Chandrashekhara Ashtakam

Chandrashekhara Ashtakam: Mantra with Meaning

Chandrashekhara Ashtakam is an octet in the praise of Lord Shiva, composed by Sage Markandeya. Recitation of this hymn with full understanding of its meaning, and with deep faith upon Lord Shiva, prevents untimely death, bestows good health, fortunes, and protection from Lord Shiva. In this hymn, Sage Markandeya proclaims that when we have Shiva (the Ultimate Savior and Destructor) on our side (protecting us), then no messengers of Yama (God of Death) or Yama himself can have any impact on our life. Just as Markandeya took refuge on Shiva and attain immortality (contrary to his destiny to die at the age of 16), so do we take refuge on Shiva for obtaining His blessings and protection.

Composed By: Sage Markandeya

Lord Shiva (Chandrashekhara)

Play the music, and sing the stotra along with it

॥ चन्द्रशेखराष्टकम् ॥

चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर पाहिमाम् ।
चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर चन्द्रशेखर रक्षमाम् ॥

One Who has the crescent moon on His head, please protect me.
Please take care of me O Lord Who bears crescent Moon on His head.

रत्नसानुशरासनं रजताद्रिशृङ्गनिकेतनं
सिञ्जिनीकृतपन्नगेश्वरमच्युताननसायकम् ।
क्षिप्रदग्धपुरत्रयं त्रिदिवालयैरभिवन्दितं
चन्द्रशेखरमाश्रये मम किं करिष्यति वै यमः ॥१॥

One Who made the Mountain of Jewels (Mount Meru) as His bow, Who resides on the Mountain of Silver (Mount Kailash), Who made the Chief of serpents (Vasuki) as His bowstring, and Who used Lord Vishnu as the arrow,
Who quickly destroyed the three cities (Tripuras) on a single shot, and Who is saluted by the three worlds); upon Him, Who has the crescent moon on His head, when I take the refuge, what then can Yama do to me!!

पञ्चपादपपुष्पगन्धपदाम्बुजद्वयशोभितं
भाललोचनजातपावकदग्धमन्मथविग्रहम् ।
भस्मदिग्धकलेबरं भवनाशनं भवमव्ययं
चन्द्रशेखरमाश्रये मम किं करिष्यति वै यमः ॥२॥

One Whose feet shines with the flowers and scents of the five divine trees, Who burnt the God of Love by the fire flaming from the eyes of His forehead,
Whose body is smeared with holy ashes, Who destroys the sorrow of life, and Who doesn't have destruction (i.e. Who forever exists); upon Him, Who has the crescent moon on His head, when I take the refuge, what then can Yama do to me!!

मत्तवारणमुख्यचर्मकृतोत्तरीयमनोहरं
पङ्कजासनपद्मलोचनपूजिताङ्घ्रिसरोरुहम् ।
देवसिन्धुतरङ्गसीकरसिक्तशुभ्रजटाधरं
चन्द्रशेखरमाश्रये मम किं करिष्यति वै यमः ॥३॥

One Who wears the skin of the ferocious elephant as the cloth on His arms that looks enchanting, Whose lotus feet are always worshipped by Him Who is seated on a lotus (i.e. Lord Brahma), and by Him Who has lotus eyes (i.e. Lord Vishnu),
And Whose matted locks of hair are cleansed by the drops coming from the waves of the holy river Ganga; upon Him, Who has the crescent moon on His head, when I take the refuge, what then can Yama do to me!!

यक्षराजसखं भगाक्षहरं भुजङ्गविभूषणं
शैलराजसुतापरिष्कृतचारुवामकलेवरम् ।
क्ष्वेडनीलगलं परश्वधधारिणं मृगधारिणं
चन्द्रशेखरमाश्रये मम किं करिष्यति वै यमः ॥४॥

One Who is the friend of Lord Kubera, Who plucked the eyes of Bhaga, Who wears serpents as His ornaments, Whose left part of the body is decorated by the presence of the daughter of the Mountain (Parvati),
Who has blue throat, Who holds an axe in one hand and a deer in the other; upon Him, Who has the crescent moon on His head, when I take the refuge, what then can Yama do to me!!

कुण्डलीकृतकुण्डलेश्वरकुण्डलं वृषवाहनं
नारदादिमुनीश्वरस्तुतवैभवं भुवनेश्वरम् ।
अन्धकान्धकमाश्रितामरपादपं शमनान्तकं
चन्द्रशेखरमाश्रये मम किं करिष्यति वै यमः ॥५॥

One Who has the coiled serpents as His earrings and a bull as His mount, Whose greatness is praised by Narada and other sages, Who is the Lord of the entire Universe,
Who destroyed the pride of demon Andhaka, Who is like the wish fulfilling tree to His devotees, and Who subdued even the pride of Yama (God of death); upon Him, Who has the crescent moon on His head, when I take the refuge, what then can Yama do to me!!

भेषजं भवरोगिणामखिलापदामपहारिणं
दक्षयज्ञविनाशनं त्रिगुणात्मकं त्रिविलोचनम् ।
भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदं सकलाघसङ्घनिबर्हणं
चन्द्रशेखरमाश्रये मम किं करिष्यति वै यमः ॥६॥

One Who cures the suffering of sorrowful life, Who removes all kinds of dangers and obstructions (from the path of His devotees), Who destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha, Who is the personification of three Gunas, Who has three eyes (representing Sun, Moon and Fire),
Who bestows the fruits of devotion and salvation, and Who destroys all types of sins (of those who take refuge in Him); upon Him, Who has the crescent moon on His head, when I take the refuge, what then can Yama do to me!!

भक्तवत्सलमर्चितं निधिमक्षयं हरिदम्बरं
सर्वभूतपतिं परात्परमप्रमेयमनुत्तमम् ।
सोमवारिदभूहुताशनसोमपानिलखाकृतिं
चन्द्रशेखरमाश्रये मम किं करिष्यति वै यमः ॥७॥

One Who is worshipped as the dearest of devotees, Who is the like a treasure which is perennial, Who wears green clothes, Who is the Lord of all the creatures, Who is beyond all, Whose nature is beyond comprehension by anyone, Who is the perfect of all,
Who is like the nectar bearing cloud to the ones who drink Soma offered in sacrificial fires in a ritualistic way; upon Him, Who has the crescent moon on His head, when I take the refuge, what then can Yama do to me!!

विश्वसृष्टिविधायिनं पुनरेव पालनतत्परं
संहरन्तमपि प्रपञ्चमशेषलोकनिवासिनम् ।
क्रीडयन्तमहर्निशं गणनाथयूथसमन्वितं
चन्द्रशेखरमाश्रये मम किं करिष्यति वै यमः ॥८॥

One Who does the creation of the Universe, and is keenly involved in upkeeping as well as its preservation, Who also does the destruction at appropriate times, Who lives with every being of the Universe,
Who is playful all day and night with the Ganas (creatures) as if He is one of them; upon Him, Who has the crescent moon on His head, when I take the refuge, what then can Yama do to me!!

मृत्युभीतमृकण्डुसूनुकृतस्तवं शिवसन्निधौ
यत्र कुत्र च यः पठेन्न हि तस्य मृत्युभयं भवेत् ।
पूर्णमायुररोगतामखिलार्थसम्पदमादरं
चन्द्रशेखर एव तस्य ददाति मुक्तिमयत्नतः ॥

This prayer composed by the son of Mrikandu (Markandeya) who was fear struck with death; whoever reads this in the temple of Lord Shiva will have no fear of death.
Such a person lives a full life devoid of diseases, with all grains and wealth, honor and respect. And Lord Chandrashekhera (Shiva) will easily grant him salvation in the end.

इति श्रीचन्द्रशेखराष्टकं संपूर्णम् ॥

Hence ends Shri Chandrashekhera Ashtakam (composed by sage Markandeya).

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NOTE:
You may find that some texts do not match the words from the song. Know that, the texts written here is the correct and complete one.