Shri Shiva Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram

Shri Shiva Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram is a Sanskrit hymn that gives the 108 names of Shiva in thirteen verses, followed by five verses in which the speaker explains the names. Its colophon names no Purana. Each name is one aspect of Shiva, and some names repeat or join, so counts differ by a few among editions. For a thousand names, see the Shiva sahasranama in your family book.

Verse 1. Shiva (the auspicious), Maheshwara (great lord), Shambhu, Pinaki (with the Pinaka bow), Shashishekhara (moon-crested), Vamadeva, Virupaksha (of unusual eyes), Kapardi (of matted locks), Nilalohita (blue and red).

Verse 2. Shankara (giver of peace), Shulapani (trident in hand), Khatvangi (with the khatvanga staff), Vishnuvallabha (dear to Vishnu), Shipivishta, Ambikanatha (lord of Ambika), Shrikantha, Bhaktavatsala (kind to devotees).

Verse 3. Bhava (the source), Sharva, lord of three worlds, Shitikantha (blue-throated), Shivapriya (dear to Shivaa, i.e. Parvati), Ugra, Kapali, Kamari (enemy of Kama), slayer of Andhakasura.

Verse 4. Gangadhara (who bears the Ganga), Lalataksha (the eye on the forehead), Kalakala (death of death), Kripanidhi (treasure of mercy), Bhima (the awesome), Parashuhasta (axe in hand), Mrigapani (deer in hand), Jatadhara.

Verse 5. Kailasavasi, Kavachi (armoured), Kathora (stern), Tripurantaka (ender of the three cities), Vrishanka (with the bull sign), Vrishabharudha (riding the bull Nandi), Bhasmoddhulitavigraha (body smeared with ash).

Verse 6. Samapriya (fond of the Sama Veda and music), Svaramaya, Trayimurti (form of the three Vedas), Anishvara (with no master above), Sarvajna, Paramatma, Somasuryagnilochana (eyes of moon, sun and fire).

Verse 7. Haviryajnamaya (the offering and the sacrifice), Soma, Panchavaktra (five-faced), Sadashiva, Vishveshvara (lord of the universe), Virabhadra, Gananatha, Prajapati.

Verse 8. Hiranyareta, Durdharsha (hard to subdue), Girisha, Anagha (sinless), Bhujangabhushana (adorned with serpents), Bharga (radiant), Giridhanva (the mountain as bow), Giripriya.

Verse 9. Krittivasa (clad in hide), Purari (enemy of the cities), Bhagavan, Pramathadhipa (lord of the Pramathas), Mrityunjaya (conqueror of death), Sukshmatanu, Jagadvyapi, Jagadguru.

Verse 10. Vyomakesha (sky-haired), Mahasenajanaka (father of Kartikeya), Charuvikrama, Rudra, Bhutapati, Sthanu (the still), Ahirbudhnya, Digambara (clad in the directions).

Verse 11. Ashtamurti (of eight forms), Anekatma, Sattvika, Shuddhavigraha, Shashvata, Khandaparashu, Ajapashavimochaka (frees from the noose of ignorance, in one reading).

Verses 12 to 13. Mrida, Pashupati (lord of beings), Deva, Mahadeva, Avyaya (imperishable), Prabhu, Pushadantabhit (who broke Pusha''s teeth in the Daksha story), Avyagra, Dakshadhvaraghara (destroyer of Daksha''s yajna), Hara; Bhaganetrabhit, Avyakta, Sahasraksha, Sahasrapat, Apavargaprada (giver of liberation), Ananta, Taraka (the saviour), Parameshvara.

Verses 14 to 18: about the names. The speaker says that he always chants these divine names, which are a wish-vine (kalpalata) that gives all that is wished; that they give good, are the essence of the Vedas, give all aims, are best among Shiva''s Vedic names and destroy sin; and that Maheshwara once taught Kumara 1,008 names, from which these are chosen. These are statements of faith, not guarantees.

The message. The names show Shiva as both fearsome (Ugra, Bhima, Kapali) and kind (Bhaktavatsala, Kripanidhi), as an ascetic and a householder, and as the conqueror of death. Benefits mentioned in tradition, such as peace of mind, are matters of faith. Prayer can calm the mind but is not a medical treatment. See the Shiv Chalisa, Rudrashtakam and Parvati Chalisa.