Study guide
Shiva Bhujangam Guide - Thirty-Three Verses in Bhujanga Metre
Guide to Shiva Bhujangam: thirty-three verses from Ganesha at the door to Mahadeva as pure consciousness, grouped overview, and how to read Shankaracharya's flowing Shiva hymn.
Shiva Bhujangam (शिवभुजङ्गम्), also called Shiva Stuti, is attributed to Sri Adi Shankaracharya and composed in the flowing bhujanga-prayata metre. It opens with dancing Ganesha at the door and ascends through vivid praise of Shiva's five faces, matted locks, Ganga, poison-throat, and cosmic dance, before turning to Vedantic contemplation of the Lord beyond the thirty-six tattvas.
Thirty-three verses place it among Shankara's longer Shiva hymns. The stotra is treasured in South Indian Shaiva devotion and pairs naturally with Shiva Panchakshara Stotramand Vishwanathashtakam. The bhujanga metre gives the hymn a serpentine rhythm: each verse winds forward with devotional urgency, then opens into philosophical depth.
Place in the Shiva collection
Shiva Bhujangam belongs to the Shiva collection. Read the Shiva stotras guide and Shiva Panchakshara guidefor shorter entry points. Compare with Vishwanathashtakam guidefor Kashi praise in ashtakam form.
Grouped overview
The thirty-three verses fall into natural groups. Use these sections to navigate the hymn without listing every verse individually.
- Verses 1-4 - Ganesha at the door; Shiva as Turiya; five faces; beyond the thirty-six tattvas
- Verses 5-10- iconographic praise: Ardhanarishvara hues, gods' service, triple salutation, poison and Ganga
- Verses 11-17- refuge, devotion, and the Lord's healing grace through ash and abhisheka
- Verses 18-22 - cosmic dancer, five syllables of Namah Shivaya, conqueror of Kama and Death
- Verses 23-28 - from matted locks to lotus feet; meditation on Shiva as pure consciousness
- Verses 29-33- fear at death's approach; pleas for fearlessness; never cease chanting Shivaya
Key verses
- Verse 1 - dancing Ganesha, protector of the world
- Verse 2 - Shiva as Turiya consciousness beyond speech and mind
- Verse 21 - five syllables of Namah Shivaya bridge samsara
- Verse 33 - closing praise with deepening devotion
How to read on this site
Open the Shiva Bhujangam hub or full-text view. Use Chant mode for uninterrupted recitation and Study mode for editorial focus notes. Switch scripts in Reading settings for regional transliteration if needed.
Common questions
- What is Shiva Bhujangam?
- Shiva Bhujangam, also called Shiva Stuti, is a thirty-three-verse hymn attributed to Adi Shankaracharya composed in the flowing bhujanga-prayata metre. It opens with Ganesha and ascends through vivid Shiva praise to Vedantic contemplation.
- What is bhujanga metre?
- Bhujanga means serpent. The metre moves with a winding, rhythmic flow suited to devotional recitation. Shankara uses it in several hymns including Subrahmanya Bhujangam.
- How long does it take to chant?
- Most devotees complete all thirty-three verses in about eighteen minutes at a moderate pace.
- What related hymns should I read?
- Pair it with Shiva Panchakshara Stotram, Vishwanathashtakam, and the Shiva stotras guide for a structured introduction to Shankara's Shiva hymns.