Rudrashtakam - 3¶

The Shloka¶

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तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरं गभीरं मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्रीशरीरम् ।

स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनीचारुगङ्गा लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजङ्गा ॥

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Tushārādrisaṁkāśagauram gabhīram manobhūtakoṭiprabhāśrīśarīram ।

Sphuranmaulikalollinīcārugaṅgā lasadbhālabālendu kaṇṭhe bhujaṅgā ॥

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Meaning / Summary¶

This shloka is significant as it beautifully encapsulates several iconic attributes of Lord Shiva. It portrays his ascetic yet beautiful form, his connection with nature (Himalayas, Ganga, Moon, Serpents), and his profound spiritual depth. It evokes a sense of reverence and devotion, allowing devotees to visualize and meditate upon his divine characteristics, which represent purity, power, serenity, and detachment.

(O Lord Shiva) whose body is fair like a heap of snow (Himalayas), who is profound, whose body has the splendor of millions of Cupids, on whose shining head is the beautiful Ganga with its waves, whose forehead shines with the crescent moon, and around whose neck are serpents.

This verse describes the majestic and awe-inspiring form of Lord Shiva, highlighting key attributes such as his snow-white complexion, profound nature, immense beauty surpassing millions of Cupids, the presence of the holy Ganga on his matted locks, the crescent moon adorning his forehead, and serpents around his neck. It paints a vivid picture of his divine appearance.

This verse offers a rich visual description of Lord Shiva. ‘Tushārādrisaṁkāśagauram’ refers to his complexion being as pure and white as the snow-capped mountains (Tushārādri, meaning Himalayas or mountains of snow), symbolizing his purity and association with the serene heights. ‘Gabhīram’ signifies his profound and deep nature, implying his unfathomable wisdom and mystery. ‘Manobhūtakoṭiprabhāśrīśarīram’ praises his beauty, stating that his body possesses a splendor that surpasses millions of Manobhūta (Cupid or Kama, the god of love and beauty), indicating a divine and spiritual beauty that transcends worldly charm. ‘Sphuranmaulikalollinīcārugaṅgā’ describes the beautiful river Ganga, with its shimmering waves, flowing from his matted locks (mauli), symbolizing his role as the sustainer of life and purity. ‘Lasadbhālabālendu’ refers to the crescent moon (bālendu, new moon) shining on his forehead (bhāla), a symbol of knowledge, peace, and the control over time. Finally, ‘kaṇṭhe bhujaṅgā’ mentions the serpents (bhujaṅgā) around his neck (kaṇṭhe), representing his control over dangerous forces, his mastery over the primordial energy (Kundalini), and his role as the Lord of all beings, including those feared by others. Together, these descriptions create a powerful image of Lord Shiva as both majestic and auspicious.

Sentence - 1¶

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तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरं गभीरम्

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Meaning¶

He is fair and profound, resembling snow-capped mountains.

Meaning of Words¶

तुषाराद्रिसंकाशगौरम्	Tushārādrisaṁkāśagauram
Fair like a snow mountain Tushārādri means ‘mountain of snow’ or specifically ‘Himalayas’. Saṁkāśa means ‘resembling’ or ‘like’. Gaura means ‘fair’, ‘white’, or ‘brilliant’. This describes Lord Shiva’s complexion as pure and white as the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas, symbolizing his purity, serenity, and transcendent nature.
गभीरम्	Gabhīram
Profound Deep, serious, unfathomable. It indicates Lord Shiva’s immense wisdom, tranquil nature, and mysterious depths that are beyond ordinary human comprehension.

Sentence - 2¶

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मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्रीशरीरम्

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Meaning¶

Whose body possesses the splendor of millions of Cupids.

Meaning of Words¶

मनोभूतकोटिप्रभाश्रीशरीरम्	Manobhūtakoṭiprabhāśrīśarīram
Body with the splendor of millions of Cupids Manobhūta (literally ‘born from the mind’) refers to Kama or Cupid, the Hindu god of love and beauty. Koṭi means ‘crore’ or ‘ten million’, signifying a vast, innumerable quantity. Prabhā means ‘luster’, ‘splendor’, or ‘radiance’. Śrī means ‘beauty’ or ‘grace’. Śarīram means ‘body’. Thus, it describes Lord Shiva’s divine form as possessing an unparalleled beauty and radiance that far exceeds that of millions of worldly beings, including the god of beauty himself, signifying a transcendental and captivating allure.

Sentence - 3¶

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स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनीचारुगङ्गा

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Meaning¶

On whose shining head is the beautiful Ganga with its waves.

Meaning of Words¶

स्फुरन्मौलिकल्लोलिनीचारुगङ्गा	Sphuranmaulikalollinīcārugaṅgā
The beautiful Ganga with waves on his shining head Sphuran means ‘shining’ or ‘gleaming’. Mauli refers to the ‘head’ or ‘crown’, often specifically the matted locks of Lord Shiva. Kallolinī means ‘river with waves’ or ‘wave-bearing river’. Cāru means ‘beautiful’ or ‘charming’. Gaṅgā refers to the sacred river Ganges. This phrase describes the river Ganga, with its beautiful waves, cascading from Lord Shiva’s radiant matted hair, a well-known depiction of his role in bearing the Ganga during its descent to Earth.

Sentence - 4¶

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लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजङ्गा

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Meaning¶

Whose forehead shines with the crescent moon, and around whose neck are serpents.

Meaning of Words¶

लसद्भालबालेन्दु	Lasadbhālabālendu
Forehead shining with the crescent moon Lasat means ‘shining’ or ‘gleaming’. Bhāla means ‘forehead’. Bālendu means ‘crescent moon’ or ‘new moon’. This refers to the iconic representation of Shiva with the crescent moon adorning his forehead, symbolizing his mastery over time, his coolness, and his illuminating wisdom.
कण्ठे	Kaṇṭhe
On the neck Kaṇṭha means ‘neck’. The suffix ‘-e’ denotes the locative case, meaning ‘on’ or ‘in’ the neck. This indicates the serpents are coiled around his neck.
भुजङ्गा	Bhujaṅgā
Serpents This refers to the snakes or cobras that Lord Shiva often wears as ornaments around his neck, symbolizing his control over primal forces, his detachment from fear, and his identity as Pasupatinath (Lord of all creatures, including snakes).