What is the general plea in the Shiva Ashtakam?

The general plea is for Lord Shiva (Shambho) to protect the devotee, acknowledging their imperfections and seeking divine grace.

What does verse 2 of Shiva Ashtakam describe?

Verse 2 describes the devotee's attachment to the physical body (māṁsāsthimajjāmalamūtrapātra-gātrābhimāna) and being afflicted by worldly desires (manmathapīḍitāṅgaṁ), seeking Shiva's protection.

What does verse 3 mention about worldly existence (saṁsāra)?

Verse 3 speaks about being immersed in the ocean of worldly illusion (saṁsāramāyājaladhi), having a restless mind (aśāntacittam), and being averse to serving Shiva's feet (tvatpādasēvāvimukhaṁ).

What are some of the flaws mentioned in verse 4?

Verse 4 mentions speaking lies (iṣṭānr̥taṁ), straying from dharma (bhraṣṭamaniṣṭadharmaṁ), lacking self-awareness (naṣṭātmabōdhaṁ), and being tormented by the six enemies (kaṣṭāriṣaḍvarga).

What is the prayer in verse 8?

Verse 8 compares Lord Shiva to a father protecting his child (pitā yathā rakṣati putramīśa), acknowledging offenses but seeking Shiva's compassion (kr̥pānidhē māṁ śiva pāhi śambhō).

śrī śivāṣṭakam – 2

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Shiv Stotra

āśāvaśādaṣṭadigantarālē
dēśāntarabhrāntamaśāntabuddhim |
ākāramātrādavanīsuraṁ māṁ
akr̥tyakr̥tyaṁ śiva pāhi śambhō || 1 ||

māṁsāsthimajjāmalamūtrapātra-
-gātrābhimānōjjhitakr̥tyajālam |
madbhāvanaṁ manmathapīḍitāṅgaṁ
māyāmayaṁ māṁ śiva pāhi śambhō || 2 ||

saṁsāramāyājaladhipravāha-
-saṁmagnamudbhrāntamaśāntacittam |
tvatpādasēvāvimukhaṁ sakāmaṁ
sudurjanaṁ māṁ śiva pāhi śambhō || 3 ||

iṣṭānr̥taṁ bhraṣṭamaniṣṭadharmaṁ
naṣṭātmabōdhaṁ nayalēśahīnam |
kaṣṭāriṣaḍvarganipīḍitāṅgaṁ
duṣṭōttamaṁ māṁ śiva pāhi śambhō || 4 ||

vēdāgamābhyāsarasānabhijñaṁ
pādāravindaṁ tava nārcayantam |
vēdōktakarmāṇi vilōpayantaṁ
vēdākr̥tē māṁ śiva pāhi śambhō || 5 ||

anyāyavittārjanasaktacittaṁ
anyāsu nārīṣvanurāgavantam |
anyānnabhōktāramaśuddhadēhaṁ
ācārahīnaṁ śiva pāhi śambhō || 6 ||

purāttatāpatrayataptadēhaṁ
parāṁ gatiṁ gantumupāyavarjyam |
parāvamānaikaparātmabhāvaṁ
narādhamaṁ māṁ śiva pāhi śambhō || 7 ||

pitā yathā rakṣati putramīśa
jagatpitā tvaṁ jagataḥ sahāyaḥ |
kr̥tāparādhaṁ tava sarvakāryē
kr̥pānidhē māṁ śiva pāhi śambhō || 8 ||

iti śrīvr̥ddhanr̥siṁhabhāratī svāmī viracitaṁ śrī śivāṣṭakam |

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