Shiv Chaalisa -

	Meaning
	Salutation to Girija?s son Ganesha, who is the source of all well- being as well as of wisdom. Ayodhyadasa entreats you to bless him with fearlessness.
	Glory to Girija?s consort Shiva, who is compassionate to the destitute, who always provides protection to the saintly, the moon on whose forehead sheds its beautiful lustre and in whose ears are the pendants of the cobra hood
	Of your complexion, O Lord, You are fair and wear a garland of skulls. From your locks streams the Ganga; your body, elegantly attired in tigerskin, is all smeared with ashes. Your loveliness enchanting to beholders charms even serpents and ascetics.
	The beloved daughter of Maina, Parvati, seated on your left, presents a sight of incomparable loveliness.The trident in your hand, which has always slaughtered its adversaries, looks exceedingly beautiful
	Nandi, your bull and vehicle, looks glorious like the lotus amid a lake. So winsome are Karttikye, Parvati and Ganesha that their beggars description.
	Whenever, O Lord, the Gods appealed to you for you came to their rescue and delivered them from trouble. When the demon Taraka began to cause havoc, the celestials invoked you to challenge the fiend.
	Sadanana, whom you despatched at once, felled the foe in the twinkling of an eye. The whole world resounds with your unsullied fame and knows you as the slaughterer of the demon Jalandhara
	By waging a war against demon Tripura you had the kindness to save all, and when, O Purari, Bhagiratha underwent a severe penance you rewarded him with fruit of it.
	Your devotees, who never tire of hymning your glories, declare that none among the beneficent equals you in generosity. Although the Vedas glorify your name, you are nonetheless inexpressible and eternal, so that none can fathom your mystery
	Great flames of poisonous fire leapt from the ocean when it was churned, the panic-stricken gods and demons who were engulfed in flames began to be burnt alive. Then, showing your gracious compassion, you came to their rescue and assumed the name of Nilakantha thereafter.
	Pleased with Rama?s devotion, you enabled him to conquer Lanka and crown Vibhishana its king. When Vishnu, desirous of propitiating you, offered an oblation of a thousand lotuses, then , O Purari ,you subjected him to grueling test
	You had ,O Lord ,concealed one of the oblatory lotuses, but undeterred, Vishnu offered his own lotus-eye in place of the missing flower. Observing his unflinching devotion, you were exceedingly pleased and granted him the boon he desired most.
	Glory, glory ,all glory to you, O infinite and eternal Lord ! Compassionate to every creature, you dwell in the inmost hearts of all. Throngs of the wicked torment me every day, deluding me so utterly that I never have any peace of mind.
	Hearhen, my Lord ,I call you for help, save me! Make haste and be my protector. Bring your trident, slaughter my enemies, and rescue me from my burning woe .
	My parents, brother, and other kinsfolk have turned a blind eye to me in my distress. You are, O Lord, my only hope now, come at once and set me free from this crises.
	You always bestow wealth on the impecunious and let him have whatever he entreats you for .I wonder how one should sing your praises and glorify you. Please, O Lord, forgive me my sins and transgressions .
	You are the dispeller of all crises, O Shankara, destroyer of all obstacles and source and cause of well-being. All yogins, ascetics and hermits meditate on you and even Saraswati and Narada do you obeisance.
	Homage, homage, all homage and glory to you , O Shiva ; you are beyond the comprehension of Brahma, gods, and the like. O Sambhu you are gracious to him who recites this text with full concentration of mind.
	Even he who is weighted with debt sheds his sin if he chants this Hymn. When blessed by Shiva, even a sonless person, who desires an issue , begets a son .
	He who invites a learned priest and with full concentration offers fire oblation, regularly observing the vow of trayodasi is completely rid of all afflictions .
	He who offers incense, light and naiveda and chants this text in the presence of Shiva?s image is rid of all sins, however grievous they may be, committed in his present and past lives and ultimately he has his abode in Shiva?s own realm.
	Says Ayodhyadasa ? You are now my only hope, O Lord; being omniscient, you know all our troubles ; as one full of loving kind- ness, may you ever relieve me of my desires !?