Lingashtakam, other Ashtakams for Lord Shiva

The term Astakam is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Astak', meaning "Eight". In context of poetic compositions, 'Astakam' refers to a particular form of poetry. The form of a composition is an 'Astakam' where eight stanzas make the piece. The conventions associated with the Astakam have evolved over its literary history of more than 2500 years.