From the time immemorial, innumerable astakas (prayer with eight stanza) have been written praising the glory of Shiva, the ultimate creator and sustainers and recycler of the universe. These astakas have been popularly known as Lingastak, Rudrastak, Bilvastak and Shivastaka. There are many which are named as Shivastaka. The one presented here is written by Adi guru Shankaracharya himself and praises the parambrahma Shiva.

Tags: astak, shankaracharya, Shiva