Shloka 129

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

जीवितान्तकरो नित्यो वसुरेता वसुप्रियः सद्गतिः सत्कृतिः सक्तः कालकण्ठः कलाधरः

Transliteration

jīvitāntakaro nityo vasuretā vasupriyaḥ sadgatiḥ satkṛtiḥ saktaḥ kālakaṇṭhaḥ kalādharaḥ

Translation

He is the ender of embodied life, the Eternal; Vasuretā, whose seed is the very essence of prosperity, beloved of the Vasus. He is the true refuge and the giver of rightful honor, ever engaged in upholding the cosmic order. He is Kālakāṇṭha, the dark‑throated Lord of Time, and the bearer of all kalās—divine arts and phases.

Word by Word

• jīvita-anta-karaḥ: the maker of the end of mortal life (the one who withdraws prāṇa at death)

• nityaḥ: eternal, beyond time

• vasu-retāḥ: whose retas (creative potency/seed) is vasu—radiant wealth/essence

• vasu-priyaḥ: dear to the Vasus (and the giver of prosperity)

• sat-gatiḥ: true path/refuge leading to liberation

• sat-kṛtiḥ: right action/true honoring

• saktaḥ: engaged, intent, powerfully attached to dharma and cosmic function

• kāla-kaṇṭhaḥ: the one whose throat is time/darkness, the devourer of time

• kalā-dharaḥ: bearer of kalās—arts, powers, phases (including lunar digits and divine energies).

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vasus
• Kala (Time)

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga-Lord as Pati: the one who both sustains life and ends embodied existence, guiding the pashu from bondage (pāśa) toward sat-gati—true refuge and liberation—so worship is not merely for worldly gain but for moksha.

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

Shiva is described as nitya (eternal) and kāla-kaṇṭha (the one who contains/devours time), indicating transcendence over time while also governing it; as kalādhara, he bears all powers and phases through which grace (anugraha) operates for the soul.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports Pashupata-oriented contemplation: meditating on Shiva as the controller of time and death (kāla) and taking refuge in him as sat-gati; in puja, it aligns with japa of these names to loosen pāśa (bondage) and cultivate right conduct (satkṛti).