Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram (Adi Shankaracharya): Full Text with Meaning

Quick answer: The Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram (Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram) is a Sanskrit hymn of 12 verses and a closing verse attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. Each verse praises Shiva in one of his twelve Jyotirlingas, from Somanatha in Saurashtra to Ghrishneshvara near Ellora. Many families also recite the short three-verse list beginning 'Saurashtre Somanatham cha', given below as well. Both are traditionally recited on Mondays and Shivaratri.

Last updated: 20 October 2026. The Sanskrit below is the complete text of both hymns as published by sanskritdocuments.org (the stotram and the short verses), converted to Devanagari and IAST by software from the source, with no word typed by hand; four typing slips are corrected as explained in the editor's note. Our own plain-English meaning follows every verse.

Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram: full text with meaning

Each verse names one Jyotirlinga and the place where Shiva shines in it. The source prints alternative readings after many lines; we give the main reading and mention the alternatives where they change a place name. Each verse appears in Devanagari and then in IAST transliteration, followed by its meaning.

Somanatha to Omkareshvara (verses 1 to 4)

Verse 1

सौराष्ट्रदेशे विशदेऽतिरम्ये ज्योतिर्मयं चन्द्रकलावतंसम् ।
भक्तिप्रदानाय कृपावतीर्णं तं सोमनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ १॥

saurāṣṭradeśe viśade'tiramye jyotirmayaṃ candrakalāvataṃsam |
bhaktipradānāya kṛpāvatīrṇaṃ taṃ somanāthaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye || 1||

Meaning: I take refuge in Somanatha, who out of compassion took form in the bright and most lovely land of Saurashtra to give devotion, radiant with light and wearing the crescent moon as his crest.

Verse 2

श्रीशैलशृङ्गे विबुधातिसङ्गे तुलाद्रितुङ्गेऽपि मुदा वसन्तम् ।
तमर्जुनं मल्लिकपूर्वमेकं नमामि संसारसमुद्रसेतुम् ॥ २॥

śrīśailaśṛṅge vibudhātisaṅge tulādrituṅge'pi mudā vasantam |
tamarjunaṃ mallikapūrvamekaṃ namāmi saṃsārasamudrasetum || 2||

Meaning: I bow to the One called Mallikarjuna, who dwells joyfully on the peak of Shrishaila, where the gods gather in great numbers, lofty as the highest mountain: the bridge across the ocean of worldly life.

Verse 3

अवन्तिकायां विहितावतारं मुक्तिप्रदानाय च सज्जनानाम् ।
अकालमृत्योः परिरक्षणार्थं वन्दे महाकालमहासुरेशम् ॥ ३॥

avantikāyāṃ vihitāvatāraṃ muktipradānāya ca sajjanānām |
akālamṛtyoḥ parirakṣaṇārthaṃ vande mahākālamahāsureśam || 3||

Meaning: I worship Mahakala, great lord of the gods, who took form in Avantika (Ujjain) to give liberation to the good and to protect them from untimely death.

Verse 4

कावेरिकानर्मदयोः पवित्रे समागमे सज्जनतारणाय ।
सदैव मान्धातृपुरे वसन्तं ओङ्कारमीशं शिवमेकमीडे ॥ ४॥

kāverikānarmadayoḥ pavitre samāgame sajjanatāraṇāya |
sadaiva māndhātṛpure vasantaṃ oṅkāramīśaṃ śivamekamīḍe || 4||

Meaning: I praise the one Shiva, Lord Omkara, who dwells forever in Mandhatripura at the holy meeting of the Kaveri and the Narmada, to carry the good across.

Vaidyanatha to Tryambaka (verses 5 to 8)

Verse 5

पूर्वोत्तरे प्रज्वलिकानिधाने सदाशिवं तं गिरिजासमेतम् ।
सुरासुराराधितपादपद्मं श्रीवैद्यनाथं तमहं नमामि ॥ ५॥

pūrvottare prajvalikānidhāne sadāśivaṃ taṃ girijāsametam |
surāsurārādhitapādapadmaṃ śrīvaidyanāthaṃ tamahaṃ namāmi || 5||

Meaning: I bow to Shri Vaidyanatha, Sadashiva together with Girija (Parvati), whose lotus feet are worshipped by gods and demons, at Prajvalika in the north-east (the source's alternative reading names Parali).

Verse 6

याम्ये सदङ्गे नगरेऽतिरम्ये विभूषिताङ्गं विविधैश्च भोगैः ।
सद्भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदमीशमेकं श्रीनागनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ ६॥

yāmye sadaṅge nagare'tiramye vibhūṣitāṅgaṃ vividhaiśca bhogaiḥ |
sadbhuktimuktipradamīśamekaṃ śrīnāganāthaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye || 6||

Meaning: I take refuge in Shri Naganatha, the one Lord who gives both the good things of this life and liberation, adorned with many splendours, in the most lovely city of Sadanga in the south (the alternative reading names Amarda).

Verse 7

महाद्रिपार्श्वे च तटे रमन्तं सम्पूज्यमानं सततं मुनीन्द्रैः ।
सुरासुरैर्यक्ष महोरगाढ्यैः केदारमीशं शिवमेकमीडे ॥ ७॥

mahādripārśve ca taṭe ramantaṃ sampūjyamānaṃ satataṃ munīndraiḥ |
surāsurairyakṣa mahoragāḍhyaiḥ kedāramīśaṃ śivamekamīḍe || 7||

Meaning: I praise the one Shiva, Lord Kedara, who delights on the slopes beside the great mountain, worshipped always by the great sages and by gods, demons, yakshas and great serpents.

Verse 8

सह्याद्रिशीर्षे विमले वसन्तं गोदावरितीरपवित्रदेशे ।
यद्दर्शनात्पातकमाशु नाशं प्रयाति तं त्र्यम्बकमीशमीडे ॥ ८॥

sahyādriśīrṣe vimale vasantaṃ godāvaritīrapavitradeśe |
yaddarśanātpātakamāśu nāśaṃ prayāti taṃ tryambakamīśamīḍe || 8||

Meaning: I praise Lord Tryambaka, who dwells on the pure summit of the Sahyadri, in the holy land on the bank of the Godavari, by whose sight sin is quickly destroyed.

Rameshvara to Ghrishneshvara (verses 9 to 12)

Verse 9

सुताम्रपर्णीजलराशियोगे निबध्य सेतुं विशिखैरसङ्ख्यैः ।
श्रीरामचन्द्रेण समर्पितं तं रामेश्वराख्यं नियतं नमामि ॥ ९॥

sutāmraparṇījalarāśiyoge nibadhya setuṃ viśikhairasaṅkhyaiḥ |
śrīrāmacandreṇa samarpitaṃ taṃ rāmeśvarākhyaṃ niyataṃ namāmi || 9||

Meaning: I bow always to the one called Rameshvara, installed by Shri Ramachandra where the Tamraparni meets the sea, after he had built the bridge with countless arrows.

Verse 10

यं डाकिनिशाकिनिकासमाजे निषेव्यमाणं पिशिताशनैश्च ।
सदैव भीमादिपदप्रसिद्धं तं शङ्करं भक्तहितं नमामि ॥ १०॥

yaṃ ḍākiniśākinikāsamāje niṣevyamāṇaṃ piśitāśanaiśca |
sadaiva bhīmādipadaprasiddhaṃ taṃ śaṅkaraṃ bhaktahitaṃ namāmi || 10||

Meaning: I bow to Shankara, kind to his devotees, famed by the name Bhima, who is served in the company of dakinis and shakinis and of the beings who live on flesh.

Verse 11

सानन्दमानन्दवने वसन्तमानन्दकन्दं हतपापवृन्दम् ।
वाराणसीनाथमनाथनाथं श्रीविश्वनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥ ११॥

sānandamānandavane vasantamānandakandaṃ hatapāpavṛndam |
vārāṇasīnāthamanāthanāthaṃ śrīviśvanāthaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye || 11||

Meaning: I take refuge in Shri Vishvanatha, lord of Varanasi and protector of those who have no protector, who dwells joyfully in Anandavana, the forest of bliss: the root of bliss, the destroyer of the mass of sins.

Verse 12

इलापुरे रम्यविशालकेऽस्मिन् समुल्लसन्तं च जगद्वरेण्यम् ।
वन्दे महोदारतरस्वभावं घृष्णेश्वराख्यं शरणम् प्रपद्ये ॥ १२॥

ilāpure ramyaviśālake'smin samullasantaṃ ca jagadvareṇyam |
vande mahodāratarasvabhāvaṃ ghṛṣṇeśvarākhyaṃ śaraṇam prapadye || 12||

Meaning: I worship and take refuge in the one called Ghrishneshvara, of most generous nature, worthy of the world's worship, who shines here in lovely and spacious Ilapura.

Closing verse and colophon

ज्योतिर्मयद्वादशलिङ्गकानां शिवात्मनां प्रोक्तमिदं क्रमेण ।
स्तोत्रं पठित्वा मनुजोऽतिभक्त्या फलं तदालोक्य निजं भजेच्च ॥
॥ इति श्रीमद्शङ्कराचार्यविरचितं
द्वादशज्योतिर्लिङ्गस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

jyotirmayadvādaśaliṅgakānāṃ śivātmanāṃ proktamidaṃ krameṇa |
stotraṃ paṭhitvā manujo'tibhaktyā phalaṃ tadālokya nijaṃ bhajecca ||
|| iti śrīmadśaṅkarācāryaviracitaṃ
dvādaśajyotirliṅgastotraṃ sampūrṇam ||

Meaning: This hymn has been told, in order, on the twelve luminous lingas, which are Shiva himself. A person who recites it with deep devotion beholds its fruit and gains his own reward. Thus ends the Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram composed by the revered Shankaracharya.

Alternative closing verse, as given by the source

एतानि लिङ्गानि सदैव मर्त्याः प्रातः पठन्तोऽमलमानसाश्च ।
ते पुत्रपौत्रैश्च धनैरुदारैः सत्कीर्ति भाजः सुखिनो भवन्ति ॥

etāni liṅgāni sadaiva martyāḥ prātaḥ paṭhanto'malamānasāśca |
te putrapautraiśca dhanairudāraiḥ satkīrti bhājaḥ sukhino bhavanti ||

Meaning: Mortals who recite these lingas every morning with pure minds are blessed with children and grandchildren, ample wealth and good fame, and live happily.

The short verses: Saurashtre Somanatham cha

This short text, listed by the source as traditional, names the twelve Jyotirlingas in three verses and adds two verses on the merit of remembering them. It is often recited morning and evening, and before setting out on a pilgrimage.

Verse 1

सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम् ।
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालमोङ्कारममलेश्वरम् ॥

saurāṣṭre somanāthaṃ ca śrīśaile mallikārjunam |
ujjayinyāṃ mahākālamoṅkāramamaleśvaram ||

Meaning: Somanatha in Saurashtra, Mallikarjuna on Shrishaila, Mahakala in Ujjayini, Omkara at Amaleshvara;

Verse 2

परल्यां वैद्यनाथं च डाकिन्यां भीमशङ्करम् ।
सेतुबन्धे तु रामेशं नागेशं दारुकावने ॥

paralyāṃ vaidyanāthaṃ ca ḍākinyāṃ bhīmaśaṅkaram |
setubandhe tu rāmeśaṃ nāgeśaṃ dārukāvane ||

Meaning: Vaidyanatha at Parali, Bhimashankara in Dakini, Ramesha at Setubandha and Nagesha in the Daruka forest;

Verse 3

वाराणस्यां तु विश्वेशं त्र्यम्बकं गौतमीतटे ।
हिमालये तु केदारं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये ॥

vārāṇasyāṃ tu viśveśaṃ tryambakaṃ gautamītaṭe |
himālaye tu kedāraṃ ghuśmeśaṃ ca śivālaye ||

Meaning: Vishvesha in Varanasi, Tryambaka on the bank of the Gautami (Godavari), Kedara in the Himalaya and Ghushmesha at Shivalaya.

Verse 4

एतानि ज्योतिर्लिङ्गानि सायं प्रातः पठेन्नरः ।
सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनश्यति ॥

etāni jyotirliṅgāni sāyaṃ prātaḥ paṭhennaraḥ |
saptajanmakṛtaṃ pāpaṃ smaraṇena vinaśyati ||

Meaning: Whoever recites these Jyotirlingas evening and morning, the sin done in seven births is destroyed by remembering them.

Verse 5

एतेषां दर्शनादेव पातकं नैव तिष्ठति ।
कर्मक्षयो भवेत्तस्य यस्य तुष्टो महेश्वरः ॥

eteṣāṃ darśanādeva pātakaṃ naiva tiṣṭhati |
karmakṣayo bhavettasya yasya tuṣṭo maheśvaraḥ ||

Meaning: By the very sight of them no sin remains, and the karma of one with whom Maheshvara is pleased comes to an end.

Colophon

इति द्वादशज्योतिर्लिङ्गानि ।

iti dvādaśajyotirliṅgāni |

Meaning: Thus the twelve Jyotirlingas.

The twelve Jyotirlingas in the stotram

When is it traditionally recited?

• Mondays: Monday (Somavara) is Shiva's day; see our Monday guide to Shiva worship.
• Shivaratri: the next Masik Shivaratri is on Saturday 7 November 2026, and the Karthika Masa Shivaratri on Monday 7 December (dates for New Delhi).
• Before or after a pilgrimage: families who visit the Jyotirlingas often recite the stotram on the journey; see the 12 Jyotirlingas guide.
• Daily: the short verses ask to be recited evening and morning (verse 4).

How to recite it at home

1. Sit before a Shiva linga or picture of Shiva with a lamp, a little water and, if you have them, bilva leaves.
2. Begin with 'om namah shivaya' a few times; see our Om Namah Shivaya chanting guide.
3. Recite the twelve verses slowly, picturing each temple as it is named; you may offer a leaf or a drop of water at each verse.
4. Recite the closing verse, then the short 'Saurashtre Somanatham' verses once or three times.
5. On a longer day, add the Lingashtakam, the Shiva Panchakshara Stotram or the Bilvashtakam.

Pronunciation help

• In the IAST, a line over a vowel (ā, ī, ū) means it is held twice as long; ṇ, ṭ and ḍ are made with the tongue curled back; ś and ṣ are both 'sh' sounds.
• The stotram is in a flowing eleven-syllable metre; pause briefly at each comma-like break in the middle of a line.
• Ghṛṣṇeśvara (verse 12): ghrish-nesh-va-ra, with the ṛ as a short 'ri'.

Traditional beliefs about the stotram

The closing verses state the hymn's merit in traditional words: the fruit of devotion, children and grandchildren, wealth and good fame; the short verses add that remembering the twelve Jyotirlingas removes the sins of seven births. Devotees traditionally believe that reciting them with faith:

• is like a pilgrimage to all twelve shrines made in the mind;
• keeps the twelve holy places alive in the family's memory, even far from India;
• brings Shiva's grace and peace of mind;
• prepares one for darshan when a pilgrimage becomes possible.

These are matters of faith, not guarantees; they are best held as acts of devotion rather than as promises of a particular result.

Tips for NRI families

• Learn the short verses first. Three short verses name all twelve Jyotirlingas: an easy, memorable start for children.
• Use a map. Mark the twelve places on a map of India as you recite; it turns the stotram into a geography lesson.
• Plan a pilgrimage. The 12 Jyotirlingas guide covers routes, seasons and darshan timings for visitors from abroad.
• Go deeper. The Shiva hub gathers our Shiva guides; the Shiva Mahimna Stotram and Rudrashtakam are classic companions.

Frequently asked questions

Who composed the Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram?

The 12-verse stotram beginning 'Saurashtradeshe vishade' is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya; its colophon in the source reads 'iti shrimat-Shankaracharya-virachitam Dvadasha-jyotirlinga-stotram sampurnam'. The short verses beginning 'Saurashtre Somanatham cha' are listed in the source as traditional, with no author.

What is the difference between the two texts on this page?

The Shankaracharya stotram gives one full verse of praise to each Jyotirlinga. The short 'smarana' names all twelve in three verses and adds two verses on the merit of remembering them; it is the one many families recite every morning and evening.

Why do some lists name a different Vaidyanatha or Nageshvara?

Traditions differ on where some Jyotirlingas are. The short verses place Vaidyanatha at Parali and Nagesha in Darukavana, and the stotram's alternative reading also gives Parali; others identify Vaidyanatha with Deoghar in Jharkhand and Nageshvara with the shrine near Dwarka or Aundha. We print the texts as the source gives them.

Does reciting it remove sins?

The short verses say that remembering the twelve Jyotirlingas morning and evening removes the sins of seven births. This is the traditional language of the text, recited in faith; it is not a claim we can state as fact.

When is it traditionally recited?

On Mondays, on Pradosha and Masik Shivaratri, on Maha Shivaratri and during Karthika Masam, before or after a Jyotirlinga pilgrimage, and by many every morning and evening.

How long does it take?

About five minutes for the stotram and one minute for the short verses.

Can anyone recite it?

Yes. Both texts are recited by men and women of every age, at home and in temples.

Editor's note (20 October 2026)

This page was published on 20 October 2026 at the address readers and search engines were already requesting. The stotram is the full text of the Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram on sanskritdocuments.org (file dvAdashaJyotistotra.itx, encoded and proofread by Subramanian Ganesh; Author field: Shankaracharya; colophon 'iti shrimat-Shankaracharya-virachitam'). The short verses are the Dvadasha Jyotirlingani on sanskritdocuments.org (file jyotirling.itx, by Subramanian Ganesh and Ashish Chandra; Author field: Traditional). Both were converted from ITRANS to Devanagari and IAST by software. We corrected four typing slips: in verse 1 of the stotram a stray space in 'vish ade' (vishade, bright); in verse 8 'yaddharshanat' printed 'yaddarshanat' (by whose sight); and in the last of the short verses 'eteshAM' printed 'eteṣāṃ' (of these) and 'maheshvarAH' printed 'maheśvaraḥ', agreeing with the singular verb. The source prints alternative readings in brackets after many lines of the stotram; we print the main reading, note the alternatives that change a place name, and give the source's alternative closing verse as a labelled unit. The statements of merit are given as the texts' own traditional words, not as claims of fact. Dates are from HinduTone's panchang pages for New Delhi.

Related guides

• 12 Jyotirlingas complete guide
• Lingashtakam with meaning
• Shiva Panchakshara Stotram with meaning
• Shiva Mahimna Stotram with meaning
• Monday (Somavara) Shiva worship guide
• Shiva hub