Chidambarashtakam

Chidambharashtakam
(The octet on Lord of Chidambara)

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(The presiding deity of Chidambaram is Lord Shiva in the dancing pose called as Nataraja. This unusual prayer is addressed to the Linga in Chidambara Temple and is similar to Lingashtakam)

Brahma mukhamara vanditha lingam,
Janma jaraa maranathaka lingam,
Karma nivarana koushala lingam,
Thanmrudhu pathu Chidambara Lingam. 1

The linga worshipped by Lord Brahma and other devas,
The linga which destroys the pain of birth, old age and death,
The linga which is clever to destroy the results of actions,
The linga of Chidambaram which protects its devotees.

Kalpaka moola prathishitha lingam,
Darpaga nasa yudhishtira lingam,
Kuprakruthi prakaranthaka lingam,
Thanmrudhu pathu Chidambara Lingam. 2

The linga which was consecrated below the Kalpaga tree,
The linga which destroys the pride of those who fight with it,
The linga which changes bad nature of people,
The linga of Chidambaram which protects its devotees.

Skanda Ganeswara Kalpitha lingam,
Kinnara charana gayaka lingam,
Pannaga bhooshana pavaka lingam,
Thanmrudhu pathu Chidambara Lingam. 3

The linga made by Lord Subrahmanya and Ganapathi,
The linga which is sung by singers Kinnaras, Charanas ,
The holy linga which is ornamented by a snake,
The linga of Chidambaram which protects its devotees.

Samba sadashiva Sankara lingam,
Kamya vara pradha komala lingam,
Samya viheena sumanasa lingam,
Thanmrudhu pathu Chidambara Lingam. 4

The Linga which is Samba, Shankara and Sadashiva,
The pretty linga which grants sought after boons,
The incomparable linga which has a holy mind,
The linga of Chidambaram which protects its devotees

Kali mala kanana pavaka lingam,
Salila tharanga vibhooshana lingam,
Palitha pathanga pradheepaka lingam,
Thanmrudhu pathu Chidambara Lingam. 5

The linga which removes the forest like problems of Kali age,
The linga which wears a river as its ornament,
The linga which energized the old bird,
The linga of Chidambaram which protects its devotees

Ashta thanu prathi bhasura lingam,
Vishtapa nadha vikaswara lingam,
Sishta janaa vana seelitha lingam,
Thanmrudhu pathu Chidambara Lingam. 6

The linga which shines as eight bodies,
The linga , which brings us to the lord of the world ,
The linga which teaches the right path to good people,
The linga of Chidambaram which protects its devotees

Anthaka mardhana bhandhura lingam,
Krithitha kama kalebhara lingam,
Jandhu hrudhi sthitha jeevaka lingam,
Thanmrudhu pathu Chidambara Lingam. 7

The friendly linga which killed the god of death,
The linga which killed the God of love,
The linga of life which stats in the heart of all beings,
The linga of Chidambaram which protects its devotees

Pusthadhiya suchi chidambhara lingam,
Drushtamidham manasanu padanthi,
Ashtaka metha vang manaseeyam,
Ashtathanum prathi yanthi narasthe. 8


The linga of Chidambara which increases one’s fame,
If either seen by one or meditated by the mind,
Or if these words of the octet are read with devotion,
Would lead the men towards lord Shiva.