Many devotees are unable to undertake a pilgrimage to all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. In such circumstances, they may regularly recite the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram along with its meaning. According to the Shiva Mahapurana and Hindu religious tradition, the sincere recitation of this sacred Stotram is believed to bestow spiritual merit comparable to that received through the Darshan of all twelve Jyotirlingas.
The Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram is traditionally attributed to the revered Adi Shankaracharya. Through its sacred verses, he beautifully describes the divine glory of all twelve Jyotirlinga manifestations of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of twelve sacred Jyotirlingas situated at different holy places across India. According to Hindu religious scriptures and traditional belief, a devotee who receives the Darshan of all twelve Jyotirlingas with sincere faith is blessed with spiritual purification and freedom from the burden of past sins.
To make the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram easier to recite, the Kubereswar Dham team has presented several difficult Sanskrit expressions in a simplified and readable form.
Saurashtra-Deshe Vishade’tiramye Jyotirmayam Chandrakala-Vatamsam.
Bhakti-Pradanaya Kripavatirnam Tam Somanatham Sharanam Prapadye॥1॥
I seek refuge in Lord Somnath, the radiant Jyotirlinga who compassionately manifested in the beautiful and sacred land of Saurashtra to bless devotees with Bhakti. The crescent moon shines as a divine ornament upon His sacred head.
Shrishaila-Shringe Vibudhatishange Tuladridunge’pi Muda Vasantam.
Tamarjunam Mallika-Purvamekam Namami Samsara-Samudra-Setum॥2॥
I bow to Lord Mallikarjuna, who joyfully resides upon the lofty summit of the sacred Shrishaila mountain, where celestial beings gather in devotion. He is like a divine bridge that helps devotees cross the vast ocean of worldly existence.
Avantikayam Vihitavataram Mukti-Pradanaya Cha Sajjananam.
Akala-Mrityoh Parirakshanartham Vande Mahakala-Mahasuresham॥3॥
I offer my reverent salutations to Lord Mahakaleshwar, the Supreme Lord who manifested in the sacred city of Avanti to grant liberation to virtuous devotees. He is traditionally worshipped for protection from untimely death and the fear of mortality.
Kaverika-Narmadayoh Pavitram Samagame Sajjana-Taranaya.
Sadaiva Mandhatri-Pure Vasantam Omkaramisham Shivamekamide॥4॥
I praise Lord Omkareshwar, the one auspicious Lord who eternally resides at Mandhata near the sacred confluence of the Kaveri and Narmada rivers. He guides sincere devotees across the ocean of worldly existence and grants them spiritual refuge.
Purvottare Prajvalika-Nidhane Sada Vasantam Girija-Sametam.
Surasuraradhita-Padapadmam Shri Vaidyanatham Tamaham Namami॥5॥
I bow to Lord Vaidyanath, who eternally resides with Goddess Girija at the sacred Vaidyanath Dham. His lotus feet are worshipped with reverence by both the Devas and the Asuras.
Yamye Sadange Nagare’tiramye Vibhushitangam Vividhaishcha Bhogaih.
Sadbhakti-Mukti-Pradamishamekam Shri Naganatham Sharanam Prapadye॥6॥
I seek refuge in Lord Naganath, who resides in the beautiful sacred city situated in the southern direction. Adorned with divine ornaments, He is the one Supreme Lord who blesses sincere devotees with pure Bhakti and spiritual liberation.
Mahadriparshve Cha Tate Ramantam Sampujyamanam Satatam Munindraih.
Surasurair Yaksha-Mahoragadyaishcha Kedaramisham Shivamekamide॥7॥
I praise Lord Kedarnath, the one auspicious Lord who resides near the mighty Himalayan mountains upon the sacred heights of Kedar. Great Sages, Devas, Asuras, Yakshas and divine serpents continually worship Him with devotion.
Sahyadrishirshe Vimale Vasantam Godavari-Tira-Pavitra-Deshe.
Yaddarshanat Patakamashu Nasham Prayati Tam Tryambakamishamide॥8॥
I praise Lord Tryambakeshwar, who resides upon the pure summit of the Sahyadri mountains in the sacred region near the River Godavari. According to traditional belief, His holy Darshan brings spiritual purification and removes the burden of sins.
Sutamraparni-Jalarashi-Yoge Nibadhya Setum Vishikhairasankhyaih.
Shri Ramachandrena Samarpitam Tam Rameshvarakhyam Niyatam Namami॥9॥
I regularly bow to Lord Rameshwaram, the sacred Jyotirlinga worshipped and established by Lord Shri Ramachandra near the confluence of the Tamraparni waters and the ocean, where the divine bridge was constructed with countless stones and arrows according to the sacred tradition.
Yam Dakini-Shakinika-Samaje Nishevyamanam Pishitashanaishcha.
Sadaiva Bhimadi-Pada-Prasiddham Tam Shankaram Bhaktahitam Namami॥10॥
I bow to Lord Bhimashankar, the benevolent Lord Shankara who is eternally devoted to the welfare of His devotees. He is renowned in the sacred region traditionally associated with Dakinis, Shakinis and other supernatural beings.
Sanandamanandavane Vasantam Anandakandam Hatapapavrindam.
Varanasi-Natham Anathanatham Shri Vishvanatham Sharanam Prapadye॥11॥
I seek refuge in Lord Vishwanath, the Lord of Varanasi and the compassionate protector of those without shelter. He is the eternal source of divine bliss, joyfully residing in the sacred Anandavana, and is traditionally worshipped as the destroyer of accumulated sins.
Ilapure Ramya-Vishalake’smin Samullasantam Cha Jagadvarenyam.
Vande Mahodaratara-Svabhavam Ghrishneshvarakhyam Sharanam Prapadye॥12॥
I seek refuge in Lord Ghrishneshwar, who shines within the beautiful and magnificent sacred temple of Ilapura and is worshipped throughout the world. I bow to the radiant Lord Shiva whose nature is infinitely compassionate, generous and gracious.
Jyotirmaya-Dvadasha-Lingakanam Shivatmanam Proktamidam Kramena.
Stotram Pathitva Manujo’tibhaktya Phalam Tadalokya Nijam Bhajechcha॥13॥
According to Hindu religious tradition, a person who recites this sacred Stotram describing the twelve radiant Jyotirlingas in their proper sequence with sincere devotion may receive the spiritual merit associated with their holy Darshan.
॥ Iti Shri Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram Sampurnam॥