Shloka 156

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

निर्लेपो निष्प्रपञ्चात्मा निर्व्यग्रो व्यग्रनाशनः स्तव्यस्तवप्रियः स्तोता व्यासमूर्तिरनाकुलः

Transliteration

nirlepo niṣprapañcātmā nirvyagro vyagranāśanaḥ stavyastavapriyaḥ stotā vyāsamūrtiranākulaḥ

Translation

Er ist unbefleckt und unberührt; sein eigenes Selbst ist jenseits der vielfachen Entfaltung der Welt; stets unaufgeregt und doch der Vernichter aller Unruhe. Preiswürdig und den Hymnen zugetan; er selbst ist der Preisende; er nimmt die Gestalt Vyāsas an; der Pati, unverwirrt und ewig heiter, der den paśu von den Fesseln des pāśa befreit.

Word by Word

• nirlepaḥ: unstained, unattached

• niṣprapañca-ātmā: whose essence is beyond worldly multiplicity

• nirvyagraḥ: unagitated, free from distraction

• vyagra-nāśanaḥ: destroyer of agitation/distress

• stavyaḥ: worthy to be praised

• stava-priyaḥ: fond of hymns of praise

• stotā: the one who praises (inner inspirer of praise)

• vyāsa-mūrtiḥ: having the form/manifestation of Vyāsa (revealer of śāstra)

• anākulaḥ: unconfused, unperplexed, tranquil

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vyasa

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as stava and nāma-japa offered to the nirlepa Pati—praise purifies the paśu’s mind and helps loosen pāśa (bondage), even though Shiva Himself is ever untouched.

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

Shiva is niṣprapañca (transcendent to worldly plurality) and nirvyagra (ever serene), yet He is vyagranāśana—actively granting śānti by removing agitation and confusion from devotees.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Stotra/namasmarana as a Pāśupata-oriented sādhana: disciplined praise that steadies the mind (nirvyagra) and supports inner detachment (nirlepa) while approaching the Linga as Pati.