108 Names of Bhagavan Shiva

The Śiva Aṣṭottara Śatanāmāvali Stotram which enumerates the 108 names of Bhagavān Śiva, is found in the Śaṅkara Saṃhitā and the Śivarahasya-khaṇḍa of the Skanda Purāṇa. The sacred hymn was first revealed by Bhagavān Viṣṇu to Devī Pārvatī. 

It was when Devī Pārvatī, yearning to unite with Bhagavān Śiva, sought guidance from Bhagavān Viṣṇu that He revealed the Śiva Aṣṭottara Śatanāmāvali Stotram. He assured Her that chanting these sacred names fulfills all desires and ultimately leads the seeker to Self-realisation.

It is important to understand that these names are not mere words of reverence. Each name carries profound meaning and highlights an aspect or attribute of a form of Bhagavān Śiva. Contemplation upon them is a transformative practice that helps us to imbibe these qualities, deepen our faith, sharpen our intellect, and ultimately surrender the ego, culminating in union with the Supreme.

The Name of Bhagavān holds immense power. Continuous chanting purifies the mind, making it single-pointed, sharp and subtle. Pūjya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda beautifully expresses this in his commentary on the Viṣṇu Sahasranāmaḥ.

“These names are like clear arrow marks rising from the known, indicating the unknown. Contemplation upon these can deepen our faith in, broaden our devotion to, and steel our understanding of the All-Pervading Reality.”

Swami Chinmayananda

For a student of Vedānta, the divine names also serve as a powerful medium of contemplation upon Bhagavān. The more we reflect upon them, the more we internalise their attributes.

Dialogue Between Devī Pārvatī and Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa

पार्वत्युवाच
शरीरार्धमहं शम्भोः येन प्राप्स्यामि केशव ।
तदिदानीं ममाचक्ष्व स्तोत्रं शीघ्रफलप्रदं ॥

Pārvatyuvāca
śarīrārdhamahaṃ śambhoḥ 

yena prāpsyāmi keśava

tadidānīṃ mamācakṣva stotraṃ śīghraphalapradaṃ

Devī Pārvatī addressed Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa and said, “O Keśava, tell me now that hymn which gives fruit quickly, by which I shall obtain half of the body of Śambhu.”

नारायण उवाच

अस्ति गुह्यतमं गौरि नाम्नामष्टोत्तरं शतं ।
शम्भोरहं प्रवक्ष्यामि पठतां शीघ्रकामदं ॥

Nārāyaṇa uvāca

asti guhyatamaṃ gauri nāmnāmaṣṭottaraṃ śataṃ 

śambhorahaṃ pravakṣyāmi paṭhatāṃ śīghrakāmadaṃ 

Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa replied, “O Gaurī, there exists a most secret set of one hundred and eight names of Śambhu. I shall declare it; it grants desires quickly to those who recite it.”

न्यास: 

अस्य श्री शिवाष्टोत्तरशतनामस्तोत्र मन्त्रस्य 

नारायण ऋषि: अनुष्टुप्छन्दः सदाशिवो देवता ।

Nyāsaḥ 

asya śrī śivāṣṭottaraśatanāmastotra-mantrasya

nārāyaṇa ṛṣiḥ anuṣṭupchandaḥ sadāśivo devatā

For this sacred hymn of the Śrī Śiva Aṣṭottara Śatanāma Stotra,

Nārāyaṇa is the Ṛṣi, Anuṣṭup is the metre, and Sadāśiva is the presiding Deity.

ध्यानम्
धवलवपुषमिन्दोर्मण्डले सन्निविष्टं
भुजगवलयहारं भस्मदिग्धाङ्गमीशम् ।
हरिणपरशुपाणिं चारुचन्द्रार्धमौलिं
हृदयकमलमध्ये सन्ततं चिन्तयामि ॥

Dhyānam

dhavalavapuṣamindormaṇḍale sanniviṣṭaṃ

bhujagavalayahāraṃ bhasmadigdhāṅgamīśam 

hariṇaparaśupāṇiṃ cārucandrārdhamauliṃ

hṛdayakamalamadhye santataṃ cintayāmi 

“In the middle of the lotus of the heart, I constantly meditate upon the Lord, white-bodied, situated in the orb of the moon, having serpents as bracelets and garlands, whose limbs are smeared with ash, holding a deer and an axe in His hands, whose crest bears a beautiful crescent moon.”

शिव-अष्टोत्तर-शतनामावलि-स्तोत्रम्

(Watch a video on the stotram & learn the chanting)

शिवो महेश्वरः शम्भुः पिनाकी शशिशेखरः ।
वामदेवो विरूपाक्षः कपर्दी नीललोहितः ॥१॥ 
शङ्करः शूलपाणिश्च खट्वाङ्गी विष्णुवल्लभः ।
शिपिविष्टोऽम्बिकानाथः श्रीकण्ठो भक्तवत्सलः ॥२॥ 
भवः शर्वस्त्रिलोकेशः शितिकण्ठ: शिवाप्रियः ।
उग्रः कपाली कामारिरन्धकासुरसूदनः ॥ ३ ॥ 
गङ्गाधरो ललाटाक्षः कालकालः कृपानिधिः ।
भीमः परशुहस्तश्च मृगपाणिर्जटाधरः ॥४॥

कैलासवासी कवची कठोरस्त्रिपुरान्तकः ।
वृषाङ्को वृषभारूढो भस्मोद्धूलितविग्रहः ॥५॥

सामप्रियः स्वरमयस्त्रयीमूर्तिरनीश्वरः ।
सर्वज्ञः परमात्मा च सोमसूर्याग्निलोचनः ॥६॥

हविर्यज्ञमयः सोमः पञ्चवक्त्रः सदाशिवः ।
विश्वेश्वरो वीरभद्रो गणनाथः प्रजापतिः ॥७॥

हिरण्यरेता दुर्धर्षो गिरीशो गिरिशोऽनघः ।
भुजङ्गभूषणो भर्गो गिरिधन्वा गिरिप्रियः ॥८॥

कृत्तिवासाः पुरारातिर्भगवान् प्रमथाधिपः ।
मृत्युञ्जयः सूक्ष्मतनुर्जगद्व्यापी जगद्गुरुः ॥९॥

व्योमकेशो महासेनजनकश्चारुविक्रमः ।
रुद्रो भूतपतिः स्थाणुरहिर्बुध्न्यो दिगम्बरः ॥१०॥

अष्टमूर्तिरनेकात्मा सात्त्विक: शुद्धविग्रहः ।
शाश्वतः खण्डपरशुरज: पाशविमोचक: ॥११॥

मृडः पशुपतिर्देवो महादेवोऽव्ययो हरिः ।
पूषदन्तभिदव्यग्रो दक्षाध्वरहरो हरः ॥१२॥

भगनेत्रभिदव्यक्तः सहस्राक्षः सहस्रपात् ।
अपवर्गप्रदोऽनन्तस्तारकः परमेश्वरः ॥१३॥ 

इति श्रीशिवाष्टोत्तरशतनामावलिस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

śiva-aṣṭottara-śatanāmāvali-stotram

1
śivo maheśvaraḥ śambhuḥ pinākī śaśiśekharaḥ

vāmadevo virūpākṣaḥ kapardī nīlalohitaḥ 

2
śaṅkaraḥ śūlapāṇiśca khaṭvāṅgī viṣṇuvallabhaḥ  

śipiviṣṭo'mbikānāthaḥ śrīkaṇṭho bhaktavatsalaḥ 

3
bhavaḥ śarvastrilokeśaḥ śitikaṇṭhaḥ śivāpriyaḥ  

ugraḥ kapālī kāmārirandhakāsurasūdanaḥ  

4
gaṅgādharo lalāṭākṣaḥ kālakālaḥ kṛpānidhiḥ  

bhīmaḥ paraśuhastaśca mṛgapāṇirjaṭādharaḥ 

5

kailāsavāsī kavacī kaṭhorastripurāntakaḥ 

vṛṣāṅko vṛṣabhārūḍho bhasmoddhūlitavigrahaḥ 

6
sāmapriyaḥ svaramayastrayīmūrtiranīśvaraḥ 

sarvajñaḥ paramātmā ca somasūryāgnilocanaḥ 

7
haviryajñamayaḥ somaḥ pañcavaktraḥ sadāśivaḥ 

viśveśvaro vīrabhadro gaṇanāthaḥ prajāpatiḥ 

8
hiraṇyaretā durdharṣo girīśo giriśo'naghaḥ

bhujaṅgabhūṣaṇo bhargo giridhanvā giripriyaḥ 

9
kṛttivāsāḥ purārātirbhagavān pramathādhipaḥ 

mṛtyuñjayaḥ sūkṣmatanurjagadvyāpī jagadguruḥ

10
vyomakeśo mahāsenajanakaścāruvikramaḥ 

rudro bhūtapatiḥ sthāṇurahirbudhnyo digambaraḥ 

11
aṣṭamūrtiranekātmā sāttvikaḥ śuddhavigrahaḥ

śāśvataḥ khaṇḍaparaśurajaḥ pāśavimocakaḥ 

12
mṛḍaḥ paśupatirdevo mahādevo'vyayo hariḥ  

pūṣadantabhidavyagro dakṣādhvaraharo haraḥ 

13
bhaganetrabhidavyaktaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ sahasrapāt

apavargaprado'nantastārakaḥ parameśvaraḥ 

iti śrīśivāṣṭottaraśatanāmāvali stotraṃ sampūrṇam

Meaning:

Verse 1: Śivaḥ – The Auspicious One; Maheśvaraḥ – The Great Lord; Śambhuḥ – The source of bliss; Pinākī – The Wielder of Pināka; Śaśiśekharaḥ – He who adorns the crescent moon; Vāmadevaḥ – The gentle and benevolent aspect of Śiva; Virūpākṣaḥ – The three-eyed one, beyond form; Kapardī – The one with matted locks; Nīlalohitaḥ – He who shines in blue and red hues.

Verse 2: Śaṅkaraḥ – Bestower of auspiciousness; Śūlapāṇiḥ – Holder of the trident; Khaṭvāṅgī – Holder of the cot-leg; Viṣṇuvallabhaḥ – Dear to Viṣṇu; Śipiviṣṭaḥ – All-pervading Enlivener; Ambikānāthaḥ – Lord of Ambikā; Śrīkaṇṭhaḥ – Beautiful-necked one; Bhaktavatsalaḥ – Protector of devotees.

Verse 3:  Bhavaḥ – The source of existence; Śarvaḥ – The destroyer of sorrow; Trilokeśaḥ – The Lord of the three worlds; Śitikaṇṭhaḥ – One whose neck is white and blue; Śivāpriyaḥ – The beloved of Pārvatī; Ugraḥ – The fierce and powerful one; Kapālī – The bearer of the skull; Kāmāriḥ – The destroyer of Kāma; Andhakāsurasūdanaḥ – The slayer of Andhakā.

Verse 4: Gaṅgādharaḥ – The Bearer of the Gaṅgā; Lalāṭākṣaḥ – The One with the Third Eye; Kālākālaḥ – The One Beyond Time and Death; Kṛpānidhiḥ – The Ocean of Compassion; Bhīmaḥ – The Fierce One; Paraśuhastaḥ – The Wielder of the Axe; Mṛgapāṇiḥ – The One Who Holds the Deer; Jaṭādharaḥ – The Bearer of Matted Locks.

Verse 5: Kailāsavāsī – The One Who Dwells in Kailāsa; Kavacī – The Armoured One (protector); Kaṭhoraḥ – The Firm and Unyielding One; Tripurāntakaḥ – The Destroyer of the Tripurāsuras; Vṛṣāṅkaḥ – The One Whose Emblem Is the Bull; Vṛṣabhārūḍhaḥ – The One Who Rides upon Nandi; Bhasmoddhūlita-vigrahaḥ – The One Whose Body Is Smeared with Bhasma.

Verse 6: Sāmapriyaḥ – One to Whom the Sāma Veda Is Dear; Svaramayaḥ – The Very Essence of Sound; Trayīmūrtiḥ – The Embodiment of the Three Vedas; Anīśvaraḥ – The One Above Whom There Is None; Sarvajñaḥ – The Omniscient One; Paramātmā – The Supreme Self; Soma-sūryāgni-locanaḥ – One Whose Eyes Are the Moon, the Sun, and Fire.

Verse 7: Haviḥ– The One Who Is the Oblation; Yajñamayaḥ – The One Whose Nature Is Sacrifice; Somaḥ – The Lord of Nectar and Bliss; Pañcavaktraḥ – The Five-Faced Lord; Sadāśivaḥ – The Ever-Auspicious One; Viśveśvaraḥ – The Master of All Creation; Vīrabhadraḥ – The Courageous and Auspicious One; Gaṇanāthaḥ – The Lord of the Gaṇas; Prajāpatiḥ – The Creator

Verse 8: Hiraṇyaretāḥ – The One Whose Seed Is Golden; Durdharṣaḥ – The Invincible One; Girīśaḥ – The Lord of the Mountains; Giriśah – The One Who Dwells in the Mountains; Anaghaḥ – The Flawless and Pure One; Bhujaṅgabhūṣaṇaḥ – The One Adorned with Serpents; Bhargaḥ – The Effulgent One; Giridhanvā – The One Whose Bow Is a Mountain; Giripriyaḥ – The One Who Loves the Mountains

Verse 9:  Kṛttivāsāḥ – The one clothed in elephant hide; Purārātiḥ – The enemy of the demon cities; Bhagavān – The possessor of six divine qualities; Pramathādhipaḥ – The Lord of gaṇas (pramathas); Mṛtyuñjayaḥ – The conqueror of death; Sūkṣmatanuḥ – The one of subtle form; Jagadvyāpī – The all-pervading Lord; Jagadguruḥ – The teacher of the universe.

Verse 10:  Vyomakeśaḥ – The one whose hair is the sky itself; Mahāsena-janakaḥ – The father of Skanda; Cāruvikramaḥ – The one of a graceful stride; Rudraḥ – Howler, remover of suffering; Bhūtapatiḥ – The Lord of all beings; Sthāṇuḥ – The immovable and eternal one; Ahirbudhnyaḥ – Serpent of the deep (primordial power); Digambaraḥ – The one clothed in directions (naked).

Verse 11: Aṣṭamūrtiḥ – The one manifesting in eight forms (pañca-bhūtas + sun, moon, yajña); Anekātmā – Many-souled, yet One; Sāttvikaḥ – Purely sattvic; Śuddhavigrahaḥ – The one of pure form; Śāśvataḥ – The eternal one; Khaṇḍaparaśuḥ – The wielder of the broken axe; Ajaḥ – The unborn one; Pāśavimocanaḥ – The liberator from bondage.

 

Verse 12:  Mṛḍaḥ – The compassionate one; Paśupatiḥ – The Lord of all beings; Devaḥ – The divine one; Mahādevaḥ – The great God; Avyayaḥ – The imperishable one; Hariḥ – The remover; Pūṣadantabhid – The breaker of Pūṣan’s teeth (for siding with Dakṣa); Avyagraḥ – The one free from distraction; Dakṣādhvaraharo – The destroyer of Dakṣa’s sacrifice; Haraḥ – The Destroyer.

 

Verse 13:  Bhaganetra-bhit – The breaker of Bhaga’s eye; Avyaktaḥ – The unmanifest reality; Sahasrākṣaḥ – The thousand-eyed Lord; Sahasrapāt – Thousand-footed (viśvarūpa); Apavargapradaḥ – The bestower of liberation; Anantaḥ – The endless, infinite one; Tārakaḥ – The savior; Parameśvaraḥ – The Supreme Lord.

Phalaśruti (glorification of benefits)

एतदष्टोत्तरं नाम्नां शतमाम्नायगोपितम्  ।
शंकरस्य प्रिया गौरी जप्त्वा शंभुप्रसाददम्  ॥
त्रैकाल्यमन्वहं देवी वर्षमेकं प्रयत्नत: ।
अवाप सा शरीरार्धं प्रसादाच्छूलपाणिन: ॥
यस्त्रिसन्ध्यं पठेन्नित्यं नाम्नामष्टोत्तरं शतम्  ।
शतरुद्रत्रिरावृत्या यत्फलं लभते नर: ॥
तत्फलं प्राप्नुयान्नित्यं एकावृत्या न संशय:  ।
सकृद्वा नामभि: पूज्य कुलकोटिं समुद्धरेत् ॥

बिल्वपत्रै: प्रशस्तैश्च पुष्पैश्च तुलसीदलै:  ।
तिलाक्षतै: यजेद्यस्तु जीवन्मुक्तो न संशय: ॥

1
etadaṣṭottaraṃ nāmnāṃ śatamāmnāyagopitam 

śaṅkarasya priyā gaurī japtvā śaṃbhuprasādadam 

2
traikālyamanvahaṃ devī varṣamekaṃ prayatnataḥ

avāpa sā śarīrārdhaṃ prasādācchūlapāṇinaḥ

3
yastrisandhyaṃ paṭhennityaṃ nāmnāmaṣṭottaraṃ śatam 

śatarudratrirāvṛttyā yatphalaṃ labhate naraḥ

4
tatphalaṃ prāpnuyānnityaṃ ekāvṛtyā na saṃśayaḥ

sakṛdvā nāmabhiḥ pūjya kulakoṭiṃ samuddharet  

5
bilvapatraiḥ praśastaiśca puṣpaiśca tulasīdalaiḥ

tilākṣataiḥ yajedyastu jīvanmukto na saṃśayaḥ

 

Meaning:

Verse 1: This set of one hundred and eight names, protected by tradition and giving the grace of Śambhu — Gaurī, beloved of Śaṅkara, having chanted it (obtained that grace).

Verse 2: The Goddess, daily at the three times, for one year, diligently, obtained half of the body(of Śiva, as Ardhanārīśvara), by the grace of Śūlapāṇi.

Verse 3: He who daily recites the one hundred and eight names at the three sandhyās obtains the fruit that a man obtains by three repetitions of the Śatarudrīya

Verse 4: One would obtain that (same) fruit always by a single repetition; there is no doubt. Even by worshipping once with the names, one would uplift a crore of (one’s) lineage.

Verse 5: He who worships with bilva leaves, proper flowers, tulasī leaves, sesame and rice grains — he is liberated while living; there is no doubt.

 

Order the book - "Be Shiva" on the 108 Names of Bhagavan Shiva by Swami Swatmananda

Shivaratri Vrata Vidhi

10 point Vidhi  Based on Shiva Purana & Shaiva Agamas

The Chaturdashi tithi or the 14th tithi of the dark fortnight of each month is Shivaratri. Magha Krishna Chaturdashi or the 14th tithi of the month of Magha(or in the Phalguna as per the Purnimanta reckoning) is called Mahashivaratri. 

When after observing a fast on that day, Shiva is worshipper with bilva leaves in the evening and night and one keeps awake  for the whole night, Shiva saves the man from hell and bestows enjoyment of happiness and moksha and oneness with Shiva. Gifts, sacrifices, austerities, pilgrimages and observances of vratas are not equal to even one ten-millionth part of Mahashivaratri vrata. 

māgha-phālgunayormadhye kṛṣṇā yā tu caturdaśī | 

tasyāṃ jāgaraṇād-rudraḥ pūjito bhukti-muktidaḥ || 

upoṣitaiḥ pūjitaḥ sannarakāt-tārayet-tathā | garuḍa I. 124. 2-3

The 14th day of the dark fortnight between the months of Magha and Phalguna—worshipping Rudra by staying awake on that night, bestows desire fulfilment & liberation. Worshipped by those who fast, He saves them from hell. (Garuda Purana I. 124. 2-3).

It is known as Shivaratri, the remover of all sins. Those who fast, stay awake, and worship Shiva with Bilva leaves, through the four watches (yamas) of the night, attain equality with Shiva. This night is known as Shivaratri...

दानयज्ञतपस्तीर्थव्रतकर्माणि यानि च । 

शिवरात्रिव्रतस्यापि कोट्यंशेन समानि न ॥ पद्म VI. 124. 3-4 and 28-29

dānayajñatapastīrthavratakarmāṇi yāni ca | 

śivarātrivratasyāpi koṭyaṃśena samāni na || Padma Purana VI. 124. 3-4 and 28-29

Charity, rituals, penance, pilgrimages, and vows are not equal to even a ten-millionth part of the Shivaratri vow.

Process of observing Mahashivaratri Vrata

The Ishana Samhita says that the Shivaratri vrata can be performed by all human beings.  The Shivaratri Vrata destroys all sins and confers enjoyment of happiness and moksha on all human beings of all types.  

 Everyone who performs this vrata has to observe certain values: Non-injury, truthfulness, freedom from anger, celibacy, compassion, forbearance and should be calm in mind, devoid of fits of passion and has to perform austerities and he should be free from malice. 

1. Get up early morning on Chaturdashi day. Visit a Shiva mandir and offer worship there. 

2. Take a sankalpa to do Shivaratri Vrata. 2 Shlokas to be chanted based on Shiva-purana’s Koti Rudra Samhita are:


देवदेव ! महादेव! नीलकण्ठ नमोऽस्तु ते।
कर्तुमिच्छाम्यहं देव ! शिवरात्रिव्रतं तव ॥ २८॥ 


devadeva ! mahādeva! nīlakaṇṭha namo'stu te |

kartumicchāmyahaṃ deva ! śivarātrivrataṃ tava || 28|| 


"O Lord of gods, O Mahādeva, O Nilakantha, salutation to you. O Lord, I intend to perform the Śivarātri Vrata. 



तव प्रभावाद्देवेश ! निर्विघ्नेन भवेदिति ।
कामाद्याः शत्रवो मां वै पीडां कुर्वन्तु नैव हि ॥ २९॥


One should declare to Bhagavan Shiva, "O God, I shall keep awake the whole night on the 14th tithi. I shall make according to my ability worship, gifts, austerities, pooja, homa etc.  O Shambhu! On the 14th I shall take no food(or only fruits/one meal) and shall take food on the next day.  O Lord! be thou my refuge for securing enjoyment of happiness and moksha."

tava prabhāvāddeveśa ! nirvighnena bhavediti | 

kāmādyāḥ śatravo māṃ vai pīḍāṃ kurvantu naiva hi || 29||


O Lord of gods, let my Vrata be successfully completed by your grace, without any obstruction. Let the enemies like passion, anger and greed not trouble me. 


3. Do Upavasa. You can do by eating once on Trayodashi day.  Magha Krishna Chaturdashi day morning till amavasya morning one has to do Upavasa.  



न स्नानेन न वस्त्रेण न धूपेन न चार्चया ॥
तुष्यामि न तथा पुष्पैर्यथा तत्रोपवासतः ॥ 



na snānena na vastreṇa na dhūpena na cārcayā ||

tuṣyāmi na tathā puṣpairyathā tatropavāsataḥ || 



Bhagavan Shiva says, “Neither by Snana nor by offering of Vastra, incense or by offering flower-archana am i pleased as much by Upavasa(done on Shivaratri)



Ideal is only water.  If not possible, then one can have milk, fruits. Avoid cereals. 

4. Do your duties as an offering to bhagavan

5. Take bath on the 14th tithi evening with black sesame in water.  Apply bhasma as tripundra(3 lines) on the forehead, wear rudraksha and then worship Shiva linga in any or all 4 prahars in the evening(6pm to 9pm, 9pm to 12midnight, 12midnight to 3pm & 3pm to 6pm).  Offer abhisheka with milk, curd, ghee and honey. 


Skanda Purana says that Shiva, Shakti & Ganas move about at night and therefore these are to be worshipped at that time on Chaturdashi.  

In Nagarkhanda it is said, "On the 14th of the dark half of Magha, I shall go in the Kaliyuga on the surface of the earth at night. I shall undoubtedly transfer myself to all lingas whether movable or permanently fixed, for the removal of the sins committed in the preceding year; therefore a person who offers worship to me at night will be free from sin."

Ishana samhita also says that Shiva appeared in the form of a Shivalinga whose effulgence was equal to a crore of suns, on the 14th of Magha dark half.    

6. Do minimum 1 mala of Japa of Om Namah Shivaya after each Pooja.

7. Meditate, sing/dance after each pooja.  

8. Having completed the 4 Yama poojas, in the morning little before sunrise, take bath with the feeling that Bhagavan Shiva is in your heart and you are offering abhisheka to Bhagawan Shiva.  

9. Worship Bhagawan Shiva again after sunrise. 

10. Express Gratitude to Bhagawan & break the fast with these shlokas: 


व्रतेनानेन देवेश ! यथाशक्ति कृतेन च। 

सन्तुष्टो भव सर्वाद्य ! कृपां कुरु ममोपरि ॥४३॥ 



vratenānena deveśa ! yathāśakti kṛtena ca| 


santuṣṭo bhava sarvādya ! kṛpāṃ kuru mamopari ||43|| 



Lord, Śiva, I have performed this Vrata according to my means. Therefore, you be pleased with me." 



मया भक्त्यनुसारेण व्रतमेतत्कृतं शिव !। 

न्यूनं सम्पूर्णतां यातु प्रसादात्तव शङ्कर ! ॥ २०॥ 



mayā bhaktyanusāreṇa vratametatkṛtaṃ śiva !| 


nyūnaṃ sampūrṇatāṃ yātu prasādāttava śaṅkara ! || 20|| 



O Śiva, O Śańkara I have performed this Vrata with devotion. Any shortcoming in the same should be supplied by your grace. 



अज्ञानाद्यदि वा ज्ञानाज्जपपूजादिकं मया।
कृतं तदस्तु कृपया सफलं तव शङ्कर ! ॥२१॥ 



ajñānādyadi vā jñānājjapapūjādikaṃ mayā|

kṛtaṃ tadastu kṛpayā saphalaṃ tava śaṅkara ! ||21|| 



Let the japa and worship performed by me knowingly or unknowingly be fruitful by your grace. 


एवं पुष्पाञ्जलिं दत्त्वा शिवाय परमात्मने।
नमस्कारं ततः कुर्यात्प्रार्थनां पुनरेव च ॥ २२॥ 


evaṃ puṣpāñjaliṃ dattvā śivāya paramātmane|

namaskāraṃ tataḥ kuryātprārthanāṃ punareva ca || 22|| 


Offering the bunch of flowers to lord Śiva, one should offer prayerful salutation to him and conclude with charity. Give some food, clothes, money etc. to the Shiva-bhaktas/needy. 

Skanda Purana says: "That person who observes a fast on Shivaratri for 12 years and who keeps awake before me the whole night would reach heaven.  That person who worships Shiva and performs sadhana the whole night, would not thereafter taste milk at mother's breast(would not be born again)."