Shloka 103

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

व्यालकल्पो महाकल्पो महावृक्षः कलाधरः अलंकरिष्णुस् त्वचलो रोचिष्णुर्विक्रमोत्तमः

Transliteration

vyālakalpo mahākalpo mahāvṛkṣaḥ kalādharaḥ alaṃkariṣṇus tvacalo rociṣṇurvikramottamaḥ

Translation

He is Vyālakalpa, the measure of time that contains even the most formidable powers; He is the Great Aeon itself. He stands as the mighty cosmic tree, the bearer of all divine phases and energies (Kalādhara). He adorns and sanctifies all, the unmoving Absolute; ever-radiant, He is supreme in valour—the Pati who, by sovereign might, transcends every pāśa that binds the paśu.

Word by Word

• व्यालकल्पः: the aeon associated with mighty/serpentine (formidable) powers, a vast measure of time

• महाकल्पः: the great kalpa, the grand cosmic cycle

• महावृक्षः: the great tree (cosmic support, source and shelter)

• कलाधरः: bearer of kalā (phases, energies, divine portions—also lunar digits)

• अलंकरिष्णुः: the one who adorns/beautifies, the sanctifier

• त्व्: indeed/also (emphatic particle)

• अचलः: unmoving, immovable (the changeless Absolute)

• रोचिष्णुः: radiant, shining, luminous

• विक्रमोत्तमः: supreme in prowess/stride/valor

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 praises the Linga-Lord as the immovable, radiant Pati who contains and transcends cosmic time (kalpa), helping the devotee shift attention from changing phenomena (pāśa) to the changeless Shiva-tattva.

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

Shiva is presented as Achala (unchanging Absolute) yet Rociṣṇu (self-luminous consciousness), the cosmic support (Mahāvṛkṣa) and the bearer of kalā—His powers that regulate manifestation without compromising His transcendence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports Pashupata-style contemplation: meditate on Shiva as Achala (steady, unmoving) and Rociṣṇu (inner light), using Linga-puja as the stabilizing focus to loosen pāśa (bondage) for the pashu (individual soul).