Shloka 92

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

समीरो दमनाकारो ह्य् अर्थो ह्यर्थकरो वशः वासुदेवश् च देवश् च वामदेवश् च वामनः

Transliteration

samīro damanākāro hy artho hyarthakaro vaśaḥ vāsudevaś ca devaś ca vāmadevaś ca vāmanaḥ

Translation

He is Samīra, the vital Wind that sets all beings in motion; the Subduer whose very form disciplines the bonds of bondage. He is the Meaning and the Giver of true purpose; the Lord of mastery. He is also Vāsudeva, the radiant Deva; Vāmadeva, the auspicious Lord of gentle countenance; and Vāmana, the One who measures and contains the worlds within Himself.

Word by Word

• समीरो (samīraḥ): the wind/breath, vital life-current

• दमनाकारः (damanākāraḥ): whose form is subduing/disciplining, the tamer of passions and bonds

• अर्थः (arthaḥ): meaning, purpose, the true aim (puruṣārtha) and reality

• अर्थकरः (arthakaraḥ): bestower/producer of purpose and prosperity, granter of right fruition

• वशः (vaśaḥ): mastery, the one who brings all under control (lordship)

• वासुदेवः (vāsudevaḥ): indwelling Lord of all beings, all-pervading deity

• देवः (devaḥ): the shining God, the luminous one

• वामदेवः (vāmadevaḥ): the auspicious/benign aspect of Shiva (Vāmadeva-mūrti)

• वामनः (vāmanaḥ): the measurer/one of subtle stride, the one who pervades by measured steps

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse supports Linga-worship through nāma-japa: by praising Shiva as the indwelling Wind (prāṇa) and the Lord of mastery, the devotee aligns the pashu (soul) toward Pati (Shiva), weakening pasha (bondage) through remembrance.

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

It presents Shiva as both immanent and transcendent—moving as life-breath (Samīra), governing karmic fruition (Artha/Arthakara), and containing the cosmos (Vāmana), while also revealing His gentle salvific aspect (Vāmadeva).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pashupata-oriented practice of nāma-japa with prāṇa-awareness: contemplating Shiva as Samīra encourages regulated breath and inner discipline (damanākāra), supporting mastery over senses and bonds.