Shloka 19
Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana
The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva
शाखो विशाखो गोशाखः शिवो भिषगनुत्तमः । गंगाप्लवोदको भव्यः पुष्कलः स्थपतिः स्थिरः
śākho viśākho gośākhaḥ śivo bhiṣaganuttamaḥ | gaṃgāplavodako bhavyaḥ puṣkalaḥ sthapatiḥ sthiraḥ
Er ist Śākha und Viśākha, der Verzweigende und der Vielverzweigte; Er ist Gośākha, der schützende Zweig für alle Wesen. Er ist Śiva, der erhabenste Arzt, der die Fesseln der Seele heilt. Er ist das heilige Wasser der reinigenden Flut der Gaṅgā; Er ist heilvoll und strahlend, reich an Gnade—der göttliche Baumeister und der stets feste, unveränderliche Herr.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s epithets to the sages at Naimisharanya in the Shiva Purana style)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vaidyanātha
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanātha
Sthala Purana: Śiva is praised as the supreme physician (bhiṣag-anuttama). In jyotirliṅga tradition, Vaidyanātha embodies Śiva as healer of both bodily affliction and the deeper pāśa (bondage) through grace and right worship.
Significance: Sought for healing, removal of obstacles, and relief from bondage through devotion and abhiṣeka; especially associated with vows and water-offerings.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse praises Shiva through healing and purifying imagery: as the unsurpassed physician (bhīṣak) He cures the soul’s disease—bondage (pāśa)—and as Gaṅgā’s flood-water He purifies impurities (mala) so the devotee may move toward grace (anugraha) and liberation.
These are Saguna epithets that give the mind a devotional support: worship of the Shiva Linga is strengthened by remembering Shiva as protector (gośākha), purifier (gaṅgāplavodaka), and cosmic ordainer (sthapati), while understanding that these qualities point to the one supreme Pati beyond limitation.
A practical takeaway is nāma-japa: recite these names of Shiva with the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and meditate on inner purification like Gaṅgā’s flow; optionally perform simple abhiṣeka with clean water while contemplating Shiva as the healer of karmic afflictions.