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Adi Shankaracharya Stotras

Shiva Panchakshara Nakshatra Mala Stotram

शिवपञ्चाक्षरनक्षत्रमालास्तोत्रम्

ŚivapañcākṣaranaKṣatramālāstotram

All 27 verses

Verse by verse

Verse 1

श्रीमदात्मने गुणैकसिन्धवे नमः शिवाय धामलेशधूतकोकबन्धवे नमः शिवाय नामशेषितानमद्भावान्धवे नमः शिवाय पामरेतरप्रधानबन्धवे नमः शिवाय ॥१॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

श्रीमदात्मने गुणैकसिन्धवे नमः शिवाय
To the glorious Self, ocean of unique virtues - salutations to Shiva.
धामलेशधूतकोकबन्धवे नमः शिवाय
To the friend of Dhruva who scattered Kokasura's elephant - salutations to Shiva.
नामशेषितानमद्भावान्धवे नमः शिवाय
To the friend of the ocean of bliss freed by the remnant of the Name - salutations to Shiva.
पामरेतरप्रधानबन्धवे नमः शिवाय
To the chief friend of the lowly and the noble alike - salutations to Shiva.

Each line salutes Shiva as the Self and ocean of gunas whose Name alone frees devotees from worldly existence. The nakshatra garland begins where all mantras begin: in namaḥ śivāya as surrender to pure awareness.

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Verse 2

कालभीतविप्रबालपाल ते नमः शिवाय शूलभिन्नदुष्टदक्षफाल ते नमः शिवाय मूलकारणाय कालकाल ते नमः शिवाय पालयाधुना दयालवाल ते नमः शिवाय ॥२॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

कालभीतविप्रबालपाल ते नमः शिवाय
To you, protector of Brahma-children fearing Time - salutations to Shiva.
शूलभिन्नदुष्टदक्षफाल ते नमः शिवाय
To you who split the wicked Daksha's head with the trident - salutations to Shiva.
मूलकारणाय कालकाल ते नमः शिवाय
To the root cause, Time of times - salutations to Shiva.
पालयाधुना दयालवाल ते नमः शिवाय
Protect me now, O ocean of mercy - salutations to Shiva.

Shiva as protector of the fearful and destroyer of Daksha's pride is time's master, not its victim. The plea 'protect me now' turns the nakshatra verse into living refuge in the Lord beyond kāla.

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Verse 3

इष्टवस्तुमुख्यदानहेतवे नमः शिवाय दुष्टदैत्यवंशधूमकेतवे नमः शिवाय सृष्टिरक्षणाय धर्मसेतवे नमः शिवाय अष्टमूर्तये वृषेन्द्रकेतवे नमः शिवाय ॥३॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

इष्टवस्तुमुख्यदानहेतवे नमः शिवाय
To the cause of granting chief desired objects - salutations to Shiva.
दुष्टदैत्यवंशधूमकेतवे नमः शिवाय
To the comet destroying wicked demonic lineages - salutations to Shiva.
सृष्टिरक्षणाय धर्मसेतवे नमः शिवाय
To the boundary of dharma for creation's protection - salutations to Shiva.
अष्टमूर्तये वृषेन्द्रकेतवे नमः शिवाय
To the eight-formed one, bull-bannered - salutations to Shiva.

He protects creation, upholds dharma, and wears the eight forms while riding the bull of steadfast awareness. Praise here unites cosmic guardianship with the inner Lord who steadies the mind.

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Verse 4

आपदद्रिभेदटङ्कहस्त ते नमः शिवाय पापहारिदिव्यसिन्धुमस्त ते नमः शिवाय पापदारिणे लसन्नमस्तते नमः शिवाय शापदोषखण्डनप्रशस्त ते नमः शिवाय ॥४॥

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Word breakdown

आपदद्रिभेदटङ्कहस्त ते नमः शिवाय
To you with axe in hand splitting mountains of calamity - salutations to Shiva.
पापहारिदिव्यसिन्धुमस्त ते नमः शिवाय
To you bearing divine Ganga on the head, remover of sin - salutations to Shiva.
पापदारिणे लसन्नमस्तते नमः शिवाय
To the sin-destroyer, radiant with bowed Namah - salutations to Shiva.
शापदोषखण्डनप्रशस्त ते नमः शिवाय
To you praised for shattering curse and fault - salutations to Shiva.

The axe that splits mountains of āpad and the Ganga on his head symbolize consciousness that cuts suffering and purifies. Namah itself becomes the bow that shatters curse and accumulated fault.

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Verse 5

व्योमकेश दिव्यभव्यरूप ते नमः शिवाय हेममेदिनीधरेन्द्रचाप ते नमः शिवाय नाममात्रदग्धसर्वपाप ते नमः शिवाय कामनैकतानहृद्दुराप ते नमः शिवाय ॥५॥

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Word breakdown

व्योमकेश दिव्यभव्यरूप ते नमः शिवाय
O sky-haired one, of divine and auspicious form - salutations to Shiva.
हेममेदिनीधरेन्द्रचाप ते नमः शिवाय
O golden Meru-bearing Indra's bow - salutations to Shiva.
नाममात्रदग्धसर्वपाप ते नमः शिवाय
O one whose very Name burns all sin - salutations to Shiva.
कामनैकतानहृद्दुराप ते नमः शिवाय
O hard to reach for hearts filled with desire - salutations to Shiva.

Vyomakesha Shiva is formless sky wearing form; his Name burns sin while remaining durāpa to desire-filled hearts. The mantra reaches only when craving loosens and the mind turns inward.

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Verse 6

ब्रह्ममस्तकावलीनिबद्ध ते नमः शिवाय जिह्मगेन्द्रकुण्डलप्रसिद्ध ते नमः शिवाय ब्रह्मणे प्रणीतवेदपद्धते नमः शिवाय जिंहकालदेहदत्तपद्धते नमः शिवाय ॥६॥

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Word breakdown

ब्रह्ममस्तकावलीनिबद्ध ते नमः शिवाय
To you bound with Brahma's skull-garland - salutations to Shiva.
जिह्मगेन्द्रकुण्डलप्रसिद्ध ते नमः शिवाय
To you famed for crooked Indra's-ear serpent-coil - salutations to Shiva.
ब्रह्मणे प्रणीतवेदपद्धते नमः शिवाय
To the path of Vedas revealed for Brahma - salutations to Shiva.
जिंहकालदेहदत्तपद्धते नमः शिवाय
To the path given by feet that scorned crooked Death's body - salutations to Shiva.

Skull-garland and Vasuki earring mark the Lord who transcends even Brahma's creation and conquers Death by foot. The Vedas' path flows from feet that teach the Self is beyond birth and decay.

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Verse 7

कामनाशनाय शुद्धकर्मणे नमः शिवाय सामगानजायमानशर्मणे नमः शिवाय हेमकान्तिचाकचक्यवर्मणे नमः शिवाय सामजासुराङ्गलब्धचर्मणे नमः शिवाय ॥७॥

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Word breakdown

कामनाशनाय शुद्धकर्मणे नमः शिवाय
To the destroyer of desires, of pure action - salutations to Shiva.
सामगानजायमानशर्मणे नमः शिवाय
To one pleased by Saman song arising - salutations to Shiva.
हेमकान्तिचाकचक्यवर्मणे नमः शिवाय
To one armoured in splendour bright as gold - salutations to Shiva.
सामजासुराङ्गलब्धचर्मणे नमः शिवाय
To one who took skin from the elephant-demon - salutations to Shiva.

Pure karma, delight in sacred sound, golden radiance, and victory over Gajasura show Shiva as consciousness untouched by desire yet rejoicing in holy vibration. Namaḥ śivāya purifies action at its root.

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Verse 8

जन्ममृत्युघोरदुःखहारिणे नमः शिवाय चिन्मयैकरूपदेहधारिणे नमः शिवाय मन्मनोरथावपूर्तिकारिणे नमः शिवाय सन्मनोगताय कामवैरिणे नमः शिवाय ॥८॥

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Word breakdown

जन्ममृत्युघोरदुःखहारिणे नमः शिवाय
To the remover of terrible birth-death suffering - salutations to Shiva.
चिन्मयैकरूपदेहधारिणे नमः शिवाय
To the bearer of a body of single consciousness-form - salutations to Shiva.
मन्मनोरथावपूर्तिकारिणे नमः शिवाय
To the fulfiller of my heart's desires - salutations to Shiva.
सन्मनोगताय कामवैरिणे नमः शिवाय
To the enemy of Love, dwelling in saints' minds - salutations to Shiva.

He removes birth-death pain because his body is cinmaya - one consciousness-form. Fulfilling desire without binding, he dwells in the san-manas of saints as the fire that burns kāma from within.

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Verse 9

यक्षराजबन्धवे दयालवे नमः शिवाय दक्षपाणिशोभिकाञ्चनालवे नमः शिवाय पक्षिराजवाहहृच्छयालवे नमः शिवाय अक्षिफाल वेदपूततालवे नमः शिवाय ॥९॥

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Word breakdown

यक्षराजबन्धवे दयालवे नमः शिवाय
To the friend of Kubera, the compassionate one - salutations to Shiva.
दक्षपाणिशोभिकाञ्चनालवे नमः शिवाय
To the golden-vessel shining in the right hand - salutations to Shiva.
पक्षिराजवाहहृच्छयालवे नमः शिवाय
To the dweller in Vishnu's heart who rides the bird-king - salutations to Shiva.
अक्षिफाल वेदपूततालवे नमः शिवाय
To the forehead-eyed one, mouth pure with Vedas - salutations to Shiva.

Friend of Kubera and dweller in Hari's heart, Shiva is the third eye beyond sun and moon. Vedas purify his speech because the Lord and the Word arise from the same self-luminous awareness.

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Verse 10

दक्षहस्तनिष्ठजातवेदसे नमः शिवाय अक्षरात्मने नमद्बिडौजसे नमः शिवाय दीक्षितप्रकाशितात्मतेजसे नमः शिवाय उक्षराजवाह ते सतां गते नमः शिवाय ॥१०॥

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Word breakdown

दक्षहस्तनिष्ठजातवेदसे नमः शिवाय
To Jatavedas held in Daksha's right hand - salutations to Shiva.
अक्षरात्मने नमद्बिडौजसे नमः शिवाय
To the letter-Self, splendour bowed to by Bidaujas - salutations to Shiva.
दीक्षितप्रकाशितात्मतेजसे नमः शिवाय
To the Self-light revealed to the initiated - salutations to Shiva.
उक्षराजवाह ते सतां गते नमः शिवाय
To you, bull-king rider, sole refuge of saints - salutations to Shiva.

Fire in the hand, akshara-atman, and light shown to dikshitas point to Shiva as the revealed tejas of initiation. Saints find in him the single gate beyond syllable and ritual into direct knowing.

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Verse 11

राजताचलेन्द्रसानुवासिने नमः शिवाय राजमाननित्यमन्दहासिने नमः शिवाय राजकोरकावतंसभासिने नमः शिवाय राजराजमित्रताप्रकाशिने नमः शिवाय ॥११॥

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Word breakdown

राजताचलेन्द्रसानुवासिने नमः शिवाय
To the dweller on silver Himālaya's peak - salutations to Shiva.
राजमाननित्यमन्दहासिने नमः शिवाय
To the ever-radiant one of perpetual soft smile - salutations to Shiva.
राजकोरकावतंसभासिने नमः शिवाय
To the shining one crested with young moon-jewel - salutations to Shiva.
राजराजमित्रताप्रकाशिने नमः शिवाय
To the illuminator of Kubera's friendship-heat - salutations to Shiva.

On Himālaya's peak the Lord smiles eternally, crested with moon - symbols of cool, steady awareness. Even Kubera's wealth glows by his friendship because all abundance reflects one light.

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Verse 12

दीनमानवालिकामधेनवे नमः शिवाय सूनबाणदाहकृत्कृशानवे नमः शिवाय स्वानुरागभक्तरत्नसानवे नमः शिवाय दानवान्धकारचण्डभानवे नमः शिवाय ॥१२॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

दीनमानवालिकामधेनवे नमः शिवाय
To the wish-cow for humble beggars - salutations to Shiva.
सूनबाणदाहकृत्कृशानवे नमः शिवाय
To the fire who burned Love's arrow - salutations to Shiva.
स्वानुरागभक्तरत्नसानवे नमः शिवाय
To the mountain of gems for devoted loving bhaktas - salutations to Shiva.
दानवान्धकारचण्डभानवे नमः शिवाय
To the fierce sun destroying demonic darkness - salutations to Shiva.

Kāmadhenu for the poor, burner of Kāma's arrow, gem-mountain for bhaktas - Shiva gives without measure. The fierce sun that dispels demonic darkness is the same grace that answers the smallest offering.

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Verse 13

सर्वमङ्गलाकुचाग्रशायिने नमः शिवाय सर्वदेवतागणातिशायिने नमः शिवाय पूर्वदेवनाशसंविधायिने नमः शिवाय सर्वमन्मनोजभङ्गदायिने नमः शिवाय ॥१३॥

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Word breakdown

सर्वमङ्गलाकुचाग्रशायिने नमः शिवाय
To the dweller on auspicious Parvati's breast-tip - salutations to Shiva.
सर्वदेवतागणातिशायिने नमः शिवाय
To the surpasser of all hosts of deities - salutations to Shiva.
पूर्वदेवनाशसंविधायिने नमः शिवाय
To the ordainer of ancient gods' destruction - salutations to Shiva.
सर्वमन्मनोजभङ्गदायिने नमः शिवाय
To the giver of destruction to all minds' Love - salutations to Shiva.

Resting on Parvati's breast yet surpassing all gods, Shiva ordains even divine dissolution. He breaks manmatha in every mind because true bliss leaves no room for restless craving.

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Verse 14

स्तोकभक्तितोऽपि भक्तपोषिणे नमः शिवाय माकरन्दसारवर्षिभाषिणे नमः शिवाय एकबिल्वदानतोऽपि तोषिणे नमः शिवाय नैकजन्मपापजालशोषिणे नमः शिवाय ॥१४॥

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Word breakdown

स्तोकभक्तितोऽपि भक्तपोषिणे नमः शिवाय
To the nourisher of devotees even with slight devotion - salutations to Shiva.
माकरन्दसारवर्षिभाषिणे नमः शिवाय
To the speaker raining essence of honey-wine - salutations to Shiva.
एकबिल्वदानतोऽपि तोषिणे नमः शिवाय
To one pleased even by a single bilva offering - salutations to Shiva.
नैकजन्मपापजालशोषिणे नमः शिवाय
To the dryer of many births' sin-webs - salutations to Shiva.

A little bhakti, one bilva leaf, or a word of honeyed teaching suffices for Shiva's pleasure. He dries sin-webs across births because the Name works on consciousness, not on quantity of ritual.

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Verse 15

सर्वजीवरक्षणैकशीलिने नमः शिवाय पार्वतीप्रियाय भक्तपालिने नमः शिवाय दुर्विदग्धदैत्यसैन्यदारिणे नमः शिवाय शर्वरीशधारिणे कपालिने नमः शिवाय ॥१५॥

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Word breakdown

सर्वजीवरक्षणैकशीलिने नमः शिवाय
To the sole-natured protector of all beings - salutations to Shiva.
पार्वतीप्रियाय भक्तपालिने नमः शिवाय
To Parvati's beloved, protector of devotees - salutations to Shiva.
दुर्विदग्धदैत्यसैन्यदारिणे नमः शिवाय
To the destroyer of proud demonic armies - salutations to Shiva.
शर्वरीशधारिणे कपालिने नमः शिवाय
To the skull-bearer wearing the night-lord - salutations to Shiva.

Protector of all jivas and beloved of Parvati, Shiva guards bhaktas and destroys demonic pride. Kapālin with Sharvari shows the Lord who wears time and death as ornaments, not as masters.

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Verse 16

पाहि मामुमामनोज्ञदेह ते नमः शिवाय देहि मे वरं सिताद्रिगेह ते नमः शिवाय मोहितर्षिकामिनीसमूह ते नमः शिवाय स्वेहितप्रसन्न कामदोह ते नमः शिवाय ॥१६॥

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Word breakdown

पाहि मामुमामनोज्ञदेह ते नमः शिवाय
Protect me, O Uma's beloved embodied one - salutations to Shiva.
देहि मे वरं सिताद्रिगेह ते नमः शिवाय
Grant me boon, O dweller of white mountain's home - salutations to Shiva.
मोहितर्षिकामिनीसमूह ते नमः शिवाय
O host of wives of deluded rishis - salutations to Shiva.
स्वेहितप्रसन्न कामदोह ते नमः शिवाय
O pleased with your people's welfare, milk-cow of desires - salutations to Shiva.

The poet begs protection and boon from the Kailasa Lord who remains gracious to devotees' welfare. Even the wild episode of maddened rishis' wives is absorbed into praise of grace that fulfils true desire.

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Verse 17

मङ्गलप्रदाय गोतुरङ्ग ते नमः शिवाय गङ्गया तरङ्गितोत्तमाङ्ग ते नमः शिवाय सङ्गरप्रवृत्तवैरिभङ्ग ते नमः शिवाय अङ्गजारये करेकुरङ्ग ते नमः शिवाय ॥१७॥

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Word breakdown

मङ्गलप्रदाय गोतुरङ्ग ते नमः शिवाय
To the giver of auspiciousness, bull-rider - salutations to Shiva.
गङ्गया तरङ्गितोत्तमाङ्ग ते नमः शिवाय
To the supreme head rippling with Ganga's waves - salutations to Shiva.
सङ्गरप्रवृत्तवैरिभङ्ग ते नमः शिवाय
To the breaker of enemies risen in battle - salutations to Shiva.
अङ्गजारये करेकुरङ्ग ते नमः शिवाय
To Love's enemy with deer-mark in hand - salutations to Shiva.

Bull-rider, Ganga-crowned, battle-breaker, deer-handed - each epithet maps outer glory onto the Lord who grants mangala within. The kuranga in hand marks the still point where the mind is gently restrained.

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Verse 18

ईहितक्षणप्रदानहेतवे नमः शिवाय आहिताग्निपालकोक्षकेतवे नमः शिवाय देहकान्तिधूतरौप्यधातवे नमः शिवाय गेहदुःखपुञ्जधूमकेतवे नमः शिवाय ॥१८॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

ईहितक्षणप्रदानहेतवे नमः शिवाय
To the cause of granting desired objects in a moment - salutations to Shiva.
आहिताग्निपालकोक्षकेतवे नमः शिवाय
To the bull-bannered protector of the established fire - salutations to Shiva.
देहकान्तिधूतरौप्यधातवे नमः शिवाय
To one whose body-splendour scorns silver's metal - salutations to Shiva.
गेहदुःखपुञ्जधूमकेतवे नमः शिवाय
To the comet destroying heaps of household sorrow - salutations to Shiva.

Instant fulfilment, guardianship of sacred fire, splendour beyond silver, and burning household grief - Shiva answers the devotee's ihita in a kshana. Namaḥ śivāya turns the home itself into a shrine of light.

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Verse 19

त्र्यक्ष दीनसत्कृपाकटाक्ष ते नमः शिवाय दक्षसप्ततन्तुनाशदक्ष ते नमः शिवाय ऋक्षराजभानुपावकाक्ष ते नमः शिवाय रक्ष मां प्रपन्नमात्ररक्ष ते नमः शिवाय ॥१९॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

त्र्यक्ष दीनसत्कृपाकटाक्ष ते नमः शिवाय
O three-eyed one, sidelong glance on humble good men - salutations to Shiva.
दक्षसप्ततन्तुनाशदक्ष ते नमः शिवाय
To you skilled at destroying Daksha's seventy rituals - salutations to Shiva.
ऋक्षराजभानुपावकाक्ष ते नमः शिवाय
O eyes of bear-king, sun, and fire - salutations to Shiva.
रक्ष मां प्रपन्नमात्ररक्ष ते नमः शिवाय
Protect me, protector of those who merely approach - salutations to Shiva.

Tryaksha's compassionate katāksha and destruction of Daksha's vain rite show Shiva as pure awareness beyond ceremonial pride. He protects prapanna-matra - the mere approach of surrender is enough.

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Verse 20

न्यङ्कुपाणये शिवङ्कराय ते नमः शिवाय सङ्कटाब्धितीर्णकिङ्कराय ते नमः शिवाय कङ्कभीषिताभयङ्कराय ते नमः शिवाय पङ्कजाननाय शङ्कराय ते नमः शिवाय ॥२०॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

न्यङ्कुपाणये शिवङ्कराय ते नमः शिवाय
To the deer-handed auspicious-maker - salutations to Shiva.
सङ्कटाब्धितीर्णकिङ्कराय ते नमः शिवाय
To the servant crossing the ocean of distress - salutations to Shiva.
कङ्कभीषिताभयङ्कराय ते नमः शिवाय
To the fear-giver to those afraid of mud, yet giver of fearlessness - salutations to Shiva.
पङ्कजाननाय शङ्कराय ते नमः शिवाय
To lotus-faced Shankara - salutations to Shiva.

Deer-hand Shankara sends his servant across saṅkaṭa-samudra while terrifying death itself. Lotus face and mud-fear imagery turn the verse toward the gentle Lord who makes the fearful fearless.

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Verse 21

कर्मपाशनाश नीलकण्ठ ते नमः शिवाय शर्मदाय नर्यभस्मकण्ठ ते नमः शिवाय निर्ममर्षिसेवितोपकण्ठ ते नमः शिवाय कुर्महे नतीर्नमद्विकुण्ठ ते नमः शिवाय ॥२१॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

कर्मपाशनाश नीलकण्ठ ते नमः शिवाय
To blue-throat destroyer of karma's bonds - salutations to Shiva.
शर्मदाय नर्यभस्मकण्ठ ते नमः शिवाय
To giver of bliss, throat anointed with ash of Love - salutations to Shiva.
निर्ममर्षिसेवितोपकण्ठ ते नमः शिवाय
To the neck served by desireless rishis - salutations to Shiva.
कुर्महे नतीर्नमद्विकुण्ठ ते नमः शिवाय
We bow - to you in whom bowed pain ceases - salutations to Shiva.

Nilakantha breaks karma-pasha and gives sharma while ash on the throat recalls conquered desire. Rishis without mamarsha serve his upakantha because the egoless mind rests naturally at the Lord's feet.

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Verse 22

विष्टपाधिपाय नम्रविष्णवे नमः शिवाय शिष्टविप्रहृद्गुहाचरिष्णवे नमः शिवाय इष्टवस्तुनित्यतुष्टजिष्णवे नमः शिवाय कष्टनाशनाय लोकजिष्णवे नमः शिवाय ॥२२॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

विष्टपाधिपाय नम्रविष्णवे नमः शिवाय
To the heaven-lord's bowed Vishnu - salutations to Shiva.
शिष्टविप्रहृद्गुहाचरिष्णवे नमः शिवाय
To the cave-wanderer in noble brahmins' hearts - salutations to Shiva.
इष्टवस्तुनित्यतुष्टजिष्णवे नमः शिवाय
To the ever-pleased giver of desired objects - salutations to Shiva.
कष्टनाशनाय लोकजिष्णवे नमः शिवाय
To the world-conqueror destroying affliction - salutations to Shiva.

Even Vishnu bows; Shiva walks the guha of brahmin hearts and grants istha-vastu without fail. Lokajishnu who ends kaṣṭa is the inner victor over suffering when the mind takes refuge in namaḥ śivāya.

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Verse 23

अप्रमेयदिव्यसुप्रभाव ते नमः शिवाय सत्प्रपन्नरक्षणस्वभाव ते नमः शिवाय स्वप्रकाश निस्तुलानुभाव ते नमः शिवाय विप्रडिम्भदर्शितार्द्रभाव ते नमः शिवाय ॥२३॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

अप्रमेयदिव्यसुप्रभाव ते नमः शिवाय
To you of immeasurable divine supreme splendour - salutations to Shiva.
सत्प्रपन्नरक्षणस्वभाव ते नमः शिवाय
To you whose nature is protecting surrendered saints - salutations to Shiva.
स्वप्रकाश निस्तुलानुभाव ते नमः शिवाय
O self-luminous one of unequalled power - salutations to Shiva.
विप्रडिम्भदर्शितार्द्रभाव ते नमः शिवाय
To you showing tender feeling to the brahmin boy - salutations to Shiva.

Aprameya light, sat-prapanna-raksha, svaprakasha anubhava - Shiva is self-shining protection. The ārdrabhāva shown to a vipra's child reveals Brahman answering devotion with visible grace.

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Verse 24

सेवकाय मे मृड प्रसीद ते नमः शिवाय भावलभ्य तावकप्रसाद ते नमः शिवाय पावकाक्ष देवपूज्यपाद ते नमः शिवाय तवकाङ्घ्रिभक्तदत्तमोद ते नमः शिवाय ॥२४॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

सेवकाय मे मृड प्रसीद ते नमः शिवाय
To me your servant - be gracious, O gentle one - salutations to Shiva.
भावलभ्य तावकप्रसाद ते नमः शिवाय
To your grace attainable by feeling - salutations to Shiva.
पावकाक्ष देवपूज्यपाद ते नमः शिवाय
O fire-eyed one, feet worshipped by gods - salutations to Shiva.
तवकाङ्घ्रिभक्तदत्तमोद ते नमः शिवाय
To giver of joy to foot-devotees - salutations to Shiva.

The servant begs mṛḍa's prasāda, grace reachable through bhāva not mere ritual. Pāvakāksha's feet worshipped by devas teach that joy flows to those who anchor love in the Lord's anklets.

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Verse 25

भुक्तिमुक्तिदिव्यभोगदायिने नमः शिवाय शक्तिकल्पितप्रपञ्चभागिने नमः शिवाय भक्तसङ्कटापहारयोगिने नमः शिवाय युक्तसन्मनःसरोजयोगिने नमः शिवाय ॥२५॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

भुक्तिमुक्तिदिव्यभोगदायिने नमः शिवाय
To giver of enjoyment, liberation, and divine bliss - salutations to Shiva.
शक्तिकल्पितप्रपञ्चभागिने नमः शिवाय
To sharer in Shakti-woven world's portion - salutations to Shiva.
भक्तसङ्कटापहारयोगिने नमः शिवाय
To yogi removing devotees' distress - salutations to Shiva.
युक्तसन्मनःसरोजयोगिने नमः शिवाय
To yogi seated in saints' lotus-minds - salutations to Shiva.

Bhukti, mukti, and divine bhoga are one gift from the Lord who shares Shakti's woven world. The yogi in the saṃmanas-saroja removes saṅkaṭa because Shiva already dwells where the mind is pure.

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Verse 26

अन्तकान्तकाय पापहारिणे नमः शिवाय शान्तमायदन्तिचर्मधारिणे नमः शिवाय सन्तताश्रितव्यथाविदारिणे नमः शिवाय जन्तुजातनित्यसौख्यकारिणे नमः शिवाय ॥२६॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

अन्तकान्तकाय पापहारिणे नमः शिवाय
To destroyer of Death, remover of sin - salutations to Shiva.
शान्तमायदन्तिचर्मधारिणे नमः शिवाय
To wearer of elephant-skin, of peaceful Māyā - salutations to Shiva.
सन्तताश्रितव्यथाविदारिणे नमः शिवाय
To tearer of constant devotees' anguish - salutations to Shiva.
जन्तुजातनित्यसौख्यकारिणे नमः शिवाय
To giver of lasting joy to all born beings - salutations to Shiva.

Antakāntaka who wears elephant-skin and peaceful māyā ends pain for śritas eternally. His saukhya is not fleeting pleasure but the steady bliss of knowing the Self beyond death.

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Verse 27

शूलिने नमो नमः कपालिने नमः शिवाय पालिने विरिञ्चितुण्डमालिने नमः शिवाय लीलिने विशेषरुण्डमालिने नमः शिवाय शीलिने नमः प्रपुण्यशालिने नमः शिवाय ॥२७॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

शूलिने नमो नमः कपालिने नमः शिवाय
Salutations to the trident-bearer - salutations to Shiva.
पालिने विरिञ्चितुण्डमालिने नमः शिवाय
To the protector wearing Brahma's skull-garland - salutations to Shiva.
लीलिने विशेषरुण्डमालिने नमः शिवाय
To the player wearing special skull-garlands - salutations to Shiva.
शीलिने नमः प्रपुण्यशालिने नमः शिवाय
To the virtuous one, salutations - exceedingly holy one - salutations to Shiva.

The closing verse gathers śūlin, pālin, līlin, and śīlin - weapon, protector, player, and virtue itself. The garland of nakshatras ends where it began: in namaḥ śivāya as the name of what cannot be divided.

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