Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram - 1

The Shloka

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सौराष्ट्रदेशे विशदेऽतिरम्ये ज्योतिर्मयं चन्द्रकलावतंसम् ।

भक्तिप्रदानाय कृपावतीर्णं तं सोमनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥

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Saurashtradeshe vishade’tiramye jyotirmayam chandrakalāvatamsam ।

Bhaktipradānāya kripāvatīrṇam tam Somnātham sharaṇam prapadye ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka extols the glory of Lord Somnath, the foremost of the Dwadasha Jyotirlingas. It highlights the sacredness of the Somnath temple and the boundless compassion of Lord Shiva, who descends to the earthly realm purely out of benevolence to bless His devotees with true devotion (bhakti). It signifies the importance of seeking refuge in the divine for spiritual growth and unwavering faith. The description of Somnath as ‘jyotirmayam’ (effulgent) reinforces the concept of Jyotirlingas as pillars of light, representing Shiva’s infinite, formless reality. The mention of the crescent moon (‘chandrakalāvatamsam’) is a classic iconographic attribute of Shiva, symbolizing His mastery over creation and dissolution, as well as His calm and composed nature amidst cosmic activity.

In the clear and exceedingly beautiful land of Saurashtra, I take refuge in that Somnath, who is effulgent, adorned with the crescent moon, and has mercifully descended to bestow devotion.

The shloka is a reverent prayer to Lord Somnath, located in the pure and beautiful region of Saurashtra. It describes Him as luminous, adorned with the crescent moon, and having mercifully manifested to grant devotion. The devotee expresses complete surrender and seeks refuge in this benevolent form of Lord Shiva.

This shloka is a profound salutation to Lord Shiva in His magnificent form as Somnath, who is revered as the first and paramount among the twelve Jyotirlingas. It vividly describes His divine presence in the ancient and hallowed region of Saurashtra, which is characterized by its purity, spiritual clarity, and immense natural beauty. The Lord is depicted as a luminous, self-effulgent being, whose divine form is eternally radiant, embodying pure light. His sacred persona is further beautified by being adorned with the crescent moon on His head, a timeless symbol of His serene power, control over cosmic cycles, and association with the moon god, Soma. The shloka powerfully conveys that Lord Somnath has graciously manifested and descended into this mortal world, not for any personal gain, but purely out of boundless compassion (kripā) and divine mercy. His primary purpose in doing so is to bestow the invaluable gift of unwavering devotion (bhakti) upon His sincere worshippers, guiding them towards spiritual realization. The devotee, recognizing this divine benevolence, expresses complete surrender and seeks ultimate refuge at the feet of this benevolent deity, praying for His divine grace and the gift of unshakeable faith and unwavering devotion. It is a humble appeal for protection and spiritual guidance.

Sentence - 1

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सौराष्ट्रदेशे विशदेऽतिरम्ये ज्योतिर्मयं चन्द्रकलावतंसम्

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Meaning

In the clear and exceedingly beautiful land of Saurashtra, who is effulgent, adorned with the crescent moon.

Meaning of Words

सौराष्ट्रदेशे	Saurashtradeshe
In the land of Saurashtra. Saurashtra is an ancient region located in the western part of Gujarat, India, which holds immense historical and religious significance. The suffix ‘-deshe’ means ‘in the country’, ‘in the land’, or ‘in the region’.
विशदे	vishade
Clear; pure; bright. This word describes the quality of the region of Saurashtra, signifying its spiritual purity, serene clarity, and inherent brightness or auspiciousness.
अतिरम्ये	atiramye
Exceedingly beautiful; very lovely. The prefix ‘ati-’ denotes ‘very’ or ‘exceedingly’, and ‘ramye’ means ‘beautiful’, ‘charming’, or ‘delightful’. Together, it emphasizes the captivating and immense beauty of the Saurashtra region.
ज्योतिर्मयं	jyotirmayam
Luminous; effulgent; full of light. This term describes Lord Shiva as being a manifestation of pure, brilliant light. It highlights His divine, self-illuminating nature, especially in the context of a Jyotirlinga, which is considered a pillar of light.
चन्द्रकलावतंसम्	chandrakalavatamsam
Adorned with the crescent moon as an ornament. ‘Chandra’ means moon, ‘kalā’ refers to a digit or a small part (specifically a crescent), and ‘avatamsam’ means an ornament, crest, or a chaplet worn on the head. This is a classic iconographic attribute of Lord Shiva, who is often depicted wearing the crescent moon on His head, symbolizing His control over time, His serene nature, and His association with the moon god, Soma.

Sentence - 2

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भक्तिप्रदानाय कृपावतीर्णं तं सोमनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥

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Meaning

Who has mercifully descended to bestow devotion, in that Somnath, I take refuge.

Meaning of Words

भक्तिप्रदानाय	bhaktipradanaya
For bestowing devotion. ‘Bhakti’ refers to devotion, spiritual love, or profound attachment to the Divine, and ‘pradānāya’ means ‘for giving’ or ‘for bestowing’. This phrase indicates the benevolent purpose of Lord Shiva’s manifestation.
कृपावतीर्णं	kripavatirnam
Mercifully descended; incarnated out of compassion. ‘Kripā’ means mercy, grace, or compassion, and ‘avatīrṇam’ means ‘descended’ or ‘incarnated’. It highlights Lord Shiva’s immense benevolence and His act of graciously manifesting in the earthly realm for the welfare of His devotees.
तं	tam
To that (Lord). This is a demonstrative pronoun in the accusative case, referring back to the previously described divine attributes and leading to the direct object, Lord Somnath.
सोमनाथं	Somnatham
To Lord Somnath. The proper name of the deity, an epithet for Lord Shiva. ‘Soma’ refers to the Moon god, and ‘Nath’ means lord or master, thus ‘Lord of the Moon’. It also carries the meaning ‘Lord of Nectar’ or ‘Lord of Immortality’.
शरणं	sharanam
Refuge; shelter; protection. This word signifies a place or state of protection, shelter, or refuge. It implies seeking divine protection and complete surrender to the higher power.
प्रपद्ये	prapadye
I take; I seek; I surrender. A verb indicating the devotee’s action of completely surrendering themselves, seeking refuge, or approaching with devotion and humility to the divine entity.

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