Sri Lingäshtakam

Çri Liìgäñöakam

While translating Sri Lingäshtakam, I discovered something amazing. The immediate meaning of Sadäsiva that will strike anybody is, Siva = auspiciousness, Sadäsiva = one who is always auspicious. The second meaning that struck me is that, the word sadä has been used as a dehli-dipa. dehli-dipa nyäya is an analogy used by Äcäryas in their bhäshyas. A word is used that qualifies the word preceding, as well as succeeding it, just as a lamp placed on the threshold, illumines the inside, and outside of the house/room. sadä as an avyaya – indeclinable, meaning ‘always’ can also go with pranamämi meaning sadä pranamämi – I always bow to Sivalinga.

brahma-muräri-surärcita-lingam nirmala-bhäshita-sobhita-lingam|
janmaja-duhkha-vinäsana-lingam tat-pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam||1||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga) Who is adored by Brahmä, Muräri (Vishnu) and other gods, Who is eulogized/praised by pure and holy words (the Vedas), and Who destroys the cycle of pain of this life (of birth and death). (1)

deva-muni-pravarärcita-lingam kämadaham karunäkara-lingam|
rävana-darpa-vinäsana-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam ||2||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Whom the gods and the great sages worship, Who is the destroyer of Kämadeva (desires), Who is infinitely compassionate, and Who destroyed the pride of the demon Rävana. (2)

sarva-sugandha-sulepita-lingam buddhi-vivardhana-kärana-lingam|
siddha-suräsura-vandita-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam ||3||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is lavishly smeared with fragrant perfumes, Who is the cause of the increase of the intelligence and discriminative faculty (in the devotee), Who is extolled by the Siddhas, the gods, and asuras. (3)

kanaka-mahämani-bhüshita-lingam phanipati-veshtita-sobhita-lingam|
daksha-suyajna-vinäshana-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam ||4||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is adorned with various gold ornaments, studded with precious jewels, Who is  decorated by a garland of the serpent (Cobra, king of snakes) coiled around (His neck), Who destroyed the grand sacrifice of Daksha (Prajäpati). (4)

kumkuma-candana-lepita-lingam pankaja-hära-susobhita-lingam|
sancita-päpa-vinäsana-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam||5||

I bow before that Sadäsiva Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is anointed with kumkuma and sandal-wood paste, Who is decorated with a garland of Lotuses, and Who wipes out all accumulated (note only sancita, not prärabdha???) wrong-doings (of the devotees). (5)

devaganärcita-sevita-lingam bhävair-bhaktibhir-eva ca lingam|
dinakara-koti-prabhäkara-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam ||6||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is worshipped by the group of gods (or ganas of Siva) with faith and devotion, and Who is resplendent with splendor of a million suns. (6)

ashtadalopariveshtita-lingam sarva-samudbhava-kärana-lingam|
ashta-daridra-vinäsana-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam||7||

I bow before that Sadäsiva Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is surrounded by the eight-petalled Lotus, Who is the cause of the whole creation, Who is the destroyer of eight types poverty and misery {lack of i) dhanam (wealth), ii) dhänyam (food), iii) grham (wife/spouse, home/house), iv) santäna (child/ren), v) bhägyam (good luck), vi) santushti (contentment), vii) jaya (victory), viii) vidyä (knowledge). These eight are indicative (upa-lakshana) of all other aspects.} (7)

suraguru-suravara-püjita-lingam suravana-pushpa-sadärcita-lingam
parätparam paramätmaka-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam||8||

I bow before that Sadashiva-Linga (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is worshipped by all the gods, their preceptor (Brhaspati), and their King (Indra), with innumerable flowers from the celestial gardens, Who is the Transcendent Being and the Supreme Self. (8)

Phalasruti

lingäshtakam idam punyam yah pathet sivasannidhau|
sivalokam apäpnoti sivena saha modate||

Any one who chants this Lingashtakam (an octet on Lingam), in the holy presence of Siva, obtains Siva’s abode, and revels with Him (in Him).

 ***