Shiva Ramashtakam praising Shiva, Rama and their divine unity; it is especially suited for morning recitation with a focused mind.
Shiva Ramashtakam Stotram
शिव रामाष्टकम स्तोत्रम
॥ श्री शिवरामाष्टकस्तोत्रम् ॥
शिवहरे शिवराम सखे प्रभो, त्रिविधताप-निवारण हे विभो।
अज जनेश्वर यादव पाहि मां, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥१॥
कमल लोचन राम दयानिधे, हर गुरो गजरक्षक गोपते।
शिवतनो भव शङ्कर पाहिमां, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥२॥
स्वजनरञ्जन मङ्गलमन्दिर, भजति तं पुरुषं परं पदम्।
भवति तस्य सुखं परमाद्भुतं, शिवहरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥३॥
जय युधिष्ठिर-वल्लभ भूपते, जय जयार्जित-पुण्यपयोनिधे।
जय कृपामय कृष्ण नमोऽस्तुते, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥४॥
भवविमोचन माधव मापते, सुकवि-मानस हंस शिवारते।
जनक जारत माधव रक्षमां, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥५॥
अवनि-मण्डल-मङ्गल मापते, जलद सुन्दर राम रमापते।
निगम-कीर्ति-गुणार्णव गोपते, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥६॥
पतित-पावन-नाममयी लता, तव यशो विमलं परिगीयते।
तदपि माधव मां किमुपेक्षसे, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥७॥
अमर तापर देव रमापते, विनयतस्तव नाम धनोपमम्।
मयि कथं करुणार्णव जायते, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥८॥
हनुमतः प्रिय चाप कर प्रभो, सुरसरिद्-धृतशेखर हे गुरो।
मम विभो किमु विस्मरणं कृतं, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥९॥
नर हरेति परम् जन सुन्दरं, पठति यः शिवरामकृतस्तवम्।
विशति राम-रमा चरणाम्बुजे, शिव हरे विजयं कुरू मे वरम् ॥१०॥
प्रातरूथाय यो भक्त्या पठदेकाग्रमानसः।
विजयो जायते तस्य विष्णु सान्निध्यमाप्नुयात् ॥११॥
Meaning of Shiva Ramashtakam
The central theme of Shiva Ramashtakam is the devotional remembrance of Shiva and Rama together. The opening verse addresses Shiva, Hari and Rama as the Lord who removes the three kinds of suffering and asks for protection and victory.
The verses use names associated with Rama, Shiva, Krishna and Vishnu, reflecting a devotional view in which these divine forms are praised together rather than treated as separate objects of worship. Rama is remembered as the compassionate Lord, while Shiva is praised through names such as Shankara and the Lord who bears the sacred Ganga.
A recurring prayer throughout the Stotram is: “शिव हरे विजयं कुरु मे वरम्” — a prayer asking the Lord to grant victory as a divine blessing.
The Stotram can therefore be recited to deepen devotion toward Shiva and Rama, seek their grace and protection, and cultivate confidence and spiritual steadiness.
Importance of Shiva Ramashtakam
This Shiva Ramashtakam contains 10 principal verses followed by an 11th concluding verse describing the result of recitation. The commonly published text identifies it as a composition of Sri Ramananda Swami.
The hymn is distinctive because it repeatedly brings together the names and qualities of Shiva, Rama and Hari/Vishnu. It also invokes Krishna, Hanuman and Lakshmana-related imagery, creating a broad Vaishnava-Shaiva devotional theme.
The ninth verse remembers Hanuman as dear to Rama, while the tenth verse describes the spiritual destination of one who recites the Shiva-Rama hymn with devotion.
Which Day-Time to Recite?
- Monday — suitable for Shiva worship.
- Thursday — suitable for devotees who emphasize Rama/Vishnu worship.
- Rama Navami — appropriate for worship of Lord Rama.
- Maha Shivaratri — appropriate for Shiva-focused worship.
The clearest instruction comes from the final verse:
“प्रातरुत्थाय यो भक्त्या पठदेकाग्रमानसः”
It recommends reciting the Stotram in the morning after rising, with devotion and a focused mind.