Bhoothanath Ashtakam

शिव शिव शक्तिनाथं संहारं शं स्वरूपम्
नव नव नित्यनृत्यं ताण्डवं तं तन्नादम्
घन घन घूर्णिमेघं घंघोरं घंन्निनादम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ॥१॥

śiva śiva śaktināthaṃ saṃhāraṃ śaṃ svarūpam
nava nava nityanṛtyaṃ tāṇḍavaṃ taṃ tannādam
ghana ghana ghūrṇimeghaṃ ghaṃghoraṃ ghaṃnninādam
bhaja bhaja bhasmalepaṃ bhajāmi bhūtanātham ..1..

I worship Shiva, the Lord of Shakti (power), who embodies destruction and is the very essence of auspiciousness.
He performs the ever-new and eternal cosmic dance (Tandava), creating the primordial sound (Nāda).
His presence is like a dark, swirling storm cloud, producing terrifying, thunderous sounds.
I worship him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings (Bhoothanatha).

This verse glorifies Shiva as Bhoothanatha, showing his destructive yet auspicious nature, his cosmic dance, and his association with ash and primordial sound.

कऴ कऴ काऴरूपं कल्लोऴं कं कराऴम्
डम डम डमनादं डम्बुरुं डंकनादम्
सम सम शक्तग्रिवं सर्वभूतं सुरेशम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ॥२॥

kaḻa kaḻa kāḻarūpaṃ kalloḻaṃ kaṃ karāḻam
ḍama ḍama ḍamanādaṃ ḍamburuṃ ḍaṃkanādam
sama sama śaktagrivaṃ sarvabhūtaṃ sureśam
bhaja bhaja bhasmalepaṃ bhajāmi bhūtanātham ..2..

I worship Shiva, the fierce form of Time (Kala), roaring like a terrifying wave.
He produces the resonant sound of the Damaru drum, echoing through the cosmos.
He bears the power of Shakti and is the Lord of all beings and gods.
I worship him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings.

This verse highlights Shiva’s fearsome cosmic aspect as Time and his supreme lordship.

रम रम रामभक्तं रमेशं रां रारावम्
मम मम मुक्तहस्तं महेशं मं मधुरम्
बम बम ब्रह्मरूपं बामेशं बं विनाशम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ॥३॥

rama rama rāmabhaktaṃ rameśaṃ rāṃ rārāvam
mama mama muktahastaṃ maheśaṃ maṃ madhuram
bama bama brahmarūpaṃ bāmeśaṃ baṃ vināśam
bhaja bhaja bhasmalepaṃ bhajāmi bhūtanātham ..3..

I worship Shiva, beloved of Lord Rama and Lord of Lakshmi (Ramesha).
He grants liberation with his blessing hand and is the gentle Mahesha.
He is the embodiment of Brahman and the destroyer of all impurity.
I worship him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings.

This verse emphasizes Shiva as the giver of liberation and supreme reality.

हर हर हरिप्रियं त्रितापं हं संहारम्
खम खम क्षमाशीऴं सपापं खं क्षमणम्
द्दग द्दग ध्यानमूर्त्तिं सगुणं धं धारणम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ॥४॥

hara hara haripriyaṃ tritāpaṃ haṃ saṃhāram
khama khama kṣamāśīḻaṃ sapāpaṃ khaṃ kṣamaṇam
ddaga ddaga dhyānamūrttiṃ saguṇaṃ dhaṃ dhāraṇam
bhaja bhaja bhasmalepaṃ bhajāmi bhūtanātham ..4..

I worship Shiva, beloved of Vishnu, who destroys the threefold sufferings.
He forgives sins with boundless compassion.
He is the very form of meditation and sustains the universe through concentration.
I worship him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings.

This verse reflects Shiva’s compassion, meditation, and unity with Vishnu.

पम पम पापनाशं प्रज्वलं पं प्रकाशम्
गम गम गुह्यतत्त्वं गिरीशं गं गणानाम्
दम दम दानहस्तं धुन्दरं दं दारुणम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ॥५॥

pama pama pāpanāśaṃ prajvalaṃ paṃ prakāśam
gama gama guhyatattvaṃ girīśaṃ gaṃ gaṇānām
dama dama dānahastaṃ dhundaraṃ daṃ dāruṇam
bhaja bhaja bhasmalepaṃ bhajāmi bhūtanātham ..5..

I worship Shiva, the destroyer of sins, blazing with divine light.
He reveals secret truths and is Lord of mountains and the Ganas.
He grants boons yet remains fierce in form.
I worship him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings.

गम गम गीतनाथं दूर्गमं गं गंतव्यम्
टम टम रूंडमाऴं टंकारं टंकनादम्
भम भम भ्रम् भ्रमरं भैरवं क्षेत्रपाऴम्
भज भज भस्मलेपं भजामि भूतनाथम् ॥६॥

gama gama gītanāthaṃ dūrgamaṃ gaṃ gaṃtavyam
ṭama ṭama rūṃḍamāḻaṃ ṭaṃkāraṃ ṭaṃkanādam
bhama bhama bhram bhramaraṃ bhairavaṃ kṣetrapāḻam
bhaja bhaja bhasmalepaṃ bhajāmi bhūtanātham ..6..

I worship Shiva, the Lord of music and the ultimate goal.
He wears a garland of skulls and resounds with thunderous sound.
He appears as Bhairava, the guardian of sacred places.
I worship him, smeared with sacred ash, the Lord of all beings.

त्रिशुऴधारी संहारकारी गिरिजानाथम् ईश्वरम्
पार्वतीपति त्वम् मायापति शुभ्रवर्णम् महेश्वरम्
कैऴाशनाथ सतीप्राणनाथ महाकालम् कालेश्वरम्
अर्धचंद्रम् शिरकिरीटम् भूतनाथं शिवम् भजे ॥७॥

triśuḻadhārī saṃhārakārī girijānātham īśvaram
pārvatīpati tvam māyāpati śubhravarṇam maheśvaram
kaiḻāśanātha satīprāṇanātha mahākālam kāleśvaram
ardhacaṃdram śirakirīṭam bhūtanāthaṃ śivam bhaje ..7..

I worship Shiva, wielder of the trident, husband of Parvati, Lord of Kailasa and Time itself.

नीलकंठाय सत्स्वरूपाय सदा शिवाय नमो नमः
यक्षरूपाय जटाधराय नागदेवाय नमो नमः
इंद्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय गंगाधराय नमो नमः
अर्धचंद्रम् शिरकिरीटम् भूतनाथं शिवम् भजे ॥८॥

nīlakaṃṭhāya satsvarūpāya sadā śivāya namo namaḥ
yakṣarūpāya jaṭādharāya nāgadevāya namo namaḥ
iṃdrahārāya trilocanāya gaṃgādharāya namo namaḥ
ardhacaṃdram śirakirīṭam bhūtanāthaṃ śivam bhaje ..8..

Salutations to Nilakantha, the eternal auspicious one, bearer of Ganga and the three-eyed Lord.

तव कृपा कृष्णदासः भजति भूतनाथम्
तव कृपा कृष्णदासः स्मरति भूतनाथम्
तव कृपा कृष्णदासः पश्यति भूतनाथम्
तव कृपा कृष्णदासः पि वति भूतनाथम् ॥९॥

tava kṛpā kṛṣṇadāsaḥ bhajati bhūtanātham
tava kṛpā kṛṣṇadāsaḥ smarati bhūtanātham
tava kṛpā kṛṣṇadāsaḥ paśyati bhūtanātham
tava kṛpā kṛṣṇadāsaḥ pi vati bhūtanātham ..9..

By your grace, Krishnadasa worships, remembers, sees, and experiences Bhoothanatha.

अथ श्रीकृष्णदासः विरचित भूतनाथ अष्टकम् यः
पठति निस्कामभावेन सः शिवलोकं स गच्छति ॥

Thus, whoever recites the Bhoothanatha Ashtakam composed by Shri Krishnadasa with a selfless mind attains Shivaloka.

Description

Bhoothanath Ashtakam

The Bhoothanatha Ashtakam composed by Shri Krishnadasa is a devotional hymn that glorifies Lord Shiva in his form as Bhoothanatha, the Lord of all beings, spirits, and the cosmos. Each verse highlights various aspects of Shiva’s powers, his cosmic role, and his deep connection with his devotees. The hymn reflects the themes of protection, destruction, transformation, and the ultimate grace of Shiva.

Key Themes:

1. Shiva as the Cosmic Destroyer: Shiva is portrayed as the wielder of the trident and the bringer of cosmic destruction, yet his destruction is part of the natural cycle of creation and renewal. His form as Mahakala, the master of time, shows his role in the cyclical process of birth, death, and rebirth.
2. Shiva as the Compassionate Protector: Despite his fearsome forms, Shiva is also depicted as the protector of devotees. He is the loving consort of Parvati and is worshipped as the one who grants grace and spiritual liberation to his followers.
3. Shiva’s Divine Attributes: The hymn emphasizes his distinctive attributes: the blue throat (Nilakantha) from drinking poison, the third eye that symbolizes spiritual vision, and the crescent moon adorning his head, which represents control over time and immortality.
4. Yaksha and Nagas: Shiva is associated with the celestial beings (Yakshas) and the serpents (Nagas), which are symbols of wisdom, strength, and mystery. His connection with nature and the elements is profound.
5. The Devotee’s Journey: The hymn reflects the journey of Krishnadasa, the devotee, who experiences the grace of Shiva in worship, remembrance, and divine vision. By Shiva’s grace, Krishnadasa attains spiritual nourishment and liberation.
6. Promise of Liberation: The hymn concludes by assuring that those who recite it with a pure, desireless heart will be blessed with entry to Shivaloka, Shiva’s abode. This highlights the spiritual benefits of devotion and surrender to Lord Shiva.

Overall Message:

The Bhoothanatha Ashtakam is a powerful hymn that combines reverence for Shiva’s formidable, cosmic powers with a deep, personal devotion. It shows how, through Shiva’s grace, devotees can overcome worldly struggles, receive spiritual nourishment, and ultimately attain liberation. The hymn presents Shiva as the destroyer and protector, embodying both fearsome and compassionate aspects, with the devotee’s unconditional surrender at its core.

Bhoothanath Ashtakam

Bhoothanath Ashtakam is a sacred devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the divine protector, remover of negativity, and embodiment of spiritual strength and wisdom. Devotees chant Bhoothanath Ashtakam with deep faith and devotion to receive divine blessings, inner peace, courage, and spiritual awakening. The powerful vibrations of Bhoothanath Ashtakam purify the heart, calm the mind, and inspire seekers to walk the path of righteousness, devotion, discipline, and self-control. Devotional India continues to preserve and spread the timeless spiritual traditions associated with Lord Ayyappa and sacred hymns.

The spiritual significance of Bhoothanath Ashtakam lies in its ability to awaken devotion and surrender within the devotee. Lord Ayyappa is worshipped as the symbol of divine protection, purity, courage, compassion, and spiritual wisdom. Through regular chanting of Bhoothanath Ashtakam, devotees gradually overcome fear, negativity, ego, attachment, and mental restlessness. The sacred hymn creates an atmosphere of peace, positivity, and divine grace. Devotional India inspires seekers to practise devotion, prayer, meditation, and remembrance of God for spiritual upliftment and inner transformation.

The verses of Bhoothanath Ashtakam glorify the divine qualities of Lord Ayyappa and encourage devotees to cultivate humility, faith, self-discipline, patience, and compassion. Chanting Bhoothanath Ashtakam during daily worship or spiritual practices strengthens concentration and develops spiritual awareness. The hymn reminds humanity that divine grace can guide seekers through every challenge and difficulty in life. Through sincere devotion and constant remembrance of the Divine, the heart becomes purified and spiritually awakened.

The sacred message of Bhoothanath Ashtakam also teaches that true devotion leads to self-realisation, peace, and divine consciousness. Devotees believe that regular recitation of Bhoothanath Ashtakam brings courage, prosperity, harmony, protection, and spiritual blessings into life. The hymn encourages seekers to surrender to divine will and follow the path of truth, righteousness, and universal love. Devotional India continues to spread the eternal teachings of Bhakti, Yoga, spirituality, and divine living for the benefit of humanity.

The beauty of Bhoothanath Ashtakam lies not only in its devotional power but also in its ability to unite devotees in faith, purity, and spiritual discipline. The chanting of Bhoothanath Ashtakam during worship creates divine vibrations that elevate the mind toward higher consciousness and inner peace. Through sincere prayer, meditation, devotion, and selfless service, seekers experience the transformative grace of Lord Ayyappa. Devotional India inspires millions of devotees to preserve sacred spiritual traditions and divine culture with devotion and faith.

The spiritual wisdom of Bhoothanath Ashtakam continues to inspire seekers toward divine love, inner purity, spiritual strength, and eternal truth. Through devotion to Lord Ayyappa and regular chanting of Bhoothanath Ashtakam, devotees move toward self-realisation, peace, and spiritual fulfilment. Devotional India remains dedicated to spreading the sacred message of devotion, spirituality, divine consciousness, and eternal wisdom across the world.

-Ardha Narishvara Stotram