Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali — 108 Names of Lord Shiva (with Meanings)

The Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali is a sacred recitation of the 108 names of Lord Shiva, drawn from the Shiva Purana. Each name reveals a facet of Mahadeva — the auspicious one, the destroyer of evil, the conqueror of death. Below are the authentic 108 names with their meanings.

The 108 Names (with meanings)

1. 1. Shiva — the supremely auspicious one
2. 2. Maheshvara — the great lord of all gods
3. 3. Shambhu — the bestower of happiness
4. 4. Pinaki — the wielder of the Pinaka bow
5. 5. Shashishekhar — who wears the moon on his head
6. 6. Vamadev — the auspicious and beautiful one
7. 7. Virupaksha — the three-eyed one
8. 8. Kapardi — the one with matted hair
9. 9. Nilalohita — blue and red in form
10. 10. Shankar — the bestower of prosperity
11. 11. Shulapani — the trident-bearer
12. 12. Khatvanggi — the carrier of the Khatvanga
13. 13. Vishnuvallabha — the beloved of Vishnu
14. 14. Shipivishta — of radiant form
15. 15. Ambikanatha — the consort of Ambika (Parvati)
16. 16. Shrikantha — the beautiful-throated one
17. 17. Bhaktavatsala — the loving protector of devotees
18. 18. Bhava — existence itself
19. 19. Sharva — the destroyer of suffering
20. 20. Trilokesh — the lord of the three worlds
21. 21. Shitikantha — the white-throated one
22. 22. Shivapriya — beloved of Parvati
23. 23. Ugra — the fierce one
24. 24. Kapali — wearer of the skull garland
25. 25. Kamaari — the enemy of desire (Kama)
26. 26. Andhakasurasudana — the slayer of demon Andhaka
27. 27. Gangadhar — the bearer of the Ganga
28. 28. Lalataksha — the forehead-eyed one
29. 29. Kalakal — the death of death (Yama)
30. 30. Kripanidhi — the ocean of compassion
31. 31. Bhima — the mighty one
32. 32. Parasuhasta — the axe-bearer
33. 33. Mrigpani — holder of the deer
34. 34. Jatadhar — the dreadlocked one
35. 35. Kailasvasini — the dweller of Kailash
36. 36. Kavachi — the armour-wearer
37. 37. Kathan — the extremely strong one
38. 38. Tripurantaka — the destroyer of Tripura
39. 39. Vrishank — the bull-marked one
40. 40. Vrishabharudha — the bull-rider
41. 41. Bhasmoddhulitvigrah — the ash-smeared one
42. 42. Sampriya — the lover of the Sama Veda
43. 43. Svarmaiya — the embodiment of the musical notes
44. 44. Trayimurt — the embodiment of the three Vedas
45. 45. Anisvara — the supreme lord of all
46. 46. Sarvagya — the all-knowing one
47. 47. Paramatma — the supreme soul
48. 48. Somasuryagnilochan — whose eyes are moon, sun and fire
49. 49. Havis — the embodiment of oblation
50. 50. Yajnamaya — the embodiment of sacrifice
51. 51. Soma — cool and pure like the moon
52. 52. Panchvaktra — the five-faced one
53. 53. Sadashiva — the eternally auspicious one
54. 54. Vishveshvar — the lord of the universe
55. 55. Virabhadra — of fierce nature
56. 56. Gananatha — the lord of the ganas
57. 57. Prajapati — the lord of all beings
58. 58. Hiranyaretas — radiant like a thousand suns
59. 59. Durdharsha — the invincible one
60. 60. Girisha — the lord of mountains
61. 61. Girisha — who reposes on Kailash
62. 62. Anagha — the sinless one
63. 63. Bhujangabhushana — adorned with serpents
64. 64. Bharga — the destroyer of all sins
65. 65. Giridhanvi — who holds Mount Meru as a bow
66. 66. Giririya — the lover of mountains
67. 67. Krittivasas — clad in elephant-hide
68. 68. Purarati — the destroyer of the three cities
69. 69. Bhagavat — the supreme lord
70. 70. Pramathadhipa — the lord of the pramatha ganas
71. 71. Mrityunjaya — the conqueror of death
72. 72. Sukshmatanu — of subtle form
73. 73. Jagadvyapi — who pervades the universe
74. 74. Jagadguru — the guru of all worlds
75. 75. Vyomakesha — whose hair pervades the sky
76. 76. Mahasenajanaka — the father of Kartikeya
77. 77. Charuvikrama — of beautiful prowess
78. 78. Rudra — of formidable form
79. 79. Bhutapati — the lord of beings and elements
80. 80. Sthanu — the immovable, eternal lord
81. 81. Ahirbudhnya — the holder of kundalini
82. 82. Digambara — clad in the directions (sky-clad)
83. 83. Ashtamurti — the one of eight forms
84. 84. Anekatma — of manifold forms
85. 85. Sattvika — of pure sattva nature
86. 86. Shuddhavigrah — of pure form
87. 87. Shashvata — the eternal, imperishable one
88. 88. Khandarasha — holder of the cleaving axe
89. 89. Aja — the unborn, eternal one
90. 90. Pashavimochaka — the liberator from worldly bondage
91. 91. Mrida — the giver of happiness
92. 92. Pashupati — the lord of all creatures
93. 93. Deva — the one we worship
94. 94. Mahadeva — the god of gods
95. 95. Avyaya — the imperishable one
96. 96. Hari — the lord of nature
97. 97. Pushadantabhid — who broke the teeth of Pushan
98. 98. Avyagra — the steady, unshakeable one
99. 99. Dakshadhvarahar — the destroyer of Daksha’s sacrifice
100. 100. Hara — the remover of all sins
101. 101. Bhaganetrbhid — who pierced Bhaga’s eye
102. 102. Avyakta — the unmanifest one
103. 103. Sahasraksha — the thousand-eyed one
104. 104. Sahasrapada — the thousand-footed one
105. 105. Apavargaprada — the bestower of liberation
106. 106. Ananta — the infinite one
107. 107. Tarak — the deliverer to liberation
108. 108. Parameshvara — the supreme lord (Parabrahman)

Benefits of Chanting

• steadies the mind and dispels fear
• deepens devotion to Lord Shiva
• is traditionally chanted on Mondays, Pradosha and Maha Shivaratri
• each name is prefixed with "Om" and suffixed with "Namah" while chanting

How & When to Chant

• After a bath, sit before an image of the deity and light a lamp.
• Chant each name with "Om … Namah" (e.g. "Om Shivaya Namah").
• Recite with devotion and attention; you may use a mala.
• Note: names are given in IAST/roman transliteration; chant as taught in your tradition.

Source of the names verified against the traditional Ashtottara Shatanamavali; meanings explained in our own words.

Also read: Shivashtakam (prabhum prananatham).

Frequently asked questions

What is the Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali?

It is a sacred recitation of the 108 names of Lord Shiva, drawn from the Shiva Purana. Each name reveals a facet of Mahadeva, such as the auspicious one, the destroyer of evil and the conqueror of death.

How do I chant the 108 names of Shiva?

After a bath, sit before an image of the deity and light a lamp. Chant each name prefixed with "Om" and suffixed with "Namah", for example "Om Shivaya Namah", with devotion and attention; you may use a mala.

When is the best time to chant the Shiva 108 names?

The names are traditionally chanted on Mondays, Pradosha and Maha Shivaratri. Chanting after a bath, in front of an image of the deity, is the recommended practice.

What are the benefits of chanting the Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali?

Chanting is traditionally said to steady the mind, dispel fear and deepen devotion to Lord Shiva.

What does the name Mrityunjaya mean in the Shiva 108 names?

Mrityunjaya, name number 71, means the conqueror of death. Other names include Mahadeva (the god of gods) and Pashupati (the lord of all creatures).

Should I use a particular pronunciation when chanting the names?

The names are given in IAST/roman transliteration, so chant them as taught in your own tradition. Recite with devotion and attention rather than speed.