Adi Sankaracharya's Dwadasa Jyotir Linga Stotram

[Guest guest]

Adi Sankaracharya's

Dwadasa Jyotir Linga Stotram

[Prayer to the Twelve Resplendent Lingas]

Translated by P. R. Ramachander

 

[Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam is a shrine where Lord Shiva is

worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam or lingam of light. There

are twelve traditional Jyotirlinga shrines in India. It is believed

that Shiva first manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga on the night of

the Arudra festival, thus the special reverence for the Jyotirlinga.

It is believed that a person can see these lingas as columns of fire

piercing through the earth after he reaches a higher level of

spiritual attainment. The location of these Lingas of light is given

in another prayer called Dwadasa Linga Sthavam:

 

Sourashtre Somanadham, cha Sri Shaile Mallikarjunam,

Ujjayinyam Maha Kalam, Omkaram, amaleshwaram,

Paralyam Vaidyanatham, cha Dakinyam Bhimasankaram,

Sethubandhe thu Ramesam, Nagesam thu Darukavane,

Varanasyam thu Viswesam, Trayambakam Gouthami thate,

Himalaye thu Kedaram, Ghushmesam cha Shivalaye,

Ethani Jyothirlingani sayam pratha paden nara,

Saptha janma krutham papam smaranena vinasyathi.

 

The twelve Lingas of light are,

Somanatha in Sourashtra,

Mallikarjuna in Sri Shailam,

Mahakala in Ujjain,

Omkaram in Amaleshwara,

Vaidhyanatha in Parali,

Bhimasankara in South,

Rameshwara near the bridge in Sethu,

Nageswara in Daruka forest,

Visweswara in Varnasi,

Trayambakeshwara in the shores of Godavari,

Kedareshwara in Himalayas,

And Ghushmesha in Sivalaya.

He who remembers them,

Morning and evening,

Would wash away sins,

Committed in his seven births.]

 

Sourashtra dese Visadhethi ramye,

Jyothirmayam Chandra kalavathamsam,

Bhakthi pradhanaya krupavatheernam,

Tham Soma nadham saranam prapadhye. 1

 

I seek refuge of the Soma Nadha,

Who is in the holy and pretty Sourashtra,

Who is dazzling with light,

Who wears the crescent of the moon,

Who has come there to give,

The gift of devotion and mercy.

 

The Somnath temple is dedicated to Someshwara, another name of Lord

Shiva with moon on his head. The temple is situated in Saurashtra in

a place called Prabhas Pattan near the port of Veravel. It is

believed that the Moon God himself had originally built the temple

out of gold. Somnath is the first of all the 12 jyotirlingas. The

Somnath temple has been destroyed six times and has been rebuilt.

Last time it was after independence. The temple faces the east

direction.

 

Sri Shaila sange vibhudathi sange,

Thulathi thune api mudha vasantham,

Thamarjunam mallika poorvamekam,

Namami samsara samudhra sethum. 2

 

I salute him who is the bridge to the ocean of life,

Who is in the company of all gods,

And living in the union of Sri Shaila,

Who resides on the peak of Thula,

And who is called Mallikarjuna.

 

The Sri Shailam Temple located in Kurnool district. Sri Shailam is a

small city situated in the densely forested Nallamalai hills. This

temple is considered very holy and is dedicated to Mallikarjuna Swamy

and Bhramaramba. One unique feature of the temple is that all the

devotees who visit the temple are allowed to touch the idol which is

not prevalent in any other temple in South India. According to

popular legends, Adhi Shankara had composed his famous Sivananda

Lahiri here It is also believed that Goddess Durga had taken the form

of a bee and worshiped Lord Shiva here and selected this holy place

as her abode.

 

Avanthikayam vihithavatharam,

Mukthi pradhanaya cha sajjananam,

Akalamruthyo parirakshanatham,

Vande maha kala maha suresam. 3

 

I salute that Maha Kala,

Who is the lord of all devas,

Who has incarnated in the city of Avanthi,

For giving salvation to good people,

And to save people from untimely death.

 

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is situated in Ujjain, the

historical capital of Central India. This Temple is situated near a

lake. The idol in the temple is known as Dakshinamurti, facing the

south and is white in colour. Among the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Mahakal

Jyotirlinga is believed to be swayambhu, meaning born of itself. The

Mahakaleshwar temple is made in five levels, one of which is

underground. The underground sanctum is lightened by brass lamps. The

prasada in the temple can be re-offered unlike other temples.

According to the legends, a demon called Dushana tormented the people

of Avanti and then Lord Shiva appeared from the ground and rescued

the people and then on the request of the people, Lord Shiva

permanently settled there as Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga.

 

Kavaerika narmadhayo pavithre,

Samagame sajjana tharanaya,

Sadaiva mandha tripure vasantham,

Onkarameesam shivameka meede. 4

 

I meditate only on Shiva,

With the form of the letter Om,

Who lives In the city of Mandhatripura,

Which is in the holy confluence

Of rivers Cauvery and Narmadha,

For helping good people cross,

The Ocean of the misery of life.

 

Lord Omkareshwara or Amaleshwara temple is located in an island on

the banks of the Narmada, is located on the Mandhata hill in Madhya

Pradesh. The Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple

is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The river

Narmada branches into two which forms an island Mandhata or Shivapuri

in the center. Ironically, the island's shape resembles the visual

representation of the Omkara sound, Om. The temple can be reached by

ferry. As per the legend, Vindhya mountain once prayed to Lord Shiva

or Omkareshwara and got blessed in return. Other story says that the

Shivalinga was split into two upon the request of the Devas. Thus,

the formation of Omkareshwara and Amareshwar.

 

Poorvothare prajjwalika nidhane,

Sada vasantham girija sametham,

Surasuradhitha pada padmam,

Sri Vaidyanatham tham aham namami. 5

 

I salute that Vaidyanatha,

Whose lotus feet are worshipped,

By all asuras and devas,

And who lives in place of eternal shine,

In the north east of India,

Along with his consort Parvathi.

 

Vaidhyanath is located at Deogarh in the Santal Parganas area of

Bihar. Deogarh is also known as Vaidyanath. The temple faces the

east. The top of the Shiva Lingam is slightly broken which as per the

legend happened when Ravana tried to uproot it. Sivaganga lake is

positioned just near the temple. While the Chandrakoopa well found

near the main entrance is said to have been filled with water by

Ravana from several thirthams. The Shiva's temple is almost 72 feet

tall in the form of a lotus. There are three ascending shaped gold

vessels on the top. Then there is a Punchsula as well as an eight

petalled lotus jewel called Chandrakanta Mani. According to

mythology, Ravana meditated hard to invoke Lord Shiva. In his desire

to become invincible, he attempted to lift Lord Shiva's abode, Mount

Kailash. The act offended the Lord. He punished him but with Ravana

pleading for mercy, he left him on one condition. He gave him one of

the twelve lingas which were not supposed to be kept on ground in any

case. But Ravana's promise gave way in front of nature's call & kept

the linga on the ground. In order to rectify the mistake, Ravana

started cutting off nine of his heads as a part of his repentance.

Shiva was pleased by this & he joined the heads again to the body.

Worshipping Vaidhyanath Jyotirlinga is considered to eliminate one's

all worries and miseries. It even imparts salvation.

 

Yaamye sadange nagare adhi ramye,

Vibhooshithangam vividaischa bhogai,

Sad bhakthi mukthi prada meesa mekam,

Sri Naganatham saranam prapadhye. 6

 

I seek refuge of Lord Naganatha,

Who lives in the pretty town

Of Sadanga in the southern part,

Who is well decorated,

Who grants all kinds of pleasures,

And who is the only God who grants,

Devotion and salvation.

 

The temple is located between Dwarka and Dwarka Island in Gujarat on

the coast of Surat. The Jyotirlinga in the temple is known as

Nageshwar Mahadev. The temple is being visited by thousands of

pilgrims every year. The Jyotirlinga situated in the temple is

considered to protect everybody from all sorts of poisons. It is

believed that one who offers prayers in the temple becomes poison

free.

 

Mahadri parswe cha thate ramantham,

Sampoojyamanam sathatham muneendrai,

Surasurair yaksha mahoraghadyai,

Kedarameesam shivameka meede. 7

 

I meditate on Shiva who is the Lord of Kedara,

Who takes pleasure in the valley of the great mountain,

Who is always worshipped by great sages,

And also devas, asuras, yakshas and nagas.

 

Kedarnath is a Hindu holy town located in the Indian state of

Uttaranchal. And is the northern most Jyothirlinga. The place is

located at an altitude of 3,584 m and at the origin of the river

Mandakini, The place is accessible after a steep 13 km trek over a

paved path from Gaurikund. Rishikesh, Haridwar, The credit for the

construction of this heavenly temple is given to the Pandavas.

According to the saying it is believed that the Pandavas came to Lord

Shiva to seek blessings to atone their sins after the battle of

Mahabharata. Lord Shiva evaded them continuously and took refuge in

Kedarnath in the form of a Bull. On being chased, Lord Shiva left his

hump behind. This conical protrusion is worshiped in the temple. The

temple is located on the Rudra Himalaya range, also known as the

Pancha Parvata. It is believed that four of the Pandavas died on one

of the peaks, Swargarohini.

 

Sahyadri seershe vimale vasantham,

Godavari theera pavithra dese,

Yad darsanal pathakamasu nasam,

Prayathi tham Traimbaka meesa meede. 8

 

I meditate on the lord of Triambaka,

Who lives on the peak of western ghats,

In the holy shores of river Godavari,

And who destroys all sins,

Of his devotees who see him.

 

Tryambakeshwar is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines situated 30 km

from Nasik in Maharashtra. Considered to be the birth place of the

river Godavari, the shrine's beauty is still well intact. A small

Shivalingam or Tryambaka, is placed amidst a spacious courtyard & the

sanctum which is crowned with a graceful tower, a giant amalaka

(goose berry) and a golden kalasha. The Shivalingam is situated in a

depression on the floor of the sanctum. Continuous flow of water from

the top of the Shivalingam adds to the mystic beauty. Shivalingam is

generally covered with a silver mask which is then substituted with a

golden mask with five faces on festive occasions. These faces have

their respective golden crowns. While, the silver mask is similar to

the processional images seen in South Indian temples.

 

Suthamra varnee jala rasi yoge,

Nibhadhya sethum visikhaira sankyai,

Sri ramachandrna samarpitham tham,

Ramesamakhyam niyatham smarami. 9

 

I meditate with devotion the lord of Rama,

Who lives in the confluence of river,

Thamravarnee with the sea,

Where a bridge has been built.

With the help of umpteen arrows,

By the Lord Sri Rama Chandra.

 

The Rameshwar Jyotirlinga is considered as the southern most

Jyotirlingams of India. According to belief, it was installed there

by Lord Rama after his return from Sri Lanka. Since Ravana was a

Brahmin, Rama got Brahma hathi dosha and to get rid of it, he

installed and worshipped Shiva. The Lord is known as Ramanatha. The

temple is situated on an island located on the south eastern coast of

Tamil nadu. It is believed that the ancient shrine was a thatched hut

till it was rebuilt in the 12th century by Parakrama Bahu of Sri

Lanka. The rest of the temple was completed by the Sethupathy rulers

of Ramanathapuram. There are 36 Theerthams meaning water springs in

Rameshwaram out of which 22 are situated in the temple.

 

Yam dakini sakinika samaje,

Nishevyamanam pisithasanaischa,

Sadaiva bheemadhi pada prasidham,

Tham shnkaram bhaktha hitham namami. 10

 

I salute that Lord Sankara

Who is the darling of his devotees,

Who is being worshipped by rakshasas,

In the company of Ghosts called Dakini and Sakini,

And who is well known as Bheema.

 

This temple is located near Pune of Maharashtra on the shores of

river Bhima. And is located on a high peak, surrounded by thick dense

forests. The shrine Bhimashankaram, dates back to the 13th century.

Lord Shiva's killing of the demon Tripurasura is the main legend

associated with the temple. It even states that Shiva took abode on

the Sahyadri hills in the form of a Bhima upon the request of the

Gods, on the crest of the Sahyadri hills. The sweat of Shiva poured

after the battle ultimately led to the origin of Bhimarathi river.

 

Sayanda mananda vane vasantham,

Mananda kandam hatha papa vrundam,

Varanasi nadha manadha nadham,

Sri Viswanadham saranam prapadhye. 11

 

I seek the protection of the Lord of universe,

Who lives is happily in the forest of joy,

Who is the basis of all happiness,

Who destroys all accumulated sins,

Who is the lord of the city of Varanasi,

And who is the lord of all who do not have anybody.

 

This temple holiest of the holies to any Hindu is situated in the

banks of the holy river Ganga in Varanasi. The temple has been

destroyed several times by invaders but has been rebuilt every time.

It is believed the priests of the temple have sacrificed their all

several times to preserve the holy Lingam. The present temple has

been built by Ahalyabhai, a Maharashtrian queen.

 

Ilapure ramya visalake asmin,

Samullasantham cha jagad varenyam,

Vande maha dhara thara swabhavam,

Ghusruneswarakhyam saranam prapadhye. 12

 

I seek the refuge of Ghusraneswara,

Who lives and plays in the pretty city of Ilapura,

Who is the greatest among the universe,

And who is by his nature extremely kind.

 

The Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the ancient and holiest

shrines of India.. The temple is located at a distance of 11km from

Daulatabad near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Daulatabad was once known

as Devagiri. Ahilyabhai Holkar constructed the Grishneshwar Temple.

Grishneshwar is also known as Ghushmeswara. According to legend, a

devotee called Kusuma worshiped Lord Shiva by immersing a Shivalingam

everyday in a nearby tank. Kusuma's husband's first wife out of

jealousy because of Kusuma's piety in the society killed her son. An

aggrieved Kusuma continued her daily ritual and when she dipped the

Shivlingam in the tank her son miraculously revived. From then on the

people started worshiping Lord Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlinga

Ghusmeshwar.

 

Jyothir maya dwadasa linga kanam,

Shivathmanam prokthamidham kramena,

Sthothram padithwa manujo athi bhakthyo,

Phalam thadalokye nijam bhajescha. 13

 

This prayer which tells about,

The twelve resplendent lingas,

If read with devotion by men,

Would make them be worshipped by others.

 

[Translater's Note: I acknowledge my gratitude to different web sites

for the write up on the different Jyothirlingas.]

 

www.celextel.org