Lingashtakam - An Eightfold Prayer to Shivalingam

Lingashatakam is a prayer of eight invocations or salutations offered to Shiva in his aspect as Shiva Lingam, which is the universal symbol of creation and source of all. The prayer lists the greatness of Shiva Linga and the benefits of worshipping it.

Meaning

It states that Shiva Linga is worshipped by even Brahma and Vishnu. Always effulgent and filled with peace., it destroys the suffering cased by birth and rebirth.

Worshipped by gods and sages, it burns sexual desire, takes away the pride of even demons like Ravana.

Covered with aromatic substances, the Shiva linga is the cause of increasing intelligence. Venerated by Siddhas, deities and demons.

Adorned with precious stones and gold, and radiating the effulgence of brilliant gems, once it caused the destruction of Daksha.

Covered with Kumkum and sandal paste, adorned with garlands, it destroys all sanchita karmas the worshippers accumulated in the past.

Worshipped by the armies of Shiva with passion and devotion, it is equal in brilliance to a thousand suns.

Encircled by eight powers, it is the cause of all and the destroyer of eight kinds of suffering.

Always worshipped by divine masters, and by the best of the divinities with sacred flowers, it is verily the Self of the Supreme Self.

Whoever recites this sacred mantra regularly in the presence of Shiva, he will travel to the world of Shiva and lives in his company.

Brahma Murari surarchita Lingam
Nirmala bhasita sobhita Lingam
Janmaja dukha vinasaka Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

Devamuni pravararchita Lingam
Kamadahana karunakara Lingam
Ravana darpa vinasaka Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

Sarva sugandhi sulepita Lingam
Buddhi vivardhana karana Lingam
Siddha surasura vandita Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

Kanaka maha mani bhushita Lingam
Paniphati veshtitha shobhita Lingam
Dakshasu yajna vinashana Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

Kumkuma chandana lepita Lingam
Pankaja hara sushosbhita Lingam
Sanchita papa vinashana Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

Devaganarchita sevita Lingam
Bhavair bhaktibhi revacha Lingam
Dinakarakoti prabhakara Lingam
Tat pranamami Sadasiva Lingam

Ashtadalo pariveshtia Lingam
Sarva samudbhava karana Lingam
Ashtadaridra vinashana Lingam
Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam

Suraguru suravara pujita Lingam
Suravana pushpa sadarchita Lingam
Paratparam paramatmaka Lingam
Tatpranamami Sadashiva Lingam

Lingashtakamidam punyam
Yat Pathet Shivasannidhau
Shivalokamavapnoti
Shivena saha modate.