिष्कलमात्मरूपं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
नागात्मकं सकलनिष्कलमात्मरूपं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
Word Meanings: तेजोमयम् (tejomayam) = full of radiance; सगुण (saguṇa) = with attributes; निर्गुणम् (nirguṇam) = without attributes; अद्वितीयम् (advitīyam) = non-dual/without a second; आनन्दकन्दम् (ānanda-kandam) = root/bulb of bliss; अपराजितम् (aparājitam) = unconquered; अप्रमेयम् (aprameyam) = immeasurable; नागात्मकम् (nāgātmakam) = of serpentine nature; सकल (sakala) = whole/complete; निष्कलम् (niṣkalam) = without parts; आत्मरूपम् (ātma-rūpam) = of the nature of the Self.
Translation: Worship Lord Vishvanath, the Lord of Varanasi, who is full of divine radiance, who is both with qualities and beyond qualities, who is non-dual, who is the very root of supreme bliss, who is unconquerable and immeasurable, who is of the nature of the cosmic serpent, who is both complete and partless, and who is the very Self of all.
7 Seventh Verse
रागादिदोषरहितं स्वजनानुरागं वैराग्यशान्तिनिलयं गिरिजासहायम्।
माधुर्यधैर्यसुभगं गरलाभिरामं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
माधुर्यधैर्यसुभगं गरलाभिरामं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
Word Meanings: रागादि (rāgādi) = attachment and other; दोषरहितम् (doṣa-rahitam) = free from defects; स्वजनानुरागम् (svajana-anurāgam) = affection toward His own devotees; वैराग्य (vairāgya) = detachment; शान्ति (śānti) = peace; निलयम् (nilayam) = abode; गिरिजासहायम् (Girijā-sahāyam) = with Girija (Parvati) as companion; माधुर्य (mādhurya) = sweetness; धैर्य (dhairya) = steadfastness; सुभगम् (subhagam) = blessed/handsome; गरलाभिरामम् (garala-abhirāmam) = beautiful even with poison (in His throat).
Translation: Worship Lord Vishvanath, the Lord of Varanasi, who is free from attachment and all other defects yet full of love for His devotees, who is the abode of detachment and peace, who has Girija (Parvati, the mountain's daughter) as His companion, who is blessed with sweetness and steadfastness, and who remains radiantly beautiful even after consuming the deadly poison (Halahala).
8 Eighth Verse
आशां विहाय परिहृत्य परस्य निन्दां पापे रतिं च सुनिवार्य मनः समाधौ।
आदाय हृत्कमलमध्यगतं परेशं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
आदाय हृत्कमलमध्यगतं परेशं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्॥
Word Meanings: आशाम् (āśām) = desires/expectations; विहाय (vihāya) = having abandoned; परिहृत्य (parihṛtya) = having given up; परस्य (parasya) = of others; निन्दाम् (nindām) = criticism; पापे (pāpe) = in sin; रतिम् (ratim) = attachment/pleasure; सुनिवार्य (sunivārya) = having well restrained; मनः (manaḥ) = the mind; समाधौ (samādhau) = in meditation; आदाय (ādāya) = taking up/meditating upon; हृत्कमल (hṛt-kamala) = lotus of the heart; मध्यगतम् (madhya-gatam) = residing in the center; परेशम् (pareśam) = the Supreme Lord.
Translation: Having abandoned all desires, having given up the criticism of others, having well restrained the mind's inclination toward sin, and having fixed the mind in deep meditation — meditate upon the Supreme Lord who resides in the center of the heart-lotus, and worship Vishvanath, the Lord of Varanasi.
✦ Phala Shruti (Verse 9)
वाराणसीपुरपतेः स्तवनं शिवस्य व्याख्यातमष्टकमिदं पठते मनुष्यः।
विद्यां श्रियं विपुलसौख्यमनन्तकीर्तिं सम्प्राप्य देहविलये लभते च मोक्षम्॥
विद्यां श्रियं विपुलसौख्यमनन्तकीर्तिं सम्प्राप्य देहविलये लभते च मोक्षम्॥
Word Meanings: वाराणसीपुरपतेः (Vārāṇasī-pura-pateḥ) = of the Lord of Varanasi; स्तवनम् (stavanam) = hymn of praise; शिवस्य (Śivasya) = of Shiva; व्याख्यातम् (vyākhyātam) = explained/composed; अष्टकम् (aṣṭakam) = eight verses; पठते (paṭhate) = reads; मनुष्यः (manuṣyaḥ) = a person; विद्याम् (vidyām) = knowledge; श्रियम् (śriyam) = wealth; विपुलसौख्यम् (vipula-saukhyam) = great happiness; अनन्तकीर्तिम् (ananta-kīrtim) = endless fame; सम्प्राप्य (samprāpya) = having obtained; देहविलये (deha-vilaye) = at the dissolution of the body; मोक्षम् (mokṣam) = liberation.
Translation: The person who recites this eight-verse hymn of praise to Lord Shiva, the Lord of Varanasi, obtains knowledge, wealth, great happiness, and endless fame; and at the time of death, attains supreme liberation (moksha).
✦ Phala Shruti (Verse 10)
विश्वनाथाष्टकमिदं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते॥
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते॥
Word Meanings: विश्वनाथाष्टकम् (Viśvanātha-aṣṭakam) = the Vishvanath Ashtakam; इदम् (idam) = this; यः (yaḥ) = whoever; पठेत् (paṭhet) = recites; शिवसन्निधौ (Śiva-sannidhau) = in the presence of Lord Shiva; शिवलोकम् (Śiva-lokam) = Shiva's abode; अवाप्नोति (avāpnoti) = attains; शिवेन सह (Śivena saha) = with Shiva; मोदते (modate) = rejoices.
Translation: Whoever recites this Vishvanath Ashtakam in the presence of Lord Shiva attains the divine abode of Shiva and rejoices eternally in the company of the Lord.
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam
- Kashi Pilgrimage Merit: Grants spiritual merit equivalent to visiting Kashi Vishwanath
- Liberation: Opens the path to moksha as blessed by Lord Vishvanath of Kashi
- Removes Sins: Destroys accumulated sins like the Ganga purifies all who bathe in her
- Divine Protection: Invokes the protection of the Lord of the Universe
- Spiritual Merit: Accumulates immense punya (spiritual merit) through devoted recitation
- Inner Peace: Bestows the profound peace of Kashi's sacred atmosphere
- Purifies Consciousness: Cleanses the mind and soul of worldly impurities
- Grants Wisdom: Illuminates the mind with divine knowledge and understanding
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 Vishvanath's continued blessings
Frequently Asked Questions about Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam
Who composed the Vishvanath Ashtakam?
The Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam is traditionally attributed to Maharshi Vyasa (Sage Veda Vyasa), the legendary compiler of the Vedas and author of the Mahabharata. The colophon of the hymn reads "Iti Shri Maharshi Vyasa Pranitam Shri Vishvanathashtakam Sampurnam," confirming Vyasa as the composer.
What is the significance of the repeated refrain "Varanasipurapatim Bhaja Vishvanatham"?
The refrain "Vārāṇasī-pura-patim bhaja Viśvanātham" (Worship Vishvanath, the Lord of Varanasi) appears at the end of every verse. This repetition emphasizes that Lord Shiva's supreme form as Vishvanath resides in the sacred city of Kashi (Varanasi). It serves as a meditative anchor, directing the devotee's mind toward worship of the Lord of the Universe in His holiest abode.
When is the best time to chant the Vishvanath Ashtakam?
The Vishvanath Ashtakam is most powerful when chanted during the Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn hours), on Mondays (Shiva's sacred day), during the month of Shravan (July–August), and especially on Maha Shivaratri. It can also be recited during Pradosha Kala (evening twilight) and while visiting a Shiva temple or Jyotirlinga.
What are the spiritual benefits of reciting this Ashtakam?
According to the Phala Shruti (verses 9–10), the reciter obtains vidyā (knowledge), śrī (wealth), vipula-saukhya (great happiness), and ananta-kīrti (endless fame). At the time of death, the devotee attains moksha (liberation). Reciting it in the presence of a Shiva Lingam grants entry into Shiva Loka, the divine abode of Lord Shiva.
What is the connection between this hymn and Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
This Ashtakam glorifies Lord Shiva specifically as the presiding deity of Varanasi (Kashi), where the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple — one of the twelve Jyotirlingas — stands. The hymn describes Shiva's cosmic attributes while anchoring them in the sacred geography of Varanasi, believed to be the city where Shiva grants liberation to all who die there.
Can the Vishvanath Ashtakam be chanted by anyone?
Yes, the Vishvanath Ashtakam can be chanted by anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. There are no strict restrictions — only sincere devotion (bhakti) is required. It is recommended to maintain cleanliness, sit in a quiet place, and chant with correct pronunciation and a focused mind for maximum spiritual benefit.
Is Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam available in Tamil?
Yes. This page includes Shri Vishvanath Ashtakam in Tamil script along with Sanskrit (Devanagari) and English transliteration to support easier chanting.