Shloka 144

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

शिरोविमर्शनः सर्वलक्ष्यलक्षणभूषितः अक्षयो रथगीतश् च सर्वभोगी महाबलः

Transliteration

śirovimarśanaḥ sarvalakṣyalakṣaṇabhūṣitaḥ akṣayo rathagītaś ca sarvabhogī mahābalaḥ

Translation

He is the One who gently lays His hand upon the head, bestowing grace; adorned with every auspicious mark and sign. He is imperishable; praised in the chariot-hymn; the enjoyer of all as the inner Lord of every experience, and He is of immense power.

Word by Word

• शिरोविमर्शनः: one who touches/strokes the head (in blessing)

• सर्वलक्ष्यलक्षणभूषितः: adorned with all auspicious marks and characteristics

• अक्षयः: imperishable, undecaying

• रथगीतः: sung/praised in the chariot-hymn (ratha-gīta)

• च: and

• सर्वभोगी: enjoyer of all, lord of all experiences

• महाबलः: of great strength, immensely powerful

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the imperishable Pati who grants anugraha (grace) and bears all auspicious marks—supporting Linga worship as approaching the supreme Lord beyond decay, who blesses the pashu (soul) and loosens pasha (bondage).

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

Shiva is presented as Akshaya (unchanging reality) and Sarvabhogi—not as a limited enjoyer, but as the inner sovereign who pervades and governs all experiences while remaining transcendent and immensely powerful.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key takeaway is anugraha-centered devotion: recitation of Shiva’s names (nama-japa/sahasranama) and Linga-upasana to receive the Lord’s ‘head-touch’ blessing—symbolizing initiation-like grace that advances the pashu toward liberation.