Lyrics
Om Triyambakam Yajamahe
Invocation of the three-eyed deity, Lord Shiva, as the Supreme Being
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Describing the fragrance and nourishing aspect of the deity
Urvarukamiva Bandhanat
Expressing a desire to be freed from the bondage of worldly life
Mrtyormuksheeya Mamrtat
Seeking liberation from the cycle of birth and death
Terrifying and yet benevolent
Portraying the dual nature of Lord Shiva as both terrifying and benevolent
Where the opposites dwell in harmony
Highlighting the coexistence of opposites in the divine realm
O Mahadeva, Praise to thee
Praising Lord Shiva, addressing him as Mahadeva
He is the eye of the storm
Referring to Lord Shiva as the center of chaos and calmness
And the calm after the same storm
Emphasizing Lord Shiva's role in the cycle of creation and destruction
The Primal Cause, the Effulgent One
Recognizing Lord Shiva as the ultimate cause and source of effulgence
Om Namah Shivaya Shivaya Namah
Chanting the sacred mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya'
I bow to the Ancient One,O Rudra
Bowing to Lord Rudra, the Ancient One
Bow to the Ancient One, O Consort of Durga
Paying homage to Lord Rudra, the consort of Durga
The King of the Holy Mountains
Acknowledging Lord Shiva as the ruler of sacred mountains
Who dwells beyond the three gunas
Describing Lord Shiva's transcendence beyond the three gunas (qualities)
He is the three-eyed one
Identifying Lord Shiva as the three-eyed deity
With the ash-besmeared body
Depicting Lord Shiva with ash smeared on his body
The one with the matted locks
Describing Lord Shiva's distinctive feature of matted locks
Who slays the demons
Recognizing Lord Shiva as the destroyer of demons
I bow before this wielder of the trident
Bowing before Lord Shiva, the wielder of the trident
Who bears the Holy River in his matted locks
Acknowledging the presence of the Holy River Ganga in Lord Shiva's locks
Can't you see the serpent slithering around his neck
Noticing the serpent symbolizing Lord Shiva's power around his neck
O Mahayogi
Addressing Lord Shiva as the Supreme Yogi
O Conqueror of Death
Praising Lord Shiva as the conqueror of death
The one who walks the cremation grounds
Highlighting Lord Shiva's association with cremation grounds
garlanded with human skulls
Describing Lord Shiva adorned with a garland of human skulls
O Hara, My obeisance to you
Offering obeisance to Lord Shiva, also known as Hara
Om Namah Shivaya Shivaya Namah
Repeating the sacred mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya'
I bow to the Ancient One
Renewing the bowing to Lord Rudra, the Ancient One
O Lord of the three worlds
Acknowledging Lord Shiva as the Lord of the three worlds
Bow to the Ancient One
Reiterating the homage to Lord Rudra, the Ancient One
O Consort of Shakti
Paying respects to Lord Rudra, the consort of Shakti
The King of the Holy Mountains
Recalling Lord Shiva's sovereignty over the sacred mountains
Who dwells beyond the three gunas
Emphasizing Lord Shiva's transcendence beyond the three gunas
Who is the Maha-Guru
Acknowledging Lord Shiva as the Supreme Guru
Ruler of the Universe
Recognizing Lord Shiva as the ruler of the entire universe
Most ancient of the ancients
Highlighting Lord Shiva's timeless and ancient nature
Bow to that primeval one
Offering reverence to the primeval and eternal Lord Rudra
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