Shloka 57

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

श्मशानवासी भगवान् खचरो गोचरो ऽर्दनः अभिवाद्यो महाकर्मा तपस्वी भूतधारणः

Transliteration

śmaśānavāsī bhagavān khacaro gocaro 'rdanaḥ abhivādyo mahākarmā tapasvī bhūtadhāraṇaḥ

Translation

The Blessed Lord Śiva dwells in the cremation-ground; He moves through the sky and also walks upon the earth. He is the subduer of bondage, worthy of reverent salutations, the accomplisher of mighty acts, the great ascetic, and the sustainer of all beings.

Word by Word

• श्मशानवासी: dweller in the cremation-ground

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord (Pati, Shiva)

• खचरः: sky-moving, moving through the heavens

• गोचरः: earth-walking, accessible in the world

• अर्दनः: subduer, crusher (of Pāśa/bondage and enemies)

• अभिवाद्यः: worthy of salutation and reverence

• महाकर्मा: performer of great deeds, wielder of vast cosmic action

• तपस्वी: ascetic, master of tapas

• भूतधारणः: supporter/sustainer of beings and elements (bhūtas)

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?

It presents Shiva as the all-pervading Pati—present in the cremation-ground (vairagya and transcendence) and also accessible in the world—supporting devotees to move from Pāśa (bondage) toward liberation through Linga-bhakti.

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

Shiva is shown as simultaneously transcendent and immanent: beyond fear and death (śmaśāna-vāsī), moving through all realms (khacara, gocara), and as Ardana—the power that crushes the bonds limiting the paśu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes tapas (ascetic discipline) and detachment—key Pāśupata orientations—supporting inner renunciation while remaining active in the world, with Shiva as the sustaining support (bhūtadhāraṇa) for practice.