Shiva Bhakti:

Stotras of Lord Shiva:

• Dakshinamurthy Stotram (Adi Shankara)
- दक्षिणामूर्ति स्तोत्रम् - विश्वं दर्पणदृश्यमाननगरीतुल्यं निजान्तर्गतं
- Meditation on Sri Dakshinamurthy
• Dwadasa Jyotirlingani
- द्वादशज्योतिर्लिङ्गानि - सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम्
- Meditation on the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
• Kalabhairava Ashtakam (Adi Shankara)
- कालभैरवाष्टकम् - देवराजसेव्यमानपावनांघ्रिपङ्कजं
- Meditation on Sri Kalabhairava
• Kara Carana Kritam
- करचरण कृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा
- Surrendering the Fruits of Works to Lord Shiva
• Karpura Gauram
- कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतार संसारसारम् भुजगेन्द्रहारम्
- Meditation on Shiva and Parvati together
• Lingashtakam
- लिङ्गाष्टकम् - ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गं निर्मलभासितशोभितलिङ्गम्
- Meditation on the glories of Shiva Lingam
• Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Rig Veda 7.59.12)
- महामृत्युंजय मन्त्रः - ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
- Vedic Invocation of Rudra to severe the Bondages of Life and take one towards Immortality
• Rudrashtakam (Goswami Tulsidas)
- श्रीरुद्राष्टकम् - नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपम्
- Meditation on the Transcendental Aspects of Sri Rudra
• Shambhu Stuti
- शम्भु स्तुति - नमामि शम्भुं पुरुषं पुराणं
- Meditation on Sri Shambhu
• Shiva Manasa Puja (Adi Shankara)
- शिवमानसपूजा - रत्नैः कल्पितमासनं हिमजलैः स्नानं च दिव्याम्बरं
- Mental Worship of Lord Shiva
• Shiva Panchakshara Stotram (Adi Shankara)
- शिव पञ्चाक्षर स्तोत्रम् - नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्माङ्गरागाय महेश्वराय
- Meditation on the Shiva Panchakshara Mantra: Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya
• Shiva Pratah Smaran Stotram (Adi Shankara)
- शिवप्रातःस्मरणस्तोत्रम् - प्रातः स्मरामि भवभीतिहरं सुरेशं
- Meditation on Lord Shiva in the early morning
• Shiva Shadakshara Stotram (Rudra Yamala)
- शिव षडक्षर स्तोत्रम् - ॐकारं बिंदुसंयुक्तं नित्यं ध्यायंति योगिनः
- Meditation on Shiva Shadakshara Mantra: Om-Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya
• Shiva Tandava Stotram (Ravana)
- शिवताण्डवस्तोत्रम् - जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
- Meditation on the Tandava dance of Lord Shiva
• Shivashtakam (Adi Shankara)
- शिवाष्टकम् - तस्मै नमः परमकारणकारणाय
- Meditation on the different Aspects of Lord Shiva
• Vedasara Shiva Stava (Adi Shankara)
- वेदसारशिवस्तवः - पशूनां पतिं पापनाशं परेशं
- Meditation on the Vedic Essence of Lord Shiva
• Vishwanathashtakam (Adi Shankara)
- श्रीविश्वनाथाष्टकम् - गङ्गातरङ्गरमणीयजटाकलापं
- Meditation on Sri Vishwanatha
• Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam Namavali
- ॐ नमः शिवाय
- Meditation on the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams of Lord Shiva
• Om Namah Shivaya Japa
- ॐ नमः शिवाय
- Om Namah Shivaya Mantra Japa
• Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Japa
- महामृत्युंजय मन्त्रः - ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
- Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Japa
• Shiva Gayatri Mantra Japa
- शिव गायत्री मन्त्रः - ॐ महादेवाय विद्महे रुद्रमूर्तये धीमहि
- Shiva Gayatri Mantra Japa


Form of Lord Shiva:

• Having Garland of Serpents: नागेन्द्रहाराय (Nagendra-Haraye) Who has a Garland of Serpents
• Having Three Eyes: त्रिलोचनाय (Tri-Locanaya) Who has Three Eyes
• Smeared with Ashes: भस्माङ्गरागाय (Bhasma-Anga-Ragaya) Who is smeared with Sacred Ashes
• Having Blue Throat: श्रीनीलकण्ठाय (Sri-Nila-Kanthaya) Who has a Blue Throat
• Bull as emblem: वृषध्वजाय (Vrsha-Dhvajaya) Who has the Bull as his emblem
• Sun, Moon and Fire as Three Eyes: चन्द्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनाय (Candra-Arka-Vaishvanara-Locanaya) Who has the Sun, Moon and Fire as his Three Eyes
• Having Matted Hairs: जटाधराय (Jata-Dharaya) Who has Matted Hairs
• Holding Trident in Hand: पिनाकहस्ताय (Pinaka-Hastaya) Who has the Trident in his Hand
• Meditative Posture: महाध्यानं परायणम् (Maha-Dhyanam Parayanam) Who abides in Deep Meditation
• Bearing Shakti on left: वामे शक्तिधरं देवम् (Vame Shakti-Dharam Devam) Who bears Shakti on his left side
• White like Mountain of Snow: तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरं गभिरम् (Tushara-Adri-Sankasha-Gauram Gabhiram) Who is White like the Mountain of Snow
• Holding river Ganga on Head: स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनी चारुगङ्गा (Sphuran-Mauli-Kallolini Caru-Ganga) Who holds River Ganga on his Head
• Holding Crescent Moon on Forehead: लसद्भालबालेन्दु (Lasad-Bhala-Balendu) Who holds the Crescent Moon on his Forehead
• Wearing Ear-Rings: चलत्कुण्डलम् (Calat-Kundalam) Who wears Ear-Rings on his ears
• Large Eyebrows: भ्रूसुनेत्रं विशालम् (Bhru-Sunetram Vishalam) Who has Beautiful Eyes with Large Eyebrows
• Joyous Face: प्रसन्नाननम् (Prasanna-Aananam) Who has a Joyous Face
• Wearing Tiger Skin: मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरम् (Mrga-Adhiisha-Carma-Ambaram) Who wears the Tiger Skin
• Wearing Garland of Skulls: मुण्डमालम् (Munda-Malam) Who wears a Garland of Skulls
• Abiding on Mountains: कैलासमन्दरमहेन्द्रनिकेतनाय (Kailasa-Mandara-Mahendra-Niketanaya) Who abide in the Kailasha, Mandara and Mahendra mountains
• Surrounded by Pishacas and Siddhas: पिशाचगणसिद्धसमाकुलाय (Pishaca-Gana-Siddha-Samakulaya) Who is surrounded by Pishacas and Siddhas
• Having Damaru in Hand: डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयम् (Ddamadd-Ddamadd-Ddamadd-Ddaman-Ninaadavadd-Ddamar-Vayam) Whose Damaru makes the sound of Damad-Damad-Damad
• Worshipped in Linga Form: ब्रह्ममुरारिसुरार्चितलिङ्गम् (Brahma-Murari-Sura-Arcita-Lingam) Whose Shiva Lingam is worshipped by Brahma, Murari and the Suras


Transcendental Qualities of Lord Shiva:

• Embodiment of Nirvana: निर्वाणरूपम् (Nirvana-Ruupam) Who is the embodiment of the state of Nirvana
• All-Pervading: विभुं व्यापकम् (Vibhum Vyapakam) Who is All-Pervading
• Embodiment of Vedas: ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम् (Brahma-Veda-Svarupam) Who is the embodiment of the Vedas
• Beyond Gunas: निजं निर्गुणम् (Nijam Nirgunam) Who is beyond the Gunas
• Changeless: निर्विकल्पम् (Nirvikalpam) Who is Changeless
• Desireless: निरीहम् (Niriham) Who is Desireless
• Formless: निराकारम् (Nirakaram) Who is Formless
• Source of Omkara: ॐकारमूलम् (Omkara-Mulam) Who is the Source of Omkara
• Beyond Speech and Sense Perception: गिराज्ञानगोतीत (Gira-Jnyana-Go-Atita) Who is beyond Speech and Sense Perception
• Eternal: नित्याय (Nityaya) Who is Eternal
• Ever Pure: शुद्धाय (Shuddhaya) Who is Ever Pure
• Ever Free: दिगम्बराय (Digambaraya) Who is Ever Free
• Auspicious: शिवाय (Shivaya) Who is Auspicious
• Birthless: अजम् (Ajam) Who is Birthless
• Cause of all causes: कारणं कारणानाम् (Karanam Karananam) Who is the Cause of all causes
• Lord of the World: जगन्नाथम् (Jaganatham) Who is the Lord of the World


Deeds of Lord Shiva: (Deeds)

1. Vanquishing demons:

• Vanquishing Smara: स्मरान्तकम् (Smara-Antakam) Who vanquished Smara (Kamadeva)
• Vanquishing Tripurasuras: पुरान्तकम् (Pura-Antakam) Who vanquished the Tripurasuras
• Destroying Sacrifice of Daksha: मखान्तकम् (Makha-Antakam) Who destroyed the Sacrifice of Daksha
• Vanquishing Gajasura: गजान्तकम् (Gaja-Antakam) Who vanquished Gajasura
• Vanquishing Andhakasura: अन्धकान्तकम् (Andhaka-Antakam) Who vanquished the pride of Andhakasura
• Vanquishing Jalandhara: Who vanquished Jalandhara
• Vanquishing Samkhachuda: Who vanquished Samkhachuda
• Vanquishing Banasura: Who vanquished the pride of Banasura


2. Incarnating for various purposes:

• Jyotirlingas: Who appeared in the places of the 12 Jyotirlingas and abided there
• Ardhanareeshwara: Who showed the Ardhanareeshwara form to Lord Brahma and started the process of creation based on male and female principles
• Grihapati: Who incarnated as Grihapati and performed penance at Kashi (Agnishwara Linga)
• Many others


Incarnations of Lord Shiva:

• Incarnations: Sadyojata - Vamadeva - Tatpurusha - Aghora - Ishana


• Presiding Deities: Sharva - Bhava - Rudra - Ugra - Bhima - Pashupati - Ishana - Mahadeva

• 28 Incarnations: Sweta Muni - Sutara - Damana - Suhotra - Kanka - Lokakshi - Jaigishavya - Dadhivahana - Rishabha - (Unnamed) - Kali - (Unnamed) - Bali - Gautama - Vedashira - Gokarna - Guhavasi - Sikhandi - Jattimali - Attahasa - Daruka - Languli Bhima - Sweta - Shula - Dandi - Sahishnu - Shomasharma - Lakuli

• Incarnations: Ardhanareeshwara - Nandi - Bhairava - Virabhadra - Sarabha - Grihapati - Yaksheshwara

• Dasa Mahavidya Bhairavas: Mahakala - Tara - Bhuvanesha - Srividyesha - Bhairava - Chinnamastaka - Dhumavan - Bagalamukha - Matanga - Kamala

• 11 Rudras: Kapali - Pingala - Bhima - Virupaksha - Vilohita - Shasta - Ajapada - Ahirbudniya - Shambhu - Canda - Bhava

• Incarnations: Durvasa - Hanuman - Mahesha - Vrisheshwara - Pippalada - Vaishyanatha - Dwijeshwara - Yatinatha - Krishna-Darshana - Avaduteshwara - Bhikshuvarya - Sureshwara - Brahmachari - Sunartaka-Nata - Sadhu-Dwija - Ashwatthama - Kirata

• 12 Jyotirlinga Incarnations: Somanatha - Mallikarjuna - Mahakaleshwara - Omkareshwara - Kedarnatha - Bhimashankara - Vishwanatha - Tryambakeshwara - Vaidyanatha - Nageshwara - Rameshwara - Grishneshwara


Scriptures of Lord Shiva:

• Shiva Purana
• Linga Purana
• Skanda Purana: Kedara Khanda
• Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya
• Skanda Purana: Kashi Khanda
• Srikalahasteeswara Sthala Purana
• Periya Puranam
• Tevaram
• Thiruvilayadal
• Thiruvasagam


Devotees of Lord Shiva:



From Puranas:
• Nandeeshwar
• Veda Priya (Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga)
• Sudakshina (Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga)
• Supriya (Nageshwar Jyotirlinga)
• Ghushma (Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga)

Saints:
• Nayanmars
• Akka Mahadevi


Penances on Lord Shiva:

• Penance of Devi Sati (Nanda Vrata)
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Himalayas)
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Kanchipuram)
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Thiruvanaikaval)
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Arunachala)
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Thirumayilai)
• Penance of Devi Parvati (Mayiladuthurai)
• Penance of Sandhya (Chandrabhaga)
• Penance of Chandradeva (Somanatha Jyotirlinga)
• Penance of Vindhya mountain (Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga)
• Penance of sage Gautama (Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga)
• Penance of Ravana (Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga)


Pilgrimages of Lord Shiva: (Pilgrimages)

• Jyotirlingas: 12 most sacred pilgrimages where Lord Shiva manifested in response to ardent prayers of the devotees.
1. Somanatha: सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथम् (Saurashtre Somanatham) Somanatha Jyotirlinga
2. Mallikarjuna: श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम् (Shrishaile Mallikarjunam) Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
3. Mahakaleshwara: उज्जयिन्यां महाकालम् (Ujjayinyam Mahakalam) Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga
4. Omkareshwara: ॐकारं अमलेश्वरम् (Omkaram Amaleshvaram) Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga
5. Kedaranatha: हिमालये केदारम् (Himalaye Kedaram) Kedaranatha Jyotirlinga
6. Bhimashankara: डाकिन्यां भीमाशंकरम् (Dakinyam Bhimashankaram) Bhimashankara Jyotirlinga
7. Vishwanatha: वाराणस्यां विश्वेशम् (Varanasyam Vishvesham) Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga
8. Tryambakeshwara: त्र्यंबकं गौतमीतटे (Tryambakam Gautami-Tatte) Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga
9. Vaidyanatha: परल्यां वैद्यनाथम् (Paralyam Vaidyanatham) Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga
10. Nageshwara: नागेशं दारुकावने (Nagesham Darukavane) Nageshwara Jyotirlinga
11. Rameshwara: सेतुबंधे रामेशम् (Setubandhe Ramesham) Rameshwara Jyotirlinga
12. Grishneshwara: घुश्मेशं शिवालये (Ghushmesham Shivalaye) Grishneshwara Jyotirlinga

• Pancha Bhoota Sthalams: 5 sacred temples of Shiva, each representing a prime element of Nature.
1. Kanchipuram - Ekambareswarar (Prithivi Lingam)
2. Thiruvanaikaval - Jambukeshwarar (Jala Lingam)
3. Thiruvannamalai - Arunachaleshwarar (Agni Lingam)
4. Srikalahasti - Srikalahasteeshwarar (Vayu Lingam)
5. Chidambaram - Natarajar (Akasha Lingam)

• Astha Veerattha Sthalams: 8 sacred pilgrimages of Shiva where Shiva performed heroic deeds.
1. Thirukkurukkai Veeratteswarar (Vanquishing Kamadeva)
2. Thirukkandiyur Brahmasirakandeeswarar (Cutting off Brahma's fifth head)
3. Thirukkadaiyur Amritaghateswarar (Vanquishing Yama)
4. Thiruvirkudi Veeratteswarar (Vanquishing Jalandhara)
5. Thiruvadigai Veeratteswarar (Vanquishing Tripurasuras)
6. Thirukkovilur Veeratteswarar (Vanquishing Andhakasura)
7. Thiruppariyalur Veeratteswarar (Destroying Daksha Yagya)
8. Thiruvazhuvur Gaja Samhara Moorthy (Vanquishing Gajasura)

• Paadal Petra Sthalams: 275 Shiva temples whose praises were sung by the Nayanmars.

• 108 Shivalayas of Parashurama

• Other Shiva Pilgrimages


Festivals of Lord Shiva: (Festivals)

• Feb-Mar: Maha Shivaratri (Magha / Phalguna Krishna Paksha Chaturdasi)
• Jun-Jul: Aani Uthiram (When Uthiram nakshatra is in ascendancy in the Tamil month of Aani)
• Sep-Oct: Uma Maheshwar Vrata (Bhadrapada Poornima)
• Nov-Dec: Karthik Poornima (Karthik Poornima)
• Nov-Dec: Bhairava Ashtami (Karthik Krishna Paksha Ashtami)
• Dec-Jan: Arudra Darshanam (Agrahayana Shukla Paksha when Arudra Nakshatra presides)


Nature associated with Lord Shiva:

1. Trees and Flowers: (Trees and Flowers)

• Bilva: बिल्व (Bilva) Glory of Bilva
• Rudraksha: रुद्राक्ष (Rudraksha) Glory of Rudraksha
• Vata: वट (Vata) Dakshinamurthy
• Arka: अर्क (Arka) Flower for Worship


2. Mountains:

• Kailasha: कैलास (Kailasha) Abode of Shiva
• Kedarnatha: केदारनाथ (Kedarnatha) Kedaranatha Jyotirlinga
• Amaranatha: अमरनाथ (Amaranatha) Famous Pilgrimage
• Brahmagiri: ब्रह्मगिरि (Brahmagiri) Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga
• Vindhya: विन्ध्य (Vindhya) Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga
• Srisaila: श्रीशैल (Srisaila) Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
• Arunachala: अरुणाचल (Arunachala) Taijasha Lingam and Arunachala mountain


3. Forests:

• Darukavana: दारुकवन (Darukavana) Nageshwara Jyotirlinga
• Thillaivana: Chidambaram


4. Rivers:

• Ganga: गङ्गा (Ganga) Gangadhara
• Godavari: गोदावरी (Godavari) Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga
• Narmada: नर्मदा (Narmada) Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga; Emerged from the perspiration of Shiva