Rudrashtakam

The Rudrashtakam is an eight-versed hymn composed by the Indian sant Tulsidas in devotion to Śiva-Rudra, the Auspicious-Roarer, which is, in Greek 'Εὔιος-Βρόμιος' the same name used often for the Supreme Deity in Orphism, described with the same attributes in each. The hymn is awe-inspiringly beautiful, particularly in Krishna Das' vocal rendition:



Translation:
I pray to the Supreme, Who is the lord of all, Who is in eternal bliss, Who is resplendent, Who is omni-present, and Who is Brahman and Veda in totality. I adore You, Who is ultimate, Who is formless, Who is without change, Who is without passions, Who is like the sky (immeasurable), and Who lives in the heaven.

2. I bow prostrate before You, Who is without a form, Who is the root of sounds, Who is the fourth impersonal state of the Atman, Who is beyond the scope of tongue, knowledge and sense-organs, Who is the Lord, Who is the Lord of Mountains, Who is fierce, Who is the lord of Time, Who is benevolent, Who is the abode of qualities, and is beyond the all the universe.

O benevolent, Eternal, Auspicious One . . .

3. I bow to You, Who is white like the snow, Who is profound, Who is mind, Who is in the form of living beings, Who has immense splendor and glory. He has shining forehead with playful and enticing Heavenly River, the crescent moon, and a serpent about his neck.

4. I adore the Friendly God, Who has swaying gems, Who has beautiful eye on the forehead, Who is spread out and everywhere, Who is happy at face, Who has a blue-throat, Who is benevolent, Who has a tiger-skin around His waist, a skull garland, and Who is the dear Lord of everyone.

O benevolent, Eternal, Auspicious One . . .

5. I adore the Lord of Bhavani (his consort), Who is fierce, Who is immense, Who is mature and brave, Who is beyond everyone, Who is indivisible, Who is unborn, Who is resplendent like millions of suns, Who uproots the three qualities and makes us tranquil, Who holds the trident, and Who can be achieved only with true devotion.

6. O Shiva, Who destroyed Kamadeva, Who is beyond artwork, Who is auspicious, Who causes the end of the universe, Who always provides bliss to good people, Who destroyed the demons, Who is eternal bliss, and Who dissolves abundant passions! O Lord! Please be joyful, be joyful.

O benevolent, Eternal, Auspicious One . . .

7. Those who adore not the lotus-feet of the Lord of Earth, get no happiness, comfort, nor  peace — in this world or the other worlds after death. O Auspicious One, Who dwells in all who live! O Lord! Please, be kindly.

8. I know not yoga, chant nor sacrifice. Still, I am bowing continuously and always to You. O Benevolent One! O Lord! Save me from the sorrow of aging, birth, grief, sin, and troubles. I bow to You, Who are the Lord.

O benevolent, Eternal, Auspicious One . . .

This Rudrashtakam has been composed by the wise for pleasing the Lord,
Those who recite this with true devotion, with them the Blessed, Benevolent One will be always pleased.

O Lord pure as camphor, supreme embodiment, source of existence, adorned with a serpent,
Enthroned forever in the hearts of the pious,
I bow to the Supreme together with his consort.

O benevolent, Eternal, Auspicious One . . .

I love this hymn. I have always been fond of Shaivism. I always find myself coming back to it. I find my devotion to Bacchus has sparked my return.