“Om Namah Shivaya”
12 Jyotirlinga Sloka:
ॐ नमः शिवाय।
“द्रक्ष्यसि षोडशाक्षरं,
गंगाचलनिवासिनम्।
गच्छ देवमयं स्थानं,
तस्य वासं समाचरेत्।”
This verse is a prayer invoking the presence of Lord Shiva through the 12 Jyotirlingas. It symbolizes worship of Lord Shiva at each of the sacred places where his divine radiance is believed to reside.
सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम्।
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालं ओम्कारम् अमलेश्वरम्॥
परल्यां वैद्यनाथं च डाकिन्यां भीमशङ्करम्।
सेतुबन्धे तु रामेशं नागेशं दारुकावने॥
वाराणस्यां तु विश्वेशं त्र्यम्बकं गौतमीतटे।
हिमालये तु केदारं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये॥
एतानि ज्योतिर्लिङ्गानि सायं प्रातः पठेन्नरः।
सपुंवति सर्वदुःखैः प्रणतोऽस्मि सदा शिवं॥
Vivechan:
- Saurashtrē Somnātam Cha Śrīśhailē Mallikārjunam
- In Saurashtra, Somnath; in Shri Shaila, Mallikarjuna.
- Ujjayinyām Mahākālam Ōmkāram Amalēśwaram
- In Ujjain, Mahakaleshwar; in Omkareshwar, Amaleshwar.
- Paralyām Vaidyanātham Cha Dākinyām Bhīmaśankaram
- In Parli, Vaidyanath; in Dakini, Bhimashankar.
- Sētubandhē Tu Rāmeshām Nāgēshām Dārukāvanē
- In Rameswaram, Ramalinga; in Dwarka, Nageshwar.
- Vārāṇasyām Tu Viśvēśam Tryambakam Gautamīṭatē
- In Varanasi, Vishwanath; on the Gautami riverbank, Trimbakeshwar.
- Himālayaē Tu Kēdāram Ghuṣmēśam Cha Śivalayē
- In the Himalayas, Kedarnath; in Ghusmeshwar, Shiva’s abode.
- Etāni Jyotirlingāni Sāyaṁ Prātaḥ Paṭhēnnaraḥ
- One who recites these twelve Jyotirlingas in the morning and evening.
- Sapunvāti Sarvadukhaiḥ Praṇato’smi Sadā Śivam
- Shall be freed from all sufferings and always be under the protection of Lord Shiva.
Meaning:
This sloka mentions the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas, which are:
- Somnath (Saurashtra, Gujarat)
- Mallikarjuna (Sri Shaila, Andhra Pradesh)
- Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)
- Omkareshwar (Omkar Mandhata, Madhya Pradesh)
- Vaijnath (Parli, Maharashtra)
- Bhimashankar (Pune, Maharashtra)
- Rameshwar (Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu)
- Nageshwar (Dwarka, Gujarat)
- Vishwanath (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
- Trimbakeshwar (Trimbak, Maharashtra)
- Kedarnath (Kedarnath, Uttarakhand)
- Ghusmeshwar (Ellora, Maharashtra)
The verse also mentions that by reciting this sloka daily, especially in the morning and evening, a devotee is believed to be freed from all miseries and blessed by Lord Shiva. It is a powerful prayer to invoke the divine presence of Lord Shiva through these sacred shrines. Jyotirlingas are scattered across India and are revered by millions of devotees. The name “Jyotirlinga” comes from two words: “Jyoti” meaning light or radiance and “linga,” which represents the symbol of Lord Shiva. It is believed that at these shrines, Lord Shiva manifested as a beam of light.
Location description of the 12 Jyotirlingas:
- Somnath (Saurashtra, Gujarat)
- Located in Prabhas Patan near the Arabian Sea, Somnath is the first Jyotirlinga. It is one of the most famous temples and holds great historical significance.
- Mallikarjuna (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh)
- Situated on the Srisailam Mountain, Mallikarjuna is considered one of the holiest Jyotirlingas. It is associated with both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
- Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)
- Located in Ujjain, this temple is believed to be the only Jyotirlinga where Shiva is worshipped as the ruler of time and death.
- Omkareshwar (Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh)
- Situated on an island in the Narmada River, this Jyotirlinga is shaped like the sacred “Om” symbol.
- Kedarnath (Kedarnath, Uttarakhand)
- Located in the Himalayan range, Kedarnath is one of the most famous and revered shrines. It is accessible after a trek through the rugged mountains.
- Bhima Shankar (Pune, Maharashtra)
- Located in the Sahyadri hills, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the legend of Bhima, a powerful demon killed by Lord Shiva.
- Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
- One of the most ancient and revered temples, Kashi Vishwanath is located in Varanasi, the holiest city in Hinduism, on the banks of the Ganges.
- Trimbakeshwar (Trimbak, Maharashtra)
- Located near Nashik, this temple is unique as it has a linga with three faces symbolizing Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.
- Vaijnath (Parli, Maharashtra)
- Situated in Parli, Maharashtra, Vaijnath is one of the most prominent Jyotirlingas, often associated with healing.
- Nageshwar (Dwarka, Gujarat)
- Situated near Dwarka, Nageshwar is considered one of the most important Jyotirlingas, often associated with the protection of devotees from snake bites.
- Ramanathaswamy (Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu)
- Located on the island of Rameswaram, this Jyotirlinga is associated with Lord Rama, and it is believed to be the place where Rama prayed to Lord Shiva before embarking on his journey to Lanka.
- Grishneshwar (Ellora, Maharashtra)
- Near the Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar is the 12th Jyotirlinga and is famous for its beautiful surroundings and architectural significance.
