Namaste Astu Bhagavan

About this stotra

Namaste astu bhagavan viśveśvarāya - is a traditional invocation to Lord Shiva, commonly recited with Sri Rudram. One of the most frequently chanted verses in Shiva worship, it appears in various Rudra stotras and is regularly recited during Rudrabhishekam and other Shiva puja rituals
This verse is a powerful invocation of Lord Shiva, acknowledging His many forms and qualities. The opening "Om nama̍stē astu bhagavan viśvēśva̠rāya̍" is a reverent bow to the Lord (Bhagavan) who is the ruler of the universe (viśvēśva̠rāya̍). "Mahādē̠vāya̍" addresses him as the great God, while "Tryambakāya" refers to the three-eyed one, whose third eye represents spiritual wisdom.
"Tripurāntakāya̍" recalls his role as the destroyer of the three cities, symbolising the transcendence of the three states of experience - waking (jāgrat), dream (svapna), and deep sleep (sushupti). Just as these cities represent limiting boundaries, these three states limit our understanding of our true nature. Their destruction points to that consciousness which witnesses all three states while remaining unchanged by them.
"Trikālagnikālā" points to the Lord who devours the three periods of time - past, present, and future - indicating his mastery over time itself. Time, like fire, distorts and devours everything, and the Lord devours time itself. In other words, he is timeless, being the creator, the sustainer, and the destroyer of time. "Kālagnirudra" signifies Lord Shiva as the ultimate force of dissolution, representing both time (kāla), which brings inevitable destruction, and fire (agni), which not only consumes but also purifies by burning away ignorance and with it, all karmic bonds.
"Nilakanthāya" (the blue-throated one) and "Mṛtyuñja̠yāya" (conqueror of death) reference his infinite compassion and transcendence over mortality. "Sarvēśva̠rāya̍" and "Sadāśi̠vāya̍" acknowledge him as the eternal Lord of all the worlds, while "śrīman mahādē̠vāya̠" is a final salutation to his supreme magnificence.
The prayer begins with Lord Shiva's cosmic aspects and moves to his more personal qualities, showing how the highest truth can be approached with deep devotion.