The đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đ
đˇđđđđŽđ is a heartfelt hymn composed by the sage đŽđžđ°đđđđĄđđŻ in praise of Lord Shiva, specifically in his form as đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ°, the one adorned with the crescent moon. The hymn celebrates Shivaâs role as a compassionate protector who rescues his devotees from the grip of fear, sin, and even death itself. It was born out of Markandeyaâs own miraculous escape from death, when Lord Shiva intervened to save him from Yama, the god of death, granting him immortality.
Each verse of the ashtakam highlights Shivaâs divine attributes â his fearsome beauty, his cosmic power, and his unwavering protection of those who surrender to him. The hymn portrays Shiva as the eternal, fearless Lord who removes obstacles and grants liberation. Reciting or meditating on this ashtakam is believed to bring inner strength, fearlessness, and the blessings of Shivaâs grace.
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đŞđžđšđżđŽđžđŽđ ༤
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đ°đđđˇđŽđžđŽđ ༼ (2)
Meaning:
The one who wears the moon as a crest (đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ°), Protect me!
The one who wears the moon as a crest (đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ°), Guard me!
Commentary:
This simple yet profound shloka is a repetition of surrender to Lord Shiva in his form as ChandraĹekhara, the one who adorns the crescent moon on his matted locks.
The repetition of the name âChandraĹekharaâ three times in both lines serves as a mantric invocation, building intensity and devotion. Repetition in Sanskrit mantras is often used to focus the mind and invoke deeper spiritual connection.
When the devotee says âpÄhi mÄmâ, it is a heartfelt plea: âO Lord, protector of the universe, may your grace uphold me and guide me through lifeâs
đ°đ¤đđ¨đ¸đžđ¨đ đśđ°đžđ¸đ¨đ đ°đđ¤đžđŚđđ°đż đśđđđ đ¨đżđđđ¤đ¨đ
đśđżđđđżđ¨đđđđ¤ đŞđ¨đđ¨đđđśđđľđ° đŽđđđŻđđ¤đžđ¨đ˛ đ¸đžđŻđđŽđ ༤
đđđˇđżđŞđđ°đŚđđđŚ đŞđđ°đ¤đđ°đŻđ đ¤đđ°đżđŚđśđžđ˛đŻđ-đ°đđżđľđđŚđżđ¤đ
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ°đŽđžđśđđ°đŻđ đŽđŽ đđżđ đđ°đżđˇđđŻđ¤đż đľđ đŻđŽđ ༼ 1 ༼
Meaning:
He, who holds a bow and resides on the peak of the silver mountain, Mount KailÄsa,
He, who wears the king of snakes (đŞđ¨đđ¨đđđśđđľđ°) that makes jingling sounds, and who uses Vishnu as the arrow, which emanates fire.
The One who instantly burned the three cities (Tripura), and is worshipped by the devatas (who dwell in the heaven)
I take refuge in ChandraĹekhara (Shiva); what can Yama, the God of death, do to me?
Commentary:
This verse is a powerful hymn in praise of Lord Shiva as ChandraĹekhara, describing how he dissolve tripuras which are three cities that represent the body, mind, and ego; their destruction by Shiva symbolizes the dissolution of the false self and the triumph of pure consciousness. It shows that only through divine grace and inner alignment can one overcome maya (illusion) and attain moksha (liberation). the moon-crested Lord. It describes Shiva as the majestic archer seated on a jewel-studded mountain, dwelling on the silver peaks of Mount KailÄsa. Adorned with the King of Serpents whose jingling adds to his divine aura, Shivaâs might surpasses even Vishnu and Agni, as symbolized by his supreme weapons. He is the destroyer of the three demon cities (Tripura) with a single arrowâan act that earned him the worship of all the gods. The devotee, after describing Shivaâs divine power, declares with complete surrender and confidence: âI take refuge in ChandraĹekharaâwhat can Yama, the god of death, do to me?â The verse reflects deep devotion, fearlessness, and the assurance of spiritual liberation through unwavering faith in Shiva.
đŞđđđŞđžđŚđŞ đŞđđˇđđŞđđđ§ đŞđŚđžđđŹđđ đŚđđľđŻđśđđđżđ¤đ
đŤđžđ˛đ˛đđđ¨ đđžđ¤đŞđžđľđ đŚđđđ§ đŽđ¨đđŽđ§ đľđżđđđ°đšđŽđ ༤
đđ¸đđŽđŚđżđđđ§ đđłđđŹđ°đ đđľđ¨đžđśđ¨đ đđľ đŽđľđđŻđŻđ
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đ°đđđˇđŽđžđŽđ ༼ 2 ༼
Meaning:
He, whose pair of lotus feet are made fragrant and beautiful by the scent of flowers from the five sacred trees.
He, whose form burned Manmadha or kamadeva (representing desire) to ashes with the fire that emerged from his third eye.
He, whose body is smeared with sacred ash, the destroyer of worldly illusion, the eternal and unchanging being.
The one whose crest is adorned by the moon (đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ°), Guard me!
Commentary:
This verse refers to the story of Shiva burning Manmadha or kamadeva with his third eye, which teaches us a deep spiritual lesson. Manmadha represents desire â the kind that pulls us toward temporary pleasures and distractions. When he tries to disturb Shivaâs deep meditation, Shiva opens his third eye â the eye of wisdom â and burns him. This symbolizes how inner awareness and true knowledge can destroy the desires that keep us restless and tied to the outside world.
Rather than rejecting love or emotions, the story shows that real love must come from a place of clarity, purpose, and inner peace, not from blind desire. Shiva later accepts Parvati with love and devotion, showing that when desire is transformed, it can serve a higher, divine purpose. In short, the story reminds us that by mastering our desires through wisdom and self-awareness, we can find peace, purpose, and spiritual freedom.
đŽđ¤đđ¤đľđžđ°đŁ đŽđđđđŻđđ°đđŽ đđđ¤đđ¤đđ¤đ°đđŻ đŽđ¨đđšđ°đ
đŞđđđđžđ¸đ¨ đŞđŚđđŽđ˛đđđ¨ đŞđđđżđ¤đžđđđđ°đż đ¸đ°đđ°đđšđŽđ ༤
đŚđđľ đ¸đżđđ§đ đ¤đ°đđ đśđđ°đđđ° đ¸đżđđđ¤ đśđđđđ° đđđžđ§đ°đ
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đŞđžđšđżđŽđžđŽđ ༼ 3 ༼
Meaning:
The one who looks magnificient wearing the hide of a mighty, intoxicated elephant as his upper garment.
He, whose lotus feet are worshipped by Brahma who is seated on a lotus, and Vishnu with eyes like lotuses.
He, who wears radiant matted locks soaked by the sacred waves of the divine river Ganga.
The one who wears the moon as a crest (đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ°), Protect me!
Commentary:
These verses glorify Lord ChandraĹekhara as the embodiment of both divine power and spiritual grace. Draped in the skin of a wild, mighty elephant, he stands as a symbol of fearlessness and complete mastery over ego and primal force. His lotus-like feet, soft yet supreme, are reverently worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu, signifying his position beyond creation and preservation. From his radiant, matted locks flows the celestial Ganga, her sacred waves made calm by his touchârevealing his role as the gentle controller of even the most powerful energies. Shiva is the stillness amidst chaos, the source beyond all forms. The repeated invocationâ"ChandraĹekhara, protect me!"âis a bold surrender, a call for refuge in the one who destroys illusion, fear, and death itself. In his presence, the soul stands fearless, anchored in the eternal.
đŻđđđˇ đ°đžđđ¸đđ đđđžđđđˇ đšđ°đ đđđđđ đľđżđđđˇđŁđŽđ
đśđđ˛đ°đžđ đ¸đđ¤đž đŞđ°đżđˇđđđđ¤ đđžđ°đđľđžđŽ đđłđđŹđ°đŽđ ༤
đđđˇđđł đ¨đđ˛đđłđ đŞđ°đśđđľđ§ đ§đžđ°đżđŁđ đŽđđđ§đžđ°đżđŁđŽđ
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đŞđžđšđżđŽđžđŽđ ༼ 4 ༼
Meaning:
He is the friend of Kubera, the destroyer of Bhagaâs eyes, and is adorned with serpents as ornaments.
The one whose beautiful left side is adorned by the daughter of the mountain king (Parvati).
The one with a blue, poison-stained throat, who holds a battle axe and a deer in his hands.
The one whose crest is adorned by the moon (đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ°), protect me!
Commentary:
This verse praises Lord Shiva as the powerful and compassionate protector.
He is Kuberaâs friend, the destroyer of ego (Bhagaâs eyes), and wears snakes as ornaments.
His left side is adorned by Parvati, symbolizing divine unity.
During the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan), a deadly poison called đšđžđ˛đšđ˛ emerged, threatening to destroy all creation. To save the world, Lord Shiva drank the poison and held it in his throat, which turned blue from its potency. This earned him the name đ¨đđ˛đđđ , symbolizing his selfless act to protect the universe.With a battle axe, and a deer, he shows both strength and grace.
đŽđžđ°đđđđĄđđŻ calls:
âO ChandraĹekhara, please protect me!â
đđđđĄđ˛đđđđ¤ đđđđĄđ˛đđśđđľđ° đđđđĄđ˛đ đľđđˇđľđžđšđ¨đ
đ¨đžđ°đŚđžđŚđż đŽđđ¨đđśđđľđ° đ¸đđ¤đđ¤đľđđđľđ đđđľđ¨đđśđđľđ°đŽđ ༤
đ
đđ§đđžđđ¤đ đŽđžđśđđ°đżđ¤đžđŽđ° đŞđžđŚđŞđ đśđŽđ¨đžđđ¤đđ
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đ°đđđˇđŽđžđŽđ ༼ 5 ༼
Meaning:
The Lord adorned with coiled serpents, master of serpents, wearing earrings, and riding the bull Nandi.
The glory of whom is praised by sages like NÄrada; the Supreme Lord of all the worlds.
The destroyer of the demon Andhaka, a divine refuge for the gods, and the one who ends all suffering.
The one whose crest is adorned by the moon (đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ°), Guard me!
Commentary:
These lines praise Lord ChandraĹekhara as the supreme master of power, protection, and cosmic balance. He is described as Kuášá¸alÄŤkášta Kuášá¸aleĹvaraâthe Lord adorned with coiled serpents, symbolizing his fearless command over even the most feared beings. Riding the mighty bull Nandi (đľđđˇđđľđžđšđ¨), he represents strength and unwavering dharma. He is worshipped by the greatest sages like NÄrada and others, whose praises reflect his boundless glory as Bhuvaneshvara, the Lord of all worlds. He is the fierce destroyer of the demon Andhaka, yet the gentle wish-fulfilling tree for the gods who seek his refuge. As đśđŽđ¨đžđđ¤đ, he ends all suffering and grants peace. Markandeyaâs repeated callââChandraĹekhara, protect me!ââis a cry of deep trust in the one who holds both terrible power and tender mercy, the guardian of all that is pure, just, and eternal
đđđˇđđ đđľđ°đđđżđŁđž đŽđđżđ˛đžđŞđŚđž đŽđŞđšđžđ°đżđŁđ
đŚđđđˇđŻđđđ đľđżđ¨đžđśđ¨đ đ¤đđ°đżđđđŁđžđ¤đđŽđđ đ¤đđ°đżđľđżđ˛đđđ¨đŽđ ༤
đđđđ¤đż đŽđđđđ¤đż đŤđ˛đŞđđ°đŚđ đ¸đđ˛đžđ đ¸đđ đ¨đżđŹđ°đđšđŁđ
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đ°đđđˇđŽđžđŽđ ༼ 6 ༼
Meaning:
He is the healer for those afflicted by worldly problems (saášsÄra) and the remover of all forms of suffering.
He is the destroyer of Dakshaâs yajĂąa (sacrifice), the embodiment of the three guášas (sattva, rajas, tamas), and the three-eyed Lord who sees past, present, and future.
He is the giver of both devotion and liberation, and the destroyer of all accumulated sins.
The one whose crest is adorned by the moon (chandraSEkhara), Guard me!
Commentary:
This verse describes Lord đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° (Shiva) as the ultimate healer and savior.
It praises Lord Shiva as the ultimate healer, not just of physical illness, but of the deep suffering caused by ignorance, attachment, ego, and the endless cycle of birth and death (samsara).
He is the three-eyed Lord, all-seeing and all-knowing, and the powerful destroyer of ego and false rituals (as in the Daksha YajĂąa).In the story of Daksha Yajna, King Daksha, driven by ego, led to the death of his own daughter Sati and shiva destroys the yajna as a consequence. Shivaâs response reveals that divine wrath is not out of vengeance, but a force that restores dharma and balance.
With deep faith, đŽđžđ°đđđđĄđđŻ, praying:
âO ChandraĹekhara, please protect me!â
đđđđ¤đľđ¤đđ¸đ˛-đŽđ°đđđżđ¤đ đ¨đżđ§đżđŽđđđˇđŻđ đšđ°đżđŚđđŹđ°đ
đ¸đ°đđľđđđ¤ đŞđ¤đżđ đŞđ°đžđ¤đđŞđ°-đŽđŞđđ°đŽđđŻ đŽđ¨đđ¤đđ¤đŽđŽđ ༤
đ¸đđŽđľđžđ°đđŁ đđđšđđ¤đžđśđ¨ đ¸đđŽ đŞđžđŚđđŻđđżđ˛đžđđđ¤đżđ
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đŞđžđšđżđŽđžđŽđ ༼ đ ༼
Meaning:
He is loving and compassionate to his devotees, worshipped with devotion, an eternal treasure, and is clothed in radiant brilliance.
He is the supreme Lord of all living beings, the One who transcends even the highest, beyond measure, beyond comparisonâmatchless and absolute.
He to whom the Moon, Varuáša (water), Earth, and Agni (fire) offer worship; whose divine feet are ritually washed with Soma; and who embodies the entire creation in his very form.
The one whose crest is adorned by the moon (chandraSEkhara), protect me!
Commentary:
These verses glorify Lord ChandraĹekhara as the all-powerful, all-loving presence who sustains both the universe and the hearts of his devotees. He is bhaktavatsala, tender-hearted toward those who worship him, and an eternal treasure of divine grace that never diminishes. Clothed in dazzling splendor, he radiates supreme majesty. As the Lord of all beings, he is beyond even the highest gods, indescribable, and incomparable. The very elementsâthe Moon, Varuáša (representing rain and water), Earth, and Fireâhonor him with offerings, and the sacred Soma nectar is poured at his feet, a gesture reserved only for the most exalted. His form encompasses all of creationâhe is the source, the substance, and the soul of the cosmos. In invoking him again and againâ"ChandraĹekhara, protect me!"â đŽđžđ°đđđđĄđđŻ seeks shelter in the one who is both the cosmic ruler and the intimate protector, ever ready to uplift, guard, and liberate
đľđżđśđđľđ¸đđˇđđđż đľđżđ§đžđŻđđ đŞđđ¨đ°đđľđŞđžđ˛đ¨ đ¤đ¤đđŞđ°đ
đ¸đđšđ°đ đ¤đŽđŞđż đŞđđ°đŞđđ-đŽđśđđˇđ˛đđ đ¨đżđľđžđ¸đżđ¨đŽđ ༤
đđđ°đđĄđŻđđ¤ đŽđšđ°đđ¨đżđśđ đđŁđ¨đžđĽ đŻđđĽ đ¸đŽđ¨đđľđżđ¤đ
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đ°đđđˇđŽđžđŽđ ༼ đŽ ŕĽĽ
Meaning:
He who creates the universe and is equally devoted to its protection and sustenance.
He is also the destroyer of the universe, which includes all worlds and beings within creation.
He plays joyfully day and night, always surrounded by the hosts of Ganas (divine attendants led by Ganesha).
O ChandraĹekhara, the moon-crested Lord, please Protect me!
Commentary:
This verse presents Lord ChandraĹekhara as the eternal force behind creation, preservation, and destruction. He is the architect of the universe (đľđżđśđđľđ¸đđˇđđđż đľđżđ§đžđŻđđ), the one who brings existence into being. Yet he does not stop thereâhe is also deeply committed to its protection (đŞđžđ˛đ¨ đ¤đ¤đđŞđ°đ), watching over the cosmos with compassion and vigilance. When the time comes, he becomes the fearless destroyer (đ¸đđšđ°đ đ¤đ), dissolving all of creationâincluding every world and realmâinto himself. Thus, he is not just a god of one function, but the entire cycle of creation, sustenance, and dissolution personified.
Amidst this cosmic grandeur, Shiva remains ever-playfulâkášÄŤá¸ayantaáš aharniĹaášâengaged in divine play, surrounded by his loyal Gaášas (spiritual attendants) and led by GaášanÄtha (Lord Ganesha). This shows that while he holds infinite power, he is also intimate, joyful, and accessible to his devotees
đŽđđ¤đđŻđđđđ¤ đŽđđđđĄđđ¸đđ¨đđđđ¤đ¸đđ¤đľđ đśđżđľđ¸đ¨đđ¨đżđ§đ
đŻđ¤đđ° đđđ¤đđ° đ đŻđ đŞđ đđ¨đđ¨ đšđż đ¤đ¸đđŻ đŽđđ¤đđŻđđđŻđ đđľđđ¤đ ༤
đŞđđ°đđŁđŽđžđŻđđ°đ°đđđ¤đžđŽđđżđ˛đžđ°đđĽđ¸đđŞđŚđŽđžđŚđ°đ
đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° đđľ đ¤đ¸đđŻ đŚđŚđžđ¤đż đŽđđđđ¤đżđŽđŻđ¤đđ¨đ¤đ ༼ đŻ ŕĽĽ
Meaning:
This hymn was composed by MÄrkaášá¸eya, the son of Máškaášá¸u, out of fear of death, in the presence of Lord Shiva.
Whoever chants this hymn anywhere, will never have fear of untimely death.
They will receive full lifespan, good health, all kinds of wealth and prosperity, and respect.
And ChandraĹekhara (Shiva) himself will effortlessly grant liberation (moksha) to such a person.
Commentary:
This verse describes the đŤđ˛đśđđ¤đż which highlights the power and grace of Lord đđđŚđđ°đśđđđ° and the benefits of chanting this stotram.
It was composed by Sage MÄrkaášá¸eya, an ardent devotee of Shiva, who offered this hymn at Lord Shivaâs feet in deep devotion.
The verse assures that anyone who sincerely recites itâwherever they may beâwill be freed from the fear of death.
Not only that, but they will be blessed with long life, good health, prosperity, respect, and ultimately, liberation (moksha) â all granted by ChandraĹekhara effortlessly.
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