The Shiva Purana

by J. L. Shastri | 1950 | 616,585 words

This page relates “the thousand names of shiva” as found in the Shiva-purana, which, in Hinduism, represents one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. This work eulogizes Lord Shiva as the supreme deity, besides topics such as cosmology and philosophy. It is written in Sanskrit and claims to be a redaction of an original text consisting of 100,000 metrical verses.

Disclaimer: These are translations of Sanskrit texts and are not necessarily approved by everyone associated with the traditions connected to these texts. Consult the source and original scripture in case of doubt.

Chapter 35 - Śiva-sahasranāma: the thousand names of Śiva

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:—

1. May this be heard, O great sages. I shall now recount the hymn of thousand names (see notes) of Śiva, whereby Śiva was satisfied.

Viṣṇu said:—

2-131 Śiva (pure), Hara (destroyer), Mṛḍa (gracious), Rudra[1] (terrible), Puṣkara(nourisher), Puṣpalocana (of flowery eyes), Arthigamya (accessible to the suppliants), Sadācāra (of noble conduct), Sarva (all-in-all), (bestower of welfare), Maheśvara (great lord), Candrāpīḍa (with moon for the diadem), Candramauli (with moon for his crest-jewel), Viśva (universe), Viśvambhareśvara (lord of the earth), Vedāntasārasandoha (the essence of Vedānta philosophy), Kapālin (with a skull in the hand), Nīlalohita (blue-blooded), Dhyānādhāra (object of meditation), Aparicchedya (inexplicable), Gaurībhartṛ (husband of Gaurī), Gaṇeśvara (Lord of Gaṇas), Aṣṭamūrti[2] (Having eight cosmic bodies), Viśvamūrti (universe-bodied), Trivarga (bestower of virtue, wealth and love), Sargasādhana (achiever of creation, Jñānagamya (accessible by perfect knowledge), Dṛḍhaprajña (of steady intellect) Devadeva (lord of gods), Trilocana (three-eyed), Vāmadeva (lovely lord), Mahādeva (great god) Paṭu (efficient), Parivṛḍha (chief), Dṛḍha (firm), Viśvarūpa, (multiformed), Virūpākṣa (odd-eyed), Vāgīśa (lord of speech), Surasattama (the most excellent god), Sarvapramāṇasamvādin (in whom all authorities and proofs agree), Vṛṣāṅka (bull-bannered), Vṛṣavāhana (bull-vehicled), Īśa (lord), Pinākin (holding bow), Khaṭvāṅgin (holding missile Khāṭvāṅga), Citraveṣa (of variegated dress), Cirantana (eternal being), Tamohara (remover of ignorance), Mahāyogin (great Yogin), Goptṛ (protector), Brahmāṇḍahṛt (heart of cosmos), Jaṭin (having matted hair), Kālakāla (slayer of Death), Kṛttivāsas[3] (wearing hide), Subhaga (comely), Praṇatātmaka (soul of the devotees), Unnadhra (uplifted), Puruṣa (divine being), Juṣya, (worthy to be served), Durvāsas (sage Durvāsas), Puraśāsana (chastiser of the Tripuras), Divyāyudha (having divine weapons), Skandaguru (preceptor of Skanda), Parameṣṭhin (staying at the acme), Parātpara (greater than the greatest), Anādīmadhyanidhana (with no beginning, middle or end), Girīśa (Lord of mountains), Girijādhava (husband of Pārvatī), Kuberabandhu (kinsman of Kubera), Śrīkaṇṭha (of glorious neck), Lokavarṇottama (excellent of all castes in the world), Mṛdu (soft), Samādhivedya (who can be realised through trance), Kodaṇḍin (holding bow), Nīlakaṇṭha[4] (blue-necked), Paraśvadhin (holding axe).

Viśālākṣa (wide-eyed), Mṛgavyādha (hunter of animal), Sureśa (lord of gods), Sūryatāpana (scorcher of the sun), Dharmādhyakṣa (presiding deity of virtue), Kṣamākṣetra (field of forgiveness), Bhagavat (lordly), Bhaganetrabhit (splitter of the eyes of Bhaga), Ugra (fierce), Paśupati (lord of beasts, the individual souls), Tārkṣya (Identical with Garuḍa), Priyabhakta (favourite of the devotee), Parantapa (scorcher of enemies), Dātṛ (donor), Dayākara (compassionate), Dakṣa (skilful), Kapardin (having matted hair), Kāmaśāsana (chastiser of cupid), Śmaśānanilaya (residing in cremation ground), Sūkṣma (subtle) Śmaśānastha (staying in cremation ground), Maheśvara (great God), Lokakartṛ (creator of the worlds), Mṛgapati (lord of deer), Mahākartṛ (great maker), Mahauṣadhi (great medicine), Somapa (imbiber of Soma juice), Amṛtapa (drinker of nectar), Saumya (gentle), Mahātejas (of great splendour), Mahādyuti (of great brilliance), Tejomaya (full of lustre), Amṛtamaya (full of Nectar), Annamaya (of ṭhe nature of food), Sudhāpati (lord of nectar), Uttama (the most excellent), Gopati (lord of speech), Goptṛ (protector), Jñānagamya (attainable through perfect knowledge), Purātana (ancient being), Nīti (justice), Sunītīi (good justice and policy), Śuddhātman (pure soul), Soma (accompanied by Umā), Somatara (excelling the moon), Sukhin (happy being), Ajātaśatru (whose enemy is not yet born), Ālokasambhāvya (whose existence is inferred as possible through the lustre), Havyavāhana (carrier of sacrificial offerings i.e fire), Lokaṅkara (maker of the worlds) Vedakara (originator of the Vedas), Sūtrakāra (composer of Aphorisms), Sanātana (eternal), Maharṣi (great sage), Kapilācārya (preceptor Kapila), Viśvadīpti (light of the Universe), Trilocana[5] (three-eyed), Pinākapāṇi (holding Pināka in the hand), Bhūdeva (god of the earth), Svastida (bestower of weal), Sukṛta (meritorious), Sudhī (intelligent), Dhātṛdhāman (abode of the Creator), Dhāmakara (creator of lustre), Sarvada (bestower of all), Sarvagocara (visible to all), Brahmasṛk (creator of Brahmā), Viśvasṛk (creator of the universe), Sarga (creation), Karṇikārapriya (fond of the pericarp of the lotus), Kavi (poet), Śākha, Viśākha, Gośākha, Śiva (the cause of welfare), Bhiṣak Anuttama (excellent physician), Gaṅgāplavodaka (water flowing in Gaṅgā), Bhavya (good), Puṣkala (eminent one), Sthapati (architect) Sthira (steady), Vijitātman (self-conqueror), Vidheyātman (self-controlled), Bhūtavāhanasārathi (with Bhūtas (globlins) as charioteers), Sagaṇa (accompanied by Gaṇas), Gaṇakāya (with Gaṇas as body-guards), Sukīrti (of good fame), chinnasaṃśaya (one to whom doubts have been cleared), Kāmadeva (identical with cupid), Kāmapāla (protector of the desires), Bhasmoddhūlitavigraha (whose body is dusted with Bhasma), Bhasmapriya (fond of Bhasma), Bhasmaśāyin (lying on Bhasma), Kāmin (lover), Kānta (brilliant), Kṛtāgama (one who has created Āgamas), Samāvarta (who whirls the wheel of worldly existence), Anivṛttātmā (whose soul never turns back), Dharmapuñja (mass of virtue), Sadāśiva {auspicious for ever), Akalmaṣa (sinless), Puṇyātman (meritorious soul), Caturbāhu (four-armed), Durāsada (difficult of access), Durlabha (rare one), Durgama (impassable), Durga (Difficult of being attained). Sarvāyudhaviśārada (expert in wielding weapons), Adhyātmayoganilaya (stationed in spiritual Yoga), Sutantu (wearing good fabric of universe), Tantuvardhana (enhancer of the fabric), Śubhāṅga (having auspicious limbs), Lokasāraṅga (essence of the worlds), Jagadīśa (lord of the universe), suppressor of (wicked) people, Bhasmaśuddhikara (causing purity through Bhasma), Abhīru (non-cowardly), Ojasvin (vigorous), Śuddhavigraha (of pure body), Asādhya (unachievable), Sādhusādhya (achievable easily by the saintly), Bhṛtyamarkaṭarūpadhṛk (assuming the form of the servile monkey), Hiraṇyaretas (gold-semened), Paurāṇa (ancient one), Ripujīvahara (destroyer of enemies), Balin (strong,) Mahāhrada (deep eddy), Mahāgarta (deep ditch), Siddha, Vṛndāravandita (saluted by the gods), Vyāghracarmāmbara (wearing the tiger hide), Vyālin (clasped by serpents), Mahābhūta (great living being), Mahānidhi (great storehouse), Amṛta (nectar), Amṛtapā (drinker of the nectar), Śrīmat (glorious), Pāñcajanya[6] (favourable to the five classes of beings), Prabhañjana (hailstorm) Pañcaviṃśatitattvastha[7] (stationed in twenty five principles or entities), Pārijāta (celestial tree), Parātpara (greater than the greatest).

Sulabha (easy of access), Suvrata (of good rites), Śūra (heroic), Vāṅmayaikanidhi (treasure stored in all extant literature), Varṇāśramaguru (preceptor of castes and stages of life), Varṇin (the religious student), Śatrujit (conqueror of the enemies), Śatrutāpana (scorcher of enemies), Āśrama (stage of life), Śramaṇa (ascetic), Kṣāma (emaciated), Jñānavat (wise) Acaleśvara (lord or the mountain), Pramāṇabhūta (the authoritative proof), Durjñeya (difficult to be known), Suparṇa (Garuḍa of good wings), Vāyuvāhana (having wind as vehicle), Dhanurdhara (wielder of the bow), Dhanurveda (science of archery), Guṇa (attribute), Śaśiguṇākara (storehouse of the qualities of the moon), Satya (truth) Satyapara (devoted to truth), Adīna (non-distressed), Dharma (sacred virtue), Godharmaśāsana (chestiser of the beastly-natured), Anantadṛṣṭi (of infinite vision), Ānanda (bliss) Daṇḍa (punishment), Damayitṛ (suppressor), Dama (controller of senses), Abhicārya (worthy of being approached), Mahāmāya (of great Māyā), Viśvakarmaviśārada (adept in all activities of the Universe), Vītarāga (devoid of passion), Vinītātman (of well-disciplined soul), Tapasvin (ascetic), Bhūtabhāvana (conceiver and creator of living beings), Unmattaveṣa (having the guise of a mad one), Pracchanna (hidden one), Jitakāma (conqueror of lust), Jitendriya (conqueror of sense-organs), Kalyāṇaprakṛti (of good nature), Kalya (agreeable) Sarvaloka-Prajāpati (creator of worlds), Tarasvin (forceful) Tāraka (one who takes across and saves), Dhīmat (intelligent), Pradhāna (chief), Avyaya prabhu (imperishable lord), Lokapāla (protector of the worlds), Antarātman (immanent soul), Kalpādi (the beginning of Aeon), Kamalekṣaṇa (lotus-eyed), Vedaśāstrārthatattvajña (knower of the principles and meanings of the Śāstras), Niyamin (observer of restraints), Niyamāśraya (support of observances and restraints), Candra (identical with the moon), Sūrya (identical with the sun), Śani (Saturn), Ketu (planet Ketu), Varāṅga (excellent-bodied), Vidrumacchavi (having the lustre of Coral), Bhaktivaśya (subservient to devotion), Parambrahma (great Brahman), Mṛgabāṇārpaṇa (one who discharged arrows on the deer),[8] Anagha (faultless), Adri (mountain), Adryālaya (resident of the mountain), Kānta (the luminous), Paramātman (great soul), Jagadguru (preceptor of the universe), Sarvakarmālaya (abode of all rites), Tuṣṭa (satisfied), Maṅgalya (auspicious), Maṅgalāvṛta (surrounded by auspiciousness), Mahātapas (of great austerity), Dīrghatapas (of long penance), Sthaviṣṭha (grossest one), Sthavira-Dhruva (aged and steady), Ahan (day), Saṃvatsara (year), Vyāpti (concomitance), Pramāṇa (proof), Paramtapas (supreme penance).

Saṃvatsarakara (one causing the year), Mantra Pratyaya (credence), Sarvatāpana (scorcher of all), Aja (unborn), Sarveśvara (lord of all), Siddha, Mahātejas (of great lustre), Mahābala (of great strength), Yogin, Yogya (worthy), Mahāretas (of great virility), Siddhi (achievement), Sarvādi (beginning of all), Agraha (elderly), Vasu (wealth), Vasumanas (of praiseworthy mind), Satya (of truthful existence), Sarvapāpahara (destroyer of sins), Hara (remover of sins), Sukīrti (rtf good fame), Śobhana (of good beauty), Sragvin (wearing garlands), Vedāṅga (ancillary of the Vedas), Vedavit (knower of the Vedas), Muni (ascetic), Bhrājiṣṇu (shining), Bhojana (food), Bhoktṛ (diner). Lokanātha (lord of worlds), Durādhara (unconquerable), Amṛta (nectar), Śāśvata (permanent), Śānta (quiescent), Bāṇahasta (holding arrows in the hand), Pratāpavat (valorous), Kamaṇḍaludhara (holding water-pot), Dhanvin (having bow), Avāṅmanasagocara (inexpressible and inconceivable), Atīndriya (beyond the scope of sense-organs), Mahāmāya (wielding great Māyā), Sarvāvāsa (abode of all), Catuṣpatha (of four paths), Kālayogin (united in time), Mahānāda (of loud sound), Mahotsāha (of great zeal), Mahābala (of great stiength), Mahābuddhi (of great intellect), Mahāvīrya (of great virility), Bhūtacārin (moving about with the Bhūtas), Purandara[9] (destroyer of the cities or identical with Indra), Niśācara (stalking at night), Pretacārin (moving about with the ghosts), Mahāśakti (of great strength), Mahādyuti (of great lustre), Anirdeśyavapus (whose body cannot be specifically indicated), Śrīmat (glorious), Sarvācārya (preceptor of all), Manogali (having the velocity of the mind), Bahuśruti (of many ears, or, of great fame), Mahāmāya (of great Māyā), Nīyatātman (of restrained soul), Dhruva (steady), Adhruva (unsteady), Tejastejas (splendour of splendours), Dyutidhara (having brillianre), Janaka (father), Sarvaśāsana (chastiser of all), Nṛtyapriya (fond of dance), Nityanṛtya (ever-dancing), Prakāśātman (of luminous soul), Prakāśaka (the illuminator), Spaṣṭākṣara (of clear words and syllables), Budha (wise), Mantra, Samāna (impartial), Sārasamplava (floating the essence), Yugādikṛt (cause of the beginning of Yugas), Yugāvarta (causing the Yugas to revolve), Gambhīra (grave), Vṛṣavāhana (bull-vehicled), Iṣṭa (one who is wished for or worshipped), Viśiṣṭa (special or well-equipped), Śiṣṭeṣṭa (liked by the cultured), Sulabha (easy of access), Sāraśodhana (purifier of the essence), Tīrtharūpa (of the form of the holy centre), Tīrthanāman (named after the holy centres), Tīrthadṛśya (visible at the holy centres), Tīrthada (bestower of Tīrthas), Apām Nidhi (storehouse of waters), Adhiṣṭhāna (supporting base), Durjaya (difficult to be conquered), Jayakālavit (knower of the time of conquest), Pratiṣṭhita (well established), Pramāṇajña (knower of Testimonies), Hiraṇyakavaca (having golden coat of mail), Hari (identical with Viṣṇu), Vimocana (releaser), Suragaṇa (having gods as attendants), Vidyeśa (lord of lore), Bindusaṃśraya (stationed in the mystic dot), Vātarūpa (of the form of wind), Amalonmāyin (free from impurity), Vikartṛ (special maker), Gahana (dense), Guha (identical with Kārtikeya), Kāraṇa (cause), Kartṛ (active), Sarvabandhavimocana (releaser from all bondages), Vyavasāya (determination), Vyavasthāna (establisher of order), Sthānada (bestower of proper position), Jagadādija (originating at the beginning of the universe), Guruḍa (conferer of weighty things), Lalita (simple and delicate), Bheda (difference), Navātman (new soul), Ātmani Saṃsthita (stationed in the soul), Vīreśvara (lord of heroes), Vīrabhadra (identical with Vīrabhadra), Vīrāsana vidhi (knowing the mode of sitting in the heroic posture), Guru (preceptor), Vīracūḍāmaṇi (crest-jewel of heroes), Vettṛ (knower), Cidānanda (sentience and bliss), Nadīśvara (lord of rivers), Ājñādhara (holder of behests), Triśūlin (holding the Trident), Śipiviṣṭa (entering and stationed in rays), Śivālaya (of auspicious residence), Bālakhilya (identical with the sage Bālakhilyas), Mahāvīra (great hero), Tigmāṃśu (of fiery rays), Badhira (deaf), Khaga (traversing the sky), Abhirāma (the eharming one), Suśaraṇa (worthy refuge), Subrahmaṇya (identical with Kumāra), Sudhāpati (lord of nectar), Maghavat (identical with Indra), Kauśika (identical with sage Kauśika), Gomat (possessing cows, rays etc.), Virāma (final stoppage), Sarvasādhana (having all equipments), Lalāṭākṣa (having eye in the forehead), Viśvadeha (having the universe as body), Sāra (essence), Saṃsāra Cakrabhṛt (holder of the wheel of worldly existence), Amoghadaṇḍa (of never-failing punishment), Madhyastha (stationed in the middle), Hariṇa (deer), Brahmavarcasa (having the brahminical lustre), Paramārtha (the greatest entity), Paramāya (wielding the great Māyā), Sañcaya (collection), Vyāghrakomala (tender to the tiger), Ruci (interest), Bahuruci (having great interest), Vaidya (physician), Vācaspati (lord of speech), Ahaspati (lord of the day, the sun), Ravi (sun), Virocana (sun, moon or fire), Skanda (Kārttikeya), Śāstṛ (chastiser), Vaivasvata Yama (Yama the son of the Sun), Yukti (joint), Unnatakīrtī (of lofty fame), Sānurāga (loving), Purañjana, Kailāsādhipati (lord of Kailāsa), Kānta (brilliant), Savitṛ (sun), Ravilocana (having the sun as the eye), Viśvottama (excellent ifi the universe), Vītabhaya (free from fear), Viśvabhartṛ (supporter of the universe), Anivārita (unobstructed), Nitya (eternal), Niyatakalyāṇa (of invariable welfare), Puṇyaśravaṇakīrtana (hearing about and glorification of whom is meritorious), Dūraśrava (heard far off), Viśvasaha (forbearer of everything), Dhyeya (worthy of being meditated upon), Duḥsvapnanāśana (destroyer of bad dreams), Uttāraṇa (he who takes across), Duṣkṛtihā (destroyer of wicked deeds), Vijñeya (worthy of being known), Duḥsaha (unbearable), Dhava (lord), Anādi (having no beginning), Bhū (earth), Bhuvāḥ Lakṣmīḥ (wealth and the glory of the earth), Kirīṭin (wearing the crown), Tridaśādhipa (lord of the gods), Viśvagoptṛ (protector of the universe), Viśvakartṛ (creator of the universe), Suvīra (good hero), Rucirāṅgada (bestower of beautiful limbs), Janana (the progenitor), Janajanmādi (cause of birth etc. of the people), Prītimān (possessing pleasure), Nītimān (just), Dhruva (steady), Vasiṣṭha (sage Vasiṣṭha), Kaśyapa (sage Kaśyapa), Bhānu (sun), Bhīma (terrible), Bhīmaparākrama (of terrible exploit), Praṇava (the mystic syllable OM), Satpathācāra (traversing the path of the good), Mahākośa (of great treasure), Mahādhana (of great wealth), Janmādhipa (lord of birth), Mahādeva (great lord), Sakalāgamapāraga (one who has mastered all the Vedas), Tattva (tenet), Tattvavit (knower of truth), Ekātman (single soul), Vibhu (all-pervading), Viṣṇuvibhūṣaṇa (ornament of Viṣṇu), Ṛṣi (sage), Brāhmaṇa (knower of Brahman), Aiśvaryam (lordliness), Janmamṛtyujarātiga (who is beyond birth, death and old age), Pañcatattvasamutpatti (origin of the five principles), Viśveśa (lord of the universe), Vimalodaya (of pure rise), Anādyanta (having neither beginning nor end), Ātmayoni (having the self as the source), Vatsala (darling), Bhūtalokadhṛk (supporter of the world of living beings), Gāyatrīvallabha (lover of the mantra Gāyatrī), Prāṃsu (lofty), Viśvāvāsa (abode of the universe), Prabhākara (sun), Śiśu (infant), Girirata (delighted in the mountain), Samrāṭ (emperor), Suṣeṇa (having auspicious army), Suraśatruhā (slayer of the enemies of gods).

Anemi (having no restricting rims), Iṣṭanemi, Mukunda (bestower of salvation or identical with lord Viṣṇu), Vigatajvara (free from fever), Svayamjyoti (self-luminous), Mahājvoti (of great splendour), Tanujyoti (of short splendour), Acañcala (non-fickle), Piṅgala (of tawny colour), Kapilaśmaśru (of brown moustache), Bhālanetra (with an eye in the forehead), Trayītanu (having the Vedas for body), Jñānaskandha (with branching knowledge), Mahānīti (of great justice), Viśvotpatti (origin of the universe), Upaplava (obstacle, distressing), Bhaga (fortune), Vivasvat (sun), Āditya (sun), Gatapāra (one who has reached the other shore), Bṛhaspati (preceptor of gods), Kalyāṇaguṇanāman (having auspicious attributes and names), Pāpahā (destroyer of sins), Puṇyadarśana (of meritorious vision), Udārakīrti (of liberal renown), Udyogin (enterprising), Sadyogin (of good yoga), Sadasattrapa (ashamed of the good and the bad), Nakṣatramālin (having the garland of stars), Nākeśa (lord of heaven), Svādhiṣṭhāna (self-based), Ṣaḍāśraya (support to the six principles), Pavitra (holy), Pāpanāśa (destroyer of sins), Maṇipūra (filling with jewels), Nabhogati (traversing the firmament), Hṛtpuṇḍarīkāsīna (occupying the lotus of the heart), Śakra (identical with Indra), Śānti (peace), Vṛṣākapi (of the form of Dharma or Boar incarnation), Uṣṇa (hot), Gṛhapati (lord of the house), Kṛṣṇa, Samartha (capable), Anarthanāśana (destroyer of evil calamities), Adharmaśatru (inimical to evil), Ajñeya (unknowable), Puruhūta (invoked many times), Puruśruta (very famous), Brahmagarbha (having brahmā within) Bṛhadgarbha having big womb), Dharmadhenu (cow of virtue), Dhanāgama (source of wealth), Jagaddhitaiṣin (well-wisher of universe) Sugata (having good gait), Kumāra, Kuśalāgama (source of welfare), Hiraṇyavarṇa (golden-coloured), Jyotiṣmat (luminous), Nānābhūtarata (interested in different living beings), Dhvani (sound), Ārogya (health), Namanādhyakṣa (presiding deity of obeisances), Viśvāmitra(sage Viśvāmitra), Dhaneśvara (lord of wealth), Brahmajyoti (brilliance of Brahman), Vasu (the semidivine beings Vasus), Dhāman (splendour), Mahājyoti (of great splendour), Anuttama (excellent), Mātāmaha (maternal grandfather), Mātartiśvan (wind-god), Nabhasvat (vaporous air), Nāgahāradhṛk (wearing garlands of serpents), Pulastya, Pulaha, Agastya, Jātūkarṇya, Parāśara (all the five sages), Nirāvaraṇanirvāra (uncovered and unprevented), Vairañcya (son of Brahma), Viṣṭaraśravas (Kuśa-eared), Ātmabhu (self-born), Aniruddha (unobstructed), Atri Jñānamūrti (knowledge-bodied), Mahāyaśas (of great renown), Lokavīrāgraṇi (leader of the heroes of the world), Vīra (heroic), Candra (moon), Satyaparākrama (of truthful exploit), Vyālakalpa (resembling a huge serpent), Mahākalpa (of great conception), Kalpavṛkṣa (wish-yielding kalpa tree), Kalādhara (possessing arts), Alaṅkariṣṇu (desirous of adorning), Acala (unmoving), Rociṣṇu (appealing), Vikramonnata (lofty in valour), Āyu (longevity), Śabdapati (lord of worlds), Vāgmin (eloquent), Plavana (floating), Śikhisārathi (having fire as charioteer), Asamspṛṣṭa (untouched), Atithi (guest), Śatrupramāthin (suppressor of enemies), Pādapāsana (tree-seated), Vasuśravas (wealth-eared), Kavyavāha (bearing Kavya offerings), Pratapta (heated), Viśvabhojana (universe-dieted) Japya (worthy of being worshipped with Japas), Jarādiśamana (subduer of old age etc.), Lohita (red), Tanūnapāt (fire-god), Pṛṣadaśva (wind-god), Nabhoyoni (origin of firmament), Supratīka (of good-symbols), Tamisrahā (destroyer of darkness), Nidāgha (summer), Tapana (sun), Meghabhakṣa (devouring clouds), Parapurañjaya (conqueror of the cities of enemies), Sukhānila (pleasing wind), Suniṣpanna (well born), Surabhi (fragrant), Śiṣirātmaka (winter), Vasanta Mādhava (spring), Grīṣma (summer), Nabhasya (month of Bhādrapada), Bījavāhana (carrier of seeds), Aṅgirāguru (preceptor Aṅgiras), Vimala Ātreya (pure son of the sage Atri), Vīśvavāhana (having the universe as vehicle), Pāvana (sanctifier), Purajit (conqueror of the cities), Śakra (Indra), Traividya (of three lores), Navavāraṇa (preventer of the nine), Manobuddhi ahaṃkāra (mind intellect ego), Ksetrajña (individual soul), Kṣetrapālaka (protector of the field), Jamadagni (sage), Jalanidhi (storehouse of water), Vigāla, Viṣvagā, Viṣvagālaya (universal abode).

Aghora (non-terrible), Anuttara (unsurpassed), Yajña (sacrifice), Śreṣṭha (excellent), Niḥśreyasaprada (bestower of salvation), Śaila (mountain), Gaganakundābha (resembling the sky flower kunda), Dānavāri (enemy of the Dānavas), Arindama (suppressor of enemies), Cāmuṇḍa, Janaka, Cāru (beautiful), Niḥśalya (free from paining dart), Lokaśalyadhṛk (holder of the darts of the world), Caturveda (four Vedas), Caturbhāva (possessed of the four-fold emotions), Catura (skilful), Caturapriya (fond of the skilful), Āmnāya (Vedas), Samāmnāya (well-recited Vedas), Tīrthadeva (lord of the holy centre), Śivālaya (having auspicious residence), Bahurūpa (multiformed), Mahārūpa (immense-formed), Sarvarūpa (omniformed), Carācara (pervading the mobile and immobile being), Nyāyanirṇāyaka (decider of Justice), Neya (led), Nyāyagamya (knowable through justice), Nirañjana (spotless), Sahasramūrdhan (thousand headed), Devendra (lord of the gods), Sarvaśastra Prabhañjana (breaker of weapons and missiles), Muṇḍin (of clean shaven head), Virūpa (hideous-formed), Vikṛta (deformed), Daṇḍin (staff-bearing), Dānin (donor), Guṇottama (excelling in good qualities), Piṅgalākṣa (tawny-eyed), Bahvakṣa (many-eyed), Nīlagrīva (blue-necked), Nirāmaya (free from sickness), Sahasrabāhu (thousand-armed), Sarveśa (lord of all), Śaraṇya (worthy of taking refuge in), Sarvalokadhṛk (supporter of all the worlds), Padmāsana (lotus-seated), Paraṃjyoti (the greatest splendour), Pāramparya Phalaprada (the bestower of benefits), Padmagarbha (lotus-wombed), Mahāgarbha (huge-wombed), Viśvagarbha (having the universe in the womb), Vicakṣaṇa (skilful), Parāvarajña (knower of the greatest and the smallest), Varada (bestower of boons), Vareṇya (excellent), Mahāsvana (of loud sound), Devāsuraguru (preceptor of the gods and Asuras), Devadevāsuranamaskṛta (lord adored by the gods and the Asuras), Devāsuramahāmitra (friend of the gods and the Asuras), Devāsuramaheśvara (lord of the gods and the Asuras), Devāsureśvara (lord of the gods and Asuras), Divya (divine being), Dcvāsuramahāśraya (great base of the gods and the Asuras), Devadeva (lord of the gods), Anaya (having no mean strategy), Acintya (inconceivable), Devatātmā (soul of all deities), Ātmasambhava (self-born), Sadyojāta (sudden-born), Asuravyādha (hunter of the Asuras), Devasiṃha (lion among the gods), Divākara (sun) Vibudhāgracara(going at the head of the gods), Śreṣṭha (most excellent), Sarvadevottamottama (most excellent of all the gods), Śivajñānarata (interested in the knowledge of Śiva), Śrīmat (glorious), Śikhī (fire-god), Śrīparvatapriya (fond of the mountain Śrīparvata), Vajrahasta (having the thunderbolt in the hand), Siddhakhaḍga (having steady sword), Narasiṃha-nipātana (one who felled down Narasiṃha), Brahmacārin (traverser of the path of Brahman), Lokacārin (moving about in the world), Dharmacārin (the traverser of the path of virtue), Dhanādhipa (the lord of wealth) Nandin (the delighted one), Nandīśvara (identical with Nandīśvara), Ananta (the infinite), Nagnavṛttidhara (one adopting the activities of the naked), Śuci (the pure), Liṅgādhyakṣa (the presiding lord of Liṅgas), Surāḍhyakṣa (presiding deity of the gods), Yugādhyakṣa (presiding deity of the Yugas), Yugāpaha (destroyer of Yugas), Svadhāmā (self-housed), Svagata (self-pervading), Svargin (attaining heaven), Svara (accent), Svaramaya svana (vowel sound), Bāṇādhyakṣa (supervisor of arrows), Bījakartṛ (creator of seeds), Karmakṛt (performer of rites), Dharmasambhava (born of virtues), Dambha (arrogance), Lobha (covetousness), Śambhu (bestower of the weal), Sarvabhūtamaheśvara (great lord of all living beings), Śmaśānanilaya (dweller in the cremation ground), Tryakṣa (three-eyed), Setu (bridge), Apratimākṛti (of unequalled features), Lokottarasphuṭa (most excellent in the world), Loka (the world), Tryambaka[10] (three-eyed), Nāgabhūṣaṇa (having serpents for his ornaments), Andhakāri (enemy of Andhaka), Mayadveṣin (enemy of Maya), Viṣṇukandhara-pātana (one who felled the neck of Viṣṇu), fiīnadoṣa (deficient in blemishes), Akṣayaguṇa (of unending attributes), Dakṣāri (inimical to Dakṣa), Pūṣadantabhit (tooth-breaker of Pūṣan (sun)), Pūrṇa (full), Pūrayitṛ (the filler), Puṇya (meritorious), Sukumāra (very delicate and tender), Sulocana (of good eyes), Sanmārgapa (the lord of the path of the good), Priya (loving), Adhūrta (non-roguish), Puṇyakīrti (of meritorious fame), Anāmaya (free from sickness), Manojava (having the speed of the mind), Tīrtha-kara (maker of holy centres), Jaṭila (having matted hair), Niyameśvara (lord of restraints), Jīvitāntakara (cause of the end of life), Nitya (eternal), Vasuretas (cold-semened), Vasuprada (bestower of riches), Sadgati (goal of the good), Siddhida (bestower of Siddhis), Siddha, sajjāti (of good nativity), Khalakaṇṭaka (thorny to the knavish), Kalādhara (possessor of digits), Mahākālabhūta (the being of great Kāla), Satyapārāyaṇa (devoted to truth), Lokalā-vaṇyakartṛ (creator of the beauty of the worlds), Lokot-tarasukhālaya (abode of the most excellent happiness), Gandrasañjīvana (enlivener of the moon), Śāstṛ (chastiser), Lokagrāha (grasper of the worlds), Mahādhipa (great lord), Lokabandhu (kinsman of the worlds), Lokanātha (ruler of the worlds), Kṛṣajña (grateful), Kṛttibhūṣita[11] (adorned with the elephant’s hide), Anapāya(without danger or distress), Âkṣara (imperishable), Kānta (brilliant), Sarvaśastrabhṛd-vara (foremost among the bearers of all weapons), Tejo-maya (full of brilliance), Dyutidhara (resplendent), Loka-māni (honouring the world), Ghṛṇārṇava (ocean of mercy), Śucismita (of pure smiles), Prasannātman (of delighted soul), Ajeya (invincible), Duratikrama (untransgressable), Jyotirmaya (refulgent), Jagannātha (lord of the universe), Nirākāra (shapeless), Jaleśvara (lord of waters), Tumbavīṇa (having his Vīṇā made of the gourd), Mahākāya (of huge bod), Viśoka (free from sorrow), Śokanāśana (destroyer of sorrows), Trilokapa (lord of the three worlds), Trilokeśa (suzerain of the three worlds), Sarvaśuddhi (the all-pure), Adhokṣaja (identical with Viṣṇu), Avyaktalakṣaṇa (of unmanifest characteristics), Vyakta-avyakta Deva (lord of manifest and unmanifest), Viśāmpati (lord of subjects), Para Śiva (great Śiva), Vasu (wealth), Nāsāsāra (breath, essence of the nose), Mānadhara (holder of honour), Yama (restrainer), Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Prajāpāla (protector of subjects), Haṃsa (swan), Haṃsagati (having the gait of swan), Vayas (bird), Vedhas (dispenser), Vidhātṛ (disposer of fate), Dhātṛ (sustainer), Sraṣtṛ (creator), Hartṛ (destroyer), Caturmukha (four-faced), Kailāsaśikharāvāsin (resident on the top of Kailāsa), Sarvāvāsin (residing in all), Sadāgati (always moving), Hiraṇyagarbha—Druhiṇa (identical with Brahmā), Bhūtapāla (protector of the Bhūtas), Bhūpati (lord of the earth), Sadyogin, Yogavid, Yogin (great Yogin), Varada (bcstower of boons), Brāhmaṇapriya (fond of brahmins), Devapriya (fond of gods), Devanātha (lord of gods), Devaka (shining), Devacintaka (one considerate of the gods). Virūpākṣa (of uneven eyes) Vṛṣada (granter of virtues), Vṛṣavardhana (enhancer of virtues), Nirmama (detached), Nirahaṅkāra (free from egotism), Nirmoha (free from delusion), Nirupadrava (harmless), Darpahā (destroyer of arrogance), Darpada (bestower of arrogance), Dṛpta (arrogant), Sarvārthaparivartaka (cause of change in every thing), Sahasrārcis (thousand-rayed), Bhūtibhūṣa (having Bhasma as ornament), Snigdhākṛti (of loving shape), Adakṣiṇa (non-chivalrous), Bhūtabhavya Bhavannātha (lord of the past, present and future), Vibhava (affluence), (Bhūtināśana (destroyer of prosperity), Arthānartha (of good and bad fortune), Mahākośa (of great treasure), Parakāryaikapaṇḍita (sole scholar in other’s activities).

Niṣkaṇṭaka (free from thorns), Kṛtānanda (taking delight), Nirvyāja (free from false pretexts), Vyājamardana (suppressor of false pretexts), Sattvavat (possessing Sattva), Sāttvika, Sattva, Kṛtasneha (loving), Kṛtāgama (one who has made Āgamas), Akampita (non-trembling), Guṇagrāhin (grasping goodness), Naikātman (non-single soul), Naikakarmakṛt (performing many activities), Suprīta (well-pleased,) Sukhada (bestower of happiness), Sūkṣma (subtle), Sukara (of good hands), Dakṣiṇānila (southern wind), Nandi Skanda (delighted Skanda), Dhara (mountain), Dhurya (worthy of being considered at the head), Prakaṭa prītivardhana (enhancer of manifest pleasure), Aparājita (the undefeated), Sarvasaha (bearer of everything) Govinda, Sattvavāhana (cause of the flow of Sattva quality), Adhṛta (unsupported) Svadhṛta (self-supported), Siddha, Pūtamūrti (pure formed), Yaśodhana (considering fame as wealth), Vārāhaśṛṅga dhṛk (holding the horn of Boar), Śṛṅgin (having a horn), Balavat (strong), Ekanāyaka (sole lord), Śruti prakāśa, (Illuminator of the Vedas), Śrutimat (possessing renown), Ekabandhu-Anekadhṛk (sole kinsman supporting many), Śrīvatsala (darling of the goddess of Glory), Śivārambha (of auspicious beginning), Śāntābha (tranquil and well), Sama (equanimous) Yaśas (fame), Bhūśaya (lying on the ground), Bhūṣaṇa (ornamented), Bhūti (prosperity), Bhūtikṛt (creator of prosperity), Bhūtabhāvana (conceiver of all living beings), Akampa (non-trembling), Bhaktikāya (Having devotion as body) Kālahāni (destroyer of Kāla), Kalāvibhu (lord of arts), Satyavratin (of truthful rites), Mahātyāgin (great renouncer), Nitya (eternal) Śānti Parāyaṇa (devoted to peace) Parārthavṛtti (actively engaged for others) Varada (gran ter of boons), Virakta (unattached) Viśārada (skilful), Śubhada (Bestower of auspiciousness), Śubhakartṛ (maker of auspicious circumstances), Śubhanāman (of auspicious names), Śubha (himself auspicious), Anarthita (non-requested), Guṇagrāhin (acceptor of Guṇas), Akartṛ (non-doer) Kaṅkaprabha (Gold lustred) Svabhāvabhadra (naturally good), Madhyastha (stationed in the middle), Śatrughna (Destroyer of enemies), Vighnanāśana (destroyer of obstacles) Śikhaṇḍin (having tuft), Kavacin (having a coat of mail), Śulin (having a trident) Jaṭin (having matted hair).

Muṇḍin (having clean-shaven head), Kuṇḍalin (having earrings), Amṛtyu (deathless), Sarvadṛk (seeing all), Siṃha (leonine) Tejorāśi (heap of splendour), Mahāmaṇi (of great jewel), Asaṃkhyeya (innumerable), Aprameyātman (of immeasurable Ātman), Vīryavat (of great vīrya), Vīryakovida (knower of virility), Vedya (comprehensible), Viyogātman (of disunited soul), Saptāvaramunīśvara (Identical with the seven junior sages), Anuttama (the most excellent), Durādharṣa (incapable of being attacked), Madhura. (sweet), Priyadarśanā (of loving vision), Sureśa (lord of gods), Smaraṇa (recollection) Śarva (destroyer), Śābda (comprehensible through words of the scripture), Pratapatdvara (foremost among those who blaze), Kālapakṣa (time-winged), Kālakāla (destroyer of death) Valayīkṛtavāsuki (having Vāsuki as his wristlet), Maheṣvāsa (having great bow), Mahībhaṛtr (lord of the earth), Niskalaṅka (stainless), Viśṛṅkhala (free from fetters), Dyumaṇi (Jewel of the firmament), Taraṇi (sun), Dhanya (Blessed), Siddhida (Bestower of Siddhis). Siddhisādhana (achiever of Siddhis) Viśvataḥ sampravṛtta (engaged in activities from everywhere) Vyūḍhoraska (of broad chest), Mahābhuja (of great arms), Sarvayoni (source of everything), Nirātaṅka (free from terror), Naranārāyṇapriya (fond of Nara and Nārāyaṇa), Nirlepa (free from attachment), Yatisaṅgātman (associating with the ascetics). Nirvyaṅga, (free from crippledness), Vyaṅganāśana (destoryer of mutilated state), Stava (Hymn), Stutipriya (fond of eulogy), Stotṛ (eulogiser), Vyāptamūrti (of pervasive body), Nirākula (unagitated), Niravadyatamayopāya (of blameless means) Vidyārāśi (heap of learning), Satkṛta (honoured and welcomed), Praśāntabuddhi (of calm intellect), Akṣuṇṇa (unbeaten), Samgraha (collection), Nityasundara (ever beautiful), Vaiyāghra dhurya (of tigerish nature and considered at the head), Dhātrīśa (lord of the earth), Samkalpa (conception), Śarvarīpati (lord of the night), Paramārthaguru (real preceptor), Datta identical with, Datta (Ātreya), Suri (wise), Āśritavatsala (favourably disposed towards dependants), Soma (accompanied by Pārvatī), Rasajña (knower of the taste) Rasada (Bestower of Sweetness), Sarvasattvāvalambana (Supporter of all living beings).

132. Thus Viṣṇu eulogised Śiva with the thousand names. Śiva was prayed to and worshipped with lotuses.

133. O brahmins, then the enthusiastic Śiva performed something wonderful and pleasing. Listen to that attentively.

Notes on the Śiva-sahasranāma:

In fact the text records more than one thousand names. Some are identical in form: śivālayaḥ śivālayȧḥ; trilocanaḥ-trilocanaḥ; kṛttivāsāḥ-kṛttibhūṣitaḥ; śubhaḥ-śubhaḥ; śubhadaḥ-śubhakartā; muṇḍī-muṇḍī; others are repetitions in sense: trilocanaḥ-tryakṣaḥ; virūpākṣaḥ-viṣamākṣaḥ; nīlagnīvaḥ-nīlakaṇṭhaḥ; bhālanetraḥ-lalāṭākṣaḥ; śmaśānanilayaḥ-śmaśānasthaḥ; others are the names of gods and sages: “caturbhujaḥ, caturmukhaḥ, dhātā, vidhātā,vedhāḥ” (of Brahma), “govindaḥ, viṣṇuḥ, janārdanaḥ, jagadīśaḥ” (of Viṣṇu), “sureśaḥ, śaktraḥ, purandaraḥ” (of Indra), “datta” (of Dattātreya), “druhaṇa, durvāsasa, kapila” (of the sages). On the other hand, sorne of the well known, significant names such as “ahirbudhnya, ajaikapād, raivata” are missing.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

As soon as he was born he wept, so he received this name.

[2]:

The eight forms of Śiva, represented by earth, water, fire, wind, ether, sun, moon and mind are known respectively as Sarva, Bhava. Paśupati, Īśāna, Bhīma, Rudra, Mahādeva and Ugra. These symbolise the five gross material elements, two opposite principles of heat and cold and the principle of mind which is the eighth.

[3]:

For the origin of this name sec Śiva-purāṇa Rudrasaṃhitā Yuddha. ch. 57.

[4]:

According to a legend Śiva swallowed poison churned out of the ocean and obtained this name. For the symbolical interpretation of this name sec Matsya-purāṇa (‘A Study’ by V. S. Agrawal) A Study pp. 341-342.

[5]:

Śiva is said to have a third eye in the middle of the forehead. When it opens it destroys the universe including the gods.

[6]:

The five tribes mentioned in the RV. comprise anu, yadu, puru, turvasu and druhyu.

[7]:

See P. 1072 note.

[8]:

SP. SRS. ch. 39

[9]:

Śiva obtained this name by the triple city of the Dānavas. This city now traceable in the insignificant village of Tewar on the banks of the Narmadā near Jabalpur was the capital of Cedi Kings.

[10]:

Śiva named Tryambaka represents the Various Triads on which the entire cosmos is based. It is both the deity of the three eyes or the conscious principles of Jāgrat, Svapna and Suṣupti or Sūrya, Candra and Agni and also the son of three mothers Ambā, Ambikā and Ambālikā. The three sisters represent the three mothers who create the three great principles of mind, life and matter.

[11]:

For the origin of this name see Śiva-purāṇa Rudrasaṃhitā Yuddha Ch. 57.

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