Shankaracharya-krit Shivashtakam

Salutation to that Shiva who is the cause of all causes, whose flaming and glowing tawny eyes shine; adorned with a garland and earrings formed of the king of nagas, the boon-giver to Brahma, Indra and Vishnu — salutation to Shiva.

Adorned with the radiant, kindly moon and with serpents, whose eyes are kissed by the face of the mountain-lord’s daughter; whose home is Kailasa, Mandara and Mahendra, who removes the sorrows of the three worlds — salutation to Shiva.

Whose earrings are clear as lotus-born gems and whose mount is the bull, richly anointed with abundant black agarwood and sandal; who wears ash along with the fully bloomed blue lotus and jasmine, whose throat is like a blue lotus — salutation to Shiva.

Whose pendulous, tawny matted locks form a towering crown, whose terrible fangs make the fearsome Bhairava; who wears a tiger skin yet is delightful, saluted by the lords of the three worlds — salutation to Shiva.

Who swiftly destroyed Daksha Prajapati’s great sacrifice, who quickly slew the great Tripura demon; who cut off Brahma’s upward-grown fifth skull; who is Yoga, saluted by yogis — salutation to Shiva.

Who governs the making and turning of the world’s creation, surrounded by rakshasas, pisachas, ganas and siddhas; served by siddhas, nagas, the planetary hosts and Indra; who wears a tiger skin — salutation to Shiva.

Beautiful in form though his body is smeared with ash; gentle and pure, resorting to the pure forest and sheltering the shelterless; whom Gauri gazes at with half-closed sidelong eyes; white as a stream of cow’s milk — salutation to Shiva.

Whom Sun, Moon, Varuna and Wind serve; whose dwelling is the smoke of the best yajna and ahuti; praised in song by the sages of the Rig and Sama Vedas; the protector, saluted by protectors — salutation to Shiva.