Devotional praise of Shiva in Ramcharitmanas

By: Rajendra Kapil 

Whenever there is a discussion about devotion to Lord Rama, the remembrance of Lord Shiva naturally follows. It is said that Lord Shiva is always engrossed in the meditation of his beloved Lord Rama. Tulsidas has clearly stated that an enemy of Shiva can never be a devotee of Rama.

When Goswami Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas, he was asked about the source of his inspiration. His answer was simple—Lord Shiva. He narrated that one night, Shiva appeared in his dream and inspired him to write the story of Lord Rama in the common language (Awadhi). After this divine inspiration, Tulsidas began composing the Ramcharitmanas. However, the scholars of Banaras, who adhered strictly to Sanskrit scriptures, refused to accept it and demanded proof of its authenticity.

Tulsidas placed the manuscript of Ramcharitmanas inside the temple of Kashi Vishwanath, and the scholars locked the temple doors. The next morning, when the temple was opened, the manuscript was found with “Om Namah Shivaya” inscribed on it in divine handwriting. After this miraculous event, everyone accepted the authenticity of Ramcharitmanas.

Bhavānī Śaṅkarau Vande Śraddhā Viśvāsa Rūpiṇau।
Yābhyāṁ Vinā Na Paśyanti Siddhāḥ Svāntaḥsthamīśvaram॥

The Ramcharitmanas itself begins with prayers to Lord Shiva. “I bow to Shiva and Parvati, embodiments of faith and devotion, without whom even the accomplished sages cannot perceive the divine Lord within.”

Tulsidas has mentioned the benevolent and gracious nature of Lord Shiva in several places throughout the epic.

Nāma Prasāda Sambhu Abināsī, Sāju Amangala Mangala Rāśī

However, the particular invocation discussed in this article appears in the Uttarakāṇḍa. In this section, there is a conversation between Garuda and Kakabhushundi, where Kakabhushundi recalls a time when he was in a pitiful state and traveled to Ujjain.

Gayaū Ujenī Sunu Uragārī, Dīn Malīn Daridra Dukhārī
Gayeṁ Kāla Kachu Sampatti Pāī, Tahaṁ Puni Karaūṁ Sambhu Sevakāī

During his visit to Ujjain, he encountered a Brahmin devoted entirely to the worship of Lord Shiva. This Brahmin was highly selfless and kind-hearted. He accepted Kakabhushundi as his disciple and began teaching him the method of Shiva worship. However, Kakabhushundi was arrogant and only pretended to respect the teachings externally while secretly holding contempt in his heart.

Guru Nit Moḥi Prabodh, Dukhit Dekhi Ācharan Mam
Moḥi Upajai Ati Krodh, Daṁbhihi Nīti Ki Bhāvai

The Guru would patiently explain things to him daily, but Kakabhushundi ignored his words. Instead, he grew angry, as arrogant people often dislike moral teachings. One day, while meditating in the Shiva temple, he deliberately ignored his Guru when he entered the shrine, refusing even to stand up in respect.

Eka Bāra Har Mandir Japat Rahauṁ Siv Nāma
Guru Āyau Abhimān Te Uṭhi Nahī Kīnh Pranāma

Seeing this disrespect, the Guru did not react angrily, but Lord Shiva could not tolerate the insult. A divine voice echoed through the temple:

Mandir Māñjha Bhayī Nabhavānī, Re Hatabhāgya Agya Abhimānī
Jadyapi Tava Guru Keṁ Nahī Krodha, Ati Kṛpāla Chit Samyak Bodha

Hearing this celestial voice, the Guru panicked and immediately started prostrating before Lord Shiva, repeatedly begging for forgiveness on Kakabhushundi’s behalf.

Kari Daṇḍavat Suprem Dvij, Siv Sammukh Kar Jori
Binay Karat Gadgad Swar, Samujhi Ghor Gati Mori

Following this, the Guru, in a deeply emotional tone, sang a Sanskrit hymn in praise of Lord Shiva. This hymn, consisting of eight verses, is known as the Rudrāṣṭakam and remains a cherished prayer among Shiva devotees today.

The Rudrāṣṭakam

Namāmīśamīśāna Nirvāṇarūpaṁ
Vibhuṁ Vyāpakaṁ Brahmaveda Swarūpam।
Nijaṁ Nirguṇaṁ Nirvikalpaṁ Nirīhaṁ
Chidākāśamākāśavāsaṁ Bhaje’ham॥1॥

Nirākāramoṅkāramūlaṁ Turīyaṁ
Girā Jñānagotītamīśaṁ Girīśam।
Karālaṁ Mahākālakālaṁ Kṛpālaṁ
Guṇāgāra Sansāra Pāraṁ Nato’ham॥2॥

Tuṣārādri Saṅkāśa Gauram Gambhīraṁ
Manobhūta Koṭi Prabhā Śrīśarīram।
Sphuran Mouli Kallolini Chāru Gaṅgā
Lasadbālaba Lendu Kaṇṭhe Bhujangā॥3॥

Chalatkuṇḍalaṁ Bhrūsunetraṁ Viśālaṁ
Prasannānanaṁ Nīlakaṇṭhaṁ Dayālam।
Mṛgādheśa Charmāmbarṁ Muṇḍamālaṁ
Priyaṁ Śaṅkaraṁ Sarvanāthaṁ Bhajāmi॥4॥

Prachanḍaṁ Prakṛṣṭaṁ Pragalbhaṁ Pareśaṁ
Akhaṇḍaṁ Ajaṁ Bhānukoṭi Prakāśam।
Tryaḥśūla Nirmūlanaṁ Śūlapāṇiṁ
Bhaje’haṁ Bhavānīpatiṁ Bhāvagamyam॥5॥

Kalātīta Kalyāṇa Kalpāntakārī
Sadā Sajjanānanda Dātā Purārī।
Chidānanda Saṁdoha Mohāpahārī
Prasīda Prasīda Prabho Manmathārī॥6॥

Na Yāvad Umānātha Pādāravindaṁ
Bhajantiha Loke Pare Vā Narāṇām।
Na Tāvat Sukhaṁ Śānti Santāpa Nāśaṁ
Prasīda Prabho Sarvabhūtādhivāsam॥7॥

Na Jānāmi Yogaṁ Japaṁ Naiva Pūjāṁ
Nato’haṁ Sadā Sarvadā Śambhutubhyam।
Jarājanma Duḥkhaugha Tātapyamānaṁ
Prabho Pāhi Āpannamāmīśa Śambho॥8॥

Meaning of the Rudrāṣṭakam

This hymn praises Lord Shiva, addressing him as the supreme divine entity beyond all worldly attributes. He is the embodiment of boundless grace, free from attachment, and resplendent like a million suns. Adorned with a crescent moon on his forehead and serpents around his neck, he radiates divine brilliance.

Lord Shiva is the destroyer of suffering, the savior of devotees, and the supreme protector of the universe. The hymn humbly requests his mercy, acknowledging human limitations in understanding the divine through rituals alone. The prayer seeks liberation from the endless cycle of birth and death through Shiva’s grace.