Arunachala Ashtakam
Arunachala Ashtakam is a famous hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya. This hymn is dedicated to the Arunachaleshwar form of Lord Shiva. Arunachal Mountain, also known as “Thiruvannamalai”, is located in Tamil Nadu and is considered to symbolize the fire form of Shiva. Arunachal Ashtakam is recited for devotion, reverence and enlightenment towards Lord Shiva.
Arunachala Ashtakam Importance
Arunachal Ashtakam is full of profound thoughts leading to self-knowledge, spirituality and ultimate truth. It elaborates the essence of human life, the mystery of the universe and the idea of union of the soul with the divine. This Ashtakam is a collection of eight verses, in which the Arunachal mountain is described in a unique and divine manner.
Features of Arunachal Ashtakam Strotra
- Path to Enlightenment : Arunachal Ashtakam shows the depth of connection between soul and God. It explains that the soul must recognize the truth within itself.
- Advaita Darshan : This hymn reflects Shankaracharya’s Advaita Darshan, which states that the soul and Brahman are one and the same.
- Coordination of Devotion and Knowledge : This hymn presents devotion and knowledge together, thereby attaining spiritual peace and liberation for the seeker.
Significance of Thiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai, where the Arunachal Mountains are located, is a major pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Shiva. Every year on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, the “Deepam” festival is celebrated here, in which a lamp is lit on top of the mountain. It is considered to symbolize the fire form of Shiva.
In Other Language
Arunachala Ashtakam In English
darśanādabhrasadasi jananātkamalālayē ।
kāśyāṃ tu maraṇānmuktiḥ smaraṇādaruṇāchalē ॥ 1 ॥
karuṇāpūritāpāṅgaṃ śaraṇāgatavatsalam ।
taruṇēndujaṭāmauliṃ smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 2 ॥
samastajagadādhāraṃ sachchidānandavigraham ।
sahasrarathasōpētaṃ smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 3 ॥
kāñchanapratimābhāsaṃ vāñChitārthaphalapradam ।
māṃ cha rakṣa surādhyakṣaṃ smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 4 ॥
baddhachandrajaṭājūṭamardhanārīkalēbaram ।
vardhamānadayāmbhōdhiṃ smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 5 ॥
kāñchanapratimābhāsaṃ sūryakōṭisamaprabham ।
baddhavyāghrapurīdhyānaṃ smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 6 ॥
śikṣayākhiladēvāri bhakṣitakṣvēlakandharam ।
rakṣayākhilabhaktānāṃ smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 7 ॥
aṣṭabhūtisamāyuktamiṣṭakāmaphalapradam ।
śiṣṭabhaktisamāyuktān smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 8 ॥
vināyakasurādhyakṣaṃ viṣṇubrahmēndrasēvitam ।
vimalāruṇapādābjaṃ smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 9 ॥
mandāramallikājātikundachampakapaṅkajaiḥ ।
indrādipūjitāṃ dēvīṃ smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 10 ॥
sampatkaraṃ pārvatīśaṃ sūryachandrāgnilōchanam ।
mandasmitamukhāmbhōjaṃ smaraṇādaruṇāchalam ॥ 11 ॥
iti śrīaruṇāchalāṣṭakam ॥
