The Bhootanatha Ashtakam is a powerful hymn that combines reverence for Lord Shiva’s formidable, cosmic powers with a deep, personal devotion. It shows how, through Lord Shiva’s grace, devotees can overcome worldly struggles, receive spiritual nourishment, and ultimately attain liberation. The hymn presents Lord Shiva as the destroyer and protector, embodying both fearsome and compassionate aspects, with the devotee’s unconditional surrender.
शिव शिव शक्तिनाथं संहारं शं स्वरूपम् नव नव नित्यनृत्यं ताण्डवं तं तन्नादम् घन घन घूर्णिमेघं घंघोरं घं न्निनादम् भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||१||
shiva shiva shaktinaatham samhaaram sham svaroopam nava nava nityanrityam taandavam tam tannaadam ghana ghana ghoornimegham ghanghoram gham nninaadam bhaja bhaja bhasmalepam bhajaami bhootanaatham ||1||
I worship Lord Shiva, the Lord of Shakti (power), who embodies destruction and is the very essence of auspiciousness. He performs the ever-new and eternal cosmic dance (Tandava), creating the primordial sound (nāda). His presence is like a dark, swirling storm cloud, producing terrifying, deep sounds of thunder. I worship Him, who is smeared with sacred ash (bhasma), the Lord of all beings (Bhootanatha). (1)
कऴ कऴ काऴरूपं कल्लोऴं कं कराऴम् डम डम डमनादं डम्बुरुं डंकनादम् सम सम शक्तग्रीवं सर्वभूतं सुरेशम् भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||२||
kala kala kaalaroopam kallolam kam karaalam dama dama damanaadam damburum dankanaadam sama sama shaktagreevam sarvabhootam suresham bhaja bhaja bhasmalepam bhajaami bhootanaatham ||2||
I worship Lord Shiva, the fierce one with the form of time (Kala), who roars like a tumultuous wave, frightening and terrifying. He makes the resonating sound of the Damaru drum, creating the powerful, rhythmic beat that reverberates through the cosmos. He bears the garland of Shakti, the embodiment of power, and is the Lord of all beings and gods. I worship Him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings (Bhootanatha). (2)
रम रम रामभक्तं रमेशं रां रारावम् मम मम मुक्तहस्तं महेशं मं मधुरम् बम बम ब्रह्मरूपं बामेशं बं विनाशम् भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||३||
rama rama raamabhaktam ramesham raam raaraavam mama mama muktahastam mahesham mam madhuram bama bama brahmaroopam baamesham bam vinaasham bhaja bhaja bhasmalepam bhajaami bhootanaatham ||3||
I worship Lord Shiva, who is dear to Shri Rama and is the Lord of Rama (Maa Parvati), resounding with the great chant of Shri Rama. He holds His hand in blessing, offering liberation, and is the great Lord (Mahesha), whose nature is sweet and gentle. He is the embodiment of Brahman (the supreme reality) and is the Lord of the left-hand path (Bamesha), who destroys all that is impure. I worship Him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings (Bhootanatha). (3)
हर हर हरिप्रियं त्रितापं हं संहारम् खम खम क्षमाशीऴं सपापं खं क्षमणम् द्दग द्दग ध्यानमूर्त्तिं सगुणं धं धारणम् भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||४||
hara hara haripriyam tritaapam ham samhaaram khama khama kshamaasheezham sapaapam kham kshamanam ddaga ddaga dhyaanamoorttim sagunam dham dhaaranam bhaja bhaja bhasmalepam bhajaami bhootanaatham ||4||
I worship Lord Shiva, beloved of Vishnu (Haripriya), who destroys the threefold sufferings (physical, mental, and spiritual) and removes all sorrows. He is patient and forgiving, pardoning even the sinful, and is the embodiment of compassion and forgiveness. He is the form of deep meditation, manifesting with attributes (Saguna), and the one who sustains all through deep concentration (dharana). I worship Him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings (Bhootanatha). (4)
पम पम पापनाशं प्रज्वलं पं प्रकाशम् गम गम गुह्यतत्त्वं गिरीशं गं गणानाम् दम दम दानहस्तं धुन्दरं दं दारुणम् भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||५||
pama pama paapanaasham prajvalam pam prakaasham gama gama guhyatattvam gireesham gam ganaanaam dama dama daanahastam dhundaram dam daarunam bhaja bhaja bhasmalepam bhajaami bhootanaatham ||5||
I worship Lord Shiva, who destroys all sins and radiates with a blazing, brilliant light. He reveals the hidden truths and mysteries of existence, and is the Lord of the mountains (Gireesha) and the leader of the Ganas (celestial attendants). He holds the hand of generosity, giving boons, yet remains fierce and formidable in his appearance. I worship Him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings (Bhootanatha). (5)
गम गम गीतनाथं दूर्गमं गं गंतव्यम् टम टम रुंडमाळं टंकारं टंकनादम् भम भम भ्रं भ्रमरं भैरवं क्षेत्रपाऴम् भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ||६||
gama gama geetanaatham doorgamam gam gantavyam tama tama rundamaalam tankaaram tankanaadam bhama bhama bhram bhramaram bhairavam kshetrapaazham bhaja bhaja bhasmalepam bhajaami bhootanaatham ||6||
I worship Lord Shiva, the Lord of music and melody (Gītanātha), who is difficult to reach and the ultimate goal to be attained. He wears a garland of skulls (Rūṇḍamāla) and resonates with the mighty sound of Ṭanka (a resounding roar). He moves like a whirling bee (Bhramara) and takes on the fearsome form of Bhairava, the protector of sacred places (Kṣetrapāla). I worship Him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings (Bhootanatha). (6)
त्रिशूळधारी संहारकारी गिरिजानाथम् ईश्वरम् पार्वतीपति त्वं मायापति शुभ्रवर्णं महेश्वरम् कैऴाशनाथ सतिप्राणनाथ महाकालं कालेश्वरम् अर्धचंद्रं शिरकिरीटं भूतनाथं शिवं भजे ||७||
trishooladhaaree samhaarakaaree girijaanaatham eeshvaram paarvateepati tvam maayaapati shubhravarnam maheshvaram kailaashanaatha satipraananaatha mahaakaalam kaaleshvaram ardhachandram shirakireetam bhootanaatham shivam bhaje ||7||
The wielder of the trident, the one who brings destruction, the Supreme Lord and husband of Parvati (Girija). You are the consort of Parvati, the Lord of illusion (maya), fair-complexioned, and the great Maheshvara. You are the Lord of Kailasa, the life force of Sati, the great destroyer (Mahakala), and the master of time (Kaleshvara). Wearing the crescent moon on your head as a crown, I worship Lord Shiva, the Lord of all beings (Bhootanatha). (7)
नीलकंठाय सत्स्वरूपाय सदाशिवाय नमो नमः यक्षरूपाय जटाधराय नागदेवाय नमो नमः इंद्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय गंगाधराय नमो नमः अर्धचंद्रं शिरकिरीटं भूतनाथं शिवं भजे ||८||
neelakanthaaya satsvaroopaaya sadaashivaaya namo namah yaksharoopaaya jataadharaaya naagadevaaya namo namah indrahaaraaya trilochanaaya gangaadharaaya namo namah ardhachandram shirakireetam bhootanaatham shivam bhaje ||8||
Salutations to the blue-throated one (Nilakantha), the embodiment of truth and the eternal auspicious one. Salutations to the one in the form of a Yaksha, with matted locks, and the deity of serpents (Naga). Salutations to the one adorned with Naga as garland, the three-eyed one (Trilochana), and the one who holds the Ganges (Gangadhara). Wearing the crescent moon on your head as a crown, I worship Lord Shiva, the Lord of all beings (Bhootanatha). (8)
तव कृपा कृष्णदासः भजति भूतनाथम् तव कृपा कृष्णदासः स्मरति भूतनाथम् तव कृपा कृष्णदासः पश्यति भूतनाथम् तव कृपा कृष्णदासः पिबति भूतनाथम् ||0||
tava kripaa krishnadaasah bhajati bhootanaatham tava kripaa krishnadaasah smarati bhootanaatham tava kripaa krishnadaasah pashyati bhootanaatham tava kripaa krishnadaasah pibati bhootanaatham ||0||
By your grace, your devotee Krishnadaasa worships Bhootanatha. By your grace, your devotee Krishnadaasa remembers Bhootanatha. By your grace, your devotee Krishnadaasa sees Bhootanatha. By your grace, your devotee Krishnadaasa drinks the essence of Bhootanatha. (0)
अथ श्रीकृष्णदासः विरचित भूतनाथ अष्टकम् यः पठति निस्कामभावेन सः शिवलोकं सगच्छति |