maṇikarṇikāṣṭakam

Manikarnikashtakam is a profound octet composed by Adi Shankaracharya, dedicated to Goddess Manikarnika, the presiding deity of the sacred Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi. The stotra extols the unique spiritual potency of the site, where Lord Shiva is believed to whisper the Taraka Mantra into the ears of the departed, granting immediate liberation. Chanting this hymn purifies the devotee of accumulated karmic burdens and aligns the soul with the divine. It is revered for its ability to dissolve the cycle of rebirth, offering the promise of attaining the eternal abode of Lord Vishnu and Shiva.