Banasura Krita Shiva Stotram
बाणासुरकृतं शिवस्तोत्रम्
Sanskrit
वन्दे सुराणां सारं च सुरेशं नीललोहितम् । योगीश्वरं योगबीजं योगिनां च गुरोर्गुरुम् ॥
Transliteration
vande surāṇāṃ sāraṃ ca sureśaṃ nīlalohitam | yogīśvaraṃ yogabījaṃ yogīnāṃ ca guror gurum ||
Translation
I bow to the essence of the gods, the lord of gods, dark-blue and red in hue, the lord of yogis, the seed of yoga, and the guru of the gurus of yogis.
Deep Meaning
Banasura said: I bow to Shiva, the essence of the gods and the lord of all the hosts of gods, whose colour is blue and red, who is the lord of yogis, the seed of yoga, and the guru even of the gurus of yogis.
Sanskrit
ज्ञानानन्दं ज्ञानरूपं ज्ञानबीजं सनातनम् । तपसां फलदातारं दातारं सर्वसम्पदाम् ॥
Transliteration
jñānānandaṃ jñānarūpaṃ jñānabījaṃ sanātanam | tapasāṃ phaladātāraṃ dātāraṃ sarvasampadām ||
Translation
The bliss of knowledge, the form of knowledge, the seed of knowledge, eternal, the bestower of the fruits of austerities, and the giver of all prosperities.
Deep Meaning
I bow to Shankara, who is of the nature of bliss and knowledge, the seed of knowledge, the eternal deity, the giver of the fruits of austerity and the giver of all wealth.
Sanskrit
तपोरूपं तपोबीजं तपोधनधनं वरम् । वरं वरेण्यं वरदमीड्यं सिद्धगणैर्वरैः ॥
Transliteration
taporūpaṃ tapobījaṃ tapodhanadhanaṃ varam | varaṃ vareṇyaṃ varadam īḍyaṃ siddhagaṇair varaiḥ ||
Translation
The form of austerity, the seed of austerity, the supreme treasure of those whose wealth is austerity, excellent, desirable, giver of boons, worthy of praise by excellent hosts of perfected beings.
Deep Meaning
I bow to Shankara, who is the form of austerity, the seed of austerity, the wealth of the austere, the best, the excellent, the giver of boons, worthy of praise by the best of the perfected beings.
Sanskrit
कारणं भुक्तिमुक्तीनां नरकार्णवतारणम् । आशुतोषं प्रसन्नास्यं करुणामयसागरम् ॥
Transliteration
kāraṇaṃ bhuktimuktīnāṃ narakārṇavatāraṇam | āśutoṣaṃ prasannāsyaṃ karuṇāmayasāgaram ||
Translation
The cause of enjoyment and liberation, the deliverer across the ocean of hell, easily pleased, of gracious face, an ocean filled with compassion.
Deep Meaning
I bow to Shiva, the cause of enjoyment and liberation, who carries people across the ocean of hell, who is quickly pleased, whose face is gracious, and who is the ocean of compassion.
Sanskrit
हिमचन्दनकुन्देन्दुकुमुदाम्भोजसंनिभम् । ब्रह्मज्योतिःस्वरूपं च भक्तानुग्रहविग्रहम् ॥
Transliteration
himacandanakundendukumudāmbhojasaṃnibham | brahmajyotiḥsvarūpaṃ ca bhaktānugrahavigraham ||
Translation
Resembling snow, sandalwood, the kunda flower, the moon, the white lily and the white lotus, the embodiment of the light of Brahman, assuming forms to grace his devotees.
Deep Meaning
I bow to Shiva, whose body is as bright as snow, sandalwood, jasmine, the moon and the white lotus, who is of the form of Brahman's light, and who takes forms out of grace to devotees.
Sanskrit
विषयाणां विभेदेन बिभ्रन्तं बहुरूपकम् । जलरूपमग्निरूपमाकाशरूपमीश्वरम् ॥
Transliteration
viṣayāṇāṃ vibhedena bibhrantaṃ bahurūpakam | jalarūpam agnirūpam ākāśarūpam īśvaram ||
Translation
Assuming many forms according to the diversity of sense-objects; whose forms are water, fire, sky, the Lord -
Deep Meaning
I bow to Shiva, who takes many forms according to the divisions of objects, whose forms are water, fire and space, the Lord of the universe.
Sanskrit
वायुरूपं चन्द्ररूपं सूर्यरूपं महत्प्रभुम् । आत्मनः स्वपदं दातुं समर्थमवलीलया ॥
Transliteration
vāyurūpaṃ candrarūpaṃ sūryarūpaṃ mahatprabhum | ātmanaḥ svapadaṃ dātuṃ samartham avalīlayā ||
Translation
Whose forms are air, moon, sun, the great master, capable effortlessly of bestowing his own state upon souls -
Deep Meaning
The Lord, whose forms are air, the moon and the sun, the great lord, who can give the abode of the self effortlessly in play.
Sanskrit
भक्तजीवनमीशं च भक्तानुग्रहकातरम् । वेदा न शक्ता यं स्तोतुं किमहं स्तौमि तं प्रभुम् ॥
Transliteration
bhaktajīvanam īśaṃ ca bhaktānugrahakātaram | vedā na śaktā yaṃ stotuṃ kim ahaṃ staumi taṃ prabhum ||
Translation
The life of devotees, the Lord, anxious to bestow grace upon devotees; even the Vedas are not able to praise him - how then shall I praise that Lord?
Deep Meaning
The life of devotees, the Lord, who is eager to show grace to devotees: the Vedas cannot praise him, so what can I praise? I praise that Lord.
Sanskrit
अपरिच्छिन्नमीशानमहो वाङ्मनसोः परम् । व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरधरं वृषभस्थं दिगम्बरम् । त्रिशूलपट्टिशधरं सस्मितं चन्द्रशेखरम् ॥
Transliteration
aparicchinnam īśānam aho vāṅmanasoḥ param | vyāghracarmāmbaradharaṃ vṛṣabhasthaṃ digambaram | triśūlapaṭṭiśadharaṃ sasmitaṃ candraśekharam ||
Translation
Unconditioned, the Lord, ah, beyond speech and mind! Wearing a tiger-skin garment or space-clad (unclothed), seated on a bull, bearing a trident and spear, smiling, Chandrashekhara.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the one Lord, beyond the limits of place, time and substance, beyond the reach of mind and speech. He wears the tiger's skin or is naked, rides the bull, holds the trident and the club, and has a face beautiful with a gentle smile. I bow to Chandrashekhara.
Sanskrit
इत्युक्त्वा स्तवराजेन नित्यं बाणः सुसंयतः । प्रणमेच्छङ्करं भक्त्या दुर्वासाश्च मुनीश्वरः ॥
Transliteration
ity uktvā stavarājena nityaṃ bāṇaḥ susaṃyataḥ | praṇamec chaṅkaraṃ bhaktyā durvāsāś ca munīśvaraḥ ||
Translation
Having spoken thus with this king of hymns, Banasura, well-restrained, praised and bowed to Shankara daily with devotion, as did Durvasa, chief of sages.
Deep Meaning
Banasura, always restrained, recited this hymn of praise with devotion and bowed to Shankara. Durvasa, the lord of sages, did the same.
Sanskrit
इदं दत्तं वसिष्ठेन गन्धर्वाय पुरा मुने । कथितं च महास्तोत्रं शूलिनः परमाद्भुतम् ॥
Transliteration
idaṃ dattaṃ vasiṣṭhena gandharvāya purā mune | kathitaṃ ca mahāstotraṃ śūlinaḥ paramādbhutam ||
Translation
O sage! In ancient times this was given by Vasishtha to a Gandharva, this most wonderful great hymn of the trident-bearer spoken.
Deep Meaning
O sage, Vasishtha once gave this great and wonderful hymn of Shulin to the Gandharva. (The commentary covers verses 11 and 12 together.)
Sanskrit
इदं स्तोत्रं महापुण्यं पठेद् भक्त्या च यो नरः । स्नानस्य सर्वतीर्थानां फलमाप्नोति निश्चितम् ॥
Transliteration
idaṃ stotraṃ mahāpuṇyaṃ paṭhed bhaktyā ca yo naraḥ | snānasya sarvatīrthānāṃ phalam āpnoti niścitam ||
Translation
Whatever person recites this supremely meritorious hymn with devotion, surely obtains the fruit of bathing in all sacred pilgrimage waters.
Deep Meaning
A person who recites this supremely sacred hymn with devotion surely obtains the fruit of bathing in all the holy waters. (The commentary covers verses 11 and 12 together.)
Sanskrit
अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं वर्षमेकं शृणोति यः । संयतश्च हविष्याशी प्रणम्य शङ्करं गुरुम् ॥
Transliteration
aputro labhate putraṃ varṣam ekaṃ śṛṇoti yaḥ | saṃyataś ca haviṣyāśī praṇamya śaṅkaraṃ gurum ||
Translation
He who is sonless obtains a son if he listens for one year, self-restrained, eating sacrificial food, bowing to Shankara the Guru.
Deep Meaning
A person who, restrained and eating only what is offered, bows to Shankara, the guru, and hears this for one year, surely gets a son if he was childless.
Sanskrit
गलत्कुष्ठी महाशूली वर्षमेकं शृणोति यः । अवश्यं मुच्यते रोगाद् व्यासवाक्यमिति श्रुतम् ॥
Transliteration
galatkuṣṭhī mahāśūlī varṣam ekaṃ śṛṇoti yaḥ | avaśyaṃ mucyate rogād vyāsavākyam iti śrutam ||
Translation
One afflicted with advanced leprosy or severe colic, who listens for one year, is surely freed from the disease; so it is heard as Vyasa's statement.
Deep Meaning
A person suffering from leprosy or severe colic, who hears this for one year, is surely freed from the disease, as the sage Vyasa said.
Sanskrit
कारागारेऽपि बद्धो यो नैव प्राप्नोति निर्वृतिम् । स्तोत्रं श्रुत्वा मासमेकं मुच्यते बन्धनाद् ध्रुवम् ॥
Transliteration
kārāgāre 'pi baddho yo naiva prāpnoti nirvṛtim | stotraṃ śrutvā māsam ekaṃ mucyate bandhanād dhruvam ||
Translation
Even one bound in prison who finds no peace at all, after listening to the hymn for one month, is surely freed from bondage.
Deep Meaning
A person bound in a prison, who could not find peace, is freed from the bond surely after hearing this hymn for one month.
Sanskrit
भ्रष्टराज्यो लभेद् राज्यं भक्त्या मासं शृणोति यः । मासं श्रुत्वा संयतश्च लभेद् भ्रष्टधनो धनम् ॥
Transliteration
bhraṣṭarājyo labhed rājyaṃ bhaktyā māsaṃ śṛṇoti yaḥ | māsaṃ śrutvā saṃyataś ca labhed bhraṣṭadhano dhanam ||
Translation
One fallen from kingdom regains his kingdom if he listens with devotion for a month; listening for a month self-restrained, one deprived of wealth gains wealth.
Deep Meaning
A man who has lost his kingdom regains it if he hears this with devotion for one month. Having heard it for a month with restraint, a man who has lost his wealth obtains wealth.
Sanskrit
यक्ष्मग्रस्तो वर्षमेकमास्तिको यः शृणोति चेत् । निश्चितं मुच्यते रोगाच्छङ्करस्य प्रसादतः ॥
Transliteration
yakṣmagrasto varṣam ekam āstiko yaḥ śṛṇoti cet | niścitaṃ mucyate rogāc chaṅkarasya prasādataḥ ||
Translation
If a faithful person afflicted with consumption listens for one year, he is surely freed from the disease by Shankara's grace.
Deep Meaning
A person with consumption who hears this for one year, if he is devout, is surely freed from the disease through the grace of Shankara.
Sanskrit
यः शृणोति सदा भक्त्या स्तवराजमिमं द्विज । तस्यासाध्यं त्रिभुवने नास्ति किंचिच्च शौनक ॥
Transliteration
yaḥ śṛṇoti sadā bhaktyā stavarājam imaṃ dvija | tasyāsādhyaṃ tribhovane nāsti kiñcic ca śaunaka ||
Translation
O twice-born Shaunaka! For him who always listens to this king of hymns with devotion, nothing whatever is impossible in the three worlds.
Deep Meaning
Brahmin Shaunaka: nothing is unattainable for a person in the three worlds who hears this Stavaraja every day with devotion.
Sanskrit
कदाचिद् बन्धुविच्छेदो न भवेत् तस्य भारते । अचलं परमैश्वर्यं लभते नात्र संशयः ॥
Transliteration
kadācid bandhuvicchedo na bhavet tasya bhārate | acalaṃ paramaiśvaryaṃ labhate nātra saṃśayaḥ ||
Translation
For him in Bharata there is never separation from kinsmen; he attains unshakeable supreme sovereignty - of this there is no doubt.
Deep Meaning
Such a person never suffers separation from his kin in Bharata. He obtains steady and supreme prosperity, and there is no doubt about this.
Sanskrit
सुसंयतोऽतिभक्त्या च मासमेकं शृणोति यः । अभार्यो लभते भार्यां सुविनीतां सतीं वराम् ॥
Transliteration
susaṃyato 'tibhaktyā ca māsam ekaṃ śṛṇoti yaḥ | abhāryo labhate bhāryāṃ suvinītāṃ satīṃ varām ||
Translation
He who, well-restrained and with intense devotion, listens for one month, if wifeless, gains a modest, chaste, excellent wife.
Deep Meaning
A person who hears this for a month with great devotion and restraint, if he is without a wife, obtains a modest and virtuous wife.
Sanskrit
महामूर्खश्च दुर्मेधो मासमेकं शृणोति यः । बुद्धिं विद्यां च लभते गुरूपदेशमात्रतः ॥
Transliteration
mahāmūrkhaś ca durmedho māsam ekaṃ śṛṇoti yaḥ | buddhiṃ vidyāṃ ca labhate gurūpadeśamātrataḥ ||
Translation
Even a great fool or one of poor intellect who listens for one month, gains intellect and knowledge merely by the guru's instruction.
Deep Meaning
A person who is very foolish and of little intellect and hears this for a month obtains intellect and learning, by the mere instruction of the teacher.
Sanskrit
कर्मदुःखी दरिद्रश्च मासं भक्त्या शृणोति यः । ध्रुवं वित्तं भवेत् तस्य शङ्करस्य प्रसादतः ॥
Transliteration
karmaduḥkhī daridraś ca māsaṃ bhaktyā śṛṇoti yaḥ | dhruvaṃ vittaṃ bhavet tasya śaṅkarasya prasādataḥ ||
Translation
One distressed by karma and poor who listens with devotion for a month, surely obtains wealth by Shankara's grace.
Deep Meaning
A person who is unhappy and poor by the fate of past deeds, and who hears this with devotion, surely gets wealth through the grace of Shankara.
Sanskrit
इहलोके सुखं भुक्त्वा कृत्वा कीर्तिं सुदुर्लभाम् । नानाप्रकारधर्मं च यात्यन्ते शङ्करालयम् ॥
Transliteration
ihaloke sukhaṃ bhuktvā kṛtvā kīrtiṃ sudurlabhām | nānāprakāradharmaṃ ca yāty ante śaṅkarālayam ||
Translation
Having enjoyed happiness in this world, attained rare fame, and performed various kinds of dharma, at the end he goes to Shankara's abode -
Deep Meaning
Enjoying happiness in this world and winning rare fame, and practising many kinds of dharma, such a person at the end goes to the abode of Shankara.
Sanskrit
पार्षदप्रवरो भूत्वा सेवते तत्र शङ्करम् । यः शृणोति त्रिसंध्यं च नित्यं स्तोत्रमनुत्तमम् ॥
Transliteration
pārṣadapravaro bhūtvā sevate tatra śaṅkaram | yaḥ śṛṇoti trisandhyaṃ ca nityaṃ stotram anuttamam ||
Translation
Becoming a foremost attendant, he serves Shankara there - he who listens daily at the three junctures to this unexcelled hymn.
Deep Meaning
A person who hears this supreme hymn at the three twilights every day becomes a chief attendant there and serves Shiva. (The commentary covers verses 23 and 24 together.)