Rudrashtakam - 1

The Shloka

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नमामीशमीशाननिर्वाणरूपं विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम् ।

निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम् ॥

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Namāmīśamīśānanirvāṇarūpaṃ vibhuṃ vyāpakaṃ brahmavedasvarūpam ।

Nijaṃ nirguṇaṃ nirvikalpaṃ nirīhaṃ cidākāśamākāśavāsaṃ bhaje’ham ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka beautifully encapsulates the transcendent and immanent aspects of Lord Shiva. It portrays Shiva not merely as a deity, but as the ultimate reality (Brahman) that is beyond all attributes (Nirguna), beyond all conceptual limitations (Nirvikalpa), and free from all desires (Nirīha). He is described as Vibhu (all-pervading) and Vyapaka (all-encompassing), signifying His omnipresence. The phrase ‘Nirvāṇarūpam’ highlights Shiva as the ultimate goal of spiritual pursuit – liberation. ‘Brahmavedasvarūpam’ emphasizes His role as the source and essence of all spiritual knowledge. Finally, ‘Cidākāśamākāśavāsam’ presents Him as the infinite, boundless consciousness that permeates all space, underscoring His cosmic form and subtle nature. This verse invites the devotee to worship this formless, attribute-less, yet all-encompassing reality, fostering a deep philosophical understanding alongside devotion.

I bow to the Lord, whose form is liberation, who is the ruler. He is all-pervading, all-encompassing, the very embodiment of Brahman and the Vedas. He is inherent, without attributes, without alternatives, without desires, the consciousness-space, residing in the ether. Him, I worship.

This shloka is a reverent salutation to Lord Shiva, describing Him as the embodiment of liberation and the supreme ruler. It emphasizes His omnipresent and all-encompassing nature, identifying Him with Brahman and the Vedas. The verse further characterizes Shiva as inherent, devoid of material attributes, free from modifications or desires, and as the boundless consciousness that permeates and resides in all space. The devotee declares their worship of this ultimate, formless reality.

This inaugural verse of Rudrashtakam is a profound declaration of devotion to Lord Shiva, portraying Him not just as a deity, but as the ultimate, supreme reality (Parabrahman). The devotee begins by bowing (‘Namami’) to Isham (the Lord), specifically identifying Him as Ishana, the supreme ruler and controller of the cosmos. The most significant descriptor here is ‘Nirvāṇarūpam’, meaning Shiva’s very essence is that of Nirvana, the state of absolute liberation, peace, and freedom from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). This suggests that contemplating Shiva leads to ultimate emancipation. He is then described as ‘Vibhum Vyāpakam’, indicating His omnipresence – He is vast, limitless, and pervades all creation. The phrase ‘Brahmavedasvarūpam’ elevates Shiva further, stating that He is the very embodiment of Brahman (the impersonal, ultimate reality of the universe) and the Vedas (the sacred scriptures containing divine knowledge). This implies that Shiva is the source and essence of all spiritual wisdom and truth. The shloka continues by outlining Shiva’s transcendent qualities: ‘Nijam’ (inherent, self-existent, not created or dependent), ‘Nirguṇam’ (without attributes, transcending the three Gunas of Prakriti – Sattva, Rajas, Tamas – thus beyond all material qualities and limitations), ‘Nirvikalpam’ (without alternatives, changeless, pure consciousness beyond all conceptual differentiations and dualities), and ‘Nirīham’ (without desires or personal motivations, acting purely out of His divine nature). Finally, the verse describes Shiva as ‘Cidākāśamākāśavāsam’, meaning He is the consciousness that is as vast and all-pervading as space itself (‘Chidakasha’ - consciousness-space), and He resides in the ether (‘Akashavasa’), signifying His boundless and subtle nature, unconfined by any physical realm. The concluding ‘Bhaje’ham’ (I worship Him) marks the devotee’s deep reverence and surrender to this ultimate, formless, yet all-encompassing divine being.

Sentence - 1

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नमामीशमीशाननिर्वाणरूपं

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Meaning

I bow to Ishvara (Lord Shiva), whose form is Nirvana (the state of ultimate liberation).

Meaning of Words

नमामीशं	Namāmīśam
From Namami (I bow down) + Isham (to the Lord). It signifies a deep reverence and prostration before the divine.
ईशान	Īśāna
The ruler, controller Refers to Shiva as the supreme ruler or controller of the universe. It is one of the five faces of Shiva representing the north-eastern direction.
निर्वाणरूपं	Nirvāṇarūpam
Whose form is liberation Nirvana is the state of perfect stillness, peace, and ultimate liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. Rupam means form or nature. So, ‘Nirvāṇarūpam’ means one whose very essence or form is that of liberation or absolute bliss.

Sentence - 2

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विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम् ।

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Meaning

He is all-pervading, all-encompassing, and the very embodiment of Brahman and the Vedas.

Meaning of Words

विभुं	Vibhum
All-pervading, omnipresent Signifies that Shiva is present everywhere, without any spatial or temporal limitations. He is the omnipresent reality.
व्यापकं	Vyāpakam
All-encompassing, widespread Emphasizes the idea of pervasiveness; Shiva encompasses everything, holding all of existence within himself.
ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम्	Brahmavedasvarūpam
The very embodiment of Brahman and the Vedas Brahma here refers to Brahman, the supreme cosmic spirit or ultimate reality in Hinduism. Veda refers to the sacred scriptures. Svarupam means ‘true nature’ or ‘essence’. Thus, this phrase describes Shiva as the ultimate reality, the source and essence of the Vedas, embodying all knowledge and ultimate truth.

Sentence - 3

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निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं

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Meaning

He is inherent, without attributes, without alternatives or modifications, and without desires.

Meaning of Words

निजं	Nijam
Inherent, own, self-existent Indicates that Shiva’s existence is independent and intrinsic; He is not dependent on anything else for His being. He is His own nature.
निर्गुणं	Nirguṇam
Without attributes or qualities In Hindu philosophy, ‘guna’ refers to the three qualities of nature (sattva, rajas, tamas). ‘Nirguṇa’ means transcending these qualities, implying that Shiva is beyond all material distinctions and limitations, pure consciousness.
निर्विकल्पं	Nirvikalpam
Without alternatives, changeless, without conceptual differentiation Vikalpa means doubt, imagination, or modification. ‘Nirvikalpa’ means without any modifications, variations, or dualities. It implies a state of pure, undifferentiated consciousness, beyond all conceptual constructs.
निरीहं	Nirīham
Without desires or efforts Iha means desire, wish, or effort. ‘Nirīha’ describes one who is devoid of any personal desires, needs, or motivations, acting purely out of their divine nature without attachment to outcomes.

Sentence - 4

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चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम् ॥

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Meaning

I worship Him who is the consciousness-space and resides in the ether (sky).

Meaning of Words

चिदाकाशम्	Cidākāśam
Consciousness-space, pure consciousness like space Cit means consciousness and Akasha means space or ether. ‘Cidākāśam’ refers to the infinite expanse of pure consciousness, boundless and all-pervading like space itself.
आकाशवासं	Ākāśavāsam
Residing in the sky or ether Akasha means sky or ether, and Vasam means dwelling or residing. This signifies that Shiva is not bound by any physical dwelling but pervades and resides in the vast, infinite ether, indicating His omnipresence.
भजेऽहम्	Bhaje’ham
Bhaje means ‘I worship’ or ‘I adore’, and Aham means ‘I’. This declares the devotee’s act of devotion and surrender.

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