Greatness of Abhilasha Ashtaka

Greatness of Abhilasha Ashtaka

There is a Shiva Stotra called Abhilashashtakam. It is a Stotra that grants all desires if chanted with faith and devotion to Mahadeva.

On the banks of the river Narmada, there was a place called Narmapura. A Muni named Viswanara lived there. He was a very pious and noble soul and a great devotee of Mahadeva. Shuchishmati was his wife. They lived together for a long time.

One day, Shuchishmati came to Viswanara and said,
'I am very happy in my life with you. I have everything in my life. But I have one more wish. I want Lord Mahadeva to be born as my son. Please grant this wish of mine.'

Viswanara fell into deep thought. 'Oh, what kind of a wish is this? How can this be possible?'

But then, he pondered further. 'How did this wish ever come to her mind? It seems the great Shambhu himself must have inspired her to say this. His own will must have come out of her mouth as words.'

Viswanara decided to go to Kashi and started worshiping the Lord in the form of Veeresha Linga. He performed severe tapasya and did puja of Veeresha Linga three times a day. He continued this for one year.

One day, he had sakshat darshana of Parameswara in that Linga. The Lord appeared as an eight-year-old boy with beautiful, long eyes, sporting jata, wearing chitabhasma, and adorned with beautiful ornaments on his body.

The Muni, overwhelmed with devotion, began praising the Lord with a Stotra:

एकं ब्रह्म
You are the one and only Brahma Tattva. This entire universe is your own form. There is no second; only you exist. This is the ultimate truth. Other than Rudra, there is no other power in this universe. I take refuge in you, Mahesha.

कर्ता हर्ता
You are the creator. You are the annihilator. You are formless, but every being—living or non-living, every object of this universe—is your own form. Being formless yourself, you have transformed into the various forms perceived all around. Other than you, whom can I turn to? You are the one who has no master above you.

रज्जौ सर्पः
A rope from a distance may look like a snake, but when you get closer, you realize it is only a rope. A pearl oyster may appear like silver from afar, but upon closer observation, it is only an oyster. A desert mirage may seem like water from far away, but when approached, it vanishes.

In the same way, once the Tattva of Mahadeva is known, it becomes clear that this universe is merely an illusion. I take refuge in him.

तोये शैत्यं
The coolness in water, the power to burn in fire, the heat in the sun, the pleasantness in moonlight, the fragrance in flowers, and the ghee in milk—all these are nothing but you. I take refuge in you.

शब्दौ गृह्णासि
The Lord is described as the Shuddha Brahma Tattva in this Shloka.
You don’t have ears, yet you hear everything.
You don’t have a nose, yet you smell everything.
You don’t have legs, yet you move everywhere.
You don’t have eyes, yet you see everything.
You don’t have a tongue, yet you taste everything.
Who can ever understand your complete fullness? I take refuge in you.

नो वेदस्तवामीश
Even the Vedas don’t describe you fully. Even Lord Vishnu has not known you completely. Creator Brahma has not comprehended you fully. The greatest yogis and Devas like Indra have not understood you entirely. But you reveal yourself fully to your true devotees. I take refuge in you.

नो ते गोत्रं
You don’t belong to any particular gotra. You were never born. You don’t have a birth, a specific name, habits, or a nature of your own. You don’t belong to any particular place. You don’t stay in any specific location. This is your nature. You are the Lord of the three worlds and the fulfiller of all desires. I take refuge in you.

त्वत्तः सर्वं
The whole universe has come out of you. You are the Lord of Gauri and the embodiment of peace. Be it a child, youth, or elder, they are all you alone. You exist in all these states. There is nothing in which you are not present.

I offer my pranamas to you.

Bhagawan was very pleased with this Stuti. He told Viswanara to ask for a boon. Viswanara replied,
'O Lord, why are you making me say it? You already know what is in my mind. It is not my wish but the wish of my devout wife. Whatever you think is proper, please do accordingly.'

This shows the greatness of sages. They don’t demand specific things, as they know human intelligence is limited. They simply surrender to the divine will, trusting that the divinity will do what is best.

Parameswara said, 'I will soon take birth in the womb of Shuchishmati.'

This form of Agni is called Vaiswanara. The son of Viswanara is Vaiswanara, also known as Gruhapati, the Lord of the House. In ancient times, daily Agnihotra or Aupasana was performed at home, and Agni was kept unextinguished. This Agni was considered the Gruhapati, the protector of the house.

Mahadeva himself is the Vaiswanara Agni, Gruhapati Agni, born to the holy and pious couple Viswanara and Shuchishmati.

Now comes the most important part.

Bhagawan gave another blessing. He was so pleased with this Stotra that he declared,
'This Stotra is called Abhilashashtakam. Anyone who chants it three times a day for one year in front of me—in a Shiva temple, in front of a Shiva Linga, or a photo of Shankara—I will fulfill their desire for which this is done.

Chanting this Stotra will bestow children, grandchildren, wealth, Swarga, and even Moksha. This Stotra destroys all dangers and adversities in life. It is equal to all Stotras ever written.'

Giving these blessings, Lord Shambhu disappeared.

Learn this Stotra and chant it every day. If you have a specific desire, undertake the one-year, three-times-a-day chanting as told by Maheswara himself, and receive his blessings.

Knowledge Bank

What is the lifespan of Brahma?

311.04 trillion years

Narayanam namaskritya lyrics

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्। देवीं सरस्वतीं व्यासं ततो जयमुदीरयेत्॥ naaraayanam namaskri'tya naram chaiva narottamam. deveem sarasvateem vyaasam tato jayamudeerayet.