Sri Rudrashtakam.

The Rudrashtakam is eight verses glorifying the Vedic God Rudra. Rudra is regarded as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Rudrashtakam was composed by the great saint Goswami Tulsidas, the author of the epic Ramcharitmanas (a retelling of the Sanskrit Ramayana in the vernacular Avadhi language). It is said any devotee who recites this Rudrashtakam with devotion will be blessed by Lord Shiva or Shambu.

Namam Meesana Nirvana Roopam l Vibhum vyapakam Brahma Veda Swaroopam ll Nijam Nirgunam Nirvikalpam Nireeham l Chidakasamaakasa Vasam Bhajeham ll

I salute your isana form bereft of everything,
Who blesses, who has spread everywhere,
Who the form of Brahman is as described in Vedas,
Who is true, who is property less, and who is everywhere,
Who does not have any differences,
And who is like a sky and resides in the divine cosmos, I pray unto to Him.

Niraakara Monkaara Moolam Thureeyam l Giraa Jnana Gotheethamesam Gireesam ll Karalam Maha Kala Kalam Krupalam l Gunaa Gara Samsara Param Nathoham ll

I salute that God who is without properties,
Who is the source of the holy sound Om,
Who is thureeya, who is beyond sound, wisdom and senses.
Who is the God of mountains, who is cruel,
Who is the death to God of death , who is merciful,
Who is beyond properties and the bridge to cross life.
Who is the fourth and most holy state of human being.

Thushaaraadhi Sankasa Gowram Gabheeram l Mano Bhootha Koti Prabha Sree Sareeram ll Sphuran Mouli Kallolini Charu Ganga l Lasaddala Balendu Kante Bhujanga ll

I salute that God who is white,
Whiter than the Himalayas and the conch,
Who is majestic, whose shine
Is superior to crores of god of love,
On whose head is the holy Ganges with waves,
Who wears the crescent on his forehead,
And a serpent encircling his neck.

Chalath Kundalam Bru Sunethram Vishaalam l Prasannananam Neela Kandam Dhayalam ll Mugadheesa Charmambaeam Munda Malam l Priyam Shankaram Sarva Nadham Bhajami ll

I salute that God, with swinging earrings,
Who has broad clear eyes, whose face is happy,
Whose neck is blue, who is merciful,
Who wears the lion’s skin and a garland of skulls,
Who is God of all, loving and the destroyer.

Prachandam Prakrushtam Prakalbham Paresam l Akhandam Ajam Bhanu Koti Prakasam ll Thraya Soola Nirmoolanam Soola Panim l Bhajeham Bhavani Pathim Bhava Gamyam ll

I salute that God who is vehement,
Who is superior, capable and divine,
Who is limitless, who is not born,
Who has the luster of billions of Suns,
Who holds the trident, who completely destroys,
Who holds the spear, who is consort of Parvathi,
And who goes in to the state of divine.

Kalatheetha Kalyani Kalpanthakari l Sada Sajjananda Datha Purari ll Chidananda Sandoha Mohapahari l Praseeda Praseeda Prabho Mamamadhari ll

Oh Lord you are beyond time and ages,
You are the blissful and one who destroys,
This world at the end of the eons,
You are the one who gives happiness to the good,
You are the destroyer of the three cities,
You are the Lord who grants us all,
Eternal bliss and destroy wrong passions,
And Oh killer of God of love, be pleased, be pleased.

Na Yavad Umanada Padaravindam l Bhajantheeha Loke Pare Vaa Naraanaam ll Na Thath Sukham Shanthi Santhapa Nasam l Praseedha Prabho Sarva Bhoothadhivasam ll

Till one does not pray to lotus like feet
Of Lord Shiva, men would not get pleasure,
Peace and freedom from all sorrows
In this world or in the next world,
So please bless me Lord, you who lives in all beings.

Na Janami Yogam, Japam, Naiva Poojaam l Nathoham Sada Sarvadha Shambhu Thubhyam ll Jara Janma Dukhogha Thathpyamanam l Prabho Pahi Aapannamameesa Shambho ll

I do not know Yoga, chanting nor worship,
But I am always your devotee, Oh Shambo,
I being surrounded by old age, birth and sorrows,
Oh Lord Oh Shambo please save me from these dangers.

Rudhrashtakam Idham Proktham Viprena Hara Thoshaye l Ye Padanthi Naraa Bhakthya Thesham Shambhu Praseedathi l

This octet on Rudra has been,
Composed by a brahmin to please the Lord,
And the man who reads this with devotion,
Would be blessed by the Lord Shambu

Iti Sri Goswami Tulasi das krutham Sri Rudrashtakam sampoornam.

Thus ends this ashtakam on Rudra, composed by Goswami Tulasidas.

* Amazing rendition of the Rudrashatakam http://iiramii.net/audio/sankirtan/Rudrashtak-Osman.mp3