Complete · Feet to crown · ~8 min · ~8 min chant
Shiva Padadi Keshanta Varnana Stotram
शिवपादादिकेशान्तवर्णनस्तोत्रम्
Śivapādādikeśāntavarṇanastotram
Twelve verses ascending from Shiva's feet to his crown in lyrical praise, attributed to Shankaracharya.
12 verses · About 8 min · Lord Shiva
How do you want to read?
New here? Read the full text first, or go verse by verse to chant.
Shivapadadikeshantastutih is a lyrical ascent from the Lord's feet to his crown. In twelve verses Shankaracharya contemplates the feet that dance in the golden hall, the hands that wield the trident, the throat bearing poison, and the crown where Ganga and the moon reside.
At a glance
- Deity
- Lord Shiva
- Verses
- 12 verses
- Chant time
- About 8 minutes (Feet to crown · ~8 min)
- Attribution
- Traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
- Sanskrit source
- sanskritdocuments.org · All sources
Verse overview
- 1
The foot on Kailasa where celestial maidens sing of Rudra's deeds is the ground of all joy and liberation. To praise the Lord's foot is to rest the mind on the…
- 2
Pinaka is the foundation of the gods' yoga and the target of the bow that protects the worlds, for Shiva and Vishnu are one reality in different roles. The…
- 3
The trident that splits the forest of sin is the Lord's power to cut through ignorance, not mere wrath against foes. Those who shelter at the lotus feet find…
- 4
The trident on the breast anointed by Parvati's love is both destroyer of sin and guardian of devotees, for grace and power are one in Shiva. The heart devoted…
- 5
The hand that mirrors Parvati's sidelong glances with reverent gesture is the Lord's playful union with Shakti, never apart from the Self. Inner joy arises…
- 6
Nandi at the throat, Kailasa on the hump, and the bell's roar filling the worlds show Shiva as lord of time and space. The vehicle of Time reminds the seeker…
- 7
Ganesha, Ganga's fragrance and remover of obstacles, flows from Shiva as Shakti's elder son, showing that wisdom and grace proceed from the one Lord. The…
- 8
Skanda born of Shiva's valor splits the mountain of delusion and lifts those fallen into samsara's pit. The son's victory over Taraka is the triumph of…
- 9
Shiva the hunter on his swift steed chases the beasts of raga and dvesha, desire and aversion, through the forest of the mind. When the hunt is seen as inner…
- 10
The ornaments of moon, lotus, and cloud adorning Shiva are the riches of nature offered to the Lord of joy. True fortune is not possession but the recognition…
- 11
The veena whose notes surpass Sarasvati flows from fingers that have mastered speech itself, for music points beyond words. The sidelong glance and the breath…
- 12
Nandi's drum at the dance's start and the pramathas' devotion fill the Lord's assembly with chidananda, bliss of consciousness. The hosts who live only to…
All verses
Open full textRelated works
Common questions
- When do people recite Shiva Padadi Keshanta Varnana Stotram?
- Shaiva hymns are often chanted on Pradosham, during Shravan, and on Maha Shivaratri, as well as in short daily practice. This edition is labeled for practice as "Feet to crown · ~8 min" and takes about 8 minutes to chant.
- What is the opening focus of Shiva Padadi Keshanta Varnana Stotram?
- The foot on Kailasa where celestial maidens sing of Rudra's deeds is the ground of all joy and liberation. To praise the Lord's foot is to rest the mind on the immovable Self from which the play of worlds arises. Read verse 1 in Study mode for the full editorial note beside the Sanskrit.
- Which hymns pair well with Shiva Padadi Keshanta Varnana Stotram?
- On this site, related reading includes Shiva Keshadi Padanta Varnana Stotram, and Shivananda Lahari. Open those hubs for their own Sanskrit, English meaning, and study notes.