Goswami Tulsidas, who set it in the Ramcharitmanas - which is why it is the Shiva hymn most familiar to Hindi-speaking households, and why it is sung at Ramayana recitations as readily as at Shiva pujas.
What does its opening verse say?
Namami isham isana nirvana rupam - I bow to the Lord of lords, whose form is liberation itself, all-pervading, of the nature of Brahman and the Vedas. The first verses describe Shiva by negation, without form, without quality, without desire.
When is it recited?
Mondays, Pradosh, Shravan and Maha Shivaratri, during Rudrabhishek, and at the close of a Ramcharitmanas path. It is eight verses, so it fits a daily practice easily.
What is it recited for?
Its closing verse says that whoever recites it with devotion is graced by Shankara. Households turn to it particularly during illness and difficulty, alongside the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra.
Is it in Sanskrit or Hindi?
Sanskrit, though Tulsidas placed it inside an Awadhi work. It is straightforward Sanskrit with a strong rhythm, which is why so many people who do not read the language know it by heart.
About the Rudrashtakam
The Rudrashtakam - Goswami Tulsidas's eight-verse hymn to Lord Shiva (Rudra), sung by Lord Rama in the Ramcharitmanas.
Meaning
Tulsidas praises Shiva as the formless, blissful absolute, lord of the universe, ever-pure and compassionate, seeking his grace and devotion.
Benefits
A favourite daily Shiva hymn; recited for devotion, the removal of sins and afflictions, and to please Shiva quickly, as Rama pleased him with these very verses.
The Rudrashtakam above is given in both Devanagari (Sanskrit) and Roman transliteration so you can read it in whichever script you are comfortable with - switch between the two using the buttons above, share the link, or download a PDF.
A stotram is a longer Sanskrit hymn of praise, not a forty-verse chalisa and not the lamp-song of an aarti. Browse every stotra on the Stotram index. For japa of a short formula use a mantra. The steps of worship around the recitation are in Puja Vidhi.
