108 Names for 108 Blessings: How Chanting Shiva’s Mantras Can Elevate Your Life

Do you ever feel a longing for something more in life? A deeper connection to yourself, the universe, or even the divine? The ancient practice of chanting Shiva’s 108 names, known as the Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali, might be the key you’ve been seeking.

No.	Hindi	English	Meaning
1	शिव	Shiva	The Auspicious One
2	महेश्वर	Maheshwara	The Great Lord/God
3	शम्भू	Shambhu	The Benevolent One, Source of Happiness
4	पिनाकी	Pinaki	The Bearer of Pinaka (Shiva’s bow)
5	शशिशेखर	Shashishekhara	The One Who Has the Moon on His Head
6	वामदेव	Vamadeva	The Handsome One
7	विरूपाक्ष	Virupaksha	Three-Eyed Lord, The One with the Unique Eye
8	कपर्दी	Kapardi	The One with Matted Hair
9	नीललोहित	Neelalohita	Blue-Throated One (due to poison consumption)
10	शंकर	Shankara	The Benevolent One, Granter of Happiness
11	शूलपाणि	Shoolapani	The Bearer of the Trident
12	खटवांगी	Khatvangi	The Bearer of Khatvanga (a club)
13	विष्णुवल्लभ	Vishnuvallabha	Beloved of Lord Vishnu
14	शिपिविष्ट	Shipivishta	Entered the Womb of Sita
15	अंबिकानाथ	Ambikanatha	Consort of Ambika (Parvati)
16	श्रीकण्ठ	Shrikantha	The One with a Beautiful Neck
17	भक्तवत्सल	Bhaktavatsala	Lover of Devotees
18	भव	Bhava	The Source of Existence
19	शर्व	Sharva	The Destroyer
20	त्रिलोकेश	Trilokesha	Lord of the Three Worlds
21	शितिकण्ठ	Shitikantha	Blue-Necked One
22	शिवप्रिय	Shivpriya	Dear to Shiva
23	उग्र	Ugra	The Fierce One
24	कपाली	Kapali	The One Who Wears a Garland of Skulls
25	कामारी	Kamari	The Enemy of Kamadeva (god of desire)
26	अन्धकान्तक	Andhakantaka	Destroyer of Andhaka (a demon)
27	मृत्युंजय	Mrityunjaya	Conqueror of Death
28	सर्व	Sarva	The All-Pervading One
29	त्रिपुरान्तक	Tripurantaka	Destroyer of Tripura (three demon cities)
30	जटाधर	Jatadhara	The One Who Has Matted Hair
31	गिरिश	Girisha	Lord of the Mountains
32	स्थाणु	Sthanu	The Immovable One
33	भर्ग	Bharga	The Radiant One
34	सदाशिव	Sadashiva	The Eternally Auspicious One
35	शिव	Shiva	The Benign One
36	हर	Hara	The Destroyer of Sins
37	मृड	Mrida	The Gentle One
38	पशुपति	Pashupati	Lord of the Animals
39	देव	Deva	The Shining One/God
40	महादेव	Mahadeva	The Great God
41	अव्यय	Avyaya	The Imperishable One
42	हरि	Hari	The Remover
43	भगवान्	Bhagavan	The Lord/God
44	प्रभु	Prabhu	The Master
45	ईश	Isha	The Supreme Ruler
46	स्रष्टा	Srashta	The Creator
47	उदभूत	Udbhava	The Self-Born
48	भूतभावन	Bhutabhavana	Lord of all Beings
49	पवित्र	Pavitra	The Pure One
50	पुण्य	Punya	The Holy One
51	सत्	Sat	The Truth/Reality
52	सत्चित्	Satchit	Existence-Consciousness
53	आनन्द	Ananda	Bliss
54	पार	Para	The Supreme/Beyond
55	ब्रह्म	Brahma	The Ultimate Reality/God
56	परमात्मा	Paramatma	The Supreme Soul
57	ज्योतिः	Jyotir	The Light
58	सूर्य	Surya	The Sun
59	आदित्य	Aditya	The Son of Aditi (the infinite space)
60	प्रधान	Pradhana	The Primordial Matter
61	अनन्त	Ananta	The Infinite One
62	मनः	Manah	The Mind
63	महान्	Mahan	The Great One
64	महान्तक	Mahantaka	The Destroyer of the Great
65	महातपाः	Mahatapah	The One Who Undertakes Great Penance
66	महायोगी	Mahayogi	The Great Yogi
67	महाबली	Mahabali	The One with Immense Strength
68	महाभूत	Mahabhuta	The Great Element
69	महानिधि	Mahanidhi	The Great Treasure
70	कुमार	Kumara	The Ever Youthful
71	ब्रह्मण्य	Brahmanya	Devoted to Brahman
72	ब्रह्मकृत्	Brahmakrit	The Creator of the Universe
73	ब्रह्मा	Brahma	The Creator/God
74	ब्रह्मविवर्धन	Brahmavivardhana	The Expander of the Universe
75	ब्रह्मद	Brahmad	Given to Brahman
76	ब्रह्मज्ञ	Brahmajna	The Knower of Brahman
77	ब्राह्मणप्रिय	Brahmanapriya	Dear to Brahmanas
78	महाकर्मा	Mahakarma	The One Who Performs Great Actions
79	महातेजाः	Mahatejah	The One with Great Splendour
80	महोरगः	Mahoragah	The Great Serpent
81	महाक्रतु	Mahakratu	The One Who Performs Great Sacrifices
82	महायज्ञ	Mahayajna	The Great Sacrifice
83	महाहविः	Mahahavih	The Great Oblation
84	स्तव्यः	Stavyah	The One Who is to be Praised
85	स्तवप्रिय	Stavpriya	Lover of Praise
86	स्तोत्र	Stotra	A Hymn of Praise
87	स्तुत	Stuta	The Praised One
88	रणप्रिय	Ranapriya	Lover of Battles
89	नित्य	Nitya	The Eternal One
90	शाश्वत	Shashwata	The Everlasting One
91	ध्रुव	Dhruva	The Firm/Fixed One
92	अज	Aja	The Unborn One
93	विक्रम	Vikrama	The Valiant One
94	भीम	Bhima	The Formidable One
95	प्रभु	Prabhu	The Master/Lord
96	वीर	Vira	The Hero
97	रुद्र	Rudra	The Howler/The Fierce One
98	बहुशिरः	Bahushira	The Many-Headed One
99	बभ्रु	Babhru	The Brown/Tawny One
100	विश्वयोनि	Vishvayoni	The Source of the Universe
101	शुचिश्रवाः	Shuchishravah	The One of Pure Fame
102	अमृत	Amrita	The Immortal One
103	शाश्वतस्थाणु	Shashwatasthanu	The Eternal Abode
104	वरः	Varah	The Boon-Giver
105	वर्धन	Vardhana	The Increaser/Prosperer
106	पुष्ट	Pushta	The Nourished/Well-Fed One
107	तारक	Taraka	The Saviour
108	परमेश्वर	Parameshvara	The Supreme Lord/God

What’s in a Name? The Power of Mantras

In Sanskrit, mantra translates to “instrument of thought.” These sacred sounds are believed to hold immense vibrational energy, capable of transforming our minds and spirits. Each of Shiva’s 108 names encapsulates a unique aspect of his divine nature – from the destroyer of negativity to the ultimate source of compassion.

Chanting for Blessings: A Path to Self-Discovery

Chanting these names isn’t just a ritual; it’s a journey of self-discovery. With each repetition, you:

• Cultivate Mindfulness: The rhythmic chanting helps you focus your mind, anchoring you in the present moment.
• Invoke Divine Qualities: By repeating names like “Shambhu” (the Auspicious One) or “Shankara” (the Benevolent One), you invite those qualities into your own being.
• Dissolve Negativity: Names like “Hara” (the Remover of Obstacles) help you release fears and anxieties.
• Connect to the Divine: Chanting Shiva’s names fosters a deeper connection to the divine energy that permeates the universe.

How to Incorporate Chanting into Your Life

1. Choose Your Setting: Find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed.
2. Set an Intention: Before you begin, clarify your purpose for chanting. Are you seeking peace, clarity, healing, or something else?
3. Use a Mala: A mala with 108 beads can help you keep track of your repetitions.
4. Repeat with Devotion: Chant each name with sincere devotion, focusing on its meaning.
5. Start Small: If chanting all 108 names feels overwhelming, begin with a smaller number and gradually increase.

Your Journey Begins Now

The path to enlightenment is a personal one. Chanting Shiva’s 108 names can be a powerful tool on that journey. If you’re ready to invite blessings, peace, and spiritual growth into your life, give this ancient practice a try.

Ready to embark on this transformative journey?