Bilvashtakam

Bilwa Ashtakam, also spelled Bilwashtakam, Vilvashtakam, or Bilvashtakam, is the asthakam (ashtak) addressed to Lord Shiva. Bilwa Ashtakam is a highly powerful Sanskrit Shiva stotra which are the eight hymns chanted while offering Bilwa (Vilva) leaves to Lord Shiva. The Bilwa (Aegle Marmelos) leaves are one of the main offering to Lord Shiv and by offering Bilva leaves (Koovalam in Malayalam) a devotee can easily please Lord Shiva.

Bilvashtakam is in Sanskrit. It starts with bowing to God Ganesha. It is a very pious Shiva Stotra. God Shiva likes Bilva (tree) leaf. In this stotra, how Bilva leaf is pious and why it is offered to God Shiva when we worship (pooja) him, is described. While performing Pooja of God Shiva, it is said to be incomplete if we don’t offer Bilva Patra (Leaf). 

Chanting Bilwa Ashtakam especially on Maha Shivaratri is considered auspicious. Here is Lyrics of Bilwashtakam with English meaning.

Rudrashtakam

The Rudrashtakam is Ashtakam or an eight verse Octet or a rhyming prayer dedicated to the manifestation of Shiva the Destroyer out of the Hindu holy trinity as Rudra.Rudra is considered as the fearsome manifestation of Shiva who is to be feared.

The Rudhrashtakam was composed by the great saint Goswami Tulsidas. This eightfold hymn of praise was sung to please Shankara. Shambhu will be pleased with whomever heartfully recites it.

Shiva Manasa Puja

The Shiv Manas pooja composed by Adi Shankara is a unique prayer. While reciting this prayer, the devotee does not offer anything material as an offering to Shiva. Everything is on the mental level. All that one wants to offer to Shiva is offered in the mind of the devotee reciting this prayer.

One can offer thing he desires to Shiva in his mind.Adi Shankara most probably wanted to do away with rituals and flaunting of wealth by wealthy devotees, hence this unique prayer.

Lingashtakam

Shiva Lingam

The Shiva Lingam is one of the most important and worshiped religious symbols in the Hindu religion. It is considered as the representation of the God of the Universe from which the entire creation emerged. This is an Ashtakam or an Octet, which is a rhyming eight verse prayer dedicated to the Shiva Lingam.

The Shivalingam is a sacred symbol of the Hindus whom they revere as the manifestation of the Universal Self in His awakened aspect in union with His dynamic energy Shakti. This prayer is a declaration of faith, obedience, love and devotion to Lord Shiva in His aspect as Shivalingam.

Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram

Lord Shiva

This is one of the most powerful stotram among all. It is also called the prayer of the great victor over death by Sage Markandeya.

Once Sage Mrukandu prayed Lord Shiva for a son. Lord Shiva asked him whether he wanted an intelligent son who will live only for 16 years or foolish son, who will live for one hundred years. The sage chose the former. A son was born to him and was named as Markandeya. This boy became a very great devotee of Lord Shiva. On his sixteenth birthday, he entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord and embraced him. Yama, the lord of death came to take away his soul. Lord Shiva killed Yama. Then the boy Markandeya sang the following stotra. This prayer is used to ward of all evils, remove fear of death and realize all wishes.