Listen to Sri Lingashtakam Chanting Audio & Video
Introduction to Sri Lingashtakam (శ్రీ లింగాష్టకం విశిష్టత)
Lingashtakam (లింగాష్టకం / लिङ्गाष्टकम्) is a world-renowned, celestial eight-verse hymn composed by the great philosopher-saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of the Shiva Lingam—the primordial, infinite, and formless manifestation of Lord Shiva (Sadashiva). Found in the ancient Linga Purana and Shiva Purana, this sacred stotra describes the supreme cosmic reality that has neither beginning nor end (Ananta).
In Sanskrit, the word “Linga” denotes a cosmic symbol or mark through which the unmanifest consciousness (Brahman) manifests into the universe. The cylindrical pillar symbolizes the pure light of consciousness, while the circular base (Peetham or Yoni) represents Mother Parvati (Shakti / Prakriti), the divine energy that sustains creation. When worshipped together, the Shiva Lingam represents the indivisible oneness of Shiva and Shakti.
Lingashtakam Lyrics in Telugu (పూర్తి లింగాష్టకం స్తోత్రం)
బ్రహ్మమురారి సురార్చిత లింగం నిర్మలభాసిత శోభిత లింగం ।
జన్మజ దుఃఖ వినాశక లింగం తత్ ప్రణమామి సదాశివ లింగం ॥ 1 ॥
దేవముని ప్రవరార్చిత లింగం కామదహన కరుణాకర లింగం ।
రావణ దర్ప వినాశక లింగం తత్ ప్రణమామి సదాశివ లింగం ॥ 2 ॥
సర్వ సుగంధ సులేపిత లింగం బుద్ధి వివర్ధన కారణ లింగం ।
సిద్ధ సురాసుర వందిత లింగం తత్ ప్రణమామి సదాశివ లింగం ॥ 3 ॥
కనక మహామణి భూషిత లింగం ఫణిపతి వేష్టిత శోభిత లింగం ।
దక్ష సుయజ్ఞ వినాశక లింగం తత్ ప్రణమామి సదాశివ లింగం ॥ 4 ॥
కుంకుమ చందన లేపిత లింగం పంకజ హార సుశోభిత లింగం ।
సంచిత పాప వినాశక లింగం తత్ ప్రణమామి సదాశివ లింగం ॥ 5 ॥
దేవగణార్చిత సేవిత లింగం భావైర్భక్తిభిరేవ చ లింగం ।
దినకర కోటి ప్రభాకర లింగం తత్ ప్రణమామి సదాశివ లింగం ॥ 6 ॥
అష్టదళోపరివేష్టిత లింగం సర్వసముద్భవ కారణ లింగం ।
అష్టదరిద్ర వినాశక లింగం తత్ ప్రణమామి సదాశివ లింగం ॥ 7 ॥
సురగురు సురవర పూజిత లింగం సురవన పుష్ప సదార్చిత లింగం ।
పరాత్పరం పరమాత్మక లింగం తత్ ప్రణమామి సదాశివ లింగం ॥ 8 ॥
ఫలశ్రుతి శ్లోకము
లింగాష్టకమిదం పుణ్యం యః పఠేచ్ఛివ సన్నిధౌ ।
శివలోకమవాప్నోతి శివేన సహ మోదతే ॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీమచ్ఛంకరాచార్య విరచితం శ్రీ లింగాష్టకం సంపూర్ణమ్ ॥
Lingashtakam Lyrics in Hindi / Sanskrit (देवनागरी लिपि)
ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गं निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम् ।
जन्मजदुःखविनाशकलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ १ ॥
देवमुनिप्रवरार्चितलिङ्गं कामदहनाकरुणाकरलिङ्गम् ।
रावणदर्पविनाशनलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ २ ॥
सर्वसुगन्धसुलेपितलिङ्गं बुद्धिविवर्धनकारणलिङ्गम् ।
सिद्धसुरासुरवन्दितलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ३ ॥
कनकमहामणिभूषितलिङ्गं फणिपतिवेष्टितशोभितलिङ्गम् ।
दक्षसुयज्ञविनाशनलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ४ ॥
कुङ्कुमचन्दनलेपितलिङ्गं पङ्कजहारसुशोभितलिङ्गम् ।
सञ्चितपापविनाशनलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ५ ॥
देवगणार्चितसेवितलिङ्गं भावैर्भक्तिभिरेव च लिङ्गम् ।
दिनकरकोटिप्रभाकरलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ६ ॥
अष्टदलोपरिवेष्टितलिङ्गं सर्वसमुद्भवकारणलिङ्गम् ।
अष्टदरिद्रविनाशनलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ७ ॥
सुरगुरुसुरवरपूजितलिङ्गं सुरवनपुष्पसदार्चितलिङ्गम् ।
परात्परं परमात्मकलिङ्गं तत् प्रणमामि सदाशिवलिङ्गम् ॥ ८ ॥
फलश्रुति:
लिङ्गाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥
Verse-by-Verse English Meaning & Deep Spiritual Commentary
Verse 1: Destroying the Sufferings of Birth & Death
Brahma-Murāri Surārcita Liṅgaṃ Nirmala-Bhāsita Śobhita Liṅgam |
Janmaja Duḥkha Vināśaka Liṅgaṃ Tat Praṇamāmi Sadāśiva Liṅgam || 1 ||
Detailed Meaning: I bow reverently before that sacred Sadashiva Lingam, which is worshipped by Lord Brahma (the Creator) and Lord Vishnu / Murari (the Preserver), adored by all heavenly celestials (Suras), radiant with immaculate purity and divine splendor, and which completely destroys all sorrows originating from the repetitive cycle of birth and death (Samsara).
Verse 2: Destroyer of Lust & Demonic Pride
Deva-Muni Pravarārcita Liṅgaṃ Kāma-Dahana Karuṇākara Liṅgam |
Rāvaṇa Darpa Vināśana Liṅgaṃ Tat Praṇamāmi Sadāśiva Liṅgam || 2 ||
Detailed Meaning: I bow before that auspicious Sadashiva Lingam, revered by the foremost of sages, saints, and gods. It reduced Kamadeva (the lord of desire and passion) to ashes with the fire of the third eye, is the infinite ocean of compassion (Karunakara), and humbled the haughty, arrogant pride of the mighty ten-headed demon king Ravana.
Verse 3: Awakening Higher Intellect & Wisdom
Sarva-Sugandha Sulepita Liṅgaṃ Buddhi-Vivardhana Kāraṇa Liṅgam |
Siddha-Surāsura Vandita Liṅgaṃ Tat Praṇamāmi Sadāśiva Liṅgam || 3 ||
Detailed Meaning: I bow before that divine Sadashiva Lingam, anointed with all sweet heavenly fragrances and pastes (sandalwood, camphor, and agaru), which serves as the prime cause for the expansion and awakening of higher intellect (Buddhi Vivardhana), and is humbly saluted by enlightened Siddhas, gods (Suras), and demons (Asuras) alike.
Verse 4: The Golden Crown & Serpent Adornment
Kanaka-Mahāmaṇi Bhūṣita Liṅgaṃ Phaṇipati Veṣṭita Śobhita Liṅgam |
Dakṣa-Suyajña Vināśana Liṅgaṃ Tat Praṇamāmi Sadāśiva Liṅgam || 4 ||
Detailed Meaning: I bow before that Sadashiva Lingam, bedecked with pure gold and resplendent celestial gems, encircled majestically by the King of Serpents (Vasuki / Kundalini shakti), and which destroyed the ego-driven, disrespectful sacrifice of King Daksha to uphold the sanctity of true righteousness.
Verse 5: Eradication of Sins with Kumkum & Sandalwood
Kuṅkuma-Candana Lepita Liṅgaṃ Paṅkajahāra Suśobhita Liṅgam |
Sañcita-Pāpa Vināśana Liṅgaṃ Tat Praṇamāmi Sadāśiva Liṅgam || 5 ||
Detailed Meaning: I bow before that Sadashiva Lingam, beautifully adorned with auspicious Kumkuma and cool white sandalwood paste, garlanded with blooming lotus blossoms (Pankaja), and which dissolves all accumulated negative karmas and sins (Sanchita Papa) gathered over countless lifetimes.
Verse 6: Radiance of Ten Million Suns
Devagaṇārcita Sevita Liṅgaṃ Bhāvair-Bhaktibhireva Ca Liṅgam |
Dinakara-Koṭi Prabhākara Liṅgaṃ Tat Praṇamāmi Sadāśiva Liṅgam || 6 ||
Detailed Meaning: I bow before that Sadashiva Lingam, served and adored by heavenly hosts with boundless emotional love and sincere devotion, which shines with the supreme cosmic effulgence of ten million rising suns (Dinakara Koti Prabhakara), dispelling all inner darkness.
Verse 7: Destroyer of the Eightfold Poverty
Aṣṭadalo-Pariveṣṭita Liṅgaṃ Sarva-Samudbhava Kāraṇa Liṅgam |
Aṣṭa-Daridra Vināśana Liṅgaṃ Tat Praṇamāmi Sadāśiva Liṅgam || 7 ||
Detailed Meaning: I bow before that Sadashiva Lingam, situated upon an eight-petaled lotus representing the eight divine manifestations of Shiva (Sharva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, Bhima, Pashupati, Ishana, Mahadeva), which is the source of all universal creation, and which annihilates the eight kinds of poverty and lack (Ashta Daridra Vinashana).
Verse 8: The Supreme Transcendent Reality
Suraguru-Suravara Pūjita Liṅgaṃ Suravana-Puṣpa Sadārcita Liṅgam |
Parātparaṃ Paramātmaka Liṅgaṃ Tat Praṇamāmi Sadāśiva Liṅgam || 8 ||
Detailed Meaning: I bow before that Sadashiva Lingam, worshipped by Brihaspati (Guru of the gods) and the greatest among devas, constantly adorned with blossoms from the celestial gardens of heaven (Nandanavana), the transcendent beyond the transcendent (Paratparam), the eternal Supreme Self.
Phalashruti: The Eternal Merit of Chanting
Liṅgāṣṭakam-idaṃ Puṇyaṃ Yaḥ Paṭhecchiva Sannidhau |
Śivalokam-avāpnoti Śivena Saha Modate ||
Detailed Meaning: Whoever recites this meritorious eight-verse Lingashtakam near a consecrated Shiva Lingam or in deep meditation upon Lord Shiva is absolved of all sins and sorrow, attains the eternal divine realm of Shiva Loka, and rejoices in supreme bliss in the company of Mahadeva.
Spiritual & Karmic Benefits of Lingashtakam
- Annihilation of Ashta Daridra: Removes the eight types of worldly deficiencies—lack of wealth, lack of intellect, lack of progeny, emotional despair, moral degradation, illness, fear of death, and spiritual ignorance.
- Liberation from Past Karma (Sanchita Papa): Cleanses mental impressions accumulated from past deeds, bringing deep psychological lightness.
- Intellectual Brilliance (Buddhi Vivardhana): Promotes focus, memory retention, and mental stillness, making it ideal for sadhaks and students.
- Subdues Anger and Lust (Kama Dahana): Just as Shiva consumed Kamadeva, chanting controls sensory agitations and calms the restless mind.
Step-by-Step Shiva Abhishekam & Ritual Guidance (శివలింగ అభిషేక విధానం)
- Auspicious Days: Mondays (Somavaram), Pradosha Vratam (Trayodashi evening twilight), Masa Shivaratri, Maha Shivaratri, and throughout the holy months of Shravana and Karthika.
- Abhishekam Offerings: Offer fresh water, pure cow’s milk, curds, honey, ghee, sugarcane juice, and rose water onto the Shiva Lingam while chanting each verse.
- Bilva Patra Archana: Offer unbroken trifoliate Bilva leaves after the bath, placing the smooth side of the leaf upon the Lingam.
- Fragrant Sandalwood & Vibhuti: Apply cool white Chandanam and pure sacred ash (Bhasma / Vibhuti).
- Lamp & Incense: Light a cow ghee lamp and fragrant Dhoopam, completing the ritual with Karpura Harati (camphor waving).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can Lingashtakam be recited at home without a Shiva Lingam?
Yes. If you do not have a stone, spatika, or parad Shiva Lingam at home, you can sit peacefully in front of a picture of Lord Shiva, close your eyes, visualize the effulgent Jyotirlinga in your heart (Anahata chakra), and chant with sincere devotion.
2. What are the eight forms of poverty destroyed by Verse 7?
The “Ashta Daridra” includes physical illness, emotional grief, intellectual dullness, material debt, family discord, moral weakness, fear of mortality, and spiritual bondage. Lord Shiva frees the chanter from all eight limitations.
3. How to print or download Lingashtakam PDF?
Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) on your computer, or choose “Print” in your browser menu, and select “Save as PDF” for daily offline chanting.
