Shloka 103

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

वेदकारः सूत्रकारो विद्वांश् च परमर्दनः महामेघनिवासी च महाघोरो वशीकरः

Transliteration

vedakāraḥ sūtrakāro vidvāṃś ca paramardanaḥ mahāmeghanivāsī ca mahāghoro vaśīkaraḥ

Translation

هو مُصنِّفُ الفيدا، ومؤلِّفُ السوترا، والعالِمُ الأعلى. هو القاهرُ الذي يسحقُ قيودَ العبودية؛ يسكنُ في السحابةِ العظمى، وهو المُرعِبُ العظيمُ للجهل، وهو الربُّ الذي يُخضعُ جميعَ الكائنات لسلطانِه السيادي.

Word by Word

• वेदकारः: maker/composer of the Vedas

• सूत्रकारः: author of aphorisms/sutras, systematizer of sacred knowledge

• विद्वान्: the all-knowing wise one

• परमर्दनः: crusher/overwhelmer (destroyer of obstacles and pasha)

• महामेघनिवासी: dweller in the great cloud (veiling and raining grace, hidden yet all-pervading)

• महाघोरः: the exceedingly awe-inspiring/terrible (to evil and ignorance)

• वशीकरः: one who subjugates/controls (the supreme controller, Pati)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Sahasranama to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames the Linga as the form of Pati (Shiva) who is both the source of Vedic revelation and the destroyer of pasha; worship of the Linga thus aims at grace (anugraha) and liberation of the pashu (soul).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva-tattva is shown as transcendent knowledge (vedakāra, sūtrakāra, vidvān) and sovereign power (paramardana, vaśīkara), terrifying to ignorance (mahāghora) yet governing the cosmos through concealment and blessing (mahāmeghanivāsī).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports Pashupata orientation: surrender to Pati through Linga-puja and inner discipline so that Shiva crushes bondage (paramardana) and establishes mastery over the senses and mind (vaśīkara).