Shloka 110

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

महादन्तो महादंष्ट्रो महाजिह्वो महामुखः महानखो महारोमा महाकेशो महाजटः

Transliteration

mahādanto mahādaṃṣṭro mahājihvo mahāmukhaḥ mahānakho mahāromā mahākeśo mahājaṭaḥ

Translation

Er ist der Großzähnige, der mit mächtigen Hauern; mit weiter Zunge und gewaltigem Mund; mit großen Nägeln, reichlichem Körperhaar, üppigem Haar und mächtigen verfilzten Zöpfen—Mahādeva, dessen ehrfurchtgebietende Gestalt jedes Maß übersteigt.

Word by Word

• महादन्तः: one with great teeth

• महादंष्ट्रः: one with great fangs/tusks

• महाजिह्वः: one with a great tongue

• महामुखः: one with a great mouth/face

• महानखः: one with great nails/claws

• महारोमा: one with abundant hair on the body

• महाकेशः: one with great hair/locks

• महाजटः: one with great matted hair (jata)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s names to the Sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

These epithets train the devotee to recognize the Linga’s Lord (Pati) as both formless and capable of manifesting an overwhelming Rudra-form; such remembrance (nama-smaraṇa) supports steadiness in Linga-puja and deepens bhakti.

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

It portrays Shiva-tattva as immeasurable majesty: the Supreme who can assume a cosmic, fearsome, and all-encompassing form—signifying His sovereignty over pashu (souls) and pasha (bondage) while remaining beyond limiting attributes.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Nama-japa and dhyāna on the Sahasranama: contemplating each name as a tattva-pointer in Pashupata-oriented devotion, using concentrated remembrance to loosen pasha and turn the pashu toward Pati.